Soar-Dream-France

I'm Gonna Blow This Place!

You would only know me by my overalls! Remembering that Jean has a blower, I thought it might be a good way to get all the dirt and grime off the stone before rinsing them off.  I began this process looking a bit like Jesse James...and a grimy, coughing, almost blind Jesse James at that.  With so much more serious "blowing" ahead, I decided it was necessary to protect myself better now and in the future...enter Ms. HazMat of 2010! It brought back memories of New Orleans after the storm.  (Can you believe some guy tried to pick me up on the street in front of my house when I was looking like that?) After blowing, I washed off the stone with nice clean kitchen tap water that I hauled over from the house.  The next day for round 2, I decided to use the lavoir water.  I discovered that lavoir water is good for watering plants and such-but it leaves a gritty film on the stone. So, I was off for another water hauling event from the Chatette.  I'm having so much fun with all this blowing-that I'm thinking about coming into the Chatette and blowing all the cobwebs and dog hair out.  Only thing is, it's so strong you might see all the art on the walls and furniture blowing out of the doors and windows along with it!  I'll leave you with a few recent shots below!  Happy Saturday!

Surrounded by Favorites!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! It seems on your birthday, you should be surrounded by FAVORITES. Sorry I can't be there to share it with you. Love, Laury

Butterflies Best

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watching the butterflies descend on us on a regular basis, I've been wondering if they prefer buddleha or lavender? Our troops of butterflies will be back tomorrow to help me celebrate a special day for Mom.  A Demain!

Is There Water in that Lavoir?

 

 

I've been known to do things the "hard way"! I just don't always know that that's what I'm doing at the time.  Yesterday morning was a perfect example.  EASY was right in front of my face, but I couldn't see it.  In the midst of all my hard work-I've been making some of it HARDER!  I don't have a hose-it just never felt like it was essential or that they would be long enough to do me any good.  I use watering cans.  I have one big one and one small one. I just fill them up in the house and do what I do...wander around and water.  Wandering down the train tracks yesterday on my way to the barn and the land beside the lavoir, I had two full watering cans. Patrick was up working on the roof of their house, and saw me struggling down the tracks. He hollered something in French! Can you imagine what it was? 

From Buckets, To Wheelbarrows, To...

Although Dal is mostly back in the barn with me for moral support, you can see from the dirt on this rather large nose of hers that she tries to help from time to time.  We started hauling the soil out in buckets. It felt like it was going to take forever and I didn't want even larger Popeye muscles.  So, we moved on to using the wheelbarrow.  In no time, I'd hauled all of the soil out for the section that is finished and began to fill in the deep gully that runs between the land and the base of the train tracks.  I've reached my goal for the amount of stone floor I want to uncover before the celebration at the end of August, but there's still more work to do to get it looking nice.  My latest brainstorm has proven to be a good one.  I'll share it with you sometime soon!

Is That A Pastis In Your Pocket?

Running hot and heavy into high "Fête Saison" here, there's an apero, a dinner, a holiday or just something that needs celebrating every night and day.  Up at the bar d'été last Sunday apres midi, I was very grateful I had my overalls on. This particular "skinny" pair has a large pocket in the front.  With all that kiss, kiss, kissing that goes on, reaching for chips and snacks, and getting your euros out of one of your other pockets...you really need both hands. Plus, there is rarely a level surface nearby to rest your drink. It just so happened that my drinks of choice that day began with "P" which worked very well...Pastis in the Pocket...Perrier in the Pocket-or for the version en français-Pastis/Perrier dans la Poche. My overalls and I manage to keep everyone laughing.  I checked out my other overalls when I got home and the only other pair that has a pocket like this is my new hot pink pair.  I believe it's because both pairs are made for women...this skinny pair I got at Lane Bryant, and by now you all know the story of the pink ones.  New Overalls discoveries every day!

Almost Hummingbirds

The first time I saw one of these little guys hanging out with my butterflies, I thought: Oh my God, I have hummingbirds too! I consulted my friend Greg who said: "No Laury, they're hummingbird moths." That didn't stop me from continuing to try to get a good shot of one.  They're usually in profile with their wings flying so fast they are invisible.  Look at the wings on this guy...their edges sparkled in the sunlight and the interior delicateness windowed the flowers behind.  His body looked so soft I almost wanted to pet him! What a special guy! Happy Sunday!

A Growing Barn Family

No more sitting in the window and crying for Sammie cat! We discovered the other day that she must have been a barn cat in a previous life.  She loves doing the balancing beam thing up and down the voie ferre between the Chatette and the Barn.  I only let her out with me when I can keep an eye on her.  With the help of that bell on her collar, I generally do a pretty good job. One day this week, I watched her jump from the edge of the train tracks through the side window of the barn and on inside.  I went to get her and bring her back, but some speed demon car was passing and the noise chased her back through the window and to the Chatette Terrace. The following morning I lost track of her when I was watering.  I couldn't hear her bell and looked around at all the usual spots.  As I opened the doors to the barn and peaked inside, her sweet little face was gazing back at me, silhouetted in the morning light. Looks like I have a barn cat and a barn dog...just one big happy family!

An Invitation for You

With all the digging that's been going on, I've been remiss in getting my invitations out for the end of August Apero to Celebrate the Barn and the Vernissage in La Galerie dans la Cave the following evening.  A notice has already gone out in the village brochure for the summer.  Christiane (as always) is there to squeeze it all in to one column for me.  I've chosen to keep it more of a village event, but send these invites to friends who live elsewhere and special artists who may choose to join us. There's even more to celebrate about the barn than I could have imagined. I'm looking forward to seeing what the villagers think.  You'll be hearing more about these events and other surprises along the way as we go.  Happy Friday!

Morning Magic

The moods of our place are magical.  It's the light. The light plays with us regularly. It's different throughout the course of the day and also depends on the weather. Mornings are special. Light reflects through our open front door. It sneaks through the lace on the transom.  It kisses our stone and speaks to Monsieur Winkelmann. I wouldn't be surprised to hear them playing La Vie en Rose one morning without me!