Patron Saint of Bloggers

Today January 24, is the feast of St. Francis De Sales so let’s head  to the French Alps. 

    

The more I read about this saint, the more I am intrigued by him.

  

  

He is the patron saint of journalists and writers.

   

He was born in the beautiful town of Annecy, France.

Annecy is tucked away in the French Alps…

near the borders of Switzerland and Italy.

Many people call  Annecy the “Venice of the Alps”
    

because of the beautiful canal which runs through the center of it.

The “Palais de l’Ile” (or Palace on the Island) is a popular photo opportunity and is now the center of Art and History Conservation of Annecy.

When I make it to France, I intend on putting Annecy on my to-do list.
          

   
The church of Saint-François de Sales preserves this saint’s relics here.

  

St. Francis de Sales is known as the “The Gentle Saint” and I consider him the patron saint of Bloggers.
 
I do love his wisdom:

“Give yourself up to your guardian Angel, that he may be your guide…”
                       - St. Francis de Sales

As you begin your week, know your guardian Angel is forever at your side (even if "he" may be a "she"  *wink*).

Savon de Marseille

The other day I came across a beautiful bar of Le Sérail Savon de Marseille France.
 

(click pictures to enlarge)

                     
It was in a clearance basket.
   

   
So I did my little *happy dance* and purchased the French milled soap.
  
  

  
      
Savon de Marseille is a pure handcrafted soap made in the South of France.
          

       
                  
It is made with coconut and palm oils.
   

     
    
And sea salt.
   
      

        
                
They have been making soap in Marseille for over 300 years in the same natural way.   
                

    
   
It smells heavenly.

   
“The perfume of roses are like exquisite chords of music composed of many odor notes harmoniously blended.”
                         - N. F. Miller

  

Vintage Lourdes

This is my treasured vintage statue of “Our Lady of Lourdes” made in France.

She has signs of wear, but to me these marks show how she has been loved throughout the years.

She has her hands clasped in prayer.

As she looks up to our Heavenly Father.

This aqua blue antique rosary was made in Italy and matches her eyes perfectly.

I love how the rosary beads sparkle in the candle light.

This French Holy Card translates to, “ At Lourdes Grotto I pray for you.”

Before “Our Lady” appeared in the Grotto, there was a single wild rose bush growing there.  She appeared in the very spot of this single wild rose bush.

If you look close, you can see the roses displayed at her feet on this statue.  These roses represent this wild rose bush.

Above I have an old Holy Card with a real rose petal from the Lourdes Grotto.

Even rose petals from the mountains in France have “fallen” into my life.  And I treasure each and every one of them.

Have a Blessed Thursday!

Simple Elegance

Elegance doesn’t need to be complicated.


Or expensive.

This little Eiffle Tower and the Ball jar was bought at Cost Plus World Market for less than $5.00. (For both)  I just filled it with some vintage buttons I had.

The little silver tray was found at the Dollar Store.

The stacks of white washcloths were purchased at Target for $2.99 each.

They even come all bundled up and tied together.

I can never have too many of these white washcloths.

I am always inspired by the great bargain finds of my fellow bloggers and am always on the lookout for some of my own.

Sweet Bonjour – Free Blog Graphic

I would like to say “Welcome” to all of the new followers of "Rose Petals from Heaven". 

Let’s celebrate!

Enjoy this sweet cake compliments of Rose Petals from Heaven.

Bon appétit!

 

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Love - Free Blog Graphic

Jules Renard was a French author who lived from 1864 to 1910.  He had an interesting take on love.

(click to enlarge graphic)

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Simply SOAP

I am fascinated by handmade soaps.  Some might say I have become a collector. *wink*

I see each bar as a work of art where no two bars are exactly the same. 

You can find my best smelling soaps tucked away behind my folded bath towels inside of my linen cabinet.

I also display some of my favorite bars in large clear glass covered jars around my bath tub. ( I will post pictures of this in the future…so stay tuned.)

It is widely known that the French are the masters in the art of soap making.  The French have been manufacturing soap for over 600 years.

The world’s most famous soap is made in Marseille,  a city located in the South of France.  It is simply called Savon de Marseille. 

   

Soaps in wonderful packaging always catch my eye. This soap below is made by Tokyo Milk Parfumarie Curiosite.   If you look close you can see the glitter added to make this package sparkle.

Aren’t these mini soaps “simply” perfect?  Just add a beautifully colored ribbon around your soap and Whala!

 Add a gift tag to make the perfect gift.

I always enjoy giving soaps because it is the one thing that I know will get used.

Yes, “Making Home Made Soap” is on my “Bucket List”.  But for now, I will continue to admire those who continue to carry on the tradition of soap making.

I hope you all have a fabulous Wednesday and catch a few petals falling from Heaven.

A French Poet

These words are from the French poet Catulle Mendès written in 1905.


Swifter than a butterfly kisses a rose

  she put her lips upon his lips, and the poet,

greatly occupied though he was with his ode,
could not help but feel the heavenliness of her caress.


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