Author – Autumn (Janette)
La rentree. That’s what the French call the end of their holidays when they are coming back to the real world. And that is what I am doing now. We have returned from our amazing bicycle trip from Omaha Beach in the northwest of France to St. Maries de la Mer in the southeast of France. I will share some photos with you later, but today I am excited to show you the one and only souvenir I brought back with me – other than a leg full of punctures and future scars from a dog bite.
When you travel through a country on a bicycle, there is not much room for souvenirs. However, when the trip was over, Mr. Autumn and I took a van to Nimes where we caught a train to Paris. While we were waiting for our train, I noticed a flea market taking place in the square outside of the station. I had 12 euros (about $16.00) burning in my pocket, and at Mr. Autumn’s encouragement, I decided to go take a look.
There were lots of very cute and reasonably priced items, but this one caught my eye, and it was only 12 euros. It was meant to be.
I bought this adorable demi-john. I didn’t even haggle over the price with the lady. It was a good deal.
Since it was about the same size as a gallon of milk, it fit perfectly into my nearly empty backpack.
It has loads of character and charm.
And since I bought it in France at the end of an amazing holiday, it is even more special.
I used it as the inspiration for the fall vignette I put together for our foyer table. It is sitting on some books that I bought a few years ago at the library’s annual book sale just because they were the right colors for fall.
I added my bunch of wheat. This is probably the tenth year I have used this wheat in our fall decorating. When I’m finished with it, I simply wrap it in some tissue paper and store it in a drawer until the next year.
I put some of my pheasant feathers into an old spool with an orangish top, and voila! I had a very attractive table top. The lamp that was already there and which I wrote about here, had the perfect colors to complete the look.
After I wrote this post, I was cleaning out my closet for fall and I found Mr. Autumn’s box of memorabilia from his childhood. We stashed it in my closet when we moved, and I decided it was time to find a place for it. Meanwhile, I decided to look through the papers, and I found this little treasure. It’s a drawing that he did in elementary school. Since it is now autumn, and “Autumn” is my nom de plume for this blog, I decided to frame it and use it in our fall decor.
Doesn’t it look adorable? Who needs fine art when you can have a fifty-plus year old crayon drawing on construction paper? And the good thing is, I found some Christmas drawings in his box, too.
So, there you have it: my French find and my closet find. We are all over the place here at The 2 Seasons, but we’re havin’ fun!
Take care.
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Awww…that art work is the sweetest. Love the demi john. I have never had any luck finding a good priced one. thanks for sharing with my newbie party.
Demi-johns are popping up all over the place. I must say they do make a nice display item. You have a lovely blog, looking forward to seeing more.
Lisa
Love the demi john, and you are right that is the best art work. Love the wheat stalks and feathers. Nice job.
Love the demi-john and the artwork is adorable! Lovely photos! I can hardly wait to hear more and see photos of your bicycle trip through France! How exciting! I don’t have a daughter, but I think it’s a great idea to do a mother-daughter blog. I’m your newest follower!
Cindy
Great find. Love demi-johns. That nostalgic artwork is so cute.
I would love to hear about your european biking trips. Do you schedule it with a tour or do you venture out on your own? Do you take your own bikes? do you make reservations ahead of time or just wing it? A “how to post” would be great!!
Sounds like a wonderful trip, a flee market in Paris, Wow! How wonderful for you and your daughter to share a blog, another someday wish for me…
I love the entire story of how your vignette has come together. It really makes something beautiful really special. Thanks for sharing!
Lacy
That’s a wonderful demi-john and it is the perfect addition to your fall decor. This is my first visit to your blog. I hope that you will stop by and visit me too.
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
@ Ash Tree Cottage
What great finds, especially the 50 year old crayon drawing. Love the combination!
So nice to have some of hubby’s artwork on display. You can tell he took his art assignments very serious with his meticulous coloring! The whole vignette looks great, even though I am not ready to accept that summer is over and fall is really here…… :-((
I love cherished memories from childhood. The demi-john is great. Good luck on the dog bites!
🙂 CAS
Love your finds!
What a great find! Laura Cottage and Broome
What a fantastic find!
I would love for your to post this gem up on Fall In Love linky party on Wednesday.
Until then come by and see my spectacular new spice cabinet.
Love the demi john and the beautiful fall vignette. Of course the art is the cherry on top, what a treasure.
Your vignette looks amazing! Love your new French Normandy find and your hubbie’s sweet artwork,
We visited all the sites in Normandy a few years back. What a lovely countryside. Gorgeous homes and architecture — and the history!
Love it there,
Sorry about your dog bite. Ouch. Hope you are healing quickly.
xx
Alison