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February 18, 2016 By Shirley

Reminiscing of Mornings in France

It has been a little over 2 years ago since I took that glorious trip to France

with friends and fellow bloggers. It was a most memorable and fun trip.

I often think about the mornings there.

As I sit in a quiet place in my dining room sitting area

with my first cup of coffee to start the day.

Dining Room Sitting Area - Housepitality Designs

And speaking of “mornings” I am joining 5 fabulous fellow bloggers today

on their perspective of a Country French morning.

Country French Design Series - Housepitality Designs

I reminisce about the first morning in Normandy, France,

at the elegant bed and breakfast, Le Clos De Grace.

There was a beautiful sense of peace in the morning

as you gazed upon the glistening dew on the ground

as the sun rose to a glorious day.

Le Clos De Grace, Normandy, France - Housepitality Designs

We started off the day with a most amazing breakfast served on

exquisite china and Christolfle silver.

Le Clos De Grace, Normandy, France - Housepitality Designs

My mornings usually start off on the upper back porch, coffee in hand.

Upper Porch - Housepitality Designs

However, with the weather being quite cold, I sit in the next best place.

The sitting area in the dining room.

Where my vintage French enamelware pitcher and dwarf myrtle topiary

remind me of my days antiquing in France and traveling through the countryside

gazing at the beautiful landscape.

French Pitcher/Myrtle Topiary - Housepitality Designs

We changed hotels the second night in Normandy to another beautiful place.

Normandy, France - Housepitality Designs

Where the breakfast was served buffet style.

Breakfast Buffet/Normandy, France - Housepitality Designs

Love the silver 3-tiered tray.

 

Breakfast Buffet/Normandy, France - Housepitality Designs

So on these cold mornings, I sit in the chair with the beautiful wool wrap

that adorns the chair.

The wrap that I purchased at one of the amazing Paris markets.

Dining Room Sitting Area - Housepitality Designs

Here I find myself reminiscing of the wonderful mornings of France.

Where I most enjoyed the fabulous croissants and amazing fresh yogurt

in cute jars that we all hoarded and took home.

Dining Room Sitting Area - Housepitality Designs

The days always starting off on a beautiful note and with the anticipation

of a great day of antiquing, wonderful, wonderful food, and friendship.

Dining Room - Housepitality Designs

Our very first morning in France we were picked up at the airport by our host and hostess

and taken to many iconic landmarks in Paris, including this one:

Eiffel Tower - Housepitality Designs

Where we truly meant, “you should be here”, enjoying the beauty

that surrounded us from the morning . . .

to the enchanting lights just before sunset.

Honfleur, France - Housepitality Designs

I’m joining with 5 other bloggers to bring you this French Country Design Series.

Waking Up to Croissants and Coffee - Designthusiasm.com

Once a month we’ll post as a group our unique perspectives on a common theme, and this is the first of our three month series, “Morning, Noon and Night”. I invite you to enjoy the wonderful posts below evoking a French Country Morning…

Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Cedar Hill French Breakfast

Designthusiasm

Waking Up to Croissants and Coffee - Designthusiasm.com

French Country Cottage

French Country Cottage Bedroom

Housepitality Designs

Housepitality Designs French Morning

Maison de Pax

Maison de Pax French Breakfast Bistro Table

Shabbyfufu

Shabbyfufu flower market in france

Hope many of your mornings are reminiscent of beautiful places you have been.

Have a wonderful day!!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Country French, Country French morning, Dwarf Myrtle Topiary, Honfleur, Paris, Vintage French Enamel Pitcher 29 Comments

Previous Post: « I Hope He Is Right!
Next Post: It Started With A Candlestick, A French Country Vignette »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rose says

    February 18, 2016 at 8:27 am

    Hi Shirley ~
    I love you porch it is so inviting.
    How wonderful for you that you were able to experience France.

    I am a romantic at heart, and looking at all these beautiful mornings makes me want to do something of the same.
    I was just looking at how to create a French Country home. I’m not ready to get rid of furniture quite yet, but in a couple of years I will want to change out the family room furniture.
    I am getting wish boards ready for that change and French Country it will be.
    Have a wonderful day.
    Much love,
    Rose

    Reply
    • Shirley@Housepitality designs says

      February 18, 2016 at 8:35 am

      Thanks Rose…you can achieve the look by starting out with accessories….you can get such wonderful ideas to get this look from these great ladies that are here today presenting their beautiful French Country decor. Have a great day!

      Reply
  2. Pinky at designs by pinky says

    February 18, 2016 at 9:03 am

    Good morning! Both of your morning spots are so lovely. This should be a fun series! I know you just loved that trip and all the places you got to see and the items you were able to purchase! Have a beautiful day! The sun is out here and a toasty 29 degrees:):)

    Reply
  3. Cindy says

    February 18, 2016 at 9:10 am

    What a beautiful post, Shirley! For a brief moment, I was in Paris with you! Lovely!

    Reply
  4. Des says

    February 18, 2016 at 9:43 am

    You have a wonderful spot to start the day and reminisce about your trip! I hope to make it to France some day……
    ~Des

    Reply
  5. Penny at the Comforts of Home says

    February 18, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Ahhhh! Your post brings back memories of when I was in Paris, Provence and Normandy in 2010! I think we all need to have French Country mornings more often!

    Reply
  6. Lory at Designthusiasm says

    February 18, 2016 at 10:24 am

    Shirley, what a fabulous way to visit France! I’ve been there with my husband and I’ve been there with my daughter, and even went on a ski trip with the whole family, but I must admit it would be great fun to visit with like minded bloggers!! The spot you set up in your home is just perfect to evoke that same feeling… 🙂 Lovely!

    Reply
  7. Christy @ 11 Magnolia Lane says

    February 18, 2016 at 11:29 am

    What a fun new series idea, Shirley! And what gorgeous, gorgeous photos from your time in Paris. Thanks for sharing! XO, Christy

    Reply
  8. Pam Richardson says

    February 18, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    Shirley, I have such beautiful memories of two trips to Paris and one to the South of France! I loved sharing some of your highlights and memories this morning! I can just taste a French pastry right now, especially the flaky croissant! I love all things French, so this will be a delightful series! Happy Thursday, Pam

    Reply
  9. Cindy says

    February 18, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    Oh wow oh wow! What an amazing trip it must have been!! lOve ! Love the French tutor !! I love the way you think! Get up everyday and go antiquing ! Ha!

    Reply
  10. sheila says

    February 18, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Ah, la France est toujours dans moi! I one lived in France, and my memories are still so vivid. A friend wants us to take off and visit again, maybe with out daughters. Oh la la!

    Reply
  11. Our French Oasis says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:20 pm

    Loved reading about everyone’s morning rituals and yours reminiscing about your trip to France. One thing struck a chor with me, the little glass yoghurt pots. It’s funny, we live in France, we have lived here for years and yet I still collect the little glass pots! I still eat a plain yoghurt every morning from one and I still get a certain thrill everytime I buy them and that is at least once a week!!!

    Reply
  12. Our French Oasis says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    Sorry I meant to add, I hope you come and visit France again, it’s such a beautiful country:)

    Reply
    • Shirley says

      February 18, 2016 at 5:03 pm

      Oh yes, “Our French Oasis” I plan on it!…We all just loved those little glass yogurt cups and the owner of the Manoir in Normandie always obliged us taking the pots! Our lovely hosts were the couple of Sunday Brocantes.

      Reply
  13. Janet (Shabbyfufu) says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:58 pm

    Such a lovely setting and looks like you had so much fun in France with your blog buddies!

    Reply
  14. Linda says

    February 18, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    What a special trip that was for you and one that has left all of you with memories as well as some pretty wonderful decorative finds. I look forward to what you have to share.

    Reply
  15. Pam says

    February 18, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    Beautiful pics of France and your home!

    Reply
  16. Mary W Ferguson says

    February 18, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Your porch looks so inviting and so does the setting area in your dining room. Thanks so much for the lovely tour in France. I am afraid that is the only way I’ll be seeing France is through the tours that the bloggers take.

    Enjoy your mornings – the are truly beautiful.
    Mary

    Reply
  17. Nancy Brantley says

    February 18, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    Oh what great pictures to reminiscent. I love the look of the second place you stayed. Love eating outside with nature!! I am excited to read these blogs. Your breakfast area and porch is very pretty. I really LOVE that blue(serenity) on your porch!

    Reply
  18. Karena says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:15 am

    Dear Shirley, Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful memories of this wondrous trip to France!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    Reply
  19. Bonnie Morgan says

    February 19, 2016 at 10:46 am

    Oh Shirley, I relate to your post so well. I adore France and experienced all those special feelings and experiences you did. Isn’t it amazing how they have yogurt in pretty glass jars? I also was blown away that at gas stations / truck stops with food they serve you in real dishes- no paper plates!!!!! I love the croissants especially chocolate ones and the coffee is wonderful. Fresh flower markets on street corners add such ambience! I wish our country would take a page from their book.
    Love the pic of all of you. I know that trip was great.

    Reply
  20. Pam @ diy Design Fanatic says

    February 19, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I remember your wonderful trip to France. I love how it’s influenced your daily routine and decorating. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

    Reply
  21. Kim says

    February 20, 2016 at 3:16 pm

    Thanks for the memory of our special mornings in France. They were unforgettable.

    Reply
  22. Mary says

    February 21, 2016 at 7:18 am

    Très belle Shirley! I love your look back from your wonderful antiquing trip and adventure!

    Reply
  23. Mary Alice Patterson says

    February 21, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    Lovely post, Shirley, as well as beautiful photography of French memories. Your cozy spot in your dining room is the perfect place to dream and reminisce.
    Mary Alice

    Reply
  24. LorB says

    February 21, 2016 at 8:13 pm

    What gorgeous reminders… You can site and relax and look back at wonderful memories…

    Reply
  25. Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse says

    February 22, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    I so enjoyed reading about your trip Shirley. It must have been wonderful!!!

    Reply
  26. lisa at celebrate creativity says

    February 23, 2016 at 6:47 am

    Hi Shirley, I remember that photo in front of the Eiffel Tower. 2 years sure went by fast-lol.

    What a great trip and wonderful memories for you. Love all the pretty French-inspired touches you sprinkle around your home.

    Always a pleasure to visit.

    Happy day!

    Reply
  27. Samara says

    August 1, 2016 at 6:04 am

    What’s up, its pleasant paragraph on the topic of media print, we all be aware of media is a wonderful source of data.

    Reply

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About Me

Hi I’m Shirley and I am here to share my love of classic interiors, french country style, my passion for flowers and making our home, The Hickory Cottage, a warm and hospitable home for family and friends.

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