Not enough hours in the day................

Not even scraping the surface!   Too much needs to be listed but keeping some back for an antiques fair in the UK for the New Year some can be found on: Ebay.com under "frenchfanciesinfrance"

Barley the errant house eating labrador has this Summer eaten my daughters mobile phone, two chair legs, several cushions, a cat bowl (plastic) and  more shoes than I care to remember - he has also had to be "done"  to stop him leaping on our girlie Jack Russell and upsetting Louis our "dog" Jack Russell.  When does the chewing stop?  He is 18 months old already!!

NGBF (new gay best friend) is here to finish some decorating on his holiday home, relax and unwind and walk ahead of me at the brocante!  But.....................I have a secret weapon - take a child with you - any child, preferably your own, give them a list and get them in front of NGBF who is now getting too fond of saying "you snooze, you lose"!

A busy Summer...............................................................

Lots of brocante finds that need to be listed .............................................

A beach holiday in Brittany..............................................

Rubbish weather for a whole week bar one day.........................................but the scenery and stone skimming made up for it.
A big Soiree in August for all our friends was also good fun, plus back to school, homework (in French and it doesn't get any easier the longer we live in France), a quick trip back to the UK to pick up "Jeanette the Vanette" - more about her to follow another time ..........................................all in all in busy Summer.

The easiest receipe for Mirebelle Jam

Persuade BH to fetch tall ladder, climb ladder and shake the tree. Remember to lay out large sheet to collect plums.  Stop errant labrador from eating them before you pick them up.
Wash and pit as many kilos of juicy mirebelle plums as you want.....................................................

Cover in 800 grams of ordinary granulated sugar for each kilo ie for 2 kilos = 1600 grams 

Give them a good mix, cover with a linen cloth and then leave them out overnight (not in a fridge)

In the morning all of the juicy fruit would have been absorbed into the sugar making it smell wonderful and leave you with a fabulous mush and mixture.  Add to a saucepan and keep on a rollicking boil for about 20-30 minutes, check to see if it is set (put a saucer in your freezer compartment) take it out when it is completely cold place your boiled fruit onto the saucer, using a spoon check to see if the mixture wrinkles up and separates, if it does it is ready to put into sterilised jars (I sterilise mine in a hot cycle in the dishwasher). Et voila!

Latest Brocante finds.......

Not all listed just yet on my ebay store on frenchfanciesinfrance (ebay.com) but just love the black softest velvet beret with red velvet band - apparently it comes from a "private association" a bit like the Freemasons but not as hush hush!  These associations could be to do with anything such as a particular cheese, wine or even animal.  Mainly it involves dressing up in a variety of glorious gowns (and hats) parading around the streets and then rounding the afternoon off with a 12 course meal (with wine for each course) celebrating their given "association".  Some of these associations have been going over 100's of years.  Unfortunately despite a very large badge sewn to the top of this hat with the words Poitiers and a rearing lion I still have no idea what association it belonged - answers on a postcard...............................

Brocante Bargains...........................

Rubbish photographs (sorry) but fabulous bargains!
Art deco jug, bowl and soap dish, perfect condition - 4.00 euros.   Collection French bottles and toothpaste porcelain pots - 5.00 euros.   And best bargain, wait for it................................................. white chippy painted Edwardian side table with rattan bottom in excellent condition - 10.00 euros.  Alas just can't sell them so they are staying right where they are in my Salle de Bains!

Absent but busy..............................Brocante Finds

Pretty 1900's gilt mirror - small size looks great grouped with mirrors of other sizes on one wall, 1900's childs writing slate complete with ink stains, ventouse domes (I have had two weekends of finding boxes of these) a bit like waiting for a London bus .............................they all arrive at once and then none for months!  Lovely candy pink striped quality cotton length which has a ribbon top edge (not shown) has been made into a curtain but could be chopped up for cushions (what do you reckon S)???    Shabby vintage metal bottle carrier, unusual shape, lovely for BBQ's.  Original 1940's "Mimi Pinson" sheer nylons - never used in their original packaging (very burlesque)! Dior metal sign advertising ENGRAIS (which is unfortunately fertilizer - but still liked the Dior bit)!,  and finally two authentic handmade dolls chairs, built to scale - a bit creepy for me as I am not a doll fan but could be good for maybe a baby to be put into the "naughty corner"!!!!
Lots more to come but after 3 brocantes last weekend I need to get my storeroom a bit straighter.