Going Home ~ Coming Home

Back in the USA! Arrived Sunday after an almost nine hour flight. Not the best way to be celebrating an auspicious Birthday - yes, it was a big one and I didn't even get a slice of cake - just a granola bar!

Where to start? At the beginning perhaps. Was limited for computer time while in France and England, WIFI not readily available like here. Hope you enjoyed at least a couple of glimpses from life on the roads of Europe and, as promised, I'll bring you more over the coming weeks. I did take a lot of pics of some beautiful scenery, decor, food, markets, my family, and some very special blog friends whom many of you know.

Typical English countryside at daybreak before landing at Heathrow.

After a coach ride from Heathrow to Gatwick Airport, a snack to keep us going while awaiting our flight to Toulouse. No time in England but did get a quick visit on the return.

Leaving the UK and heading across the English Channel to France.


By late afternoon we were in Caunes-Minervois, hugged by family and comfortably ensconced in a "room with a view" of the lovely garden. The window, complete with heavy wood shutters so typical to France, looked out onto the lower level garden and the small "impasse", a pedestrian lane running between the house, some farmland and Caunes Abbey. When here in June 2006, my brother was still renovating this house and we stayed in his former home in a nearby village. The changes here are amazing and I'll be showing you more later.

Thanks to all of you who have kept up with me and left comments and e-mails. Being gone for almost a month and unable to visit you and leave comments has been tough.......but each one of you has been on my mind. I wish you could have all been along to enjoy everything the South of France has to offer.

French Food

When I have more time to extol the virtues of French food I will write several posts dedicated to the amazing array of beautiful foods available everywhere. The French have managed to get it all right when it comes to eating.......................and drinking.

Meanwhile, a quick peek from markets I've visited these past weeks thanks to Corey and Linda while in Provence, my family here in the Minervois, and of course my ever patient dh whom I've dragged to every market day in every village and town along the way.

French breads are the best in the world. Most people buy twice a day with a fresh baguette or other shaped loaf for breakfast and lunch, returning to the boulangerie at 5:30 PM for another fresh baked beauty for dinner later in the evening.

I admit I am a cheese-aholic! No meat of any description, much to a French cook's disappointment, but perhaps I'm pardoned when I gobble their fabulous cheeses.

A healthy salad is always fresh from the potager. Lettuce at the market is never in a plastic bag. Just-picked heads are displayed proudly in boxes, the crispness visible to the senses, and just a simple oil and vinegar dressing required. My brother's is great, and of course the lettuce from his garden the best. Good olive oil, a little walnut oil, balsamic vinegar, a gentle shake in a bottle and the perfect salad arrives on the table.
Because the French rarely eat between meals, sweet treats are saved for dessert. Yes, those gorgeously slim ladies DO eat small portions of scrumptious desserts!

Below is a 'take away' dessert treat Corey shared with us following lunch in Aix-en-Provence. The prettiest, intensely flavored, cream-filled macaroons. I chose coffee flavor, dh pistachio - eaten on the wall of one of Aix's many lovely fountains.

More on food later....................off now to enjoy another of my sister-in-law's gourmet meals. Can honestly say I haven't had a bad French meal yet - every morsel has been perfection. Did I hear someone mention "diet"? Oh yes, that word looms in my future, however you need to know that we have walked, and walked, including a 5 mile hike through the vineyards this week!!

Bringing France Home

Have you ever stayed somewhere so perfect that you wanted to bring the furnishings home? This seems to be happening a lot. My brother and sister-in-law's gorgeous home I'll show more of later, much of it I'd love to pack up and ship to North Carolina..................and, guess what, they'll open their massive antique door to you if you want to visit!

Again, sorry I've not posted, just having fun during these marvellous days in France. I believe I've taken over 2000 photos so will have much to share.

Meanwhile, a brief peek to whet your appetite for all things lovely and French. In the Provencal town of Apt, at the base of the Luberon mountains, we spent two nights in an amazing house called La Madone. Our apartment, called "Chanvre" which is a type of old linen fabric, was so beautiful, I could have moved in permanently.

These two heavy linen cushion covers trimmed in French blue, I purchased right off the linen upholstered daybed.........................................................along with some antique monogrammed linen kitchen towels. This kitchen sink was set into a very old massive stove with iron doors.
The romantic pool in the lovely garden of La Madone.
Our living room complete with beamed ceiling, lovely paint effects, crystal chandeliers and puddled heavy linen draperies.

I'll have so much more to show later after all photos organized. My days in France have been fabulous. Off to London on Friday for just a brief visit - can't pass up a chance to go home and do a little shopping before crossing the pond yet again.

Many thanks to all who have stopped by while I've been gone - miss you all.

A Chateau in France?

Having such a great time there's been no time to post - sorry!! Just a quick note to let you know I may come back...................unless I become the owner of this chateau/winery, soon to be auctioned, and just a few miles from my family's home!!!!!

Meanwhile, this is the amazing village house and garden which my brother and his wife have been painstakingly restoring for several years. Many more pics to come - I've taken so many.

I'm in Provence right now staying in another gorgeous house in the Luberon Mountains. I'll have so much to show you when I return and have time to edit my photos. Just know there are many new decorating ideas swimming around in my mind and, although I love it here, I'm looking forward to coming home, dragging the paintbrushes out, cranking up the sewing machine.......................and really doing some serious makeovers!

For those of you who keep up with bloggers Corey and Linda who both live here in Provence................I've met them both this week and had a fabulous time with each of them.

Thank you both for taking me around the Aix-en-Provence and Loumarin markets. Have to admit, there's nothing better than getting into places only the local "treasure hunters" are familiar with. Wait 'til you see what I found in back street brocantes and tiny village alleys.

More from the road later.

Time for Angels

I'm not the best time traveler...............................................

My lovely 'Paris' clock ~ a gift from sweet Vanessa at Vanilla Lavender.

Although I've crossed the pond dozens of times I'm never truly comfortable...........flying. I long to see my family and friends when I'm away from them, I delight in venturing to new cities, towns and villages to soak up the history of place, and the lay of a foreign land. Watching people go about their everyday life in another place is so interesting. Shopping for little treasures to bring back, picking out post cards to mail, are fun parts of a trip. Driving through countryside so different and beautiful it takes one's breath away. Eating local delicacies, sipping the wines made nearby, as you enjoy the camaraderie of friends, is as good as it gets.

It's just the actual journey, so high in the clouds for so long, cramped in a seat, blasted by stuffy air, being too hot or too cold etc. etc. Needless to say - dh forgot to purchase first class tickets, again! We fly across the pond tomorrow night to London and then on to Toulouse, arriving Thursday afternoon. Will try to post now and then as we view the Autumn beauty of the South of France, and visit with family.

I'm also planning to meet up with three great blog friends, Terri (Island Writer), Linda (Frenchless in France), and Corey Amaro (Tongue in Cheek) - I'm excited about this of course.

My angel will wait at home saying a prayer that the journey goes well, France will be kind to us, and then we'll return safely at the end of October to tell you about our adventures.
"Au revoir, mes amis."

Counting Down the Hours

Things are getting really hectic now. Leaving home for an extended trip means so many loose ends to tie up in a bow, some with everyday cotton string - mail, newspapers - others in silk and satin, family and dear friends.

I did manage a quick visit to SuzAnna's Antiques over the weekend - where I found this adorable crepe paper banner - to say goodbye to the gals, including lovely blog friends Deborah and Vanessa. Deborah shared more about her recent trip to Australia and fabulous Tahiti, and Vanessa told us of her romantic getaway with her dh to upstate New York. Thanks for all the well wishes and hugs girls. Vanessa the lovely shoe bags you made are already packed away in my suitcase ready for France - a lovely surprise gift, thanks so much.

Hope everyone is enjoying a beautiful early Autumn Sunday. Many thanks to all who've stopped by to wish me a safe, fun trip.

Shelter

At times it's just hard to leave home. Familiar shelter, a roof over one's head, the warm and cozy feeling as you step through your door ~ home sweet home.

Last night the very strong, gusty winds and pouring rain of the Nor'easter pounding the North Carolina coast, came inland and shook the cottage. This morning the garden is littered with leaves, twigs, acorns, even several large branches that fell from the trees, but all seems safe in the thin sunlight now washing over the drenched landscape. Still windy, more showers coming ~ being sheltered makes one so thankful. Leaving home can be hard.

So, back to the packing. Closet doors yawn, drawers gape open. "Take me, pack that, choose this" the contents say. Not decided yet, you say. Checking the weather for the South of France finds perfect days of sunshine, with cool evenings and early mornings. So back to the list with a few changes necessary.

France.......and Florida Friends

My Francophile friend from Florida, Terri, will be leaving for France a couple of days before me and will get to enjoy some time in her beloved Paris. She and her dh will then head South and arrive in the village of Caunes-Minervois just as we arrive following our flight into Toulouse from the UK. There will be no partying that night as I know we'll all be ready for bed - especially us having missed a night of sleep while crossing the pond.

Why the books? I have to tell you that Terri is an author with two wonderful books already published - I'm reading the second right now - and another soon to be on the way to my bookshelf. We are going to have much to talk about when we meet next week. Terri is from New England, and I lived there many years, so we know many of the same places in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We talked on the phone this week and she already feels like a special friend. We've shared travel tips such as what to pack. I'm inclined to take too much but, by the looks of her small bag, she's got it down pat when it comes to traveling light. I've been able to share interesting places to visit in the Minervois region as I was there in 2006. She's invited us all over for wine and cheese. I just know we will have a great time.

Terri now lives on a tiny Florida island named Cedar Key. She also has a beautiful vacation property ready to rent if you need a break and want to live the island life. You just have time to stop by to wish her "bon voyage", tell her Mary sent you. Terri DuLong www.islandwriter.net

Village Friends in France

How exciting is this! Several months ago I discovered that a fellow blog friend, Terri in Cedar Key, Florida, was planning a visit to the French village where my family live. Even more surprising was the fact she and her dh would actually be arriving there the very same day as us! Needless to say, we have been in touch and arranged to meet for a chat and a glass of wine during the week they are there. When I told my sister-in-law where they will be staying, she said it was just a short walk.............across the square, past the fountain, under the plane trees to the tiny 'impasse' where their village house is located. Doesn't that sound like the perfect evening stroll?

Pull up a chair for a long-awaited chat with a friend.

Note: As I'm having major ongoing photo upload/post/save problems with Blogger, I'm hoping this will post. Is anyone else still having problems? It's been well over a week now and literally thousands of Blogger subscribers are cramming the message boards with complaints and threats of moving to other blog sites such as Typepad.
Edited: Seems to have posted but reverted to Sunday's date - oh well, hope you can see it - meanwhile the frustration continues.

Falling into Fall

To Autumn

Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness!
.............J. Keats.............

With just over a week to go before leaving for France, I'm grabbing every little moment of 'almost Autumn' here in the Southeastern US. My favorite season............with the evenings closing in earlier, the mornings fresh and slightly misty as the sun peeks through. On Friday I felt a breeze as I left the grocery store and stood in the parking lot watching puffy cloud formations skid across a Carolina blue sky. At last, the air felt clean again and I felt energized.

Dancing on an Autumn breeze.

The goldfinch on a thistle head

Stood scattering seedlets as she fed,

The wrens their pretty gossip spread,

Or joined the random roundelay.

........Jean Ingelow.........

The Old Ways

Just two weeks from today I'll be on my way to the South of France via England - crossing the pond to both my true home, then on to where my family lives now, in this small village in the Minervois near the beautiful walled city of Carcassonne.

Arriving in the village.

It's always great to return to the place where you were raised, for me that was England. The memories flood back, you feel that sense of belonging even though you've been gone for years. It's also really special to have another place to visit where you feel surrounded by the love only given by your family. How fortunate I am to have this opportunity.

Village street.

The vineyards surrounding the village in Autumn.

If possible, I'll post again before leaving. On my return I hope to have photos of the many places I visit while in France - may even try to post some along the way! Thanks for all the good wishes from those of you who know where I'm going. I wish you could all come along and enjoy time in this lovely part of Europe. My wish for you is that you can take such a trip sometime in the near future.

Puttering on the Porch

Front porch clean up time. Long, far too hot, Summer, with watering restrictions which are still in place, required a lot of blood, sweat and tears to keep the outside areas of the cottage and garden constantly spruced up. With Autumn just around the corner, and being away for the month of October, I had to get out there last week and do some tidying, cleaning and a little something for seasonal decor. What would the neighbors think if I still had bowls of shells and the sailboat flag flying until November!

Too early for pumpkins, with these 90 degree days they'd turn into pie on the hot concrete. Did get last year's great gourds out though - they seem alright in the heat.

Morning glories, hummingbird vines, twisted and twirled into a green lacy curtain at the far end of the porch providing shade from the blazing afternoon sun. The hanging baskets with the huge Boston Ferns are still looking good - they usually survive until after the first frosts hit.

Cut chartreuse colored hydrangeas from the front bushes - love them when they turn this color and then dry out to grey-green and dusky pink shades later.
So this will be the porch decor until I return home from the trip to France - then it will be a mad rush to get Halloween decorations up.

Pink Saturday

Paris. Known for fashion over the centuries.

Paris Pink...............always fashionable

Hints of Paris pink and fashion spotted at SuzAnna's Antiques this week.

Stop over at How Sweet the Sound and visit with Beverly who has an ever growing list of Pink Saturday friends.

Decor Decisions

After trying other places, the decision was made. Display the sconce in the dining room where it just seems to be at home.

This room is visible when entering the front door. It's passed through as one way to the kitchen and, besides being a place to eat, is often my desk, a room to sit and watch the birds visiting the front porch...........and currently is even the French classroom.

I still have to find two candles for the holders ~ they have to be just the right type and I need to make them look old and used, with dried wax drips, perhaps faded or stained. Any ideas on aging candles appreciated.

When I finally decided to buy the sconce this week, I was really stopping by SuzAnna's Antiques in response to their phone call regarding these amazing books.

Found at an auction last weekend, they knew immediately I would be interested. The three large volumes of L'ILLUSTRATION Journal Universel were published in Paris in the 1860's and each is a six month compendium of a weekly illustrated newspaper. Each book has almost 500 pages, hundreds of amazing illustrations, and are in wonderful condition other than some wear on the covers.

Note: Anyone else having problems with Blogger this week? I'm so frustrated at trying to sign in and stay signed in, losing pics after uploading, being unable to SAVE a post, and even problems leaving comments on other blogs.

In Remembrance

Please remember to fly your flag today.

Congress has designated September 11 as PATRIOT DAY......a discretionary day of remembrance in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11.

The President issued a proclamation calling upon government officials and all people of the USA to observe the day by displaying the flag at half-staff.

Most people cannot fly a flag at half-staff at home, so an accepted alternative is to attach a black ribbon or streamer, the same width as a stripe on the flag and the same length as the flag itself, to the top of the flag.

A moment of silence should be observed at 8:46 AM EDT for those who died.

Early Fall ~ North Carolina coastal cottage.

France Calling

October days in France beckon. Paris will only been seen from the air this time as I fly from London to Toulouse. Hopefully, if a clear afternoon, I can look down and spot this wonderful sight. I last ascended in June 2006. A ninety degree day when the metal was too hot to touch, and the sun blazed down while awaiting the elevator. It's always worth it though, the glorious feeling when you 're actually standing at the top ~ Paris is spread before you in all her loveliness.

Framed art available at SuzAnna's Antiques.

A Dream Come True

Remember how I loved it?

The golden sconce with the forty plus crystal prisms. An aging French lady, or a reproduction from some years back, who knows, who cares. It is lovely. I've wanted to bring it home for several months. When I walked into SuzAnna's Antiques again yesterday it was still there. Even with the price reduced nobody had snapped it up. Guess what - those great gals managed to get it reduced again, for me. My knees went weak, my head spun a little in the 90 degree heat...............it was meant to be mine.

Soon I'll show you where it's hanging now.

Sometimes patience pays off...............if you're lucky, and wait for dreams to come true, they do!

Enchanting Windows

Cielo at The House In The Roses invited us to post a favorite window from our home for her

Enchanting Windows Party.

The party is being held today. Do stop by to visit Cielo and see all the pretty windows.

Just a few days ago I walked into my kitchen to start preparing dinner, and noticed how charming the room looked in the late afternoon sunlight. The amber light filtering through this window gave me a feeling of Autumn even though the trees are green and the lantana is still blooming in the window box. As I looked out a hummingbird came to the blossoms to feed.

I spend a lot of time looking through this window. I like what I see as I go about my kitchen chores. Larger windows at the other side of the kitchen, look out to lovely views of my back garden, however today this is my favorite.

A view of the same window from outside. I always have something seasonal in the window box ~ it's a cottage thing!

Below, the other lovely view from the kitchen.

All the windows of my heart I open to the day.

John Greenleaf Whittier ~ 1807-1892

Pink Saturday

"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December."

...................J.M. Barrie, Scottish Author & Dramatist.

Remember Summer by the roses. Their blooms are precious. Their days aren't really numbered because they can continue to live, yes, even until December, once dried. Their colors change, sometimes for the better. Their texture becomes even more interesting, taking on the subtle crispness of vintage crepe paper.

I sometimes buy a bunch of pretty long stemmed roses from the florist ~ they have interesting colors when fresh but I know they will be even more beautiful once dried. After enjoying them in water in the house for a week or so, I tie them together and hang them upside down from the iron chandelier in the potting shed to dry. This can take several weeks depending on the weather and the temperature in the shed. I know there are fancy ways to preserve flowers, however this is my simple way and it works.

The roses of Summer can share their beauty year round. These retained their pinkness and are perfect standing on a tray decoupaged with more pink roses. This is my second post in a week on dried roses ~ guess you can now tell I love them!
Our fun Pink Saturday hostess Beverly at How Sweet the Sound grows beautiful roses in her own garden. If you stop by today she will definitely have a growing list of participants for this always fun day.