Chores are More Fun in France

Last night I was poking around my computer trying to find a family photo and I stumbled upon this little video I took of my husband last year when we were in Beynac; needless to say I decided to post this instead :))  When I view little snippets like this, that whole experience feels surreal.  In fact, sometimes when all is quiet in the house, the kids are in bed, and Ben and I are still plugging away on work/projects into the night, we marvel at it all.  There is so much love built into those walls!

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share this clip with you (even though I don't ever like my voice on video), as it captures a "live moment" during Project La Maisonnette.  And since Ben has his power drill out, this might be a good time to share a few interesting notes about tools in France, for those interested in such a topic...here we go:

1.  Random things like tools happen to cost a small fortune in the French countryside.  A tape measure?  $50 USD.   A power drill? $850.  I'm not kidding!  Suffice it to say we don't keep our household scale in our bathroom...nope, it's next to our suitcases.  Because when we head over to take care of business (i.e. home projects), it's all about maximizing that 50 lb. weight limit and filling our suitcases with tools (I'm sure the people scanning our luggage are intrigued!).  In fact, at this point, almost all of our tools are stored there at La Maisonnette and will stay there from hence forth :)

2.  One of the most fascinating aspects of the renovation was watching local artisans use old world methods as they assisted us in bringing vibrancy and life back into that little cottage.  It was like stepping back a few hundred years, I'm not kidding.  Read a medieval book about how they built structures and that's pretty much what they still do today.  It's incredible.  And it lasts!!

p.s. another great video is this time lapse of our friend Scott putting a jack hammer to good use on one of our interior walls (Scott, we love you for this...still).  Our goal was to expose as much stone as possible, but man was it tedious.  I'm glad I wasn't the one doing it!

Thank you for indulging me today my friends...it was so nice to relive this moment again.  Have a wonderful day!

image of cottage by night by Scott Lunt

Tolix Kids

A couple of years ago, when we were living in France, I spotted a little red Tolix chair underneath the staircase at Merci.  It was so cute I would've pinched its cheeks, had it cheeks to pinch.  I'm not sure there is anything more precious than a pint-size Tolix chair!  I toyed with the idea of figuring out how to bring a few home, as there was no need/room for them at La Maisonnette; but quickly wisened up once I started thinking through the logistics for a few seconds (this was definitely another I-wish-I-had-access-to-a-container moments). 

Aaah, but I have some good news for fellow Tolix fans!  I just noticed that Chicago-based Antiquaire is now carrying the entire Tolix Kids line, well beyond the red chair.  I'm dying over every little thing and now know what my daydreams will be made of for the next little while...

images via Antiquaire and Tolix

Food Styling + Photography Workshop in France Part Deux

Today, I am happy to announce that I am hosting another food styling and photography workshop in France this year with Aran Goyoaga of the award-winning blog, Cannelle et Vanille.  September proved to be the perfect time of year in 2011, so we've decided to press repeat for this next workshop, which will take place September 23-27 of 2012.  The workshop will be limited to just 8 guests.  Think: delicious food, castles, picturesque villages (one of which will be your "home" for the week), comraderie and up close and personal instruction...in France.

More details about the workshop are outlined on Aran's blog today so take a peek if you're the least bit interested in upping your game when it comes to food styling and photography. We would love to have you with us that week in the Dordogne region of France!  You can peek at images from last year's workshop here, here and here. 

images by Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille

Year End - Your Favorite Posts

To properly end one year and begin another, I thought it would be fun to put together your favorite ten posts from 2011--a year end tribute of sorts to the topics you liked the most.  Enjoy and thank you, as always, for your continued support!  xo

1.  our renovation in Beynac, France (we think about it everyday and appreciate your continued interest in the whole experience as well.   Merci!)

2.  a Paris birthday party 

3.  the Real Life Home series

4.  s'mores with a French twist

5.  a hot air balloon birthday party

6.  life changing advice.

7.  25 stylish ways to wear a scarf

8.  Pantone markers and other favorite pens

9.  easiest way to seed a pomegranate ever

10.  simple ways to preserve your child's artwork

Also, Happy New Year! Let's all hope {and pray} that 2012 holds great things for each of us.  Here's to putting forth your best self!

all images by Stephanie Brubaker

Rendevous in Beynac, France 2012

Just a heads up that we have opened our 2012 calendar at La Maisonnette in Beynac, France. So if you're looking for a quiet, peaceful respite in the French countryside, feel free to peek at available dates.  Summer is always a lovely time to be in southern France, but we also know that September through mid-October is typically beautiful as well.  In fact, I snapped this image during the first week in October, while wearing short sleeves! 

Vacationing in Beynac during the off-season gives you the chance to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the area when all is quiet in the village (our rates are more than half the peak season too).  I love going to the markets during the off season when it's almost entirely locals...such a different experience!  I look forward to trying truffle hunting in January (after stopping in Paris for Les Soldes); Valentine's Day would also be romantic (putting the fireplace to use is a must!); Thanksgiving would be downright decadent...and Ben and I talk about getting over to enjoy a simple, serene Christmas at some point.

We have really enjoyed having blog readers stay at La Maisonnette...it's been a pleasure to interact with you and we've appreciated your kind words and good care.  We look forward to hosting more readers in the seasons to come!

To Market

One of my favorite experiences in France is the market.  It doesn't matter if they are selling birds, flowers, antiques or food--it's all wonderful, different and visually stimulating.  I'll take a good French market in any form!

Last week we took our group to Sarlat, a large Medieval town about 10 or 15 minutes away from Beynac.  Every Wednesday and Saturday (with Saturdays being the largest and busiest), locals and tourists mingle as the best produce for the best price is sought out.  The theme of the day was "market to table" so Aran, Nadia and I toted our friend Ouafaa's beautiful basket and filled it to the brim with yummy treats to eat and photograph.  The weather was outstanding that morning, as it was all week (hallelujah!) and while a few of my favorite vendors were missing, it was still glorious to be there...

My market favorites down in the Dordogne included Charlotte strawberries (which we caught at the end of the season...wahoo!), acacia honey, fruit rouges jam, walnuts and sweet, little potimarron (in the US it's called kuri squash).  Half of these we enjoyed immediately and the other half we tucked in our suitcases with all our rinsed out yogurt jars (hello pots de cremes!). When we lived in France during our renovation, walking around this very market was my weekly respite.  Despite having visited numerous times already, it still thrills me every, single time.  I feel like there is always something new to discover and I never take for granted what an absolute delight it is to be there. 

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Prepping for Workshop with Aran in France

I've been preparing for and thinking about this workshop with Aran of Cannelle et Vanille for so long that I cannot believe it is actually here!  I wish I could express how fully grateful I am for this opportunity...it's been outstanding on so many levels.  As an added bonus, I get to be "home" here in Beynac and share my beloved maisonnette with Aran and Nadia.  I feel like a part of me is within these walls and having the chance to share this little treasure with new friends makes me thoroughly happy.  To me, every wall, every beam and every antique have a story to tell; and I listen to them every time I'm here. 

Yesterday we spent the day prepping for the food styling and photography workshop, which of course included a trip to the market, getting lost amongst groves of walnut trees (see harvested walnuts in top image), climbing trees to pick apples, and finally dinner at La Borderie with Daniele Mazet-Delpeuch.  It was truly the perfect day.  I could not ask for better weather and I'm now a big fan of visiting the Dordogne in early October.  Who knew it was so heavenly?  The tourists are gone, the weather is amazing, and the foliage is just starting to turn.  Bliss.

I have more pictures to report from today--the first official day of the workshop--but those will have to wait until tomorrow...until then, enjoy these small glimpses.  I hope you too have a wonderful week!

One of my favorite things about small, French villages are the streamers that hang from building to building.  They make any town feel festive, even if it isn't a holiday!

You'll never believe this, but that entire vase of beautiful cosmos only cost 5 Euros...how could you not smile?!

My favorite Dordogne treat...the coveted and insanely sweet mara des bois.  These wild strawberries are the most delicious little things you'll ever pop into your mouth.  In Paris, the famous Berthillon even makes ice cream from them (which is absolutely delicious by the way.!) 

If you followed my blog during the renovation of our Medieval cottage a few years ago, you know I have a thing for a pretty grove of linear trees.  This grouping was a new find this trip...we took a country road in search for wild fruit and found this instead.  A nice consolation prize indeed.

Ah-ha! Fruit is found off the side of a different road.  I climbed the tree to pick the best apples (at the tippity top bien sur) while Aran photographed our find.

I know many of you enjoy Aran's blog as much as I do and to satiate your curiosity I must tell you that she is an absolute delight and as down-to-earth and real as you'd expect her to be.  If you are thinking of attending any of her upcoming workshops, you should seriously consider taking the steps to be there. Time spent with her means time well spent.  I'm so inspired!

And last, but certainly not least, we drove an hour away to my friend Daniele's home deep in the countryside.  Driving down this lane is always a welcomed sight and dining with her is always an experience I'll never forget.  And to think the friendship began with a simple cooking class...

I'll be back tomorrow with more images from our first day of "class".  A demain!

Butterflies + France

It's getting down to the wire here as I prepare to host a food photography and styling workshop with Aran in Southwestern France.  For the first time in awhile, I have butterflies in my stomach...which is a strangely enjoyable feeling to be honest!  There is something therapeutic about being downright giddy as a middle-aged adult.  I'm excited, nervous and grateful--all at the same time.  I'm crossing my fingers for good weather, good lighting and safety and enjoyment for all. 

One of our guests, Emily McCall, was kind enough to snap these beautiful images of our village and the surrounding area (the workshop will take place nearby).  Oh, and if you didn't catch Emily's "real life home", then you must take a look-see (caveat: I approached her about featuring her home before knowing she'd just made a reservation at La Maisonnette.  Wild. Is it a small world or what?!).  An attorney by day, she also has a wildly creative side that makes it possible for her to be both an amazing photographer and amateur interior designer all at the same time.  Lucky duck.

Tolix Chairs

When we lived in France and I was constantly thinking about renovating, decorating and furnishing La Maisonnette, I talked about Tolix furnishings a lot on my blog...you may even had more information than you would've liked :)  It's no secret that I cannot hide my affection for these retro-styled French industrial pieces.

Here in the US we have an amazing resource for both new and vintage Tolix chairs, the latter being tough to find (even in France)...especially in multiples! Antiquaire is a fantastic resource for fellow Tolix lovers--owner Melissa Edelman has all sorts of fun, exclusive colors and styles in stock (magenta bar stool anyone?). I, for one, am in absolute love with these robin egg blue vintage Tolix chairs. Gorgeous.

images via Antiquaire

A France Fix in Just 3 Minutes

I am having so much fun watching this little video Emily made...over and over and over. What a clever spin--2300 images in just 3 minutes. I need a France fix today and this is the perfect solution! She did an amazing job capturing the essence of Paris and of La Maisonnette...thank you Emily!

p.s. there is music so if you're at work...

via Emily McCall Photography

La Maisonnette Summer Update

A few bits and pieces about La Maisonnette scheduling I wanted to make you aware of:

1. We have one remaining week open at La Maisonnette--August 26 through September 2. This is our only available week through mid-October, so if you're in the mood for a quiet vacation in the French countryside, this is your chance! Wouldn't it be lovely to take a stroll along the Dordogne river at dusk and snap your own dreamy image? I daresay, yes.

2. Christmas at La Maisonnette just opened up so if the summer doesn't work out, perhaps a simple, non-commercial Christmas in a quiet French village is up your alley? It would be so fun to cozy up to our new wood-burning stove while awaiting the arrival of St. Nicolas.

3. The La Maisonnette 2012 calendar will officially open up in the next two weeks so stay tuned...

Please contact my husband Ben, who manages our cottage, at the following email address if you're interested in any of these dates: lamaisonnettefrance@gmail.com. Merci beaucoup!

Le Jardin de La Maisonnette du Côteau

Arriving to La Maisonnette in the Springtime is a beautiful sight--the lily of the valley is popping up everywhere, roses are beginning to bloom, and the recently-added mini herb garden is thriving. What a sight to behold after traveling for almost 24 hours! While there we experienced unusually-warm weather, thus forcing the blossoms to burst early and fast. I'm not sure our Seattle-based family has ever appreciated sunshine more!

Anyway, I thought you might enjoy a peek at the garden behind our little cottage. We feel lucky to have these amazing terraces and are so grateful they were already in place when we purchased the home. I'm not sure we could've handled one more major project! Not a day goes by without lunching, breakfasting, or "desserting" in the garden and it's a perk we appreciate immensely. Being out there also allows us to admire the unique variety of foliage of the Dordogne. It's pretty amazing what grows in this region--everything from evergreens to fruit trees to banana plants...and on the same property nonetheless. I'm telling you, this region is magical for more than one reason.

p.s. Summertime pics here.

















































images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Vintage French Amusement Park

When in France, we spent our last day hanging out with Gabrielle's family at a place called Le Bournat (take note: the site has music), which, is best described as part vintage amusement park and part historic village--kind of a French version of Sturbridge Village, but with rides. If you ever visit the Dordogne with your family, it's a great place to spend an afternoon with children. During the touristy months of July and August, they even offer live music, which was excellent on a prior visit. Also, you can watch fresh walnut oil being made and organic flour being ground at any time of year.

A couple of years ago we visited Le Bournat on our first visit to this part of France--it was a rainy day and we ended up having the place to ourselves (see images here). It was during this trip that we put in an offer on La Maisonnette. Who knew what would all turn into? Point proven: life is totally and completely unpredictable!

p.s. I apologize for including so many photos--I couldn't stop at just a few--it's such a cool place!






















































































































































































all images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Foodie Films

One evening I thumbed through our DVD stash at the cottage and happily stumbled upon Chocolat (love Juliette Binoche!). We like to keep movies stored at La Maisonnette that were filmed in Beynac--it's so fun to watch them when you are actually there! Chocolat's river scenes were all filmed in the area and they even used the gabarres/boats too (think: Johnny Depp and the "river rats"). And that little road you see heading upwards is the road pictured in the opening scene of Juliette and her daughter walking in the snow donning red capes. Anyway, it had been months since I sat down and watched a movie and because I was on vacation, I completely indulged. I mean that literally.

Earlier in the afternoon my husband was heading out on an errand and I asked him to bring me back a box of chocolates from the local patisserie. Because watching Chocolat ALWAYS makes me want to eat chocolate (does it have the same effect on you?). I have to say it was absolutely delightful to munch on little seashell chocolates while swooning over Juliette Binoche's own cacao confections.

Here are my favorite foodie movies--as in movies that make me want to eat a really good meal. What are your favorites?

Babette's Feast (Danish, Swedish, French)

Eat Drink Man Woman (Mandarin)

Mostly Martha (German, Italian)

all images taken in Beynac last month by moi

10 Kids, 2 Families + an Easter Egg Hunt

I want to preface this post by saying how much we enjoyed spending time with the Blair Family last week (Design Mom & Co.). Gabrielle and Ben are lovely people in every way and their children are equally as adorable. It was so much fun getting to know those cute kids in person after seeing their faces on Design Mom. This is jumping ahead a little bit, but my kids were so sad the day the Blairs left town...this family truly left a void and we all felt it. My youngest daughter even cried, she missed that Betty so much!








































































We had an amazing time hopping around the Dordogne with the kids enjoying fantastic weather, great food, and lots of pain au chocolat for breakfast each day. Every child had a buddy that was their same age, which made for instant friendships and lots of smiles. With the children happily occupied, the grownups were even able to enjoy a surprising amount of adult conversation and even a "date night" in one of the nearby villages. We were quite the sight with the ten kids and two large vehicles between us (both considered industrial-size in France), but we didn't let our large numbers keep us from having fun. We picnicked, flea marketed, canoed, and played hard--and this was all outside the big Easter Egg Hunt we looked forward to so much.

On the morning of the hunt, we enjoyed copious amounts of sunshine and lots of heat; in fact, the entire week previous just as gorgeous! I was feeling confident the afternoon would be everything I hoped for. However, clouds moved in fairly quickly after arriving to the gardens and rain and thunder commenced. The smaller children had a chance to pick up eggs in an area designated for wee ones; but, most of the older kids were only able to snag one or two eggs before becoming completely soaked. We softened the blow by consuming homemade ice cream cones before running to the vans and cranking up the heat (who knew Daffodil ice cream was so delicious?!). I'm still trying to figure out why it always storms when I'm visiting the Marqueyssac Gardens with friends.

One last detail about the hunt: the eggs were real...yes, REAL! Can you believe the staff hand-dyed probably a thousand plus eggs for this event? We were flabbergasted and once again reminded why we love French things and French culture--the attention to detail. Plus, real eggs come in handy when you're hungry...more than one child dipped into their egg stash for a petite snack.

Also, it seems that many of you enjoyed Easter Egg Hunts this year too...I feel like I've heard a lot of chatter about them out and about. Did they go well? Are you finding that you enjoy Easter as much as Valentine's Day now, or have you always appreciated it?

Simple Farm-to-Table Dinner

The plethora of local markets makes it easy to create simple, farm-to-table dinners each night here in France. With 4 kids in tow we aren't eating out a lot, so simple, fresh, and local ingredients are the name of the game right now. Plus, I have to make some effort at making up for the almost-daily pastry intake :)

Today, over at the Cafe Zupas blog, I am sharing one of my favorite farm-to-table meals--a meal you can make anywhere, not just in France. Three cheers for an easy, delicious dinner!

You can read about it here.

Tonight's Sunset over Beynac

After getting the kids off to bed I noticed the sky was aglow in the prettiest way, so I ran downstairs and grabbed the camera to document the moment. This is what I saw as I stood on the balcony at La Maisonnette tonight. Pinch me...I don't want to go back to real life.

New Addition to La Maisonnette

A few weeks ago we ordered a poêle for La Maisonnette in an effort to make the cottage the perfect place to visit in the cooler months as well. It really makes a difference to have access to a wood-burning fireplace between November and March, so we bit the bullet and invested in an attractive, high-quality poêle. Yes, we already have a fireplace...after all, the cottage was home to the town oven several hundred years ago (read more about the "four banal" here). But, the poêle is necessary if we want to keep the cottage from potentially smelling like a campfire, and in my book that's a must! These types of stoves are very popular in France and now we understand why they are used so much--older French homes almost require one if you like things nice and clean. Since we've invested so much of ourselves in the cottage, this is the next step.

the coat rack also making an appearance this month / sandblasting the fireplace / before + after images of the fireplace

image 1 - La Maisonnette / image 2 - an example of a poêle - Charnwood

Save the Date: a Food Styling + Photography Workshop {in France} with Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille

I feel like beginning this post with one hundred exclamation points, because that's how excited I am to share with you some fun news. Are you ready for a little adventure?

This autumn, Aran Goyoaga and I will be hosting a food styling and photography workshop in the Dordogne region of France. Aran's gorgeous blog, Cannelle et Vanille, has inspired thousands with breathtaking images and delicious recipes. Her delicate styling and wistful storytelling draws readers in with a single glance. But, you already know all this, right?

How would you like to spend 4 days in Southwestern France, learning how to style, cook and photograph food in a beautiful, intimate setting? Sounds like heaven, right? We are planning an up close and personal experience that will make it possible for 8 guests to learn valuable skills as food stylists and photographers. This workshop will be unique in that you'll be able to spend several hours a day alongside Aran as she works her magic in the kitchen and behind the camera. Hands-on experience is the name of the game at this workshop. And did we mention it's taking place in one of the prettiest regions in France?

(La Maisonnette du Coteau is just around the corner from the castle wall there on the right...)























Guests of our workshop will enjoy luxurious accommodations at this beautiful manoir:























We will spend time together shopping at a local food market, which is one of the oldest in all of France.


























After a lovely jaunt through the Medieval streets of Sarlat, we will head back to the manoir to prepare, photograph and consume delicious small plates and beautiful tarts as a group. Don't you want to learn how to make these?

























...and these?


























As this area of France has become an significant part of my life, I've come to realize this region represents the essence of French cooking with its foie gras, truffles, walnuts and wild strawberries. And when you add someone like Aran Goyoaga into the mix, well, that's just magic.

So....save the date! This workshop will take place October 2-5 in the Valley of the Five Chateaux. Sign ups will take place this month, allowing a limited number of participants. More details will be forthcoming in the next 1-2 weeks. In the meantime, clear your calendars and get ready to spend four glorious days together in an exquisite setting. Can't wait!

p.s. also t.b.a. is a tour in February 2012 centered around Parisian shopping and a real truffle hunt.

images 1, 2, 6-9 by Aran Goyoaga / image 4 - Stephanie Brubaker