At Home with May and Axel Vervoordt

Recipes for Every Season

by May Vervoordt with

Michael Gardner and Patrick Vermeulen

(beautiful!) photography by

Jean-Pierre Gabriel

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I pre-ordered and had my copy in-hand on the September 4th release day and I've enjoyed perusing its pages since. The recipes reflect May's penchant for healthy, balanced meals based on seasonal offerings and influenced by ayurvedic principles —(such as using herbs and spices not only to flavor but for digestive health and overall vitality.)  

Images from the Vervoordt estate – the castle of s'Gravenwezel, their chalet in Verbier and their apartment in Venice are interspersed with lovely quotes and accolades from well-known friends who have broken bread with May and Axel:

"May Vervoordt combines the simplest,most delicious food with natural, rustic tableware, and she does it all in the most elegant settings.  I'm thrilled that she's sharing her secrets so we can all bring a little of her style into our homes." —Ina Garten

"It's all good, it's all beautiful!  I would call it healthy cooking, seasonal cooking, light cooking – the sort of cooking that I love!  The vegetables, salads, and fruits are all fresh from the château's gardens."—Marielle Labèque

"May has been as creative with recipes as she has with her ability to conjure up an inspiring ambience around the table... When May prepares a table, the result is like a still-life painting... May believes that food is energy and has the power to make a person feel better, spiritually as well as physically.  The best food should not take a lot of time, as long as it is prepared in the right way. Cooking can be a great pleasure, and just as for a potter who sculpts clay, the skill is a craft and the creation is a work of art."

—Axel Vervoordt (excerpts from the foreword)

 The book contains over 100 recipes, here are just a few I can't wait to try:

• Zucchini Tartlets with Cumin
• Green Salad with Mango and Grilled Sweet Potato
• Pumpkin Risotto
• Shallots Roasted with Lemon, Thyme, and Sage
• Spinach and Tomato Quiche
• Lentil and Tomato Soup

Creamed Butternut Squash Bruschetta 
with Gingerroot and Hazelnut Crumble

• Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Winter Truffles
• Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Olive Mille-Feuille
• Salmon Sashimi with Soy Sauce and Sesame Seeds
• Arugula and  Green and Yellow Zucchini Salad
• Poached Apples with Turmeric and Blueberries
• Lemon Tartlets
• Molten Chocolate Cake with Almonds and Cranberries

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Need I say more?(!)

images by Jean-Pierre Gabriel

linen & lavender

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

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You might also like a new design book just out in some countries and
soon-to-be released in others:
  

 Interiors Atelier AM 

by Alexandra and Michael Misczynski 

introduction written 

by Axel Vervoordt

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 (it)~ (es)

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Josephine Ryan

The unpretentious and thoroughly

engaging design style of Josephine Ryan.

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via Josephine Ryan Antiques:

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More Josephine Ryan in this previous post: 
French Home and Essentially French 

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Discover Josephine's latest book:  Essentially Irish

Antiques dealer and stylist Josephine Ryan offers a privileged glimpse into a fascinating array of private Irish homes.  Their decorative styles may differ, but each home demonstrates the qualities that have made Irish interiors admired the world over- a rich color palette, an affinity with the landscape, an appreciation of the patina of the antique, and a passion for the work created by a rich tradition of artists and craftsmen. -excerpt from the publisher.

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image 2 via:  French Home by Josephine Ryan, Photography by Claire Richardson

image 10 via:  Côté Ouest Magazine, Josephine Ryan styling, photo by Claire Richardson 

images 15-22 via: Josephine Ryan website  

images 1 & 3-9, 11,12,19 & 23 via: Nuevo-Estilo

linenandlavender.blogspot.com

ARCHIVE

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Source Sharing - Metal Baskets

natural burlap used as basket liner

jute webbing used as charming ribbon

I had so much fun packing up homemade cookies and oranges and other treats in gift baskets this Christmas.  I know I'm a little late in sharing and truth-be-told, I never did get a proper photo illustrating just how nice they looked finished so I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination a bit!  My sister flew in Christmas eve day to spend the holidays with me and by the time she got in, it was all we could do to get all the elements together and out for delivery.  (Thanks Sis, by the way!!)

I think it is always nice (budget permitting, of course) if the gift basket can be part of the gift—a useful storage container that the recipient can use in any number of ways throughout their home.  Which brings me to my original post topic:

2012 is well under way and I don't know if it is the start of a new year or just the after-holiday-clean-up that motivates me to purge unnecessary items and organize the house from top-to-bottom, but it seems I'm always in that frame of mind this time each year.  

Wire baskets and trays are a favorite storage solution of mine.  They are an attractive way to store all sorts of items in the kitchen and throughout your home.  

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Here are a few finds from the emporium:

. Small Wire Basket

. Large Wire basket

. Shabby Cottage Chic Wire Basket Set

.Timeless Settings:  Set of 3 baskets

. Vintage Inspired Veggie Storage

I'm constantly scouting for new items to add to the emporium so be sure to check often to see my latest finds. 

in the emporium:

For a large variety of storage items (from glass canisters to wire baskets) see Pantry and Storage

Find wooden totes, wicker baskets, wire baskets and other totes used for storage or for gifting  in Gift Wrap Supplies

You might also like:  The Heart of the Home  

and Thinking Outside the Box

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

I predict sweet dreams and blissful mornings...

This simple room is proof that a rejuvenating, "feel-good" space is well within reach for most of us. 

• unadorned plaster walls
• natural light
• crisp white linens
• sensuous blankets/throws

key descriptors:

tactile, natural, fresh, uncontrived

  

Image via:  Côté Sud Magazine 

A "FEEL-GOOD"  MOVIE RECOMMENDATION:

Mamma Mia!

Dismiss any criticism you might have heard about the movie and just allow it to be what it is:  a light-hearted romp filled with charm and silly humor and songs that will lift your spirits and send you dancing around your house for several days after.   Tip:  Set the DVD to play in the background as you tend to your household chores.   —You won't be sorry. *   :)

For Gita:

I Have A Dream (MP3 download)

Thank You For The Music (MP3 download)

sung by Amanda Seyfried, Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia! The Movie Soundtrack

*A favorite movie quote: 
Janeane Garofalo as Vicki Miner, Reality Bites: 
"Can you turn this up, please? Please?  You won't be sorry."

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see our new site:
www.linenlavenderlife.com