Rebecca's Sanctuary

There are bloggers' blogs that I have been reading for ages.

What keeps me visiting again and again?

They are TRUE, honnest, and even when they lose themselves, they find their way into a brighter space of Liht and understanding.

This year,  I have a good 10 years since my first blog post in 2006!

Blogs started and abandonned, 

my mom blog that is now put on hold,

this blog that was just for collecting images, right before Pinterest came in our lives.

Rebecca is one of my favorite bloggers. 

She is talented

Well travelled

Well mannerned

Interesting

And,

did I say

talented?

I love seeing hr discovering and developping her skills of beautiful, personal, soulful photography. 

So happy for House of Bliss, her Sanctuary.

Ine her own words

I keep stopping & wondering,

almost as if on the brink of something new. 

Time to see & feel

in a whole new way. 

Seasons change

in more ways than one. 

I love seeing my internet friends evolve in their lives. move on witht their tastes, spreading wings and relaxing into a conscious whole hearted living. 

All images, Rebacca's own.

Please visit her blog and say Hello! 

here

xoxo

Rena

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain: The village of "Chocolat"

The medieval village of Flavigny is situated on a rocky spur, surrounded by three streams: the Ozerain, the Recluse and the Verpant.

The first written mention of the village of Flavigny was in the Latin form of its name, Flaviniacum, which appears in the cartulary (or charter) of the Benedictine abbey founded on the site by a certain Widerard in 719. In the mid-9th century, in response to the increasing frequency of Viking raids, the relics of Saint Reine (or Santa Regina) were removed from the nearby town of Alise to Flavigny in the hopes that they could be better protected in a more fortified setting. The relics remain in Flavigny to this day, although they travel back to Alise every fall for the celebration of the saint's feast day in early September.

The town was prosperous during the Middle Ages, catering to large numbers of pilgrims, both those who came to visit the relics of Saint Reine and those on their way to Santiago de Compostela. By the 10th century, the abbey had grown into a town, with a parish church dedicated to St. Genest in addition to the abbey church (dedicated to St Peter). During the 12th and 13th centuries, extensive fortifications were raised around the town; large portions of these walls still surround the village to this day, including the Porte du Val.

In 1632 the Ursuline convent of Flavigny was founded, and in the early 18th century a new residence for the Abbot of Flavigny was constructed. Local tradition holds that it suffered damage at the hands of revolutionaries.

In the 21st century, Flavigny has fewer than 400 year-round residents, although this number increases in the summer due to the substantial number of foreigners (Swiss, American, Australian, German) who have summer homes in the village. The abbey now houses the factory which manufactures Les Anis de Flavigny, small aniseed-flavored pastilles distributed worldwide. Various artists and artisans make their homes in the village, and it has become a popular tourist destination.

In Flavigny sur Ozerain in Burgundy was filmed Chocolat (2000)

Did you enjoy CHOCOLAT?

I Love it!

The 5-Step French Girl Workout With Model Caroline de Maigret

In Paris, there is no better gym than the street, no better sport than life itself. And though the French girl “workout” includes all of the same criteria as its American counterparts, it comes with a few minor adjustments, as demonstrated by stylist and model Caroline de Maigret.
The adorable video from here xoxo Irene

Meet my boyfriend!

Ok, so I am in love.
In love with a watch like I have never been before.
Does it make sense?
Of course, of course-not!
When did anyone fell in love with sense?

It is a fine specimen of elegance.

Starting at 11.400 euros, it costs as much as a good rolling car. 

Maybe I shall not mind waiting, 

and maybe I shall have a boyfriend second or even third hand,

and love every tick-tock of it!

xoxo

What to eat in France: Dessert

Parce qu' on peut resister a tout, sauf a la tentation!...

xoxo

Eating out in France

Eating at a French bistrot is charming, though not my best experience in eating out. 

I love the charm of the places more than the food they serve. Which is delicious, but nothing terribly special that you have never tasted before. 

So,

if you may,

get an invitation for a brunch at home. 

It surprises me how French women do not really cook. They rely more on cheese, crudites, and different kinds of bread and perhaps an ice cream to cup it all up. And that's it!

I'm going to adopt this technique. Happy lady of the manor, happy guests!

xoxo

What to eat in France: Street Food

There is something very tempting about street food. 

Something that makes me carefree. 

A surprise.

A delight.

Happiness in every bite.

xoxo

What to eat in France: Le pain

Le Pain is a blessing.

I know people will advise you not to eat bread, but unless you have a serious reason not to eat bread, it is imperative that you try bread in France. 

A simple delight that will put a smile on your face.

Breakfast, lunch, simply there,

a smile of the Earth, a blessing of the Gods and Goddesses

Thankful.

xoxo

What to eat in France: Part I: The Health Conscious

Happiness is a decision we make. A trip we take. The people we meet. 

I'll get you started though, with the food that we eat. 

Fuel for the journey.

It is happy if it makes us happy.

Is it good for me?

I bet!

Let's get started with a good breakfast.
My best friend who has the graceful body of a professional dancer, tells me that we do not actually need breakfast. Our bodies put every morning an hormone into good use, helping us move into our day without the need for any heavy breakfast as is usually suggested. What is more, milk (protein) and corn flakes make for a deadly combination for our stomach!
OK!
But when I am staying in a hotel, well, I kind of like having breakfast. And then make(perhpas) a few wise choices.

I did say "maybe"! That pain was delicious!

Cheese and fruit, delicious!

My French friend is a Raw expert. I used to cook raw myself, one and a half decade ago. It is the best, believe me. And you may try a softer approach, if it makes you scared of the total no-no. Believe me, you will be just fine!

With a little tossing in olive oil, and some olive pate, perhaps?

Those colours! Add a delicious sauce with some garlic and thyme.

Occasionally some saucissons are not a bad idea!

Or perhaps one is a sea person
...
And now I shall leave you waiting for the dessert!

xoxo

France (Yes, I travelled to France!)

After many many years of talking about it, I made it to France this year. 

Is it worth it?

Oh firends!

Every penny and every inch of the way.

Every journey starts at an aeroport. Or a port. Or your own car.
I love airports.

There signs I am welcome here

And promises I am going to see the places I long to see...

And enjoy the places I'll go

...

At home with Ines de la Fressange

Sweet, sweet, sweetest of homes.

a delight.

From Vogue France

Have you seen my other posts on Ines de la Fressange's home?

Look 

here, here, and here

N.B.

You may want to know that Mme de la Fressanfe recently opened her real life as well as her virtual shop that you can visit here.