What you say about the cherries made me smile. We faff about with a few tomato plants, caring for them as if they were newborn babies, yes they are cheaper to buy but they keep us occupied and although they don’t look perfect they taste so much better than the bought ones. It’s not always about economics, why hand knit a jumper when you can pop into a shop and get one instantly and cheaper? You are right Rebecca, it’s the romance!
Every Sunday morning, ever since I found you on Substack, I have read your weekly post as I sip my morning cup of tea. Sometimes I am joined by my kids who curl up next to me on the couch and I read aloud news from the French countryside. It has become a quiet ritual that has started to mean a great deal to me. Thank you so much for bringing us along. Best of luck with everything!
My husband says exactly the same - at one point he pointed out that to get some potato it would have been cheaper to helicopter them in from Waitrose and as for our chickens’ eggs - well don’t get him started on the economics of that. Meanwhile I explain how much a gym membership (that I’d probably not use) would cost and all the happy hours I spend knee deep in seeds, mud and manure xx You keep on doing so beautifully what you do - it’s definitely worth it xx
There is nothing like the taste of homegrown fruit and veg… because it is planted with love and hope . When the time is right to pick and eat there is joy. Thankyou Bec for sharing that love of growing with me.
Sounds like you have had a lovely week , I love reading about what you’ve all been up to.
I had my bookclub of 13 here for a high tea to celebrate on of our members 80th birthday. It was a lovely afternoon but standing handwashing all my vintage china has wiped me out.
Thank you so much for this Vivian. Luckily for me my special topic as a health journalist for women’s magazines was the menopause. Unluckily for me I’m already in the full throes of it at 45, but at least I know what I’m dealing with. Fans are on!
I laughed aloud at “…his boring logic”! I feel the same way about my tomatoes: Once we can start picking them, the farmers markets and grocery stores are filled with tomatoes at rock-bottom prices, but nothing matches the feeling of going out into the yard in my bare feet, surrounded by the smell of summer, and picking a perfect Black Krim, warm from the sun. It’s the kind of joy one either understands or is pitifully missing out on one of the great pleasures of life. 🌱🍅☀️❤️ It’s just like those song lyrics, “There’s only two things that money can’t buy, and that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.” 🎼🎶 😊 🥰
Thank you again for a brief and lovely escape from all that’s happening here in America. Sending all my best and much love from here.
I always ignore his logic entirely and grow tomatoes because you don’t get that green tomato vine smell from shop bought ones. And a warm, fresh tomato is like nothing else. I get where he’s coming from on the courgettes - and actually got the last few years the slugs have been beasts about my courgettes, so I’ve given up. Next year I’ll have my raspberries back - he can’t argue about those either.
My husband is with you regarding growing your own fruits, vegetables and flowers, he feels such a sense of accomplishment and pride. Everything tastes better and I agree that his flowers are gorgeous, and three cheers for Alain !!
My Sunday morning ritual is now clearly installed. My bowl of café au lait, sitting comfortably in the house watching the outside and reading Rebecca's diary, who convinces me that the summer is clearly with us, with delicious cherries and beautiful flowers. We might see clafoutis cooking in Rebecca's kitchen next week and cherry preserves neatly stacked in the beautiful new room near the kitchen. Have a great week.
I love cherries and know , when we were on holiday in USA , how cheap they are there Here a small container is £5 at the moment !I usually wait for the ‘piccolo ‘ cherries which are nearer a pound for a container
What you say about the cherries made me smile. We faff about with a few tomato plants, caring for them as if they were newborn babies, yes they are cheaper to buy but they keep us occupied and although they don’t look perfect they taste so much better than the bought ones. It’s not always about economics, why hand knit a jumper when you can pop into a shop and get one instantly and cheaper? You are right Rebecca, it’s the romance!
Ahh but the hand knit sweater is unique and keeps your hands busy says a knitter x
Yes Sue, from another knitter I totally agree with you.
Rebecca,
Every Sunday morning, ever since I found you on Substack, I have read your weekly post as I sip my morning cup of tea. Sometimes I am joined by my kids who curl up next to me on the couch and I read aloud news from the French countryside. It has become a quiet ritual that has started to mean a great deal to me. Thank you so much for bringing us along. Best of luck with everything!
Ahh I love the idea of your kids curling up and listening too x
Cherries! My absolute favourite thing. Completely understand the magic :) x
Me too! x
My husband says exactly the same - at one point he pointed out that to get some potato it would have been cheaper to helicopter them in from Waitrose and as for our chickens’ eggs - well don’t get him started on the economics of that. Meanwhile I explain how much a gym membership (that I’d probably not use) would cost and all the happy hours I spend knee deep in seeds, mud and manure xx You keep on doing so beautifully what you do - it’s definitely worth it xx
There is nothing like the taste of homegrown fruit and veg… because it is planted with love and hope . When the time is right to pick and eat there is joy. Thankyou Bec for sharing that love of growing with me.
Sounds like you have had a lovely week , I love reading about what you’ve all been up to.
I had my bookclub of 13 here for a high tea to celebrate on of our members 80th birthday. It was a lovely afternoon but standing handwashing all my vintage china has wiped me out.
You and Tim work so hard every day during your 6-month season. Reading what you each get done in one day makes me happy. I am now retired! I remember working that hard when I worked in Luxury Hotels. It was the best job I ever had, but also the hardest, with the most hours worked. I was young back then, so I could do it. I could not do it now at age 68. As a woman, I want to prepare you for the changes your physical body might encounter as you enter your perimenopause stage in your forties. You may notice your energy drop, insomnia, inability to tolerate heat, etc. Click here https://bywinona.com/journal/15-signs-of-perimenopause?bng_special_campaign=true&utm_source=bing&utm_content=1334809535214276&msclkid=c4817b90e2c71f525e5813de6db90ce1&h_campaign_id=604038062&tw_adid=83425861515068&el=www.google.com/&utm_placement=o&utm_campaign=Winona+|+Pmax+(July+2024)&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=bywinona.com&utm_term=1334809535214276&tw_source=bing&tw_campaign=604038062to find out more so you can be prepared. Buy a number of large fans to keep inside the house and kitchen. Maybe even install an air conditioner in the kitchen so you don't melt when cooking, especially on those hot summer days.
Thank you so much for this Vivian. Luckily for me my special topic as a health journalist for women’s magazines was the menopause. Unluckily for me I’m already in the full throes of it at 45, but at least I know what I’m dealing with. Fans are on!
Wonderful as usual the cutting garden takes a lot of hard work but your reward is all round your beautiful chateau
I have been growing my own strawberries for the last few years. Although they are available locally and plentyfully I think mine taste better.
I laughed aloud at “…his boring logic”! I feel the same way about my tomatoes: Once we can start picking them, the farmers markets and grocery stores are filled with tomatoes at rock-bottom prices, but nothing matches the feeling of going out into the yard in my bare feet, surrounded by the smell of summer, and picking a perfect Black Krim, warm from the sun. It’s the kind of joy one either understands or is pitifully missing out on one of the great pleasures of life. 🌱🍅☀️❤️ It’s just like those song lyrics, “There’s only two things that money can’t buy, and that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes.” 🎼🎶 😊 🥰
Thank you again for a brief and lovely escape from all that’s happening here in America. Sending all my best and much love from here.
I always ignore his logic entirely and grow tomatoes because you don’t get that green tomato vine smell from shop bought ones. And a warm, fresh tomato is like nothing else. I get where he’s coming from on the courgettes - and actually got the last few years the slugs have been beasts about my courgettes, so I’ve given up. Next year I’ll have my raspberries back - he can’t argue about those either.
I just love the pictures of your flower arrangements each week! Always gorgeous, im always trying to replicate them with the things I have here.
My 2 little dahlias also have their first buds forming! I can't wait to see all of yours and all of the gorgeous colors. 🌸❤️
I adore your evocative writing. I am happily transported from London to France each time I read one of your glorious posts. Thank you!
A wonderful read while sitting here in England enjoying beautiful sunshine on a Sunday afternoon 😎x
My husband is with you regarding growing your own fruits, vegetables and flowers, he feels such a sense of accomplishment and pride. Everything tastes better and I agree that his flowers are gorgeous, and three cheers for Alain !!
Beauiful blooms... and the thought of cherries! Yum.
My Sunday morning ritual is now clearly installed. My bowl of café au lait, sitting comfortably in the house watching the outside and reading Rebecca's diary, who convinces me that the summer is clearly with us, with delicious cherries and beautiful flowers. We might see clafoutis cooking in Rebecca's kitchen next week and cherry preserves neatly stacked in the beautiful new room near the kitchen. Have a great week.
I love cherries and know , when we were on holiday in USA , how cheap they are there Here a small container is £5 at the moment !I usually wait for the ‘piccolo ‘ cherries which are nearer a pound for a container