Chic Delights: Autumn

That day was a perfect Autumn day in Paris despite the typical grey, cloudy skies overhead with a threat of rain which never came. As I hang around the Jardin Du Luxembourg on the Left Bank of Paris, I was amazed by the colourful fall colours in the trees and even the blooming flowers in the garden. There were many people hanging out enjoying the view and the amenities of the Park. I discovered that there are tennis courts where local Parisians can come and play. There were old and retired men and women coming to meet their dear friends to walk, chat and even play a game of chess beside the Jardin de la Roserai. Besides the birds and the ducks, there were local students also hanging out with their friends where they tried to feed the birds who fought for these bird feed being offered to them. Of course there were lovers young and old hanging out there to enjoy their Parisian romance especially here at the Jardin. Then there was me, just taking these all in, admiring the people, the gardens, the grand and elegant statues around and most off all taking in Autumn's magic at the Jardin Du Luxembourg the most lovely park in the Paris' Left Bank.

I admire these rows of fall mums in these elegant urns.

I say, Bonjour madame.

This looks like a symphony of flowers, statues and fall trees.

Only in Paris where they have these rows of perfectly cut topiary trees.

Fall blooming roses.

A little duck rest house in the middle of the pond at Jardin du Luxembourg.

Local students trying to feed the birds.

I can see you - a local who wore shorts reading peacefully at the Jardin.

Tennis anyone?

Two local Parisians playing their chess game.

A cold and snowy winter front has arrived here in Toronto and much of the Northeast United States. I can't help but miss this warm, grey and Fall weather in Paris. Now I know when they say Grey Paris.

Bon Weekend mes amis!

One of my pleasures in life is my morning walks with Barkley, our dog, to the park. Our favourite park is Petticoat Creek Park in Toronto, near our house. Petticoat Creek Park is a Conservation Park that is part of the larger Rouge Valley Park which consists of around 50 square km, around 12,500 acres of parkland. The whole Rouge Valley starts here at Petticoat Creek Park and goes all the way North which is still part of the Greater Toronto Area. The Rouge Valley is the largest parkland within the core of a metropolitan city here in North America.

We are lucky here in Toronto that we are near the "Great Lakes" in North America. One of the the Great Lakes is Lake Ontario which encompasses this park. The Rouge Valley supports the wildlife, the fauna, foliage and agricultural farms here in Toronto. It is designated by Law as a Conservation land by our Federal Government. Only development allowed are for the recreational use of the population, preservation of the natural habitat and beauty of the wildlife and foliage in the area and some agricultural activities. I have received some requests from my readers to feature Barkley in my blog. Here we are to share with you the beautiful changing colours of Autumn as we walked together on a beautiful morning here at Petticoat Creek Park.

Meet Barkley. He is a Pug. Here he is getting quite stressed because of me. I was asking him to look into my camera to pose. But he is giving me his look which told me "What is she doing to me now? Please take my picture quickly so I can go for my walk and explore the park." Barkley could be very impatient but he is a sweet dog. Very friendly to humans but quite aloof to his fellow dogs. He doesn't think he is a dog. He is very kind, patient and gentle to children and loves to take his daily walk outdoors.

Here are the beautiful changing colours of the trees. The stream that flows through from the North and connected to all the way here at Lake Ontario.

Beautiful colours of Autumn.

A sandy beach at Lake Ontario.
During the summer this is a perfect place to stroll and watch the sail boats pass by.

The stream that is connected onto Lake Ontario.

On the other far end of Lake Ontario is Rochester, New York, USA.

When people see me and Barkley walking together, they tell me that Barkley is actually walking me, instead of me walking him. Can you believe that? That is so funny. Barkley taught me to slow down and as the saying goes, to "smell the roses" by appreciating nature more. He loves to look at the plants and flowers.

Barkley: "Pamela is right. I take my time to walk. I stop to admire these beautiful plants and flowers. She always tell me "let's go" and to walk faster but I walk along in my own pace. I look at her to tell her to enjoy and admire these magnificent surroundings."

Barkley: "Here we are admiring the different colours of these plants and the view of Lake Ontario. Now, Pamela is finally taking the right pictures."

This is the picnic area in the park. The whole park goes all the way through this trail to the other far end.

Barkley: "Yes, I love to walk but not that far. So we will stop here. I would just like to share that I am always excited to walk with Pamela. I always wait for her to come home from her work so that she can take me out and we could both enjoy the outdoors together. But Autumn is my favourite because it is not too hot. Then when Winter arrives, I get excited because I can play outside in the snow."