Tongue in Cheek

Inspired by Pink.

Two English creamers stand side by side,  similar in shape and design.  Setting off the mood for a collection in pink.

Tapestry pillows with touches of pink inviting you to rest your head.

Above photos:  Details of my friend Shelley's home.

Pink floral bouquet scent the inside and outside of this vintage French teacup.

Angel sleeping on her pink wings.

Textured floral painting.

Pink ribbon to lace your dreams.

Touches of rust add to this pink soap dish.

Shocking large panties by sexy pink sheets?

Pink Limoges charms on a misty green silk.

A Frenchman surrounded in the pink glow of the evening.

Show your colors.

Photos:  A gathering of pink things.

Provencal Fabrics

French Provencal fabric.  Depicting traditional colors and designs.  Patterns that use to be hand-blocked using natural pigments of the region in shades of red, blue, yellow and green.

French Provencal early nineteen century traditional day wear costume. Varied small printed fabrics.  Designs mainly of miniature bouquets, floral and paisleys.  Quilted cotton, layers upon layers. Pocket purse attached at waist.

Note:  Small pleats on the antique cape, and the scarf wrapped tightly around the bodice of the blouse, then tucked firmly at the waist.

Lavender bottles or wands (called "quenouilles de lavande" or "fuseaux," in French, thanks Marie Noelle for the answer.) used to scent chest of drawers and armoires.

Varied antique French Provencal "boutis" quilts.  Folded with care.  Rare Indian blues. This collection dates late eighteen century to the early nineteen century.

Photos:  Taken at Michel Biehn shop in Isle sur la Sorgue.

Eighteen century French painting depicting women and children from the market place wearing traditional Provencal clothing. (Photo taken at the museum in Arles.)

Antique French santons (nativity scene characters) in traditional Provencal clothing. Quilted skirts, apron, scarves, and purse pocket.

Photo: 18th century Provencal boutis from my personal collection.

Thank You

                

Sealed with a kiss.

Photo:  A flea market find. A small detail of a painting of an angel. 

Wish Box

                         

The choice is yours.  Imagine that you had the time, the resources, the ability, complete freedom to do whatever you wanted, to have whatever you wanted... like having three wishes and one of the wishes you wish for the power to have more wishes. What would you do? What would you ask for?What box would you open first?

My Father went to his doctor apointment, and they said his blood counts were in the normal range.

Normal sounds extraordinary today!

The choice to be happy no matter what. To accept life at hand.

Photo: Antique limoge boxes.

Collecting

EVERYTHING HAS A PRICE

How much did it cost you? An arm and a leg? Why did you pay so much? Was it something you've been looking for? How can you tell if it is real? Where did you find it? Are you sure it is going to fit in your house?  Is it in perfect condition?

...

Everything has a price. Sometimes, the thing you want the most cost pennies, and other times it costs you nearly everything.

The question is: Is it worth it to you?

...

Sometimes, I wonder if the questions asked about buying antiques are not under-cover questions about life!

Photo! A peek into my home.

The Door Handle

There is a hand that will lead you.... even when the door is closed. 

Photo:  My daughter Chelsea says I take more photos of doorknobs than anything else. French antique door knocker.

The Man with the Red Bow

Do you know who this man is? He has being hanging out with me for a very long time, and still I don't know his name. (Click on the image to have a closer look.)

I'd like to get to know him can you help me unveil the man with the red bow? He has a partner. I wrote about her a year or so ago.  I don't know her name either, and though many of you guessed and searched, her name remains a mystery as well.

I guess you could say this is a guessing game.  For more clues click on the links up above.

Thank you!

Bending Spaces

I was standing on a stool, with a can of paint in one hand and a paint brush in another.  Happily painting a wall in our hallway.  I love to paint interiors.  Suddenly without much warning I sneezed, in doing so I lost my balance nearly falling off the stool and down the stairs.  Luckily I didn't... but the can of paint made a spectacular avant-garde design on the way down.

As I was cleaning up my Picasso I thought of my Mother, who years ago nearly fell off a ladder while painting. The can of paint landed upside down on her head running down into her ears and soaking her clothes.  Avocado green hair now that  is avant-garde.

Talk about painting my friend Ellen and her husband Frank have created a fantastic short film about George Rousse in "Bending Spaces."

Photo: The stairwell in my home not a drop of paint to be seen.

P.S.

I am adding this a day later. While writing about my Mother's avocado green hair I knew there was more to the story and couldn't remember it.  I spoke with my Mother today, and she reminded me. She added the punchline... She had a wedding to attend that evening.  She went,  green hair and all! My Mother is such a trooper!

Nightlight

                  

French husband said he wanted a lamp for his bedside.  He said he wanted one that worked.  What he meant was he wanted a NEW lamp, a MODERN lamp! Not a find at the flea market standing on its last leg and flickering a romantic glow like a candle.

"Oh,"  I muttered.  A new ugly lamp is what I thought.  Though I knew French husband would never actually go to a shop and buy one.  He hates to shop.  I think the last time he stepped foot into a shop was to buy me a birthday present,  and that was only once years ago.  But that is another story.

I thought many moons would go by with the sweet, little, romantic lamp by his bedside flickering. Certainly he would forget his request by morning.

At the break of dawn he said he was going to buy a lamp.  "Oh no, no-no-no, I already did!"  I lied.  "I bought you a new, modern lamp for your birthday!" 

French husband laughed, "A lamp for a birthday gift?"

"Sure," and I added in case he forgot, "Remember when you bought me that printer that you wanted, then claimed it as my birthday gift a few years ago?"

He shook his head in disbelief, "I cannot wait to see it this evening."

"Doubt worry it will be wrapped up with a big red bow!" I smiled at him and freaked inside.  I had to go buy a lamp fast!

When French husband came home there were two packages wrapped on the table. He opened them proudly. Two lamps, matching his and hers. New, modern and they work.

Happiness is love glowing brightly.

Photo:  His new lamp by his bedside.

Questions

This is a post to answer a few questions I have been asked:

1)  Yes, Chelsea started university (called Class Preparatory) in Aix.  She is living in a studio and seems to be as happy as a lark. It is not too far away. No she is not joining the circus.

2)  French Husband passed his flying test. Though there is a period of time where he must fly alone before he can take passengers.  I will fly with him, and of course take photos.  He has yet to pick a name for his plane. But when he does I'll let you know.

4)  My favorite antique market is a professional one in Avignon. My favorite flea market is Vanves in Paris.  To find out about the antique markets in France check here.   

5)  Thanks for asking me to be your guide in France.... though LE TRIP is the one to ask.

6)  A beautiful place to stay in the south of France La Madrone. I could live there for the rest of my life. It is a dream.

7)  My Father is as good as he can be in a not so good situation (he has a rare form of bone marrow cancer.) His morale is positive, his spirit strong. He is one tough old man with a heart of gold! Thank you for thinking of him.

8) I have a new camera Canon EOS 30 D . Though most of the photos on this blog have been taken with my Canon Power shot S2IS.

9)  French husband does not have a brother.

10)  I post everyday because I enjoy it. A book who knows.

*3)  Thanks  Star for reminding me that I didn't put a three. To answer yet another question I am dyslexic and forgetful.

Photo: Vintage doll head.