Callaloo Soup

One man's trash

We went "junking" again over the weekend. It was rainy, but there was an okay turn-out of sellers. We spent several hours browsing and bargaining. As usual I was on the look-out for vintage trims and buttons and I really struck gold this time. I definitely have my two favourite haunts there now! Lucas was on the lookout for "whatever", and ended up with assorted kitchen utensils, including the working half of a coffee grinder that he plans to repair. When? The jury is still out on that one. Lucy, who is a great bargainer, ended up with a milk pitcher from Limoges, among other treasures. I came across many wonderful pieces of furniture as well as linens, the kind of things I hope to buy one day to furnish and decorate our home. Some research is definitely called for though, since from some of the prices quoted I'm obviously clueless about the history and value of many of the things I saw. We left a happy (if somewhat chilled) bunch.

Labels: flea market

Call Me Fran

Labels: minibooks

Challenge Me

When Mr. Mojo goes missing, which he has been lately, I do challenges for motivation and to try to entice him back. This week I completed three such challenges. The first is the One Little Word Challenge. This week's word was GO.

Second in line is a challenge set by my dear friend Marci when she was the Visiting Chef at Scrapbook Takeout in April. To make a purse book using the Fancy Pants cards in one of the kits. Last, but by no means least, the latest Scrapjack challenge, a lift of the fabulous Ashley Wren.

Labels: challenges, scrapbooking

Another reason to be happy

This beautiful bouquet that Lucas brought for me this evening. I'm a lucky woman. I love you honey!

Labels: birthdays

Happy Birthday to me

I turn 39 today. Yesterday we had friends over to celebrate. This is the cake that Lucy made me. Absolutely delicious, it's all I'm eating today.

I told her the numbers were completely unnecessary, but oh well. At least I look 25! Genevieve and Yuriy brought me these flowers (I forget the name, some gardener I am). Gene assured me that they are very easy to look after so they might actually make it through the summer!
We did grilled pizzas on the barbecue (it didn't rain as forecast yay!),

drank good wine (Condrieu and Cahors), and along with the cake had a Fruit Wok for dessert accompanied by Champagne.

Today, even though I am suffering from an earache which I suspect is wisdom tooth related, I am happy because:

My Mummy called
My sister called
My sweet scrappy online friends made cards and tags for me
I am eating birthday cake all day
An old friend e-mailed to wish me Happy Birthday
I am getting birthday greetings on various scrapbook forums I visit
I just remembered that we have strawberries I can munch on along with the cake.

Life is good, even at 39 and just seems to be getting better!

Labels: birthdays, celebrations, Life

Yesterday

Yesterday was a lovely day. Not weather wise, it rained all day long and was cold. Lovely because we spent most of the day with Lucy and Loic. Early in the morning we went out to Les Puces du Canal, the flea market in Villeurbanne. It was somewhat disappointing- because of the weather or maybe the fact that it was a holiday- not many of the permanent stalls were open, and the box sellers were nowhere to be found. I did find a few goodies though.

After our chilly morning we went back to their place for lunch. After a fresh and delicious salad to start, Lucy grilled up some steaks and sauteed some potatoes. She used this amazing spice mix called zata (ok I'd had a glass or two of wine by the time she mentioned this so maybe that's not quite the right name. Lucy?). We had fresh strawberries and freshly made whipped cream for dessert (as well as the whipped-cream incident, but my lips are sealed!).

Then we just hung out, looking at photos and chatting. Thanks Lucy for the flea market suggestion! If not for that I probably would have spent the day watching TV or lost online, but instead had a wonderful experience.

Labels: Cuisine, flea market, friends

Yesterday

Yesterday was a lovely day. Not weather wise, it rained all day long and was cold. Lovely because we spent most of the day with Lucy and Loic. Early in the morning we went out to Les Puces du Canal, the flea market in Villeurbanne. It was somewhat disappointing- because of the weather or maybe the fact that it was a holiday- not many of the permanent stalls were open, and the box sellers were nowhere to be found. I did find a few goodies though.

After our chilly morning we went back to their place for lunch. After a fresh and delicious salad to start, Lucy grilled up some steaks and sauteed some potatoes. She used this amazing spice mix called zata (ok I'd had a glass or two of wine by the time she mentioned this so maybe that's not quite the right name. Lucy?). We had fresh strawberries and freshly made whipped cream for dessert (as well as the whipped-cream incident, but my lips are sealed!).

Then we just hung out, looking at photos and chatting. Thanks Lucy for the flea market suggestion! If not for that I probably would have spent the day watching TV or lost online, but instead had a wonderful experience.

Labels: Cuisine, flea market, friends

Les Puces du Canal

That's the name of the flea market we went to yesterday (marche des puces means flea market in French). It was a little disappointing because most of the stalls were closed, and those that were open were mainly antique furniture. Beautiful stuff but way out of our league at the moment (who am I kidding, unless we win the lotto they are way of our league indefinitely). Usually there are box sellers in the yard, but with the bad weather only a few turned up. We did score a few treasures though. Lucas fell for what we think is a cake frosting spatula for the grand price of 1 euro. I eventually found what I was looking for, vintage trim and buttons. She had a good selection, it was hard to control myself!

I can't wait to start using these in my projects! I'll definitely be going back one weekend, when the weather is good and more sellers are there, because I am sure I can find lots more goodies.

Lucy cleaned up as well. You can read about her finds here.

Labels: flea market, found objects

I love Vieux Lyon, I

I love Vieux Lyon, I could take photos there every day and never get tired of it.

Labels: Vieux Lyon

Internet Overdose

I've been spending way too much time online lately (and yet, not blogging, why is that?). Between hanging out at Self-Addressed, Scrapppin Trends, Scrapbook Takeout, Two Peas and checking out new sites like Scrapperie and Scrap In Style, I'm sure I've logged many thousands of internet miles. If only they could be cashed in for a ticket home! And blog surfing of course, a day can't go by without me checking in on my favourites (thank you Google Reader). What is it about cyber space that just sucks you in and keeps you there? I think if I could find a cure for that I'd be a rich woman. But then, do we really want a cure?

All that to say that I need to re-focus myself on my goals, including keeping my own blog up to date. I think I get so overwhelmed and over stimulated with all that information that I am then demotivated. But all is not lost. I'm awake early today because we are heading off to the flea market. Hoping to find some fun stuff! Look for a post on that later. I also have two other posts in the works, those should follow shortly.

Happy Thursday!

Labels: Blogging, focus, internet