Fontainebleau Château

Hello dear friends!

Each time I visit my family

in France, I like to learn something

more about it's history.

A wonderful way to do this is by

visiting some of the great chateaux.

This time it was Château Fontainebleau

only 40 minutes from where my daughter lives.

This beautiful chateau set in 50,000 acres

of park lands and forest was used as the

hunting palace of the Kings of France.

The Francis 1 gallery has exceptionally opulent decor.

It was built following the return of King Francis from Italy,

and became a showcase for the Rennaissance in France.

The palace galleries were spaces in which

the Court could socialise and promenade.

It was not hard for me to imagine

feminine courtiers in crinolined gowns

sweeping through this gallery

in search of

tête-à-têtes, liaisons and intrigue!

 Each and every room in the chateau

houses an exceptional collection

of works of art representing

the stylistic and aesthetic tastes

of those who lived

in it's apartments and decided

on their decor.

Including ornaments and furnishings

these works provide

a fascinating art history lesson.

However, for 7 and 8 year olds

there is a limit to how long they

can be on their "best behaviour"

wandering from room to room

looking at old paintings!

So we changed the pace

and all went for a fun ride

in this horse drawn carriage

through part of the estate.

All the time the girls

pretending to be

Princesses from the Chateau!!

Vicki Archer of French Essence
is having a wonderful
Giveaway here

and
Ria of It's Me
has another Giveaway here

Thank you dear friends

for popping in!

Wishing my new followers

very big

WELCOME

I'll be over to see you very soon.

Take care and

be kind to one another

au revoir

Shane

EMBROIDERY AT ROSIE'S

An enticing selection of books on Rosie's table

My friend Thelma and I
had a little road trip
to Hamilton 113km (70 miles).
I love a change of scenery
every now and then,
it's always good to mix things up!

The reason for the trip was
our fortnightly embroidery
tête à tête -
this time with Rosie in Hamilton.

Rosie made us the most scrumptious
little carrot cupcakes
with cream cheese frosting
...and they tasted absolutely
D I V I N E!!!
she easily passed the cake test ha ha!

Rose has completed so many
pieces of exquisite embroidery.

This is a gorgeous
Christmas hanging
she has made for
one of her family.

Our Thelma
is the Queen of
Christmas stockings!
She has made so many of them,
for family, 
for friends children
and for friends grandchildren.
This is the latest one
for a very special little person!

Rose is working on the last piece
of the lovely bag below.
I think there are 6 pieces
plus another on the base.

I've just started on
Jessie's
Christmas stocking.
It has to be in the post
at the end of October to be 
in France by Christmas -
oops I had better get a  wriggle on!

Now, in Rose's house
there were little surprises
everywhere I looked.....

Her very talented daughter
makes these beautiful
embroidered and appliqued
cushions!

I want, I need and I must have one!!

We had a really fun day -
I was totally
INSPIRED
and feel so lucky
to spend time with these
very talented girls!

I'm joining with Mary at
Little Red House Mosaic Monday

Thank you my dear friends
for your comments
I love catching up with you all
WELCOME
to my new followers.
I'm always excited when I discover
that someone new has found my blog.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET
TO ENTER
RIA'S
BEAUTIFUL GIVEAWAY

Click on the button on
the right side of my blog!

Wishing you all a very happy week
doing whatever you love doing,
take care
look after one another

love and hugs
Shane

VERDE

Hello dear friends

how are you all?

I'm so happy it's the weekend

with time to catch up on things...

like doing this overdue post!

Recently my friend Jen and I

had lunch at 'Verde',

a charming cafe come

home wares/garden shop

located in an old villa

with several rooms to sit and

enjoy lunch or just a coffee.

There is always a stunning

display in the entrance way,

just to whet the appetite

before getting down to the

business of choosing what to eat!

Their home ware items are

carefully selected -

I could easily buy everything

each time I'm here, so

restraint is called for!

In all the rooms

there are tables to sit and eat at,

now I call that

clever merchandising!

I never come out of here empty handed

even if it's only a card or two

(but there's usually more)!

They have a small selection of

beautiful clothes..... and

the most divine sponge cake

which I forgot to photograph

I'm sorry girls

but I just couldn't wait to eat it!!

but I remembered to take

a heart felt pic

of the coffee for you!

Verde is an inspiring cafe to visit

I always leave with a head full of

new ideas

to try once I get home!

Thank you dear friends

for popping in to see me today,

I wish we could meet at Verde

one day for a coffee and a chat!

WELCOME

to my lovely new followers

I'll be over to see you

very soon too!

Take care

please look after one another

hugs and love

Shane