°mes petites curiosités°

This Blog has moved !

2011-01-27T19:57:00.005+01:00

To see my new blog click on the picture below... see you next door!

Knock on the picture...

The End.

2011-01-06T15:11:00.002+01:00

2010 finished with too much emotions

'mes petites curiosités' was the picture of that previous year and I want to close it.

I want to start 2011 with a new skin, optimistic, with hope.

I would like to thank my loyal readers: veronika :), juniper, sara louise, victoria, sarah elisabeth, loree, barbara, elisabeth, jeanne, amaryllis, anne, bruno, ange, celine, amanda... and all of you that i haven't met yet.

In the next couple week, I will give you here the new blog address.

I hope I will stay in touch with all of you ...

I wish you the best for 2011.

See you soon.

when Paul followed Odette...

2010-12-23T21:23:00.000+01:00

Last friday, my grand-father passed away, just 8 months after my grand-mother...
I hope you are fine up there, together again....
I will miss you both...
Love

Blue London

2010-12-14T17:38:00.000+01:00

Here we are...

2010-12-01T23:14:00.002+01:00

From the French countryside to London... From the autumn yellow light to the snow... Here we are...
Getting into a new rhythm, making up our place to feel home, letting ideas coming, dreams also, thoughts...

November

2010-11-22T21:12:00.000+01:00

November was intense. Time is coming to think, feel, and hope.

December will be the transition, the link, the door.

In a week, a month, next year...

See you soon ;)

San Francisco... the end

2010-11-19T23:23:00.001+01:00

*Here are the last pictures from our trip in US... We finished walking around the beautiful houses in Pacific Heights... they are like wedding cakes :), the marina and the view of Alcatraz, the famous prison. From one hill to another, into a little green paradise with cottages and parrots in the trees between the buildings... surreal...

Since our return, we are back in the real life. Choices came up, decisions to take, changes are coming... sometimes life is tough, but if/ when we get through them, we will be stronger... Have a nice week-end everyone!

San francisco & Chinatown

2010-11-18T21:32:00.000+01:00

*Here is the part 2 of our stop in San Francisco. Chinatown: I know the chinese area in Paris and London, but there, it's nothing like that, it's not just a little taste of China for the tourist, it's properly a piece of China moved into the city with an american twist! Interesting, tasty dim sum, the fortune cookies factory, colors, signs... It's what i like about big town: the cultural diversity, you can jump from little italy to Japan town, then have a delicious lunch in an Polish restaurant in an day!!!

Listen!

2010-11-17T22:01:00.000+01:00

Hindi Zahra - Imik Si Mik live

She is the winner of the French "Constantin Prize"

soul...

San Francisco //1

2010-11-16T23:18:00.000+01:00

*SFO: stunning city, hilly... really hilly, full of life, nice cuisine, foggy, multi-everything... i could live there :)

Big Sur & Santa Cruz

2010-11-15T21:40:00.000+01:00

*Hope you had a great week-end! Ours was spent with brilliant friends in Toulouse, good food, nice wine, endless chat, relaxing and sunny... Thank you so much A.&R.! We are looking forward to seing the 3 of you soon ;).

*Still tidying the USA pictures... it was a long trip, 4000km...so :)

*Here are a few pictures of our stop in Santa Cruz Town and along Big Sur.

*Have a good week everyone!

Carmel-by-the-sea

2010-11-12T20:58:00.001+01:00

*A pretty and chic town on the way to San Francisco: art galleries, boutiques, delicatessen, cute houses... feminine

Pismo

2010-11-11T22:06:00.002+01:00

*Back to our trip in the US, tidying the pictures of Pismo Beach where we stayed on the way from Los Angeles to San Francisco, along the famous Highway 1. Peaceful, foggy, long walks on the beach, generous and tasty clam chowder, simply holidays...

*ps: i sold the painting on the last post... i am really pleased :) :)

What's up!

2010-11-09T00:21:00.000+01:00

*Did i show you this recent painting?

*I sold one over the week-end

*One of my paintings is going to New York :)

happy happy happy

Los Angeles//2

2010-11-05T23:11:00.001+01:00

*like it! like it! like it!
*a really cool and relax city
*easy going
*like it :)

*have a nice week-end everyone!

Los Angeles//1

2010-11-04T23:22:00.000+01:00

*Chinatown

*The beautiful Art Deco train station

*El pueblo, where started the town

*Part 2... tomorrow
A demain! :)

Grand Canyon

2010-11-03T21:10:00.000+01:00

*Grand Canyon was one of the highlights of our trip.

Around 100km long and 16km wide, twice the height of the Eiffel Tower.

*Each layer of stone show us the evolution of the planet.

*South rim tis time, North rim next time :)

Calico

2010-11-02T22:21:00.001+01:00

*Calico: The Ghost Town!

*A typical old american town!

*Good fun for kids and adults :)

Cook!

2010-11-02T10:26:00.003+01:00

°Green Tomato Chutney... yummy....

Prep: 20 min - Cook: 1 hr

Ingredients:
•500g green tomatoes

•500g red onion

•250g sultanas

•250g brown sugar

•2 tbsp Salt

•1 tsp cayenne pepper

•1 tsp ground green cardamom

•500ml Malt vinegar

Method:
Chop everything up, no need for a perfection, and put it in a good heavy based pan .
Bring it to the boil and then turn down the heat , simmer for about an hour until reduced to a thick pulp.

Spoon into sterilised jars and enjoy either after standing for a while to let flavours develop.

Bon Appétit!

Monument Valley

2010-10-29T21:15:00.001+02:00

* Monument Valley, an amazing place on the Navajo's land

*It was spectacular!!!

* a generous Navajo hamburger for Mr B. after a long walk around the 'Buttes'

*and an early morning to watch an incredible sunrise

* it was so beautiful, i could feel my tears swelling up...
(i know i am really sensitive)

* it's probably one of my best memories ;)

*and i'd just like to thank all of you for pop in on to my blog
and especially to my regular visitors.

thank you :)

Lake Powell

2010-10-28T21:24:00.001+02:00

*on the way to Monument Valley,

we stayed one night on the shores of Lake Powell

*it's a man-made lake.

*we arrived there just in time to enjoy the sun going to sleep...

*and I jumped out with my pyjamas on to enjoy the sun coming up...

*the colors and the view were stunning, i didn't want to miss a second of it :)

Las Vegas

2010-10-27T21:48:00.001+02:00

*a lot of bling bling
*amusing
*interesting to see it once

*best memories:
the dancing fountains at the Bellagio Hotel
and a frozen yogurt... yummy ;)

Death Valley

2010-10-26T22:34:00.001+02:00

*a fresh morning, leaving behind us the mountains and the snow...

*going on the straight roads for miles and miles,
looking at the landscape becoming dry and yellow

*rocks...

*and sand dunes...

*an afternoon under a hot sun (around 40*C!!)
*walking on the sea salt, the lowest point in US
'Badwater basin' -85 meters under the sea level

Yosemite

2010-10-25T21:30:00.001+02:00

*After we picked the huge motorhome and did a big food shopping in the huge Walmart,
we drove to our first destination :
Yosemite

*the tallest sequoias, the beautiful fall season, vibrant colors, walks, rocks
and a view just like in 'The Lords of the Rings'...
surreal.... precious...

We are back!!!

2010-10-24T03:17:00.002+02:00

*we are back!!!

full of happiness :)

*we had an amazing time in US

the trip of a lifetime

*beef jerky, the huge skies, the long straight roads,

the red earth, the snow and the boiling sun,

the travelling experience... all in one!

*i am still under the jet lag...

can't sleep... 3.00am

*loads of pictures to tidy

I will try to share a few here in the next couple days

*hope you had a good time

all of you!

*have a nice sunday!

1 Day to go to USA!!!!!! and the last fruits...

2010-10-02T23:59:00.000+02:00

° Only 1 night to sleep and we will be on the day to go.

°We were planning the trip for such a long time, and suddendly is there,
we are going to USA!

°I still can't realize we're going there, visiting all these places,
seing so many different things, tasting new food...
and the most important:
we will 3 weeks just together...
(don't worry we planned it, we have a 8 meters van...)

°Actually, I don't think i am going to sleep really...
i still can't decide what to wear for the flight tomorrow... ?§!

°Hope i will be able to come here a bit during our trip :)

°Wish you a nice Sunday everyone .

2 Days to go to USA and 2 presents

2010-10-01T23:15:00.000+02:00

°2 days to go.... too much excited!!!

°and 2 presents:

a new camera to do a lot, a lot, a lot of pictures during our trip :)

and our first fire of the autumn season.

autumn light...my favorite

welcome october!

3 Days to go to USA & the orange day

2010-09-30T22:07:00.000+02:00

°My daily walk in orange.

°We are going to meet for the first time some relatives when we will be around san Francisco.
°The lady is 95 years old, she is the cousin of my grand-father,
and we will meet her daughter too.

°Today i went to the town to find some little presents for them.
I thought to take some typical 'Foie Gras',
but it doesn't seem to be allowed at the airport customs... so just in case...

° So,I chose two books: one about a 99 years old french lady telling about her life
and a Recipe book of south-west France cuisine...
*chocolates and French wine... tasty!

°What do you think about my choice?
I still have a bit of time to find something else
if you know what our Americans cousins would love from France...???

°Any ideas???? :)

4 Days to go to USA and flowers ;)

2010-09-29T22:38:00.001+02:00

*I did a bit more of the packing today ... still can't decide which pair of shoes!!
ps: thank you Juniper for your advise on the raincoat for San Francisco :)

*Today was also a beautiful autumn day,
a day to meet some pretty fowers.

5 Days to go to USA & a drawing

2010-09-28T22:17:00.001+02:00

*I haven't done a lot today regarding the packing to USA
*it's only 5 days to go!!!! and i can't decide what to take or not....
please if you have any advise, have a look at my previous post

*I'm still sorting out all the drawings from my Art Studies
*Here is an another one.

*Yes, i am like that!
when i move somewhere i need to organize everything
before i can start to live there
i feel it's a bit the same with my new art studio ;)

6 Days to go to USA!!!!

2010-09-27T21:37:00.000+02:00

*Yes!!!! Finally we are going in Honeymoon... the real one :)
*Next sunday we are flying to San Francisco, where we will rent a RV and go on the roads...
until the 21st of october...
*I do not realize yet! it's more than a dream, it seems unreal!
It's the first time i am going to America!!! so so happy!!!
*So here is our road trip:

*Departure: San Francisco

*Yosemite

*Las Vegas

*Grand Canyon

*Monument Valley

*Los Angeles

*The West Coast and Big Sur

*Back to San Francisco

*I can't wait!!!!

*Please, please, please
If you have any advise on one of those locations, on the weather,
on things to do or not, on food, on museum, on shopping...
please, please,
leave me a note....
Your help is more than welcome :)

Hibiscus

2010-09-24T23:35:00.001+02:00

° the Hibiscus is showing its different life stages
° the tulip bulbs need to be planted to be all ready for next spring
° i found a recipe for a buttersquash jam... can't wait to try it :)
° i need to organize my days to be in my art studio for long hours...

°already the week-end...
°have a nice one everybody!

ps: here, it's raining cats and dogs... but more cats than dogs actually... :)

Listen!

2010-09-23T23:14:00.001+02:00

*Nancy Sinatra Bang Bang

...

Mollie

2010-09-22T23:58:00.000+02:00

*So today I have already played in my new Art Studio and it's just great!!! :)

*A new portrait...

My Art Studio: After

2010-09-21T22:05:00.002+02:00

*After a few weeks and a lot of cleaning, painting, drilling...

My Art Studio is finished!

A big thank you to my parents

and my husband B. for their huge help! merci...

*A large HIGH worktop ...
my dream....
a perfect high table to work on
...i am quite tall (1m80...)...so

*To make it, we used two MDF worktops fixed together and a Billy bookcase from Ikea.

*I bought a really cheap kitchen cabinet,
which i have customized with some pretty ribbons
instead of its ugly door handles.

*Someone is already looking for a confortable space
where he could have a long sleep close to me working... Lupio... :)

*Now, i am all ready to work a lot...
I hope...

My Art Studio: Before

2010-09-20T19:42:00.000+02:00

*Here is the place where i decided to establish my art studio
(and after a few months of negociations...)
*It's in the little hamlet where we live, just beside La Maison Vieille.
*Here are some pictures once the old wallpaper was taken off and after the first good clean...

*See you tomorrow to see the AFTER ;)

Listen!

2010-09-17T22:26:00.000+02:00

*A fantastic french singer:

Camille

singing "Au port"

*enjoy and have a nice week-end!

Cook!

2010-09-16T22:19:00.000+02:00

*Nature has been more than generous with us this year,
so for the last few days I have been trying different recipes to use all the beautiful fruits we could pick!

*And as I love sweet&sour taste...
here is the best:
Preserved Pickled Peaches from the famous Delia Smith
with cold meat, ham or just on its own on bread for an healthy snack!

Ingredients:
8 large ripe but firm peaches

12 oz (350 g) granulated sugar

1 pint (570 ml) white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 level dessertspoon coriander seeds

1 level dessertspoon mixed peppercorns

3 shallots, peeled and finely sliced

You will also need a 1 litre preserving jar, sterilised as described above.

Begin by measuring the sugar, wine vinegar, lime juice, coriander seeds, peppercorns and shallots into a large saucepan or preserving pan. Give everything a hefty stir, then place the pan on a low heat and allow to heat through, stirring from time to time until all the sugar has dissolved – don't let it come up to simmering point until all the granules of sugar have completely dissolved.

While that's happening put another saucepan of water on to boil. Then halve the peaches (by slitting them all round with a knife and twisting them in half), remove the stones and drop the peach halves into the boiling water, a few at a time, just for a few seconds. Remove them with a draining spoon and you should find that the skins slip off easily. Now place the skinned peach halves in the vinegar and sugar mixture, bring it up to simmering point and gently poach the fruit for 15 minutes or until tender when tested with a skewer. Use a draining spoon to remove the peaches and transfer them to the warmed preserving jar.
Now boil the syrup rapidly to reduce it to approximately half its original volume, then pour it through a strainer over the peaches. If you have any syrup left, reserve it as you will find that after about 24 hours the peaches will have absorbed some of their syrup and you can use the rest to top up. Seal the jar and keep for 6 weeks before using.

Little note: i left the skin on, it saved time and the recipe is still good!

Where I was today

2010-09-15T21:46:00.001+02:00

*I was floating today between two clouds...

*Sometimes life doesn't want to be clear
and asks us to make choice.

*How to choose the right way?

The white pearl

2010-09-14T21:39:00.000+02:00

*I have sold one of my recent paintings in an exhibition.

*I am really pleased, it's a good feeling.

*I need to get my studio ready, can't wait anymore...

Gardening with fashion ;)

2010-09-13T17:22:00.001+02:00

*a pretty busy week-end, with a lot of little things planned.
*time in the garden and how to be a bit fashion with a countryside life :)!!!
*my first parsnips... (which is quite unusual in french gardens!)
*plums, peaches, apples... a lot to pick, a lot to cook, a lot to store!

*have a nice week everyone ;)

Bruniquel

2010-09-10T22:43:00.003+02:00

*A few weeks ago, for our first wedding anniversary,

we went to visit Bruniquel, a medieval village which is about 30km from us.

a nice lunch, a flea market, the visit of the castle, the craft shops...

*They made a famous french film here at the Bruniquel's castle called "Le Vieux Fusil"

with Philippe Noiret and Romy Schneider.

*During the visit, we could see an interesting exhibition about it.

*The pictures of Romy Schneider are fabulous by their simplicity and authenticity.

*She was a stunning lady.

*If you are thinking to come in the area, it's a nice place to visit :)

In the street, they are...

2010-09-09T23:37:00.001+02:00

*Have a look here!
*it's such a good idea :)

ps: girls, i have translated the courgettes muffin recipe :)
have a look at the previous post!

Cook!

2010-09-08T23:00:00.002+02:00

*Because it was raining most of the time today

*and because we have a lot of courgettes from the garden

*and because for me cooking is therapeutic :)

*today i baked some sweet courgettes muffins and cake

*sorry the receipe will be in french this time,
and it's good for your french :)

*the recipe is from Julie Andrieu, my favorite cook!

*it's normally to make muffins,
but i also did a cake as i didn't have enough muffin tins

*I just left the cake longer in the oven!

*Try it! it's delicious and healthy!

Muffins sucrés aux courgettes
Préparation : 15 minutes
Cuisson : 20 minutes
Pour 6 personnes
Ingrédients :

300 g de courgette(s) bien ferme (s)
200 g de farine
125 g de sucre roux
3 œufs
1 /2 sachet de levure chimique
4 cuil à soupe d huile d’olive
1/2 cuil à café de poudre de vanille
1 pincée de sel

Préchauffez le four à 200 °C (th. 5). Mélangez les œufs, le sucre, le sel, la vanille et l’huile. Incorporez la farine et la levure. Râpez les courgettes à la grosse grille, au dessus d’un torchon propre. Faites un ballottin et pressez les courgettes pour retirer le maximum d’eau. Incorporez-les à la pâte. Huilez 6 ramequins individuels (inutile si vous utilisez des moules en silicone). Versez la pâte au 3/4, lissez bien la surface en donnant de petites secousses aux moules et enfournez. Laissez cuire 20 min. Servez tiède ou froid, avec du beurre, du fromage ou de la crème anglaise.

Conseil; pour remplir plus facilement les moules, utilisez une cuiller à boule de glace.

Laissez cuire quelques minutes de plus si vous utilisez des moules plus grands .

*enjoy!

and if you need any help about the french! ask me :)

09/09/2010

*Ok girls, here is the english version :)

for 6 people
ingredients:

300 g of firm courgettes
200 g of white flour
125 g of golden sugar
3 eggs
1tsp of baking powder
4 tbsp of olive oil
1tsp of vanilla powder
1 pinch of salt
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Mix the eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla and oil in a bowl. Then add the flour and baking powder. Grate the courgettes onto a clean dish cloth.Wrap the cloth into a ball and squeeze out as much water as possible. Add the courgettes into the bowl. Grease 6 muffin tins (not necessary for silicone moulds). Pour into the tins until 3/4 full and put in the oven for 20 min.
Serve hot or cold with butter, cheese....or custard!!!!

That means a lot...

2010-09-07T22:57:00.000+02:00

*A few weeks ago, I went on my friend blog and oh surprise!
*One of my painting has been published on decor8 and on the same page, just below my one,
yes, a photo from my friend V! we were on the same page!!! (I am quite proud...:) i have to say)

*happy!

She is in my kitchen

2010-09-06T23:23:00.000+02:00

*A new painting.

*It's an oil on canvas.

*My art studio should be finished this week :)

Music and amazing 'madeleines'

2010-09-05T03:53:00.001+02:00

Les Madeleines en concert à La Casa Musicale (part 2)

*Just back from a family party...

*Some good live music...

*Especially the first song: i find it amazing!

the rythm, the singer, the musicians...

*Maybe you would reconize, Virgile, the accordionist at our wedding :)

*Enjoy and have a lively week-end!

Wedding Day: The End

2010-09-03T22:44:00.001+02:00

*Hope you had a good day.

*a walk in the village's market and a meeting this morning,

still painting my art studio this afternoon
and it's finished!!! youpi!!!

*Here are some memories of the evening of our wedding

*We had a drink before dinner in the garden of a beautiful medieval castle in the next village

*We had Virgile and Nazim, the musicians, plying all evening and night for us

We are fan with B.

It was magic!

We had our waltz with live music.

A dream....

Listen: Café au lait par L'Avant-Bras
it wasn't our waltz, but you can appreciate their talent.....

*As a good French meal, the dinner was 5 couses
plus the traditionnal wedding desserts,
French and English!

And to answer to Sara Louise :)

*We had Foie Gras with walnut bread and figs chutney
then a selection of Fish and a crab cake
The traditionnal south west duck with vegetable
Cheese with nuts and home-made cherry jam
Finally, a selection of 3 desserts: apple with melting fudge,
nougat ice cream and a macaron... yummy

all that with 3 differents wines and champagne

I told you: a typical French dinner!

*And then was starting our new life as a married couple!

THE END
and they lived happily ever after...

*thank you for all your nice comments about the pictures and the wedding!
We had a fabulous photographer... have a look here!

Wedding Day: Act III

2010-09-02T23:30:00.001+02:00

*Hope you had a good day.

It was the first day of school for a lot of children ... the normal rythm is coming back ...

*Today, I was painting my new art studio... it's getting there...

*But for now, our wedding story is continuing!

*So after the ceremony,

we all went to the garden of my parents-in-law to share a drink and some sweets little things around the theme of an afternoon tea...

*The big success was the ice cream trolley we made!
(Wedding: it's a lot of DIY when you try to stay on budget!)

Children and adults enjoyed it!
My brother in law was the ice cream man!

*And while everybody was having a rest under the trees, and the kids playing in the river passing by...
We had a special time of quietness to be just together and our great photographer taking some pictures of us MARRIED!!!

*The end: tomorrow.... :)

Wedding Day: Act II

2010-09-01T22:25:00.000+02:00

* Hope you all had a good day...

Here, the weather was a beautiful start for september.

*Our wedding story is continuing. Thank you for following it :)

*Here are some pictures of the ceremony.

*instead of a red carpet, i used wallpaper on the aisle, matching with the ceremony booklets.

*I designed the dresses...

*Ismérie, the soprano singer

Découvrez la playlist Nouvelle playlist avec Yann Tiersen

*Our friend played Yann Tiersen on the piano during the ceremony...

we were really lucky

Wedding Day: Act I

2010-08-31T21:59:00.001+02:00

*I know... our wedding story start to be a bit long...
I love talking about it...
I am sorry for my friends that they have to heared about it another time ;)

*But don't worry , we are finally at the Big Day!!!

*It was a long day, so I am starting with the morning...

*One thing: my hairdresser's appointment was at 7.00 pm...
because I booked it too late to have a better slot...
a lot of our guests planned it before I did ...

*The best advise we had to beat the usual stress was from my husband's brother:
"You just have to turn up!"

*and another little tip: a glass of "Polish vodka" in one go!
It helps! :)

She has gone...

2010-08-30T22:21:00.001+02:00

* a few weeks ago, i received a friendly email from a lady who saw my painting on my blog
and asked me if i am selling my art...

*it was just a huge honour for me, because Anne is the author of a blog I like to follow...
I love her pictures, her blog and the atmosphere coming through it.
estaminet coquet... a poem in itself.

*from my kitchen, she is now sitting in her office.

*it's like a dream for me... :)

Our Wedding Song

2010-08-29T22:54:00.001+02:00

Discover the playlist Welcome with Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra [orchestra]

* Our wedding song when I went up the aisle...

*Ismérie, a fabulous soprano was there for us...

Portraits...

2010-08-29T02:14:00.000+02:00

*I had quite a productive week with my art...

*Here is one portrait i did from a picture of my little niece...

*the journey continues...

Hot...

2010-08-28T00:10:00.000+02:00

*it's still hot here... and i won't complain as i was looking so much for the sun to be bright.

*i didn't have time today to choose the pictures from our wedding to post here...

*tomorrow, it's saturday... which mean changeover day for La Maison Vieille...
and friends coming in the evening for dinner...

*so will see if i time to come here,

*if not, have a nice week-end everyone and thank you for your nice messages :)

Wedding Memories: Big Day -1

2010-08-26T23:09:00.001+02:00

*It was so hot today, 40°C!!! maybe summer is two months late????

*so here is continuing our wedding story with ....

*Big Day -1 and the Big Test of the Chinese lanterns!!

on the wedding day, after the dinner in the evening with send two of them...

the tradition is to write a wish on it and leave it to fly to the sky

*Big Day -1:
the preparation of the dining room we hired,
in a barn of a medieval Castle a few kilometers from us....

*Big Day -1:
The church with long white gladiolis, the olive tree, and a few busy lizzies...
instead of the usual long red carpet, we layed out 2 rolls of wallpaper down the aisle, matching with the hand-made ceremony booklets...

*I tell you, I love playing with details ;)

*The week before the wedding my best friend V.came from London with her family,
and her sister K. came from Prague.
They helped us a lot!
I will never forget that wedding week with them. It meant a lot for me...

Wedding Favors

2010-08-25T23:02:00.001+02:00

*today was a busy busy day, i finally have the time to write this post telling a bit more about our wedding story...

*Wedding favors:
I absolutely loved to think about them, to imagine them, to choose them and how to wrapped them...

*still, we would like them showing a bit of ours nationalities and also, we would them to be a real little prezzi for each guest... so we had 3 types of favors:

*For all the ladies: a lavender aroma heart in silk from Laura Ashley, the company where I used to work as an Interior Designer when we lived in London.

*For the French Gentlemen: an orange and whiskey marmelade... a little taste of England in a jar... miam!

*For the English Gentlemen: a little bottle of "eau-de-vie", plum brandy produced by my family ... and that one was from the year Mister B. was born... 1977

* and the kids got a little bag with a mask and a lot of sweets for their children party in the evening :)

* i really so much to do it... i would plan weddings all the time if I could... ;)

Wedding Invitations

2010-08-24T09:53:00.001+02:00

*To announce our wedding last year, I designed and made our wedding invitations.

*We would like something really personal, a bit of both laying on the paper. Ours differences and links...

*As my husband is English and i am French, we show by a picture from where we were born and another showing something we like to do...
beetroots: gardening and food for him,
a art picture of a chair with linen: interiors and art for me...
all around the purple color

*I also design a logo for us: two birds on each side of a tree looking at each other... it's still following us...

*then i stitched all the hand-made enveloppes!

*We had a lot of nice compliments about our 'quite different looking' invitation!

*I think, ours guests were looking forward to the big day :)

*Today, I am still designing wedding invitations and stitching enveloppes for other couples or births
With a new collection coming soon...
at Odette aussi.

*Have a nice day everyone and thank you for your comments!

1st Wedding Anniversary

2010-08-23T11:21:00.000+02:00

*Yesterday was our first wedding anniversary.

*It was the 22nd of August 2009

*The year went so quickly...

*We enjoy to remember and look at all our memories of the day...
and all the days before and after...

*This coming week, I will go back on that fabulous adventure,
from the preparation to the start of the married life.

*And you, what's your best memory of your wedding?

Changeover day

2010-08-21T22:41:00.001+02:00

*busy, busy day
*today was changeover day at La Maison Vieille
*and here is the result,
a big colourful bouquet to welcome our new guests for the week.

*have a nice week-end everyone
:)

The village lake

2010-08-20T21:18:00.000+02:00

* just down the hill we can enjoy the village lake for a walk around
as we did today!

*beautiful sun.

*when i was child, i used to spend all my summer there with fiends...

* today, swimming there is not allowed anymore... sad :(

*it was a great time ...

A drawing

2010-08-19T12:42:00.001+02:00

* while i was tidying, to set up my new work space for autumn,
i found one of my drawing that i did at university.

*i remember that i enjoyed learning the technique of using the color of the paper as a component of the drawing, in combination with black and white

*drawing with shadows...

On my table, there is

2010-08-18T14:11:00.000+02:00

*some bright gladioli

*glaïeul in french

Summer Cabbage pickles

2010-08-17T23:35:00.001+02:00

* i've been planting a lot of cabbage lately... and had to find a way to use them...

*so i tried to do some cabbage pickles... i will let you know in few weeks if it was a success!!! :)

*here is the recipe:

1 lb. shredded cabbage

1 tbsp. salt

2 1/2 c. white wine vinegar ... (i used cider vinegar... will see)

1 tbsp. soft brown sugar

1 tbsp. pickling spice

Chopped the cabbage in a large bowl and cover each layer with salt. Leave for 24 hours. Drain off any liquid and rinse off any surplus salt. Put the vinegar, sugar and pickling spices into a pan, and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and allow to cool for at least 2 hours. Strain. Pack the cabbage loosely into jars and cover with the spiced vinegar. Cover label and store in a cool place. Can begin to eat after 1 week. Will begin to loose its crispness within 2 to 3 months.

Bon appétit!

Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

2010-08-16T09:28:00.001+02:00

*a day out around the village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, a few kilometers from us.
*beautiful old houses, flowers, pretty boutiques, colors and tourists
*summer feeling

Feist - 1234

2010-08-15T09:31:00.001+02:00

*have a nice sunday everyone and thank you for passing by!

The Boutique 'Odette aussi.'

2010-08-13T10:39:00.000+02:00

*My little boutique 'Odette aussi.' is opening today on etsy!!!

*You would find a few of my creations...

*Please, have a look and let me know what you think :)

Odette aussi.

2010-08-12T14:40:00.001+02:00

*coming soon....surprise... :)

Summer 'Cueillette'

2010-08-10T15:07:00.000+02:00

*For me, to pick our own vegetables is the luxury to be living in the countryside.

*And summer is really generous with us this year.
We're enjoying our little production for all our meals at the moment, it's fabulous!

*We live in the same hamlet than my parents and my grand-father,
so we all work around the vegetable garden: it's a community garden!

*Vegetable garden is ' le potager ' in french.

The Art Festival

2010-08-09T09:24:00.001+02:00

*We had a wonderful time during the Art Festival... it's probably why I am exhausted today :)

*we had 3 days of International Art around the village: the theme was "art in the houses".
*so especially yesterday, our small village was full of people visiting
the 13 places occupied by the 30 artists.
*Photography, painting, sculpture, ceramics: the visitors enjoyed the variety and the lively atmosphere!

*There was also a classical concert each evening with 6 musicians from the Paris orchestra,
their group is called 'L'ensemble Phaéton'.
It was incredible to have such good quality music in our little church!
A lot of people came along! it was a real success!

*I was sharing the exhibiting space with Philomena, my mother-in-law. We had a special time together.
*It was interesting to speak with the visitors about what they feel in front of my work, what they like or not. It was good to see friends coming and have a chat with them.
To share lunch with all the artists was an important time too.

*And another little thing, i sold one painting
and quite a lot of my greeting cards, lavender sachets and enveloppes :)
*Some people were interested about my art, asked for my details and maybe they will contact me later... we'll see!

*So far, i am feeling pleased and hopefully this is the start of something great.

Yael Naim & the Art Festival

2010-08-05T23:41:00.000+02:00

*Tomorrow it's starting the International Art Festival of the village until Sunday.

*It's every 2nd week-end of August. Classical music every evening with 6 musicians from the Paris orchestra and more than 30 artists exhibiting in the house all around the village... (just to repeat myself: we are only 530 inhabitants in the village... so we're quite proud of it :)
and I am one of them...

*So for the last 2 days i was feeling a bit like the beginning of the video clip... moving things from my Art studio to the exhibition place and trying to make it mine....

*Hope a lot of people will come to visit us with a lot of sun!!!

In my kitchen she is

2010-08-03T21:46:00.001+02:00

*I have finished a new painting!!!
*I know... i am quite motivated at the moment...

*What do you think of it?
*I would love to hear your thoughts
:)...

Festi'lac

2010-08-02T22:24:00.001+02:00

*In our little village (530 inhabitants),
we have been holding a festival around the village lake every first week-end of august for the last 37 years!

*Concerts and a huge firework on the Saturday night.
*Flea-market, jet-ski ride, helicoptere ride, and a giant paella in the evening for 500 guests!

*But the best thing about it, it's to be volunteer in the organisation of the party!
We all grew up together and it's a nice occasion to see each other, the ones we didn't see for a long time, the new babies, the children getting taller and taller, laughting, dancing...

*a nice link between us, years after years

*but please God, next year we could do without the rain... :)

Odette aussi.

2010-07-30T22:58:00.001+02:00

*A few days ago, I opened my little shop on etsy with my first new creations...

*To open my own little shop with all the things i like to make
is one of my dreams, so why not to start there?

*It's name: 'Odette aussi.'
She was my grand-mother...

*One thing i discovered and loved when i was living in UK, was their 'Tea cosies'..

*I find they complete the look of the kitchen, they add a really homely feel ...
*I don't know exactly why, but when I see a tea cosy on a pot of a nice tea brewing, i am just thinking the people around that tea are HAPPY :)

*So, i designed a few tea cosies...

*Please, have a look and let me know what you think about it?
The Shop:
Odette aussi.

She is sitting in the kitchen.

2010-07-28T09:38:00.000+02:00

* I finished a new painting...
*What do you think???
*have a nice day everyone...

Figs and creations

2010-07-26T22:37:00.003+02:00

* Nice figs from the garden,
i find them even more tasty when i pick them directly from the tree
than in a bowl at home :)

* A little dream is coming through...
I was keeping my wish for the last 10 years,
maybe it's the time to believe in myself and be confident enough to make it real...

*Des jolies figues du jardin,
j'ai toujours préféré déguster les fruits directement cueillis...
enveloppé dans le parfum du figuier,
un bonheur pour les sens.

*Un petit rêve s'éveille,
je gardais ce souhait auprès de moi depuis au moins dix ans,
c'est peut-être le moment de prendre confiance et de lui donner une réalité...

Bjork Live It's Oh So Quiet

2010-07-24T13:10:00.001+02:00

*I feel like that today!!

yes i do :)

*She is brillant.... sssshhh.............

Douce...

2010-07-20T22:57:00.004+02:00

*une douce journée... a quiet day

* i finished today a painting

*douce...

In the fields...

2010-07-19T12:07:00.006+02:00

*10 o'clock this morning

*perfect blue sky and sun on the earth

On the table, there is...

2010-07-18T08:34:00.004+02:00

*Sunflowers time...

* "Tournesols" in french!

*have a nice sunday everyone :)

Paolo Nutini - "Candy"

2010-07-16T09:31:00.002+02:00

*I know it's not a new one but i like it!
*have a nice sunny day everyone :)

A beautiful work

2010-07-12T10:22:00.002+02:00

A little present...

2010-07-09T07:42:00.004+02:00

*A new baby: Tanguy!

One thing about me: I love talking about babies' names...

*Welcome in the family little boy!

*and a little present from me...

Babies ... The film

2010-07-08T09:38:00.004+02:00

*A wonderful documentary following 4 babies life at different places in the world:
Namibie, USA, Japan and Mongolia...

*From the birth to the first steps....

*Follow the link... they are so cute!!!

"BABIES"

yesterday and me

2010-07-06T11:27:00.003+02:00

*new flowers on the table... my husband made the little bouquet...

:) really cute! i was surprised...

* i need space to work my art,

so far i have been painting in the kitchen

and i had to tidy and move things around all the time... I NEED SPACE!!!!

*So i moved things from the living room and i set my art studio there... youpi!!!

at least for the summer, as we don't really use it as we spend a lot of time outside...

we'll see later how i am getting on with my work and my new ideas.... again....

*A new space... a start... i will let you know...

*have a nice day:)

Creations...concoctions...

2010-07-03T08:06:00.002+02:00

*The sun is hot, it's still a pleasure...

*Early mornings, quiet afternoons, late evenings watering the garden.

*The summer life is there.

*A new name is coming ... in my heart so far ;)

*Do you remember the redcurrants i picked the other day?

*Delicious....

Which one do you prefer?

2010-06-27T08:25:00.002+02:00

*Two days ago, I found this design competition on the web and I am now taking part in it.

*It's about designing a bean bag... and I did two versions...

*So, which one do you prefer?

*If you have a bit of time, if you like what I have done and would like to vote for me :)

please follow this link:

http://www.decoondemand.com/Design.html

Have a nice week-end!

Cueillette

2010-06-25T06:28:00.004+02:00

*Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day! The first real summer day of the year!

*It was warm, no fresh wind, we could hear the bees around and all the other little insects enjoying the sun!

*A perfect day for picking fruits = "cueillette" in french... I like that word :)

Morocco#The End

2010-06-23T06:02:00.008+02:00

*Here are the last pictures about our trek in Morrocco:

a few paintings of Yves Saint-Laurent at the Majorelle's garden

and the airport, both in Marrakech.

*A lot of memories: the walks through the "berbere villages" in the mountains, the traditionnal mint tea, the families where we stayed and the bit of their life they shared with us, the sound of the call for the prayer, the children, the houses, the donkeys, the lively Marrakech, the food...

*Now, it's finally sunny here...

I won't say it's summer just in case it goes back again...

Have a nice day everyone! :)

Marocco#5

2010-06-21T22:48:00.003+02:00

Morocco#4

2010-06-18T09:38:00.004+02:00

Morocco#3

2010-06-16T14:45:00.004+02:00

Morocco#2

2010-06-14T22:23:00.007+02:00

*Here, it's still raining... and our friends left on Sunday ... :(

*We had a great time,
they stayed at La Maison Vieille, and for a week I could dream we were neighbours :)...
them, pop in to see us, us going at them for late evenings with drinks and laughs...
miss you...

*Today, I started to tidy the pictures of our trip to Morocco...
*Have a nice week everyone!

*ps: V. , just to let you know that A. forgot one sheep of her new farm under the dining table, but don't worry, Roxan will look after it until your next visit!!! ;)

Time out!

2010-06-08T09:09:00.002+02:00

*Friends came to visit us this week

and to enjoy the french countryside, late dinners and wine...

So probably, i won't be around here a lot until monday!

*We are still sharing our Marrocco memories...yallah...

Morocco#1

2010-06-03T18:09:00.014+02:00

*We are back from Marrocco where we did a trek in the Atlas mountains!

*FASCINATING!!!

*A huge amount of pictures

and a lot to do in the garden...

*hope to be ready to post a few pictures soon!

Vide-grenier

2010-05-24T08:20:00.007+02:00

*We had such a nice week-end full of sunshine

* The first swim of the year in the pool :)

*and a few "vide-grenier" (= french car boots sale) are starting in the area...

*I love to visit them and maybe find

some little treasures, bargains with new ideas in mind...

*I have to go, we are going to Marroco tonight...

and I haven't packed anything yet!

*See you in a week!

We are back! already...

2010-05-20T22:52:00.008+02:00

*We are back! It was a really quick visit to england!

Just the time to see L. in her wonderful office,

pick up all our stuff left at our previous flat,

do some shopping (not enough :(...)

and enjoy a too short time with our friends and a tasty cheesecake :)...

*All in a few hours...

*Back yesterday evening and today (and for the next couple days)

my favourite activity is tidying, tidying...tidying!!!

Tomorrow... LONDON!!!

2010-05-17T09:56:00.003+02:00

*this morning, we're getting ready for our car trip to be in UK tomorrow morning!

*unfortunately, we won't have a lot of time,

just one day to pick up all the bits and bobs we left there ...

and keep some space for a huge shopping list!

*and the most important thing, hope to see our friends for a cupa... :)

*see you on thursday!

A Pink Sunday...

2010-05-16T09:26:00.001+02:00

*Chocolate and Fresh peonies...

Have a nice Sunday everyone!

Concert

2010-05-14T21:32:00.002+02:00

*an artist, a lot of energy and creativity

*really clever guy

*it was one of my wish for a long time... done!

*see you for another concert... here or there... :)