Saturday 19 January 2013

Today is GROW YOUR BLOG Day!


 Vicki is an amazing person. Last year she came up with the wonderful idea of the GROW YOUR BLOG day for all those bloggers who are just starting out and don't have a million followers. And today is the day when we all get to visit those bloggers. Vicki has spent hours and hours working up the list with links to the blogs. Thank you so much, Vicki, you are wonderful! The list contains hundreds of blogs, so please spare some time and visit some of them. Remember when you started blogging and how exciting it was to see the number of followers going up? I'd just like to encourage a few of my wonderful and much appreciated followers to find a few new blogs to follow.

All you need to know about me is in my profile, and of course in my blog posts. My blog doesn't really fit a category as it is a mishmash of all sorts of things, France, crafting, antiques and stuff, dogs..... :-).

Which brings me neatly to a quick update, sort of, lol. We are in France now, we travelled very very early Thursday morning, and arrived at the cottage around 3pm. Interesting journey, all of France was covered in snow. Well, from Calais to our cottage in Bourgogne anyway. Freezing fog on the motorway with very little visibility in some places, blinding sunlight in others, and very low temperatures, see -




Yep, thats right, minus 15!!!

Wasnt so bad at the cottage though and I am very happy to say that nothing had frozen solid, no pipes had burst, the boiler was working and by now the cottage has warmed up and we are toasty cosy. Phew. Takes a couple of days as the cottage is built of field stones and the walls are half a metre thick.

It is so peaceful, sigh, and all the snow blanketing the fields is just gorgeous, sparkly white and untouched as most of the cows seem to be in their barns.
Our dogs love the snow, they go nuts romping through it, snapping up a mouthful of snow or chewing a chunk of ice from a frozen puddle. Me, I prefer sitting by the fire inside the cottage, and just admire all the whiteness through the window. But I am being good and going out for walks with them.

This is what it looked like at the cottage yesterday.
View from the front door -



Bread oven next to the cottage -

View from the kitchen window-

Back of the cottage with the kitchen window -



And the doggies on one of the walks -






It has snowed more overnight, and visibility is much worse as well, we seem to be in the clouds again, lol. I love being all cosy in the cottage when its like that outside.

Well, thats it for now. Please spend a few minutes visiting some new bloggers on Vicki's list here, and have a really good weekend wherever you are.

Toodlepip x

PS - Are you gals of the saintly patient variety? LOL, you see, I would love to offer a little giveaway in honour of Vicki's great blog hop, but I am totally without craft supplies here in France. Didn't bring anything with me. BUT........ if you can be patient and wait until the middle of February, then I'll have a few days at home in the UK to come up with something. And I'll happily tailor the little something to the winner's specific interests. Would that be OK? Phew, glad you said yes ;-). Leave a comment, and be entered.


36 comments:

AppleApricot Wen said...

Good to hear your cottage is "okidoki" (as we say in Dutch). It looks really beautiful with the snow.

hugs and wonderful weekend,
Wendy

Unknown said...

lovely cottage and dogs, hugs

Erika said...



Hello ! I'm jumping by from the grow your blog Party! A lot of snow is in your country. Here in Germany is no snow actually. Our little Black dog loves snow, like yours. Sending greetings - Erika

Salma said...

aaaah, ich muss mich schon seeeehr beherrschen, um nicht laut rauszuschreien "ich bin ja sooooo neidisch!!!!!" *hihi*

so ein cottage ist schon was feines, wenn es dann noch in frankreich steht, gleich doppelt so fein! :)

falls ihr es mal nicht mehr haben wollt - ich würde mich als abnehmerin gnädig bereit erklären ;)

habt eine schöne zeit!
alles liebe
salma

DVArtist said...

Great post. The photos are wonderful. The temp???? Not so much LOL
I will go check out the grow your blog list.
Nicole/Beadwright

Sandra Kaye said...

Loved your post...and your pup playing in the snow :):) so sweet!!! Hugs

Createology said...

I did not realize it got soooo cold in France. Brrrrr....
Thankfully your cottage and doggies and you are fine. Staying cozy and warm inside would be my choice also. Blissful days to you...

EvalinaMaria said...

You have a lovely blog, thank you for sharing. I am a new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun at the party!

Evalina, This and that...

The Sage Butterfly said...

Your cottage and view are spectacular! I have been missing snow as it has been sparse this winter. I hope some will come very soon. So nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog party.

Sea Witch said...

I can smell the break baking all the way to Georgia. Loving the dogs in the snow, so cute. Hope your grow your own blog party was a great one. Sea Witch

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, the puppy looks so happy - playing & all. please do drop by my blog. have a great weekend. take care. ( :

Countrywoman said...

happy to meet you and welcome to the party.

Travel With Lulu said...

We drove to Normandy from Calais - beautiful countryside. We received snowfall and cold temperatures over the weekend as well. Beautiful photos!

Angela Grasse said...

I love your blog. Your work is gorgeous!

Laurie said...

Oh, I envy you the travel and the change of scenery! Enjoy your time in France.

Kathy H said...

Your blog looks like fun to read. I am looking forward to it. Enjoy your time in France. Hope it is lots of fun.

JuanitaTortilla said...

I love the views from your cottage, Lizzie. That's a massive bread oven, in my opinion! :D

Mom E. said...

Okay, Liz,
Have you done a post on your bread oven? Where can I find that!!!! the post I mean. You have an amazing view in any season of the year....Woa, that is one cold drive, but gorgeous! I love seeing the land around your cottage....so beautiful, just like all the wonderful items you create! I have had so much fun with this blog party, thank you for telling me about it! Hugs and hearts and cider and smiles to you!
Betsy

hueisei said...

I am your newest follower :D
Beautiful blog and I am looking forward to more inspiration posts from you :D

Kadee Willow said...

So glad you arrived safely at your cottage and you're cozy inside! But get ready as I am going to gush!!! I am thrilled to have found your blog and now am your latest follower! Having spent four years living in Switzerland (years ago) my heart has never left Europe! I will get to capture all those wonderful feelings through your posts! You create with linens and laces another passion of mine! I am in heaven! I found you through Vicki's party and would love to have you visit my blog when you get a chance. I so look forward to getting to know you!

Alison said...

Enjoy reading your lovely blog.
Alison

suziqu's thread works said...

Oh my dear Liz
You know I'd give almost anything to be there in the cottage kitchen right now with you looking out over that amazing view after what we have been through - it may be sooo freezing but somehow there is also peace and stillness and maybe every snowflakes too...Oh sigh!

With a few teary hugs,
(PS I missed you last night by just a click!!!)
Suzy

Bernadett said...

Hello,

Nice to meet you in this party.:)

There is a giveaway on my blog,too.

http://petite-armoire.blogspot.com/
betikarauski@gmail.com

All the best.:)
Bernadett

Unknown said...

You have a lovely blog, cottage and best friend :) I love your tags and are those inchies? If so wow, those are increadibly hard for me but you make them look easy and gorgious. I am so glad to have found your blog. HOpe you hop is going well.

Hugs
Caroline
www.cmoh.blogspot.com

Pamela said...

Your pictures game me a chill. It's cold here in Indiana, too. Beautiful, dog, too.

Floss said...

Wow, -15°? Brrr.... We had a day of snow and then got back to rain, down here. I've mentioned you on my blog post today - you are often on my mind, as one of your creations hangs on my bed post!

Dorthe said...

My dear Liz,
I`m sorry I have been away for so long- but Mathilde has been here with us, and I have been traveling back and forth with her-- Now after returning home, I have got a huge cold!!!
I can see you are having a great time in your French home,and am so glad for you sounding happy and well.
Here it is also very cold, but starting to be a bit warmer !
Warm hugs from me, too-
Dorthe,x

Retired Knitter said...

Oh my. I love the look of the grounds and the cottage. What a charming place. You are so lucky. Yes, please enter me in your give away.

And if you get a chance, come visit me. I am making a give-away as well. I love company.

Elaine
RetiredKnitter@gmail.com
http://mynext20yearsofliving.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed visiting your blog. Hope you are enjoying your vacation at the cottage. It looks like our furry friend is enjoying it.

It is nice to meet you through Vicki's GYB. If you have a chance stop by and visit me at nonniescedarchest.com

CATHY said...

Stopping by for the first time from the party. oh la la a pretty blog you have! and I love the name....the hubby often tells me I live in la la land!! Oh I do miss France! I lived in Brussels Belgian for 5 years and it was a quick drive to France - on of my fav countries. And I sooo miss the flea markets! I had a daily one just a short walk form my apartment in B. But now I am in Singapore, scouring a different kind of market... having a great time exploring Asia. Cheers!

kareninkenai said...

Hi Liz - I am signing up (possibly again, can't seem to find me - lol) and did via SuzyQ, I think about a year ago. But, perhaps not. Love your blog. Please stop by if you haven't already and sign up for my giveaway. (I'm tardy because my motherboard died and went to the grave!) But, I have a replacement now! Hugs from Alaska. Karen

www.alaskabluemoose.blogspot.com

Dorthe said...

Hi dearest Liz,
I wanted to comment on your new post, but clicking it, it said :service unable! !!!
So me going here,- where I also did not comment,as it was just when Mathilde was staying with us the :Grow Your Blog , was on......
Such fantastic beautiful photoes both here, and in your new post. MY I wish I could once see such a King Frost landscape.
Thankyou my sweet friend for your note ,the other day,-unfortunately it has not beeen better...I can hardly sleep for coughing in the nights, today I had a Codein mixture from my doctor...hope it helps,make me sleep.
Your tree taken apart was a great buy, they will be so sweet to use,-and the two pillow cowers looks perfectly cottage romantic.
Now better end this comment, and send you a note another day,too.
Hugs from snotty me .
x,Dorthe

mitz said...

..a surprise can be loads of fun.. what a great idea.. luved touring your blog..thanks mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

mybearsnme said...

I'd be honoured to receive something from you from oversea :)
I found you through the blog party - if you need a giggle - come and visit me at
http://leftoverchocolatestitches.blogspot.ca/
:)

hula-la said...

Great blog! Love the photos. Thank you for sharing. Hope you'll visit me back.

Aloha from Vicki

Maureen said...

Wow, beautiful cottage, beautiful pics, cute doggies and awesome vintage! So glad I found you through Vicki's blog party! Off to add myself to your Followers now!