Faire du Bois

A monster wood pile

Well into November and we have been lucky with the weather so far in Le Morvan, but...it's time to start cocooning. The first winter essential is wood. Our supply arrived a couple of months ago - not nearly as big as the wood pile in the photo!

Living surrounded by forests doesn't mean that finding wood is easy. Wood needs time to dry properly before it is ready for burning and that could take 12-15 months. Wood is the main source of heating for most of us, either open fires with traditional Morvan style stone fireplaces but more usually wood burners that pump out lots of heat. 

Wood is always a topic of conversation, where to buy it and who from. Mr B went with Marc a couple of months ago on a bumpy journey on the back of a tractor to collect our wood. It is chopped and stacked in the barn ready to use. 

I love these stylish ideas of making wood an indoor feature. 

What do you think?  Lovely but not practical?

 

La Touissant, All Saint's Day

We had some Trick or Treaters knock on our door last night - which was a big surprise. Halloween in France isn't a French holiday and it is mostly seen as a new, American idea. Over the last couple of years supermarket chains have been stocking Halloween sweets and fancy dress and a few of the international brands like Macdonalds and Apple use Halloween motifs in their marketing. But it is refreshing to see that not everyone is "taken in" by commercialism. In fact the French have been celebrating the original idea of Halloween, respect for the dead, for centuries. The 1st November, La Touissant, All Saints Day, is a public holiday and it is the tradition for families to go together to visit deceased relatives and place chrysanthemums on their graves. The markets and flower shops are full of chrysanthemums in every colour - but don't be tempted to give them as a gift - here in France they are associated with death.

Home Truths

How cold and miserable was your commute this morning? As I settled down at my desk in front of a roaring fire, I thought not for the first time, about the joys of working from home. Not having to brave the wind and the rain scores high on my list. Finding the right creative space for your desk, atelier or office needn't be too difficult. It needs to have light, be bright and somewhere you can work without distractions and, in comfort and warmth.

The perfect bijou office and you can hide it away when you are not working!

Highlight traditional features, like this French ceiling to create your special space. What works for you? Your own space or a corner of the kitchen table?

The Perks of Working from Home

Click here to see how working from home can help save the world! http://mashable.com/2012/10/17/telecommuting-perks/

Work from Home and Save the World

Research research from a U.S. car insurance company reveals that working from home can make you happier, healthier and more efficient. Working from home, or remote working, works for me and I really am in a remote location, deep in the heart of the French countryside. No more driving or commuting to work means massive oil, petrol savings and massive reduction in greenhouse gases Save an average of 109 hours a year of wasted commute time. And the health benefits.... lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, healthier eating. It's obvious...a happy employee = a productive employee Don't take my word for it. Check out the attached infographic and see how working from home, for even one day a week, can improve your environment and your life.

Changes are for the Picking

Chateau Bourne vine

At the beginning of September I was gripped by that "Back to School" feeling.  I wanted a fresh start and new challenges .....and I wanted new notebooks, new pens....

It was hard to let go of summer and but I was ready to start thinking about some new projects... work and pleasure too.  So I have been looking at new business ideas and possible new clients.  Plus I am going to start being more "crafty" and surprised myself by making a flock of bird shaped lavender bags.  My sewing isn't great and some of the birds look a bit odd, but I enjoyed making them!

And I am trying to lose some weight which is tough in a land full of fabulous cheeses and wine.

Leaves are changing colour, the sunlight is more golden and the temperature has dropped dramatically and despite the sun there is a chill in the air.  We have harvested the grapes from our vine, delicious but nowhere near enough for wine - so I found a recipe for grape jelly and gave it a try. It's a very sweet jam and tastes like cherries.


There's definitely a buzz all around and a change of energy in the air!
It is a time of change and a time of new beginnings too....

What new skills can you discover? And what changes are you going to make? You might just surprise yourself!
 

So Did You Find It?

Charlotte by Adrian Saker

Did you find what makes you happy?

After a fabulous summer spent with family and friends packed full of good times I finally realised what makes me happy....

It isn't external or material things

it isn't a house

it isn't a car

it isn't a job

it isn't shopping

They might make you happy for a short while but it's not a continual, deep contentment kind of happy.

Happiness is within YOU!  And the wonderful thing is once you have found it, you keep it, you can't lose it because of external events....as you can with any of the above. 

What do you think?