Get Fired Up for 2013

Bonnes resolutions du Nouvel An, New Year's resolutions....I could make so many...this year I am going to focus on five tips to help me feel more alive and will fire me up to reach my goal of being healthier and working smarter.

Drink more herb teas, green teas, mint teas - easy to do here in France, there's a great choice of teas, fruit and herbal tissanes.  And I can pick mint fresh from my garden.

Cut down on the amount of sugar I consume.  Maybe substitue honey whenever I can.  No more sugar rush!

Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.  I have just got lazy and overdosed on party food.  We grow our own vegetables and I have a freezer full of fruit and veg. So it should be easy to do.

More exercise..take more breaks away from the computer screen...and go and grab some fresh air.  A walk round the block or a park is great thinking and planning time.  I am very lucky as I can walk out of my front door in any direction and find beautiful countryside and forests.

Live in the moment and enjoy everyday. 




 

Petit Coucou

It's been a while but I wanted to drop by and say a little hello, "petit coucou" and

wish you all happiness, health, love and happiness for 2013.

J'espere que celui ci vous apportera bonheur, sante, amour et amities.

We have had a lovely, lazy family Christmas with GG and BB here with us in Le Morvan for the holidays. Plenty of parties, eating and drinking!  We celebrated New Year's Eve in style with friends .....twice .....toasting la Saint-Sylvestre first and then an hour later British New Year's Eve complete with the "bongs" from Big Ben and singing Auld Lang Syne. 

Now for the bonne resolution and the start of the regime!

What did you do on New Year's Eve?  And are you fired up ready for 2013?
 

How To Give Good Bread

 

I love French bread but don't love the calories....and some bread definitely tastes better than others....so why waste the calories on sub-standard bread....here's a great video and tips on how to buy the best bread in your neighbourhood. http://frenchforfoodies.com/2012/08/05/how-to-give-good-bread-buying-the-perfect-baguette/

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/