Wednesday, June 6, 2012

One word with Sharon from My French Country Home

Told you I would be changing up my banner often, I am in a hydrangea frame of mind lately.....they are like summers poster child!


Also for those of you who asked, the new blue and white ginger jars and oversized bowl are now up on my shop site

Good morning! Well I am down to the last two guests posts for my "One word" series, before I start brainstorming about another series highlighting some of my favorite bloggers.   Its been such a pleasure featuring so many incredibly talented women, and today's guest is no exception. Sharon from My French Country Home is, as many of you know a source of amazing French inspiration, who lives in the most idyllic countryside of France. Visiting her on her blog truly is my guilty pleasure every morning where I get to see beautiful France through her eyes, whether its her horses meandering right outside her front door, or her trips to the local brocante fairs or even simple things like taking a long leisurely walk accompanied by the family pooches through the picturesque fall foliage.

 If you want to get taken away and I do not say taken away lightly,  to the beautiful countryside of France, make no mistake.......it doesn't get better than visiting My French Country Home.
So I was thrilled when Sharon agreed to be my guest today and as I started reading over her post, I got lost in a beautiful, dreamy world of a time gone by,a picturesque place where time really does stand still and where things move a little slower allowing one to savor all of life's simple pleasures. Reading over this was, believe me,  absolute bliss so today I am just  thrilled to share the goodness with you, my dear readers and followers.  Enjoy and thank you Sharon!

I just have to show you few images from Sharon's blog and yes these are all her images taken from her so called "every day life". Guess "every day life" is a relative term, snapshots of mine would include a crazy long Starbucks line of caffeine craving overworked mortals, me sitting in a carpool line, me yelling at some telemarketer for bothering me when I am trying to multitask, waking up running around screaming for everyone to get up when we are running late, sitting in a traffic jam somewhere, etc.......now here is a glimpse into every day life over at My French Country home. NOW,  do you see what the fuss is all about? Ahhhh, feel my blood pressure lowering already!


On top of this Sharon has so graciously decided to do a giveaway! And let me tell you its a wonderful one! As if her blog is not gift enough.......








Now wipe the drool from your chin, and take a look at what Sharon has to say:)
Sharon, the floor is yours..........




  One quality I love in people is: honesty.

  If my house could only be furnished in one color it would definitely
have to be: pale greige,  so I could layer other colours against it

 One luxury I cannot live without is: space.



 If I had to have one designer decorate my entire house with no input from me it would have to be: my sister, a very gifted interior designer.


  If I had to choose coffee or tea it would be: tea.




  One talent I wish I had is: a cool singing voice.



  I think most people would agree I am: very determined.

-  If I could change one quality about myself it would be to be: better organised.





  One place I would love to revisit: Scotland.   

  One place I am longing to visit is: Buenos Aires.

  One career I could see myself having would be: as an artist

 If food is therapy, when stressed I indulge in:
 French bread and home-made jam.



-  One of my favourite brands for clothing is gerard darel,

-  If my life were a book, the title would be  "She didn’t like to sit still!.

-  My favourite flower is the peony




 I would love to have coffee and a chat session with
this famous person:   Karen Blixen.

  Hollywood is:   a long way away,

  Tuscany or Provence?:   Tuscany to improve my Italian.

 The next presidential election will be:  as unsurprising as the last.

 The one best thing about blogging is:   to have friends on all time zones.

 A guilty pleasure for me is:   a fresh croissant.




 A clothing designer I think that has great style is: Tom Ford.

 My strongest quality would have to be: my resistance.

  The best restaurant I have ever been to was:  without a doubt La Méditarenée in paris.

  Most overrated actor/actress is ...  no, sorry,  I don’t like to say mean things about people.

  If my life were a documentary, I could see this actress playing me:
nathalie baye.



Town or country?  country, country, country, country, country, country....  did I mention I like to live in the country?

 One person I admire: is  a lady near here, in her 80’s who single- 

handedly runs a huge château and beautiful gardens that people
come to see from miles around.







  Pick a decade to live in, any decade: 1870-80.


  My favourite room of my house is: my entrance hall .
 
  If I were an animal I would be: a dog, they have such a cool life.



   A book I would recommend to everyone would be: West with the Night.

  If I were planning a huge family reunion,  I would want to have it:
here in my garden.





One thing I wish everyone could be more of is: thoughtful.



In one word,  life is: a gift.


Wow Sharon, this was fabulous! Thank you thank you thank you. Where to begin, I love your idea of "therapy", that kind of therapy I could happily engage in on a daily basis:)  Buenos Aires is indeed a very special place, have been a few times and yes to peonies, in all their many colors! And your backyard for a reunion, I cannot imagine a more beautiful place for a family reunion. I would love to meet the chateau keeper in her 80's doing this on her own.....she sounds like one special lady! And last we cannot overestimate the sweet sensation of biting into a fresh croissant or the allure of a room done in greige, can we! Loved this and I know everyone else will too. If you don't know of My French Country Home, then you must head on over now.....and find out what you have been missing, yes its that wonderful! Click here to visit Sharon in paradise. Thanks to everyone for stopping in and to Sharon for allowing us a glimpse into your enchanting life over at My French Country Home.







Photobucket

47 comments:

  1. I follow Sharon's blog and her pictures of the French country side are always stunning....the horses in front of the chateau are something I would frame and hang...you should consider carrying her photographs! Love your home...would love to have you see mine too.....come visit!
    Blessings, Lorraine

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm loving everything I've seen about her blog, can't wait to visit.

    ReplyDelete
  3. You're right Tina, didn't see a Starbucks in there anywhere! Love her thoughts. Glad to hear she would revisit Scotland. We are planning a trip there so hopefully it too will be a success. - Tonya

    ReplyDelete
  4. Always fun learning more about our blog friends even someone I've known for a couple of years. I love seeing Sharon's home.

    I noticed you changed your header again you are having fun with it aren't you?

    XX
    Debra~

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am always very gushy when it comes to Sharon and it no surprise that she chose the word "determined"! Because she delivers. Even after having woken up before dawn to go to a brocante, she still comes back and shares with her readers all of her finds because she knows we can't wait! The vast majority of her material is self-generated and it just keeps getting better--very, very inspiring!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a neat gal! I love all her answers and you can tell she is the "real deal". Thanks for sharing her here with us....now you KNOW I will have another new blog to follow! xo Diana ps..Did you know we have another perfect new baby grandson?;>)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love Sharon and visit her blog every day! Thank you for an insightful interview with such a great blogger. Wonderful answers too!
    Paula x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Drooling...literally. OMG she has views of a horse and buggy? Yes, my daily drudgery sounds more like yours, Tina, so naturally I'm craving some French countryside. Her home and grounds is AMAZING! Love this series. xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. How pretty is your new header! Thank you for your introduction to what sounds like an amazing and talented lady who lives the live I wish I had! Your every day norm sounds like my own and the idea of living in the quiet country sounds like a dream.
    Loved her replies and found myself agreeing with a lot of what she said, I will definitely be going to visit her and will subscribe to her blog. How nice this was. Thank you Tina and Sharon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. How pretty very nice answers I love them and getting to know people better. I follow her everyday.

    Love the new banner!!

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am always transfixed with Sharon's amazing home and life...calm, serene and gorgeous!! Loving your new header...hydrangeas are a favorite!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sharon..well: a name,a guarantee!!
    You will always find beauty, inspiration and also irony over at MFCH!

    Francesca

    ReplyDelete
  13. Tina-
    Thank you for sharing this talented blogger! I am headed over to visit now.
    Happy Wednesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely gorgeous! What a life she leads, I look forward to visiting her blog. Great introduction, thank you Tina. I can see why you are so enthralled. Enjoyed her replies to your thought provoking questions and the pictures speak for themselves. Heading over now.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sharon's blog makes me stay for awhile and enjoy. She offers so much calm and shares the beauty around her. And I always enjoy the elegant style of your blog - thank-you for always inspiring me.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Tina, I love to visit Sharon at French Country Home. She has the most beautiful property and if I had a French home it would look just like this! What a great interview, it speaks to what a lovely person she is. I'm loving your header, love the hydrangeas and blue and white.
    Hope your day is great.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds like someone I wouldn't mind having a freaky Friday experience with, haha.
    Tina, you cracked me up with your "every day life" scenario, sounds like my own and then when compared with her, it made for a good laugh. Oh things do seem so much calmer over there, I must agree. I wonder how long I could last with all that calm, probably longer than I think:-)
    The pictures look so dreamy, makes me want to visit the French countryside instead of going on a business trip to Chicago with my husband tomorrow. France is such a beautiful place, and I can see she has embraced the lifestyle for which they are known.
    Thanks for the introduction, I can sure see why you are mesmerized....and love that header (almost as much as the one I do of your spectacular home but its fun to change things up). Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow love the banner, Tina! White hydrangeas are my aboslute favorite flower.

    Sharon sounds like she leads quite the life. I feel calmer too having seen this post and reading over her anwers, she sounds like she has life all figured out. Something about those French, they know how to live!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great post, Tina! I love your hydrangeas! They are gorgeous and I love Sharon's blog as well! Thanks for sharing ALL of this with us! Have a wonderful day!
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such a funny coincidence as I was just talking to a few bloggers the other night and they all knew about her blog, raved about how wonderful about it, and highly recommended it to me! I'm off to check it out. I love her already - we share a love of peonies, croissants and Tom Ford! Have a great day Tina. :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thank you for introducing me to another *remarkable* blog to drool over and enjoy. My goodness! What a gorgeous series of photos, a stunning setting for a home! Sharon's store is amazing as well, offering such beautiful things.

    Love the new header, it's a perfect summertime treat!
    tp

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful interview as always, Tina! My blood pressure has already gone down several notches. We share so many of the same favorites. Oh, how I miss the baguettes they have in France with jam, can't find anything like them here and their amazing croissants. I'd like one of each right now, please!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love your "One Word" guest posts, but I have to say that this might just be my favorite. There is a feeling of grace and humility in her voice and her home that is so lovely. Thank you,Tina!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I subscribe to Sharon's blog and thoroughly enjoy every inspiring post.
    It's a pleasure to learn more about her.

    Thank you Tina. Your "One Word" interviews are always fascinating.

    xo
    Brooke

    ReplyDelete
  25. I follow both of your blogs + wonderful the both of them. Thank you xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Her answers were just as I thought they might be. You get her honest, country tranquil vibe from her blog, and it is intoxicating! I love it. Thank you so much for sharing!
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your new banner!! Thanks for introducing us to another amazing blogger!
    xo
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Tina
    Thank you so much for inviting me over! The response from your readers is overwhelming, and I'm so pleased so many people have come across to take part in the giveaway.
    warmest
    Sharon
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  29. Tina,

    Love your new header!

    Sharon has such a beautiful blog, house and personality. I so enjoy reading about the goings on of a French Country house and a Brocante business.

    Thanks for sharing a great interview.

    Hope all is well and you are having a great week, Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  30. what a charming interview and lovely responses, and omg, french bread with jam, i mean, it was difficult to stay engaged after that admission and image! lunch time i think!

    love to you both.

    michele

    ReplyDelete
  31. Great post, magnificent pictures, wonderful answers and an enviable life! I sometimes wonder about how great it must be to live in a place so connected with nature, as her lifestyle appears to be. One day when I get off the gerbil wheel it would be fun to try it out for a month or two and rent a country house in Europe, how fun!
    Really enjoyed this and happy to "meet:" Sharon. Tina, its always a pleasure and thrill to visit you at your fabulous blog.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Two of my favorite people! Sharon, your world seems entirely idyllic, just stunning. I love that you chose 'honesty' in people and life is a 'gift.' Those choices say so very much about you. Thank you for always sharing beautiful and compelling post with us.
    xoxo, Chris

    ReplyDelete
  33. Beautiful post!! I love her "everyday" life!!! I loved getting to know Sharon even better! What a life to live!

    www.donnaviningblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I've been exploring for a little for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i am glad to express that I've an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I so much indisputably will make sure to don?t omit this web site and provides it a glance regularly.
    my page :: David Chamberlain

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am so relazed after viewing your wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing.From
    Carmen Pinckney in the South Carolina Lowcountry

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh I loved reading her responses. Peonies are my absolute fave too.

    ReplyDelete
  37. What a fabulous home! Loved getting to know her better. She seems like a wonderful lady.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Loved hearing about My French Country Home! Am her new follower..
    Is your header getting more gorgeous by the second or is it my imagination?
    XO
    Jan

    ReplyDelete
  39. THIS WAS EXQUISITE. I have heard about this blog, but I have never been to her site. I must go NOW. OK, those horses. That says enough for me. An estate where one can keep horses is my kind of place. And her choice in interior color: GREIGE? YES. OUI. SI.

    Dearest Tina, you are so generous. Thank you for having added me to this lovely hall of friends. Anita

    ReplyDelete
  40. Lucky lady! What a charmed life she leads, you had me laughing about your every day norm vs. hers, mine is much more like yours! Those pictures would make a wonderful coffee table book, she does lead one enchanted life, thats for sure.
    Thanks for sharing, going to visit her blog now.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Gorgeous post TIna... and Sharon is every bit as lovely as she sounds... and more... xv

    ReplyDelete
  42. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  43. What a beautiful blog and it's so great to meet you through Sharon! I will certainly be back again.

    thanks, Sharon, too, for a lovely post! And you're a beauty yourself...no actress required to play your part! ha. :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. GORGEOUS posting... would LOVe to jump into photos!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Sharon’s country house is such an eye-opener. The house seems a little old, but still, I can say that anyone can feel the warmth once they entered this classy home. The surroundings are undeniably astounding that even these healthy animals can find comfort in it. Just lovely!

    Rodger Ciliberto

    ReplyDelete

Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!