A Quiet Peaceful Evening at Home

This is a follow up from my previous post, Bienvenue! Here are a few photos of our little mas to share with you.

Kitchen Entrance

Vintage Pieces for Dishes and Storage

Kitchen With Induction Cooktop

Cozy Kitchen Breakfast Nook

Living Room with Original Hearth

Comfy Sitting in the Living Room

Stairway Up to Second Floor

Master Bedroom

Stairs to Terrace

Outdoor Terrace and Entrance Into Studio

Studio Stairs, Loft, and Bathroom

Studio Loft Bedroom

Enjoying My Neighbors

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

In Front of Our Little Mas, May 2025

Bonjour, the photos of our mas didn’t come through in the last email I sent you. So sorry. I am resending again hopefully with more photos.

I confess, it has been harder to write here in France than I thought. Days are filled with activities, exploration, market shopping, festivals, friends, a bit of gardening, and yes, a bit of cooking. Evenings are the same. Simply, it is a rich life.

Many of you have asked to see photos of our mas. I don’t know our mas history, but wish I did. I have asked at the village Mairie, or town hall, and they don’t know. I do know that it is a little stone mas from 1850, situated in a hamlet in an older part of the village. Close by the village, our road butts up next to a protected forest and vineyards. The house is small, but very sweet, and now has a separate studio, which was a former tiny barn. I imagine a hundred years ago, previous owners would walk their small herd of sheep up into the forest and garrigue landscape to graze.

From our paperwork on the mas, for roughtly the last twenty years, previous owners have been women and interestingly enough foreigners, not French. Each have made their mark on the tiny mas with their style and improvements like skylights, new doors, new bathroom, new appliances, rooms with climate control, etc.

My husband John, and I have owned our mas for two years, and been here over five visits. Since most of the mas has been tastefully modernized, I really wanted to decorate with the purpose of creating an inviting charm, and a warm feeling with vintage and brocante pieces. I mentioned, I worked with a very special and talented lady for the last six months long distance. First, we put together our plan together (John had great suggestions), from our wishes, such as different dimmable lighting, new kitchen backsplash tile, sisal rugs, wrought iron railings, window treatments, vintage paintings, antique pieces, lamps, and decorative pillows.

It is not quite finished, but the small changes have really made a difference. Here are a few photos to share with you.

Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Sunset at the End of the Day Outside of Uzès, Occitane, France

A Tiny But Mighty Well-Engineered Nest

Out in the garden today, I noticed this beautiful tiny bird’s nest on the ground. I thought to myself what a symbolic nod to the spring equinox. It is not a hummingbird’s nest, yet very tiny, only 3” long x 2” wide. It is beautifully engineered, incorporating dried leaves in the mix, and deep to hold precious eggs.

I immediately saw this tiny nest also, as symbolic of a good omen ahead for this year. It spoke to me of new beginnings, prosperity, health, happiness, family and friendship time, and good luck.

Years ago, I had another bird’s nest omen, which was so strong symbolically and meaningful in my life, it was like it thumped me on the head. Funny thing, these bird’s nest omens don’t happen frequently, which makes them that much more special.

We must use our awareness to seize and appreciate these symbolic moments when they appear in our lives, as they give us simple joy and insight. It won’t necessarily be a bird’s nest, but something special to you, in your life.

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Bird’s Nest Omen

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Our Original Living Room, 25 Years Ago

Yes, it is hard to believe, but this was our living room when John and I first moved into our new home and property we now affectionately call Domaine de Manion. It looks quite different now, and many of you know the story and the transition over time of how our home and property evolved.

I want to call your attention to the clear stain glass windows above the windows in the photo above. There were a total of three in this room. I don’t know a thing about these stained glass windows. Who made them? The story behind them? How long they had been in the house?

With our home remodel in 2010, these stained glass windows didn’t fit with the house anymore. We carefully stored them away for 15 years down in our little basement. Last summer I advertised I was selling these stain glass windows for $75.00 each in my newsletter. There were in wonderful condition, and too good for the dump.

Two of the Three Stained Glass Windows Shown For Sale

There were no takers. Classic Consignment wouldn’t take them. We advertised on Craig’s List three separate times, and still no takers. We couldn’t believe someone couldn’t be creative with these three stain glass windows.

Finally, out of the blue, a gentleman called and said he wanted to buy the windows. He had seen the ad. He was going to make a greenhouse/potting shed for his lucky wife. We were surprised. He said he was pretty handy with tools and construction. He said he would send a photo when he was finished. He did, and look how amazingly he transformed these windows for a second life, beautiful, functional, and re-purposed!

A New Life Re-Purposed For These Stained Glass Windows, One Lucky Wife, One Lucky Gardener

We were so amazed when we saw his photo above. I confess, I was a little jealous I hadn’t thought of something like this. It pays to be very creative, and think outside of the box. What one person discards, it can become another person’s treasure. Before you throw away or discard something, take a moment to think how it might be re-purposed, or who might be able to use it in some other way.

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Remembering Miss Dior

Celebrating 25 Years

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Walking Towards Blue Skies and Blue Water on the Garden Path

I am always hopeful for the new year ahead, and what unknown opportunities, good fortune, and adventures are ahead. Sure, there may be bumps, hiccups, and wrong turns to cope with along the way, but we determine how we soldier through with our thoughts, experience, and intuition. And of course, with the help of those that are close to us.

As I am sure many of you do too, I write out my vision for the year, and what I hope to accomplish. It is a road map, sort of speak, to refer back to frequently to keep me on course. This helps me determine where best to spend my time, what makes me the happiest, and how to create my best everyday, as my every days unfold quickly into a year. I am planning to do this year.

1) Savor and appreciate even more the little and big things.

2) Celebrate little things, as well as big things.

3) Keep my awareness in the present.

4) Set the intention of resilience, for the long term outcome to manifest.

5) Think confidently, and outside of the box.

6) Plan to do different things.

7) Not sweat the small stuff.

8) Keep an open mind and a full heart.

9) Plan my work, and work my plan.

10) Be ready when the luck happens, borrowed from Ina Garten.

Wishing all of you the very best in this year ahead…Bonnie

From Our Home To Yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought I might share with you a few things I have done to get ready for Thanksgiving this year. I started planning my decorations, table, and menu, and it occurred to me that I was using many of my guiding principles. Want what you have, and use what you have. Simplicity is elegant, and incorporating “less is often more.” Mother Nature is astonishing and enduring beauty. Gratitude often follows thinking outside the box in surprising ways.

Vintage European Copper Milk Cans Are A Nice Welcome At The Front Door

Pretty Vineyard Leaves

I can’t remember a time when our vineyard and vineyard leaves have been prettier than this. The vineyard is a soothing golden hue overall, with a few grapevines displaying this reddish garnet color with subtle green veins. They were begging for a place at our Thanksgiving table.

I immersed and soaked them in water. Dried them, and flattened them with books to press them flat.

I wanted the leaves to stand out, so I used an ivory tablecloth, ivory napkins, and our ivory wedding china.

Picking up the subtle green veins in the leaves I repeated the subtle green color in my candlesticks. I used my beautifully etched wine glasses with vines and grape clusters, that further emphasize the grapevine theme and color. These wine glasses have been waiting up in the cupboard for just this occasion. The jeweled napkin holder matches the garnet color of the leaves and gold trim repeats the gold in the silverware and gold rim on the china. Small ivory votives add a touch of light and sparkle to the table.

My antique table is long and narrow, and it is always challenging to place candles, votives, flowers, plate settings and glassware together comfortable spaced. The grapevine leaves add amazing color and contrast and maybe a bit of surprise. I might add a few more on each end of the table.

Yes, the vineyard table is ready for Thanksgiving, but don’t forget how the Thanksgiving menu is really the star, and will be deliciously enjoyed in this setting.

A Vineyard Table Ready For Thanksgiving

I know you all are so talented in your decorating, menus, and tablescapes. I would love to hear from you what you have done for your Thanksgiving day!

Wishing you all a Thanksgiving full of love, gratitude, and deliciousness…Bonnie

It looks like we are going to have a good harvest this year at Domaine de Manion. This will be our 18th vintage. The weather cooperated this year which is a huge factor in a good vintage. The grape clusters have turned inky black in color. The brix (sugar percentage) of the grapes is over 20, and heading towards 23 or 24%, the range where we like to harvest. The yield looks good, maybe above average, but really can’t guesstimate how many pounds. We will have to wait until harvest.

Last year, if you recall, we had to drop all of the fruit. There was no vintage 2023. We are grateful to see the vineyard bounce back with a good grape crop. We don’t take anything for granted when it comes to our vineyard, and recognize each year is different, and what makes each vintage so different.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

A Dahlia Sentry Watches Over Vintage Water Cans

Just like that, exciting August summer rolled into reflective September fall and we have fall fortune to look forward to. What is your fall fortune? An abundance of vegetables from the garden. Savory new recipes using figs, root vegetables, persimmons, pumpkins, and squash. Beautiful jeweled golden, amber, and rust colors to wear and decorate your home. A subtle intensity change in sunlight. A tarte tatin baking in the oven. Your first sip of warm spiced cider. Crunching of leaves on your morning walk.

Take advantage of all the simple everyday riches that make up your fall. Fall is here, but for a few short weeks, and then gone for another year. That is one of the reasons that makes it so special.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie