jeudi 25 septembre 2014

The treasure in the sack....

In amongst the recent attic clearance was a heavy filled hand-loomed linen sack with a drawstring. I couldn`t wait to get it back to look inside......



 I wasn`t disappointed.....



reams of hand made 18th century parchment paper.

Large pages of tactile creamy parchment. 



Were they bound for a bookmaker or a notaires clerk who would sit by candle light and scribe with his quill and pot of ink?



I am listing some of the reams tonight. Such a wonderful find and amazing old paper for any period projects.

Will you write by twinkling candlelight too?

A la prochaine mes belles
xxx

jeudi 18 septembre 2014

A mystery in the village....



We all stood in silence at the village war memorial in the lashing rain watching as our new mayor  performed a tree- planting ceremony. This new, large addition situated on the outskirts of the village was to commemorate the American soldiers who had lost their lives here in Normandy following D-Day in June 1944

All seemed to be going well; a number  of  'monsieurs' assisted the Mayor to plant the new tree whilst quite a few 'madames' stood huddled together picking fault with their work muttering under their breath "it's not straight",  "it needs a bigger hole",   etc, etc.

There then followed a celebration in the village hall - and the  wine flowed. A good time was had. All was well with the world.

But.................the next morning - tragedy.

The tree had completely disappeared!!!

Had it been stolen?

Did someone not like the new mayor?

Did someone fancy a new tree on their driveway?

Was it only on loan!

I shall keep you updated with any news.

"Treegate" is now well under way!

A la prochaine mes belles
xxx




mardi 16 septembre 2014

To whom it may concern.....




I am still working my way through the boxes from the attic clearance and have just unpacked an old chemist pharmacie bottle filled with a strange blue powder that showered all over me.

Should I expire before teatime can someone please feed Sir Digbert for me?

However if I have two heads and can speak in tongues.......run!!!!

Hopefully .....a la prochaine mes belles

xxxx

dimanche 14 septembre 2014

Just let me truffle.....

A wonderful house call yesterday brimming with 18th and 19th century treasures.










I shall be starting to photograph and list it tomorrow but for today I am simply in heaven truffling through the boxes.

Sir Digbert is fine and my pumpkin is growing, so all is well at the chateau!!

A la prochaine mes belles
xxxx

samedi 13 septembre 2014

And you think I am demented?

Received today a little note from a recent guest at a dinner party......


Dear Countess

Thank you so much for the lunch yesterday it was simply
 chateau delicious. I especially loved the steak pie, that was a true feat of culinary excellence. The surroundings
 in the chateau marquee were equally impressive. The 
structure appeared at first sight to be quite simple, but
once inside one was cast into a world which illustrated the opulence and confidence of chateauesque entertaining. The table, so loving laid, had a delicious flowing sculptural quality with its inventiveness and execution of display. The whole effect was one of sumptuous opulence, with a touch of playful frivolity. The cutlery and porcelain, so painstakingly arranged had a stunning repertory of symmetry and style, I straightaway noticed a sense of movement, almost liquid in the way each element teased the eye when viewed along the length of the banqueting table. The food, of course was splendid, each course in its own way celebrating the triumph of French chateau cuisine. with, at times, an English posh pub twist- very clever that.  When finally the desert arrived, the ice cream sundae said it all- a broad statement of change from our normal simple food to the very best that the top echelons of society can offer. In short, the nosh was great- thanks


...and now you know why I am daft! It`s my friends fault!!!

vendredi 12 septembre 2014

A huge relief...

                                   



It has been a frantic couple of days as my beloved Sir Digbert Fanshaw Brownshaw had to have surgery.

At 14 years old there was a risk for him but it had to be done.

Needless to say I cried all the way to the surgery to deliver him, cried all day he was away and then cried with relief when we collected him! Yes I know........get a grip woman!



He is full of stitches but so perky you wouldn`t believe!

That`s my boy.

Have a wonderful weekend mes belles.

I have a house call to do that promises to be full of treasures....I shall keep you posted/

A la prochaine

xxxx

mercredi 10 septembre 2014

Simply Chateau is pleased to announce....




After throwing down the gauntlet to all our friends to see who could grow the biggest pumpkin by Halloween  I have been receiving photographs of their huge yellow and orange specimens all ready for the competition evening.

After planting my seeds along with everyone else I had lots of foliage but no pumpkin at all.

Everyday I have visited the plants, checked , watered, fed, prodded, pampered, sung, wailed in dismay and as a last resort gave them a team talk about production and giving their all for the chateau reputation.

Finally I am pleased to announce the arrival of my specimen. It has been a long painful process and as you will see from the photographs he appears to be "green" and not yellow. I am not even sure he is a pumpkin at all and I am slightly worried he may be a courgette!



However, despite his unusual appearance he shall be greatly loved and cosseted and he shall be called "WINNER"!!!

He has a few weeks to grow huge!!!

Watch this space mes belles

xxxxxx