Monday, June 13, 2016

The Odyssey

Transforming The Living-room - The Inspiration


Summer is here! Just kidding! I don't want any of you to be jealous of me: to be true, June looks a lot like November here this year and I'm actually wondering if I shouldn't get the Christmas decorations out, just to comply to the weather.

L'été est là ! Non, je plaisante. Avant que vous ne baviez tous de jalousie, laissez-moi rétablir la vérité. Juin ressemble à un mois de novembre et je suis à deux doigts de ressortir les décorations de Noël pour coller à l'ambiance.

But every now and then, we have a beautiful sunny day and we all think it's time to use the patio table...

Mais de temps en temps, une belle journée ensoleillée nous surprend et tout le monde veut utiliser la table de la terrasse.


On one of those rare sunny days, I decided it was time to do what I had had in mind for weeks: going on a walk in the streets surrounding Cottage to show you all the stone cottages in our area.

Par une de ces rares journées, j'ai décidé de finalement m'atteler à un petit projet que j'avais depuis longtemps : vous faire découvrir les maisons autour de Cottage.

 
I was lighthearted and smiling when I began that little "journey".

Je suis partie pour cette promenade le cœur léger. 

It turned out to be an Odyssey full of monsters. 

Cela s'est révélé une sorte d'odyssée pleine de monstres.  


First, I witnessed a quarrel between two car drivers about a priority, when really there was no big deal, since it was Sunday and they were the only two cars in the street anyway.

J'ai d'abord été témoin d'une querelle entre automobilistes pour une histoire de priorité complètement ridicule puisque un dimanche après-midi il n'y avait que ces deux voitures dans toute la rue.

 
Then, as I was about to take a picture of a beautiful garden in front of a in-dreadful-need-of-TLC cottage, a woman stormed out of the house and told me not to get any photograph.


Ensuite, alors que je m'apprêtais à photographier un beau jardin et sa vieille maison en piteux état - mais pleine de charme - une femme est sortie en trombe de la dite maison et m'a demandé de ne pas me servir de mon appareil.

I was a little shaken, but I decided to be more polite and when I noticed there were people in an other garden, I tried flaattery: "Could I take a picture of your wonderful house and amazing garden?" "No."


J'étais un peu secouée car je ne m'y attendais pas. Lorsque j'ai remarqué des gens dans un autre jardin, j'ai décidé de jouer la carte de la flatterie. "Pourrais-je prendre une photo de votre charmante maison et de votre magnifique jardin ? - Non."


All the next pictures were taken in a hurry, as I was trying to be as discreet as possible. Please don't think I was drunk if the pictures are oddly centred!


J'ai pris toutes les photos suivantes à la va-vite, affolée à l'idée de me faire chasser. Si elles sont mal cadrées, mettez cela sur le compte de la précipitation et non de l'alcool !


There must have been something in the water that day... Suddenly, drinking wine seems safer...

That's not the number of the house, it's the date it was built.

Il devait y avoir quelque chose dans l'air ce jour-là...


You'll notice that some of the stone houses around Cottages are well cared for, others really need to be re-loved. Those are my favourites as I can't help but get my mind in gear - what would I do with them?

The only friendly face I met that day!
Vous avez dû remarquer que si certaines maisons sont bien entretenues, d'autres sont presque à l'abandon. Ce sont mes préférées car je ne peux pas m'empêcher de penser à ce que je pourrais en faire.
 

As you continue to admire the pictures, let me apologize for my absence. You know, the thing with chronic illnesses is that they are chronic and the last three weeks have been difficult. I had begun writing all about it and then erased everything.  I'm not ready for that much sharing yet.

Of all creatures that breathe and move upon the earth, nothing is bred that is weaker than man. - Homer
Just to keep the Odyssey theme going.

Pendant que vous admirez les maisons, laissez-moi vous présenter mes excuses pour mon absence.  Le problème avec les maladies chroniques est qu'elles sont chroniques... Bref, les trois dernières semaines ont été difficiles. J'avais bien commencé un article là-dessus, mais j'ai finalement tout effacé. Je ne suis pas encore prête pour tout partager.

Back to our walk. I also took a picture of one of the numerous modern houses that are beeing built around us, so you didn't think only old houses surround us. 


Retour à notre promenade. J'ai aussi intégré une image d'une des nombreuses maisons qui se construisent actuellement autour de Cottage, pour que vous n'imaginiez pas que nous ne sommes entourés que de maisons anciennes.

 

I came back home and it was still sunny so I decided to ask Piano, the black and white cat, to be kind enough to let me have the patio table for a little tea time.


En rentrant à la maison, j'ai demandé gentiment à Piano, le chat noir et blanc, de me laisser la table pour une petite pause thé.

 
The cinnamom rolls are inspired by a recipe I found on a wonderful site here. I used my own flour mix, though, and they turned out a little dry, so I'll work on the recipe and if I ever come up with something better and not too complicated, I'll share it.

Les petits roulés à la cannelle sont inspirés d'une recette trouvée ici. Mais j'ai utilisé mon propre mélange de farine et cela s'est révélé un peu sec. Je vais tenter d'améliorer ça cet été et si je réussis, je partagerai ma recette avec vous.



Now, what does that walk have to do with a living-room inspiration? Have you guessed?

Bon alors, une devinette. Cette promenade est une source d'inspiration pour mon salon, pourquoi ???

See you soon (at least, I hope it'll be soon),

A bientôt (j'espère que cette fois, ce sera vraiment bientôt),




PS1:  A huge thank you to those who sent me messages wondering where I was. If you want to have an idea of where my mind was those days, you can have a look there.

PS2: I know that I have at least one reader in Florida. To all my American readers, I know that feeling of helplessness that we have after such events. I keep you in my thoughts and as always, I hope that such events can bring people together rather than apart.







70 comments:

  1. My dear Magali, I learned of the Florida incident late last night, and your dear sentiments here are so true. These things are becoming more out of control, but what any one of us can do is to come closer together as a human race. Peace to you, and WOW, what a marvelous array of cottages that INSPIRE!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Welcome back, Magali!!!! Your experience mirrors mine. While housesitting in a french village I found residents overall very private. Many houses were practically barricaded with walls or trees and shrubbery....and one or two noisy dogs behind a chain link fence were not unusual--making me want to walk on the other side of the street! I love france but not sure I could survive there for long! I'm just too American! --sigh--
    Thanks for sharing your photos so I can imagine I live in the village of my fantasy.......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really depends in what part of France you are, but Brittany people are known to be very private, but they are also very helpful once they know you. The two people that told me "no" are from a different street from Cottage and they saw me as a "stranger" I guess! Some people are just plain mean also and I just didn't meet the right person that day!

      Magali

      Delete
  3. So sorry what should have been an enjoyable experience taking pictures turned out bad because of rude people. I don't understand why they have to be that way. I guess they got up on the wrong side of the bed. :) I sure hope you feel better and thanks for sharing what you could.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sorry to read you're still having a hard time with that illness..I hope they can finally get to the bottom of it..Loved the walk..I suppose those new modern homes stick out like a sore thumb..the word new..got me to wondering just how long would a new stone house take to build..our summer has been like winter too until recently..nice to see piano soaking up the sun..have fun with the living rm..I look forward to seeing what you do with that..by the way..the photos were centered just fine..have a nice summer vacation..go to the beach as often as you can..no better place to unwind.

    ReplyDelete
  5. So good to see you. I'm sorry you have been ill, but I understand not wanted to share too much. The houses are amazing. Where do all the stones come from? Too sad the people refused to share the beauty of their homes and gardens.

    I hope your week turns more towards sunshine.
    Jocelyn

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hope you feel better soon and that summer helps. I love all the stone houses, not the modern one I am afraid, it spoils the environment. AriadnefromGreece!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Of course you've been missed and I know you also had a lot of work for the end of the school. So happy you are back and better now. Thank you for your kind words about the Florida event. It's is heart breaking! I think you live on a beautiful street with all the old houses. It does sound like everyone out, the drivers, and in, house owners, were having a bad day. What a yummy cake, do share it later when you get the recipe down. Nice of Piano to let you borrow the table for your little tea. Ummm, your living room must not be finished!
    Have a nice week…….

    ReplyDelete
  8. as a person with chronic illnesses I totally understand where you are coming from - some days good some days bad, I don't discuss it much on my blog either. I love all your stone houses - there are a lot of blogs with recipes for special flour mixes I hope you are able to find some that you can use.

    ReplyDelete
  9. When I was in Florida I took some pictures of houses. One in particular is probably one that gets photographed often. I didn't see anyone while I was shooting but as I was walking away a voice from inside the house yelled 'thank you'! I guess it's just a cultural thing?

    I've been thinking about you and wondering how you were, so I was very glad to wake up to your email. I understand why you might not want to share too much right now, but writing about it can be good therapy. No need to erase all your work! Share when/if you're ready. I was sick all of May and then some, and was beginning to wonder if something was seriously wrong (it wasn't). It gave me a mheightened respect for people with chronic illness.

    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Je suis contente de voir que tu as retrouvé le chemin de ton blog après avoir cheminé dans les vieilles maisons de ton quartier qui ont vraiment beaucoup de charme... et tant pis pour les grincheux ! bises.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Magali, share what you will and I'm hope you are feeling better.
    Perhaps your stone wall in the living room?
    Piano is a lovely name for a black and white kitty:)
    Take care and hoping for sunnier days ahead for you, Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Piano was named so as he's black and white, a grand piano is called a "tail piano" in French, and obviously Piano has a tail, also he walks on three legs, as a grand piano!

      Delete
  12. Hello Magali. It was good to see you pop up with a post. Glad you are feeling better. Your walk was fabulous even with the crabby people not wanting you to share their beautiful homes. Even with some of them needing some love they still are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Have a great new week ahead.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sorry you must bear a chronic illness. Your village is lovely and I like the stone houses better than the new builds!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So glad to hear from you and Cottage. So sorry that you have some health problems - I know from experience - I have COPD and when that acts up, I am down until I get better.

    Take care of yourself. The walk was wonderful, but i didn't care much for the new modern homes. I love the cottages best.

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  15. Magali, I know about chronic illness, I have been missing since December and am just back with my first post.

    Thanks for taking us along your walk. Wonderful pictures. Hope you had a glass of wine after weird behaviors

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete
  16. I was so excited to see your post today! I love seeing the area surrounding your little cottage: thanks for sharing! I would truly love to visit this area some day!! I'm so sorry to hear you haven't felt well...warm thoughts and hugs...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittany is really a lovely area and most people are nice, even if it didn't feel so on that particular day!

      Delete
  17. In need of tlc or not, they are all gorgeous! and some people are just plain crazy. Maybe she's in a witness protection program! :o

    ReplyDelete
  18. Dear Magali:
    I wanted to take a trip today so came to your lovely blog - and wallah - I was in France! Such lovely pictures and how silly that someone said no to photos but you got some great ones.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Magali por fin por fin por fin se de ti estas con vida todos los dias miraba mi correo y nada no aparecias, creo que yo soy esa persona de Florida?... me has hecho sonreir con tu relato me gustaron tus fotos y te dire que yo prefiero las casitas viejas que la nueva,besitos para piano cuidate y bienvenida otra vez :) nelly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nelly ,
      Sí , usted era la persona que pensaba de la Florida cuando oí la terrible noticia.
      Abrazo,
      Magali

      Delete
  20. Sorry you are not feeling the best. I hope things improve for you! Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures. Those stone houses are gorgeous - I'd take 100 of them over a new modern house.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'm guessing windows? Colors? I feel bad you had to encounter some not-so-nice people along your walk, it happens. When I meet mean people I try to appreciate my life more by thinking that " I am lucky I'm not mean like that other person since I have a blessed and happy and life and that person probably doesn't" ... It always works for me and I forget about them. Anyway, hope this walk and your tea made you feel better.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hello, my dear Magali! What a joy to pop in for a little visit. Your photos, as always, brought a smile to my face though I am sorry to hear it was not exactly "fun" while taking them. The horse is incredibly beautiful and the flowers are stunning.

    Thinking of you, dear one, and praying you feel much better. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for the little walk and all the lovely photos.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Strange that they did not want photos taken. People are always taking photos of my front garden. Doesn't bother me. That one modern home seems so out of place.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your photos are absolutely gorgeous! The cat in your first photo resembles my 3 year old black and white male cat, Romeo. You have a lovely blog. Bonjour de Montreal, Canada, je suis bilingue (anglais et francais). :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wonder why people are so unfriendly sometimes. Lovely cottages, made me long for Brittany again.
    Take care of yourself dear Magali.

    ReplyDelete
  27. How sad that she was so angry you wanted to take a picture! At least the horse was sweet. :) I much prefer the old cottages to the modern homes! And yes, what happened in Orlando is horrific. It seems we catch our breath and more tragedy strikes.

    I loved your tour...definitely made for a better day. I hope you are taking care of yourself and get to feeling much, much better!

    -andi

    ReplyDelete
  28. Serait-ce pour les joints des pierres constituant un des murs de ton salon?
    La personne qui est sortie de chez elle comme une furie n'avait aucun droit de t'empêcher de prendre sa maison en photo, tu étais sur la route et pas sur sa propriété, les gens comme ça me mettent la h...e.
    Enfin, je monte vite sur mes grands chevaux dans ce genre de situation.
    Quel plaisir de prendre un en cas au soleil quand il n'est pas encore trop fort.
    Caresses à tous les matous et attaque tes "chroniques" avec force. Bisous. Babette

    ReplyDelete
  29. What a bunch of mean folks - how awful!! I suspect your living room inspiration has to do with the stone walls.....:)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Such a sweet village... I would be shaken by the one that told you to scat, too. xoxo Su

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Magali, thank you for the tour. I love anything with stone on it. I so sorry that people were so unfriendly. i truly understand what it is like to deal with chronic illness for I suffer from several. That's why I don't work out side of the home. We will have to exchange story's. Take care xx Jo

    ReplyDelete
  32. Oh, Magali, such rudeness, but I suspect there might be lots of tourists, perhaps always admiring these charming stone cottages:) Thank you for taking us on your stroll, it was delightful despite the bad manners....Your little tea looks lovely, too. Both of my daughters have chronic illness. Good days and bad, especially with flare-ups. I am sorry you are dealing with this. Take care of yourself - that is most important. xx Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember you wrote about your daughter. I'm fortunate not to be too sick, but as you say, there good days and bad days!

      Delete
  33. I love going on a walk with you. Too bad people were so grouchy that day. I hope you start to feel better soon, Magali. We are heartsick over here about Orlando. Thanks for the good thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Are you considering, maybe, another skylight to the left of the dormer to bring more light into your living room?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Such lovely old homes. I would take one of those over the new build any day! It does sound as though you have some rather grumpy neighbors. LOL! And, the mass shooting here in Florida was such a horiffic tragedy. I am astounded by the evil in this world at times. I just wish we could have peace. My heart is so heavy for those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and their families. Hope you have a lovely rest of the week. When does your summer holiday begin? Last week was my first week out. We go back early this year though...August 3rd. Summer seems short because of it, but I;ll take what I can get. :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. So glad to see you back and posting. I'm sorry you hadn't been feeling well and that you have a chronic illness.
    Of course, we don't have any stone cottages here where I live, but the same goes for my neighborhood with some pretty houses and then others that are in a total state of disrepair, such as my next-door neighbor. I don't know if some people just don't care or don't have the finances, or both. Your walk around your neighborhood was so lovely - except for that mean woman you encountered! Hope you are feeling better...hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thank you for the nice walk, fantastic stone-worl, I like the ones with shutters best. Also, it is best not to get too attached to other peoples old houses, there is a form of crazy-house lady that can affect us that are to open to beauty =) We all have our cross to bear, you are not alone and your pain is ok here. I hope that you will find a way to live well. My husband has whiplash and it will probably take years before we learn to work with and around his invisible constant pain. Everyone just wants to be normal, but no-one really is, funny though. All my love!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, normal is over-rated, and I'm not really complaining - I know some are far more ill than I am - I was explaining a little as a reader accused me of not being dedicated enough to my blog!

      Delete
  38. Thanks for the little walk and the lovely photos, Magali! Wow people are grumpy these days, must be the Novemberlike weather in June ... But thank goodness for one friendly horse though ! I hope your physical condition improves and that you may enjoy life to the fullest too ! Hmmm, I really thought for a moment that I could smell those cinnamon rolls, they are sooo photogenic :-) Hugs, Marie from Belgium

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The rolls smelled wonderful, the taste was great, but they were a little dry, I'll try to improve that!

      Delete
  39. Thanks for the tour and people sure were in a crabby mood! Hope you feel better soon, and I have't felt well since March...my sinuses are killing me. Its been hot, hot, hot here....Did your walk have anything to do with yours?

    ReplyDelete
  40. There are so many pretty stone houses near you. You were brave to get as many photos as you did! I'm thinking that there is some stone about to appear in your living room.....
    I am so sorry to learn about the chronic illness. You have tons of sympathy from me - and hopes for better days to come!

    ReplyDelete
  41. On every odyssey, you are required to meet a dragon. Sounds like you did. Thank you for the nice walk anyway. Hope you feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete
  42. une source d'inspiration pour le salon !!! je donne ma langue aux chats.... la tasse et la soucoupe bleues sont parfaites pour Cottage ! bon courage pour la fin d'année scolaire - bien cordialement - monique59

    ReplyDelete
  43. I enjoyed our walk, Magali. I wish I could send you some of our sunshine, it is so so hot here.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  44. Well no wonder people were kicking you out of their yards....no one wants a drunk snapping pictures.....hahahaha. just kidding. People can be such a$$e$. You can come take pictures of my house any day Magali!. Feel better my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am always thinking about what I would do with old houses. Sometimes it distracts me from what I should be doing with my own house! I am sorry you met many dragons on your walk, it is harder to deal with them when you are already feeling fragile. I'm glad you have your lovely garden to recover in. The houses are beautiful that you took pictures of (except the new one which to me is ugly), my wild guess is that you are going to leave some stone exposed in your living room which if so would be lovely! Either that or you are going to keep dragons there and just live in the kitchen and dining room? Anyway, I hope you get some answers soon as to what is going on with your health. When health is impacted, everything else takes a backseat. Also, I wish we could send you some of our heat and lack of rain in exchange for a few cool November days! Such is life, eh?

    ReplyDelete
  46. PS-you know this is me, Sarah Turkey Plate here, right? I can't remember when last I posted, I've been kind of MIA too.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Firstly, Magali, I have been so caught up with other things, and also being away for a couple of weeks, that I have not been visiting blogs and did not know you'd been unwell. I hope, whatever it was, you're all tickety-boo now - though you did use the word 'chronic', so now I'm worried. I love your shots of all the houses. I guess I understand that people may not want you to photograph them, though it seems pretty harmless to me. But I'd go for a couple of glasses of wine anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for living a comment, Mike, I know you're awfully busy with your wonderful new site. No need to worry, I'm "lucky" enough not to be too sick compared to some other persons. It's a bit like having the flu for a week every month or so!

      Delete
  48. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  49. What a great walk Magali! they are all beautiful cottages. I love to see old cottages, they have character and history. I think it was rude of the person who said "No" to your request. However you got lovely photos here to share with us and thank you for sharing! I would love to join you for cinnamon rolls and tea! :) It is Summer here and we are having a very warm day today (90 degrees Fahrenheit) with lots of Sunshine. Hope the weather is being good to you.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed our trip around town. It is a shame that some people are so unfriendly, but I would let you take pictures of my house any time.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Charming. Each cottage had a different stone. I like all of them, how would one really choose?! The modern house isn't charming. Nostalgia is more interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Charming. Each cottage had a different stone. I like all of them, how would one really choose?! The modern house isn't charming. Nostalgia is more interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  53. What on earth did the UK decide?? This is a terrible mistake :-( Such a nightmare for so many people !! Marie from Belgium

    ReplyDelete
  54. Magali, thank you so much for coming to visit my post! Hugs to you, and enjoy your week!

    ReplyDelete
  55. What a gorgeous place. So many pretty cottages. Thank you taking us on this journey.

    Feel better.


    Janet

    ReplyDelete
  56. You had me at "Christmas decorations" :) only 6 more months!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. I love a stone cottage, your's is beautiful, and so is the neighborhood. I take photos of homes all of the time, and no one minds, sorry you had a difficult time, but the photos you took are lovely. Understand the illness part as well, just have to make the most of the good days, which you seem to be doing. All the best to you Magali, take care. Jeannie

    ReplyDelete
  58. I love a stone cottage, your's is beautiful, and so is the neighborhood. I take photos of homes all of the time, and no one minds, sorry you had a difficult time, but the photos you took are lovely. Understand the illness part as well, just have to make the most of the good days, which you seem to be doing. All the best to you Magali, take care. Jeannie

    ReplyDelete
  59. So glad you are feeling better, Magali, and that you had the energy (and sunlight!) to take some very pretty photos for us! I'm guessing that all that gorgeous stone is inspiration for your living room walls/fireplace/floors?

    Poppy

    ReplyDelete
  60. Sorry to hear you've been under the weather; and that the weather itself hasn't been that great. I did enjoy your pictures from around the neighborhood, and hope you had a nice walk despite the disagreeable situations you encountered. I'm thinking "stone" is the clue here.
    PS - there was a tiny article in today's local paper about people who visited a friend in Brittany in the town of Chateauneuf-du-Faou. Not sure where that is in relation to you, but of course, it did make me think of you!

    ReplyDelete

It makes me so happy to read your comments! Let me know you stopped by!
J'adore lire vos commentaires. N'hésitez pas à vous joindre à cette discussion multi-lingue.