Finding My Rhythm!

I am going to do something different ...I will continue to blog about our adventures and day to day life in Southwest France, but I seem to be having difficulty getting into posting regularly.

Is it that we aren't home enough and always out and about?

I haven't been able get into the rhythm yet.... is this what "writer's block is like"?

I have taken many photographs (Postcards) already and will pick a favourite few everyday and post them.

Our late afternoon walk around the village may have been just what I needed...the fast flowing stream invigorated my creative juices.

A Day of Cultivation

It was Madame's turn to do the "Croissant" pickup for our breakfast at the dépôt de pain.
We have limited ourselves to this delicacy to once a week.
It would be very easy to eat the fresh baked croissants and pain au raisins daily...they are so delicious.

Today (Thursday), we decided the weather was agreeable and it would be a good day to start "digging in" the gardens.

I weeded while "Monsieur Honey" climbed the front garden hill like a billy goat to cultivate the gravel bank. He prepared the holes by removing some of the gravel and added some topsoil prior to planting.

Today we planted six hollyhocks, a white Gaura which is a pretty and airy plant and another slow growing shrub with beautiful white flowers (we need to find out this plant's name, it is similar to one my sister has and I think it has bride in it's name) before our backs and knees gave out.

We only have twenty-four lavender plants, twenty Hostas, two ornamental grasses, a jasmine and the four herb plants to go!

It's a good thing we still have lots of time to finish this project.

Later in the afternoon, we strolled to the Post Office in order to mail some Birthday Cards only to discover in our village it is only open in the mornings.

Next to the Post Office is a wonderful spice shop..."Aromatiques Tropicales" that carries every spice in the world.

www.aromatiques.com.

Here I purchased some basil and parsley.

From here we strolled a bit further in search of some friends of our landlady and a pleasant afternoon of cultivating a friendship unfolded.

This evening, Monsieur Honey used his "Julia Child's" skills and created his version of a wonderful Beef Bourguignon for our dinner.

Fast Food French Style

Wednesdays in France, the young children do not go to school and the children in what we would call "High School" only attend classes in the morning.

Wednesday morning this week, we met up with our friends, Miss J. and and her adorable three-year old daughter (who we befriended on our last stay in Gourdon.)

As we were entertaining a three year old, we offered a lunch date at McDonald's.
Who knew that "Happy Meals" were universal?
They are called exactly the same on the menu board and packaged the same and include the featured toy.

It was a sunny and hot (28 degrees C) day, so it was lunch outside near the play area which kept little Joddy entertained. This is the same little girl from the post "Martine Goes to Masclat".

McDonald's menu offered the standard fare with a few exceptions, you have a choice of potatoes between French fries or spice dusted wedges.
If you are not ordering at the drive thru you can order a beer.

There are free standing machines that look like an ATM, where you can place your order and pay in a minimum of six different languages.

Here is Joddy ready to tackle the assembly of her toy.

After an enjoyable visit and some playtime for Joddy, we returned with our guests to their home, where Joddy wanted to model her gifts, Here she is comparing her new socks with her "Canadian" Grand-père's funky socks.

It was a wonderful day spent with a lovely family!