It is going to be another chilly weekend here, perfect weather for making and enjoying some lovely soup. French onion soup is a favourite of ours but I feel it is time to take it up a notch and this recipe looks like it will do the trick. French-Onion-Style White Bean Soup Serves 6 Time 1 hrs 30 mins Ingredients 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing and drizzling 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled Two 14-ounce cans cannellini beans ..read more

  After seeing this photo, I am wishing I bought some tulips whilst out shopping yesterday. I was tempted to buy some but ended up with some potted hyacinths which I love. Perhaps I will give in to temptation next week. Along with some more beautiful photos, you will also find some tips on keeping your tulips fresh here. Belle journee a tous ♥ Leeann x  ..read more

  ******* Happy Lunar New Year. Bonne année du Lapin. Gong Xi Fa Chai. ****** Leeann x  ..read more

Snow is very rare in the SW of France so when it does snow, it is like we are children seeing snow for the very first time. So many beautiful photos have been posted by local chateaux and this photo Chateau de Bridoire shared yesterday, is one of our favourites. It looks like something you would see in a fairytale. Bon week-end ♥ Leeann x ..read more

We are looking forward to celebrating Lunar New Year on Sunday.  As you know French Boyfriend loves his sweet treats and sulks if there is no dessert. This weekend is supposed to be very chilly (-5 degrees) so I am not sure the recipe I have chosen will be a huge hit so I may to have a warmer option in case he does not feel like eating icecream. Matcha Banana “Ice Cream” Ingredients 3 ripe bananas 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk 2 teaspoons matcha Directions Slice bananas into little small pieces.  Freeze sliced banana pieces for at least 3 hours or overnight. Using a foo ..read more

  Just a quick note to say we have listed a lot of new items in our etsy boutique and more will be listed today. Belle journée from a very chilly SW France ♥ Leeann x  ..read more

I cannot believe it is Friday already, this week has simply flown by. This week's recipe is an easy one and perfect for those of you who love a French flan. Flan pâtissier Serves 8 Preparation time1 hour Cooking time30 minutes Chilling time8 hours minimum Ingredients For the shortcrust pastry: 125g soft butter 125g caster sugar 250g of flour 1 pinch of baking powder 1 egg For the flan filling: 6 eggs 300g caster sugar 120g cornstarch 2 tablespoons natural vanilla extract 300 g full cream 1200ml whole milk Directions In a bowl, mix the butter, powdered sugar, flour and baking powder. Rub ..read more

  This Parisian hotel was voted the best in Europe and it looks like the perfect place to hide out on a cold and rainy day. I am not sure which is worse - watching the regional weather which tells us it will be rainy and cold next week or watching the national weather which tells us it will be rainy and cold for the whole of France. On the positive side we will be having the same weather as Paris. Even if we cannot afford to stay in this fabulous and very pricey hotel, we can certainly steal some interior design ideas from the one and only Jaques Garcia.  You will not see ..read more

  There is nothing like a beautiful toile de jouy fabric to brighten up a chilly and wet winter's day... Belle semaine a tous ♥ Leeann x  ..read more

 Bon weekend from a hopefully, sunny SW France ♥ Leeann x  ..read more