A New Treasure

My neighbours might have thought I'd lost my mind today when I retrieved the mail. There may have been a little bit of excitement on my behalf at the mailbox drop area; ahead of schedule (bless you Chapters) - my copy of My Stylish French Girlfriends arrived. 
 The book is the work of blogger Sharon Santoni of My French Country Home fame.

I am sitting here tonight being totally self indulgent with a glass of wine in hand, drinking in every page. But I wanted to stop to tell readers if you haven't ordered the book yet - you really must. I might have to order a second copy for myself as this one will surely get worn out. And I know of several friends who will receive this book from me as a gift as well.

Sharon introduces each of her friends and warmly tells a story about their lives with well scribed details and images. Photographer, Frank Schmitt, captures the warmth of the women and manages to bring their homes to life. I find myself pouring over every inch of each image.

So, I'm going to settle back down with my glass of wine and read more about Evelyne - who's family business is producing Biozel Champagne. I'll ogle over Claire's paintings (divine) and dream of visiting Celestina's couture salon for my wedding gown. With twenty of Sharon's special friends to get to know, I have a feeling the beautiful book will be tucked under my arm for days.

Merci, Sharon.

Thank you for sharing your friends with us.

The world weeps with you.

My thoughts and heart offer no space right now for posts about frivolous things.

 Our dear friends in France;

we weep with you,

we bow our heads and

 pray for you.

Flags bow at half mast - the French Embassy in Ottawa, Canada.

 

* image: Julie Oliver/Ottawa Citizen

A gift from France

Sharon at My French Country Home generously shares details about her brocante loot and hosts brocante tours {visit her blog here}. Sharon featured a wonderful give away about a month ago with three lovely items she discovered while hunting items for her brocante shop HERE.

I was fortunate to win one of the beautiful items Sharon featured in her 'loot shoot giveaway'. Two days ago the pretty silver engraved hotel creamer arrived with a personal note from Sharon.

Richard bought a bouquet of fresh lavender for me and the two just seem a perfect combination.

Eventually the creamer will find it's way to my kitchen hutch and compliment the silver coffee pot and Brassaii leather wrapped bistro cups. But for now, I decided that the creamer filled with fresh lavender offers a little French inspiration for my bedside table.

Thank you Sharon, I really love it.

Dreaming and Reminiscing

Christina at Greige blog wrote yesterday about a possible upcoming trip to France and her words were giddy with excitement. It made me reminisce about my birthday trip to France and pour over the pictures that I took while we were there. I have to admit, of all the trips we have taken this was my favourite.

I don't think you can ever get enough of the beauty that is everywhere in France, but here is a little persuasion for those who already have one bag packed.

All images by Katherine - Glamour Begins At Home

The Queen's Hamlet @ Versailles  

Preparation Dairy @ Versailles

I can't think of a better place to have spent my 'big' birthday than at the Louvre. It was incredible and so memorable. 

Louvre

Abbaye de Fontenay, Bourgogne, France

Richard and I spent hours at the Fontenay Abbey quietly wandering and taking in the vista. Just to walk the hallways and the beautiful grounds makes you think back to a time when the monks were silently in residence. It was 1790 when the last eight monks left the Abbey. 

Abbaye de Fontenay

Near Hotel Levernois

We stayed at Hostellerie de Levernois, in Bourgogne for a few nights of our travel. The property is beautiful and the restaurant is a gastronomic highlight that cannot be missed.

The restored kitchen with a double wide hearth open on both sides. It was a special place to enjoy breakfast.

Hotel des Saint Peres :: fresco ceiling of the bedroom we stayed in.

We stayed in a one-of-a-kind room at the Hotel des Saint Peres in Paris. I took the image above while lying in bed..... it was incredible to stay in such a historical and beautiful room.

'The ceiling is decorated with a more than 300-year-old fresco, painted by the Ecole de Versailles. It represents “the Virtue” and “the Goodwill” under a cherub’s protective look.'

A trip to France wouldn't be complete without visiting the Eiffel Tower. It was especially beautiful at night when the stars danced in the sky and on the tower for the light show.

I ventured on our trip with a brand new camera taking the regular tourist-style pictures, unaware of the blog world and oblivious to what denoted a good picture for print or publication. Thankfully I took hundreds of images to remember our trip, and discovered that it was a healthy start as a new photographer. 

Every good trip begins with a dream...................of adventure!

all images by Katherine at Glamour Begins At Home

Blog Anniversary

Just one year ago I decided to try my hand at blogging. It has been so much fun. I love exploring for a new idea to write about, and the opportunity to post my own pictures {which encourages me to take more}.

Thank You to everyone who has stopped by to wander through the posts and to read my blog. Blogging is a wonderful community and the rewards have been many.

Beyond every door there is a world of possibilities.

image : GB@H

The Changing Seasons

Despite the fact that it is pouring rain and will continue to do so for the next few days; I can't help but think of crisp sunny fall days and a strong cup of coffee at a sidewalk cafe. My choice of cafe indulgence would be in Paris.

Now if Mother Nature will be so kind and bring the sun back out just a little bit longer so we can sit at our sidewalk cafe and dream of Paris in Autumn.

Richard enjoying espresso in Paris.

Cappuccino at a street cafe {in Athens}.           image : GB@H

I am not a good cold weather person; so when the leaves are falling and the weather is brisk, even I can find comfort sitting outside snuggled up in layers while I enjoy strong hot coffee.

A cafe in Autumn on Ile de la Cite - Paris.      image : GB@H

Sweets help to keep the chill out....... it's true {if only because it makes us a bit more "insulated"}.

              

image : GB@H

via alltopics

Autumn brings a bit of ying-and-yang to our doorstep; we bundle up in big sweaters and scarves, and snuggle down in a chair on the sidewalk cafe with sunglasses on. The last warmth of the fall sun reminds us that summer may be stepping aside, but she will be back.

Outdoor dining at Hotel Particulier               image : GB@H

Communities all around Ontario celebrate Fall and the fruits of the summer vine with elaborate OctoberFest events. So if sidewalk cafes are not your thing, check your local town event calendar for patio festivities that feature menu's generously laden with beer, wine, fruits, and cheeses. You may be surprised to discover how many of these specialties are produced locally.

I know that no matter what the season or the temperature, I always have my HONEY to keep me warm {and to enjoy the patio together}.

Enjoying the fall patio with Richard in Arles, France.    

Enjoy the crisp, golden days of Autumn and the last few weeks on the patio.

Welcome OCTOBER

OCTOBER brings with her charm, thirty-one days packed with busy activities........raking of leaves, carving of pumpkins, making spooky treats, beer-fests, and fall fairs. For Canadians it also is a time of Thanksgiving (next weekend).
 

Here to to kick start the month of October, are a few pictures that I took while in France one Autumn a few years ago. The colour of the turning leaves punctuated against the beauty of the rustic backdrop of the architecture.

image : GB@H

PARIS                           image : GB@H

PARIS                              image : GB@H

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

For your Sister, for you Mother, for your Friend, for your Daughter,

for Yourself - give to help find a cure.

Donate today, donate often.

A Little Change is Good

Well, at least I'm hoping that you will agree with the little change in my blog header.

The image in the header is one that I took three years ago while in France. This is the entrance to Hotel Particulier in Arles; a pretty boutique hotel that remains one of my favourite places. The hotel felt so much like 'home' to me when we were there, so it is appropriate that it takes center stage.

I hope you like the changes ...... your opinions matter, so do leave a comment or email me.

Here is more of the pretty spot - Hotel Particulier, Arles, France.

 

Colour and Texture

In a world of all white decor and sensational kitchens with white cabinets and marble counters; one kitchen haunts my thoughts and makes me dream in another colour.

While on a visit to France we stayed at L'Hotel Particulier in Arles. The main house had a galley kitchen that now serves as a stunning breezeway between the small reception area and the salon.
The combination of white walls and white shelves faced with black glass front cabinet doors showcases the collections of silver and antique dishware.

 

 

The small boutique hotel itself is decorated primarily in white. The rooms are striking in layers of white textures and simplicity.

This small rustic kitchen draws visitors in, and offers the sensation that the dance of cooking and entertaining was at one point constant. 

I have come to realize that it is not as much the colour differences that I am attracted to, but the layers of texture that brings a pleasing warmth.

L'Abbaye de Fontenay

On a trip to France a couple of years ago Richard and I explored the L'Abbaye de Fontenay near Burgundy. Fontenay is one of the oldest Cistercian monasteries in France. Located only 60 kms outside of Dijon in a small forested area, the drive to the Abbey is scenic and beautiful.

The Cloister at Abbaye de Fontenay

The Abbey was founded in 1098, and it was only one year after the French Revolution in 1890 that the last of the eight monks left. In 1891 the revolutionaries sold the Abbey and it was turned into a paper mill.

The pristinely restored Romanesque architectural styled buildings sit among the beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens.

 

In 1981 UNESCO declared the Abbey a world heritage site. 

The Church

We spent a considerable amount of time exploring and simply lingering in the buildings and gardens. Richard quietly moved around the space breathing every ounce of the history and beauty, he was in a trance. You could hear among the silence, the shuffles of the monks who once inhabited the buildings.

The visit has remained a memorable part of our trip to France. When I look back on the pictures I recall the ethereal beauty of the Abbey. My most favourite picture of our visit is one that I took of Richard just before he entered the church. We had not even begun to explore the buildings and I could see how happy he was to be there drinking it all in.