last of the summer wine....

As summer finally draws to a close here, I had the great privilege last week of meeting Ron Carlson, the celebrated American author/teacher who will be leading a workshop for us next July - our first foray into the world of top notch writing.

His novel, Five Skies, (Cinq Ciels)has just been translated and published in French and he is currently on on a pan France book signing tour.  As luck would have it his first port of call was Bordeaux at a beautiful vaulted bookshop in the heart of the old city called Machine a Lire.  

  

Just love this photographs of a traveling bookseller in Ghana.  Everyone, everywhere wanting books!  It warms the heart

And here is a brilliant idea, easy to make, for any of you who are planning to join Les  Soeurs Anglaises for one of our literary themed workshops next year:  An elasticated pencil pouch, with velcro clasp, to hold all your writing and drawing tools, in the most useful place ever.

... autumn nearly upon us...

Whilst the mornings and evenings definitely have a touch of coolness about them, by midday we are out and about in sleeveless t-shirts, and a dip in the pool is on the agenda.  Last weekend saw the regular village brocante, which seems to be getting bigger and better every month - which is great news for our textile workshop participants.  Here are a few of my finds....!

a set of pure linen tea towels with "CM' hand embroidered on each

a divine 1920's doll's dress

with matching slip, both embroidered with the initial "J"

an original nurse's apron from the 1930's

some unfinished smocking

 red and white buttons on hand embroidery

a piece of perfect stitching on the edge of a pink linen sheet

and finally a pair of stitched leather gloves for someone I know can make a donkey's ear out of a silk purse.

Homeward bound with my purchases, on a perfect French September afternoon, I came across of flock of geese in the middle of the road, on their way.... who knows where.  I tried to herd them away from the possibility of on-coming traffic and they finally flew off.... yes, further down the road!  I watched as they finally made their way to the side and safety.

 

When life is good here, it is paradise enow.....