AUTUMN IN THE COUNTRY

A season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.............from Ode to Autumn by John Keats composed in 1819, still so well describes the countryside at this time of the year. The skies have been exceptionally blue and the first frosts are a reminder of what is to come............

The days are shortening with terrifying speed and the days of salads and eating outside are ending, it is now a time for game and warming meals.........for pheasant and partridge, for crab-apple jelly and long walks in the countryside where the colours are beginning to change.........

Boiled new potatoes added to shallots cooked in olive oil and butter with added vegetables

This years partridge with woodpigeon and bacon..............food to keep you warm

PHOTO SHOOT IN THE SHOP DOGS AND BOOKS

The painting is 18th century French and the lantern is from Charles Edwards, over a French Empire table.

The beautiful black dog is Willow

With Ipads and Kindles are books becoming redundant.............these book plates for children have peel off backs and can be stuck into their books............stopping any arguments as to whether it is "my book" or not!

Available from the children's department!

ANTIQUES & CHILDREN'S PICTURES

Since returning it has been a flat out uploading of new items to our Julia  Boston web site and to 1stDibs where we show much of our antique furniture...........these are some of the pieces. A well proportioned Empire commode and an early 18th century walnut arm chair.

French Régence Open Arm Chair Circa 1715 with later upholstery but so comfortable.........

 

Good proportions ............

New items on the site can be viewed here 

Meanwhile the childrens pictures are in good demand, the characters are heading off to the USA, Australia and all over.





More soon...........

PROVENCE & LONDON

The last few days were wonderful weather, still hot but with the autumn colours starting.

a spotted horse and sheep on the lane to our house

Our young olive grove produced four bottles of excellent olive oil last year and we are hoping for an even better harvest this year................

  Our oil pressed at the mill in Salerne 

the olive grove on the right of the drive up to the house.

Like so many before us we ended up with the car towed off the motorway and staying the night in Vienne just south of Lyon on the Rhone. 

NEVER PUT PETROL IN A DIESEL !!!!!

The most wonderful Roman Temple of Augustus and Livia, 

we lunched in the sun  and visited the XII-XV  century Cathedral of St Maurice

The quality of this Empire period marble relief is incredible.............back to London where there was a photoshoot organised in the shop for Charles. Dave Mallows was there with all the paraphernalia need to photograph lanterns............these were for Architectural Digest and the Charles Edwards web site. Normality is now back, VAT returns, updating the shop web site, uploading new items to 1st Dibs and of course blogging...................................