when blogging becomes poetry - my 2nd guest artist

Sometimes art is obvious to see, but sometimes it's the artist's spirit you sense first.  So it was for me with Anne-Marie at NaDa Farm.   I think I first noticed Anne Marie when I heard about her barn sale this year.

Now,  I've held a few barn sales in my time so I have some idea and lots of happy memories of what's involved.  I felt instantly drawn.

I started following Anne-Marie, stocking her in my mind's filing cabinet under the labels, 'farm, young family, chickens, flowers' ..... then I realised that behind all the everyday stuff lay a true poet.

What intrigues me is how the poet survives amidst her impressive daily routine.   Anne Marie runs an organic farm, home schools five young children, sews, takes great photos, reads alot, for goodness sake, the girl even bakes her own bread! I don't know when she finds the time to sleep! I decided to dig a little deeper and  I asked her a few questions:

- You express yourself in a very poetic manner, where do you think this comes from? Is this a character trait you find in your children too?
- The children surprise me with their poetic wisdom, especially while in the garden working with their mama. Most often times, the most personal discussions come up when alone with one of them in the potager or walking the prairie. Since we don’t watch television, because we choose not to have one, there is more time for reading, playing games, creating music together, praying together, and talking at the table during meals….every meal is shared together. We all have to adapt to the seasons that surrounds us here on the farm as well, which contributes to my candid poetry within my posts. Nothing is face value here….it all has a deeper meaning….from the chicken egg we hatch with mother hen to the farm dinners we prepare from the garden to serve our close friends.
- I do however write poetry, I particularly love old lyrical poems, as does my oldest son….my favourite poet is Martin Tupper, an 1850’s poet.
 

What influence do your words and pictures have on your daily life and on those around you?
- The pictures I post are of that week’s activities or discoveries, and I do find that while I am viewing my life through the lens of my camera, I notice more details. Farm chores and daily activities consume a large amount of all of our time here on the farm, but there is a constant hum of gratitude for this opportunity to live and work on this land and the people who preserved it. My mind doesn’t see things one dimensional….it is constantly moving and being inspired by my daily life. 

- What does your family think about your blog?
- My husband keeps abreast of the news online, and only reads my blog on occasion, but his support of my creativity and journals, both on paper and the computer is very encouraging. The children notice my depth of intensity while writing a post, so they usually close the office door for me, and give me silence, but they are always learning things on the computer through my teaching of working with the photos I take and that they take…they very much enjoy watching me pick out the photos I use for each post and the finished product. My eleven year old daughter’s opinion on my header is the last word….either yeah or nay.

 You blog, sew, garden (tell me if I missed some)......What is the most creative part of your day?
- The most creative part of my day for creating things for myself, seems to be early in the morning or extremely late at night….those are the times that I am not completely focused on my children and their needs, or the needs of our home and farm, but I do find that the most creative part of my day is being with my children, teaching them, and having them be a part of my daily life in and out of the garden.

- Your garden looks spectacular - are there many gardens like that where you live?
- There is not, and I wish there were to gather inspiration, but the growing interest in designing potagers for others, through the many compliments and inquiries from visitors to the farm, has made me and my husband strongly consider in opening up a business doing so. 

- If people were to retain one element or characteristic from your NaDa blog, what would you like it to be?
- Preserving simplistic traditions………..weaving the core moral values of faith and the beauty that surrounds us in a positive light, while working hard to achieve this goal.

Thank you Anne Marie for giving us such a  generous insight into your daily life.

Maybe one day we'll have this chat for real over the kitchen table!

summer time and easy living part II

In yesterday's post I promised you a peek inside our friend J's house.  Chose promise, chose due!

Chez J there reigns an air of good sense, order, generosity and elegant living.  He loves to pay attention to all the little details which, when put together, create a totally wonderful overall effect.

This attention to detail is one of the reasons he has created two dining areas outside.  Not only because it's fun to change but also because if the wind is blowing on one side of the house then the table will be sheltered on the other.  I told you - attention to detail.

The gardens are of course stunning,  manicured almost.   There is a cutting garden which provides fresh bouquets for tables and - to my great joy - for bedside tables.  

Here is also a special place for cut flowers, a floating bowl - I love it.

I forgot to introduce you to the star member of the family.  Dear Sammy, as patient and generous as his master.

A favourite part of the house for Sammy is this beautiful stairway leading in from the lower garden.

Back in the house J loves to display favourite objects in small and delicious vignettes.

The guest rooms are peaceful and welcoming.

But should a guest need more rest during the day, there is a hammock strung up in the shade between two tall cypress trees.

It's hard to find something that hasn't been thought of,  right down to the limpid sky as the sun rises over the terrace promising another delicious day.

summer time ... and the living is easy ...

My post today is filled with the perfume of lavender bushes, the silver grey of olive trees and the song of cigales.  I am taking you to a very special property in the South of France that belongs to our dear friend J..   who kindly invites us to stay for a few days each summer.

Here, the living really is easy.  The house runs like clockwork under J's attentive eye, and every detail is thought through to make the home as comfortable as possible.

When he bought the property it was little more than a hollow stone shell.  Over the years he has added, changed, improved and perfected until the house today is just as he wants it.  Deceptively large, he has space to receive guests, but the clever layout means that it can feel cosy when he's alone.

One of the real delights here is the different corners of the home, in and out, where you can sit and enjoy a book, an aperitif, good music and of course the outstanding views that  will never be spoilt since the boundaries of the property stretch as far as you can see.

This beautiful little pigeonnier looks as if it's been here forever.  J designed it a couple of years back when his gardener was beginning to find it difficult transporting the lawn mower from the lower garden to the upper one here.  Here there is space for an extra mower and the garden furniture during the winter months.  Spending time with J is a lesson in elegance and good management.  Je l'adore!

For today I'm leaving you with this wonderful view, but tomorrow I'll invite you inside.   A demain!

so good to be back with you!

It wasn't brilliant timing on my behalf to put up a giveaway and a link-up just as I was going away for a few days.  Please forgive me.    Thanks to the kindness of  my two eldest children who stayed home,  I was able to keep up with your contributions while enjoying this view in the South of France.

I was delighted to be invited to this beautiful house that belongs to friends and loved every minute of it, but my goodness how I missed my blog! 

 

 I'll be telling you all about this lovely home in my post tomorrow.

First things first.  Thank you to everyone who took part in the storytelling party.

There were so many great ideas behind these tales.  We read of a young widow, separated sisters,  of a French washerwoman, of secret admirers and young pioneers.  We even had contributions from a couple of girls who don't have a blog yet!  While Linda at 'Nina's nest' managed to find 4 suggestions to fit the MB monogram!

Luckily for me, I don't have to choose a favourite, but simply to announce that I have drawn out a winner and shall be sending my giveaway  monogrammed shirt to Margaret at the French Bear.  If you haven't read her tale then pop over here and check it out.  Thank you Margaret for such a lovely story.

In the meantime I have put the other chemises up for sale at my etsy store.

il fait chaud!

It is unusually warm here, as I prepared dinner yesterday evening it was 33 degrees in my kitchen, and I found myself longing to be beside some water.

This setting in south west France would do nicely,

Please forgive me if I'm not leaving many comments at the moment. I'm out of town for a few days and a long way from a computer. I'll see you for my giveaway and to tell you where I've been on Monday.

my own take on my brocante finds!

In my previous post I invited you to invent a tale around the vintage night gowns I found at a brocante sale.
I'm so enjoying your stories that if you don't mind I have also attempted a little version of my own ... just for fun!

The wrong gift

"Bonjour les filles" said Mademoiselle Richelieu as she bustled into the grey classroom,   the girls turned around to their desks and sat down quietly. "Your attention please.  As you know we have the governors of the school visiting today, and we want to make the very best impression.  They will be here this afternoon, most likely during your embroidery lesson.  Each one of you must be sure to have their hair straight, and clean hands while doing the needlework.   The Head Governess is called Madame Marie Bonpoint.   Should she speak to any one of you  then  stand up, curtsey slightly and answer clearly.  Don't forget to say Bonjour Madame"

Antoinette and Justine sighed at the back of the class.  So that was why they had had to do this  embroidery project.  Normally the sewing lesson was considered as time out, they just sat in small groups chatting, with the same sampler in their hands since the beginning of the year.  This had been different.  The whole class of ten girls had had to sew and embroider rather old fashioned nightdresses that were far too big for the girls themselves.  Then they all had to embroider them with the same initials.  MB.

"Oh non" gasped Justine.  "Did you just hear what the head governess' name is?"

"Oui, enfin non,"  replied Antoinette.  " I wasn't really paying attention"

"Her name's Marie Bonpoint, get it ?  M B !!"

"Oh non, c'est pas vrai, it's for her we're doing all this sewing, my sore fingers just for her!"

A slight figure appeared in front of their desks.  "C'est vrai Justine "  said Mademoiselle Richelieu.  "I know this sewing project hasn't been to everyone's taste, but you have to understand how important it is that we stay in our governors' favour.  A young ladies' boarding school like this is an expensive place to run.  Were it not for the generosity of Madame Bonpoint, it is not sure that we could stay open, and then where would you all be?"  

The girls glanced at each other.  They knew this was no joke.  In between wars, times were hard and a good education was a luxury that not everyone was lucky enough to enjoy.

"Alors, as I was about to say before Justine felt compelled to speak.  These chemises that you have been sewing with such care, if not enthusiasm, are destined to be a gift from this class to Madame Bonpoint"

"Oh la la!  she must be enormous, look at the size of this chemise!"  Antoinette held up the linen nightshirt she was working on, all the girls laughed. 

"Du calme les filles!" Mademoiselle Richelieu clapped her hands loudly.   "I haven't seen Madame Bonpoint for several years but I remember her as being a little 'ronde', and I know that she enjoys the services of an excellent cook, so I preferred to cut the chemises slightly larger, for fear of vexing her with garments she could not possibly fit in to.  I also happen to know that since her parents passed away she lives a simple life alone, and does not care for fancy clothing.  Now if you have all finished your embroidery, let us make her a beautiful gift package to open when she arrives."

Although they had nothing but plain brown paper and string, the class buzzed happily as they prepared the parcel.   Just as they finished there was a knock at the door.

The headmistress walked in "Mademoiselle Richelieu, I hope your class is ready to receive our guest.  You mentioned a gift, is it here?"

"Oh oui Madame," beamed the teacher,  "all wrapped and ready.  We are so looking forward to her opening it"

The headmistress lowered her voice and confided to the teacher, " I think you may find it hard to recognise Madame Bonpoint.  She has changed a great deal.  She is accompanied by her fiancé, a fine man somewhat younger than herself.  I do believe this younger company has done her the world of good, she is magnifique!".

Poor Mademoiselle Richelieu just had time to start to say "Changed,  b-but in what way .... ?"  when in to the class swept a vision of elegance.  The girls gasped, the teacher paled a little.

"Bonjour les enfants,"  the beautiful woman smiled at the children.  There was silence, the girls looked confused.  Madame Bonpoint was slim, with long chestnut hair pile up in an elegant braid to the back of her head.  She wore an exquisite dress of deep blue satin.  From her cuffs and collar protruded rich lace trimmings.  Madamoiselle Richelieu's jaw dropped.  She glanced at the  gift wrapped packet, heavy, square and cumbersome and she became paler still.

"Mais alors les filles, on vous a dit bonjour!"  shrilled the headmistress.  Her sharp voice brought the girls back down to ground  "Bonjour Madame", they chanted in unison.

The headmistress and the head governess turned towards the teacher, an air of expectancy on their faces.  Poor Mademoiselle Richelieu appeared to have turned to stone.  The headmistress coughed discreetly,  "Mademoiselle"  a pause " you have something for our guest I believe"

"Do I?"  the teacher resembled a frightened rabbit caught in a bright spotlight, too scared to move.

With a discreet jerk of her chin the headmistress pointed to the packet.  The teacher looked ill.  "Ah non, enfin, je ne suis pas sur ...."

Before she had time to remove the packet or explain the contents, Madame Bonpoint lifted it from the table turned first to the girls "Vous êtes trop gentilles, merci beaucoup" and then to her fiancé, inviting him to help her open the paper wrapping.

The young man deftly snapped the string tie and with a grand gesture revealed the contents.  

There was an instant and stunned silence.   Madame Bonpoint glanced at her young man and quickly hid the plain undergarments from his view.  She turned on her heels, threw a withering look at the teacher and exited the classroom with a stammering headmistress close behind her.  The fiancé followed, a bemused look on his young face.

The last that was seen of Madame Bonpoint were the heels of her shiny leather shoes as she strutted out of the school gate .

That same school gate closed for ever a short while afterwards.  The girls sent home to their respective families bearing a note explaining that due to lack of financial support the establishment had no choice but to close. 

In a dark cupboard at the back of a shuttered classroom lay hidden a pile of ten monogrammed chemises, never to be worn. 

Inspired by my brocante finds - a giveaway

Sunday morning and I was out hunting through brocante sales early.   I was rewarded for leaving my bed early with a wonderful find.  A large pile of linen, including 10 monogrammed chemises.

I say chemises because I'm not really sure if they were made to be worn as underwear or nightwear.  They are all entirely handmade and hand embroidered, each with the letters MB.  I am sure that they have never been worn, the hemp linen is still the beige colour of the new unwashed material.   They are all slightly different, only one has sleeves.  Some are v-necked, others round necked, narrow or wide shouldered, even the overall sizes vary.

They are at least 100 years old, so why were they never washed or used?  Who did they belong to? did the sewer make them for herself or for someone else?  Were they part of a trousseau, the work of a budding underwear designer, the fruit of sewing lessons....?

 Once they are all washed and sweet smelling I will be putting some of them into my etsy store, but I would like to give one away.  So I thought of a little story telling party .....

I am inviting you to invent a short tale about these garments.  Funny, sad, romantic, historically accurate or not, I don't mind.  Just a few sentences or a page, whatever suits you. The giveaway item will be one of these monogrammed chemises, but I hope that the real fun will be the fruit of your imagination!

You have a week to link up and enter your tale.  The random draw next Monday will reveal the winner.  Use as many of these pictures as you like to illustrate your story.  Anyone who enters the link-up will be added to my blogroll.

I must add that the idea of writing around a theme was given me by Angie Muresan's latest and rather wonderful post that links up to Magpie Tales.  Thank you Angie!