Monday 3 April 2017

Spring at the cottage

I love all the seasons, but Spring is really special. Seeing everything coming back to life, the first hints of green in the hedgerows, the little wildflowers eagerly opening up in the first warm rays of sunshine, the wonderful clouds of white blossoms on the wild cherry trees and the hawthorns, thats magical.

We have been quite busy these first couple of weeks. The 'garden' was covered in what seemed like a million branches and bits from the trees surrounding the cottage. Apparently there had been some rather severe storms just before we came out to the cottage. It took my DH days to clear them up. Then the warmer weather arrived for a few days and you know what happens then...... the grass goes mad and you can almost see it growing while you watch. Not the best time for the mower to break down, lol, but my wonderful DH is Mister Fixit :-). Planted the First Early Potatoes, got the greenhouse put up again and planted lots of veggie seeds, stocked up my herb pots by the front door and started clearing out weeds.

We were so happy to get back to the Refuge ( http://www.refuge-adpa-gueugnon.org/ ) again and walk the doggies twice a week. We have missed them, they are our babies as well. I try not to think too much about how long some of these beautiful dogs have been in the shelter, it breaks my heart that some of them have spent almost their entire life there. Little Sam, for example, came to the Refuge when just a year old, such a wonderful little dog, absolutely loves to play with toys, is obedient, walks nicely on the lead, and loves to be loved, yet nobody has ever shown interest in him in, what, eight years! I would so love for him to go to a wonderful loving home, even though I would miss him.

Anyway, enough ramblings, I'll just show you a few random pics from the last couple of weeks :-) -

My precious box full of my treasured gifts from friends. They travel with me between the UK and France all the time 


Rain day sorting through an old button box

Morning walks

Spring flowers inside and out






Seeds planted


Loving this vintage bust of a young woman

Sorting out some small religious pieces to list on Etsy




My little herb 'garden'

A freshly laundered, beautifully delicate lacy bedspread drying in the soft Spring air


And of course plenty of time spent with our dogs







Toodlepip xxx

7 comments:

Jeanie said...

It looks like a little peek into Paradise. How lovely!

Dorthe said...

Liz, you are a gifted photographer , dear friend. So many beautiful pictures, to see, from your garden, and the view over the surrounding area is breathtaking !! I love the tulips in your home,and your beautiful dogs. So sad to read about all the ones living in shelters ,without a family . Wow Liz, do you have place for all the goodness of gifts you bring forth and back ? I have to make little changes on my walls now and then, lol.
Stunning old pieces, I love the shrine with Jesus .
Hugs and love to you. Dorthe

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

WOW...what beautiful photos you have shared. Loving it all, as Iowa is a few weeks away from this beauty. Terrible week of rain, wind and cold, the no sunshine is what is getting the best of us.
You have been busy doing some fun things. Just walking with the dogs makes my heart patter. They are beauties. Dogs are something I really miss. How far are you away from your other home? I'd love to revisit that area, my son has a home in Germany so maybe someday. Thank you for sharing your fun adventures. Happy Spring.

Rhonda said...

Hi Liz! I am drinking my morning coffee and have time to blog hop.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us all. I love your French cottage.
It looks so comfy and a happy place to settle down in.

suziqu's thread works said...

Thank you my dear friend for sharing these amazing photos with us here!
I always love to see your adventures at your French cottage with the doggies and you new acquainted doggy friends you walk. So sad they are still living at the refuge and some for sooo long - yes if only we could home them all!
I loved seeing all of your antique acquisitions, flowers, box of handmade gifts from friends. I'm thrilled to be counted as one of your friends too.
Sending love and Easter blessings to you my dear Liz,
Suzy xox

Roses, Lace and Brocante said...

I could quite happily settle into life in your cottage Liz!
Such beautiful dogs.
Shane

Betsy said...

Hector and Poppy are so relaxed and happy at the cottage! Love all your pots full of plants!
Just getting my plants into pots, a broken ankle is a real pain!
hugs,
Betsy