I’ve heard quite a few local sayings about the weather this week: “If it’s mild at Christmas, then the vegetable crop will be poor in the spring.” “If it’s cold at New Year, then it will be warm in June.” They both basically mean the same thing; it seems we need cold weather now to ensure balmy spring temperatures that will lead to a bountiful crop from the kitchen garden in a few months time. Continue reading “Cold Weather and January Days”
2017, how did you come around so quickly? The children are back at school, and I’m not sure who is feeling sadder, them or me. The decorations have but one more day and then they will be boxed up and put back in the barn for another year. But you know what, I have a fabulous feeling this is going to be a good year, an awesome year, hopefully for the world and mankind too.
Sometimes after so many festivities it’s easy for this first month of the year to seem a little dull, we can feel a bit flat. December is full of anticipation and excitement, February we have skiing to look forward to, and as it’s a short month anyway we quickly get into March, and then, well, we’re in spring mode and there’s no holding us back. But January can be a little tricky, so to chase away those Janvier blues I thought it would be fun to start off the New Year with some light hearted entertainment. A fun competition.
Sometimes things just don’t go according to plan! I had a great post lined up for today but I haven’t managed to take all the photos, I’ve been having far too much fun with the family. So for once I told myself it was ok. We’ve been walking and running and cycling. We’ve eaten delicious meals and cooked so much food. We’ve sat around a roaring fire chatting. We’ve been gardening, a little bizarre at the end of December but the weather is gorgeous. We haven’t done anything remotely glamorous or travelled any distance but we have had such a good time, all of us, together, just enjoying my favourite holiday of the year. So I changed plans and I am giving you the final part to my Christmas story. I really hope you enjoy it. Continue reading “A Christmas Story – Part II & A Happy New Year To You All”
It’s Christmas Eve and the first day of Hanukkah
Wishing you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas and a very happy holidays
Continue reading “MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS”
There was something of a glitch with my last post for which I sincerely apologise. However, many of you found a way around it and still managed to read the post, well done and thank you! If you were unsuccessful you can see it again here! But now, moving on, it’s Christmas week, and getting into the festive spirit I hope you will have time to relax and read my two part Christmas story, as you probably know by now, I love writing these and I can’t wait to share the second half with you next week; but first part one! Continue reading “A Short Christmas Story”
We’ve done it, we’ve decorated the house! School is over at last, and the holidays have begun. Continue reading “Perfectly Imperfect Christmas Decorating”
We’re racing towards Christmas. Driving through our small local villages is truly a wondrous experience; no decorations are quite the same, and in many places there are twinkling lights in abundance Continue reading “Christmas Markets & French Festivities”
A few days ago I was waxing lyrical about the cold nights and chilly days but that’s all changed. We’ve gone from one end of the spectrum to the other. The frosts are no more and the daytime temperatures are positively balmy, however we’ve kept the blue skies and we’ve even eaten lunch outside. It’s a time of glorious sunsets and equally impressive sunrises. Continue reading “Entertaining and Simple Festive Food”
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. It’s purely wishful thinking as it hasn’t snowed, but we do get snow here occasionally- my opening photo is proof, even if it’s from two years ago! However, the weather has changed and the nights have been cold, several dropping to below freezing; we’ve been waking to views of frozen fields and ice glittering in the weak morning sun; these proper winter dawns have been followed by beautiful clear crisp days when you can see your breath in front of you and when noses turn red with cold, and when the indoor fire’s welcoming glow has beckoned us back indoors. It’s all beginning to feel just a little festive. Continue reading “Slowly the Festivities Begin”
In truth, we did invite the boys, but they didn’t want to come! Jack would rather stick pins in his eyes than spend an afternoon browsing in shops and Roddy, although an excellent companion when one needs a little retail therapy, had a myriad of things he wanted to do at home. So after plenty of grey and damp days the sun finally returned last Saturday and the girls and I set out for Saintes, leaving the male element to fend for themselves. Continue reading “For Ladies Only!”
Our French Oasis 