An elemental post - Water

When I posted about air the other day I realised that I'd probaly be able to work my way through the elements using holiday photos - holidays are quite elemental things, really.This post is also related to my resolution to enjoy life to the full. One of the things I first found myself really enjoying this year, for maybe the first time, was taking the boys to the swimming pool. I decided not to get stressed, not to get worried, not to get bored, and just enjoy it. Guess what - it was really enjoyable!

So I had an inkling that it might actually be possible to enjoy sea-bathing too, and I tried it out with rather more confidence than I have on previous holidays (the sea wasn't grey, except on the evening I took these photos). And - guess what? - it was fantastic! I wonder how up-tight I've been all these years, not to enjoy such a full-on elemental experience? (Ben need not reply. I know the answer, really...)

Since I was driving the Car Without Airconditioning today (33° inside and out), I leapt into our little pool as soon as I came home. Once again, relax and enjoy the moment...

Note to self: This principle probably works throughout life, not just with regard to water...

Resolutions, an answer, and a winner!

Thanks for all your entries to my Pick and Mix Book Giveaway - I've really enjoyed reading your comments, your thoughts about the books, and the resolutions that you've mentioned. Some have gone so far as to do their own resolutions post! Thanks for all your interest and involvement. I thought I'd give you a bit of a run-down on my resolutions so far - I like the fact that posting resolutions here means that I am accountable! Otherwise, I really do forget...

So, my first visit to the Library in a good long while has resulted in some good books:

I have three books in French - on Bastide towns (these are medieval planned checker-board towns and we live in one), on the pastel (or woad) trade in the area and one on birds of the region. There's also a rather lightweight book in English with pretty pictures of Toulouse and its heritage, but sometimes I just want the luxury of reading in English...

The news is becoming more accessible now that we have free digital TV. There are several French 24/7 news channels and Ben and I are both determined to watch a cycle of news per day. It makes a real difference instead of having to sit down too early (8pm) or too late (up to 11pm) for the terrestrial news channels. And I think it's really good to watch the French news, instead of just reading the BBC news website as I've done up until now. I feel more connected to France and the French when I follow the news from the national perspective. Possibly, if I listen to enough 'standard' French, I might even get rid of a bit of my local accent? Or possibly not...Here is just a peek at my two scrapbooks. I cannot tell you how much pleasure I am getting out of putting them together. They're just cuttings albums, the kind I used to keep when I was a child... and I think that might be part of the fun. A full post to follow...

And yes, you were right, it was the enamel coffee jug that was perjoratively labelled 'old'! It's true I wouldn't put coffee in it, but think of filling it with woodland treasures, as Betty the Wood Fairy suggested... It certainly has a future, as well as a past.

It cost me 1€, same as nearly everything else in Sunday's haul. The whole lot cost me 10€, and got me some good aerobic exercise into the bargain! (Steep hill up to the village.) The exercise resolution is coming on OK, BTW, but you really don't want photos... And enjoying life is indeed a habit to be learnt - I can see I'm making some progress there - you know I do such great things, and it's only a case of switching off the worry button in order to enjoy them fully...

... anyway, on to the winner! I'm just off to close down the giveaway and will come back with news of the winning comment...

Done!

The winner is Nikki, which is great as she is a self-professed bibliophile! I'm going to read more of her book blog, and have already enjoyed her wonderful photo-diary of walks and visits in her part of Northern Ireland. I do like the way that running giveaways gives you a chance to meet new bloggers! Nikki (who I guess found out about me through Serenata, as they have a fellow enthusiasm for Shasha dolls) has chosen Flea Market Style and How Green are my Wellies? as her two prizes. Congratulations Nikki - would you email me with your address, please?

C'est la Rentrée - Resolutions and a Giveaway - 2011

SORRY - GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

Hello blogging friends old and new, C'est la Rentrée! This means Back to School, but also so much more, here in France. Those who've been following my blog know about, and have even picked up the idea of, Rentrée Resolutions. The idea here in France is that a fresh start, a great new idea or a brave challenge, are things best started in September when the school year begins. It works for me and this will be the third year in a row that I've linked resolution-making to a giveaway. This year, I'm giving away copies of books that have been influential to me: But you have to make a choice! I'm offering two books, possibly new, possibly good-condition secondhand - that's very much in-keeping with my own thrifty ways, and I hope you'll see the environmental/cost advantages of getting the prizes secondhand too. The first set to chose from are all fairly frivolous, because where would we be without fun in our lives? I think resolutions should have fun in them too - I'll tell you mine later.

So, from the first set, you can choose from the following three books: Emily Chalmers and Ali Hanan write great books and work with a great photographer! This book was bought for me by my mum shortly after she came home from hospital a few years ago, and shortly before I started my blog for her. It's been influential to my style, but even more, has opened my eyes to possibilities... The style is not to everyone's liking, but it gives ideas...

This second book is a must if you ever go vintage shopping in France. It would also be good for someone who just wants to dream about the possibility, as the photos and descriptions are as lovely as the information is useful!

This third book is by a fellow blogger! I love 'murder lite' and I love Sharon's blog (she's The Queen of Fifty Cents - a must-read thrifting blog) and her book is also super - really good, friendly characters, dogs, antiques and an entertaining mystery. This one I would buy for you new, because the author is a blog-friend!

j

Now we come on to the second set. These are a bit less frivolous, but there's a light touch to all of them, too - easy to read and easy to take onboard the ideas.

If you haven't heard me mention this one, have you ever read my blog before? It was recommended to me by another fellow-blogger who had found it influential, and in my case it has been a blessing to read through the last few years - hard times have been easier to cope with, and easier to understand, whilst great times were better-enjoyed because of what I was reading and learning!

Of course another blogger put me in the direction of this one! I've given it to friends and family since - it's very unassuming and fun, and manages to look at green-living on a month-by-month basis without making it all seem like hard work.

And finally another blogger's book! The Happiness Project blog is a real biggie, not like mine or Sharon's, but reading the book and the blog you do get to feel you know, like and can learn from Gretchen Ruben. Like Anna Shepard's book it's divided into months and gives the writer's own thoughts and experiences as she attempts to appreciate her already-good life all the more. As that's pretty much the goal of my blog, I have found this book really helpful in clarifying how we either make the best of things or can, quite accidentally, get bogged down into letting a lot of the good stuff slip by us...

j

So now, for the rules. Leave a comment to enter, telling me which of the 'frivolous' books and which of the 'worthy' books you would like. If it just so happens that you already own all of these books, you could always just say, 'Surprise me!' and if you win I'll send you something else! But ideally, choose two and tell me what they are. Tell me why, if you like! If you'd like to copy the giveaway button at the top of the page and link to me from your blog that would be most appreciated, but I'm not doing the complicated 'two or three entries' thing. Anything for a quiet life! The same for becoming a follower - if you don't follow already, it would be lovely for you to join if you're intending to come back, but your entry doesn't require it.

j

And finally, what are my Rentrée Resolutions for this year?

Enjoy life to the full (I have a tendancy to plan ahead/worry ahead, instead of living in the moment). Actual examples of how I can do this (Ms Ruben says we need concrete resolutions!) are to spend time with the boys where all I do is have fun with them, instead of wondering what I'm going to cook for lunch later, and also to listen fully to Ben when he's talking to me, instead of planning either my own response or (a theme emerging here) lunch. And just to stop thinking that something bad is going to happen! Where does that weird little black cloud of dread come from, to spoil the happiest occasions? As you can see, I've already thought this one through. It's really an on-going resolution...

Watch the cable news once a day, as all my previous resolutions about keeping up with the news have proved flawed. Maybe this year we'll get it right!

j
Keep on going with my scrap books (magazine cuttings, not scrapbooking as such), but also don't feel bad when I don't keep up with the scrap books!

Keep going to the library! And maybe a bit more often...

Do a short session of toning exercises at least three times a week - I'm working more and have less time for the long bike rides I used to do regularly.

So that's it! If you'd like to tell me a resolution of your own, as part of your entry, I will very much appreciate reading it. But all you really have to do is leave a comment with your choice of two great books! Very best of luck to all of you. I'll close the giveaway and announce the winner in a week's time - Tuesday 13th September.

I'm now deleting any 'non-entry' comments just to make sure I enter the correct number of entries into the 'hat'...

A Resolution Resolved, and News

Good news for those who read my previous headline - Paula is now in the swap and in contact with her partner! Now, you can see that the Resolution I've got sorted here is to join the library! I took my utility bill up yesterday, to prove my address, and was given a warm welcome and tickets for all the family. I had a good look round and a read of the local paper (thus meeting another resolution) and came back home with a few books that represent my interests:

including carnivorous plants and local history:

and a bit of arty-crafty table dressing. They don't have an enormous craft section, unfortuately, but their general range is great. If you spotted another book in these photos, that is a story worth keeping for another day, dear readers...

Our news is going to leave you feeling sad, so look away now, my lachrymose strawberry friend (she knows who she is!). Firstly, my mum is back in hospital, hopefully just for a while with the aim of getting the pain-control working, now that she is once again in serious pain. Secondly, poor Raja, the beloved dog of Son 1, appears to be very ill. We are waiting for results of tests but the vets are very concerned indeed. She is still waggy-tailed and keen to please, but increasingly weak. I'll keep you posted. Your prayers for all would be appreciated.

Magazine Swap Partners, plus: What's black and white and red all over?

I've had a lot of fun reading all your magazine swap comments, and I THINK I've paired people appropriately. However, just get in touch with me if there's a problem!

So, here is my list of swap partners. Please go to the swap post comments to find the link to your partner's blog, and to read about what they're hoping for. Do also take the time to read their blog to see what they are interested in, and then please get in contact with them to swap names and addresses, and to ask any further questions.

Elizabethd and Lorrie

Magsmcc and MaggieB

Beckimarie and Sherri B

Mrs Yappy Dog and Floss

Sew Obsessed and Heidi

Vintage Vicki and Joy

Rose & Bird and Magpie Chic

Selina and Floss

Green Thumb and Lemonade & Lamingtons

Toby Tea Cosy and Lexiloo

Kathryn @ Loved & Used and Whosies

Country Girl and Freddie

Angela and Carole

Jille and Serenata

The Vintage Gardener and Ulrike

Maria and Natasha

Fayefayesparkle and Pondside

Shirl and Paula

Amanda and Barbara

Claire and Dosierosie

Handmade Happiness and The Mintons

Dee and The Hausfrau (I have email contacts for Dee)

Karen and Dawnspatch (I have email contact details for both.)

Nana Go-go and Floss

j
I have really enjoyed buzzing around to all your blogs and finding out more about the swappers, who are once again from all round the world. If you don't hear from your partner within the next few days, or can't find them, please do let me know. Other than that, this is the October Edition Swap, so please get your magazines plus a little card or note out to your partners by early October. Obviously, packages crossing the Atlantic or the Equator will take longer, so do be patient with your partner if you are far apart! And have lots of fun, and post about the magazine you receive, and let me know when you've posted about it! That's all I have to say on the subject, I think.

So now, magazines are colourful and read all over, but to go back to the original ancient joke, what's black and white and red all over? A newspaper - of course- and you know that newspapers are part of my Rentrée resolution, and perhaps you also know that I am getting overwhelmed with the amount of recycling this creates! (Sorry Serenata, no go on the guinea pigs much as I adore them.)
But here is one newspaper which put in sterling service yesterday, in the doctor's waiting room. First I read it. Then Son 1 read the bits that had caught his eye while I was reading it. Then we played noughts and crosses. Then we played hangman. Then the hangman got a bit crazy:
Then we occupied ourselves with colouring in each 'hole' in a letter in a different way. Son 1 briefly developed this technique to include appropriate illustrations for each headline - tools inside this article about an Airbus mechanic.Then we found a green page and I issued the instruction: Draw anything as long as it's green. We enjoyed the results. Anyone spot Gordon the Green Engine?After about two hours (the first spent reading, the second on the newspaper) we were on to anagrams and number puzzles: And Greek (sigh).

By about the third hour of waiting I was being sent plaintive messages (which you may or may not be able to read):
And finally, after 3 and a half hours, we got in and were given impeccable treatment! I guess it's one of my previously unwritten resolutions to take the boys to the doctor whenever they are ill - it's the French way, and is so against my 'leave it alone and it will get better' NHS mentality. But I've noticed that French children miss fewer days of school, so I'm going full-on with French medical behaviour this year. Until I change my mind, I suspect - watch this space...

C'est la Rentrée - Resolutions and a Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! SORRY!

Here's a little peek at the giveaway, but I'm going to save it for the end of this post! So, in France, the Rentrée ('Back to School') is the time for resolutions - it's a good time for them, being less cold and negative than January.
j
Here's my first resolution:
To join a local craft group - I've really not been crafting much since I was ill this winter, and I'd like to kick-start things and meet local crafters. The Forum des Associations is this weekend and I'll let you know if I've found anything to sign up for!
Second resolution:
To join the local library. In the UK I was a top member, but in French, I'm less of a reader, so I need to motivate myself. Here are the opening times - no excuse now!

Third resolution:

To keep up with the news. Last year's resolution to WATCH the news didn't work, with the inconvenient (to me) timings of French news programmes, so this year I'll be aiming to buy and read the Dépêche du Midi, our regional paper.

Fourth resolution:

To keep cycling, or jogging!

Now for the giveaway - English Roses from France.

I know I've done lots of French-themed giveaways, but this time I've picked up lots of lovely British goodies, so I'm giving them away!
j

First up is a bone china mug.

Then there's Cath Kidston's little book, which is a summary of the excellent Vintage Style, which I now own...

This pretty and fascinating book, which is all about how you don't need a country cottage to have country style,

and a little polka-dot make-up bag.

If you'd like to put the giveaway on your sidebar, linked to this post and entitled 'English Roses from France', I'd be very grateful.

But all you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. If you would like to tell me one of your resolutions (I know some have made them) I would be fascinated to know about them - last year's resolutions really helped me a lot. But you don't have to to have a resolution to enter. Everyone welcome, all round the world!

Those Rentrée Resolutions

Wow, the Rentrée is proving very busy! As well as school for three of us, we have workmen on the patio roof! Apologies that I'm not blogging much at the moment, either as a reader or a writer...

Anyway, I said I'd let you know a bit more about my resolutions. I'm going to list them on my sidebar so that I keep them in mind!

I need to watch the French news regularly, both to improve my French and to keep in touch with national and world events - somehow having headlines on the internet or even by email doesn't seem to work for me.
The cycling is something I've been doing for more than a year now - I cycle with the boys to school and then I go on and do a tour round the local coutryside. It's great for my fitness but also to remind me of the blessings of living in France. Unfortunately, my journey to work takes me through some of the most uninspired outskirts of Toulouse, and if I'm not careful it begins to appear to me that I exist on a series of industrial estates and motorways. By getting out on the bike, I see the country lanes and learn more about the rural history of our town.
I've kept a spiritual journal, or prayer diary, for about 15 years now, I guess. The books have varied in size and content, as I sometimes think I should buy a very cheap book to show I'm not swayed by fripperies, and sometimes I decide to get a really special notebook to indicate the importance of prayer! Just goes to show, it probably doesn't matter... In some volumes I've just written, sometimes I get all creative with coloured pens, while some of the books have lots of newspaper cuttings pasted in and annotated. It's an important way for me to get the right focus my life, but I need to make an effort to keep it up - the less you spend time on reflection, prayer, study etc, the less you feel you need it...
The resolution to avoid committments if I haven't the time to do them properly is going to make my blog just a little different. I've felt bad recently that I've not been able to pay proper attention to following up tags and awards, so I've reluctantly decided to make the blog tag and award free for now. I shall keep the lovely awards that people have given me on here for a while, and then I guess I shall have to delete them or the announcement: 'This is an award and tag-free blog' will look a bit silly! Please realise that I am really grateful for the pleasure and recognition your awards and tags have given me, but that I just don't have the time to follow them through properly this year.
Please don't forget to sign up for my Rentrée Giveaway! The button's to your left...

PS - I was actually trapped in a Vide Greniers yesterday evening! The stuff of dreams, or of nightmares..? More to follow...