The great thing about Winter is that I get to spend more quality time with my friends and enjoy even more of my favorite comfort foods (onion soup anyone?). Thedown side though is that I don’t get to welcome as many guests. And although I never get bored (not in my nature), I do miss having real Foodies to feed and play around with… And so last Saturday, in need of some extra fun, I decided to put together aFoodie Day just for me!
A great Foodie day is always designed with the following in mind:
- It has to include a great deal of eating and a healthy dose of drinking (I’m using the word “healthy” here as the word “reasonable” always makes me gag).
- It has to be surprising and exciting
- It has to be authentic in every way
When I have guests coming over for Foodie Days, I always make sure I get to know as much about them as possible before hand so I can tailor the experience and anticipate their every need. In this case, I (me, myself) was the guest. So I just had to think of some of the things that I love most in life and I was well on my way to create the perfect itinerary. The things I love the most besides my family are my friends, great food, photography and cars. Et voilà!
So first, I drove to Bergerac for the annual antique car show. I met some interesting characters there, including a biker looking dude who actually drove in in a superb Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. I proceeded to have a portrait session with him and his Spirit of Ecstasy (the silver girl on the hood).
Then I drove back to St Emilion for a photo session at one of my favorite restaurants “Le Tertre”. The owners had just finished renovating the dining room and wanted some photos for their website. So I joined business with pleasure and ordered some of my favorite things from the new menu. Haaaaaa, getting paid to eat… What a life one leads… I had the most exquisite seared foie gras followed by roasted pigeons with truffle mashed potatoes, then cod and a citrus soufflé with tangerine sorbet for dessert.
I spent the following few hours walking around the vineyard taking pictures of the farm hands pruning the vines. Had fun scaring some chickens along the way… Quite relaxing!
The day ended at my friends Jamie and Jurina. Jamie is a car nut like me and a very talented automotive upholsterer. A client had brought in his Ferrari that morning. So of course we couldn’t resist, and since I had my camera with me, we parked the car in the nearest field and had yet another exciting photo session. I felt 15 again. We also shot the old Simca in the barn… Jurina had put together a delicious buffet for dinner with lots of seafood, cheese, rillettes and cheese rolls. I will share my recipe with you soon. We had such a delightful evening together, sharing recipes and car stories by the fire…
So here you go! I dare you! Be your own guest for a day! Go on an adventure! Life is short they say…
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 
Great photos. Beautiful blog. My heart stopped at the sight of cheese. When visiting friends in France I am always looking forward to cheese time.
Great post.
Thanks Lora. Yes, cheese always makes me happy too, especially with warm baguette 😉😜
Yes, I can tell you felt 15 again…isn’t the feeling absolutely wonderful! I was in Turkey last week with a friend and let me tell you…when you put together two moms that both have large families but have left all of their responsibilites behind for a week, we were definitely 15. And the magic we experienced in the mountains of the Capadokya region. I swear that there were a few younger than us in our tour group who behaved wonderfully grown-up but I promise, we had much more fun! Your photos are gorgeous…as always and what a great idea to be one’s own guest for a day. Definitely an idea worth entertaining!
If you promise to arrange a day like that in a vacation package I will sign up IMMEDIATELY!
Love the photos, and the stone wall in the dining room of that restaurant is absolutely lovely – not to mention that big pile of foie gras!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well my dear gorgeous girl, it’s what I do for a living 😉☺️ so pick your dates and we’ll make it work 😊 i can also include some great shopping in there… And since I’m on the subject, i’m redecorating the whole house. Picking wall colors is an absolute nighmare… Any ideas? I know you and I have similar tastes… I am trying several shades of brown. My painter has no taste. He’s no help… I should probably try to find some inspiration on Pinterest…
Oooooh-La-La! You had me at Provence and Shopping!
How far away from Paris are you?
As for paint, give me a day to think svp!
Beautiful photos. I always want to be there with you!
Sooooooon! 😉
Seriously stunning. I love your values and your photography really conveys them well. Beautiful.
Thank you so much Amanda! It means a lot!!! 😉
These photos make my heart stop. They are so sharp and clear! And of course they are a reminder of a wonderful visit!
Thanks dear Elizabeth!! I hope you are feeling a little better. I cannot imagine how I’ll be able to manage when this all happens to me… You are always in my thoughts!!
Really lovely! I went to a restaurant in St Emilion over 20 years ago and that’s exactly how I remember St Emilion – wine bottles, exposed walls and delicious food. Great memories, thank you!
I’m glad it brought back good memories Rachel. Thanks for the lovely comment! 😉
You know what, I need to treat myself to a day like this! What a wonderful compilation of photos and experiences throughout the day. Bravo!
Thanks! Go have fun my friend!!! We all deserve some self care…
I was so struck by the ‘biker dude’ and his resemblance to a Van Gogh painting of a young man who could definitely be his ancestor! You French have not evolved a bit!! Thankfully! Even the chickens and dog become stars in front of your camera. As for the food, I would love to have a sample bite of all! But, only in that intriguing cellar restaurant! You made my day .. my week .. my life! I keep reading and rereading all your posts for a beautiful escape to another world.
Thank you so much for such a heartfelt and lovely comment dear Helen. Yes, the biker dude was quite a character 😉
You do spoil yourself – but why not!
Wish I was there to follow in your footsteps to enjoy the day! What fun!
Maybe you’ll come visit sometime Susan and we can have a great day together…
Lovely post Stéphane! Some of my favourite ingredients too, especially rillettes! I shall have to try this idea myself , photography and food sounds just perfect ! 🙂
Have you tried to rub fresh garlic on your bread before spreading the rillettes? It’s to die for!!!
Sometimes do that with with toasted bread but not tried with rillettes – I will now! Thanks for the tip Stéphane 🙂
Enjoy Jane! Is the weather as crappy in Charente as it is here? Feels like Scotland today 😦
Complètement merdique Stéphane ! Le grisaille partout 😦 😦
What a wonderful post Stephane! I agree with you. In order to love others, we must first learn to love ourselves
What a lovely posting! ^^ I’ll keep your tips for a great Foodie day in mind since I’m going to host guests from other countries from time to time. I expect that my first guest will visit me next week. Please wish me a good luck!
Good luck Jessie! Having guests really is fun. I feel so excited every time I get to meet and entertain new people… Enjoy!
We miss you. Hope to visit next summer. It’s cold in SC.
Carl and Elaine
Hi Carl! It is quite rainy here… I had to make and eat a lot of comfort food 😉 I hope to see you and Elaine again soon! Stay warm!
How Wonderful! I have missed you and your France. I have been away for a bit, but now I am back and your blog is still my favorite!
Thanks Dear Holly! So glad you’re back 😉
What a wonderful idea! Throw a foodie day to celebrate YOU!!!! LOVE IT! I may have to borrow your idea….
😉
What a delicious day, cars, food wonderful people to meet and photograph. Everything is beautiful!!
You have such a great eye in capturing the cars and the food. Wow, what a day! I may have to re-think how I plan my days. Thank you for the lovely photos!
You are most welcome. And thank you for the lovely compliment 😊
I’d comment more but I have to run to wipe the drool off my clothes and the keyboard. Cheers!
janet
You are so funny J ☺️
What a lovely day. Take me back to Bergerac. ( I am thinking of writing a little tune now…)
☺️😉
If I wasn’t already happily married, I’d propose. Love your life. xxx
Ha ha! There’s always arsenic 😉
:O
PS
hmmm
The Ferrari is quite italian … no::)))) ?? but well integrated in your Bordeaux lifestyle frame 🙂 Bravo!
I LOVE that car. Reminds me of Magnum PI ☺️
… the young boy said ….:))… my dear, such a fun sharing these few impressions!
Listen.. I hate you! No… I adore you! nearly convinced even me to come and visit you…. me, the most messed up person in the world… But my (new) car.. (as we respect your theme) needs to start making some km…. So… I may want to reach you! but only if you present us that cool dude with the silver hair and your mom.
🙂
You are SO funny 😜 that guy was really funny too!
I guess your mom is even better! As far, one of the most interesting characters you presented us 🙂
(in my humble opinion)
🙂
You are so kind. I will tell her you said so 😉
I swear.. I may come just to know her 🙂 NOT ONLY YOU!
I grew up spending my afternoons with an old german lady speaking 5 languages instead of playing with the other kids… She also teached me how a Lady wear the lipstick… Oops 🙂
What a great idea to enjoy and spoil yourself a little! Might try something like this sometime. Beautiful post and, as always, amazing photos! 🙂
Thank you M!
Wonderful idea! We should free ourselves from daily drudgery and treat ourselves as lavishly as we would a guest. I’ll get right on it!!
Go for it Barbara! 😉
Wow, so glad thst you had such a great day. I also believe In adventures and loved your photos and Woe-the food you had sounds Sublime. Happy Day! Sora
Thanks dear Sora! We all deserve one of those from time to time 😉
I was resisting pretty well right up until the oysters shot. That really got me. Bravo my friend. Beautiful.
Conor
You are too funny! Have you tried oysters on the half shell with porc sausage (grilled) on the side? Wéll try it when you’re here 😉😜
That is a plan.
Aha! “Reasonable,” “in moderation…” I’m much happier with the term “healthy” as well! 😊
Ha ha! We are kindred spirits!😝😜
We are, indeed! Love your photos, sir. They are amazing, as usual.
What a lovely day! And beautiful photos, as always. It’s very important to treat ourselves sometimes and I’m so glad you gave yourself a great day out.
Ha Ha! Thanks Kay! I feel less guilty now 😉 🙂
Easy for you to say living in Bordeaux. 😉 Great post, cheers!
😉