dejeuner de famille

Dimanche, déjeuner de famille

Sunday we celebrated the 18th birthday of our daughter, the second of our four children.  Une journée comme on les aime; family, friends, a simple, relaxed  meal and sunshine.

Many happy returns my darling!

PS  I've had a couple of friendly questions about the cake - OK.  I know it looks very home-made, but that's because it is home made, and it's my daughter's favourite.  It's a chocolate roulade (no flour or butter in the sponge)  rolled with a chocolate mousse and whipped cream inside.  Always goes down well here!

And for those who have asked what we served for this birthday lunch:

Aperitif - Champagne with tiny home baked savoury pastries

Main course

Confit de canard with sauted potatoes cooked in the oven using the fat from the duck (Sorry if this is more information than required - but the flavour is incomparable).  Accompanied by fresh green beans and a persillade of parsley and garlic.

Cheese and salad.

Choice of deserts - chocolate roulade or fresh lemon cheesecake accompanied by a compote of red fruits from the garden.

Coffee.

The meal was served with a good red Cote de Rhone, and soft drinks for the children

Thank you all for such kind birthday wishes!

Fabrice Alberti - an artist and a friend

I am so lucky to have made some really gifted friends in my life.  I remain deeply impressed and moved  by artistic talent, be it musical or visual.    So it is with our friend Fabrice.  But to tell you this story I have to start from the beginning ..........

I actually met his wife Martha first.  Martha is American and she met and married Fabrice when she fulfilled a dream and came to live in France.  She used to live along the valley and we spent many fun moments together.

Now their lives have come full circle and they are living back in the States.  We miss them a lot. My tummy still does something strange each time I drive past their old house.

It is thanks to Martha that this blog exists.  When she returned to the States she started her own beautifully written blog telling of how she came to  live in France.  When she invited me to start reading her I didn't even know what a blog was!  She encouraged me to start a blog of my own..  She stopped her blog when she realised she had a story worth publishing, and I hope one day to see the book version - maybe under the name of her original blog: Martha from Normandy.

Now settled in Georgia, she forms a great team with her French husband Fabrice.  His work as an artist is what I want to show you today. 

Fabrice trained at Les Beaux Arts in Paris, and he is so talented that he can apply himself to any style of painting, any dimension.  Since they have been in America he has concentrated on decorative art for interiors, producing pieces for individual homes, and often painting to commission.  

His in depth knowledge of decorative styles and art history makes him capable of stunning restoration work.  Today he is often asked to apply European decorative finishes to beautiful American homes.

He paints screens such as this one used as a bed head and featured
in the Amercan magazine House Beautiful.

I love his subtle monochromatic paintings.  It's hard to believe they haven't been salvaged from a beautiful old French château.  If you visit his site, you'll see many more.

He also creates decorative objects that appear convincingly old.   I'd love to have one of these stunning lamp bases in my house.

So, for once on this blog, I can tell you about something amazing  - but geographically closer to many of you than to me.  If you drop by to see Fabrice and Martha, please give them a hug from me!

All photos thanks to Fabrice Alberti

chateau avec potager

Just when I thought I knew this valley off by heart, I discover something new!

Drove past these gates in the middle of nowhere this week and screeched to a halt!

This is the little tree lined avenue leading down away from the gate.  Nicely rural don't you think?

This is the property so well guarded, a little austere maybe, but not 'vilain'

But best of all, this is the stone walled potager, something this blogger believes  no home should be without (providing of course it comes complete with the necessary army of jardiniers)!!

 

maison et objet - my favourite

What fun it was to meet up with fellow bloggers Sunday evening in Paris.   Time was too short, but I'm so glad I was able to chat to Vicki Archer, Sande Chase, Libby Wilkes, Mimi and Delana, there were others too who I would have loved to meet - next year maybe?!

And what of the salon Maison et Objet,  well ... you know it's huge and  packed full of wonderful wonderful show stands .

If I had to tell you about just one stand in particular it would have to be that of Beltima.  This Belgian company stood out in the crowd for me.  I loved their beautiful greenhouses, with the hand finished putty around the window panes, and muted colours on the woodwork.

It wasn't till I got home and checked out their site that I discovered all the other great stuff they make, gazebos, pool houses on wheels! , garden chalets and even real roulottes.

I love the detailed wood work on this summer house.

Their very Belgian style is sober with out  being boring.  If I had a pool I would definitely need changing cabins like these - just perfect!

All photos Beltima

salle de bain ou chambre de charme?

How charming and how French is this bedroom and bathroom rolled into one.   I love the gentle colours, the slightly muddled furniture, the way nothing was really designed, but just happens to be here!

A room to laze around in if ever there was one!  What is missing?  There's a fireplace, an easel a beautiful bed, a beautiful bathtub and comfy chairs.  All you'd need to bring in would be your own pile of reading material.

OK I admit it's possible that after a while I'd feel the need to clear a bit of space but I still think the overall effect is charming and romantic.

Photos thanks to Mires Images

Paris, Merci and an aperitif in St Germain

With so many bloggers visiting Paris for the Maison et Objet Salon, some of them might want to take the time to visit Merci! .  This great store took Paris by storm last year, with it's wide open spaces, ultra design, coffee shop and restaurant.

The shop was created by the owners of the up market children's wear store Bonpoint.  It is their way of saying Merci, since all store profits go to charity.  C'est beau, non?!

What you notice first about the shop is all the space, and the light!  Everything they sell is beautiful, be it for the home, clothing or kitchen ware.

All the books sold in their coffee shop are second hand -the atmosphere is cosy and relaxed.

I'll be in Paris on Sunday evening, at the aperitif organised by Sande of A Gift Wrapped Life and Vicki of French Essence.  I'm really looking forward  to meeting them, and I hope it will be the opportunity to put many other faces to names.

Anyone reading this planning to be there?

a family house for sale

So far, amongst properties for sale, I've shown you a maison de maître, and a house in need of a total rebuild.  Here is a house for sale in the valley, it belongs to a friend, more recent than the others (the house that is, not the friend!)  but still with charm and potential  (both the house and the friend!!).

You walk directly into this lovely living area, with an open plan kitchen that I always find very relaxed and sociable.  Either side of this large room French doors open onto terraces.

The house is beautifully decorated and has a very soothing atmosphere.  It is big, there are currently 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.  On the top floor there is a large family/TV room that could be made into a further bedroom with ensuite bathroom.

This wide and attractive couloir leads to one of the ensuite bedrooms.

Upstairs there's a fun bathroom between two of the children's bedrooms.

Leading out of the kitchen terrace are pretty stone steps to guide you up into the garden.

The grounds are extensive, partly maintained as a lawn and garden, and partly left as forest.  This means that the property is very secluded and private.

Voila!  Another take on buying a property in France... it doesn't have to be 18th century, or with wooden beams, life in France can be enjoyed under all sorts of roofs!