poppies, coquelicots

Just loving poppies at the moment.  In theory there aren't as many as before because of streamlined farming - seems that around here the poppies don't know that.

Monet would be pleased !!

Why do we love them so much?  Is it just the Monet connection, 

or do we love the way they look so painterly?

a country church

A couple of people kindly asked to know more about the tiny church I showed in my Sunday post.   I saw this little stone building for the first time on the way to a brocante yesterday, and was intrigued by it's unusual shape outlined on the horizon.

I looked up the history.  The 11th century church  was originally part of the village, now called Chateau sur Epte.  Around 1096, a Duke of Normandy decided he needed a fortified castle, and of course chose to build it on the highest point in his duchy.  Now,  an empty fortified castle is not a great deal of use so - without running a poll on people's opinion! - he moved the existing village to  within the defending wall of the castle, thus creating a void around what was the village church.  As the church was used less and less, and people started building more, they found that the easiest place to source stones for building was the old church ....... and began to dismantle it.

The tiny edifice we see today was in fact a small wing of the original structure, but is the only bit left intact. Farmers ploughing in the area regularly turn up huge pieces of pale stone in the fields, reminders of the sad cannibalisation.

Besides its size, I was also struck by the fantastic view from the church and graveyard, totally quiet and isolated.

It was a nice surprise to find the door wide open, most unusual these days, and of course once inside the stunning sky blue wooden ceiling.

I expected to find other people there, waylaid like myself after visiting the brocante, but my only company were the names on the gravestones, and the song of a skylark - happy days.

Thank you for letting me share this peaceful interlude in my busy day.

a room with a view

What is worth more in your eyes?   A truly spectacular house with a beautiful garden  surrounded by trees, or a family home, in need of work but with a spectacular view?

This wonderful view is enjoyed from the house of friends of ours.  Practically priceless I think.

If I had a view like this I wouldn't get anything done ...  rather simply stare, enjoy and wonder at the changing colours, light and seasons.

things to do with a girlfriend

 What do you do when you have the chance to spend some quality time with a special girlfriend?

A childhood friend has some to stay and I am HAPPY !!  She wants to ride (good), eat well (of course!);  hunt brocantes (twist my arm!) and .... paint!

What a good idea this is!!  I can't possibly leave the dear girl all alone,  so this morning we both packed our painting gear, fold-out chairs,  a picnic and headed out for the river

We quickly found a spot that suited us both, checked out the various viewpoints;

then settled in for several hours of pure bliss!

not too much traffic

bearable views

no phones! 

This is something I shall be doing more often. 

Anyone want to come and join me?!

a still from the weekend

Last weekend was frantic..... busy, busy, busy.

Still getting over it !

I love this picture that I took on Sunday morning as I arrived at a brocante fair;  forget the rush, hold on to the stillness.

Easter weekend kicks off

Our Easter weekend got off to the most wonderful start this week, the youngest children on holiday from school,  the eldest son home from university, the remaining child back from Paris and  my mother here to visit.

Add to that daughter number 2 who organises a photo shoot in the garden, then the youngest son who returns from a bike ride with three friends and everyone wants to stay over ..... the solution - tents !!  This has to be the first year that tents have been out at Easter, I love it.

Added to that the amazing warm sunshine and the colours in the valley., I'm quickly typing this then I'm off for a horse ride in the forest -  we know we're lucky, we love every minute of it!

quality time

It's the weekend, and for the two youngest members of our family it's the start of the Easter break.  That's good.  We're all a little weary here, busy weeks behind us, school pressure for some, work for others, blog pressures for another  - ?!  LOL!

One thing's for sure, the girls and I will be spending some quality time with and on our horses.  Climb onto a saddle and you just forget about the rest - true therapy on our doorstep.  

I wish you all a relaxing and re-energizing weekend.

a good phone call

Yesterday evening I received a phone call that made my heart beat just a little faster.  A lady had heard from  a friend  that an English woman (me!) might be interested in old house linen.....  Would I mind stopping by to take a look?.... Would I mind ?!!  Wild horses couldn't keep me away!

So this morning, after rather unceremoniously dumping the children outside their respective schools, "bye darling, have a good day", I put my foot down on the accelerator, and clutching the ladies instructions for finding the house, set off on my adventure.

It was a beautiful morning and a lovely drive, past sheep, well OK a sheep, through pretty sun-speckled woods until finally I found the address.

 

The lady was emptying the house ready for sale.  She has no emotional attachment to the property and zero interest in the contents - just kept encouraging me to help myself!

Antique dealers had already been in for furniture and books, most of the rooms in the house were completely empty.  Madame steered me into a small salon beside the kitchen, filled with boxes, crates and a few small tables and chairs.

To begin with I thought that all the boxes were full of linen, but in fact most of the stuff left was crockery and kitchen equipment, none of which I wanted.

The linen she had called me out for, was already neatly folded and  appropriately piled up in two large laundry baskets.  So I did my shopping and came away with the linen,  some embroidery revues, the two beautiful old baskets and a sweet chair.  The chair and the baskets are for me, but the linen will be going into the shop., I have started listing them here  The good thing is that her prices were low, so mine will  be too!

 I'm afraid I didn't take my camera inside,  but here are the pictures of the booty I brought back with me.

don't you love the detail on the chair?

Most of the bed linen is cotton sheets, with various monograms and different sizes.

 

These embroidery revues are great, showing how to create the  monograms. 

I think they'd look wonderful framed.

There are also a load of 'traversin' or bolster cases, like the embroidered one below.  I had forgotten how elegant a bolster can be.  I 've decided  to dig out my old bolsters and start using them again, especially in the guest cottage. They'll add a very French touch.  Some of the  bolster shams are plain, some finished with lace and ready to be tightened with a pretty ribbon at each end.

I hope you're enjoying beautiful sunshine, as we have here in Normandy, 

and that your weekend gets off to a great start!.

PS  A big thank you to everyone who popped over to Ella's blog yesterday, you are a great crowd of bloggers !!  Today she's continuing the Paris series with an account of her first Paris street interview!