Silver Service

Sometimes life's little thrills are presented to one on a silver platter. Remember my recent purchase of this French Bistro sign for the kitchen, which by the way, I love and am glad was still there when I returned after a couple of months of debating, should I, shouldn't I? That booth, named The Shabby Rose, belongs to two lovely, fun dealers, Brenda & Debbie.

These gals know what to hunt for! They stock their space with unusual things, the kind I love, and many are French inspired.

Lots of chippy paint in fabulous colors...............

..........interesting chandeliers and light fixtures..........

......................this wonderful bull's eye mirror (now waiting to be hung in my home) inspired by the old zinc windows on Paris buildings.............and precious art such as this gorgeous oil painting of children.

Iron topiary and basket - German shutters

When I bumped into the gals restocking and rearranging their space last weekend, they told me of their second location at a recently opened shop not far from my house. This shop, Affordable Chic, has not only antiques, vintage and new decorative treasures, also a tiny tearoom, and sells fresh flowers and seasonable vegetables - what more could one wish for.

Next time I'll show you more of The Shabby Rose's beautiful offerings at their new location...............including a surprise piece I'd love to own, but I'll need to win the Lottery first!!

Take a seat at La Madone

La Madone, Apt, Provence

When blog friend Corey of Tongue in Cheek recommended her friends Nathalie and Jean-Bernard's La Madone as "the most beautiful place to stay in Provence", how could I resist making reservations last October! Knowing the town of Apt was on the circuitous route we planned to take enabling us to visit as many markets as possible, the gorgeous apartments at this beautiful old house beckoned. Leaving Corey in Aix-en-Provence after our marvelous day of treasure hunting, we next met lovely blog friend Linda of Frenchless in France in the pretty village of Lourmarin on market day, and then headed on through scenic hilly country, dotted with picturesque hill towns, to Apt.

I've already shared many pics of the stunning interiors here and here at La Madone....I even came home and worked on my own decor, trying to bring some of those colors and feelings of old Provence into my dining room......and have been pleased with the results which came with paint and accessories.

Trying to replicate La Madone's stunning outdoor areas would be impossible! Nathalie and Jean-Bernard have brought beauty to their conservatory, terrace and pool areas that would never work here....even if I could afford it!!

The garden has many restful areas to sit, some under fig trees which were still producing fruit in October. Furnished with old chairs, mixed not matched, and so charming, one immediately felt relaxed and welcome.

Wicker, iron, wood.......naturals always work together.

View toward the town from the window of our apartment.

The pool was inviting although we didn't take a dip. Sitting beside it, high above the old town, watching the market vendors arrive to set up for the early morning was relaxing. There were tiny streets to explore, shop windows to browse, and some excellent restaurants to try. Apt is small.....the weekly market is the most important day when it truly comes alive. It's a good spot to visit the surrounding countryside and many lovely small towns and villages in the Luberon mountains.

La Madone's friendly cat enjoyed trying out several of the available chairs.........and she decided perhaps next to DH was the best place!

Passing through the conservatory, fan palms..........

................cherubs, draped fabric, soft cushioned benches wrapped with Nathalie's signature hemp linens...........a collection of antique bird cages against a painted wall..............

.....drifts of trailing plants, some flowering, others shades of green so pretty no other color was required.

Some of these images I've shown in earlier posts, however, La Madone is so beautiful, I wanted to show you again! This is certainly a very special place in Provence ~ I'm sure anyone visiting will enjoy their time here. I know Marilyn at Delights of the Heart will be there soon ~ have a wonderful time at La Madone.

Sit & Dream in Provence

I'm feeling a little blue because I won't be visiting Provence this Autumn. Looking back through my photos taken last October, I still find little treasures to share with you. Some of you have been here, others plan to visit soon. You will love this area of France.........it will stay in your memory for years to come......and, like me, you will hope to return.

Metal chair under a fig tree.

It's rare to find a country house in France that doesn't have an outdoor living area. It is as much part of the house as any indoor room. Designed for sitting, dreaming, perhaps reading, and always for eating and drinking.

Aviaries and fruit trees in the courtyard.

Visiting textile dealer Michel Biehn's amazingly beautiful house/shop/office in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, I felt the charming garden leading to the front entrance provided a harmonious link to the lovely interior. Provencal fabrics and furnishings spilled out from each room, and a peek into the magnificent kitchen set my heart racing........................

.......and over there, just beyond the trees........

Sunday Antiques Market

.....the River Sorgue complete with waterwheels and bridges, invited diners to sit a while, relax with a glass of wine, after the busy market day.

Waterwheel on the River Sorgue.

Next time I'll show you more of the beautiful sitting places at La Madone in the town of Apt, Provence.

Pink Saturday in Boise, Idaho

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Some little pink peeks from our quick visit to Boise, Idaho. We loved this town and it's magnificent State Capitol building (undergoing a huge rehab so we couldn't tour inside) designed after The Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The locals were friendly - an ex-congressman stopped to chat and shared some history with us.

Sidewalk sign for the fabulous French bakery/restaurant, La Vie en Rose, where we ate the best pastries ever.

Starbucks was in a historic building with a pink turret.

The palest pink bike waiting for a rider.

Boise's beautiful (aren't they all) Anthropologie store displaying the prettiest deep rosy pink sweater.

Profusion of pink petunias at the famous Basque restaurant Leku Ona.

Boise, Idaho, looked like a really nice place to live.
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Happy Pink Saturday wherever you are this week.

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to enjoy loads of pink posts.

Figs are finally here........

I was able to buy two little baskets of fresh figs, first of the season, from my farmer friend at last Saturday's market.
This evening I'm making fig preserves.................and in the morning I'll be spreading some delectable fruit on my English muffin.

Two little baskets only make a week's worth of jam!

My own fig tree, planted two years ago, is still so tiny, maybe 3 feet tall. However, I see a handful of figs ripening and they will be eaten fresh some day soon, alongside mascarpone cheese drizzled with wildflower honey...........if get them before the birds.

There is a huge, perhaps 3o foot tall, fig tree in my neighborhood, a real beauty.......loaded with fruit. Last year while standing and admiring it from the street, the owner came out, we chatted about his gorgeous tree. He said, "wait a minute", headed into the house and came back with a jar of fig preserves made by his wife. It was the most fabulous figgy jam ever.

I sent a polite thank you note full of admiration for his tree, his figs, his wife's cooking skills, his generosity........did he give refills, just kidding!

Should I stand in the road again this year, gazing up at their figs, dangling in huge tempting clusters? Or should I call and ask if they would sell me some figs to make jam? Or will I just pray he'll see me hanging about and come trotting out, jar of golden figgy jam in hand..............that's wishful thinking!

I need to stir the pot.....it's looking good and smells divine.
See you for breakfast!!

Summer goodbyes.......

As Summer wanes the garden takes on a new persona. One is inclined to mourn the fast-fading flowers. The roses surprise with a seemingly last spurt, then wave goodbye. The coleus goes to seed but will flower until the first frost. The baskets brimming over with Boston Ferns look brittle, their green more muted - but the birds still love them and peck busily at what must be mealtime ants.

The flags of Summer will be lowered soon. Recalling our own days on the blue waters of beautiful Northern California Lake Almanor, the liquid pleasures of boating, sailing, paddling, rowing......even just sitting and looking.....provide indelible memories great enough to take us through the coming cool seasons.

Gazing about the garden I am ready to welcome Autumn. I look forward to the beauty it bestows upon us. Here in beautiful North Carolina we are fortunate to have so many trees which change color...................so bring on the gold, red, yellow and orange. I'm ready for a wonderful new season.

Are you a lover of Autumn?

Do you prefer cool weather to hot?

How about dressing for the Fall........do you like donning a cuddly sweater, snuggling into socks and tall boots?

Friendly Farm - Fabulous Family

Driving North from San Francisco the scenery changes with each hot and dusty mile. Heading towards Lake Almanor's deep blue waters surrounded by tall pines and silver mountains, we stopped to see both old and new friends.

Arriving first in the town of Willows, surrounded by orchards and rice fields, we visited Delores Amaro's lovely shop, 'Gathering Better Junque' - shown in my recent posts. How excited we were when she kindly invited us to her charming farmhouse for a cool drink, and more!

All around this amazing farm, and it's quaint outbuildings, were collections of the most wonderful rustic stuff. Fences, bed springs, an entire iron bed just waiting for a tired guest, signs, birdhouses, farm implements, crates, planters.......and the most beautiful flowers. Corey, Tongue in Cheek has often told us on her blog that her mom is the Queen of Junque.........and you better believe it!

Stepping into the spotless, cozy and welcoming farmhouse, we were thrilled to meet not only Sacha, Corey & Yann's delightful son visiting from Provence for the Summer................but six of Delores' younger grandchildren, several of whom you've often seen beautifully photographed on Corey's blog.

Molly, George, Maci, Sacha, Jasmin, Gina

Warren & Kate

Sacha and Jasmin

Delores insisted we try her fresh baked blackberry pie - forgot to photograph it in all the excitement but can tell you it was fabulous!

This was such a wonderful treat, meeting these charming people and being so warmly welcomed. Thank you Delores. Sacha - if you read this, enjoy your remaining Summer days and then safe journey home to France.

Leaving Willows, we headed to Chico.

Here we were thrilled to meet up again with Corey's cousins Judy and Chris. We first met in Aix-en-Provence last October when they were visiting Corey and family, and where we spent a day with them, browsing the market, the brocante, eating lunch, and generally having a fun time. Judy and Chris' beautiful California home was featured in Romantic Homes magazine last year - dressed for Christmas and photographed by Corey Amaro.

Judy and Chris made us so welcome, more cool drinks, and a tour of their charming home with really fabulous collections. The garden was bountiful, brimming over with vegetables and flowers. Our visit was, unfortunately, too short. The hot road called and our friends at Lake Almanor were waiting our arrival. Judy, I long to return and look more closely at everything you have lovingly collected, and spend more time with you both!

We left with a huge box of fresh picked veggies - including the best tasting tomatoes ever. Thanks so much for everything.