Tel Aviv

Everyone recognizes this, don't they?

A windy day at the beach

They play music on the beach and everyone dances

Friends enjoying the sunshine

The brave go kite surfing

Good new friends

Peggy, my new best friend

Where we met every morning

The very best hummus ever

Start the day with this gorgeous drink

I would like to post a few pictures of the lovely people I met in Tel Aviv.

Having met Peggy in London at a wedding she was my first contact in Tel Aviv. Due to her kindness and generosity, she introduced me to many of her friends.

Our days started out at a beach cafe called La La Land for breakfast of yummy granola and beautiful cappuccinos. Later there was shopping, sight seeing and of course more eating.

Peggy hosted a lovely dinner in my honor and I was truly touched.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this beautiful city by the sea.

Shalom

Katie's Bridal Shower

Basket of lavender scented items for each guest

The guests loved their French inspired gifts

Beautiful macaroons from Lette Beverly Hills

Yummy salad, all the food was delicious

Shrimp and Gazpacho shooters

Guests celebrating with champagne, guava martinis and more

Beautiful girls my daughter-in-law Katrina and my 90 year old Aunt Ann

Katie opening my gift

Katie, her friend and my granddaughter Amanda

The mothers- in- law, my daughter Debbie and Katie's mom Karen

It's hard to believe but yes it's true, my grandson David is getting married. He is marrying the lovely Katie O'Brien and we gave her a bridal shower in Los Angeles to celebrate the ocassion.

I flew in from Paris two days before so it was "hit the road running". Without the very capable hands of my daughter Debbie and daughter-in-law Katrina (at who's house the event took place) it would not have happened.

On the invitation I asked for each person to bring a gift appropriate for a particular time of day. Everyone complied so she got tea sets for 4 o'clock, breakfast things for 8AM etc. and my gift was for midnight so I gave Katie a lovely lavender silk chemise de noir and peignoir. She loved it.

We all had a wonderful time.

Trip to Israel, Jerusalem Days

Jaffa Gate in the Old Town

View of plaza at the Western Wall

Church of the Sepulchre

Me at the Western Wall

Yael showing me the mosaic of the city

Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum

View of the Museum

Mosaic in the Childrens Garden

Lunch at the Kibbutz

Gorgeous salad of peppers and garlic

Look at this beautiful pita bread

Cole Slaw at Tzuba

Simply the best Hummus and Tahini

What an amazing, powerful, spiritual trip I had to the land of Milk and Honey.

I stayed in Tel Aviv and traveled to Jerusalem to see the amazing places I had heard of my whole life. With my guide, Yael, we went through the old city and saw the Arab, Christian and Jewish quarters.

We went to the Western Wall where I prayed for peace as I thought this was where I stood a good chance of being heard. Many others were praying there too, with the men on one side and the women on the other.

One of the highlights was going to the Tzuba Kibbutz. There are not many left so it was interesting for me to see how communal living still exists. As we strolled the grounds it was apparent that this lifestyle was still working. The lawns were perfectly groomed, the children in day care were beautiful, clean and dressed well, the public rest rooms were spotless with fresh flowers on the counter near the sink.

Without doubt, the dining room was the highlight of the Kibbutz. All meals are eaten there as the houses generally do not have kitchens.

I asked Yael if we could have lunch there and she said of course, so we did. The pictures will show just how beautiful the food is and how much attention is paid to the presentation. A resident family joined us for lunch and I asked them so many questions and they so kindly answered me. The father is a world class Hebrew scholar and lectures regularly around the world. At the Kibbutz, he is the driver who takes people where they want to go. Everyone has a job at the Kibbutz and those who do work outside give the money they earn to the Kibbutz.

Another day we went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem. It was an amazing experience, one I will never forget.

Future Plans

I can't believe it has been so long since I posted on my blog. I can't give you any reason at all except how busy I was during the holidays (no excuse).

I arrived in France just before Christmas and spent Christmas Day at a family dinner (not my family as they are all in the U.S.) Then on to Boxing Day open houses, New Years Eve, New Years Day and on and on.

I am planning a trip to Israel in February, I have looked forward to this for so long. Of course, I will add pictures and comments when I return the middle of the month.

Besides that I am going on my semi-annual trip to Chablis with my friends the Watsons.

That's it for now.

Thanks for following me.

Love,

Audrey

Our Pop Up Shop

The pop up shop was held at this beautiful home in Highland Park Texas
Dining room table stocked with linens
Absinthe glasses with their silver spoons containing sugar cubes which the absinthe passes through
We served individual bottles of champagne sipped through red/white striped straws
Gorgeous old cutting boards
Lovely old jam jars and ancient keys
Fun enamelware
Old wine and beer bottles and glasses
Chateau linens
Old grain sack upholstered chair
Grain sack cushions and chateau sheets
Antique grain sack pillows

Last weekend was a very exciting time for me. We had our first pop up shop to introduce French Vintage Home to friends and family in Dallas. We had a record turnout at the house we used on Lakeside, the most prestigious street in Dallas.

The sale was a huge success and people seemed to love the things I brought back from the brocantes (flea markets ) in the Perigord region of France where I have my home.

We sold lots of kitchen towels, Quimper pottery, cutting boards, pillows and more.

Our website isn't quite ready but when it is you can click on www.frenchvintagehome.com and see all the treasures.

Above are pictures of the event. My partner Laura did a beautiful job of styling the merchandise. I hope you enjoy.

A bientôt,

Audrey

I LOVE CHABLIS

Here he is in full dress

Dinner the last night
I enjoyed a bit myself
The Grand Master
Chris, Liz and their guests
Yum Yum tasting vintages from 2000-2011
Barrels of Chablis
At the wine cellar of Lynn
Banquet celebrating Chris Watson
Gulp, gulp, gulp.....
Wine tastings took place in these kiosks

What a wonderful weekend I just had celebrating with Chris Watson and his family and friends. A fabulous time was had by all.

A Bientot