Mosaic Monday/Three or More Tuesday...or...A Few Frenchy Favorites!

Today, I am taking you to Alsace in the northeastern corner of France. Well, not exactly, but I am going to share a few of my little treasures! If you are not familiar with Alsace, I’ll bet that you could guess from the photo that it is on the border with Germany…but it is still VERY French. Warning! Warning! I feel the French teacher in me coming out! lol

photo of Strasbourg from Wikipedia

First, I would like to share with you my two favorite Alsatian plates. In the upper left is a Sarreguemines plate in the Obernai pattern depicting an Alsatian woman and her daughter going to church, dressed in traditional costumes. I love the flowers on the border! On the lower right is a Limoges plate featuring the products of Alsace, including a peek at the traditional architecture with a stork nesting on the chimney. I’ll tell you a little more about the costumes and the storks later. The yellow fruit is mirabelles…a sort of yellow plum which makes a yummy tarte!

And this little jewel is a special favorite because it was a gift from a dear French friend of mine to my mother. It is only three inches in diameter! It depicts the traditional architecture of Strasbourg with the cathedral in the background and a stork’s nest. It is believed that having a stork build its nest on your home brings luck. However…no fires in the fireplace! And…if you want a baby brother or sister, just leave a sugar cube on the window sill and the stork will grant your wish in return for the treat!

I love these little people dressed in the traditional Alsatian costumes! I bought several sets of these to give as gifts, but could only part with one set…which I gave to my sister. She hangs them on her tree at Christmas. I have them hung in several places around my house as a reminder of a trip to Strasbourg for the Christmas Market. When you tug on the string, their arms and legs move!

I am sure that you have noticed by now that Alsatian women are frequently portrayed as wearing a large black bow. Actually, there are numerous traditional coiffes or caps for the region, but this one has come to represent all of Alsace. It was worn by the women in protest of the German occupation of Alsace in 1870 and 1914. You have to admire them for making their political views known! The traditional costume is now only worn for special fêtes or holidays.

photo from Wikipedia

This is a colorful little cookie tin whose cookies long ago...er...disappeared! You can see men and women in costume, as well as references to some of the products of Alsace…vins d’Alsace and bière d’Alsace…wine and beer from Alsace. The brasserie, a sort of bar/restaurant, is serving the local specialties. And, of course, there is a stork’s nest!

Hmmmm…I would like to show you this picture that usually hangs in my kitchen…but Kitty isn’t in a sharing mood! It features several labels from the wines of Alsace. Have you ever had a glass of Riesling or Gewürztraminer? Then you have sampled them!

Finally! She has allowed me to show you a little peek! I love this one…it has all of the traditional elements…the costumes, the architecture and the stork!! One day, I hope to go back to Alsace…but it will not be soon enough! In the meantime, I will have to visit through my little treasures!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please join me in visiting Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, where you will see one of her beautiful mosaics and find a list of this week’s participants.

Then on Tuesday, head on over to Tam’s at The Gypsy’s Corner where I am joining our wonderful hostess for my very first Three or More Tuesday! There you will find all sorts of interesting collections! I am happy to be a part of this meme and I do believe that it may become a habit! See you next time! A la prochaine!