My Favourite Things (July 2025)

As is always the case I have too many favorites to mention in this post. After all I impose my own limit of three. And there's always the questions, what might interest my readers? So it is always a guessing game. I hope you will enjoy this installment of My Favourite Things!

My French market straw basket - great for carrying sunflowers, fresh baguette, and everything else. Makes shopping for fresh food even more pleasurable.

A Straw Market Basket

I have found mine in La Rochelle over 6 years ago. It goes to every farmers market, in all kinds of weather, no matter what the season. With a straw body and leather handles it is the style that is all over the fashion blogs this season, but it cost me 25 euros, and is utilitarian foremost, and good looking as a bonus. Mine has short handles, but they come with longer handles as well, to go over a shoulder. Everyone, women, men, young and old, goes shopping carrying one. If there is one thing you want to bring from your French vacations, this would be it.

Gathering Seeds from the Garden

My absolute favorite thing for this time of year. Other than gathering fresh veggies and blooms of course. Saving my own seeds means that I do not have to buy them next year. And I can share them with others too. So far I used nasturtium and dill seeds from last year for this year's planting (successfully!), and this year I am saving calendula, marigold, and more dill. Some are strictly for re-seeding, and some can be used for cooking and baking.

Drying calendula seeds

Chaource

It's a kind of cheese of course, made out of cow's milk, originally from a village of Chaource in Champagne-Ardenne. Softish inside, cylindrical in shape, little known outside of France. I discovered it only after moving to Burgundy, and prefer it to Brie or Camembert, the two soft cheeses that are really well know everywhere. With the melt-in-you-mouth texture and a mild taste it might become your favorite. Worth asking for when you are in a fromagerie next time. Et Bonne Degustation!

Next edition of My Favourite Things is coming next month!

***I am not affiliated nor do I get compensated by the brands I mention***