Soar-Dream-France

A Coffee on Columbus Street

In the midst of the hysteria that was New Orleans for me again this trip, I tried to find small things that would make me happy and small steps that I could take to feel like I was having some kind of success.  I arrived with a goal to set up my own little corner of the New New Orleans, and left being happy to have just been able to purchase black coffee mugs to match my kitchen and this kitchen towel to the left. I loved the sentiments on the towel so much, that I bought more to give to some of my friends here in Cadrieu.  So, my New Orleans kitchen is on the road to happy again and shares these sentiments withother happy kitchens in Cadrieu. It became clear to me that Columbus Street needs way more than a week to ten days of my time, if it is going to get to that happy place that I want it to be.  For now, Gaynell will be moving in to the upstairs of the house come January 1 and I will ponder my next steps from a far for the first floor.  Perhaps you'll join me for a coffee in one of my new black coffee mugs on Columbus Street sometime this spring?

Being Here

Happy to be home in my winter wonderland, I realized the other day how lucky I am to be here at all.  Mom and Dad realized it too when they called yesterday to tell me so.  One or two days either way on any of the legs of my trip, whether it was flying to the states and back, on the road to New Orleans, Baton Rouge, or St. Louis, could have led to disaster. The recent weather has not been kind to travelers.  I've learned to look at each journey as an adventure that may or may not turn out they way you've planned.  It's especially important with International Travel because you have so many opportunities for something to go wrong.  And, it's especially important for road travel during the holidays.  I started out as usual from New Orleans one holiday season heading north on I-55.  I got as far as Perryville, MO-about 90 miles or so from home and couldn't go any further with the snow.  I got a hotel, gorged myself on hostess cakes and ate largely from the orange food group...doritos, cheetos, etc. and was able to get home the next morning.  So near, but yet so far.  I'm off on my cookie making quest for this holiday season.  Last year I had three different pecan ball recipes, with nary a ball to be found in my batches.  I have to be careful when I say, all I want for Christmas this year is balls...but I'll keep you posted!  More Happy Holidays from our Winter Wonderland in Cadrieu.

The Gift of Snow for a Christmas Barn

Most of my friends who have come to visit quickly say: "Your photos of this place are spectacular, but you really have to see it to believe it." It's true.  Imagine the challenge I faced in St. Louis as I tried to describe the barn and it's importance to us to my parents.  I knew that this was a face to face conversation.  Mom and Dad have been great and supportive as I have struggled, particularly this year.  I didn't feel that I could make a decision to buy the barn without at least talking to them about it first.  It wasn't about permission, it was about love and respect. How do you describe something so magical, natural, romantic, historic and a last piece to the puzzle of your life in your place; when you know you don't need it, it's falling down, it needs a new roof, and is inaccessible to everyone else in the world except you?  Our conversation was a good one. I left the states without coming to a final decision, but continued to ask myself "how can I not buy the barn? It is suppose to be with us." Firmer news of an upcoming contract was waiting for me upon my return.  Knowing that there is work in my future, makes this decision an easier one.  I have promised Raoul and Christelle I will let them know by the end of the year, and will share my decision and my plan with you at the same time.  In most seasons, the barn blends in to the rest of the landscape so it's difficult to see its closeness and how well it fits with the Chatette.  Add a little snow to the rooftop and voila, a matching piece to our puzzle of peace.  Sometimes when we pay attention, our answers appear in amazing ways.  Happy Sunday and the start of more holiday festivities!

 

What A Difference A Season Makes!

You'll remember the shot at the left from an earlier post.  I had to share today's shot with you that I took when Dal and I walked this morning.  MORE SNOW last night, but Dal and I were undaunted.  We headed up to Jean's on the main road, but as we were cutting over I could see that there was ice along the edges so I kept to the middle in the snow as we walked.  It felt good to be out enjoying our winter wonderland.  I used to say that one of the reasons I lived in New Orleans was because I hated dealing with the snow in St. Louis.  I don't feel that way here.  Coming home on the road, I realized it's because I'm not living in a city and I don't drive.  All the reasons I had to hate the snow have melted away in my magical place of my heart.  Happy Saturday!

Welcome Home!

I'm probably searching for the impossible, but I would like to have just one good return to France from a trip to the states that includes New Orleans.  It hasn't happened yet.  I'm not sure what it will take.  I have had one good return to France since Dal and Sam and I came in 2006, and that was because in Christmas of 2007 I only went to St. Louis.  I had hoped that trip would put us on the road to positive returns, but it was the lone soldier.  So, I'm back and re-evaluating life and living once more.  I know, I know...it's an ongoing process but I just wonder if anything is ever going to settle into some kind of place.  I'm slowly settling back in and looking forward to the holidays home.  Jean and I went to get my rooted Christmas Tree yesterday and I love it.  I've begun my Christmas process...the tree is in place, lights next, and then the ornaments.  My lights from last year aren't working so tomorrow there is a trip into Figeac on my agenda.  As I looked at the top of my CEDRUS DEODORA, I realized that it would need something a little different at the top since there is a pole holding it up.  If you look closely to the third photo above, you'll notice dried lavender and feathers Patrick gave me from a fowl he had shot while hunting.  It is all very pretty and very regional for the top of my lotoise sapin.  I stopped by Christiane and Jean-Paul's on my way up the hill yesterday and Jean-Paul (our resident weather expert) told me "snow tonight and tomorrow, it's coming down from Paris." He was right.  I woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow this morning and reveled in this special welcome home.

 

Babar's BEST

Babar is back home and safely tucked into his tri-level mesh hanging basket in the kitchen next to his pal Henry.  We are exhausted.  Babar did get to do a little traveling with me in the states.  He and his spoon, stood guard on the window sill in the kitchen on Columbus Street and cheered the place up just a bit.  Seeing him there made me smile each morning when I'd leave Steve's and come over to start my day there with my journal and my coffee.  The best part of Babar's trip was the time he spent with his "family" at Mom and Dad's in St. Louis.  He mostly hung out with the "guys" on Dad's shelf near his mechanical chair.  Since Dad spends most of his time in his chair, both windows and the nearby shelving are full of things that Dad loves and gets to look at easily from his spot. Dad is a huge fan of movies, but especially westerns.  His Babar is living on the shelf near the fireplace, inside of a Roy Rogers and Trigger cup.  The guys had a great visit together.  Even Dad missed seeing my Babar when he headed to New Orleans in the rental car with me.  Should we be surprised that the two new ornaments for Dad for the tree this year were a saddle and a cowboy boot? I got to have my one on one time with Dad this visit while Mom went out and did some shopping.  As I've written before, those times are the best for me. Babar and I both got our BEST on this trip.  I love you Dad!

I'm Back-Me and Mom

Reflecting on this last trip to the states, it was difficult to know just where to start.  So much happened.  So much didn't happen.  I have so much to think about and so many decisions to make.  That said, one of the nicest and rarest events while I was in the states was that Mom and I got to go across the street to Mike and Drew's and visit together.  I sat across from Mom and listened to her chatting away, knowing that she rarely gets to get out and visit like this.  It was fun for us, if even for a little while before she had to go back to be with Dad.  I was really happy I asked Mike and Drew to take this shot of Mom and I together. If you look closely, you can see their front porch in the background through the window. It was a special afternoon, and special moments with Mom that I cherish more and more as time goes on. I love you Mom.