The joys of this time of year in the Charente region of France are the beautiful autumnal colours, the gorgeous light and the wonderful local produce. With the sun low in the sky we have been treated to some stunning sunrises this past week and the leaves on the trees are slowly turning and showing off shades from velvety deep russets to fiery bright scarlets.
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| The lovely view from the top floor of our house in Cognac |
Last weekend I went hunting with Spike for items for my online shop at a brocante market not far from us in Cognac. The market in Ars (I commented on this unusual name in a post last year!) is one of the last of the season and I wanted to stock up for the Christmas rush in November (fingers crossed!).
It was a lovely bright morning and the Autumn fair was charming but I didn't come away with as many goodies as I had hoped for. However, the things I did find I was very pleased with particularly a large blue and white ironstone serving plate.
As soon as I saw this antique plate made by the French potteries 'Mintons' I could imagine it on a rustic table and loaded with figs so when I came to photograph it I just couldn't resist popping out to buy some.
These figs were whoppers and I think they look stunning (although they do make the plate look smaller than it really is!)
Here are a couple of sauce boats that were also lucky brocante finds that are now gracing someone else's table
This cloche & plate combination is very pretty and would be ideal not only for cheese but also for serving up a Christmas pudding!
And just imagine a warm winter soup or casserole served in this elegant tureen. If you're wondering what happened to the figs I rustled up a rustic fig tarte tatin...
... which although not the most refined cuisine in the world (certainly not up to chef husband Spike's standards in the looks department) it does taste absolutely yummy all the same!
