Friday, January 20, 2012

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 73 Cooking the French Way

Take a look at these images and see if you can guess 
 what's been inspiring me this week for
  Vintage Inspiration Friday...






















What do each of these images have in common...
can you guess?

It's what has me on this fooding, eating, cooking, kick... 

Well, a couple of years ago the St. Louis kids and I were hitting the antique malls when what do you think my son-in-law spied...?


you got it, a vintage Le Creuset dutch oven. (They've been around since 1925, and still made in a small town in France.) Now, I knew what they were, but the bug just hadn't bitten me yet.  Clearly he had found something fabulous. He was thrilled and made a mad dash for the checkout!
So then fast forward, and each time we go up to visit, there it sets with a prominent spot on their large gas stove. "Do you really use this?" I asked my daughter. "MOM...at almost every meal!" OK, excuse me, I'm not hip or trendy enough in the kitchen. But it did get me thinking, and I was a Crock Pot Queen in the day. So for Christmas this year this was my "one thing" that was a must for a Christmas present... and hurray...that's what I got!!

so now I'm searching out recipes to try out with my new French baby...
And as Julia would say...Bon Appetit!!

Here's some of the great inspiration from last week:

MaryAlice from Chateau Chic shows off a wonderful chippy old door



Rhonda from Blue Creek Home shares her lamp makeover,
I love this, she did a great job!



Sherry from Pondered Primed Perfected  put together this
great look-alike Restoration Hardware Tripod lamp.


Kathleen at Faded Charm always has a great place for some 
wonderful  "White Wednesday" inspiration.
She has a new camera and her photos are yummy.
Here is her  "Simple winter table decor."




This "Upcycled Stair Shelving" from Tattered Tiques
shows us how to use some salvage materials for some perfect shelving.



and Shabby Story totally revamps the kitchen pass through.
You won't believe the "before" pictures!




Thanks everyone for joining in, and a heads up for
A Valentine Party 
to share all our vintage Valentine fun.

I'd love for you to grab the image for your sidebar!!


I'll be joining in for

Hope you'll join in for the party
and if you've been featured, 
remember there's a button for you on the sidebar!


"Anything vintage or vintage inspired"

this link now requires a link back 
to Common Ground within the post.
Thanks a bunch!

xoxo,



62 comments:

  1. Debra,
    I have a vintage dutch oven and it is fantastic! Makes a perfect roast chicken. Lovely post! Thank you for hosting and joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  2. I also have a wonderful old dutch oven...Love it! Thanks for the inspiration and the party!!!

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  3. Love the features, and the inspiration Debra. Thanks for hosting.

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  4. Oh I dearly love to cook in le creuset but only do it at my mother in law's house. I need one of my own. Bon Appetit to you!

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  5. Ohhh, I want one too! I have to confess that I've been thinking about food a lot too. I tend to cook the same quick meals all the time, which aren't really tasty or healthy. This year I want to focus on eating healthier most days, but still leaving room for the comfort foods and sweets that we enjoy so much. After all, eating should be enjoyable and tasty.

    I'm also needing a chage in my decorating. I love that chippy door, but hubby doesn't get this style and would never go for it.

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  6. You are killing me with the kitchen stuff! lol I think I am even dreaming of a really great kitchen! Just my obsession at the moment. I do enjoy the lovely ones you find!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  7. OH so much inspiration over here! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. You always have the neatest features! I love that DREAM banner! I'll go visit her! Hugs! ♥

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  9. Hello Debra! Do they make a Le Creuset in pink? :) I'll be on the lookout! And I hope you'll share your favorite recipes as you make use of your new dutch oven! I have seen these around and thought they looked so fancy and intriguing...would love to learn more! Thanks so much for hosting today! Take care!
    Best Wishes and Blessings,
    Amanda

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  10. How wonderful, Debra! Hope you'll try boeuf bourguinon à la Julia Child...yummy! Love the features! Thanks for hosting!...hugs...Debbie

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  11. Hi Debra, I have an entire set of vintage Desoses ware which was what Julia Child used and made popular. I love it and I know you will love your new you white Dutch oven. Thanks for hosting. hugs♥Olive

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  12. Wow!! I feel so honored to be featured in your blog, especially since I'm new to the blogging world. Thank you so much! This is very exciting.
    Mary Alice

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  13. Hi Debra! Oh, I'm on the Le Creuset band wagon and that's the start of my post today! I just got the orangey red dutch oven a few months ago and a stock pot for Christmas! They are wonderful, aren't they? Great inspirations and I'm happy to be coming to your party today.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. Hi Debra. I'm back for another party :) Thanks for hosting. I love your picks by the way.

    Shari
    http://www.turnstylevogue.com

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  15. Fun vintage kitchen photos and what amazing features! Thanks for being a gracious hostess!

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  16. I have a Dutch oven that's 42 years old....it's not a Le Creuset, but it works well. Bon appétit! Linda

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  17. Love, love, love the dutch ovens! Such beautiful pictures..and fabulous features as always! Thank you for hosting Debra!

    Heather

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  18. ohhh la la - I LOVE your white pot! gorgeous! I have the red one & use it tons too - great huh?

    xo

    www.northerncottage.blogspot.com

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  19. I have an apple green dutch oven that is very well seasoned :) Enjoy whipping up some comfort food! Thanks for hosting!

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  20. Great features Debra! Thanks for hosting.
    Faye

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  21. Debra- thank you for hosting and LOVE your new little white cooking pot! Now I gotta have one, too...andrea@townandprairie

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  22. I'm all over that French cookware ... love it! Please share your favorite recipe/meal you like to use it for!
    xo
    Jill

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  23. I'm totally over that pot! That is one of my goals for this year to buy one "le creuset pot", I don't care if it's vintage or not I just want one :)

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  24. My daughter got a "le creuset" dutch oven for a wedding gift. It's gorgeous! If a pot can be gorgeous - LOL! It's turquoise and heavy as all get out. Makes a great roast, though. Loved your photos and now I have kitchen envy. Thanks for hosting. It's always a pleasure.
    Lynn

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  25. Thanks so much for hosting Debra!!! :) (I forwarded your info to the contact to ship your book to you!)

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  26. Two of my favorite things ~ Le Creuset and copper. I have a kitchen full of both! Thanks for hosting Debra.

    Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  27. Debra,
    WoW! That is one beautiful dutch oven, dear friend! Reminds me od my MoMa making goulash for our family of five!!! Thank you for hosting this weekly meme...I have be inspired to get things out of cupboards and closets and use them in my home decor since I started visiting regularly! Oh...I can hardly wait for the vintage Valentines to come out of storage!!! See you soon!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  28. Love your Creuset in white! It will make you very happy. xx

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  29. I absolutely love your Le Creuset in white. It looks so elegant. There is nothing like cooking in a Dutchie. Thanks for hosting! I am all linked up. I would love for you to share this awesome story at our What's It Wednesday linky party this week. Hope to see you there.

    Paula
    ivyandelephants.blogspot.com

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  30. The le creuset dutch oven was made for Giada's "White Bean & Chicken Chili." If you google for it you 'll find the recipe. If you try it, I guarantee you will L-O-V-E it!

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  31. A Le Creuset is something I've always wanted. I'm sure you'll enjoy making many wonderful dishes using it. Thanks for hosting the party.

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  32. What a wonderful Le Creuset present. I love Julia Child's book "My Life in France" which is what your photos reminded me of.

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  33. One of these is on my wish list. Maybe it will make my cooking taste better!

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  34. Oh, Le Creuset....I have always wanted a piece. Even TJ Maxx's prices for them are still a bit out of my reach! Someday! And then I have to decide on a color??! You'll have to share some of the yumminess you cook up in it!
    Thanks for hosting!

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  35. I love the dutch oven!
    Thank you so much for hosting!
    Kerry at HouseTalkN

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  36. Thank you for hosting Debra!!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  37. Thanks for hosting Debra. Always such lovely features.

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  38. I've linked up! Thanks for hosting the party!

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  39. I've linked up too, thanks for hosting such a wonderful party!

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  40. I love your new Le Creuset and white is fabulous--it would be my choice too. Thanks for hosting and a warm hello to you too.

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  41. Bon Appetit, indeed... I Loved that movie~ Have a wonderful weekend,
    Cheryl

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  42. oh, debra, thanks so much for sharing my new bar area!! LOVE your white creuset and fab features:)

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  43. oh my
    i have dutch oven envy!

    i've wanted one for awhile
    but haven't managed it yet

    and fantastic features
    as always my friday friend!

    all linked up for the week

    alison

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  44. Beautiful Le Creuset! I got my first and only one for Christmas last year and love it. It cooks evenly and cleans up so well! You'll love it.

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  45. I have the Cuisanart version of that cooker. Yours is beautiful. I love to use it for baked chicken. I just love pulling it out of a hot oven, no matter what is in it.

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  46. Hi Debra ~ love those fabulous kitchen photos. Every year for Christmas, my husband gets a new piece of Le Creuset from me. Yes, he is Le Chef @ Maison de French Bleu ~ and quite rightly so. It is wonderful cookware and I have even found a few much older pieces of it at the flea. Have a great weekend.

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  47. Debra, your blog is always beautiful! I am an auctioneer and found an old Le Creuset dutch over this week while packing an estate. Can't wait to see who wins the bid. As a bonus, I am going to direct them to your blog too! Have a blessed weekend!

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  48. That looks like a wonderful pice of cooking equipment Debra. Something I may have to hunt for now! I had no idea. Thanks again for your great party. I am looking forward to your Valentine's Party and I have put your button about it in my sidebar.

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  49. Oh, I love all the great stuff from Le Creuset too! Sometimes they have pieces at Home Goods, but always in colors I don't want. I like that nice creamy color that you got.

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  50. Who would of thunk that one day we would both be wanting to wear a badge that says crock pot queen! I'll be waiting to hear how the trendy new French girl performs in your kitchen.

    ~Bliss~

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  51. Love the chippy door with the flowers and "lantern."

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  52. I never thought that I should use the word :beautiful about a pot--BUT than`s what I do with your white one-and I`m sure you are cooking gorgeous meals in it, dear Debra.
    Hugs,Dorthe

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  53. I have wanted one of those myself.I love the color.I hope you will share some recipes.Thank you for hosting.Have a great weekend.

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  54. SO many pretties to look at! I love the dutch ovens:) Makes me wanna buy one and cook something! Have a blessed day dear Debra, HUGS!

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  55. You will never go back to any other cookware! I have about ten of the cast iron/enamel pieces in various colors I would love to add a few pieces in Dune or Ocean but I'm out of storage space! ;) My favorite color ever was Kiwi.

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  56. I love Le Creuset!
    I have an orange tea kettle I found on Craigslist-MINT. Did you know that Marilyn Monroe's 12 pc butter yellow Le Creuset set went for $25K at auction? I love them too!!

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  57. oh my goodness..inpsiration and talent oozing everywhere here!! wow!
    I am your newer follower..pls follow back if you can!

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  58. Thanks for hosting! We are new followers!
    Angie and Holly

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  59. WOW So glad I stumbled onto your blog it's FABULOUS!! I can't wait to keep coming back! I linked up my vintage inspired bathroom before and after, hope you like it!
    XO
    Andrea

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