From Our Home To Yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought I might share with you a few things I have done to get ready for Thanksgiving this year. I started planning my decorations, table, and menu, and it occurred to me that I was using many of my guiding principles. Want what you have, and use what you have. Simplicity is elegant, and incorporating “less is often more.” Mother Nature is astonishing and enduring beauty. Gratitude often follows thinking outside the box in surprising ways.

Vintage European Copper Milk Cans Are A Nice Welcome At The Front Door

Pretty Vineyard Leaves

I can’t remember a time when our vineyard and vineyard leaves have been prettier than this. The vineyard is a soothing golden hue overall, with a few grapevines displaying this reddish garnet color with subtle green veins. They were begging for a place at our Thanksgiving table.

I immersed and soaked them in water. Dried them, and flattened them with books to press them flat.

I wanted the leaves to stand out, so I used an ivory tablecloth, ivory napkins, and our ivory wedding china.

Picking up the subtle green veins in the leaves I repeated the subtle green color in my candlesticks. I used my beautifully etched wine glasses with vines and grape clusters, that further emphasize the grapevine theme and color. These wine glasses have been waiting up in the cupboard for just this occasion. The jeweled napkin holder matches the garnet color of the leaves and gold trim repeats the gold in the silverware and gold rim on the china. Small ivory votives add a touch of light and sparkle to the table.

My antique table is long and narrow, and it is always challenging to place candles, votives, flowers, plate settings and glassware together comfortable spaced. The grapevine leaves add amazing color and contrast and maybe a bit of surprise. I might add a few more on each end of the table.

Yes, the vineyard table is ready for Thanksgiving, but don’t forget how the Thanksgiving menu is really the star, and will be deliciously enjoyed in this setting.

A Vineyard Table Ready For Thanksgiving

I know you all are so talented in your decorating, menus, and tablescapes. I would love to hear from you what you have done for your Thanksgiving day!

Wishing you all a Thanksgiving full of love, gratitude, and deliciousness…Bonnie

It looks like we are going to have a good harvest this year at Domaine de Manion. This will be our 18th vintage. The weather cooperated this year which is a huge factor in a good vintage. The grape clusters have turned inky black in color. The brix (sugar percentage) of the grapes is over 20, and heading towards 23 or 24%, the range where we like to harvest. The yield looks good, maybe above average, but really can’t guesstimate how many pounds. We will have to wait until harvest.

Last year, if you recall, we had to drop all of the fruit. There was no vintage 2023. We are grateful to see the vineyard bounce back with a good grape crop. We don’t take anything for granted when it comes to our vineyard, and recognize each year is different, and what makes each vintage so different.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

A Dahlia Sentry Watches Over Vintage Water Cans

Just like that, exciting August summer rolled into reflective September fall and we have fall fortune to look forward to. What is your fall fortune? An abundance of vegetables from the garden. Savory new recipes using figs, root vegetables, persimmons, pumpkins, and squash. Beautiful jeweled golden, amber, and rust colors to wear and decorate your home. A subtle intensity change in sunlight. A tarte tatin baking in the oven. Your first sip of warm spiced cider. Crunching of leaves on your morning walk.

Take advantage of all the simple everyday riches that make up your fall. Fall is here, but for a few short weeks, and then gone for another year. That is one of the reasons that makes it so special.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Last Days of August at Domaine de Manion

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy. They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” —Marcel Proust*

That is the way I feel about all of you! I love sharing ideas, recipes, philosophy, tips, travel, styling, in other words, a “Taste of French Country Living” to live by, no matter where you are. A few pillars of this life is simplicity, awareness of living in the present, and embracing everyday simple richness.

I hope you all had a marvelous summer, full of excitement and everything you like to do with family and friends!

This is a post from a few years ago, I love as summer ends, to pause and be grateful and thankful for those in our lives, and especially to all of you. Merci!

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

*Marcel Proust was a French author, literary critic, and essayist who is considered by critics and writers to be one of the most influential authors of the 20th century. He was born July 10, 1871, and died on November 18, 1922.

Enjoying An Almond Croissant in Paris

Non, it is Encinitas. Last Saturday my husband, John, and I had a great day together. Later that evening I reflected on the day, and how it reminded me of what might be one of our typical days in South France. This reinforced my thinking that “Joie de Vivre” and a “Taste of French Country Living” is a wonderful attitude and a philosophy to adapt and can be lived, wherever you call home.

Follow me through our fun fabulous day together, and I will parallel it to a fabulous day in South France.

France Market Day Shopping For Fresh Produce In the Nearby Village. Translates in Encinitas, to going to the Cardiff Farmers Market on Saturday 10:00am to 2:00pm at Mira Costa College San Elijo Campus. I like this market a lot because it a nice size market consisting of three long rows of vendors. The first row is fresh produce, fruit, honey, and artisanal meats from friendly local farms. The second and third rows are specialty food items such as baked goods, hummus, pizza, greek food, coffee, crafts, clothing, art, jewelry, flowers, music, and more. Please note: the market is not held during the September Greek Festival weekend which is September 7-8, 2024 this year.

I was looking for heirloom tomatoes, as mine in my garden have not done that well this year. I was very pleased with the produce I bought consisting of beautiful tomatoes, fresh sweet corn, juicy peaches, and surprise fresh zucchini blossoms (which I don’t see very often here in Encinitas). Oh yes, I purchased for Sunday morning to share, a large incredible almond chocolate croissant filled with vanilla creme from a very talented bakery stall. He said it was one of his bestsellers.

Nice Leisurely Lunch At A Favorite Outdoor Cafe. Translates in Encinitas, to going to Blue Ribbon Pizza in the Lumberyard for a great salad and wood-fired pizza. Downtown Encinitas has many great cafes and restaurants offering outdoor seating, something positive from Covid. The hard part is making a decision on just one. In France, the whole country stops from noon to 2pm to enjoy their lunch. No fooling.

After Lunch, Stroll The Village For An Errand or Casual Shopping. Translates in Encinitas, to strolling the historic Coast Highway where there are many wonderful independent shops. I stopped into the crowded flagship Vuori store to browse their latest fitness clothing.

Afternoon Planned Event To Take In, Such As A Garden Tour, Hike, Museum, Winery Visit. Translates in Encinitas, to going to the Saturday, August 10, 2024 Open House for the new Pacific View Arts Center which was a decade in the making. The city purchased the long vacant, former elementary property totally overhauling it and transforming it into a stunning site to learn art, sculpture, multimedia, music, and a venue for performing arts. It occupies a full block of Third Street between E and F, and even has incorporated the historic Encinitas 1883 schoolhouse in its southwest corner. This is a great addition for the Encinitas community. During the Open House, artists, musicians, media teachers, and staff were on hand for questions and demonstrating. Classes started August 13, 2024.

Baked Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Once Home, Eager To Prep A New Recipe For Dinner With Market Ingredients. Translates in Encinitas, to coming home and excited to make “Zucchini Blossoms with Goat Cheese, Fresh Mint, and Anise Seeds” from the cookbook Dinner Chez Moi by Elizabeth Bard. The zucchini flowers you see in France are much larger in the markets than the ones I got today, that did not deter me. I have always wanted to make these zucchini blossoms, and I had this recipe in mind. The recipe was very simple and so tasty. The presentation is gorgeous and the blossoms so delicious. A perfect light appetizer for the summer. I will share this recipe in a future post.

After Dinner Relaxing On The Outdoor Terrace At Dusk. Translates in Encinitas, to after dinner relaxing on the deck watching the last of the beautiful sunset. In France, when I am in the countryside, night time is dark. France is so rural in our area, there is no light pollution, and in fact our little village borders a huge protected forest. So when dusk turns to night all the stars and planets are so vivid, and the constellations so clear. Stars to further dream upon.

I hope you enjoyed this recap of our recent fabulous fun day in Encinitas, paralleling it to a fabulous fun day in South France. May it give you ideas, inspiration, and tips to create your own heartfelt “Joie de Vivre” wherever you call home.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

The Little Lion At Domaine de Manion

This little stone lion and pedestal has been in our family for at least 50 years. My parents were in their forties, I was in high school, and my brothers were in middle school. For about six years then, we lived in a little village outside of Brussels, Belgium, in a little Flemish house my parents rented. My family would frequently travel around Europe on weekends and vacations.

During one vacation, visiting and driving around Italy, my parents bought this stone lion statuary and pedestal. Exactly in Italy, they can’t remember. I was not with them on this particular trip. They drove it back to Belgium. Placed it in a perfect spot to greet everyone in front of their little white Flemish house.

When it came time to move back to the United States, of course, the lion and pedestal came with them. My parents eventually retired and built their dream home on Table Rock Lake, about 20 miles outside of Branson, Missouri. This little lion then graced the front of their home, and greeted family and friends for over three decades.

Every time I visit my parents, my dad always asks me if there is anything I want from their house. He will gladly ship it to me. Last summer visiting them, helping my mom water her garden, the thought of asking for the little lion and pedestal came to me. The answer was “yes, of course.” With luck, my cousins from Denver were visiting my parents at the same time. They drove the lion and pedestal to Denver, and then to Golden, Colorado, where we have long time friends who often drive to San Diego. With the help of family and friends, the lion and pedestal made it to Domaine de Manion a year later.

I had the perfect spot in mind. A special location that is close to the bocce ball court, the garden, and the vineyard. It can be seen from afar and close up. It is away from the garden irrigation. Very visible, yet protected.

A little about this lion and pedestal. He is quite small. Most lion statuaries I have seen are large. He has a bit of a smile, so is friendly. There is an actual shell you can see embedded in his front, which makes me believe he was made with materials that were close to the sea. He is very heavy, and also his pedestal.

This little lion is very symbolic to me, representing so much to me, across many facets of my life. I also see him as a guardian over the garden. He certainly has a history, and I only know the last 50 years or so. He is very special to me, and I am thrilled to have him here, and see him often.

I share all this history with you as garden ornaments are very important in our gardens. Garden ornaments pause your eye in the garden, and sometimes create a welcome surprise. Garden ornaments can allow you to create a distinctive style and ambience to complement your garden. Garden ornaments can be sentimental, and stir happy emotions, as this lion does for me.

Please share if you have a favorite garden ornament in your garden.

Related Past Posts:

Jewels Of The Garden

Welcome To My Garden

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

One Of My Favorite Perfumes

One can enjoy a little Paris, everyday, simply by dabbing a little French perfume on your neck, wrists, and décolletage. In fact, it is one of my 25 suggestions in an earlier post, Finding Your Frenchness. Have a signature perfume. If one signature scent is not enough for you, have one for daytime and one for evening, or one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter.

Miss Dior was my signature perfume in high school that I loved to wear. I loved the fresh floral scent, yet never knew all of the fascinating history behind this fragrance. Rekindling my love for this fragrance came from two recent events. The first, was watching the Apple TV+ series, The New Look (2024), which tells the story of Christian Dior’s couture journey during Nazi Paris, opening his own couture house, and his famous debut of “The New Look” his ultra-feminine collection for women in 1947 that gave hope, beauty, and spirit once again to the world. The second, was reading the book, Miss Dior (2021) by Justine Picardie, specifically about Christian Dior’s younger sister, Catherine.

Catherine Dior’s story is fascinating. Christian and Catherine Dior were always very close. Catherine Dior was Christian Dior’s muse, and whom the fragrance, Miss Dior, is named after. She was the only member of their family to be at his couture house the day his “The New Look” collection was presented to Paris and the world. The fragrance of Miss Dior had been created, but not released yet on the market. His couture house was filled with a preview of Miss Dior fragrance scent wafting in the air that momentous day.

Christian Dior’s inspiration for his fragrance, “Miss Dior” was remembering his mother’s garden full of roses and exactly how it smelled. Lily of the Valley scent is prominent in the fragrance too, as he thought of it as his “good luck” flower. Each of his designs had a small Lily of the Valley discreetly sewn into the garment.

Christian Dior and his couture designs became world famous virtually overnight. At one point in his career, he was responsible for 50% of France’s exports. Catherine Dior’s life was humble, courageous, and always tied to flowers. She joined the French Resistance during World War II, was captured by the Nazi’s, tortured, and survived years in a concentration camp. She was honored and recognized by France for her service and bravery. After the war ended, and after she had time to heal physically, socially, and spiritually, for a few years she had a cut flower business in Paris. Preferring to be a rose cultivator, she moved to South France near Grasse, Provence, and lived in the rustic family home she inherited from her father, where he had lived later in his life. She helped Christian Dior cultivate the specific roses he needed for his fragrance. She still tended her beloved roses, close to age 90, and up until shortly before her death.

Christian Dior had an untimely death of heart failure in Italy at age 52. He left everything to Catherine Dior. Although Christian Dior was very successful, he employed 1,000 people at that time and was one million “1957” dollars in debt. He had bought a lovely huge estate in Provence he was renovating, as well as a new apartment in the Paris 16th arrondissement. Catherine Dior took on the task of selling the properties to pay off his debts, ensure his name and business would endure, and started the first Christian Dior museum in Normandy on the property where the entire Dior family had once lived and prospered before their father went bankrupt and fell onto hard times.

There is a Christian Dior museum in Paris called La Galerie Dior, at 11 Rue François 1er, Paris France. It is part history, and part testament, to Christian Dior and his six successors, and their visionary Parisian haute couture. It is closed on Tuesdays, and you must get tickets in advance. It is on my list for next time I am in Paris.

With all of the incredible history behind the Miss Dior fragrance, it makes it so much more special wearing it. I love knowing that it is so garden-oriented, so rose-oriented, and really so love-oriented.

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“MON PETIT CHOU” CORNER

Two Of The Three, Clear Stain Glass Windows

I am selling three clear stained glass windows and a glass etching. These were in our home when we bought our property, and probably from a previous owner’s remodel in the 1980’s. They would be perfect for someone’s garden shed or a “she” shed. The clear stained glass have wood frames, which would probably have to be re-framed. The etching below is glass with no frame. Pick up only, no shipping.

Stained Glass Windows Dimensions are 62.5” long x 26.5” wide. Price is $75.00 for each window.

Etching is 32” high x 24” wide. Price is $75.00

If you have an interest in any of these, please email or call me at (tel) (760) 402-7600. Thank you.

Glass Etching With Woodland & Deer Setting

Wishing You A Great Week & Bastille Day July 14….Bonnie

Walking In An Open Field At Sunset In The French Countryside

Having spent some time in France now, I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my ponderings of this life. This is a quick, short list.

Some of these ponderings stem simply from experiencing a different culture. Some ponderings are simply from not knowing. Still other ponderings are from trying to get it right, and still getting it wrong. It is all in good humor and jest. Perhaps these ponderings will give you a smile or even a chuckle.

1) Lunch is sacred. Most shops and services close for midday. People stop and dine for a big lunch. In South France, parking meter spaces are free from noon to 2pm, so everyone may enjoy their lunch.

2) The French are known for their “joie de vivre” and relaxed present moment living. On the road, however, is where they must take out their inner demon frustrations by driving fast, close, and taking risky chances.

3) I have found the French very friendly and helpful, yet they are private people. They don’t go for a lot of small talk and “chit chat.” They like to be direct, which might be misinterpreted.

4) They respect their land, tradition, and culture. They work and use the land, borrowing it from their children and grandchildren. Organic methods are practiced and popular. Farmers, fishermen, winemakers, and artisans of food are held in high regard. Market days are part shopping, part social, and part traditional celebration.

5) Recycling is taken very serious, and exactly spelled out as how to recycle. Most villages have a designated spot for recycling paper, glass, and plastic. Household non-recyclable garbage is picked up once a week. Landscape greens, construction materials, used household items have to be taken to the nearest dump which is free with a processed card that proves you are a resident.

6) The number of croissants a boulangerie bakes for a day, is meant to sell out in the morning. Almond croissants are not baked by every boulangerie and tend to go very fast. Consider your day special, if you get an almond croissant.

7) Since many of the homes, villages, and buildings are very old, I mean hundreds of years. They are quite good at fixing and maintenance. They like to keep things in good working order as best they can. I think that they prefer fixing old over new. There is certainly a respect for those who came before them.

8) The cost of living is fairly low. Water, insurance, and internet is very reasonable. Electricity is very expensive. Electricity is more common than gas now. Induction cooktops are very popular.

9) They love their dogs and smoking, two of their favorite things.

10) Days are nice and long, with late sunsets. The heat of the day usually comes around 4:00 to 5:00pm. Dinner starts later because of their midday lunch and relaxation break. There is always room in the day for cafe time.

11) Weather can be a little more dramatic with hard fast rain, thunder, and lightning. There are varying degrees of Mistral winds in South France, which can blow sometimes for days or with big gusts that catch one off guard. I was at a flea market one Saturday morning, where local vendors had beautiful mirrors and paintings falling down right and left from the wind gusts.

12) School children have Wednesday afternoon off, and can go home for lunch twice a week, if they are picked up. School lunches are multiple courses, with fabulous cheese, etc. French food culture is taught early, to be delicious, quality, and in courses. I can see the smile on Alice Waters now. France has a national program, free for all children, to learn how to swim.

13) The French take great pride in their country, but you won’t see them waving French flags. It is just a given. They do love a good protest, too.

14) French love their gardens. If they don’t have garden space they may have flower boxes, pots, and usually climbing roses on the front of their homes.

15) You often hear more “non” than “oui.” One has to get use to that, and understand the “non” to get to the “oui.”

16) The color “French Blue” is alive and well.

17) French people are masters of quality, style, and good taste in every aspect of living. It is a real joy to observe and experience this. Vive la France!

Sunset In The Magical French Countryside

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie