In the steps of Guy de Maupassant

 

Le château de Miromesnil, Tourville-sur-Arques

Calme

Savouring the calm before the storm of December.  Feeling inspired by this post, I'm all for a slow Christmas.

Pictures from the last few days.  Corners of our new living space, lovely wooden buttons for the next woollens, toasty Menorcan slippers and a poorly Joseph snuggled on the sofa.

Gingerbread men

My mum often says that my family revolves around food.  No sooner have we left the table, we are wondering what's to eat at the next meal.  I seem to spend a lot of the weekend in the kitchen, making more elaborate meals than during the week.  Woe betide me though if I dare make a dessert without Anya.  She loves to bake and hates not to be involved.  We decided to make Gingerbread men as soon we'll be supplying little sachets of them for the school Christmas market and offering them as gifts to friends that we will see over December.  Growing up in England, Gingerbread men were always a treat from the bakery.  Now I bake them every year as the festive season approaches, filling the kitchen with wonderful, seasonal aromas of ginger and cinnamon.  Next on my list, mugs of warm, spiced mulled wine..

The older two children are wising up, starting to test their wings.  I love watching the innocence and playfulness of this little guy around the house.

Simplicity and work and enjoyment

Inspiring

Snippets

Walks at the weekend amongst the yellow and brown trees.  Bringing autumn into the house with rose-tipped hydrangeas and pine cones from the forest.  Admiring pockets of sun late in the day.  Celebrating four special years with a certain little boy.  Drinking coffee and eating cornes de gazelle brought home from Casablanca.  Lighting candles as the days become darker.

Not too fast please November.