My friend Francoise lives in an old stone house in a small French village, with her husband, two children, and a cat. Francoise has a studio where she teaches pottery and sculpting.
We arrived on a rainy day, the grey sky was not inviting to interior photos though I took a few nevertheless.
An antique piece of lace hangs in one of the pane glass window on her back door. Sweet. Inviting. Delightful. Charming like Francoise.
Unassuming creative touches.
Francoise's large kitchen, like most older French village homes, is where everyone gathers. The open fireplace is stacked with wood, a zinc bucket ready to carry coals or water, a blue baby chair adds color. Francoise's pottery sits on the mantle: Nudes in the winter who do not feel cold.
A massive armorie holds the kitchenware: Linens, dishes, pots, pans, glasses, confiture...
The kitchen walls are exposed stone, the ceiling is over fifteen feet high, tiled floors, with a large wooden farm table in the center.
Cozy. Rustic femininity. Memory filled home.
Francoise and Sergio prepared pumpkin soup, sauteed scallops mixed in a green salad, a potato and onion frittata with homemade mayonnaise, a fruit salad and a cheese platter that made every mouse in the world die of jealousy.
Loving family. Good friends. Good food. Happy home.
What more could anyone want?
Before dinner Francoise and I walked to the local village bakery and found what we had been looking for..... Kouign amann.
The day was complete.
Butter, butter, butter, sugary, chewy, carmelized sticky happiness.
Francoise had a beautiful family and home, and a man who cooks, could she ask for anything more? That Kouign amann will be floating in my dreams tonight!
Posted by: Jenna | 16 January 2011 at 02:02 PM
Rustic femininity. I love that! I will remember that. Lace and stone and wood. How well they work together, as does, it seems, your friendship.
Posted by: Penny | 16 January 2011 at 03:04 PM
A husband that cooks! Heaven even without the pastry and cakes ;-)
Posted by: Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic | 16 January 2011 at 03:17 PM
While the food sounds wonderful, it's the fellowship with friends sharing the feast that makes for a beautiful memory. Sounds like the evening was a glowing event on a gray winter evening.
Posted by: jojo | 16 January 2011 at 03:20 PM
Beautiful post and photos, Corey, despite the gray skies. Francoise and her family have a beautiful home. Like Penny, I love the term rustic femininity. I must say that I miss when your photos would enlarge when I clicked on them. You always capture so many beautiful details! Any chance you may go back to the larger size some day? Enjoy your visit... Donna
Posted by: An Enchanted Cottage | 16 January 2011 at 05:07 PM
What you describe, there is nothing like it.
You've made me so hungry when you described your dinner....yum.
We had the same evening, minus the French flare of course, with our friends last night. Getting together, sharing stories, sharing food, playing games, laughing so hard your sides hurt. Wonderful memories to keep forever.
Posted by: Rhonda P. | 16 January 2011 at 05:14 PM
What a feast and beautiful home. And finally the mystery amann makes an appearance, worth the wait!
Posted by: pattyg | 16 January 2011 at 05:46 PM
Dinner (except for scallops, not on my vegetarian menu) sounds delish! Corey, would you please provide more elucidating photos of the Kouign amann? Have you (or anyone you know) ever made it from scratch? If so, it would make for an interesting blog topic -- or three :-)
Posted by: Kathie B. | 16 January 2011 at 05:46 PM
It sounds like the perfect day. I loved seeing the pictures of Francoise's home and the menu and Kouign amann very special!
Posted by: Marilyn | 16 January 2011 at 06:03 PM
Heavenly..
Posted by: Laurie SF | 16 January 2011 at 07:15 PM
It looks and sounds like something out of a wonderful movie. What a beautiful relaxing place. And the food sounded just delicious. You are so lucky to have such a good friend.
Posted by: annette richmond | 16 January 2011 at 07:25 PM
The perfect day, the perfect place, the perfect companions. So glad you got your "amens" finally!
Do you know how long I've wanted an ancient stone house? Make it in a little French village and add in two big black dogs and I'd be in Heaven.
Posted by: AmyKortuem | 16 January 2011 at 07:55 PM
I wonder if anyone in the U.S. produces Kouign amann commercially. I'd walk a mile, if it were so.
Posted by: Just Plain Jane | 16 January 2011 at 08:15 PM
wonderful and magical! I love the dark interior shots myself. Looking forward to seeing more of your blog :)
Posted by: Mary - Blackbird Experience | 16 January 2011 at 08:31 PM
Kouign amann appears to look like a thick kind of Palimer. Made with puff pastry, sugar and Cinnamon. Palimer are flat, sticky, sugary and wonderful dipped in coffee.
Posted by: Sharon, Morrison Mercantile | 16 January 2011 at 09:41 PM
What a lovely kitchen!! It all looks so warm and inviting.
I was glad to finally see what a Kouign Amann looks like. It DOES look yummy and worth the hunt.
Posted by: Brenda L from TN | 16 January 2011 at 11:42 PM
*sigh*
Posted by: Miss Robyn | 17 January 2011 at 02:49 AM
What a delightful meal in such a cozy home, and good company too - can anyone hope for more??
Posted by: Sue McG | 17 January 2011 at 06:31 AM
I had a girlfriend dinner this past Saturday night with 12 of my favorite women. And I made Kouign Amann! It was de-licious. Wow. It certainly didn't look as pretty as the one in your picture but no one cared!
Posted by: Jen | 17 January 2011 at 02:38 PM
Having dinner with friends can allow us to have a long, healthy talk with them especially if they're gone for quite sometime. This is a good chance also to patch things up. One event, I hosted the dinner at home. I cooked and right after we have a long bonding at the garden. Thanks a lot for the share. I really appreciate it.
Posted by: Curtis Johnson Realty | 19 January 2011 at 09:21 AM