As we sit here on this sunny Saturday, aware that snow is on the way overnight, I happened upon this photo from Paris.
I don’t know if I ever shared it with you. So quintessentially French, don’t you agree? I remember seeing this woman looking a statue for the longest time. When she moved on, I snapped her picture. Older, fashionable, the long skirt, that ever-present Parisian wardrobe must – the scarf, and that red beret, matching her red sunglasses.
Oh, how I wish we were there right now. I miss it so much! I often look at my photos. I find them comforting.
Not much to report here. We’re hanging out, reading, playing and watching movies. We’re awaiting warmer temperatures – which happen to start today! We’re going to see temps in the low forties. Hallelujah!
Yesterday, I dropped all my book donations off. Then I took a little drive to Milne Antiques. I haven’t been there in so long and I felt guilty. Milne is the place where I found all the vintage French and English pots last year and where I found the “Please Put Book Back After Using” book holder that I have on the wall in the den. Oh, and the handmade child’s bookcase that lives in the upstairs hallway.
I didn’t plan on buying anything as we’re on a strict budget now; I just wanted to stop in. Rebekah, the owner, is in England right now, supervising the packing of a container of finds that will be heading across the ocean soon. But Jasmine was there and we had a nice chat.
Some photos of my favorite things from yesterday:
This large cement garden fixture with a bunny rabbit leaning back to relax made me smile. I’m didn’t even bother looking at the price! It’s from the collection of Allan Katz, famous expert on Folk Art/Americana. He lives in Connecticut, not all that far from us.
This wall cabinet, from France? Oh my heavens! I really love it. I’m still thinking about it today. Here’s the interior:
I can’t stand it, I want it so much.
Moving on to my other favorite piece. If we had a foyer, I’d have grabbed this immediately.
This petite church pew. Look at that carving on the side! The gothic design! Oh, my goodness!
Another view. Be still my heart.
By the way, the two huge stone deer that you see in the background are also from Allan Katz.
This shop kills me! Even though I was familiar with a lot of the inventory, there’s always stock that’s fresh and new.
And wait until that container arrives with all sorts of antique garden pots!
It felt good to get out and have a conversation with someone other than Don. It gives him a break and, god knows, he deserves it.
Today is sunny so far. Fingers crossed!
Happy Saturday.
I could lose myself in any one of your photos today—crunch through gravel and leaves in Paris, hug that weathered and moss-dusted bunny, run my fingers over that beautifully carved cabinet. Simply divine, all of them.
Thank you, Shanna! I might be succumbing to the cabinet and the pew. Stay tuned.
Oh that church pew! Exactly what I keep looking for!! I’m glad you got out and had a lovely chat. Sometimes we need to have a break from our loves and see new faces!
Blizzard here yesterday. Dh ended up in the ditch on the way to pick up kids from school. Four hours later, with a tow truck on the way, neighbors and perfect strangers got him out. And then the tow truck called to say they were finally on their way! Too late but we are so grateful for the community support in the country when the weather is rough.
Hope your snow isn’t too bad. And the temperatures continue to rise!
X Chy
Oh no! So glad no one was hurt! What a day for you all! Stay in and stay off the road! xo
hooray for warmer weather, outings and looking forward to spring fun!
especially love the cupboard, but will leave it for you. :)
happy saturday!
kathy in iowa
I really love that cupboard!
I can see myself in Paris in my dreams. Wish I could be there with you. Love that rabbit and the cabinet. It’s fun to look and dream I always say.
I wish I was there with you, too! It’s such a glorious city!
Lovely photo of a wonderful adventure. I can easily see how you could beautifully carry off that look, long simple skirt, boots and beret! How fun would it be to have Don capture you in a portrait! I enjoyed your visit to the antique store and agree that all your favorites are perfect.
I looked for a beret while I was there, but I just didn’t have time to find one!
Oh…that rabbit…he would’ve been a must have for me. At least, until I checked the price. That’s what always trips me up. Lovely cabinet…I’ll play along….where would you hang it?
Glad you got a chance to chat at Milne’s. Sometimes that’s all it takes…a small lovely diversion. Hope the snow melts with your warmer temperatures today. There are heavy rains coming our way…hopefully we’ll be spared any flooding. Enjoy your day! ;)
The price, I’m betting, is very high! And it weighs a ton.
I hope there’s no flooding!
One day I will return to Paris. Meanwhile, my Anglophile daughter and I are returning to the UK at end of summer. New to us will be Edinburgh (guess who inspired me to go there?!), and Oxford, so we can indulge in our love for Inspectors Morse and Lewis.
What delightful items Milne carries! I would love a place like that near my home but would go broke buying or return home heartbroken that I couldn’t afford the price! I love old furniture so the cabinet and pew are gorgeous. And I love garden sculpture. The rabbit could keep my small concrete bunny company in my garden. I also have a hare, and two cats in the garden, in addition to metal animals made from scrap metal…a mama and baby goat, a moose, and a cow. Each one is personally significant. I also have three very small ducks clustered around a small dish with three varying sizes of round indentations. The dish is meant to hold dips, but I use it outside as a watering hole for the bees that visit my garden. I put small rocks and pebbles in the indentations so the bees have a place to perch. They’d drown if they try to get into the water.
So glad you’re going to Edinburgh! I’ve been to Oxford, but it was many, many years ago. It’s gorgeous.
I would love that rabbit, too. I didn’t even bother asking Rebekah what the price was…
OK, so the rabbit would now live with me. Heck with the cost! Joking of course but rabbits are my downfall. I cement animals in my rock garden, He would be right at home.
Winter has taken it’s toll, Claudia. From a frozen septic tank line to now a hole in the roof. Paris right about now would be delightful. We have a predicted 10 inches of snow on the way today. Unfortunately, their predictions have been fairly close this winter of no end in sight. I’m going to bed til the snow is all gone.
Me too. Love rabbits.
I’m so sorry to hear of the frozen septic tank line and the hole in the roof! Winter, begone!
Oh, that rabbit. I opted to give lunch a miss yesterday rather than brave the blizzard, but sitting at my desk I’m afraid I succumbed to the lure of two miniature stone Foo dogs on Etsy. Turns out miniature church pews can be had too..
I picked up my copy of The World of Miniatures on my way home – so thrilled to see you included!
Don’t get me started on looking for miniature church pews!
Enjoy that book, Barbara. I haven’t read it yet, but I look forward to it!
It’s only in the 30’s here today and gray and very windy. Rain is coming later. Looking at the 5-day forecast, I see a warm-up into the 40’s and then up to 55 on Wed! But…rain. I don’t care; I’m just glad for some warmer temps. I’m going to open my windows and air the house out.
I am seriously in love with that church pew. As you know, I have a small house and when you walk in my front door, you are right in the living room. But to the left, there is a wall where I have a bench to make it foyer-like. I would gladly move my current bench somewhere else in my house to make room for that pew.
I’ve had a quiet day here alone; Brian’s at work. I’ve done laundry and some house-tending, puttered a little, did some yoga, rearranged some bookshelves, painted my nails (just an opaque pink). I’m in my lounge clothes and feeling comfy and introvert-y…but I have to leave in 1-1/2 hours to go to a fundraiser dinner that I already bought a ticket for. And I’m meeting a friend there. So no backing out…though I secretly want to. ;-)
Oh, I know what you mean about airing the house out! I can’t wait!
We don’t have a foyer either. I so wish we did!
Don always says the best plans are ‘cancelled plans’ – when someone backs out, or the weather is bad, and you have a legitimate reason for not going!
I’m with Sherry B – you in a red beret, maybe a long red scarf – magnifique. And what a warm memory when you unexpectedly catch your reflection.
Maybe I need to look for a red beret!
I love both the pieces that you love. I have never seen such a small pew, but just right.
It was clearly attached to another section of pew at one point. I really love it.
There was a photo of you or you and your husband on your trip
It was so good too and momentous
What photo are you referring to, Brenda? Thank you, by the way!
Love the rabbit
For me it is best not to look
Our goal is to pay off our house
Since we bought the house at an ‘advanced’ age, I doubt we’ll ever pay ours off, though that is my dream. You never know!
I would want one of everything in that store.
Marilyn
Yep. I know the feeling! Thanks, Marilyn!
What a fun shop. I haven’t gone antiquing in years, not since we moved to this part of the state.
But I’ve been getting the urge as I see you acquire the coolest things (def go back for that little wall cabinet – it’s French!) I need to do some research about possibilities in this area.
Thank you so very much for your kind words yesterday regarding our little Allie kitty. Your picture of the cement bunny reminds me we need to think about what we want to do as a memorial in our garden come spring.
I hope you’re allowing yourself to grieve, Kay. We’re all thinking of you, my friend.
How I would love to browse through the antiques there…I love that cement bunny!
Isn’t it fabulous?
I can see why you’d get lost there. I would too. Loved all the things you chose. Ah, yes. Budget. I’m still looking for a music cabinet, much like the one you were lucky enough to find. It’s good to have a goal!
xo