Tea Time with my Valentine.



 So glad you came to tea today, sweetheart.

I've been looking forward to seeing you all week long.

I've taken Grandma B's wedding china out of the cabinet, and polished the silver.

I baked Red Velvet Cupcakes with Buttercream frosting.

One for you and one for me,
 and one to share?

A decadent roulade.
Light as a feather sponge cake

 wrapped around fresh cream and strawberries soaked in Marsala wine
and
 dusted with the finest of sugars.

Won't you be my Valentine?

(Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy) 

Click on the links below to join the celebration

Miz Helen's Country Cottage Full Plate Thursday,
Valentines Party @ Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Courtney for Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Show and Tell Friday with Cindy @ My Romantic Home
Sherry @ The Charm of Home for her brand new Home Sweet Home Party
and
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

To market, to market, to buy.........?

Most Thursday mornings we drive to a nearby market town to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, we take our elderly neighbour along with us, too.
Some time ago he was informed by the "authorities" that he was too frail to drive himself and his licence was duly annulled, much to his digust!
We left in a hurry and I forgot to pick up my shopping list off the kitchen counter so had to try and recreate it in the car as we drove along.
Thank heavens I had a pretty little notepad & pen in my bag.

I don't think I could ever be described as a "girly girl" (I like to think more Wonder Woman than Barbie) but the fluffy purple feathers on the elegant strappy shoe make me smile.
Thanks KE, for this sweet Christmas stocking filler gift that brightens up your big sisters day.

This week, whilst Mr B was "parlaying" with the boucher, I meandered around the stalls to see what else might take my fancy.

Free delivery when you buy 6 chairs, today only.

I came across a woman who now and again sets up a small "Brocante" table and stopped to browse the ancient books displayed there.

I uncovered two antique, school textbooks: Le Livre de L'Ecole printed in 1890 and Lectures Faciles circa 1905.

Le Pont D'Avignon.
English schoolchildren learned this one too.

At just 2.50 euro apiece, I had to have them.

Just a few stalls further along, I found these beautiful tulips.

Back home again, one blue and white Quimper pitcher later, and voila!

Je suis une fille heureuse.

Joining in the fun this week with
Courtney for Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Show and Tell Friday with Cindy @ My Romantic Home
Liz @ Rose Vignettes for Fresh Cut Friday
Linda @ A LA CARTE for Junkin Finds Friday

 and
A Few Of My Favourite Things Saturday @ Bargain Hunting With Laurie.

Thank you ladies for graciously hosting these wonderful gatherings.

Victorian Inspired vignette.

I think my style of decorating could be best described as Victorian inspired, English Country.
Achieved for the most part with auction finds, inherited pieces, flea market bargains and contemporary accents.

Chandelier, painting, lithograph and mirror
 all found at the Bayeux Hotel de Vente

Vintage Malicorne faience duck vase,
handpainted with a breton musician on the front.
Souvenir of St. Malo.

Over the years these two books have been invaluable sources of interior design inspiration, they epitomise the look that I aspire to in our home.

From “Victorian Style” written by Judith & Martin Miller -
“covers all aspects of Victorian interiors. Illustrated with over 400 colour photographs, the book reflects the diversity and eclecticism of the period.....”
First published in 1993 and available on Amazon, click here.

From “Classic Decorative Details, author Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill -
“with the help of this book, you can become an instant expert on collecting silver, glass and ceramics, find out how to hang pictures, display leather bound books and make dramatic impact with flowers and fruit”...........
First published in 1994 and available on Amazon still, click here.

Quimper double shoe salt, silver bonbon basket and spoon,
a trio of vintage Famous Five books.

Many thanks to our wonderful hostesses
Courtney @ French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday, and Debra @ Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The large mirror reflects the staircase seeming to widen the hallway even more

to Laurie @ Bargain Hunting With Laurie for A Few of My Favourite Things Saturday


Copeland Spode Italian plate, HR Quimper card holder,
 Old English, Poole silver dish, the perfect vide poche for my keys.



to Mary @ the little red house for Mosaic Monday who has some beautiful tulips in her mosaics today,

and Kathy @ A Delightsome Life for Tuesday's A Return to Loveliness Party inspired by Victoria magazine.

Click on the links above, or on their buttons on my sidebar, to visit these great blogs and see who else is participating this week.