Trying to ignore the camera.
Photo du Jour - les Oliviers
The wind whipping through the olive trees.
After a perfect, warm and sunny Friday, Saturday dawned bright, but with wind crashing through the trees and rattling our shutters. Yesterday the sun had completely disappeared behind thick, ominous clouds and the wind had gained even more strength. I'm sure that is why I was in such a dark mood all day.
Today I've awakened to sun peeking through the clouds and calm. That best describes my mood, too.
Flowers in my bedroom
I want to share with you the collection of paintings I have in my bedroom. The theme is flowers and the main colors green and pastels. The bed board is hand painted green iron. It's light and cheerful. You see a door to the right because I live in a building built in 1865. At that time, Hausmann was the master urbanist of Paris. The layout of his buildings saw rooms communicating with one another, plus a hallway that connected them from outside. We do not use this double door to go to the other room, so it's always closed. The bedspread is by Yves Delorme.
The pictures on the left were bought to a Chinese painter who painted exquisite watercolors and who was introduced to me by a common friend who was a pianist. I hosted an exhibition of her paintings in my home, a daring step in Chine in 1987 - and bought several of her paintings. The top one is a beautiful lively bouquet of garden roses.
The two below feature flowers in nature.
They were framed by artist Marie Verbois whose refined paintings can be seen in her blog Next month, Marie is holding an exhibition of her oil paintings in Tunis.
The middle top one feature a branch of jacaranda and I bought it in Kenya when we lived there. It was painted by an English artist, well known in Kenya at that time.Jacaranda trees rhymed the seasons in Nairobi, and locals used to say that when the soil was covered by jacaranda flowers, the rainy season was close.
The one below is a photograph taken by friend and artist Steve Drews . Interested parties, read carefully: this guy has loads of talent! I have several of his stunning pictures of Paris and France throughout my home. What a delight!
To the right, the top one is another picture by Steve Drews, framed by Marie Verbois (notice the difference with the previous one - oh how I regret not having given her both!).The last adding to this collection is an acrylic painting of a bouquet of peonies by Fifi Flowers Decor which I fell in love with when I visited her blog. You can buy on line and Fifi sends her artwork by mail - this one traveled all the way to Paris!
Enjoy!
Le Verger (2)
I have recently shared with you the Many faces of Tao, my younger daughter's sweet bichon, Tao. 
But I have a soft point when it comes to long hair dachshunds... at Le Verger I met lovely K.B. - and asked owner Anthony to watch closely my suitcase when I was to leave... But K.B. is still wandering around in Le Verger's meadows, running after the goats, and welcoming everyone! But back to our stay! 
On Friday, after a full and active day of farmer's market, lunch at a local crperie, Chateau d'Angers, and preparation of the meal, we had a well deserved glass of Champagne in the loggia to celebrate one of the participant's birthday! Fran was also given a box of chocolates from the chocolate shop we visited the day before - and we told her they were not to be shared with us but to be taken back to Paris. 
Then we had dinner in the magnificent dinning room in a beautifully dressed table with crystal glasses and fine China that everybody enjoyed! How delightful! 
For our farewell dinner, our host Anthony Murphy had lit the many candles of the magnificent chandelier. Thank you Anthony!
But I have a soft point when it comes to long hair dachshunds... at Le Verger I met lovely K.B. - and asked owner Anthony to watch closely my suitcase when I was to leave... But K.B. is still wandering around in Le Verger's meadows, running after the goats, and welcoming everyone! But back to our stay! On Friday, after a full and active day of farmer's market, lunch at a local crperie, Chateau d'Angers, and preparation of the meal, we had a well deserved glass of Champagne in the loggia to celebrate one of the participant's birthday! Fran was also given a box of chocolates from the chocolate shop we visited the day before - and we told her they were not to be shared with us but to be taken back to Paris. Then we had dinner in the magnificent dinning room in a beautifully dressed table with crystal glasses and fine China that everybody enjoyed! How delightful! For our farewell dinner, our host Anthony Murphy had lit the many candles of the magnificent chandelier. Thank you Anthony! >> If you would like to join us for a similar 2day/2night gourmet adventure in September, please contact me - or Anthony at Le Verger.
La Fête du Fromage
Running a bit behind with things today. Actually I've been running a bit behind all week! Tis the season...
Look for a delicious fromage de chèvre from the Loire Valley in la Fête du Fromage tomorrow.
Look for a delicious fromage de chèvre from the Loire Valley in la Fête du Fromage tomorrow.
Loire Valley Allure
I never expected to be so taken with the Loire Valley.
Sure I was excited to explore a new region of France and had fairly high expectations after all the positive reviews and trip reports that I had read.
But WOW! What a magical, beautiful place. I am officially smitten.
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