Cottage & Countryside Living
a weekly journal in France
Bonjour!
Another week has come & gone. We're trucking along on the renovation. This past week was doing some repair work to the ceilings in the living room & entry so they could finally be painted. I got the last of the old wallpaper down and started to install the new beadboard one. It was also a week of decor decisions, ordering supplies, garden work, farm prep (did I mention we are opening a flower farm at the new house?) and of course the occasional follow up with paperwork. But in all of the day to day chaos, I decided it was important to just stop...and go for a walk. It's amazing how going for a walk can reground you, give you a sense of calm, and most importantly rest your mind.
So the other morning I was feeling restless and decided to go for a short walk up the hill and down the "non drivable" part of the road near the cottage. Through the curves and turns l stopped to pick wildflowers, listen to the birdsong, gaze at the views of the countryside and at once my mind felt calm. It has been an intense 4 months since coming to France. Between the bureaucracy & paperwork, house hunting, car shopping, renovations, language barrier, the tight living quarters, the kitties and just trying to somewhat settle in, life has been a challenge to be honest. I have never had a day that I regretted our decision to move here from the US. It's just understanding that it is not an easy as it may seem. You probably see all these accounts on social media about expats & their life in France (especially in Paris) and how glorious and wonderful things are but that's not real life. It might be part of it but not the full story. What aren't they sharing? I'm sure A LOT based on what my(our) experience has been so far moving here. When you fall into that comparison trap via social media it can not be good on the mind.
It's one of the reasons why I needed that walk. To remind myself: why we moved here, what I want my life/our life here to be, and how we are going to make it happen together. The hubby & I are basically starting over on every level: a new country, a new home, a new language, a new business & career... Well a new everything. And to do that at our age (50 something) is a lot. We're no spring chickens. But we both had a dream of a better life. Not that we didn't have a good life in the states but we didn't have the happiness we both were craving. As challenging and stressful this move to France can be from time to time, we are happier and happy in the simplest things. For the hubby when he gets that first warm baguette from the shop, the smile on his face is priceless. For me, having my coffee in the garden listening to the birds while Teddy Bear is rolling around in the grass. I guess that is what we are both craving... A simple life.
I know in the end all hoops to jump through, all the hurdles to overcome, all the differences to understand will pay off for both of us and our kitty clan.
From our home here in France, wishing you all a wonderful week ahead and if you are having a tough week, go for that walk. It will help....trust me.
À bientôt
Jenna
Sunday Saves
Things that caught my eye this week…
After spending a lot of time digging, weeding, chopping & mowing in the garden here at the cottage, I needed some inspiration for making things pretty: How to add French Country Charm to Your Garden
I got the hubby hooked on ordering "un cafe" in the afternoon for a quick pick me up. But all coffee is not what you think here in France: How to order coffee in France
Here’s some great photography art from Rebecca Plotnick (Everyday Parisian) for that coffee lover or that Parisian coffee bar set up you’ve always wanted: Coffee & Croissants and Coffee at Cafe de Flore
After having the best seafood lunch in Saint-Malo the other day, I want to make more French seafood recipes. Here's some classic ones: 7 Best French Fish Recipes to Make Tonight
We brought our "first aid" kit with us filled with basic meds we had at home in the US. Now four months into living here, it's time to know what is the equivalent to some of the things we are running low on. FYI…some things like Alka Seltzer Cold & Flu are not allowed in France. 9 American Medications and Their French Equivalents
Daffodils have come and gone here in Normandie but i know many of my followers in the US are starting to see & have these in bloom. Here's some tips to ensure tons of blooms: Why Your Daffodils Aren't Blooming, and 6 Easy Fixes
My April Collection on the Etsy shop is up! Remember items over $35 ship free from France. Plus all items from the February Collection are on sale!
Want to come thrifting with me this Fall in Normandy? Click here for more details.
I just ordered this edging for the back of the cottage to create a mini raised bed section and help defer the water away from the house.
Save the Date (paid subscribers): Join me Saturday May 24th for a LIVE bake from the cottage via Zoom. More details will be sent to your inbox.