Oh my Goodness, 100 degrees in the shade, day after day after day. Then its down to a ‘refreshing’ 90! This heat and humidity can make any sweet little Bunny wilt and run for cover. I try not to complain about the weather, it is what it is. I just work around it. I prefer to be outdoors whenever possible but some days even the shelter and shade of our wisteria covered pergola or old wrap around country porch is simply too hot to handle. When my family and I need a break from the pool and intense heat we head for the 200 year old sunroom in our farmhouse. The stone walls and high ceilings keep the room so comfortable. Our home has central air conditioning but when its comfortable out I prefer to keep all the windows and French doors open to the pool and patio which makes for easy indoor-outdoor entertaining. I love to be connected with nature and the outdoors as often as possible.
For lunch I let our Gardens inspire me, I picked some fresh nasturtium flowers, lettuce, a few ripe tomatoes, and delicious green beans and decided on a salad Nicoise.
For years I have turned to the book Provence gastronomique by Erica Brown for my Nicoise salad inspiration. I just cut out a recipe for Tuna Nicoise sandwiches from Sunday’s Parade Magazine and I also gave that a try a few days ago. I liked it very much but prefer a traditional salad nicoise. Can you see whats missing from my salad? The nicoise olives. I remembered while we were eating the salad and then added them! I think the heat got to me, well that or the champagne.
Grab an antique French chair, curl-up with a good book on the antique French daybed from Paris or just sit down on the comfy Missoni floor cushion for a casual cool lunch and a glass of champagne. Then its back outside to swim. We just found the white antique table last week its 100 years old and the cut glass crystal punch bowl is about 80 years old. I just happened to stop in our local antique shop down the road to browse and came home with some new treasures. The other parts of this room include a large antique rustic French farm table with chairs from Paris, overhead is a hot air balloon chandelier and the other corner is a modern chaise lounges, antique Buffet Deux Corps and hand painted bench. During the Winter it gets filled with flowers and fruit trees from our gardens and becomes ‘The Jardin Hiver’, The Winter Garden. We love hosting sit down dinners during the long Winter in this room. When the snow is falling outside and all the outdoor lighting illuminates the gardens and snow it is magical to dine by candlelight.
Before we head back outside the boys and I played a quick card game and Mr. Bunny and I had another glass of Bubbly. The china is Limoge and is a gift from my mom and dad. They found them at an antique show on the grounds where The Washington County Fair is held. They have craft shows, antique shows and many other fun gatherings in addition to the fair each year. Oh and they make the most yummy maple syrup spun sugar cotton candy. It is an incredible country fair, I can’t wait to go later this Summer.
Well my sweet friends I hope you enjoyed our lunch together, stop by again soon, We are always cooking up something fun at The Paris House.
Please stop by and visit Susan at the wonderful Tablescape Thursday. She is celebrating the 100th T. T. post!! And then visit Foodie Friday for more delicious recipes!
Those stone buildings are always so lovely and cool Bunny! I would love to join you for lunch there. I am enchanted with that room! I would lounge back on the daybed sipping champagne.
You have such a talent for entertaining whether it be for us, for family, or for friends. I am intrigued with that adorable glass sitting in front of the punch bowl. Is it pale orange or is there a pale orange drink in it? Love things like this.
Another wonderful post, Bunny!
Stay cool!
Bunny you can make 100 degree heat sound idyllic! Your tossed together a fabulous lunch! Garden lunches are one of the blessings of summer!
Your 200 year old sunroom is exquisite! Love the colores and the french influence. Grand style… relaxed lux!
xo Yvonne
Hi Mommy
I Love your cute short post
te he he
Your the best mommy in the world i love you so much
i love you
i love your post
FOREVER!
te he he again
your post is the best in the wold
te he he he he
you have the best pictures in the wold
XoXo
Oliver
Hello my petit treat,
You know how much I love it when you leave me your adorable comments.
I adore you Oliver
xoxo
Mommy
We’re not really having a hot summer in the UK, more of a rainy one. I guess I prefer that to living in a roaster oven like you guys. No girly likes to sweat that much LOL.
I love the pictures of your home, its so pretty. I like it how you use those little cushions on the floor. Your place looks like a fun place to be, even if you are sweating
*kisses* HH
Goodness, that room is so pretty. I can just picture how it looks when you are in there with the snow falling in Winter, as you described. Your salad looks deliciously fresh (minus the anchovies for me, please!) And I just LOVE that champagne tote! Love your new table and punch bowl too. Stay cool!
Best regards,
Gloria
HI BUNNY,
SOUNDS GOOD TO ME, A BEAUTIFUL SUN ROOM, A GLASS OF BUBBLY, AND YOUR DEVINE LUNCH, ONE OF MY FAVORITES…NICOISE SALAD…
A SALAD SO COMPLETE, AND SO YUMMY. YOUR OLIVER IS SO PRECIOUS
I LOVE HIS LITTLE COMMENTS TO YOU. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER. RIZZI
I love every room in your magnificent home, but the sunroom is my absolute favorite. It is so charming and inviting, I would adore spending a hot afternoon in there, sipping champagne and playing cards with you guys!
Salad Nicoise is one of the best meals for summer and I’ve packed up one on numerous occasions to take for a day at the beach. I like the versatility of the ingredients and have never had a version I didn’t love. But it definitely needs the Nicoise olives, so glad you remembered them in time.
Hugs to all!
Hello Bunny… what a beautiful setting and yummy food for a hot summer day! We are having 100 degrees most days now here too, and August will be even hotter… like you, I don’t complain, but work around it… I need to be out of doors as often as I can, and love sitting on my back deck with a cold sweet tea… little Oliver’s comments are too cute! Hello Oliver! Your home looks so pretty and I love your new antique and vintage items… xoxo Julie Marie PS Thanks so much for your sweet comments on my post about my mama… I miss her sooo much! Treasure every moment you spend with your mama… what I would give to have mine here with me… xoxo Julie
That is a wonderful indoors space Bunny.. Perfect for hot summer days..
Bunny, I love your house, and the lunch sounds delicious!
I am finally back in Blog Land. I never realized how dependent I was on my computer.
XO,
Sheila
Bunny ~
I am in absolute love with your sitting room ~ look at those stone walls! GORGEOUS! And the salad…what a healthy dose of goodness straight from our beloved Mother Nature! I couldn’t agree more with adding a glass (or two) of bubbly to help ease the effects of the high temperatures!
Bisous,
Melissa
Lovely! Now I want to make that salad.
xoxo
SC
Oh how I love your sunroom…it’s gorgeous!
Your blog is great!!!
Debbie@houseatthelake
OMGosh, what a beautiful room. It is just awesome.
I can’t wait to see the rest of your home.
I just signed up to follow and to get email notification of new posts..:))
I’m with you. I’d much rather be outdoors whenever possible. This is just a lovely room!
Let’s see….picnic with air conditioning during blazing hot summer day…yep works for me. Thank you for sharing your charming design. The salad looks scrumptious. Cherry Kay
Hi Bunny,
I love your sun room! It looks like a great place to entertain. Thanks for sharing all your lovely pictures!
Donna
What a wonderful room! I love the stone wall, simply gorgeous! Love your decorating too, so warm and inviting! Thanks for loads of inspiration!
Sharlotte
ok…Oliver’s comment….so adorable!
I’m so happy to be able to be back to visit! I adore your blog and always feel so inspired when I’m here!
Loving those Kate Spade cards! Oh my heavens!
Everything is lovely, as always!!!
What a fabulous room for a lunch…
I will definitely have to pick up that book! I love a good tuna nicoise!
Sending sweet cool greetings from over here at Frog Hollow Farm! FHFB and I just finished our dinner on the back porch and there was such a wonderful cool breeze floating through the air – I thought the door was left open and that I was feeling the air conditioning!
Your home and lifestyle is just so wonderful Bunny – I can tell that you love life. It’s funny, I met a woman the other day and we were just talking about ourselves and she asked a lot of questions – anyway, she commented that she could tell how much I loved my life – and she’s right! And when I read your blog I feel the same way – two people who love their homes and families and want everyone to be comfortable, happy and eating!!
FHFB and I just got back from a few days down in Cape May – I’ll be posting some photos of that beautiful little town shortly. Hope all is well!! Ciao, bella!
Hi Bunny!
You’re home sounds wonderful! Love the pic of it on your sidebar with all the snow coming down…enchanting!
Your dinner sounded just lovely…and looked good, too! So glad you joined in for our 100th TT!
Susan