Soar-Dream-France

Barn Views

 

Evelyn has always teased me that she has a much better view of the barn from her house than I do. I just get a side wall or back corner from the terrace. I've been intending to get a shot of the barn from there, but I don't always have the camera with me.

 

 

Yesterday, all the circumstances were aligned...a camera and a clear view!

 

 

It's fun to see us from different angles. I'm stocking up on my before and after the new roof shots. These are particularly pretty and give you some perspective that you may not have seen.

Lately, I've taken to visualizing what the new roof is going to look like and how we are going to fit newly into the countryside. I think it is going to be a match.

Happy Thursday!

 

Saturday Simple

 

Choosing to enjoy a Saturday of simple things...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...the barn, buddleia, flowers and prolific plums!

 

 

Oops, can't forget the coffee and my journal!

 

 

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Best Laid-Changing Strategies

 

This week started off each day with giggles for me.

Monday, I was up and out early in my overalls and hiking boots with every intention of cutting grass.

It's been pretty and cool in the mornings and I was ready.

 

 

 

I'd planned to start at the barn and then work my way through the rest of my land on the other side of the tracks. When I arrived at the barn, the photo above was what I saw. I knew that the department had been doing some work over here, but had only just seen it on Monday! 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I wandered a bit up behind the barn and looked at what I can do to maintain it as it is and make it easier for me to cut. The best part...no nettles.

I was able to prune some around the wood bench seats that I ensconced in the stone cliff and looked at what it would take to clear my tiny circle of land.

 

 

 

My land is a little strange, but I do the best I can with it all.

I confess, I've been falling down on the job over here even though most of it belongs to the village.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I moved on to this side of the tracks...no grass to cut there either! I know-give it time!

 

Tuesday I was ready to walk out the door and bike into Cajarc in the morning...it began to rain and rained well into the afternoon. I put my morning to good use and got some projects done that I wanted to deliver and/or mail in Cajarc. I was also in a scotch tape and glue stick crisis and needed to get more so the afternoon it was.

 

 

The rest of the week has been "petit a petit-ing" along the train tracks. Everything is SO overgrown to the point of encroaching on the Chatette. Each day brings me a little closer to completion.

 

 

Today may mean another ride into Cajarc...natural weed killer time.

Happy Friday!

 

Do You Have a Favorite?

 

I am contemplating purchasing some personalized French stamps that would showcase some of my favorite photos of here.

Over the years, there are so many. Even so, a few jump to the top of the list without even thinking.

The three that I've showcased here on this post, were the first that came to mind AND are photos I'd considered presenting as postage stamps in the past.

 

What about you?

 

 

Those of you who have been reading the blog and enjoying the photography may have some favorites of your own. Any you'd like to see showcased on a French postage stamp?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and favorites!

 

Happy Friday!

 

The Joy of This Life

 

There is an unending joy and luxury in this life for me here at the Chatette in Cadrieu. It envelopes me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, that doesn't mean that it is always easy.

 

 

 

Challenges and problems still arise. Most of you know my stories of here. I still struggle. But, somehow I still manage to feel the joy and gratefulness in the the midst of the struggle! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So before I go out to cut some grass this morning, I want to share a little of the beauty and joy of just this spot. 

 

 

 

Happy Thursday!

 

Early Morning Revelations

 

Up an out early yesterday morning, I was ready.

I'd decided to start cutting some grass over by the barn, wagon and lavoir before it got hot. I had my barn keys, my pruner, AND my overalls on with my dew rag ready.

If you look at the photo above, you can see what I found.

 

 

Oui, oui, oui-I didn't really need to cut the grass. I took a few photos and headed back to the Chatette.

I do have many big jobs that could be done along and on the train tracks. I decided to make a dent in the ivy overgrowing like crazy on the left. This will be an ongoing petit a petit project for overalls and cool early mornings!

 

 

I had a few inside chores and one that I wanted to get done in front of the house. A special arrival is coming on Monday and I wanted to be ready with weed, bramble and yucca removal out front. That is a story for another time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's another beautiful morning today.

 

 

 

Buterflies and buddlheia are everywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

River reflections are gorgeous.

I may just focus on inside chores this morning too.

There's always something to do everywhere...I'm not complaining!

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Life With Barn Magic

 

I know how special our barn is. I've shared many of our stories over time. Sometimes, it's comments by others that remind me once more what a blessing this barn and this place are in my life.

Just this past week one friend and one brother said: "I'd live in that barn!" I'd also included its photo in an email to a colleague who said she loved the barn and evoked the "M" word..."your barn is MAGIC!"

Interestingly for me...the magic is the easy part.

 

 

The energy moves. The stone speaks. I listen AND pay attention!

 

Magic is easy when there is so much history, romance, power you cannot see, timelessness, and boundarylessness all in one place!

Living in the barn? That would be a little harder to affect, but not impossible. With the shape of the world these days; family, friends and I often tease about everyone coming here. It's certainly possible, but I must confess to really loving living alone. I wonder which would be the bigger impediment; me, or the concrete details?

 

 

 

I guess that only time will tell.

 

 

Happy Saturday!

 

Place and Spaces as Works of Art

 

As most of you know, I have always seen my sweet, gorgeous stone barn as a work of art in and of itself. I admired it from afar for eight years before I was able to make it part of our we in 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I confess.

It wasn't until after the 2017 fire that I was able to look at the Chatette and think about it the same way.

 

It's truly been a step at a time and feeling our place as I go. There is the struggle to find balance between too much and not enough...sometimes from stark to cluttered.

 

I think I'm getting there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Each day is different. Each focus comes as I'm wandering around in between grass cutting, watering, reading and playing the piano. Yesterday, it was cleaning all the paper and clutter off that very pretty antique student desk in the top photo.

 

Then, I could wander back and forth in front of this blank furniture canvass and think and feel what would be pretty and appropriate there!

 

 

I also wanted it to fit in with other areas that they shared. The two little open ink wells were a challenge, but I really had some fun there...a rose in one, and my ice cream cone bubbles in the other.

I know, I'm just a big kid. Who cares, it was fun!

Happy Friday!

 

Beyond Grass

 

 

After finally finishing up the last bits of grass that needed to be cut on this side of the tracks yesterday, I found myself focused on flowers once more. First, I so enjoyed how that beautiful flowering shrub draped lacy sweetness over Sammie Cat's spot. I always have a little chat with her when I begin and when I finish. 

It always feels good to finish, even though I know I still have to head over to the barn.

 

 

I will, but in the meantime; I enjoyed the beauty everywhere close to me inside and out.

The roses continue to be gorgeous.

The remaining geraniums got potted.

And, the barn, lavoir and chateau continue to be a backdrop that shows the roses off beautifully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the afternoon light at full force on the side and behind the Chatette, those gorgeous reflections of color snuck inside once more.

 

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

A Work of Art

 

 

Even though I bought the Chatette in 2002, the barn behind us belonged to the neighbors who were rarely there.

I fell in love with this beautiful, ancient, falling down, stone barn and "divined" it to come to us.

Eventually, in 2010 it did.

I have always said that it is a work of art in and of itself. 

 

 

 

With the impending new roof work to begin in September, I've been trying to capture as many beautiful photos of our barn as I can.

At the moment, the roses are in just the right spot to highlight their soft, delicate beauty against the beautiful stone and the sliding and tumbling roof.

I leave you with a photo of the barn that was taken back in 2002.

It will always be a favorite of mine.

 

 

You can see why I gave the barn the name: La Grange Dentelle-The Lacy Barn. It is a magic place. More on that another time.

Happy Friday!