Author: Frances

Golden light on the vineyard. Gosh this week went by fast. I am so touched by your kind words for my next book. Our book I should say @chefstephvalentine Thank you thank you again. .
#rancholazaca #homesweethome #californiacookingandsouthernstyle #losolivos #santaynezvalley #oaksavannah #oaksavannahvineyard

Then I came home and cut flowers for the week and toted them in my gorgeous handwoven basket by @kateholmessnapslanding … such a beautiful day today. I hate to say it in front of my East Coast friends, but I don’t think it got above 80… #donthateme .
#Dahlias #zinnias

Out this morning with the Tuesday Painters. Did this quick tiny sketch at the historic old Chamberlain Ranch in Los Olivos. Such a similar scene to one a few weeks ago in NY state. If there’s a barn, a road, and a telephone pole, I’m there hun. .
#enpleinair #pleinairpainting #losolivos #santaynezvalley #farmscape

After an action-packed week if houseguests and family and @flowermagazine photo shoot, It’s back to Mr and Mrs Livewire by the pond… and we feel so grateful for all of it. .
#californiacookingandsouthernstyle #rancholazaca #alfrescodining #dinneradeux #datenight #deadflowersneedlovetoo

#Tabletofarm Yesterday’s centerpiece is today’s lunch… for Betsy Bloomingdale the cow, belonging to my friend @kelleher.renee @rkart1 .
#tabletofarm

Snippet of a sneak preview from yesterday’s photo shoot with @flowermagazine Summer’s bountiful fruits and vegetables also make beautiful centerpieces, alone or mixed with flowers and other stuff. All in the fun with
#californiacookingandsouthernstyle out in November from @skyhorsepub and available for order now in link in my profile and from your indie bookstore and the usual other big daddy outlets… .
#tablesetting #tablescapes #centerpieces #watermelon

A few friends for dinner last night joining wonderful houseguests from England. Loving our new plates and napkins from @worldmarket which is a great source for inexpensive tableware. Centerpiece in a pinch are our always-there pots of succulents augmented by a few dahlias from the garden and table runners crisscrossed underneath. These warm earthy colors go well with the landscape and the golden light. Swipe for more pics
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#californiacookingandsouthernstyle #rancholazaca #afewfriendsfordinner #worldmarket #succulents #decoratingwithsucculents #tablescape

Good place for a Sunday drive. Yesterday before my book clearing frenzy I drove out to the beach in the early morning to scout for painting locations, and funnily enough I think it energized me to come home and do the work I needed to do. Does that happen to you? This is a scene above Gaviota Beach. Definitely #iwanttopaintthis #gaviota #iwanttopaintit #weliveinparadise #santabarbaracounty #sundaydrive

I’ve spent much of this day clearing my “nest,” sorting out books mostly. How they multiply and disorganize themselves (surely it isn’t me!) is a confounding mystery. I have to quell the voice saying I should be doing something more “constructive,” as open days are such a rarity—but then I think what could be more constructive than clearing your space and clearing your energy with it. Onward to yonder boxes and other peoples’ shelves… I’d love to hear your thoughts on “clearing”. I am SO not a minimalist and dont want to be, but i still want my spaces to feel organized and intentional, cluttered or not. You?

Meanwhile back on the Left Coast, a beautiful early morning mist over the valley greeted my early morning ride to town. .
#santaynezvalley #foxencanyon #losolivos #morningride

Scheming for a photo shoot coming up next week with @flowermagazine So excited they’re coming to California! Am thinking to do simple flowers, coral and pink, on a central “runner” of moss. What do you think? Btw the plates are (shhh) Melamine and i love them! @potterybarn ! Antique napkins from France. #coral !