Happy girl! That is me. I love Saturdays. Don’t you?
The market was too exceptional to not write about today. Packed to its peak, it is true but also tumbling over with bounty.
For once, I did not buy white flowers as the delicate paper-thin pink was too appealing…
…and for those of you that are wondering…yes, the flower man gave me another free bouquet! But not just any flower either…the first lavender of the season. And yes, they are more blue than purple, tickling my nose (and Ben’s) with a perfume that is soft as spun sugar.
But the fruit! It is positively luscious. Not a word I usually use as it strikes me as vaguely creepy but my other choice was ‘addictive’ which isn’t exactly charming either! I can. Not. Stop. Eating. The cherries! Why did I only get a half kilo? Why? I think that I wrote recently about “edible jewels” and whatever that was referring to is poppycock because these are the real thing. The strawberries aren’t half bad either. The poor things got a bit smushed in transit, so of course I had to eat them to put them out of their misery. We’ll finish them off after a late, late lunch of oysters and a glass of chilled white.
Ah, but time to move on to the goods. Because nothing beats a surprise. And there was an envelope waiting for me when I got home, exhausted after lugging around a filled to the brim panier in the heat. It was from Marsha! At Splenderosa! You see, I am a winna!!! Look at these gorgeous bracelets that I scooped up in a give-away. They are gorgeous and my photo doesn’t even begin to the quality justice. Marsha bends over backwards to keep her prices reasonable, so if you are thinking, “Yes, those are fetching but I could never afford that,” please go take a gander at her shop so you may think again! I will wear these all summer long…
She also included a second surprise in with her card, which that says so much about her generosity. Being in contact with her has been the true gift though. She is one of the wonderful ones who really found her place with her blog as she can bring happiness to so many people. More about her soon but thank you Marsha–for everything!
Now, speaking of lovely ladies, I would be sorely, sorely remiss if I didn’t take advantage of writing this little extra post today in order to wish my Mom a very, very Happy Birthday! Do you see that flower? That is how beautiful my Mom is. I love you!
Sending you all wishes for a wonderful weekend full of treasures great and small…And joyful celebrations to those that are revelling in the Queen’s Jubilee–huzzah!
Oh Jeanne, how I would love, love, love to take you around the market. You would love it and be so inspired, that I know. And Arles is a quick trip from Paris because of the TGV, truly! Only 2 1/2 hours to Avignon and then a tiny hop. Think about it for the next time please. 🙂 Actually, you would be over the moon for all of Provence…
Happy Birthday to your Mom, Heather! Thanks for taking me along to your day at the market, Heather. From the strawberries to the oysters it sounds like heaven and I can smell the lavender from here. Someday I would love to take a Saturday market stroll with you, but until then this virtual one is lovely!! XO
PS- I think monsieur fleur has a crush on you!
Stacey–that is exactly what happened to me! I always go overboard when I eat the first batch of cherries and oh, the tummy ache after!
And I have already worn my bracelets and must say felt rather special. 🙂
I'll pass on your wishes to my Mom–thank you!!!
Oh it's still early here but you're making me hungry!! I adore cherries!! When I lived in Switzerland we had tons of cherry trees around and every year I would get sick from eating too many!! And lucky you to have scored those lovely pieces from Marsha. I own a beautiful necklace I purchased from her that I wear frequently, always with the receipt of many compliments!! Wishing your mom the happiest of birthdays!
Thanks Heather. Yesterday there was such a continual string of noise outside, I thought that my head was going to explode! On a Sunday! Sigh. Happily, things seem to be a bit more quiet today. Have a great week!
Have you gone mad, Helen?! If I bake a cake for the flower man, he will take it as a sign that I am returning his attentions! Actually, it has gotten to the point that I will need to decline the next gift for propriety sake. This is France after all. Remi is no longer amused…
And yes, I believe they are Campanulas or shall I say "were"! Surprisingly, they are on their way out ALREADY!
I was so pleased to read about your win on Vicki's give away. "Sweets for the sweets" or perfume for a lovely lady…
Wishing you the same!
Hope the rest of your weekend went as well as this start! Do enjoy. h
Hi Heather
I am beginning to worry about you and the flower man!!! It looks like he is quite smitten by you!!!! I wonder what the significance is of getting the first clipping of lavender? I think it is time you baked a cup cake for the flower man. What fun.
I love the pink flowers, are they campanulas? Congratulations on your win. That is most generous (like my win this week from French Essene)
Hope your week is full of joy
Helenxx
You do. Because I was having a day a bit like yours (nothing on the cancelled Queen's Jubilee party lines but still) and Ben climbed up on to the couch next to me and put his head on my belly. All better!
The cherry on the wooden table is simply beautiful, what an image and of course one look at the pooch sniffing the lavender brought a big grin to my face, I really need a hound of my own.
Yay! Welcome! Any friend of Sharon's is a friend of mine. 🙂
Oh my, I think that your Hubby is brilliant (well, obviously he must be to have such fine taste in ladies!)–I love that saying.
And yep, the flower dude must think that I am some sort of exotic flower! Ok, that was lame…sigh.
Just found your blog via My French Country Home. Beautiful photographs, cute pup, and YES I love Saturdays!
leslie
I adore Saturdays too. I love the certain feel they have, unlike any other day of the week. Hubby sums it up like this: "Saturdays are when you wake up with nothing to do and go to bed with it half done." PS. I think that flower man has a crush on you!
It most certainly is. 🙂 We should go together one of these days and then come back to the apartment for a real casse-croute!
Oh Jeanne, I live a very simple life which is why it is all the more important to celebrate its simple pleasures. 🙂 Now, to head off on a grand adventure as you are doing, well, that would suit me just fine!
Hoping that you are enjoying the festivities today! How wonderful that you are still in England for the celebration!
Will pass on your sweet words to my Mom, Elizabeth–she is celebrating Birthday Weekend apparently. 🙂
Happy Birthday to the MAMAN of Heather…..as she is a true gift!
Love those braclets……..You scored BIG time today!Love that glass by the vase too…………….xoxo
Heather, I can feel that extra spring in your step today. I was getting very excited for you as I read along (a bit envious too if truth be told)…such a wonderful life you live! Marsha's gifts are wonderful…I am off to have a look…for some reason I did not connect on the jewelery…I love new discoveries. Sending an extra Birthday wish from across the pond to your Mom. 🙂
Best wishes Heather…
Jeanne xx
I love your jingle jangles Heather… fabulous bracelets… and those flowers… heaven… Arles, it's the best market of all… xv
Your kind comment made my day-and it has been a wonderful day too! Thank you, thank you.
Sending much happiness your way as your weekend continues…
I was savoring each photograph, Heather, scrolling down slowing, reading and enjoying…and thinking how I missed our market this morning because I needed to water my garden a bit. Then, suddenly, there it was ! This lovely photograph of those little bracelets and then I knew it was meant as a "thank you" to me. The little "Love" bracelet was included cause I do, love you that is. Yes, we are good friends and the cosmos has brought us together just as intended. I treasure you. Have a wonderful weekend with Remi & the precious pooch….
Whoohooo!!!!! Oh my goodness. I can hardly wait!!!
Have fun with Mom today–for both of us!
Thanks Debra! It sounds like she is going to have a great day! In my family, birthdays are a very big deal. 🙂
Merci Liene! I just love all of this fruit too–it is such a luxury–I don't ever take it for granted and it sounds like you don't either!
I can't believe that I missed that! But it sure made me giggle. 🙂
On behalf of Mom, who is not sure how to post on here (I should just set her up with a Google account), THANK YOU for the birthday wishes!! Just talked to her and she is giddy with talk of pancakes, a fun day, and yummy dinner and presents later tonight. Do you think anyone else has the "queen for a day" approach to birthdays like we do? And loved your post today with those luscious (not creepy) pictures – can't wait to hit the market when I'm there in ONE MONTH!!!!!! : )
I'm so glad I saw your post before going to our green grocer because I would have been sad to have seen that delicious cherry and not purchased my own. Ben looks so cute smelling your stunning lavender I love its color. A very warm and Happy Birthday to your Mom I hope it's a happy one!
XX
Debra~
I just came home from the marche as well, bags full of cherries and strawberries. I just love this time of year! Happy birthday to your mum, good luck to the Queen with the next 60, and may you have a wonderful weekend.
Did I say "Spenderosa" I meant SpLenderosa! Because you are right, her prices are well within reach. And yes, I have had the Michigan cherries (Paul's home state) and so I will look for them. Thanks for the reminder!
Don't know how amenable Karina will be to curling up with no walk to use up her energy, but we will see.
Thank you Judith! I actually just talked to my Mom so I passed on your wishes. 🙂
And yes, nothing like a bit of bling to cheer up a rainy day! I bet Karina is curled up next to you–at least you won't have to take her for a big walk…
Can't you get Michigan cherries anywhere? THAT is the real deal too.
How wonderful to have this momentary ray of sunshine. It is POURING here in Concord this morning.
Our local organic farm opened this month and we have had a few quarts of their wonderful strawberries. Paul and I were just discussing how today's downpour may end that bit of bounty.
You have to go back and get more cherries and eat them on my behalf. The only ones we can ever get here on the east coast usually come from California and are purchased at Whole Foods.
Happy Birthday Robin's mother! Now, off to check out Spenderosa — what better time to do it than on a rainy, rainy morning!