My Friends Always Share.......

Make sure to visit my sweet friend Jeanne's fun blog Backyard Neighbor by this coming Wednesday. Not only will you enjoy reading posts from her beautiful North Carolina mountain home, you can leave a comment that will automatically enter you in her wonderful giveaway pictured above. Jeanne and I have met a couple of times and are planning another get together very soon. Know we'll have fun antiquing, treasure hunting and eating in Asheville, NC........and, even more exciting, another very well known blog friend is going with us! More on all this later. Hurry on over to see Jeanne.

Let's snuggle up with a good book.....

...............now that Autumn is almost knocking at the door. Thoughts of finding some great books to read are on my mind. There are several blog friends sharing titles and reviews of both new and older books. Many sound interesting. Sweet friend Jenny, co-owner of SuzAnna's Antiques, recently posted the list of 100 Books. Many I have read, the remainder I should.


How do you choose what to read when snuggled in your favorite chair on a chilly afternoon, or tucked in bed when the wind is whistling around the darkened windows?

Peter (Pierre), Peter, Pumpkin Eater

The word pumpkin comes from the Greek pepon for a large melon. The English termed it pumpion or pompion. This term dates back to 1547. In all honesty, I don't ever remember having pumpkin growing up in England.........not until my first Thanksgiving in the US did I try pumpkin pie, and loved it!
The pumpkin was one of many foods used by Native American Indians in the new world and was a welcome discovery by the Pilgrims. The Indians pounded strips of pumpkin flat, dried them, and wove them into mats for trading. They also dried pumpkin for food.
The new Americans heartily embraced the sweet, multi-purpose fruit which became a traditional Thanksgiving food.

I was surprised to find such beautiful pumpkins, squash and gourds in France. Apparently they are very popular and the French make wonderful dishes with them. Seemed to be a greater selection available than what we have here. These images are from the Pumpkin Fete we visited in a small village last October.......such fun.

Village wandering one beautiful October day, I noticed this old rusting wheelbarrow. Close by, the biggest pumpkins were waiting patiently for their journey to the kitchen, hopefully to be turned into something delicious, and placed lovingly on the farm table.....that's what French cooks do!

My dirty little secret........

Something you probably don't know about me. I'm one of those.........you know..........bag ladies!!

Not talking fancy designer handbags, purses or pocket books.......

............rather simple little cloth bags which specify their usefulness in no uncertain terms.

Do you travel with your shoes in bags?

How about your pegs (clothespins). Do you hang them in a cute bag near the washing line, or are you an electric dryer person? I have to admit, sadly, I haven't pegged anything out since in France last Autumn!

Potatoes quickly sprout little appendages if left in the light - but stored in a dark lined bag like this they're OK for much longer. Do you have one of these?

All these useful bags were purchased in England and I love them.

Pommes d'amour..................

We know they will soon be as precious as gold! That's if we can find any once the first frost visits the garden.

Tomatoes in southwestern France seem to hang about longer, an extended season to enjoy a fresh picked one. These beauties growing in huge clusters were still ripening in my brother's garden last October.

Pommes d'amour, love apples................aaah, the romantic French named them such believing them to have aphrodisical properties.

The English word tomato comes from the Spanish tomatl. A member of the deadly nightshade family, tomatoes were erroneously thought to be poisonous by Europeans ~ their leaves are!

The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. In 1519, Cortez discovered them growing in Montezuma's gardens and brought seeds back to Europe where they were planted as ornamental curiosities, but not eaten.

Caunes-Minervois - October 2008

The honor system ~ with scale perched on a tomato color stool ~ outside a village house.

Basket of just picked tomatoes, figs and peppers ~ I peeked in and asked 'monsieur' if I could snap a pic as we passed by in the village street.

Tuh-MAY-toh or Tuh-MAH-to? Pronunciation doesn't matter when it comes to this fabulous fruit known as a vegetable..................

................and I'm off to my kitchen right now to chop, mince and prepare a bowl of Gazpacho to use up some of my tasty, locally grown toMAHtos!!!!

Nothing Important, just this and that........

When I brought the dining room chandelier home, I realized the ceiling canopy was missing ~ perhaps part of the reason for the big sale reduction. Not wanting to pay $50.00 for the solid brass one offered at a fancy lamp shop, I purchased this plain metal one at Home Depot for just $4.99. It was mostly black, but dry-brushed with antique gold and bronze metallic paints, after an hour in the sun, it dried to a lovely finish which matches the chandelier really well. I think it could almost pass for a French antique, don't you?

Autumn Garden Clean Up

More necessary cleaning. The past week was perfect.....weather wise. A cool front crossed our area knocking the temperatures back to the 70's. It hasn't been this cool since Spring! The early mornings have been refreshing. By noon the sun, lower in the sky, casts hard dappled shadows from the trees around the garden.

Realizing some lovely outdoor days were approaching, DH and I spent several hours cleaning, first the potting shed, and then the gazebo. Amazing how much the spiders love to spin their webs and lay their eggs in shady corners, and under the wrought iron chairs. Even with screens they can easily make their way inside. We dragged out the furniture and cushions, hosed them off, wiped them down, and set them in the sun to dry. The pillows were stripped of their toile covers which were thrown in the washer/dryer with a little bleach.

As evening fell, when everything was sparkly clean and dry, we sat in the gazebo, enjoying a delicious meal cooked on the grill. As the sun went down and the evening shadows crept across the house...............we felt the freshness of Autumn in the air.

Do you enjoy dining outside at home?

Front Porch Cleaning

I so enjoyed all your comments regarding dust and dusting. Seems we're in agreement, life has so much more to offer than stressing over dust bunnies and the ability to write one's name in elegant calligraphy on the dusty furniture!!

This week, while checking the 'to do' list, instead of Fall cleaning in the house, I decided to clean up outside! Made the most of a beautiful dry sunny spell with lower temperatures and minimal humidity.

Now the front porch is clean and bright, ready for some seasonal Autumn decorating.........soon.
See you at the pumpkin patch......just hope they have white ones!

Pink Saturday

aturday.......
here again already!

Where did the last week go?

My plan was to don my apron..........wish it was this pretty pink one in Jeannie's space at SuzAnna's Antiques.........and tackle some much needed household chores. This was to involve pushing the vac, polishing and dusting, and rearranging French objects ~ that last part I enjoy!

Well, didn't do much of any of the above.......watch for my next post showing where I did clean!

After all that Fall cleanup, if I can still put one foot in front of the other, I'll powder my nose, put on some lipstick, grab my Life Is Good bag, and head out for a little treasure hunting here at Tracy's cute as a button tiny pink shop.

You wouldn't believe how much glittery, shiny, shabby chic beauty is squished into this precious, pink barn! Tracy's adorable shop is also located at SuzAnna's Antiques, my favorite place in town.

Have a great Pink Saturday.

Happy Labor Day holiday too..............and be sure to head over to Beverly at How Sweet The Sound for lots more pink!

Something you love......

Dining room ~ 2008

After spending last October in Southwest France and Provence, I returned knowing exactly how I wanted my home to look. I revamped the dining room earlier this year and many of you followed my progress. I'm still tweaking this room, adding a few things as I find them.

No hurry, a beautiful room evolves with time.

Dining room ~ Spring 2009

The room is my vision of 'French Country', as found in the villages and small market towns of Provence. Casual but elegant. The colors are muted creams and blue grays, white china, tarnished silver, painted wood, pine farm table, natural linen. It's not easy to find authentic European items in this area.......when you're on a budget! But hunt I do, and gather when I can. I like to browse through antiques malls, vintage, consignment and charity shops.....and just plain old junk shops! I have a wish list....doesn't everyone! I've painted all my old furniture, the only new piece being the table.

Dining Room....today.

Did you notice what's new? Have been looking high, literally, and low for a vintage European chandelier with crystals. One that would blend with that beautiful wall sconce I found at SuzAnna's Antiques last year. It had to be many things: not too large, have six to eight lights, have the right metal finish - old gold or bronze, no shiny brass, LOTS of real faceted glass crystals, old looking candle covers, hopefully not require rewiring, and have a dear little tag hanging from it with a nice price, one I could afford!

I think this was a steal!!! Right size, 8 lights, loads of real crystals (only two missing and I've been able to replace them), did buy new candle covers as they were bright white, wiring was new and safe according to my electrician...........and most amazing of all, it matches the wall sconce perfectly!

I had a health scare a few weeks ago but, following tests and biopsies, received good news last Friday. After great sighs of relief, giving thanks, and having lunch with DH, I decided to enjoy the afternoon looking around an antiques mall in town. It was there I saw it above my head. I became giddy looking up, checking everything, measuring with a borrowed yard stick. The perfect chandelier with the gentle price tag ~ and my name was on it. Well not really, but I loved it. I crossed another treasure off my wish list, happily wrote a check, and carried it home feeling doubly blessed that day.

September Song, Crystal Clear

"There is a beautiful spirit breathing now.
Its' mellow richness on the clustered trees,

And from a beaker full of richest dyes,

Pouring new glory on the Autumn woods..........."

~ Longfellow ~

I really need to tackle my Fall cleaning, especially as I still haven't done my Spring cleaning! Instead, I crossed the pond and enjoyed the season at home in England. Where does time go? I need to move objects, lots of objects. Summer has left a dusting of........deep breath, I must say it, DUST!

While I was gone, traveling through the dust of the West, the Eastern dust was settling.......in the nooks and crannies of the cottage.

Ah yes, the poets make the landscape beautiful, dust and pollen rarely seep into their magical prose.......just through my windows and under my doors, settling quietly on the crystals, the tarnished silver, the old ironstone.

I did read somewhere that a layer of dust preserves wood furniture.................hmmmm!!!!

Summer's End

This past week the children around here returned to school........a sure sign that Summer is on the wane.

Soon we'll be stowing away the garden furniture................

......Winter proofing the birdhouses and signs with a spray of wood sealant.....

...............pushing our swimsuits to the back of the dresser drawer..............

..............and thoughts of hot, lazy days at the beach will be saved for next year.

Sometimes we do get down to the North Carolina coast in Autumn or Winter.......maybe not paddling and swimming in the chilly Atlantic, but beach combing and shell searching in the still warm sun, casting long shadows on the damp sand, and enjoying the cooler season without the noise and crowds.

Which season do you prefer at the beach?

All images taken at SuzAnna's Antiques ~ 2009

Visiting SuzAnna's

September is almost here, the beginnings of Autumn are in the air. Cooler mornings as the children wait for the school bus. A few leaves are already turning gold, drifting gently downward on the breeze. The birds are so much quieter now, the babies already as big as their parents, finding breakfast for themselves, no calling for their parents as in Spring and early Summer. Energy is renewed with thoughts of cool days, time to treasure hunt in comfort.

Last weekend I was able to run by SuzAnna's Antiques, catch up with my dear friends and check out new merchandise that arrived at the shop while I was traveling.

I thought this antique dresser with the oval mirror very pretty.

The fireplace mantel would also make a wonderful headboard for a bed. These two pieces together in a guest room would be welcoming and so much fun.

Lots of interesting silver flatware ~ I like stuffing it in old glass vases or silver bowls ~ and of course prefer it tarnished so no polishing required!

More silver...................no more polishing if you enjoy it like this......and that sure is a pretty table.

Vintage T.E. Green English mixing bowls ~ love these and use mine almost daily.

As you can see, SuzAnna's continues to draw us back, week after week, month after month..............always fun things to see, to buy for our homes, or to give as gifts...................and always the warmest welcome from the best of friends.