3 or more Tuesday from HHI

It's 3 or more Tuesday over at Tam's The Gypsys Corner again and before I go walking on the beach this morning I thought you might like enjoy a peek at some of HHI finest palm trees?

This guy is right alongside my balcony.

I took this last night before the rain came down.

Tuesday early morning sunrise.

Y'all come back now, but not before you check out what's happening over at Tam's place.

Maggie

Mosaic Monday from Hilton Head Island, SC.

I Saw From the Beach by Thomas Moore.

I saw from the beach, when the morning was shining,
A bark o'er the waters move gloriously on;
I came when the sun o'er that beach was declining,
The bark was still there, but the waters were gone.

And such is the fate of our life's early promise,
So passing the spring-tide of joy we have known;
Each wave that we danced on at morning ebbs from us,
And leaves us, at eve, on the bleak shore alone.

Oh, who would not welcome that moment's returning
When passion first waked a new life through his frame,
And his soul, like the wood that grows precious in burning,
Gave out all its sweets to love's exquisite flame.

It's Mosaic Monday over at Mary's Little Red House.

The weather here in Hilton Head, SC is glorious, so wonderfully warm.

After a so so summer in Normandy we are basking in the sunshine, reflecting and remembering the good times.

Soon after we arrived so did a welcome basket from "management" and a wonderful Autumnal floral arrangement from our friends Tony & Jan in the UK.

Tony was Roger's best man all those years ago (30) when we said our marriage vows and remains a close friend to this day.

Happy Mosaic Monday everyone, be sure to visit Mary @littleredhouse.

Maggie & Roger

Pay It Forward from Jacque

At the end of August Jacque, @ Campagne Maison, wrote a blog about some beautiful things that she had received from Deb @ Garage Sale Gal as a recipient of her Pay It Forward Meme

Jacque wrote:
"If you would like to participate in Pay It Forward, just leave a comment on this post.

The first three people to leave a comment will be my next Pay It Forward recipients. You must have a blog so I can read your postings and learn a little about you. That way, I will know what to make just for you! THEN, when you receive your package from me, you post pictures of what you received, just as I have done, then add the Pay It Forward button (which is at the TOP of this post) to your post, and wait for three comments on your blog...and the game continues on.

If there are any questions you can ask me anytime! It really is a whole lot of fun! Let's see how far this PAY IT FORWARD can continue."

I decided to post a comment and was lucky enough to be included as a participant.
Yesterday, I received a wonderful surprise.

A box from Campagne Maison was delivered and inside it a wonderful handmade table topper with Roosters (!) and a precious pink and white Christmas tree decoration, complete with tassel.

So.................my dears, I am Paying It Forward following the same rules as described above, the only difference being that I cannot promise that what you receive will have been created by my fair hand.
Oh, and one more thing........as you may already know I am counting down the days to my upcoming vacation, but I'll be sure to have your cadeux on it's way when I return home.

On y va, let's just see how far across the world we can take this.

BTW, some of the comments that have been left have asked not to be included in the PIF, so please do leave a comment if you would like to participate.

à bien tôt

Maggie

A "twofer" for... Metamorphosis Mosaic Monday

The bags are almost packed for our trip and the house sitters are poised to move in and take care of Mr Ben, but before I jet off to the peaceful shores of South Carolina I have to bring you up to date on what's been happening here at Le Presbytere.
I'm linking up with Mary @Little Red House for Mosaic Monday and also Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday gathering.
Please do visit both of these wonderful ladies who graciously give up their time to arrange these get togethers for us all.

As some of you may know this was the summer we decided to go for it and completely replace the old roof, it took longer than anticipated but these big jobs often do.
However, Rory the roofer didn't uncover too many horrors up there and we are very happy with the finished product.

Looks spiffy now doesn't it?

Last week S the G worked like a Trojan in the potager, clearing out the old dying vegetables and weeds, then laying down the thick black plastic topping that will keep those weeds at bay during the winter and help the soil to warm up next spring.

Is this a metamorphosis in reverse? I'm not quite sure but I'm happy every thing is cleared away for the winter.

We kept the blueberry bushes, the lavender & thyme plants and a few beetroots that may still be edible.

The next blog I write will be from across the pond.

à bien tôt
Maggie

October 1st, It's Fall Y'all.

I've been seeing so many beautiful photos and ideas for Fall decorating that I was inspired to put a few things together myself.

So, I'm linking this post to Rhoda's It's Fall Y'all party @ Southern Hospitality and also to the Plant Some Roots giveaway @ Life at Lakewood .

I bought this chest of drawers at the Auction House in Bayeux about 12 years ago, refinished it and placed it in the entrance hall with a mirror above, which I also found at the Auction House, a few months later.

I stood a plain glass hurricane lamp shaped vase on a pewter tray and filled it with an ivory coloured candle and horsechestnuts which fell from a tree, onto the grass in the back garden.

.

Placed a few more horsechestnuts, still with their green prickly cases, in a small English porcelain dish by Wood & Son, added a pair of silver plated pheasants and etched glass votives either side of an Art Deco bronze clock and an antique French pewter coffee pot on a small pewter plate.

I made the table runner from a piece of material left over from the Library curtains.

In the dining room window alcove I placed a shabby chic, red, gold and black papier mache tray which I found at a vide grenier about 7 years ago, and covered it with a deep orangey red and black paisley patterned fringed shawl.

On the tray I placed a vintage red enamel French coffee pot and filled it with some of the last hydrangea blooms from the garden and some bits and pieces from the fields and hederows.

I scattered leaves and conkers from the horsechestnut tree and some acorns too, around three knobbly colourful mini gourds which caught my eye at the produce market in Le Molay Littry recently.
A scented candle in a glass jar, for it's exquisite vanilla scent, an ornate, gilded, rococo wall sconce, placed upside down for interest at the back and an heirloom pocket watch and chain on a wooden stand and my vignette was complete.

A close up of more horsechestnuts in a vintage French pressed glass dish, standing on a Carlisle Ware plate, Burgess Bros, England.
When we return from our US trip, later this month, I should just have enough time for some Halloween displays, I hope.
à bien tôt
Maggie

Tablescape Thursday for the Over 60's.

I'm not sure if this post really qualifies for Tablescape Thursday over at Between Naps on the Porch, but I hope so.

Please join Susan our gracious hostess for more delightful tablescapes today.

When I was a little girl my Nana B belonged to the Over 60's Club. They went on coach trips, played bingo & had beetle drives. Anyone else remember those?

Imagine my horror when 2 years ago my DH became eligible to join "that Club".
In the tiny commune where we live turning 60 meant that he and his wife were invited to the annual "repas des anciens". A luncheon provided for the Over 60's in the salle communale (village hall).
Twice we made our excuses, however this year when Remy "Monsieur le Maire" arrived at our door with the invitation what could we do but accept graciously?

To our delight we had a wonderful time.

The autumnal floral decorations were unique, I think you'll agree.The walking stick arrangement was perhaps a tongue in cheek homage to the occasion?

The excellent seven course luncheon was catered by a local traiteur and the ladies of the village led by the Maire's wife were superb hostesses, anticipating our every need.

Kir Royal et ses toasts assortis
Coupe de crevettes
Saint Pierre a l'oseille au riz
Trou Normand et son sorbet
Rôti de boeuf et ses accompagnements
Effeuillée de saison
Plateau de Fromages
Pêché mignon au coulis de fraise
Corbeille de fruits
Cafe - vin fins
Champagne


By the way I recently posted about a 3 hour lunch that we enjoyed by the sea, the oldies lunch began at 12.30pm and we were the first to leave at 6.00pm.

I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into the social life of a rural Normandy village, we certainly had fun.

à bien tôt
Maggie

Outdoor Wednesday in the Forest de la Chenesse

Outdoor Wednesday seems to coming around even quicker than before now that the days are getting shorter.

Please visit our gracious hostess Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer for more delightful Outdoor scenes.

Even though there is a chill in the air in the early mornings the days are bright and sunny and so it was on Sunday.
After mooching around the Brocante in Le Molay Littry and before attending the Over 60's lunch at the village hall (more about that later this week!) the DH & I took Ben for a good long walk in the Forest de la Chenesse.

When we drove up to our, usually very quiet, parking spot we found lots of people milling around, they seemed to be getting ready to ramble through the woods or go picking mushrooms or both.

Too busy for us, so we drove off to find a quieter spot.

Have you got your comfortable walking shoes on? Is your dog on his lead?

Then "on y va".

The sun was shining through the leaf canopy and all we could hear was the sound of the occasional bird.

Enjoy.