Welcoming the Possibilities

Although 2011 had its high points I am thrilled to welcome a new year. The possibilities, projects and promises all offer wonderful opportunities for me, both personally and professionally in 2012. As a child I recall our family believing that whatever you do New Year's Eve and New Year's Day is what the new year will hold for you. With that in mind, we enjoyed a fresh crab feast with dear friends, I spoke with all of my family, worked on an upcoming project for the shop, Le Potager, and tomorrow hopes to be a great day at the flea market. 

If this is my preview of 2012, I could not be more thrilled. 

I wish you all a new year full of the things and the people you love. Much health & happiness and the time to enjoy both. Remember, all things are possible- you can live your dreams. 

Happy New Year!

The Best Gift of the Season

As our Christmas weekend came to a close and I looked back at the most touching events, I am struck by my pure joy of being surrounded by my family. The simple traditional menu, beautiful fresh floral arrangements, pine swags, garlands, classic holiday music and gifts that were both useful and thoughtful, together helped to create a truly special family holiday.

While this simple arrangement features traditional Christmas colors- red, green and white, the flower choices are anything but traditional with hydrangea, mums, tulips and rosehips, just lovely.

It was agreed that giving would include useful, affordable, thoughtful and even green gifts. Presents included chic, reusable shopping bags, beautiful original framed art, classic Dansk teak pepper mills, stylish coats made of recycled materials, and of course my homemade lavender sugar. With the kids now in their late teens and early 20's they have become aware of earth friendly options when they shop, leading them to purchase many quality "green" items. 

I am taken with our kids passions for living "aware lives" and how their choices have influenced us older members of the family, even on Christmas. With holiday joy still in our hearts and a new year just ahead of us, Today's treasure is a simple, reflective message, to live more simple, meaningful lives. That leads me to believe that my on-going treasure hunts serve as ways to not only reuse and recycle but a way to save beautiful items and share them with you. 

With that in mind, maybe we could all take a note from Ghandi who said, "be the change you wish to see in the world".

Culinary Lavender Holiday Treasure

Lavender is one of my favorite things. I have lavender sachets in my dresser, dried lavender stems hanging in the breakfast room, bars of Provence Lavender soap in the guest bath and lavender infused olive oil in the pantry. I wanted to make a little something for friends and family this Christmas to share my love of lavender. I have been searching for a high quality organic culinary lavender and was very happy to finally find Hood River Lavender in Oregon.

Lavender in the kitchen has so many wonderful applications. Lavender scones, lavender lemon shortbread cookies, lavender creme brulee, I even have a recipe I have been wanting to try... lavender celery bisque.

This holiday season I thought I would begin with a simple lavender sugar for gift giving.

I purchased two varieties of certified organic culinary lavender, a signature blend and the classic Provence. 

I used the Provence variety, adding half whole buds and half ground buds to fine bakers sugar.

The ratio is two cups of sugar plus 2 tablespoons lavender, one Tbsp whole bud and Tbsp ground.

The final product is a fresh, aromatic sugar perfect for hot or iced tea, a topper for oatmeal or even

a wonderful twist on sugar for an old-school champagne cocktail.

Consider adding lavender to some of your favorite recipes, you may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. Enjoy!

The 4 Seasons in Repousse Silver

 This wonderful find from the last flea market has found its way to the shop. The repousse pattern frames the bowl and covers the pedistal base with a lovely scene of a couple strolling in the garden. The size and shape of this footed bowl is one of my favorites and one of the most versatile pieces you can add to your stable of antique silver for decorating. 

I have pieces similar to this in my personal collection and use them very often. Below I have shown this bowl for each of the four seasons as an example of the limitless possibilities of a piece like this.

First, three choices for the Christmas holidays. 

Christmas time with pomegranates and pine.

With vintage glass balls, pine stems and cones.

Filled with mini cones, ruby glass candle cup and a sprig of holly.

Spring, Summer and Fall looks are simply wonderful and easy to accomplish.

 Here spring bulbs are placed into small glasses, grouped in the bowl and surrounded with straw.

For the warm days of summer mound with seashells or fill with keepsakes from family vacations.

 And finally, the warmth of autumn. Full with leaves, gourds and even apples.

This is the perfect piece for an entry or side table. Place on a silver tray or on a charming old book for a classic, finished look. This is perfect treasure to create the perfect seasonal vignette in any home.

Le Potager Video Christmas Card

I hope this works for everyone.
Merry Christmas.
Copy, paste in search bar, click and enjoy!

http://secure.smilebox.com/ecom/openTheBox?sendevent=4d6a67794f5455794e44453d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_instructions_directurl_makeyourown

Sounds of the Season Treasures

I have always loved the music of the Christmas season. From church hymns, olde time carols and the classic holiday songs of the 40's, 50's & 60's, this music evokes fond memories of Christmas' past and joyous thoughts of family and friends both present and departed.

Music has been an underlying theme at both the shop and at home this year.

Carolers singing Olde English carols during late night shopping at Le Potager were simply lovely and drew a crowd from the neighborhood as well as the nearby English pub.

Even the mantle in the den of my childhood home took on a charming musical theme this year. I layered it with instruments, all belonging to family members both old & young, throughout the years. Sprinkled with white lights, fresh cedar garland, lit sugared fruit ornaments and even pretty holiday sheet music created a meaningful festive mantle.

The musical tree in Lillian's Room at Le Potager has been so well received that I am inspired to expand the idea next year.

The golden hues and silver sparkle of the brass instruments paired with the warm tones of the string instruments created the perfect festive background to dozens & dozens of ornaments.

Adding to the list of Christmas songs and styles that I love is this entire CD.  A French Christmas is a wonderful combination of traditional French holiday songs and classic American carols sung in French. I am so thrilled to add these songs to my favorite list. 

Enjoy the treasure that is the sounds of the season and turn up the holiday music to create wonderful memories for you and your family.

I hope you holidays are filled with joyous music!

Antique Hoosier Drawer Treasure

This is the treasure that keeps on giving. I picked up this fabulous hoosier bin drawer at a tiny local flea market here in town. The old wood frame, metal lined bin and antique nails made this an item I just could not pass up.  As with many items I bring home from market, I am not always certain what I will end up doing with it. I kept moving this drawer about Le Potager, tried filling it with plants, piling it high with antique terra cotta pots, poured dozens and dozens of large pine cones inside and nothing seemed exactly right.  Then, almost magically, a long forgotten back-ordered item arrived.

The hoosier drawer and the rooster... the perfect marriage of old and new. This nesting style rooster fit perfectly inside the drawer and left just enough room to add embellishments. Here I have added holiday pine, berries and pine cones for a charming festive look. Changing the nesting materials seasonally makes this a timeless accessory. Both the subject matter and the style create a look that can accent many different decor styles. I am happy to say that the hoosier drawer has found its purpose.

Treasure Hunting at the Winter Flea Market

After what seems like weeks of cold and rainy weather, on market days, this weeks flea market was just beautiful. Cold, brisk and flooded with bright winter sunshine, this was the perfect day at the flea. It probably didn't hurt that Christmas is just weeks away, but I found everyone to be joyous and merry. Vendors and shoppers alike enjoyed a festive, fabulous market brimming with treasures.

Aside from my usual hunting for treasures for the shop and our Paris flea market, this flea market trip I found myself doing some of my holiday gift shopping. I get such a good feeling when I happen upon a real treasure at the flea that can only be topped by finding a treasure for a family member or friend.

I am happy to report I was successful in finding lovely things for Le Potager, our flea market and even a few gifts. This market brought dozens of new vendors many with beautiful, interesting & unique items. I always consider antiquing successful when, at the end of the day, I have learned something new, from either vendors or shoppers, about antique and or vintage wares.  With that in mind, this day was a success all the way around.

Just a peek at some of the treasures I brought home. I have a lot of silver cleaning to do. Overall, what a great day of shopping. I am looking forward to highlighting a few items later this week. 

Winter Treasures in Our Own Backyard

I love this time of year in the garden. Here in southern California, the largest trees are beautiful, lush and green all year- the cypress, palms, magnolia, and citrus.  It is the small treasures in the garden that bring spectacular color to the landscape.

The calamondin trees are full and almost ready to harvest. They make a truly outstanding marmalade.  

The rose hips this year are bright and abundant. They will be spectacular in holiday arrangements.

Strawberries are coming along nicely and will be ready to float in our New Year's Eve champagne!

Just a few camellias have bloomed as of today but hundreds more will be joining them within the next couple of weeks. Camellias are wonderful hearty blooms that are wonderful to float in pottery, china and glass vessels.  These flowers make it easy to add vibrant color to any room.

Although I long for real seasonal weather, I am thankful for the small changes that happen in the California winter garden and I look forward to bringing these treasures indoors.