Yesterday my friendly postman Jerry hand delivered my mail, which included a parcel, to the porch - a nice surprise when I opened the front door to view the brilliant green of the garden after some rain. I prefer to patronize a local independent book shop, complete with squishy old arm chairs and strong coffee, and I get their senior discount without having to buy a membership card (one of the perks of age!). I did have a credit at Amazon.com though so went ahead and ordered these three books. The cook book The French Market is by one of my favorite authors Joanne Harris whose amazing novels include Chocolat (we all loved that movie!), Five Quarters of the Orange and Blackberry Wine. The recipes look delicious and the photos of French scenes and fresh foods are gorgeous.
Jessica McClintock's Simply Romantic Decorating is one many of us have been anxiously awaiting, and from a quick flip through it late last night I think it's been worth the wait. Oh my, anyone with a love of romance in their decor and pale dreamy colors will want this book. Most of the photographs are of her amazing Victorian house in San Francisco - wait 'til you see the kitchen! There is a chapter named Romantic Projects ~ know that will keep us all extremely busy painting and sewing in the coming months.
These will be books I'm going to enjoy while sitting on the porch with my afternoon tea.
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The arrival of a parcel \containing books is always an exciting event! The Romantic Decorating one looks nice - be interesting to hear what you think of it when you've looked at it properly.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary, so glad you shared your thoughts on these books. You've peeked my curiosity so I now plan to look for Jessica McCkintock's book (I was a fan of her dresses back in the late 70's when I was in high school!!). I have The French Inspired Home and couldn't agree more...it's a must have for anyone who loves classic, unique decorating ideas. Always fun to visit your blog! Enjoy this forthcoming warmer weather!!
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Mary,
ReplyDeleteI just saw your clematis from an earlier post - it's beautiful. I'm going to get one asap! And that ivy...is that outside in shade or sun? I never thought to do that!
Dawn
I've added your new books to my list. I'm anxious to see the Jessica McClintock book as well as the others!
ReplyDeletemy mother remarried in her late 50's. Her wedding dress was a Jessica McClintock. Mother was tiny, less than 100lbs and about 4'11". She looked so cute on her wedding day! Your mention of Jessica's book brought back a happy memory.
I wish we had a local bookshop, like yours. It sounds wonderful!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
I loved Chocolat but haven't read any of her books. That is definetely going on my to do list and The French Market is going on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteThe "French Inspired Home" book is on my 'wish list' ... I can't think of anything nicer than sitting on your beautiful porch with your new books enjoying a cup of tea. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to see that Jessica McClintock book, and I'm glad to know that you think it's a good one. There is nothing like getting a new book! That is usually what I ask for at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI giggled about the senior discount. Mark had his 50th birthday this year, and became an AARP member. He wasn't very thrilled about that until we went to schedule our trip to visit our son in FL, and he received a huge discount at the Double Tree hotel there. Suddenly, 50 wasn't so darn bad... ;)
IT'S A FRONT PORCH PARTY!
ReplyDeleteI am going to have a front porch party on the morning of April 30th.
so come on over and sat a spell.
bring your mountain dew ,coffee or what ever,cracker pie or anything else even art work. Just bring y'alls selvs.
ALL Y'ALL HAVE TO DO IS LEAVE A COMMENT TO THIS POST BETWEEN TONIGHT AND BY 8 A.M ON THE 30TH AND I WILL DRAW A NAME ON THE 30TH AND THE WINNER WILL GET A FREE PAINTING OF CHOISE.
TITLES Y'ALL CAN CHOOSE FROM ARE ON MY EARLY POST A FEW WAYS DOWN POST THAT SHOWS ALL MY WORK.
IT WILL BE A 11"X 8" SO LEAVE THEM COMMENTS SWEETPEAS.
FOR EVERY 50 DIFFERENT COMMENTS EACH A DIFFERENT PERSON/BLOGGER THERE WILL BE A WINNER UP TO 200 COMMENTS.. LETS GET READY FOR A PARTY DARLINGS.
oh a added thoughts,bring yourselvs,art ,photos,creative,lemonaid,garden hat anything at all and I will share the photos afterwards. I will have the table set with mountain dew,coffee,chocolate truffles,pans of beans to shell ,art and anything else I can think of between now and then.
The drawing will be right after I have my meds,see to my auggie and tucker and my garden. I am having so much fun I dont know which way I am going,CAN Y'ALL TELL I LOVE GETTING COMMENTS! ebay is loaded,I just added aceo cards and paintings.COME SEE ME UMDER purple*cucumbers over there.
Mary, those all look like very good books to browse. I sat down last night & looked thru my new Mary Carol Garrity book & thoroughly enjoyed it. I bet these keep you busy for quite some time. And they'll look pretty on the coffee table too.
ReplyDeleteRhoda
Southern Hospitality
Mary, I'm so glad you got the French Inspired Home. I love that book. I've put Jessica McClintock's book on my Amazon wish list. And I really should check out Joanne Harris' novels. I loved "Chocolat" the movie!
ReplyDeleteI spent about an hour on my porch this afternoon, planting a few geraniums and pansies and then sitting and having a cup of tea. It's only 55 degrees out today so after rearranging the porch alittle I needed my afternoon tea, too.
Mary, I got my Jessica McClintock book yesterday too! Only I went to B&N. The French Inspired Home is a fun book with great projects in it. You'll really enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteNothing better than sitting down with some new books and a cup of tea (or in my case coffee)!
Manuela
Hi Mary, I do also love "The French Inspired Home" - as I'm sure you've gathered from my blog :o) The other ones sound great and I will have to look for them. I just ordered three new books and will post about them as soon as I get them. I love decorating books and cook books - they just make me feel good.
ReplyDeleteallie
www.mycozyhome.typepad.com
Oh, what lovely books! I've been seeing the French Inspired home here and there and need to go ahead and pick up a copy...and the other book - Simply Romantic Decorating, looks wonderful! Enjoy your new books, Mary!
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