feels like a lifetime ago

Do you see the rainbow in this photo? Me either. But trust me, it’s there. The rainbow was in the sky hovering above us as we drove to Lyon. I took it as a good omen, and it was. My anniversary weekend in Lyon was as close to perfect as perfect can be.

If Paris and Dublin had a baby, that baby would be Lyon. It’s hard to explain why, but that’s what it felt like. And when I was having beers with 365 Things I Love About France, Charley, she agreed with me so it must be true (Yes I met up with Charley while celebrating my anniversary. I take English speaking opportunities when I can get them).

We checked into the Sofitel and The Husband busted out the map and got his tourist on…

 
Actually, he was planning the route from our hotel to Starbucks. And he succeeded (Only a five minute walk away thank you very much, I may or may not have planned this. I’ll let you decide). A few minutes later, I had my vanilla latte, Lyon City Mug, and a new traveler tumbler, perfect for when I pop into Le Petit Bar and ask The Parisian for my cafés au lait to go (I love how it freaks out the villagers when I do this). 
After strolling around we found the perfect spot for lunch. You know how when you stumble onto something and it’s so perfect that you couldn’t have planned it if you had tried? Well that was the spot we found. It’s called l’Hostel and if I lived in Lyon, it’s exactly where I would pop in for a drink after work. Doesn’t The Husband look handsome there? And dig the baroque decor…
 
And because our trip to Lyon was all about the food (it is the gastronomic capital of France you know), after lunch we headed to Les Halles to ooh and aah at all the delicious goodness. There was fromage and saucisson as far as the eye could see. But we decided to have a little nosh on these instead… 
Next was more walking around. Which of course made you know who cranky. Observe cranky pants face…
Because of the cranky pants face, I had to use the old carrot and stick method. Except the carrot was a pint in an Irish pub, where they would be showing the last Six Nations Rugby Match (England vs. Ireland… oh yeah… on like donkey kong). And that’s when we met Charley. And Charley ordered a Guinness and The Husband fell in love with her a little bit (The Husband digs chicks who drink Guinness). 
So we watched Ireland spank England and it was pretty much the best anniversary present I could ever get (even better than my taste of America in a cup at Starbucks… the spanking was that good), and we bid adieu to Charley and headed to dinner at Brasserie Georges (more food!) which is the craziest busiest restaurant I’ve ever seen… 
Look at all the people! And that’s only half of the restaurant. It was awfully nice of everybody to come out to celebrate my anniversary, wasn’t it? 
After all that food, Guinness, and fun, my little cranky pants was all tuckered out… 
And that was that. 
bisou

38 responses to “feels like a lifetime ago”

  1. Happy Anniversary (again), looks like you had a fab time. I don't know how you got away with posting that last photo, I would be so dead if I did that to my hubs!

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  2. I like to live dangerously!

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  3. Fantastic! I have been wondering how it all went. So fun meeting up with you two and drinking big old Guinness's by the pint; thanks for meeting up with me on your romantical getaway!Does Le Husband know you posted that photo? Ha!Welcome back :-)Charley

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  4. Somehow I let myself get overwhelmed with blog reading this morning – but when I see you show up in my reader it is like a breath of fresh air. Have only spent an hour in Lyon between trains, but is on my list as a “must return to skulk around more” city. Sweet post. Welcome back, beautiful! xo

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  5. The food looks amazing! And glad you could appease the crankypants.

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  6. What a great description of Lyon, you've just put it on my radar. Yeah hubs would kill me too if I posted that, wild child!

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  7. I want to go to Lyon! Grr so many places in France to see!

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  8. I also want to go to Lyon….that restaurant is crazy big…..And I would be searching for my starbucks too!

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  9. sounds fun! i wish you still lived in dublin. we'll be there 6 weeks from today. i'd hang and speak english with you.

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  10. Reading your blog makes me so excited for this summer. We rented a house in Toulon for a month. The food it really what I am most excited about. I don't want to see a beet, dill, or sour cream for the entire month.

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  11. I love the way Husband turned from 'handsome husband' .. to 'cranky pants husband' .. to 'sleeping husband'. I know you wrote a whole heap of other stuff – but that cracks me up the most.Glad you are back (even if it is slightly pretend) as I just love your writing. Fresh and fun (-:

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  12. sounds like the perfect weekend

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  13. Lucky you! What a fab weekend & excellent anniversary gift…truth be told, you had me at Starbucks!ps. oui, your hubby is tres handsome, go girl 🙂

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  14. I am so glad you had a good weekend! And the rainbow (which may or may not have been there) was definitely a good omen. I think I need to put Lyon on my list of places to visit.

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  15. “If Paris and Dublin had a baby” — HAHAH!!! I love it…I haven't even been to Lyon, but I could picture it!And…mmmm. Oysters!

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  16. Ohh what a lovely trip! Your pictures tell the story perfectly. 🙂

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  17. Awesome locale + lots of food and drink…sounds like a perfect anniversary!Good to have you back 🙂

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  18. Congrats on your anniversary! Nothing better than walking around a great city, tasting the best, with your honey. We did the same in NYC for our engagement trip!

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  19. So cute… is cranky pants going to kill you for posting that photo.. tee hee!! xo

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  20. Sara,what a fabulous weekend get away.and yes you are a lucky girl, Husband (just spelled that husbad lol) is adorable! Starting your day with Starbucks, a must! Love the progression from happy to cranky to sleeping, you are soooo funny, I love spending time with you!Glad your'e back.Rebecca

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  21. First I am very pleased you got that Starbucks latte! Most of all I am pleased you had a lovely time on your anniversary. Because it was you and your Love's time to spend together whatever way you wished…you did tucker him out with the walking!

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  22. Your cranky pants reminds me of my cranky pants. They make similar faces.It must be a guy thing.http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/Twitter: @GlamKitten88

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  23. Lyon looks fabulous! What a wonderful anniversary. I understand your desire to speak english whenever possible…the brain needs a rest sometimes!Sofitel hotels are great,,we stayed at one in Paris and the price we found on Priceline was amazing. Cheap like Borsht! Hope you're doing well missy, I'm sure things have been tough for you lately. Thinking of you!

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  24. How could anyone be cranky after that platter of delicious looking oysters!?I wish there was some way we could meet up for a cyber-pint. I with my Guinness, you with some wine.

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  25. OMG, your husband is gorgeous! Lucky lady you.

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  26. sounds like fun. We didn't have any good food in Lyon, but really enjoyed the museums.

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  27. There is nothing like girls drinking guinness to impress a man ( i caught mine like this !) !Happy anniversary again Lyon sounds very good : never put a foot in this town !

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  28. What's the equivalent of “cranky pants” in French?

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  29. Oysters are gross. You are awesome. The husband is too cute.Glad to have you back – missed you! xx

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  30. Looks like you had an awesome little anniversary trip. Glad you're back here. Take your time, but we've missed you!

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  31. You were missed! Again, Happy Anniversary – it looks like a perfectly heavenly excursion and seeing your beloved immersed in all the beautiful white bedding makes me long to go crawl into my own bed and snuggle in for the night!

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  32. Seems like you two had a great anniversary! I really like your picture of Mr. Crankypants. The church (?) in the background is so beautiful! How can he be so cranky? Haha.

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  33. I've been known to wear the cranky pants face on occasion. Great images of a great adventure.

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  34. any day that starts with starbucks in europe, and is spent eating and drinking yummy things is a perfect one in my book!!! glad you had a great anniversary Sara (:

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  35. It sounds like a wonderful time. I'm sure it feels like a lifetime ago – you've been through a lot since. Nice to see you back here.

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  36. what a lovely getaway — mr. crankpants and all!and those oysters……….ahhh….magnifique 😉

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  37. Well, that cranky-face looks pretty good!Cute story!

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  38. Those oysters looked delish! I don't get such awesome seafood in middle america.

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