Monday 23 July 2012

Woohoo, SUMMER !!!

Yep, summer has finally arrived here in our little corner of Burgundy, France. Its been a long time coming, but at long last we have sunshine, and warmth, and we can spend time outside. I just had to take a few pics of the cottage -





I know a lot of you have already seen tons of very similar pics, lol, but those lovely new followers are a good excuse to post some new ones.

The crickets are out in full force, their evening concerts are quite deafening at times, but it can also be quite a soothing sound. Look at these two, jumping about on the old barn door -



I am so glad that most of the veggies and potted flowers survived the really bad weather and especially the wicked hailstorm while we were still in England. We have harvested peas, mange tout, french beans, radishes, lettuce, courgettes, broad beans are almost ready and the butternut squash plants are doing well.

Peas growing against the sun drenched wall of the four au pain ( bread oven ) -


It is so nice to be able to eat outside again, either at this table near the house, under trees

or just above the lower field at the little table, because we can see the little valley right below us as well as the large valley with our village -

We were sitting at that little table the other day, having lunch and drinking some absolutely delicious non alcoholic sparkling cider. It had come all the way from the States, via Germany, courtesy of a wonderful lady called Lanette. She started out a customer and soon turned into a lovely dear friend, who sent me two bottles of this gorgeous stuff ( and other little treasures ). She and her family own a cider making company in the States, Sheffield Cider. Darn, that stuff tastes good -



And after lunch, we were finally able to spend a little while in our loungers, soaking up the warm sunshine and reading for a bit -




Hector insists on having his very own lounger of course, lol. He is a funny thing, he loves climbing up on stuff, he often sits on top of the wooden picnic table and bench.

You know that I love wild flowers, and always pick a big bunch for the table in the garden. I always have them in a VERY heavy big old crystal glass vase - 



The last couple of days it has been incredibly windy up here on our hill top. The wind knocked this really vase right off the table. The washing was flapping about so much, I thought the line would break and my washing would end up in the top field, lol -


It was much too windy to take photographs of my latest brocante finds outside, and the cottage is too dark really to take decent photos of them. I hope that by tomorrow the winds will have calmed down and then I can get on with taking pics. Fingers crossed.

Thats all for now. Toodlepip xxx

14 comments:

"MOI" Freubel said...

Liz what a pleasure to see all your beautiful photo's !!!
And what a awesome area with so much space around you !
I can imagine that you fully enjoy the sun now that you can live outside !!
Here in Holland it is also finally sunny weather. We had to wait so long :-)

Elizabethd said...

You have such beautiful views from the cottage.

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh Liz what I would give at times to sit at that table enjoying a meal with you, Andy and the dogs as long as Hector didn't want to sit on my knee at the same time!
I would feel quite at home there for sure with all that space around me.
Your climbing peas look gorgeous and must be ready to eat - hope you are enjoying all that wonderful produce you have so lovingly cared for!
For me today it's back to pruning the 87 roses bushes - we are half way there now.
Hope the wind drops soon so you can really enjoy some of that beautiful sunshine out on your lounges.
Sending some rose clippings and love to you!
Suzy

Mom E. said...

Love the pictures, Liz!
I am so glad you enjoyed the Sheffield Cider, we are enjoying the tags you made for us! That is so sweet of you to write about us on your blog! I will have to end you the other two flavors of cider...you'll like them as well!
Have a great week!
Lanette

Robynartdesigns said...

Liz, such a lovely post and such beautiful photos of your cottage.
All looks so peaceful, and how wonderful to be able to harvest all that produce!!
Happy week!
Robyn

Robin said...

Your cottage looks like it came right out of a magazine! How peaceful and serene your views are, and the time you spend there must be heavenly. Enjoy your week.

Hugs,
Robin

Dorthe said...

Hallo, my dear Liz,
I will never get tired seing photoes from your wonderful spot, in France. I love your cottage, and the surroundings, and like sweet Suzy, I would love to be there chatting with you, my lovely friend.
Love the photo of the two loved ones of your`s enjoying the day outside :-) And your home, is so sweetly decorated with flowers, and greens...a true cottage style ,and so cosy.
And that view Liz, is stunning, you have the "whole" country in front of you.
I send you much love, and hugs, and wisches for more sun--we have had luck here too, the last dayes.
xxx,Dorthe

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Hi dear Lizzie, Your cottage and the surroundings are just wonderful. I always enjoy seeing pictures of it. You've decorated your place so beautifully and it's obvious that your dogs love being there as well as you do. Wow, what a storm you had that it would knock that heavy vase off the table. I'm happy for you that your trip to the vide grenier was successful and I'm looking forward to seeing what you brought home :-).
Have a lovely day!
Hugs to you,
Julia

Sophie said...

Durch Zufall habe ich grade deinen Blog gefunden, geschaut, gelesen...und mich unsterblich in deinen Blog verliebt.
Außerdem hast du eine wunderbare witzige Art zu schreiben.
Und diesen Stil liebe ich.

Ich bin froh, dass ich hierher gefunden habe, und nun dein Fan.

Sonnige Grüße

Queenie Believe said...

Beautiful summer photos, a little slice of French heaven.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie

Rhonda said...

Liz, you are living a dream. What an incredible view you have. sigh

That Hector looks so smart....he knows how to relax. I love your dogs.

Have a great rest of the week mon amie.

Lynn Stevens said...

So glad to see summer has finally arrived at your place. What a relaxing time you must be having. minus the wind of couse. hope your vase survived the fall!
hugs Lynn

Alexandra said...

Ich glaube ich pack mein Koffer und komme vorbei ;) Sind das schöne Bilder meine Liebe. Und Hunger bekomme ich jetzt auch wenn ich mir deine Bilder ansehe.
Traumhaft... genieße die Zeit dort.
Knuddel Alexandra

Pat C. said...

Oh, my. I would think I had died and gone to heaven if I could spend even five minutes gazing at the beauty that surrounds your lovely cottage! Just looking at your photos of the valleys below your cottage fills my heart with joy.:) Thank you for sharing them. xoxo