Monday, September 14, 2015

Catching Up If I Can

The End Of Summer


I had every intention after the huge summer renovation of Cottage to come back to my regular blogging schedule of one to two posts a week and then life kept sending one thing after the other that prevented me from writing... 

J'avais prévu de reprendre mon rythme habituel sur le blog, un ou deux articles par semaine, après les gros travaux de l'été au Cottage... Mais la vie ces derniers temps s'est révélée un peu plus compliquée que prévu... 

Prince Charming crossing Cottage's garden.
The end of summer (technically, we still have a week of summer before the autumn equinox and so to me, it's still summer, no latter how many pumpkins I see on blogs) has been a very busy one and while I'm not going to bore you to death, let me give you some of my lame excuses...

La fin de l'été (techniquement, nous avons encore une semaine d'été avant l'équinoxe d'automne et je refuse donc de me laisser influencer par les nombreuses décorations d'automne qui apparaissent sur les blogs) a été bien remplie et je ne vais pas vous ennuyer avec tous les détails, cependant laissez-moi vous donner quelques-unes de mes excuses bidon.

Summer tea with Milo in my untammed garden.

1. The TV plugs are working! A very nice man whose job is to take care of every TV related problem came to Cottage one day and fixed everything in about half an hour... when the electrician spent more than a week trying to connect everything and never managed to do it correctly! In addition to be a good and fast worker, he admired everything I had done to Cottage, which instantly made him all the more friendly! (This is definitely a lame excuse... There is nearly nothing to watch on TV in summer in France, so I can't say that it takes much of my time watching it!)

Far more intersting than anything on TV...
1. Les prises télé fonctionnent enfin ! Un charmant antenniste est venu au Cottage et en moins d'une heure, il a refait les branchements... L'électricien y avait passé plus d'une semaine sans aucun résultat! En plus, l'antenniste a eu le bon goût d'admirer toutes les transformations que j'avais faites au Cottage et cela me l'a tout de suite rendu très, très sympathique ! Bon, ça, c'est vraiment une excuse bidon... Il n'y a pas grand chose à la télé et je ne passe donc pas mon temps devant l'écran !

Les ciels bretons sont plus variés que les programmes télé...
2. The cats and I spend quite some time just watching the amazing view we have from our brand new windows. I found out that a neighbour has a horse and they both cross the fields behind Cottage every evening... I guess they did so before, but of course, I hadn't noticed them before because I can't see them from my downstairs windows.


2. Les chats et moi passons finalement plus de temps à admirer la vue depuis nos nouvelles fenêtres. J'ai ainsi découvert que tous les soirs un voisin traverse avec son cheval les champs derrière Cottage. Il devait faire cela avant, mais on ne le voit pas des fenêtres du rez-de-chaussée.

 
3. It's been rather sunny. August was very rainy and I had stitches in my arms for two weeks, so I hadn't been able to mow the garden or to paint my new windows. So every free sunny time I've had lately has been used to take care of the very neglected garden or to apply a coat of paint on my windows before winter arrives.


3. Il a fait plutôt beau depuis début septembre alors qu'août a été assez pluvieux. Du coup, le peu de temps libre que j'ai eu a été consacré à tondre un jardin qui ne ressemblait plus à rien et à passer des couches de peinture sur mes nouvelles fenêtres avant que l'hiver n'arrive.

Painting the bedroom window / Séance peinture de fenêtre.

4. I haven't done any decorating project per se. My main goal was to have a functional house before going back to school... All the furniture that was stored in my living-room during the renovation is back in the room it's supposed to be, some of my boxes have been emptied so I have my every day stuff unpacked... It actually took a lot of my time and I didn't have the energy to do more.

Falcon spotted on my shed roof / Faucon aperçu sur le toit de mon atelier.

4. Je n'ai pas vraiment fait de projet déco que je puisse vous montrer en cette fin d'été. Mon but principal était de remettre la maison en état de fonctionner avant la rentrée. Les meubles qui étaient stockés dans le salon pendant les travaux ont retrouvé leur place habituelle et j'ai commencé à vider des cartons pour faciliter le quotidien... Je n'avais plus assez d'énergie ensuite pour autre chose.

Kitchen garden at Cottage

5. My computer  actually thought the back-to-school week was a great time to get a virus and be very sick... It took it to the computer hospital we have in my little town. I had to work for five days without my computer where all my new chapter on Romeo & Juliet for my pupils was stored! Needless to say, it meant recreating in a hurry some of my lessons!

Le potager au Cottage
5. Mon ordinateur a pensé que la semaine de la rentrée était le moment idéal pour prendre un virus et tomber gravement malade. Je l'ai porté à l'hôpital pour ordinateurs de ma petite ville, mais j'ai donc dû travailler cinq jours sans mon précieux ordinateur dans lequel était enfermé tout mon nouveau chapitre sur Roméo et Juliette pour mes élèves. Je ne vous dis pas les heures passées à refaire en urgence les cours!


I do hope everything will go more smoothly from now on because I have a little project in my head that I'd love to do and show you!

Cat version of Summer lazy days
J'espère que les choses vont se calmer car j'ai une petite idée en tête que j'aimerais réaliser et vous montrer ensuite!

Me, not working on any project!

See you soon,

A bientôt,







54 comments:

  1. Beautiful kitties. I empathize. It will be fun unpacking, because you will look at things in new ways. We have been busy here too, and my photos are so disorganized since updating my computer to a not so user friendly upgrade. I hope to see more soon, Magali. xoxo Su

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  2. Sweet sweet kitties... Very beautiful atmosphere... have a great week!

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  3. I love visiting you and your cottage even if everything isn't perfect.

    Have a good school year.

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  4. Oh, how I do not like the end of summer :-( storks fly away as soon as I begin to miss summer already.
    Beautiful photos. My favorite image of a hot air balloon
    I greet the warmth in this cold day :-)

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  5. It's always important to take a step back and recharge - even if it wasn't necessarily planned! There's always only so much that one person can do and taking a break will keep you motivated to carry on!

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    1. There's a lot of unplanned right now in my life... so painting has to wait!

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  6. Entre les 2 dernières photos, je ne sais pas ce qu'il y a de mieux : paresser dans de moelleux et bien tentants coussins en profitant des rayons du soleil ou bien se promener en bord de mer ? Hum, les 2 me paraissent bien :).
    Bravo en tous cas d'avoir pris le temps de peindre les fenêtres, tâche qui était prévue chez moi mais repoussée, repoussée et encore repoussée...
    Bonne journée.
    Nathalie

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  7. Lovely to see you back. It sounds as though you might have had some surgery recently, so hope you will be recovered soon and your energy levels will come back.
    I showed a photo of our first Breton cottage on my blog a couple of weeks ago!

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  8. Oh dear, Magali, I am way behind with the story of you and Cottage. What's this about stitches? You have damaged yourself? That aside, all seems to be coming along splendidly...there will be upsets...no plan survives contact with the enemy.

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  9. Dear Magali,
    Life is what is happening while you are making plans, isn´t it? So you might try to enjoy that tiny little bit, that is left of our summer. Have a nice time!
    Yours, Sarah

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  10. It is lovely to just do NOTHING but enjoy the passing of life before our eyes. Fantastic. Keep on having a relaxing end of summer, Magali!

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  11. Hi...i was just thinking about you again last night..happy to see you back..hope all is well with those stitches being removed..the pix are Great..i can only imagine what it must have been like to sit an watch the world go by from that new window the first day..an i'd rather be at the beach then doing projects myself..they can wait for a crap day when i have to stay in..it's starting to cool down here..an we have pumpkins for sale all over..i have them in my garden this yr..an one is an heirloom introduced to this country from France in 1883..can't wait to get baking with those..hope you have a nice week..

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  12. I really like this post Magali. No excuses, living life as you should and your pictures are showing that. September is a beautiful month, enjoy the Autumnal months. Kathleen in Az

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    Replies
    1. September is really beautiful this year, warm and sunny, like summer, only with shorter days!

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  13. Avoir la visite d'un crapaud charmant et d'un superbe faucon pélerin, ce n'est pas mal pour cette fin d'été... et puis tu as de belles tomates, des courgettes bio et des fenêtres qui s'ouvrent sur la campagne... Bon courage pour cette nouvelle rentrée...

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  14. tu as bien raison de profiter des quelques rayons de soleil qui sont encore bien présents, la pluie aussi pour l'instant (enfin chez nous), le vent souffle fort ici et le jardin reverdit...
    Tu auras bien le temps de fermer portes et fenêtres lorsque les journées auront fraichies et que l'automne se sera invité dans nos jardins
    Passe un joli mois de septembre
    @ bientôt

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    1. Septembre est vraiment superbe cette année, après un mois d'août bien pluvieux. J'en profite pour travailler sur la terrasse... Les copies sont plus sympas au soleil et les erreurs des élèves beaucoup plus supportables!

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  15. Stitches! No explanation, so do hope not too serious. Computers seem to be so naughty at the wrong times!

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  16. Don't rush to get things done, take it easy!!! Says the person who is doing exactly the same thing as you but substitute tendinitis for stitches...

    Ah life is good!!!!! xo

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  17. Buenos dias Magali siempre me alegra de encontrar tu blog.muy bonitas tus fotos que bello se ve por donde tu vives y que bien que ahora lo puedes apreciar mas con tus nuevas ventanas , tus gatitos son lindos . Se que estas muy ocupada pero poco a poco se llega lejos ,cuidate :-) nelly

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    1. Nelly , apenas se parece difícil de resolver en el nuevo calendario de este año ... espero que voy a adaptarme pronto para que yo pueda seguir los blogs !
      Magali

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  18. Lovely to see a new post from you. I enjoyed your photos this time, the kitties look so happy and contented. All the mess from the renovation was worth it for those windows, right? It is so nice to just enjoy life sometimes, before it passes us by.

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  19. It's wonderful catching up with you a bit, and there most definitely is no need for excuses at all! You lead a busy, complex life--make sure you do take time to enjoy every moment! Lovely photos...

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  20. Time certainly does have a way of passing us by in a flash, and I agree with you...it's STILL summer!

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  21. Life never goes as planned with any us, at least not with me!

    Just been catching up with your last few blog posts, and something caught my eye -- these cute little dormer-like roofs over the front doors of some cottages! (Not sure what to call them, but you have some pictures of some adorable ones!) I'm wondering if that is a dream of yours too? To add one of those to your door, matching your lovely new dormers? Oh, how that would dress up Cottage so beautifully!

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    1. Yes, it's definitely a dream of me to change the small front porch I have in front of my front door. I'll keep it nearly the same as it is, but I'll change the roof so it'll match the dormers... I have no idea when I'll be able to afford that, though. But a girl can dream!

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  22. Dear Magali,
    Such a beautiful post.. You look lovely!
    blessings,
    Penny

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  23. Sometimes a little thing called life gets in the way of blogging, and it looks like you enjoyed the last bit of your summer! Your views from your new windows are lovely and so are you out there enjoying you walk along the water. You've got all winter to work on those indoor projects. :o)

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  24. Et bien je vois que tout rentre dans l'ordre. Les travaux de ""Cottage"" arrivent à leur fin.
    Je suis sûre que ta maison va être très cocooning & que l'hiver qui s'approche sera agréable derrière tes nouvelles fenêtres.
    plein de caresses aux matous. Bises. Babette
    PS: c'est fini pour les gros travaux ?

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  25. Hi Magali,
    Lovely views out the new windows and now you know the horse takes a short cut near cottage. I would like that if I lived in cottage. Sorry about your computer and such a terrible time to need attention. Always happy to hear from you and cottage, what a wonderful life! Love the pic of you and the scenery, you have beautiful hair..........

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  26. Magali,
    You certainly deserve a little down time with all you had going on with the cottage this summer. Sorry about your computer it is always something!!! You have such lovely views out your window. So pretty. Have a great week.
    Kris

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  27. So good to hear from you! when do your stitches get removed? Love your new windows and the view. We are still building here. I think it is safe to say we will not be having our Canadian Thanksgiving dinner in the dining room which is still 2x4's (2nd Monday in Oct). Sigh. Not sure when it will end but very happy to see your projects are moving along. xo Patty

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  28. Hope you have had some what of a good reprieve from all and your arm is well. Thank you Magali for the wonderful pictures you shared with us.Am anxious to see your next project.

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  29. Oh I love the views out your window - looks like Kitty likes it also. So sorry that you have had so many little mishaps - but I am sure from now on it will be smooth sailing.
    I know that Cottage is very happy to have everything in working order - does he like all the new things you have done?
    Have a wonderful week.
    Mary

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  30. I hope your arm is feeling better Magali! Love your beautiful pictures and I am looking forward to your new project. Hope you have a wonderful week my friend! Cheers,

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  31. So glad to hear from you. I hope that you are starting to feel much better.I know it's tough to want to do things around the house and can't but they will wait for you. lol Have a wonderful week. Jo

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  32. Magali you are beautiful. I love your long hair. Mine is just as long as yours now, it grew a lot this Summer. Your kitty is so sweet and looks so soft and cuddly. I love the nearly last photo of her/him sitting by the window with a view of your courtyard/patio garden and blue shutters. I think that photo says exactly what you needed to be doing and that is just living in these last days of Summer before your school schedule takes you away to the never ending lists of things to do! I am also so happy to hear that you finally got a repair man that knew what he was doing and loved Cottage! They are far and few and difficult to find but when they come our way, we so appreciate them don't we? Best wishes for the new school year dear. xxo Kerrie

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  33. All legitimate excuses, as far as I'm concerned. ;-) I love the photos of the horse, and I think it's really special that now you get to see him (her?) from your new window. Are you sure you were painting your window in that one photo? Because it looks like what you really painted was your toenails. Just sayin'. Have a great remainder of the week! ~ Nancy

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  34. It sounds like you've been busy with mostly good things, other than the computer virus. I hope you're enjoying life. The projects and blogging are less important.

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  35. Lovely photos, especially the hot air balloon, of course :-)
    Funny, I'm also having a difficult time this year adjusting back to my routine. I'm behind on everything.
    Amalia
    xo

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  36. How lovely everything seems. Even though you're busy, it looks like it must be an enjoyable busy.

    You have gorgeous hair, Magali :)

    xo,
    rue

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  37. I just found your blog. What a lovely cottage. I'm scrolling back to see more of the re-do. Such pretty pic's!

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  38. Lovely scenes out your new windows, Magali. You must be so happy that things are finally getting back to normal. Summer goes by so quickly, but now you will be nice and cozy for winter with your t.v. and kitty to keep you company. Beautiful, golden curls you have :) xo Karen

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  39. So glad you are enjoying your windows...views are so rewarding. Now you can see the horse everyday, I love horses! Glad to hear you tv's are working, windows not leaking, and boxes packed. Sorry you had stitches in your arm and you computer was sick. Trying times that hope are over and more calm hapens.

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  40. J'adore tes photos Magali !! il faudra vraiment que je passe te voir un de ces quatre !! En plus la Bretagne j'adore ! et Doudou serait ravi de jouer avec ta chats ! Dès qu'on en repère dans le parc en bas, il me les montre ! hihihi !! Plein de bisous. Mathilde

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  41. Se reposer l'esprit l'été pour mieux élucubrer plus tard sur une déco possible, c'est aussi mon cas. Un post léger qui m'a bien changé les idées...
    Bonne soirée.

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  42. Sometimes, most times, it's those unexpected adventures that make the best projects! How handsome Milo is with that striking blue and white in the background!

    Poppy

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  43. Whau, a big toad or frog. I must say I am a bit scarred of toads. They had huge ones in Brazil and one day I stepped in one. The thought of it ...yucky! The orange skies with the hot air balloon is just beautiful! How nice you can see the field nearby from your window. Your cats are cuties! Hope you are feeling all better of the cold.

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  44. Finally catching up on my blog reading. Sorry you had so many problems to deal with - hope they are all behind you now. Great photos to wrap up the end of summer. Great view from your upstairs window! And your hair - beautiful!!!

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  45. You have had a very adventurous summer! There are some good new American shows I should tell you about... pieces"Life in pieces" is my new fave!! "Black-ish" might actually be my fave, but it's from last year. Also I love love love "Mindy project", again, several years old now. Hope classes are going well for you!

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