Pieces of France (partie deaux)

It's past 3 a.m.  I'm wired from a night of cafe hopping.  We had a fun evening in town and a nice late nightcap at home with Carrie and later joined by Leo.  Summer brings so much activity here and with the weather as gorgeous as it's been lately the city is more alive than ever.  It makes for great cafe living, people watching, and good long conversations filled with laughter.

I thought it would be fun to post a couple more "Pieces of France" finds:  Cafe Felix, a European bistro is a favorite of mine and take a look below, my love affair with tiny cars continues...

Bon week-end!

Pieces of France

Sometimes I dream about being in the countryside in France.  To take a walk in the lavender fields, visit small villages, admire their cottages, take a road trip where the sunflowers grow wild and colors of the land speaks of Monet & Van Gogh paintings.

During our walk in the neighborhood this evening, I realized that we have quite a few pieces of France all around us.  It's really delightful to see them...  I think I'll be looking out for more pieces of France in our next stroll.

our lavenders are in bloom

lots of bees making honey here

we're seeing more and more tiny cars in town

i'm liking this electric one

we're definitely getting a rain barrel someday

an adorable french cottage

a cute birdhouse

almost everyone here has a vegetable garden

wild roses on the fence

Looking at just these few pictures I'm really proud of the Green Living around us--- from the energy efficient car, to conserving water with the use of a rain barrel, and organic gardening by growing your own vegetables.  It's really inspiring me to do more.

One Week After...

Beauty. Life. Happiness. These words comes to mind as I reflect back on this past week...

Although it's been challenging lately, God answered our prayers for good health. (Praise Him and thank you for being here for me.) We had our first blackout this year from the seasonal thunderstorms and Megan and Darren down the street were kind to have Patrick take his online exam at their home just in time before their power went out too! Beautiful days followed with blue skies and cool winds, the kind that stops you in your tracks and makes you close your eyes and breathe in deeply. I started cooking again, my husband reminded of how much he's missed my cooking. I made risotto with beef, zucchini, mushrooms, and peas. He ate it all. I also made empanadas which I discovered I can freeze and bake when ready to be eaten. The crust still keeps its flaky texture.

Last but not least, our annual gathering in celebration of Independence Day proved to be the icing on the cake this week. We were joined by our dearest friends and also by new friends whom we look forward to joining us every year from now on. The pot luck was delicious, the fireworks were spectacular, and company was wonderful!

So you see, these days filled with things that may appear mundane are truly eventful to me. They make up a life that has found so much beauty and happiness in God, caring friends, good family, and a home filled with love.

Becoming Jane

Having the luxury of time in my hands these past few days, I managed to finally watch this movie that's been tucked away in our bookshelf for many months.  Much to my surprise it turned out to be a beautiful story.

Jane Austen [reading Pride and Prejudice] "She began now to comprehend that he was exactly the man who, in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was a union that must have been to the advantage of both. By her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance. But no such happy marriage could now teach the admiring multitude what connubial felicity really was." 

Becoming Jane

Greetings from France

Patrick and I received the most thoughtful mail from Christina, Nicolas, and Emma...  It included pictures and video clips of the past months they've been away from the us.  We wanted to share it here so those of you who miss them as much as we do can share in our joy of hearing from them.  (By the way, although they don't comment here, the Rondeaus check in here on a weekly basis in case you'd like to post a comment. : )

The beautiful family.  

We're looking forward to the day we see each other again.

Nico et Emma

A fun clip of Emma and her Papa.  This put a big smile on our faces. : ) 

Nico et Belle: Parlez anglais à Emma aussi, ok ?

Sweet Summer

The sun seem to burst open the windows today, welcoming summer.  I have to admit that summer is my least favorite season.  (Strange I know having come from sunny California.)  I can't seem to bear the heat.  However, there are still quite a few things I enjoy this season: like the long days when the sun doesn't set until past nine, walks by the river, drinking lemonade, reading outdoors, writing outdoors-- even now as I listen to George Winston's Summer solo piano aptly titled "Living in the Country", the cool evening breeze, farmer's market, and berries, lots and lots of berries.  For all these wonderful things that summer brings, my heart is certainly grateful.       

Here's a peak at our raspberry bush growing under the window of my favorite nook in the house.  Look who I discovered resting underneath the bushes? Adorable Poppy.  She didn't seem to mind at all when I harvested gorgeous looking ripe raspberries above her.  There were a few ripened strawberries today too!  Ahh, sweet summer.