Today is Remembrance Sunday in the UK. Not yet the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, but the closest Sunday to this date and therefore a day when many stood still at 11am and marked a minute’s silence. We’ll observe another minute of silence on Wednesday of course, a public holiday here in France. With so much which is so awful in the world at the moment it is a time when we absolutely must remember what our ancestors fought for, what they suffered for us so that we might live freely. We’re struggling with a pandemic, but it will come to an end, we must remain vigilant and we have to remain positive.
Today dawned bright and clear in France, it felt more like a beautiful spring day than mid-Autumn. The temperature steadily climbed and after a lazy Sunday brunch on the terrace we took a family walk. We’re in lockdown once more in France and so we have only one hour, within one kilometre of the house and we have to carry an attestation downloaded on our phone as to the time we left the house and the reason for our leaving.
We took the dogs, the sun warming our skin and we walked. It lifted the spirits, we filled our lungs with good clean fresh air, we reminded ourselves that despite all that is going on, we are still so incredibly lucky. We have so much to be grateful for. Yes we live a lovely life here in France, but no it’s not a fairy tale. Life goes on as normal, there are still bills to pay, a living to be made which is almost impossible with Covid, there are enormous worries with the latest confinement. Our autumn and winter bookings in our guest cottage are of course cancelled. I never want to give the wrong impression here. I don’t want things to be saccharine sweet and a false representation of life in France. But I do believe in being positive, in realising that although it may be a struggle we are so very much luckier than so many. We have this,
we have fresh air and space, we can walk without fear. We are Lucky and I am proud of our children for appreciating this too.
So on this positive note, let’s look forward to the holidays and the festive season. It may be a little different this year and many of us will be forced to be apart from loved ones. But we can all make the very best of it we can. Many of us will have to shop online for our gifts with current lockdown restrictions, but I urge you to please try and support small businesses if you can.
We’ve been busier than ever with our small brocante shop, which you can find online HERE. We have individual gift baskets which are totally unique and each one is a one off. They are selling fast and I shall keeping adding new ones as and when I can.
I’ve been lucky enough to acquire quite a lot of fabulous antique Christofle flatware.
I’ve put together a 4 person place setting consisting of 12 pieces. All hallmarked, all antique, all Christofle silver plate. If bought new this would cost upwards of 700 euros from their website today! So I’m super excited to be able to offer this for just a fraction of that price available on our website.
We’ve salad servers, Christofle spoons from the 1800’s, a 24 piece set of spoons and forks, silver handled knives. So much which will honestly make the holiday table so incredibly special, things that will give that festive celebratory sparkle.
Imagine this incredible pair of bronze Napoleon III mirrored candle wall sconces. Twinkling in the background, genuine, individual and utterly stunning.
Perhaps my piece de resistance is this utterly gorgeous gilded Bronze Church Alter Candelabra from the 1800’s. It holds seven candles and stands well over two feet tall without candles. It is the perfect mix of religious and celebratory, beautiful and also practical. It would have been used for special occasions but also for weekly communion. It is incredible. Decorated with Fleur de Lys. I have not listed this on the website yet but will do so in the next couple of days.
We deliver worldwide with priority, tracked and signed for shipping and we guarantee delivery in time for those who celebrate Thanksgiving.
And finally another thing to look forward to and something I am so incredibly thrilled about. Remember our planned first book, “Audrey and other short stories” which we first gave you the heads up about a few months go? Well, it is finally about to happen. The hold up has been with Kindle. But finally everything is in place. I am hoping the launch date will be next weekend. It will be available with Kindle on Amazon and there will be a limited number of signed print copies available too. I will keep you fully informed, this is a dream come true and to say I am excited would be an understatement!
Have a good week and please stay safe xx
Our French Oasis 
I am so thankful we live in the south and we are more less normal. We are enjoying nature and country sides. Living a simple life, cooking our meals, Being creative.
We pray for our country, it is a sad time.
A sad time for some many people, Carolyn. I hope you and your family are keeping safe.
Hi Susan,
So love your blog it so reminds me so much of my family’s place in Cahors where the winters were so incredibly cold none of us wanted to leave the salon with the giant stone fireplace and my husband would always say, so exasperated, “how about central heating”!!! The house was built n the 14th century !But then the sun would come out the next day and we would hike and realise how amazingly fortunate we were living on top of a hillside surrounded by vineyards. America has just been through a giant sea change with the election and I am so hopeful we will have more peace and kindness and generosity in the years ahead. Keep safe, thank you for the lovely read.
Congratulations on the book and on your lovely finds, Susan. My s-i-l was telling me about the lockdown, which is quite severe. Hopefully it will help. It’s unbelievable how quickly things can change, isn’t it? Hard to believe that less than a year ago we could go out without masks, without documentation, and so on. I pray that will return soon. Thanks for mentioning Remembrance Day. We need to always remember.
janet
Hi Janet, apologies for the late reply, it’s been a busy time here, arrgh! The lockdowns have changed life for sure, but if that is the worst we have to endure during Covid then I guess we are lucky, There are millions less fortunate – let’s hope everything returns to normal next year sometime! XX
Our church marked Remembrance Day today in our online service, and Wednesday is a holiday throughout Canada where there is no school.
Such a difficult time we are living in and yet, as you’ve mentioned, there is much to be thankful for. I, too, am glad for the country in which I live and the way we can enjoy the outdoors.
Hi Lorrie, I ams o happy for you and your family that you are in a safe place. And I am sorry for the late reply! So much time to do things, ad yet so little time to do everything I need to do! XX
What a lovely walk that you shred with us! Thank you! Your shop has charming treasures and your gift boxes are very clever. I shared your treasures with several friends.
Robert, thank you! And I am very happy you enjoyed the walk 🙂
Positive thoughts for you and your family.
And for you and yours, Ann, 🙂 Stay safe XX
Susan, thank you for sharing this glimpse into your life….your worries and your optimism. It is heartfelt. We also have access to peaceful and beautiful places to walk in nature, but perhaps not as easily accessible. Most Californians are cooking at home, while some impatiently venture out to restaurants. It’s a sad and unsettling time. I, too, am grateful for my health and for positive change that is coming to the U.S. in 2021. Congrats on the book! Thanks again for your post!
Well done for staying positive. I see Jack is home. That must help. The gift baskets look charming — you have such a good eye.
Jack is indeed home – but we have to buy twice the amount of food and the washing machine is always full. 🙂 But then, we wouldn’t miss it for the world. XX
I don’t know how I’d get through the week without reading your family news. You are keeping positive and it makes me feel positive too. If only everyone would follow the rules, this virus would pass more quickly and we could get back to normal – whatever normal will be. Looking forward to your book!
Thank you, Susan, for being you!
Margaret C
Ah, but that’s the problem, Margret – people and the rules. Sigh. If only they would stick to them, then we would indeed be in a better position. but alas, I know that for many life is only bearable because they have no way of living UNLESS they break the rules. It’s a fine line, but it is definitely easier for some than others to live life within the rules.
Congrats on the soon to be released book! Exciting news.
Sending you prayers to help get through France new lockdown which is very strict. I cannot imagine having to document your outdoor activity & I assume any shopping trips too.
Everyone know is feeling weighed down with this confinement But we, the US, are not as strict. My main disappointment is missing friends and the spontaneity of doing activities. I very often decide to not venture out but settle for another day at home.
It could be worse. I often think of the European countries, like France, and the Channel Islands who were occupied for many years and worse.
Thank you for remembering what we call Veterans Day.
I am remembering my father who fought on D Day in France and then Belgium and Germany. I want you to know that the United States soldiers went into battle with a sincere desire to save the people of those countries.
They were brave and full of heartfelt
Compassion.
Thank you for this treasure in all ways……………
Audrey!!!!! I’m so completely thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beyond fabulous – so excited for you!!!!!!!!!