breakfast alfresco

by Sharon Santoni

breakfast on table outside

A sure sign of the spring arriving here is whether or not we can have breakfast outside.   Last weekend it was possible at last and I savored every minute of it.

Why do we love to eat outside so much?  Is it just a need for natural light, the touch of the sun on our shoulders, the  sound of the birdsong, the breeze in the trees, or simply the fact that I can multitask on garden planning while sipping coffee?!

breakfast on table outside

I’d also say that civilised breakfasts are one of the perks of being empty nesters.    During the week I work very long hours here, and I savor the weekend and being able to take longer on my start to the day.   Reading the papers, having a longer breakfast or even a brunch, is really something that my husband and I have rediscovered since we have the place to ourselves.

breakfast on table outside

Added to this that breakfast is without doubt my favourite meal of the day, and that the wisteria is beginning to come into flower, I am already impatient for tomorrow morning!    And how about you, what is your favourite way to breakfast?   Al fresco or in front of a fire?

croissant and newspapers

Have a lovely weekend, hope the sun shines and you get some time to relax wherever you are

 

All photos by Franck Schmitt for my book

My French Country Home Entertaining Through the Seasons

38 comments

Sandra Leonard April 20, 2018 - 6:45 pm

Here in the cold Northeast U.S. we are grateful for any time we can have meals out of doors. It’s such a treat to be on the terrace for breakfast, but because mornings can still be quite cool in Maine, lunch is my favorite and I often have friends over for a lunch of salads and sweets! We even enjoy evening meals outside as well since our days are quite long, family lobster dinners always take place outside!

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Janice Rivenburg April 20, 2018 - 7:10 pm

I love having coffee outside by my water fall when weather permits. It’s been unseasonably cold here in Webster, NY, so not sure when it will happen this year. Yesterday we had snow showers. I’m dreaming of warmer weather and the sound of the soothing, healing babbling water!

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Sharon Santoni April 20, 2018 - 10:22 pm

Janice I am so impressed that you have your own waterfall! #lifegoals?

Hope you are keeping well

Sharon

x

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Stacy April 20, 2018 - 7:29 pm

I am not a big breakfast eater but cannot start my day without a smooth cup of fresh hot coffee. Often I grind my own beans making the brew fragrant. Once the warmer weather arrives we move our whole cooking/dining experience to our spacious outdoor deck. Almost every dinner includes something grilled on our barbecue in the summertime and almost every meal is served alfresco on the terrace as well. We are busy people during the day so we take time to cook and enjoy our meals as a means of relaxing. From May through October we bring our routine outdoors. Saturday and Sunday mornings lingering over coffeei in the sunshine surrounded by fragrant majestic pines and leafy Oak trees is a part of our tribute to summer living.

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Taste of France April 20, 2018 - 7:33 pm

It has only been in the past week that the weather suddenly shifted, the rainclouds parted and we have truly balmy weather from sunrise to sundown, allowing us to eat outside, serenaded by so many birds. It is truly wonderful. I know we’ll be grateful later for all that rain, but for now, I’m glad to see the sun.

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Marcia Wolff April 20, 2018 - 7:36 pm

Dining Al Fresco is absolutely my favorite way to dine. Now the typical blue skies of Colorado are coming back. We love to sip a great wine and listen to soft jazz while recounting the days adventures. I am new and o your site but believe that I am already in love.

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Sharyn A Walter April 20, 2018 - 7:41 pm

Sharon: Do you know where I can purchase the salt, that was in one of the last boxes? I have enjoyed it so much. I tried on their website and was not successful.

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Sharon Santoni April 20, 2018 - 10:25 pm

Hi Sharyn

So glad you liked the rock salt, but I’m sorry you haven’t been able to buy online. I shall get back to you soon once I have asked them about their retailers in the US

best
Sharon

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Jan Bell April 22, 2018 - 9:26 pm

Sharon, my salt is also almost gone and would love to know where I can purchase more.

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Our French Oasis April 20, 2018 - 7:48 pm

My favourite meal of the day too, without a shadow of doubt, when I can take the time to enjoy it at the weekend, and most definitely outside is my preference. Our wisteria is finally flowering abundantly, with temperatures in the 30’s these past few days everything has come on in leaps and bounds, the trees have gone from just budding to being covered in leaves. This is France at its very best! Bonne weekend x

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Lisa D. April 20, 2018 - 7:57 pm

Breakfast, petite dejeuner, brunch – whatever you want to call it, it’s my favorite too, and eating outside on a beautiful day, in a lovely setting, you can’t get much better than that.

You have the most exquisitely beautiful blogs, Sharon. I just want to crawl inside and live there.

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Marianne April 20, 2018 - 8:04 pm

Sharon, could I please just move in with you. Love the beauty of your world, and how you bring that loveliness to all of your readers is absolutely magical.

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Sharon Santoni April 20, 2018 - 10:26 pm

Are you sure Marianne? Two demanding dogs, a garden with weeds to pull and a long list of other stuff …. beware of what you wish for!! 🙂

x

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Wendi Yates April 20, 2018 - 8:36 pm

Last Friday, I was preparing for the ice storm that arrived on Saturday and lasted until Monday. I had a branch of my Magnolia that I was afraid would take my hydro line with it if we got another storm like the one in 2013 (I lost a big tree in that one). I brought the branches in and prepared them for forcing. This week, the sun is out, the temperature is going up and the Magnolia branches are blooming! I am soooo looking forward to the first morning when I will take my cup of tea and enjoy it outside amongst the living things. I do enjoy cosy during the winter months but right now, am wanting the green, green grass of home!

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Maribel April 20, 2018 - 8:47 pm

These days in Madrid we have the most beautiful weather.
Spring has arrived in full and we are already having breakfast on the terrace. Delightful.

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the Elegant Economist April 20, 2018 - 9:27 pm

Here just south of Edinburgh by Rosslyn Chapel the primroses are out, the wild leeks are just about done and the wild garlic is nearly ready for harvesting, and the owls are hooting in love…but the Met Office is promising snow again for next week. I am fearing for all the white tulips which should be filling the box hedging parterres in a couple of weeks…!

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Sharon Santoni April 20, 2018 - 10:27 pm

Wild leeks and wild garlic accompanies by hooting owls, and all of that in Scotland, sounds so romantic!
thank you for this dreamy interlude

Sharon

x

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Sylvia April 21, 2018 - 10:14 pm

Cover your tulips with a thick layer of straw, that keeps them warm and frost or extreme cold should’nt harm the bulbs. That’s how we do it in the Netherlands.

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Sue Malizia April 20, 2018 - 9:43 pm

I do love relaxing and eating a light breakfast outside on Sunday mornings… enjoying the view of the almond trees out in the orchard, the warmth of the sun,the birds chirping…all while reading a good book. I so look forward and appreciate spring after winter each year. =)

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David Phillips April 20, 2018 - 9:58 pm

That looks like heaven to me, Sharon!

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Botanic Bleu April 20, 2018 - 10:21 pm

Sharon,
Your breakfast alfresco looks heavenly, and your photos are inspiring. Seeing all the comments from across the world about the status of spring and dining outside at their homes is an added bonus to reading your lovely post.

In north Texas, our spring flowering trees have fully sprouted their leaves, with all their blooms finished. The temperature is a roller coaster. Today we are back down into the 60s for highs, a little nippy for me, but the highs are forecast to return to the 70s by Sunday.

For sure, we have been sitting on our covered porch every chance we get.

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Elsa April 20, 2018 - 11:58 pm

Que belleza me encanto y sirvió de inspiración para mi jardin trasero,saludos cariñosos y gracias por estar.p

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Elsa April 20, 2018 - 11:59 pm

Que belleza me encanto y sirvió de inspiración para mi jardin trasero,saludos cariñosos y gracias por estar.

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Sandy April 21, 2018 - 12:28 am

Just yesterday in New England snow flakes that looked like cotton balls fell from the sky. They were so laden with moisture they could not float down with ease as if they had a whole season of winter before them. Today not a trace of snow left but a sun that kept peeking out behind the clouds making us anxious for its warmth and brightness. We are waiting patiently for spring to show us its magic as in the wonderful pictures you shared with us.

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Patricia April 21, 2018 - 1:15 am

In my part of Australia it has been far too hot to eat outside for a long time. Now we are having perfect Autumn weather it is a joy to have long weekend breakfasts in the garden.

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Pauline from Phillip Island April 21, 2018 - 2:49 am

Here on Phillip Island Australia we love to eat outside at one of the cafes overlooking our beautiful beaches. We do it right throughout the year but I do love the summer months the best when the sun makes the water look as though it’s been sprinkled with diamonds.

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Terry Phillips April 21, 2018 - 3:04 am

Very inspiring, thank you! Unseasonably cold and wet here but did manage to bundle up in hats and coats and take at least the coffee onto the deck the other day. Breakfast is different for me now – I went Paleo a year ago- aromatic scallions, brown mushrooms, greens, broccoli and an egg on top. Will require a knife and fork and some careful balancing on my knee! My new Yum.

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Joanie Sweeney April 21, 2018 - 3:32 am

Your beautiful photos
and beautiful words inspire me always !!!
Thank you

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Jan Drury April 21, 2018 - 5:47 am

Here in Melbourne Aust. We are having the most perfect autumn. Mornings quite cold, sun out early , you can enjoy breakfast on the terrace, beautiful.
All the birds are awaking, what could be better. Love your lilac in the vase, reminds me of my mother’s garden. Cheers ladies.

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Harlene April 21, 2018 - 10:40 am

Thank U thank U thank U for reminding us of a beautiful gracious civilized way to live You’re Lovely!

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Janelle April 21, 2018 - 2:59 pm

Stunning…thank you!

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Mumbai April 21, 2018 - 6:12 pm

since a couple of days we can enjoy
breakfast alfresco here in the South
of Spain. But we savour it inside too
as long we take enough time to start a good day.

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Lisa Cassell-Arms April 23, 2018 - 3:45 pm

The snow has only just melted here in Vermont- your beautiful and inviting photos are a welcome breath of spring!

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Ceew April 30, 2018 - 2:57 pm

Lovely lovely photos….makes me wish I was sitting at that table, just feeling the sun on my shoulders and sipping some delicious hot coffee. On a different note, I just finished my two boxes of Biscuits from Sablesienne that were part of my February box. Absolutely delicious! What a wonderful touch with my February subscription box. I planned on serving them while hosting a small luncheon, a girls afternoon, but once I sampled one, I just couldn’t find myself sharing them! So I myself ate each and every one. So exquisite and scrumptious! Each and every item in my February box was such a wonderful delight! Someday I hope to be able to purchase another box from you. Thank you for all the personal touches! I love each and every item!

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Juliette May 10, 2018 - 11:08 pm

Bonjour from the West Coast of British Columbia where I have just ironed my grandmothers table linens and set our bistro table for an alfresco meal following your inspirational posting. I am new to your blog and am delighted to have found you! To see how posts from all over the world connect us via your inspirations is a wonderful thing! Thank you for letting us see the bountiful beauty all around us. Grateful yours, Juliette

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Juliette May 10, 2018 - 11:11 pm

………and where our Wisteria is teasing us with the promise of copious blooms!

again………”gratefully”yours,

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Lynds Pickett June 1, 2018 - 7:59 am

I am a grateful newcomer to this blog and am SO loving it! I just moved into a house in a quiet neighborhood in Lakewood, CO, located between Green Mountain and Belmar. The thing that captured my heart in this home was the French doors in the kitchen that open to a covered deck, where I and my boyfriend (and future family/friends) can enjoy al fresco breakfasts (my favorite!) while taking in 180 degrees of trees and numerous birds. My garden is started with heirloom tomatoes, potatoes and basil with more additions soon. To my delight, I discovered strawberry plants from the previous owner that survived the winter. I would love to plant some roses, lilacs and honeysuckle soon…..

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suresh July 19, 2018 - 1:40 pm

when I first arrived. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day to Americans and, in France, it often feels like an afterthought.

https://www.uberpanache.com/your-handy-guide-to-french-breakfast-before-a-luxury-trip-1372

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