My 'Carrot' for Texas

After months of searching for my favorite french antiques,

weeks of being sure everything looks its best,

and hours of gently packing all into my truck.....

it is at last time to start my 14 hour drive to Round Top.

Remembering the beautiful moments surrounding Round Top will help ease the aches in my body.

No wonder my Texas clients love my charming French paintings,

for Texas has taught them to love beauty !

A French Atelier, artist studio

I search for paintings that capture a special insight into an artist.

It is rare to find an artist studio, his atelier.

As in interior paintings, the empty room gives us an invisible sense of the artist.

The studio is just as he worked, not readied for visitors.

A drawing is left lying on the floor...

We can imagine the artist, on his knees, sorting through his nearby portfolio.

One painting is casually propped on the table, facing the wall...

wine and coffee out.

A landscape still rests on his easel and we learn what subjects caught the artist's eye....

perhaps giving a clue to what part of France he lived??

A true peek into the artist's life !

Lavishly Blooming Hydrangeas

Some gardeners have green thumbs....my grandmother must have had all 10 fingers green!

Her garden was filled with vivid colored flowers and her large, lush hydrangeas blocked the window view.

I rarely purchase floral oil paintings, as most pale to the beauty of the flowers I remember as a child.

However, this painting touched my heart!

The large framed size of over 40" in length will fill your room...as my grandmother's flowers filled her garden.

Great tips for growing hydrangeas and passing along family memories

http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/planting_fert.html

Paris-Roubaix, one of cycling's oldest races

A great find for cycling fans!

Le Paris-Roubaix 1933 painted cut-out wood sign.

The 70" length makes the cyclist come to life !

Started in 1896, the race is one of cycling's oldest and is famous for its rough, cobblestone terrain.

The winner is given a cobblestone (sett) as part of his prize!

Also known as The Easter Race, it is always on a Sunday, in early April.

This year, the race will be April 11, 2010.

Interior paintings, visual novels

Unpeopled interior paintings give us an invisible

sense of presence. Here we see a violin abandoned

in a chair and our imagination can suggest who and

where is the violinist...why did they leave?

The empty interior allows us to see the mood

and special qualities of the room.

I can see the wife arranging the flowers on the table, or gazing out the window...

what would she see?

Like novels...the paintings allow us,

in a pleasurable way,

to see how people lived.

My Favorite French Green Beans with Shallots

This haricot vert recipe is perfect after a long day

or for entertaining.

It is simple, takes 10 min to cook and the rich, slightly sweet taste will have your guests asking for the recipe.

1 lb 'skinny' french green beans

2 good sized shallots ( peeled and roughly chopped)

2 T butter ( I use a bit less)

Freshly ground pepper

French sea salt ( the finishing salt makes the difference)

Melt butter in a sturdy skillet on low med heat

Add the green beans and shallots ( I wash my beans just before cooking, so the beans are slightly wet)

Cover, stirring occasionally for 10 min ...or until the beans are as you like them

sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and the sea salt

serves 6...but I can eat half :-)

For easy and wonderful french recipes

http://www.easy-french-food.com/

Green for freshness, peace, and growth

In feng shui, green is a color of the 'wood element'

and will bring health and vitality.

Refresh and relax with these beautiful tall green lamps

made from pieces of a wrought iron balcony.

http://www.fengshui.about.com/od/fengshuiuseofcolors/qt/fengshuigreen.htm