Ready or Not....

Ready or Not....here she comes!

Happy wrapping!

Happy baking!


Happy Holly Days
to All!!!
~

Be Merry. Be Jolly. Be Calm.
Stay Beautiful!
~~
OXO's
~~
~~~
~
fin


photo credits
1. tumblr. 2 marley & lockyer 3. such pretty things 4. this is glamorous

A Weekend to Harvest

I will harvest our Holiday Banquet this weekend...

My family will gather together very soon~
It will be a first time in a very long time... I Absolutely can not wait to see everyone together!!

XO

Happy Weekend my most darling ones!

fin

Photos from Linen & Lavendar Blogspot/Marie Claire Maison

One Big Beautiful Tapestry

English socks, shoes and French buckles,

mid 18th centuryCollection of the Bata Shoe Museum

On my trips to France I truly and often

think of so many of you.

The posts that some of you have shared,

have honestly reformed me.

You have all given me so much~

The Little Balloonist by Ingrid MidaBookwork Sculpture 2009

One of you especially comes to mind when

I'm walking down rue Saint-Paul, in Paris.

Your inspriration continues to unfold in me.

Do you know Ingrid from

Fashion Is My Muse?

She is an Amazing Writer & Artist.

Her work comes from within, from her teachers far far away.

She works her hands with the details of

many Centuries ago~

This year with Ingrid close at thought,

I shot these images of

ancient bookwork bibles

to show her and share with you.

They remind me of Ingrid's passionate talent.

They have sat in this same window for the last six years

and are 400 years old~

The first year I saw them

I went in to ask the price....

They were over 5000 euros~

So instead of owning one,

I admire them year after year

as this magnificent window display~

{one of the things I love about Paris is some things never change.}

The funny thing is:
The other day I got a surprise from my friend Ingrid that I am the Happy happiest winner of her Anniversary Giveaway!!

I won a copy of
Vicki Archers new book
French Essence!!!

{coincidentally what I was currently posting about!}

It always and will forever amaze me
what a Big Beautiful Web we all weave~
It is as intricate as a 17th Century tapestry.

A paper blouse in a Paris window I also shot with Ingrid's art close on mind.

Dearest Ingrid,
Winning Vicki Archers book on your
Anniversary giveaway is beyond rewarding to me and so unexplainable.
You asked for our favorite post of yours and why.
Mine was your bookwork art because of your
beautiful detail & talent. I told you it reminds me of
being in Paris.
You didn't know I had just taken these images for you!
&
I didn't know I was going to win the contest
based on my comment of these images!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

With all my love,

Janet

Thank you Everyone that is part of this Rich Beautiful Tapestry we have weaved and continue to spin together~

Biggest Hugs!

XOXO's

fin

images 1 & 2 Ingrid Mida/Fashion is my Muse images 3,4,5,6,7 & 8 Janet Solomon/FrenchBlue

Baby You Were Born to Run

Above photo is Vicki's daughter.

Image from the New French Essence book.

There is no better time than

Right Now

to start running!!!

Vicki Archer's new book, French Essence

has just arrived in the U.S.!!!

Vicki Archer was born in Australia and now lives in the South of France in Provence. Our blogging friend continues to inspire me daily with her words, her life & her photographs. I treasure her first book My French Life. Her newest book French Essence is finally here! The photography by Carla Coulson is So Beautiful! I know this book will be on all of our Christmas lists this year!

Congratulations Vicki on your accomplished Jewel!

Thank you for sharing your Family, your "Favourites",

your Home, your Loves

&

The Essence of You!

The French Circus

Whimsical & Romantic...



Personal & So very Inspirational.
A gift to us all~

Psssssss.....
If you really can't wait until Christmas
you can treat yourself
Here!


xxx's

fin

Le Enfant In Paris

There is something about this

little girl....

I can't quite figure out what it is.

I will try my best to explain.

Sitting.

Sitting in the sun to warm up

in the Jardin des Tuileries

my eyes followed her at play~

My heart slowly melted.

I wanted to pick her up and never let her go~

There were no words spoken between us,

only long quiet sighs as if we knew each other...

When she walked away I felt empty.

I missed her.

I felt lost.

The funny thing is....
I realized watching her this year that she
is the very same little mademoiselle
that I photographed last October
on the Carousel in the Jardin des Tuileries~

A year younger, wearing her red coat
I was drawn to her the same way last year.
She gathered leaves to make
a beautiful leaf bouquet!
She was so special, so whimsical and so familiar to me
in her own little world of wonder.
Our eyes connected as she went round & round...

I believe our hearts meet at play in the same place.
A place far away somewhere out there~
Even though....I live in America.
She lives in Paris.
I speak English.
She speaks French.
I Adore her.
I don't even know her name...
~~~
Has this sort of thing ever happened to you?
Do you think I will see her next year?
~~

Have a week full of far far away magic!
~
XO's
~
fin

all photos taken by Janet Solomon at FrenchBlue

Home And Two Surprises Found

I am HOME safe & sound~~
It feels like I have been gone for

a very very long time...

and I missed you All very much!

I first want to say

Merci Beaucoup Mes Amis

for all your fun wishes that you sent with me!

I carried them in my pocket every step of

the way~

The adventure of the brocantes

&

treasures troves were an experience

all in themselves and were truly truly

Magical~

My husband is always amazed how many
times I can walk out of Laduree for
"Just one more thing"....
so Thank You for giving me a reason to
stop in just one more time~

My winner!!

Diane has left a new comment on your post "Au Revoir Wishing Contest": Janet~ What a whimsical and thoughtful idea~ This is so you!!!If I were to go I would be hopeful to find a french children's book with charming illustrations, something that I could possibly take apart and frame for my grandbabies. At Laduree, my mind would swirl at all the choices but I would probably want a small tin of their signature tea blend or a bag of the small pink marshmallows.

X&O''s.

Posted by Diane to FrenchBlue at October 18, 2010 2:27 PM

Since I know we both have a love for
little bugs & little bits of nature...

I found this vintage French children's book
for my friend, Diane~

The pictures will be darling framed

if she decides to do this for her grandbabies

Ry & Mason~

And here are Diane's

pink rose marshmallows

from Laduree!

{I'll give you one guess who she will give these to!}

Rylie


Mason

Felications Diane!!!
But....
Congratulations my friend most of all
for being such a
Beautiful & Special
Grandma!!!
{Mimi}
~~
Have a fun fun week everyone~
~
Big Mauh's
~
XO's
~
fin

Top 8 photos taken by FrenchBlue
9 & 10 from Diane.