Dear friends, see that European country in pale yellow, right where my hair bow points ~ well not MY hair bow, but this Jessie Willcox Smith illustration could have been me in sixth grade perhaps! Anyway, that's France and that's where I'll be in a few months visiting my much loved brother, sister-in-law and niece.
Geography was always my favorite, and best, subject in school ~ now it's somehow become part of Social Studies, buried among many other subjects and not given the importance it deserves ~ such a shame. Even high school kids are often unable to locate a particular country on a world map! I'm certain my generation acquired a passion for travel due to real geography classes. Emphasis was placed on learning everything about each country and it was so interesting that one just longed to take a bus, a prop plane, or that 'slow boat to China' to see these amazing countries.
I visited my now "French family' in 2006. They relocated from London and were living in their former vacation home while renovating their new 200 year old house in a Southwestern French village.This time I'll be staying in this fabulous house, overlooking the 8th century abbey, taking a morning swim in the pool if it's not too chilly, then walking to the boulangerie for croissants and a baguette - fresh from the oven. I can hardly wait...................................but
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.......................wait I must, until October!!
So, not leaving yet, however I have a lot to organize now that dh and I have made our reservations. I need extra time to work on these travel plans ~ including a side trip back to Provence hopefully, do the remaining Spring (now Summer!) cleaning chores I've been putting off, work in the garden, organize magazines which have piled up, clean out the 'frig, catch up with e-mails, make some cards, sew some seams, and hopefully read a book or two from the waiting stack.
I planned to take a little blog break this week, I just need some extra time. But, you know how hard it is to stay away, so perhaps I'll still have time to catch up with you all in a couple of days. I have pics from last week's visit to SuzAnna's Antiques where I met up with my dear friend Vanessa at Vanilla Lavender again ~ more treasures to share ~ so I just know I will see you soon.
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You still have lovely weather in October in the south, though not sure how far you will be going...but I'm sure you will be able to swim. It all sounds delightful, are you passing through Brittany en route??
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am starting my diet now, so I will be small enough to pop into your suitcase and you can take me along, too...sigh.
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI would love to walk into the "Bread of Love" Bakery right now for a petite salade or maybe just 3 or 4 tartes. Yummy and decadent!
Janet
Mary, I am so happy to read that you will be going again. I know you must treasure being able to spend time with your family.
ReplyDeleteIt all sounds enchanting - and so relaxing.
I would love a fresh croissant just about now. Although, we do have a wonderful bakery here in town run by a delightful German couple.
You lucky duck! Don't worry about waiting... so much fun to anticipate!
ReplyDeleteMary:
ReplyDeleteYour planned trip sounds wonderful. I also could not comment on Heidi's blog today. She changed some things so maybe that is the cause. She is talking to me now and checking it again. All I can say is try later, but I did tell her you tried.
Have a good break now.
Nancy
SUCH a coincidence that we'll both be in your brother's village at the SAME time! Thank you so much for emailing me. I can't wait to visit this area, but even better, now I can't wait to meet YOU! Really looking forward to it. Such a small world!
ReplyDeleteReally loved these photos...you've whet my appetite even more for the area. Your brothers home is gorgeous.
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net
Lucky lucky you!
ReplyDeleteI miss France so much!
Have a nice blog break!
Becky
I am so happy for both you and Bob about this upcoming trip. I know you will be counting the days until you can be back in France. It will be wonderful for you to spend time in your brother's amazing farmhouse. Just be sure to take lots of photos to share as I want to know it all and see even more. :)
ReplyDeleteI think the problem is fixed with my blog through changing the template again. What a mess blogger can be at times anymore. I have had little comments so I am still not really sure it is fixed. Please try when you can as it will let me know that it works.
How is the weather there now? Pace yourself with all the work you have planned. It is better to do a little and then relax with that book.
Hugs ~
Heidi
Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to follow your preparations.
Sounds like a great trip coming up.
ReplyDeleteWish I was going too!
Rosemary
Provence? Do you know where yet? If it's near me, we can meet somewhere. Wouldn't that be fun? I probably won't be there, but you never know.
ReplyDeleteAs Little Orphan Annie's friend would say... oh my goodness, oh my goodness!! Congratulations and thanks for the geography lesson and sneak preview. Education is always so much more fun when accompanied by beautiful photographs and illustrations. You will have such fun planning!! I will be checking back to see ...
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Christi
Wonderful....and I can hardly wait too, for the blog posts from your upcoming trip. What a treat that you have family there you can stay with and who know all the secret little best places to visit or eat, etc!
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly ambitious! I hope you accomplish it all, but not by ceasing to blog! I am so envious of your fall trip to France!
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope you post when there. I love France. how fun it would be to have family to visit there..but then again, another big long trip and expense. I've often though how I wish I had family in NZ too.
ReplyDeleteI think we are of an age, Mary, that has wonderful memories of Geography studies. I loved it most in school and remember pouring over maps. I still love maps and use some in my paper arts. I have traveled some in the UK and the Netherlands, but have not made it to France yet. Such a shame, too, as my mother has roots in southeast France. Maybe someday.... sharon bruner in Oklahoma
ReplyDelete