french country life and a sweet little loot shoot

by Sharon Santoni

 French country life continues to bumble along here, and we have a long-legged blonde in the field with Iris!   We weren’t happy leaving him alone while Quick is on stable rest, so we found him a glamorous girlfriend to keep him busy!
Whenever I see her I think of Debbie Harry!

 Anyway this morning saw me up to my normal tricks, and out early despite the dark clouds that threatened yet more rain.
The fair  I chose to visit was in a pretty little stone built village, with vendors along the streets and tree lined squares.

 I didn’t get this beauty, but simply had to pause and admire.  Goodness only knows where the pram has been stored for the past 100 years or so,  but the dust is authentic, I can vouch for that, and all things considered it really isn’t in such bad shape!

 I love these old wooden wheelbarrows.   Their sides lift off for transporting logs, and they will last for another century with no problem.   Today I didn’t have the space to pick it up, but in the past I have succumbed.

So what did I get?  A seascape oil painting;  some enamel canisters; baskets, silver plate creamers and a sweet little set of three little tables.  Not sure what to do with those yet.  Sand them down; paint; leave them chippy? …. I am open to suggestions.  🙂

I also bought a couple of bunches of beautiful purple dahlias, being sold by a charming gentleman, freshly picked this morning from his garden.  That is the delight of country fairs,  you never know what you’ll find.

I hope you’re having a great weekend, finding treasure maybe, or  finding girlfriends for ponies!
Whatever it may be, thank you for finding the time to stop by and read this blog.

34 comments

Delaine July 8, 2012 - 2:46 pm

Gorgeous Palomino, is it? "The Blonde" is what I'm referring to…I'm sure she is great company for your horse! So many lovely things you picked up this morning at the fair. From what I can see of this village, it looks quite quaint! Thanks again for sharing…it is always a great start to my day here in the Deep South!

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Perfectly At Home, New England. July 8, 2012 - 2:55 pm

What beautiful finds! There are so many things in that loot shoot I'd love to have! Thinks for sharing your great finds, and "The Blonde" will be great company. She looks like a sweetheart.

Tim

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Anne July 8, 2012 - 3:00 pm

fabulous finds!! I'd paint those tables a muted grey and distress the heck out of them. and that horse so has Deborah Harry's hair!! lol too funny

Have a fabulous day!

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sharon santoni at my french country home July 8, 2012 - 3:03 pm

Hi Delaine, thanks for stopping by, and for your kind words about the blog. Yes 'the blonde' is good company, and actually she's a Haflinger, not Palomino.
Sharon

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**Anne** July 8, 2012 - 3:06 pm

Lovely loot once again Sharon. Debbie Harry hair, I have to agree.
Anne xx

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LaPouyette July 8, 2012 - 4:13 pm

The blonde long-legged Haflinger looks just beautiful! Both, she and Iris seem to be rather happy together! Very lovely images!

Have a great and relaxed Sunday afternoon,
greetings from a gray and rainy Périgord!
k

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vicki archer July 8, 2012 - 4:27 pm

Love the tables Sharon… just as they are… xv

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déjà pseu July 8, 2012 - 4:33 pm

Such great finds, love those silver pieces! And yes, that sweet little mare does have a resemblance to Deborah Harry!

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Anne July 8, 2012 - 4:39 pm

Pretty girl,with her long bangs… and love that garden trug!

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Jane, Naples, Florida July 8, 2012 - 5:08 pm

Everything is beautiful! I love the tables just as they are also!
Pretty girlfriend too! Love your blog, always such a treat to visit! Makes me remember my trips to France… Jane Flora Doora

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Splenderosa July 8, 2012 - 5:24 pm

Debbie Harry, too too funny, Sharon. Those horses look so content and I know they are loved. The pram is wonderful, I don't know how you passed it up, and I'm with Vicki, leave the tables as they are. xx's

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Kris July 8, 2012 - 5:26 pm

I wish I had a mane of hair like the "girlfriend" HA! I love the set of tables and I like them just like they are…weathered, worn and a bit chippy! 🙂

Hope you are having a great weekend!

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Annette July 8, 2012 - 5:32 pm

Good call! There is a very striking resemblance to Blondie. Now I have her voice singing in my head — not a bad thing.

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PURA VIDA July 8, 2012 - 5:49 pm

I always love your artwork! Debbie Harry! What a laugh…funny stuff!

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NotesFromAbroad July 8, 2012 - 6:05 pm

Debbie Harry the Horse and I have something in common today-

I must have that wheel barrow. In my new home in another world, I will fill it with pots of flowers and put it by the door .. Now I have to go listen to Blondie 🙂

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Minerva Black the shoppe keeping cat July 8, 2012 - 6:12 pm

Lovely horses ….. and finds! Love the Debbie Harry comment – she does look just like her. (In the best possible way). x

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De tout, de rien July 8, 2012 - 6:26 pm

Oh, "Debbie" is a gorgeous gal!! Love the hair over the eyes, what a flirt!

Great, great loot! French garage sale stuff is sooo much nicer than Canadian garage sale stuff, lol!

Lovely post, Sharon, have a great Sunday.

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carolyn bradford July 8, 2012 - 7:03 pm

I love all of your purchases! We certainly have similar tastes in the antiques we buy! You are so right in thinking of Debby Harry! I laughed out loud when I read that! Glad you had a good time at the fair!

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Glycine blanche July 8, 2012 - 7:43 pm

La vie à la campagne est bien agréable et on y trouve de belles choses… Bonne journée.

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kabayoz July 8, 2012 - 8:21 pm

"Once I had a love and it was a gas…soon turned out had a heart of glass". LOL. Sharon, you have good eyes…making the connections between the two blondes…equine and the cool singer/hipster. Any wonder why you find so much good stuff at the loot shoot. I like the old wood wheelbarrow at the fair. Everything you hauled home looks enticing especially the seascape.

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Katherine July 8, 2012 - 9:06 pm

The horse does have that Debbie Harry kind of look….. she's a cutie! I like the two little tables – always adored those legs.

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Lisa July 8, 2012 - 10:28 pm

The palomino is beautiful. I like your Debbie Harry personification of her.

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Catherine July 8, 2012 - 10:54 pm

Oooh La La! That is one glamorous mare. I can see hearts are going to break when she has to go home. She's beautiful!!! What a luxurious mane she has.

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Loi Thai, Tone on Tone July 9, 2012 - 1:42 am

I really do see Debbie Harry 😉 Spunky girl. Your finds are divine. I love the large basket and wooden carrier on top. I'd use the basket for recycling newspapers, storing extra cushions in the sitting room, etc. Never enough baskets. And, the best ones are always French! Oui!!
Cheers from DC,
Loi

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Anonymous July 9, 2012 - 1:49 am

Sharon, I enjoy your blog so very much. Your loot shoots always have me wanting to join you! LOL. I love the tables and would leave them as is. The wheelbarrow is one item I have been trying to track down! I don't know how you could of passed it up. LOL. The blonde companion for Iris has quite the hair do.I can hear Debbie Harry sing when I look at her! She is adorable. I hope Quick is coming along well. All the Best, Janet

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Ideezine July 9, 2012 - 7:52 am

Nice and the nesting table are gorgeous too.

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The Moerks July 9, 2012 - 8:12 am

You are right, she does look like Deborah Harry, does she have a wild side? Love the photos from the markets. Sigh…..

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Mizeltoh July 9, 2012 - 11:10 am

Really love the wheelbarrow,(my latest one from a well-known DIY store has lasted just three years.) Not sure I could manage to push it though when it was fully laden! "Debbie" has the most gorgeous eyelashes, terrific photo.

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Emily July 9, 2012 - 1:45 pm

Oh the lovely treasures you find while "hunting"…so jealous! 🙂 I love the look of "Debbie" too..she is quite the glam girl!

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Lesli at My Old Country House July 9, 2012 - 3:37 pm

if ever there was a post I wanted to" climb into" this is the one and I Most definitely want to paint the Debra Harry Horse!!! Beautiful and you do such an amazing job of capturing the essence of your experience! Thanks

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Nancy July 9, 2012 - 9:32 pm

I love your finds and Debbie Harry! Sorry Quick is on stall rest. My two were in for a total of 8 months..one was hurt, the other had to babysit, then we let them out, bowed a tendon, had to go back in, then let them out, one got a bruised sesimoid joint…phew! they are both out now, braving this 100 degree heat in Virginia. ( WE only pasture them at night- they're in with fans during the day). Hope all is well in your part of the world!
Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com

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Vicki July 9, 2012 - 9:59 pm

Such beautiful, healthy, wonderful horses!

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Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home July 9, 2012 - 10:50 pm

oh isnt she beautiful!!! is she part or full Belgian?

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Bethany [at] Powell Brower Home July 9, 2012 - 10:51 pm

oops, just saw your first comment that shes a Haflinger. Those large feet threw me for a loop.

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