This England -- Hanging Out in Hungerford

After visiting the beautiful, historic Basildon Park, it only seemed right that we overnight in a wonderful town and stay at a historic inn. So we were off to Hungerford, a town Jenny and T know quite well and one I had wanted to visit, in part because of their antique market, the Hungerford Arcade. (If you watch "Celebrity Antiques Roadshow" on PBS Passport, you'll find it in one of the episodes.)

Paris In July: Something Old!

Let's face it. We all like a good buy when we travel -- a souvenir, something special to bring home, maybe as a gift or just to treasure. And yes, in Paris you can go to some of the wonderful stores like Le Bon Marche, Galleries Lafayette, Printemps or BHV Marais. But it's even a little more fun to bring home something you've found at a flea market, brocante or vides grenier.

My friend Jerry is a master at finding wonderful items (and knowing how to bargain for them! So, come with us to a few spots!

Life as We Know It

Sometimes it's so nice to just have a normal life. No holidays. No heavy schedule, just time to "be."

As I type this, Lizzie is laying on her desk pillow (she is so spoiled), purring up a storm. I think she missed me! Rick and I spent a couple of days with our friends, Suzanne and Jim, in London, Ontario this past weekend. We enjoyed several games of Sequence, ate wonderful Indian food, saw "Victoria and Abdul" and the National Theatre Live production of my favorite Sondheim musical, "Follies," and did a late Christmas celebration.

Suzanne and I have known each other since we looked like this.

It's nice to imagine we still do. She kind of does!

I loved our drive through Canada. I always get a little entranced when we pass the wind farm near Strathroy. One wind turbine after another. They look especially striking in the snow.

Strathroy is a small town about a half hour from London. Rick had a client visit there so I hit the antique store. Let me say, I so appreciate it when I see a well-designed booth, like those Rita shares on her blog. (I wish I lived near her antique mall!) There were more than a few booths that were too stressful for me, though this one wasn't bad.

But I did see some fun things -- like this tilt-a-whirl car (Every home needs one) ...

And this, whatever it is...

I loved this teapot.

And if we had a bigger car and I had more room, I would have walked away with this!

And there were some nicely designed booths, too! Unfortunately, I had all the royal china they had.  I was hoping for a bit of a score in Canada but not this time! I have way too many quilts, too!

But I loved these typewriters!

Rick has been swamped with work and family stuff, so this was a well needed break for him and fun for me with plenty of team cooking...

...and presents, too!

The road home was a tad harrowing. These photos aren't manipulated.

Yes, the fog was this thick!

 

It was kind of beautiful, assuming, of course, there was no pile-up before us where we'd have to slam on the brakes!

By the time we got to the border, things had started to ease up a bit. Home sweet home, safely.

Before we left for Ontario, I made another visit to my favorite bookstore that is closing and came home with another pile.

I think I'll have to live to 95 just to read these! I've been plowing through -- nine books so far, but three of them were very short!

This one is my treasure.

I have coveted this book ever since the first time I saw it -- not in a book store but in a gallery shop. I've always been one of Beatrix Potter's biggest fans and this had been on my list for ages. But it was just too expensive.

Until it was 35 percent off. Paintings and photos and oh, such joy!

I've been doing some painting, too, and if you are Valerie, Jenny or Bella and won my anniversary blog giveaway, I hope to get to the post office this week. I'll post photos when I'm pretty sure that two of the three have made it across the pond.

I'm also pulling some things together for a Valentine crafternoon with friends. We may end up doing our own thing but I'm prepared for teaching/overseeing candy boxes and more! This is a box I did several years ago and I'm lots better at it now!

The Oscar nominations came out, as you know. This means that I will make a somewhat hearted attempt to see something that might be nominated so I can have a dog in this race. So far I've only seen Dunkirk, which I loved. My list is long.

 And yes, Lizzie and I are continuing our bird watching.

This female cardinal took my breath away.

Yes, it's been a good week. Now Rick is off on another work gig. Perhaps I'll be productive this week!

I need to be sure to add that this is a photo of Beatrix Potter's art from the book. It's not Lizzie, but I wish I HAD drawn it! I should have mentioned earlier!

Or, maybe not!

Sharing with Let's Keep in Touch on Let's Add Sprinkles /  Share Your Cup

Paris in July: Petite Maison

So, you are off to Paris. And while you are there, you may visit some lovely homes -- like those of Marie Antoinette or Victor Hugo. But what about homes where "real" people are living in Paris now?

In my last post you saw lots of doors -- and they have to go somewhere! So today we are going behind one of them.

Behind each of these doors a lovely and charming courtyard. 

Even the courtyards have lovelies!

 

Climb up five flights of steps and note a welcoming arrangement in the hall.

Jiggle the key in the lock (because it is an old lock, after all!) and turn the handle just right! You are home!

Kick off your shoes, take a nap on the couch!

Or better still -- look around! This apartment belongs to my friend Jerry, who is an avid antique collector.

He also is a remarkable designer by avocation with an eye for arrangements. His vignettes are perfect.

You may just want to look out the window at the rooftops on the other side of the courtyard.

The large windows in the living and bedroom make the small space seem much larger.

But I'm hungry. So I'll step into the kitchen. It's a tight fit.

 

One of the things I love about Paris is that people seem to shop for fresh things regularly -- daily bread, whatever one feels like for dinner. I know now why: the fridge is very small. Everything is smaller.

Jerry is a fan of the frozen market, Picard, which Paris Breakfasts described so well HERE. There is one a few blocks away and he'll pick up just the right thing for dinner. Tonight, chicken, veggies and pasta.

We sit at the table by the window. It's rather perfect.

Jerry's collections run the gamut from interesting art...

...to books...

...to keys...

...to bottles...

...and silver pieces.

 

All found at brocantes and vides greniers.

 

The thing that gets me is that he knows just how to put them together!

The bedroom has lots of light. Jerry was kind enough to give up his room to Rick and me during our visit. To awaken and look out these windows was such a joy.

Paris apartments are small by American standards. So Jerry is not only a fine designer and decorator, but a spatial engineer! Every single one of these suitcases on the shelf is completely organized.

Even the bathroom decor is carefully thought out to best use the perfect treasures for that spot.

I can't choose a favorite.

Is it this?

Or this?

I can't decide.

What about you?
 
This post is part of the Paris in July blog traveling party hosted by Thyme for Tea and Bookbath!

 

Please visit them for links to other blogs featuring terrific posts related to France.