Rain, Clementines and Mulled Wine

Image via Seabois

Yes, it's been like this all day, relentless.  I had plans to go to the big town today, I spent a couple of happy hours on Sunday Christmas shopping on the internet (nearly all done) but there are some things that you need your olfactory senses for.  The big town will have to wait until the rain stops.

So I stayed at home, did some work and marvelled at my clementines which have started popping up in the greengrocers along with other seasonal delights such as lychees and pomegranates.
  

Yesterday evening whilst I was toiling in the study I could hear MG rustling about in the kitchen, soon the whole house was filled with the most beautiful aroma, a while later I was presented with a glass of the most delicious mulled wine, MG had clearly been inspired by the arrival of the clementines.  He used Jamie Oliver's recipe which can be found here.

 Image via Jamie Oliver

I feel the urge for another glass coming on...

Almost Advent

How did it get to be the last day in November?  Advent starts tomorrow and I am starting to panic.  Cyber Monday came and went, I have a feeling this weekend will be my cyber moment, I really need to get cracking to ensure delivery.  We are away for Christmas and the New Year so no tree but I will be putting festive touches around the house.

There has been much discussion on blogs regarding high street shopping versus on-line shopping, for me it's a no brainer, on my laptop, warm and cosy, dog at my feet, glass of wine by my side.  Modern shopping centres or malls filled with all the usual suspects are my biggest nightmare although I will make an exception for this beautifully restored Victorian shopping arcade which is crammed full of wondrous, interesting and mainly independent boutiques. I will be visiting it shortly before Christmas, I will not be able to resist a few extra stocking fillers, there is  no doubt they will be wrapped on Christmas Eve.

The Victoria Quarter, Leeds, Photo from flickr

 MG has asked me what I would like for Christmas I have requested a wide angle lens for my camera... but then I saw some exquisite evening bags...

Available from here

How are your plans going? Is all your Christmas shopping done?

Wishing you all a Wonderful Weekend.

XXX

Christmas Eve

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas
With much love and best wishes
Dash
XXX

Christmas on the Cote d'Azur Part 2

The Christmas Tree and Pere Noels, post box in Sanary-Sur-Mer

Another day when it has done nothing but rain, in fact, pour, there were supposed to be fireworks tonight in Sanary and some of the neighbouring towns, sadly they were cancelled.  I have been coming here for ten years, in all seasons, I have never seen it rain like this before!

I have spent another day lolling around indoors, I hope there is some respite tomorrow as I still have a few things to do in town tomorrow morning.  A couple of days ago we met up with some friends in Saint Tropez, it was raining, the town was completely deserted... 

I love boats and yachts, one's that include wood, brass and sails, not these floating, plastic gin palaces, this one has 'Don't Touch' written on it, don't worry I would not set foot on it even if you paid me, which ironically is probably the point!

We headed off to hole up in a restaurant, for warmth, wine and pizza.  Love this tree and the chap trying to get his parasol down, at least I think that is what he is doing!

Back in Sanary, Sanary differs from some of it's better known neighbours on the Cote d'Azur because it is vibrant and busy all year round, shopping is always a joy here...

Have to have a rest and a quick aperitif!

Bought some flowers for Belle Mere, could not decide, I like plain white but Belle Mere likes colours, so I bought both.

Fell in love with this dog, sitting on a chair at one of the cafes, he was like a mini whippet, with the most enormous eyes, sporting a very fetching black, woollen, coat.

It's the orange season here, they are everywhere

Roasted chestnuts?

Christmas Cards

I am not sending Christmas cards this year except special one's for my nearest and dearest.  In previous years I have either designed and made my own or bought charity one's.  I do feel a bit bah humbug but I have just not got round to it, I even found a couple of Christmas cards in my car from last year, which I never got round to sending, because I could not locate the intended recipients address.  If I change my mind,  I can do it the French way and send New Years cards which is acceptable until the end of January.

I leave you with some popular examples of fine art cards.

Joseph Farquharson, Beneath the snow encumbered branches.  This painting sold at auction for £145.000 in 2008.  If it looks familiar it's probably because you've seen it on countless mantelpieces, it was a best selling Christmas card for Hallmark.

Winter Lady, Alphonse Mucha

 Boulevard Haussmann Snow, Gustave Caillebotte

 The Starry Night Vincent van Gogh

 Peace Dove, Picasso

A take on a Lord Leighton, this was me the other day, without the help!


I guess you could use almost any image for a Christmas card, I rather like this vintage advertisment from February 1923.

Or contemporary photography

From Paris Hotel Boutique Journal

Fox Terriers, Arthur Wardle,  OK I know it's not particularly Christmassy, just imagine a snowy scene outside that barn, some of those dogs could be Crusoe's ancestors!

The world's first commercially produced Christmas card, designed by John Callcott Horsley for Henry Cole, in London 1843.  

The first commercial Christmas cards were commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London in 1843 and featured an illustration by John Callcott Horsley. The picture, of a family with a small child drinking wine together, proved controversial, but the idea was shrewd: Cole had helped introduce the Penny Post three years earlier. Two batches totaling 2,050 cards were printed and sold that year for a shilling each.

Christmas Flowers

From The Flower Company via Wee Birdy

I am slowly getting into the Christmas spirit, I decorated the tree last night and had the usual nightmare with the Christmas lights a lot of the bulbs have stopped working and are not replaceable, so am going to to have to nip out this afternoon and get some new ones.  I have also put the Christmas wreath on the front door, however mine is not a patch on these one's, I saw these pop up on Wee Birdy's blog the other day and I think they are gorgeous.  I really miss fresh cut flowers, here in our rural, mountainous corner of France, the florists in the local town are a bit hit and miss and don't get me started on the flowers on offer in the local supermarket, they are crap, they have already wilted in the shop.  It's no wonder the local garden centres do a roaring trade in silk flowers.

  When we go to Belle Mere's in Provence the fresh flowers are beautiful, fresh and inexpensive, I buy armfuls of them for Belle Mere. I think when I nip out to the garden centre to get the lights I will also purchase  a few Amaryllis and Orchids in pots just so I can get my Christmas flower fix.

Update
Never, ever try to dismantle existing fairy lights off an already decorated tree, I am now attempting to put the new lights on, I am currently tangled up in ten metre fairy lights and very frustrated, not to mention the dislodged ribbons and bouncing baubles!
*Drink*

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend