6/25/2011

A Field Day in a Dutch Farm...


A couple of years ago, at one of the fairs where we sell, I was walking around when I noticed a booth of European antiques. I was greeted by a beautiful, pleasant, and very tall woman named Marina. I complimented her merchandise and shared with her that we also sold European brocante and we chatted a bit. I invited her to visit our booth later if she had a chance.  She came by later, was very effusive in her appreciation of our merchandise and we chatted some more. It was great to discover
that both our merchandise and our personalities complemented each other.

I continued to see Marina and her sisters at this particular event and then last May, we ran into each other while we were both selling at Chateau Sonoma's annual "French Flea Market."  There we discovered that we have a friend in common in Belgium and that she had in fact  visited our warehouse which we share with our friend Steve, whom she knows. Well, when I told her we'd be in Europe this summer, and that it would include a trip through parts of Holland, she suggested we go by her uncle's farm which is also a brocante. Then we ran into Marina at the fair in Maroilles in France and she again reminded us to stop by her uncle's farm on the way back from Amsterdam. We decided to follow her advice and took a little detour along the road on our way to Oosterhout.

On the way to the farm, there is a canal that is beautifully covered with water lilies that conjures up images of Monet's garden. We decided to stop and take a few photos. "I could get used to living here!" I exclaimed.  It is breath-taking, and the air smells so clean and fresh.  Everywhere you look there are pastures with beautiful cows grazing, and fields of corn, potatoes, wheat, and other crops.  There were people riding bicycles and just taking a walk along the bank of the canal. It seemed so idyllic!

Not too far from where we stopped to admire the water lilies, our navigator told us to turn right and we saw a simple hand painted sign that said "brocante."  We turned and discovered this rustic and beautiful farm in the most bucolic setting.  Everywhere you turned and photographed could become a postcard. The colors were vibrant and the smell of the soil after the fresh rain was delicious. 


 Arriving at the farm, we were greeted by Marina's aunt and step sister.  They were both very pleasant and welcoming and as soon as I mentioned we were sent by Marina, her aunt mentioned our names.  "Marina told me you might be coming!" The other three members of that welcoming committee, were three beautiful black dogs named Negrita, Segundo and Bianca.


The place was beautiful and it included some buildings with traditional Dutch roofs and an array of greenhouses and out buildings that were filled with goodies of all sorts. The garden reminded me a bit of ours in Corralitos in that it sort of grows wild.  There were climbing roses and red poppies, and all sorts of flowers blooming.  There were also all sorts of plants in containers, including an assortment of succulents which I love. The containers themselves looked beautiful with moss and different hues of patinas.




As soon as we greeted our hosts, we all scattered about the place hunting for treasures.  Melissa and Bob went one way and Johan, Martin and I in our own quest.  Now and then, one of us would peek out of an attic or come out of a doorway bearing goodies in our arms.  We each made our own pile and didn't bother to ask for prices until we were ready to pack it up.  Along the way, we would stop and take some photos and enjoyed a hot cup of coffee prepared by our hosts and later sipped some cold beer as the day grew warmer.


 It was a field day in many ways and we all left happy with our purchases and glad that we met some nice folks. They gave us a traditional farewell with three kisses and invited us to come again. "Next time, you come and stay. We can make some food, drink beer and you guys can spend the night." Now, that's Dutch hospitality. Who said the Dutch were stingy?

A French Evening at Deja Vu's:


From the brocante in the farm, we drove to Oosterhout for Desiree and Paul's French Night at Deja Vu's.  What a beautiful and well-attended event!  We arrived early so you could still move about the shop and courtyard, but later, the placed filled up with friendly people. Many people were wearing interesting ecclectic clothing. There was plenty of wine, and delicious edibles and a duo of musicians who ended up inviting us to sing in Spanish.  Well, Martin and I just had to oblige!  


The queue to pay for purchases was long so we know Desiree had a nice evening not just because so many people came but they were also buying.  And who blames them? Desiree has a beautiful shop replete with gorgeous items and great ambiance, especially on her French Evening. 


Martin and I retired early for the evening, but Johan hung out with the other folks until 1 a.m.  We all stayed at Desiree and Paul's house which is a beautiful, romantic place and had a tasty breakfast of croissants, cheeses, hams, fruit , and many other goodies before we left for Johan's place in Belgium. 
Not a bad way to celebrate your BIG 50! Thank you Desiree and Paul for being such gracious hosts both at the party and at your lovely home!
Trinidad
 

10 comments:

Karena said...

What gorgeous settings, A place I would love to visit!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

creekside rummager said...

I just do look forward to your posts on your adventures. I do feel like I get a real sense of what your experience is. Thank you so much for sharing. Until next time . . . Lani

Vintage Maison said...

How lovely! We have often said that we must visit Belgium and Holland to seek out brocante stock - maybe now our kids are getting independent we might give it a whirl. Thanks for the post - I almost feel as though I were there too!

Atelier de Campagne said...

Thank you ladies for the first three comments. Blogger or our computer was acting out and it took us way longer than normal to finally post and we still had some overlap text. Sorry!
Today, we just sat here resting, did laundry and read. Johan's place is so cozy and quiet.
Martin will cook dinner for us and tomorrow morning we go to Waterloo to a flea market and then spend the day in Brussels. I may post about Waterloo next. I hear the reason Napoleon lost there was that he abandoned his troops for a while to go to the flea and he was attacked then. :)

under spanish moss said...

Awesome adventures guys! Enjoy sharing in your trip.

Faded Charm said...

This trip seems like a dream come true to me. Such a lovely place with nice weloming people and getting to buy from a brocante....sounds like heaven. I'm really enjoying your photos and journey. Thanks for sharing:-)

Xoxo
Kathleen

flowers on my table said...

And you try to convince us that your work is really hard! Only kidding, it's lovely that you can work hard and make friends along the way. I would love to visit Holland some day. Love Linda x

Jacque Ferreira said...

Oh that was so much fun! Beautiful places and three guys on a wonderful adventure... really enjoying hearing all about it! Was dropping by to send Trinidad a Happy Birthday Wish... looks like you had a great one :) We will have to get together when you return and have you share even more great details about your trip ~ Jacque & James

Ido said...

I am so green of envy, you enjoying France and all those beautiful places and I'm here working and working..... and reading blogs lol!
XXX Ido

lvroftiques said...

Trinidad thank you so much for taking us along on this journey with you! I am sooo enjoying it!! Beautiful place in Holland! Isn't it amazing how small the world is sometimes when you keep bumping into Marina all over? And a perfect spot to celebrate the big 50 too!....It's the new 40 don'tcha know *winks* Vanna