Cottage & Countryside Living
a weekly journal from France
Bonjour!
It's a misty, rainy morning here in Normandie. The kind of start where you want to make a big mug of tea and snuggle under a blanket by the fire. Instead we are watching a half marathon happening right outside our windows. Today is the Trail du Moulin de la Sée, a 18km race through the French countryside trails & roads. Just so happens that our road and the field in front of the cottage is part of the course. So we have a bit of entertainment with our morning coffee.
Projects continuing here... inside and outside. We had someone come and dig out our portion of the road by the cottage and put down gravel properly so create a "driveway" so that our car & guests don't get stuck anymore. The Mairie is going to be so happy. Now we just need to get the rest of the neighbors on our road on board to do their sections. I also planted a row of forsythia bushes and relocated the the lavender plants to create a hedge near the cottage porch entrance. Also started to tackle the last bramble section.... I hope I never have to see another bramble bush again. Inside, the cabinets have been painted in a beautiful blue from Little Greene Paint Company called Eturia. I added brushed aged brass hardware I found on Etsy but still awaiting some replacement parts from Ikea before that project is complete. We also got a washing machine! This was one of the things we wanted to add to the cottage since we bought it almost 4 years ago. However there was no where for it to go until now. This is a total bonus for our guests. We managed to find a high efficiency washer that was budget friendly and it was cash & carry! The fun part ...getting it from the car to the cottage (this was prior to the road being done). We also got the new fridge/freezer ordered which arrives next week. Excited to have a freezer. I'll finally be able to have ice for drinks and maybe get some yummy ice cream treats too!
This week's project will be the walls ...paint & wallpaper. I need to sand back all the wall repair and then start installing. The bottom half will be the paintable bead board wallpaper & the top half will be this beautiful floral print from Wallpassion. Then the beadboard, doors & trim will be done in Rolling Fog #271 from Little Greene Paint Company. I also have more garden work outside to continue. Spring cleanup is ongoing, the cottage garden border is getting a refresh with some new plants & architectural features and the lavender hedge row is being extended. Oh the bramble and several trees are on the chop list too.
It has been so fulfilling to see the progress we have made here on this sweet little piece of ours in the French countryside in such a short time. Ultimately it is a rental property for us but we want to to be special & unique compared to other rentals in the area. We want it to be a cozy home away from home. Slowly but surely we are achieving that with our goal of being ready for guests by June 1st. Click here for availability at the cottage.
The sun is starting to peek its head through the clouds. So making another cup of tea before I don my wellies and head outside to continue garden work. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.
À bientôt xo
Jenna
Sunday Saves
Just a few bits that caught my eye this week…
I’m learning to cook different here in France as the hob at the cottage is an induction cooktop. I’ve been so used to gas that it has been a shift including learning what pans actually work on them: What Cookware Works With Induction Cooktops? via The Spruce
I found some great dutch ovens that work on induction too! Loving this one from Staub and this one from MadeIn (Both made in France)
How to Shop at Thrift Stores Like Design Pros via Veranda Magazine. Still space to come to France this Fall and come thrifting with me! Click here for the details.
“Norwegian Life-Cleaning” Is a Gentle Habit That’ll Get Your Home Tidy
Top 11 Reasons to Use Vinegar in Laundry and Its Benefits- loved this as we navigate cleaning clothes here in the French countryside. Including making our own laundry soap. You can make your own laundry soap like the French do with Marseille soap flakes (add your favorite essential oils for fragrance)
This Old-School French Garden Tool Is a Green Thumb’s Secret Weapon
Have you shopped my Etsy store yet? Check out my latest collection of vintage finds from the French countryside.
Think Spring Deal! My favorite soap from Panier des Sans is part of Amazon’s Spring Deal
This week’s found recipe: Hachis Parmentier (The French Shepard’s Pie)
Only 2 days left in Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. I’ve pulled together some favorites and many items I own & love that are a part of the sale…including the toile curtains from the porch room. Click here to shop.
March 27th marked National Cheese day in France. Isn’t every day national cheese day here? LOL.
Merci beaucoup for following me here on Substack. Please note that some links are affiliate links in which I make a small commission at no additional cost to you when you shop from those links. It helps me to continue to create free content like this a well as on my social media channels. If you’ve liked what you see each week, share it with a friend! xo- Jenna