Dopey Daffodils

Two posts in one day, what is going on?

Well, I have a question for any green thumbs (mains vertes) out there.

We've been having some unseasonal weather in our part of Provence: 18 ℃ (65℉) on New Year's Day, for instance. It hasn't been quite that warm since, but it's still pretty steamy for the middle of winter.

The mornings are still quite frosty though.

These pictures were taken in the field just across from our house.

I think I've mentioned we live kindof in the country. We are on the outskirts of a village, but outskirty enough that we have a septic system and drink canal water (filtered and deeelicious).

Driving back from taking the kids to school the frosty morning in question, I looked out the window and saw this stunning creature in the field.

Stock photo I had to buy - you'll see why below. 

Phuck, it's a pheasant, I thought. Look at all that beautiful iridescent green and red - gorgeous. Must rush inside and get the camera.  

We regularly hear gunshots from our house - hunters out and about looking for pheasants and other tasty winged creatures, not to mention the odd sanglier (wild boar). After I'd taken this guy's photo I was going to sit him down and have a long chat about camouflage and concealment and how he was doing it wrong. 

I parked the car, grabbed the camera and raced back to the field. 

And of course, I couldn't find that little bugger anywhere. Crafty pheasant: 1, Kirsty: 0.

So instead I took pictures of the foggy, frosty loveliness around me, until I couldn't feel my fingers properly.

This is the paving on our front doorstep. I have never seen frost patterns like this - it's incredible.

Don't they look like hand-painted feathery ferns?

So here's my question (that last one was just rhetorical). Our daffodils have been bamboozled by our higher temps and have already sprouted:

If the real cold weather finally hits, are they doomed? Can someone clever tell me what to do when your daffs jump the gun?

Hanging with Aidan again

Hi everyone, did you have a great weekend?

We loaded the family into the car and headed across to visit with Aidan and family, in Montpellier.

The small market right at the end of Aidan's street. Can you imagine it? Amazing.

We've been to Aidan's before - and again we had such a good time.

Aidan has chandeliers. They are beautiful.

Will someone please offer me a book deal for a chandelier coffee table book so I can justify all these pictures I'm taking? Thank you.

This is the new addition to Aidan's family. Clementine Mirabel Petals (this is what happens when you let all three children name the dog) - isn't she gorgeous?

Our toddler had a heart attack every time she came near him, poor girl. I hope she didn't get a complex.

The food was fantastic. From the welcome cocktail (Bellinis -champagne with peach puree) to the mari's lasagna to la fille's decadent cheesecake.

Speaking of the cheesecake, a certain young man couldn't wait until dessert and broke his sister's heart when he did this.

Thank you darling Aidan and famille, it was wonderful to catch up!

A quick birthday post

Not mine. The mister's. He's a ripe old 39 now (and never handsomer).

The kids decorated the cake for him.

The babysitter was called in and we went out for a hearty Provençal meal in Aix.

There may have been a chandelier...

We walked home through the Porsches, admiring the lights near the Hôtel de Ville.

Then back out onto the Cours Mirabeau, where this scene was so French it slapped us upside the head with a baguette.

Sad that the Christmas lights (on the Cours) have been turned off now, but then I'm not paying the power bill.

Almost the weekend here in France! Have a good one.

Ansouis

In honour of the New Year I've been going through all my photo files, trying to organise and cull a bit, and came across a few visits (and one quilt) that I forgot to share with you. Without further ado, let's go on a quick trip through the lovely village of Ansouis in the Luberon Valley.

It's on a hilltop (I know, I know, they're all on hilltops. Yawn.)

It's a small village (good for a half-day visit) with charismatic cobble-stoned streets.

If you keep heading uphill you'll find a rather fortressy looking building.

Strangely enough, it's a fortress.

Built in the 10th century, the main part you see here is apparently open afternoons (we visited in the morning).

However we found the adjoining chapel open.

Not the fanciest we've visited, but I'm a sucker for old churches and loved the colours in this particular one.

And the chandeliers. Oh, how I love chandeliers.

In fact, I think I have a little problem with chandeliers.

Something about the way they look in that beautiful filtered light.

Can't. stop. photographing.

OK, there was a nice brass incense burner hanging over the altar...

Hey - what's that over there...

And up there-

That was the last one. I promise.

Once I dragged myself away from the crystal we headed out to the viewing platform on the other side of the fortress.

Where we found a picturesque autumn vista.

Fields of yellow vines

Then it was time for lunch, so we were on our way.

Back past the beautiful streets and alleys.

Snazzy vintage cars (leather interior...nice)

Toddler looking for the slot to put a coin in 

And of course it wouldn't be France without an archway to drive home through.

And that was Ansouis (for us)- small but nonetheless lovely.

Easy to see how it made the list of France's 156 Plus Beaux Villages.

À bientôt!

Ringing in 2012

Happy New Year everyone!

Holiday lights in Aix-en-Provence

Did you have an exciting night of revelry on New Year's Eve or were you like someone in our house who had to be prodded awake at 10pm to enjoy a bottle of fizz? (And it wasn't me.)

Are you making resolutions? I'm terrible at them and prefer to just make a nice long 'to do' list and leave it at that.

2012 will be our third and final year in France and we're determined to make the most of it, so I guess that is our family resolution. There will be a fair bit of travel photography inbound, hope you don't mind.

Not to say that there won't be crafty stuff either. In fact, I have already cut into a pile of fabric in anticipation of making a Chasing Chevrons quilt.

I've also started a new embroidery - it is a gift so can't really show much here:

I'm really enjoying all this stitching, so it was a lovely case of happenstance when I won a giveaway on Krista's blog, Poppyprint. This is what I won:

There are stitches in here I never even knew existed. Amazing and inspiring, thanks Krista!

Also inspiring was a swap parcel I received from the lovely Blandina. I showed you this photo a while ago:

Well, this is what I got in return - a beautiful embroidery inspired by Blandina's visit to Provence.

Everything about this makes me deliriously happy - the colours, the shapes, the subject matter.

From the lavender

To the olive trees

To the rocky mountains and blue, blue sky.

Thank you so much Blandina!

In the lead up to Christmas I forgot to photograph my piece before I sent it off, so you'll have to pop over to Blandina's to check it out.

All the best from our family to yours!

Wishing you all much love, laughter, health and happiness in 2012.