by cultivating a few French habits this helps keep the feelings fresh and alive.
French Market Basket from Madison and Muse in the Cadboro Bay Village
Some things that help me recall my trip and french focus:
my morning ritual of a cafe creme served in a wide bowl...
the application of perfume
wearing pretty lingerie
nibbling a decadent croissant from time to time
walking in my neighbourhood and beyond
taking myself out for coffee and sitting outside watching the people walk by
reading about Paris in books and on blogs
perusing the produce and eating local fresh food that is "in season"
popping into a french charcuterie for lunch basics
harvesting our fresh home grown vegetables...our asparagus crop is amazing!
making a simple French vinaigrette
browsing in my French cookbooks
shopping in a French inspired store
I treated myself to a new French Market basket
a new linen apron
and a scarf!
a wee french inspired lunch
savoured at the table
with a large glass of sparkling Perrier
(if I was in France it probably would have been a glass of vin rose)
Heavy linen apron with large pockets...
great for cooking, cleaning and wearing in the garden.
(also from Madison and Muse)
I was on a roll and so why not buy a new linen scarf too?
Soft grey from Madison and Muse.
If you live in Victoria or come for a visit do yourself a favour and pop into the shop.
Margo, the owner, is very knowledgeable, has lived in France and her stock is sumptuous.
If I have a windfall I am heading straight to her shop to buy linen sheets...
happy shopping!
My Paris reading list has been getting larger
especially after going to the library and Ivy's books on The Avenue
I have a few more on my book shelf waiting...
Our garden has a dedicated asparagus bed which is providing us with fresh picked asparagus.
We usually have this as an appetizer before our main course.
I pop it in a shallow pan with boiling water
let it sit in there bubbling for 5 minutes
drain and serve
with a dollop of mayonnaise and a bit of salt and pepper.
Voila!
Strange things are happening to the rhubarb plants.
flowers are emerging
We have harvested several pickings
stewed the stalks to enjoy with a dollop of fresh yogurt.
oh and there is another strange thing growing in the garden...
looks like The Jack in The Pulpit plant.
I do not remember planting this!
Could it have come into the garden as a hitch hiker with another plant?
My goodness I am keeping my eye on this one.
Life is never dull when one has a garden to potter about in...nature is full of surprises!
Hope your weekend is full to the brim with lovely things.
~ Be Well and Be Kind ~
52 comments:
I waited until the rhubarb flowers opened and cut the flowers and leaves for an arrangement this morning. It is really lovely
I love that shop and have already bought three of their handkerchief weight nighties. Such a worthwhile indulgence!
I love that shop and have already bought three of their handkerchief weight nighties. Such a worthwhile indulgence!
Our Farmers' Market now has fresh asparagus, my favourite vegetable. From your own garden would even be better.
Ah, what a lovely gentle climate, where you can grow rhubarb (food of the gods), and asparagus (ditto). I have never seen a picture of a rhubarb flower; so interesting to see. Your linen apron and basket are beautiful, so French and chic. Methinks I will have to go to Victoria - next time we pass through Vancouver!
I looked at their website and the prices seem to be pricey.....everything looks beautiful. I am surprised you didn't purchase a market bag while you were in France; it would have been a lot cheaper......S
Ahhh.. this was so restful and soothing to read and look at today, Leslie.
Thank you and I love your market bag.
SSG xxx
So many fun things in this post. The apron is to die for...it wouldn't last long on my gardening adventures but it would be so lovely and elegant in the kitchen.
Thank you for more book recommendations, I will go in search of 'I'll See You in Paris. I have read both the others you mentioned and they were excellent.
I really enjoyed The Only Street in Paris. We used to have some nice French Country stores but they have disappeared. I love aprons and usually wear one while doing chores.
Oh and if you do please give me some notice so we can arrange to meet up...that would be wonderful!
I bought very little in France because I was using a small carry on...basically I came home with a full heart and tons of photos!!
Thank you SSG...we have been reading each others blogs for so many years! Such a history...I really must comment more often.
XO
I hope that you will enjoy the books...the apron is rather sturdy...it might surprise you in the garden.
If you fancy a trip over to the island I will take you to Madison and Muse...we could go for tea at Abkhazi too...it is not Paris but we can dream.
The St. Geneve cotton night gowns are so soft...next time I will splurge!
This is clearly a sponsored post for Madison and muse, hostess.
At least have the decency to declare this post as blatant advertising!
You have mentioned the business name three times, with several photographs of stock
Did the owner give you a discount in exchange for promotion on your blog?
Disgraceful.
Your post has made me want to go back to France! Love the basket much more chic than mine which is getting distinctly battered.
Your post has made me want to go back to France! Love the basket much more chic than mine which is getting distinctly battered.
I love how the snarky comments are always anonymous! Thank you for sharing your lovely garden photos!
My name is Prue, FYI
I really should plant an asparagus patch. It asks for very little and offers bounty in return! Do you ever use the fronds in floral arrangements? I think they add a lovely feathery quality.
I enjoyed My Paris Dream. Will have to check out the other books. The linen apron looks like a winner. Love your blog!
Sarah Boca Grande, FL
What a pretty soft scarf..it will be heavanly to wear. I like your list of french "things", especially coffee, perfume and lingerie, three things I adore.
Rhubarb going to seed has always struck me as so exotic looking. It makes a great ornamental in addition to its culinary use.
Could the strange bloom be some type of arum?
Clearly you have jumped to conclusions...I did not ask for nor expect a discount. I am very enthusiastic about small businesses around our city and when I find one that I love I share it with my readers. I have done this kind of post in the past and will continue to do so as I see fit.
I want to go back too!
Great idea Stephen! I had not considered using the feathery foliage in floral arrangements but will do so in the future...but will need to keep them away from the cats as they love to play with them!
It was a really interesting story wasn't it? It was a very well written memoir.
I think an arum is probably exactly what it is...I will have to do some research.
Interesting to use it as a floral display...they look so different once they open up.
Picked fresh from the garden, and home grown seems to taste better...not sure if it really does but there is that thought when we take the first bites.
Stephen asparagus fronds are terrific in an arrangement. So is Swiss Chard and Kale. I just posted an arrangement using rhubarb that had bolted.
Will check out this shop next time I'm in Victoria-- love having a chance to look at linen products. The white cotton nighties on the website look lovely, as well. Tourism Victoria should hire you--you obviously love your city and showcase it well.
I do love your blog and the simplicity of your your daily tasks.
Like you, I also love Paris and all things French. I have had the good fortune to travel through most of France, it is such a beautiful country. I have been signing my name "anonymous" but
after reading some of the comments you receive I have decided to use my name, it seems more personal. I also need to take another trip to your beautiful island.
That apron looks like mine I purchased from Rough Linen in California‼️She makes sheets too I have tossed ALL my other sheets!Yes,expensive but WORTH it!We must Chat I can give you their site and number!
XX
Hi Linda,
I am not looking for a job as I am having far too much fun being retired...
but if I were, I would love to work in a beautiful shop like Madison and Muse!
Victoria is a very special place and has been my home for most of my life...we moved away for a couple of years when Mr. HB went to school but we promptly returned...it was the pull of our family and the fabulous waters around here on which to cruise in our boat!
The thought of travelling through most of France does sound appealing.
You must have some wonderful memories and stories to share...it is so different from where we live...steeped in history with such beautiful architecture.
I know about Tricia's site Rough Linen but to be honest I do very little shopping online. I am tactile and like to feel and see what I am buying, try it on etc...besides our Canadian dollar is very low right now so the exchange would add a lot to the cost of the items! I do "try" to be frugal, although I do not always succeed!
I have one of Tricia's aprons and use it all the time, especially for gardening - I love it, and wish I had several (as well as her bed linens). I love your blog - I'm a longtime reader of Ellie's blog, and found you through Ellie, Stephen Andrew, and Contessa. (Contessa and I have conspired on several things for Ellie.)
I don't always have the time to comment on everyone's blogs, but I love the community that has been created among everyone, and will keep reading!
Catherine
Prue darling why don't you make an appointment with your shrink as you clearly haven't worked out your hostility issues yet.
Lolol, that's rich coming from you ANON
So what? Why don't you call the blog police?
I am going to report you to your blog hosting site, for cash for comment/ sponsored posts, which have not been declared as such
You have deleted my comment because you are clearly guilty
Catherine,
I agree with you, these linen aprons are so handy...and mine has saved many garments from a swift demise. I am such a messy cook. (and gardener!)
if I had a sewing machine and could sew better I think I would try my hand at making some...they would make lovely gifts.
My other linen apron which I have had for about 5 years is so soft now...the new one will soften with time and repeated washing...and lucky you to have that luxurious linen bedding...I am going to start saving for a set as I have been thinking (dreaming) about them for about 3 years now so it is time to get serious.
It is fun how we can "blog hop" and find posts that we enjoy on topics that we have in common...cooking, decorating, gardening, reading...blogs are a wonderful venue for sharing...thank you for taking the time to comment.
What a lovely post. I'm heading to France in July and am so looking forward to it. Paris is a beautiful city. Your linen apron looks so sturdy, yet attractive. I have a piece of natural linen that I've been intending to make such an apron with - just have to get to it!
I'm always interested in books about Paris, so thank you for showing these. I'll add them to my list!
Our rhubarb does the same thing...hubs read that it should be cut out so the rest of the plant gets all the nutrition and not feeding a freeloader. Does that make sense? After seeing your asparagus, I need to go out and check ours to see if any more is ready. We have a garlic bed that hubs planted last year so we should have plenty of organic garlic. He planted the cabbages in the potato bed. We call it our Hobbit Garden...little cabbages and crispy 'taters... There is lots of cackling coming from the coop so time to collect eggs. Have a lovely day...xoxo
July will be here before you know it and you will be walking down the cobblestoned streets and vast boulevards of Paris!
I hope you will post a picture of the apron on your blog when you do make it...
I have seen many apron designs that look "very French" on Pinterest.
Our neighbours rhubarb is doing the same thing too...and yes cutting the flower off does make sense...your husband sounds like he knows a thing or two about growing vegetables! We have garlic growing too...just planted some potatoes and we are harvesting the first of the radishes. Love the sound of a Hobbit Garden!
Those are lovely linen items. That sounds like a lovely shop.
What a lovely post. Recreating your holiday in Paris in your everyday life so simply is such a super idea.
I certainly do find peace and tranquillity when I pop in to see you on your blog.
What a lovely post. Recreating your holiday in Paris in your everyday life so simply is such a super idea.
I certainly do find peace and tranquillity when I pop in to see you on your blog.
I too have been thinking about buying a set of linen sheets. My eye is on some from my favourite bed linen source; St. Geneve. I love their eiderdown duvet and pillow, and I'm glad I splurged on them. They are also a Canadian company based in BC.
I don't get any discount for mentioning them, nor do they pay me a penny, or give me freebies. I just happen to love their products; and believe I have tried many; and I'm very choosy when it comes to my bedding.
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