Climbing Eden Rose

     Our first bloom of the year! I spotted this lovely sight yesterday morning as I was watering the front courtyard. Originating in France, and formerly known as "Pierre de Ronsard," this rose is called "Eden," and with its pink, cabbage-like blooms, it has graced many a French garden with its spectacular beauty.

     This French Romantica rose was hybridized in France in 1985, and shortly thereafter it came to the United States. I have seen this rose growing up and over arbors and pergolas throughout the many gardens and homes that I have visited in France, and with its abundance of dense petals and intense pink center, it is one of my favorite roses for the garden.

     This guy is over fourteen years old, and I have paired it with a honeysuckle that I grow over one of the arbors in the courtyard. Every January, I give it a "major haircut." This keeps the rose healthy, rewarding me each year with continuous blooms. It should be bursting with flowers in two weeks, just in time for our Paris Flea Market (April 27th). Enjoy!

The Splendor of Candles

       Absolutely nothing sets a mood like candlelight. The flickering flame of a candle can exude romance, comfort, warmth and even drama.

       As the evenings become longer this time of year, and we spend more time indoors with friends and family, this is the time to start using candles, just because. Add votive candles to your dinner table, fill your mantel with pillar candles and group tea lights in seasonal holders on a coffee table. Take a moment, create a mood, and make a memory. . .use candles.

       As you may have seen at Le Potager, we love to add candlelight to our beautiful displays. During our "Settings" events, you will be able to see that candlelight plays a key role in our tablescapes and vignettes. Attend any of our Saturday seminars for tips on adding dimension to your decor with candles and to see our new LED wax candles that are operated by remote controls. These "safe" candles allow you to place them in hard to reach areas, and since they are made of wax, they look just like the real thing!

French Apple Harvest Event

    

        Filling the back of my truck with apple branches and three tubs of apples was just part of the last minute preparations that were undertaken for Le Potager's French Apple Harvest on Saturday, October 15. Jennifer and I transformed the back courtyard into a beautiful French outdoor market, freshly stocked with sweet and savory apple dishes and beverages inspired by the French apple harvest. 

       With lively French music playing throughout the store, customers were treated to traditional Normandy style recipes while sipping on imported French Calvados brandy and French hard apple cider. The turn-out was great, and we were so happy to visit with everyone.

    

       These events are so enjoyable for Jennifer and me. We both put a lot of time and effort into creating these unique, entertaining events for our customers, and to get such wonderful feedback and energy got us excited for our next fun event at the store. Be sure to check out (and print out!) the recipes that were used at our French Apple Harvest. Until then. . .longtemps vivre la pomme!