Calling all Monet lovers…have you ever wished you could sit at the table in that lovely yellow dining room in Giverny with the great artist himself and discuss fine art and great cuisine? Maybe suggest a wine he should try with his dinner tonight…and have him actually talk to you? Well…not Claude himself, but a Claude-like moderator who knows him well, it seems! Then you need out check out this website…Monet’s Palate!…as a starting point in your quest to become Monet’s new BFF! Be sure to "like" their Facebook fan page while you are there. You'll see why in a moment!
It all grew out of a film for PBS by Aileen Bordman and narrated by Meryl Streep…Monet’s Palate: A Gastronomic View from the Gardens of Giverny introducing Monsieur Monet and his passion for fine art, cuisine and his beloved gardens. It explores the connection between great artists and cuisine…from palette to palate, so to speak. 
But an even more amazing phenomenon that has developed is Monet’s Palate on Facebook where you can join in the fun! Once you “like” the fan page, you become an Mpal and you can enter his home, pull up one of those wonderful yellow chairs and join in the discussion! Tonight, for example, Monsieur Monet asks what he should drink with his “fresh pasta drowning in grated cheese, melted butter and cracked black pepper.” You make suggestions and he chats with you, discussing the options! Or he takes you to visit his favorite spots in France or shows you his favorite paintings…fun, huh?
If you want even more Monet and would like to have a little peek inside his home beyond that yellow dining room, then here is a book I’ve suggested before…Monet's House: An Impressionist Interior
by Heide Michels. It’s one of my favorites! Gotta love those blue and white tiles!And for those of you who are interested in the culinary side of Claude Monet, I suggest that you try this wonderful book…Monet's Table : The Cooking Journals of Claude Monet
by Claire Jones. Monet believed that a successful meal was dependant upon a beautiful dinner service and even designed a personal set of china! He casually shares the poet Stéphane Mallarmé's recipe for wild mushrooms and the artist Cézanne’s recipe for bouillabaisse! Can you imagine these great men swapping recipes? 
If you know me, you know I am a huge fan of Monet and planned my recent trip to France with my grandson around a visit with Monsieur Monet and his famous water lilies in Giverny. But it seems that I can’t get enough of the beautiful gardens and that wonderful house…so, if you will excuse me, I am heading over to see what Monsieur Monet is having for dessert!
Good morning Debbie. Another beautiful French post and Monet and his gardens and your photo's are my favorites. I told my husband we need to go there so maybe some time soon....Of course.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week.
Oh here I am . forgot to mention that beautiful yellow kitchen and I just visited MOnet's palate. Going back there now again.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Debbie. I need to pass the book info and facebook page along to my daughter Kim.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great recommendations, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteBeaautiful Debbie, I scooted for to join in the fun on FB. The book looks like fun reading. Oh your grandson is getting so big. Where does the time fly to? My Bailey will be in the 6th grade this year, he's such a little man these days. We so lucky to have these little guys..hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteOh, my! Now I want to go paint my dining room furniture yellow! I LOVE yellow! The Monet's Palate on FB sounds like fun. The closest I've come to Monet is an exhibit in an art museum which was, of course, wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLovely post as always! And what a beautiful dining room. Would love to spend a meal or two at that dining table.
ReplyDeleteYou must be thrilled to have found Monet's Palate! It sounds like fun...I'm going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
You are in a dream. Live it well. Richard from My Old Historic House.
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for sharing this find. What a fun idea. Love the idea of palette to palate. Catchy!
ReplyDeleteYou know the book is a favorite on my own shelves. Giverny is indeed a special spot!
How fun. I can't wait to go check it out. I always love your pics and your stories, so interesting. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteDebbie, thanks for the memories. One of the best side trips to Paris is a visit here. The gardens and the home are every bit as beautiful as your photographs. I have Monet's table displayed in my kitchen. I highly recommend the book.
ReplyDelete~Emily
The French Hutch
What a lovely post. I would love to visit that site someday, Debbie...Christine
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun. Will have to check it out! I have to tell you just one MORE time how MUCH I enjoyed following along with you and your grandson on your trip. Even though I had to REPENT of the sin of ENVY when I read each and every post. ( At least I live with "The Rev" and I didn't have to go far to repent).
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this post so much. I love Monet and the impressionists.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Debbie! I've gotta tell you - when I saw the stove and blue & white tiles, I had to stop a moment. I'd be cooking ALL DAY LONG if that was my view at the stove! Wow - Linda
ReplyDeleteNow that is cool Debbie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, it's like your our history teacher too!
Thanks for sharing and just to let you know, Lily is still enjoying her cat nip food and toys so very much!
Hugs,
Cindy
Wonderful and interesting post. Of course, the gardens and house are lovely. I'll check out the facebook page. Looks so interesting.
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteMonet's home and garden ARE spectacular online and in person. However, that acid yellow dining room would not work for me! Do the rest of you think you would REALLY be comfortable sitting in that room??? NOT ME!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you about those blue and white tiles behind the stove, though! GORGEOUS.
Mary in Oregon
I loved it, Mary! :-) It didn't seem quite so bright to me in person. There are actually two shades of yellow and the majority of the room is painted a softer shade with a brighter yellow for the trim. And I know he had a massive collection of blue and white dishes and serving pieces scattered around to add some contrast. Imagine the windows open to the garden and the sun streaming in with the scent of the roses! I thought his color choices were interesting, especially since color was so important to him!
ReplyDeleteScanning down your posts, I smiled at memories of elder relatives' china collections, but you really got me with the Monet Stove! What country boy/girl would not like that stove in a huge country kitchen. Lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is marvelous! High on my list of patterns to collect is the Haviland, Monet. Thank you for sharing this with us. Cherry Kay
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