Bonne Année Bonne Santé!

Christmas was very different this year, after a hectic December I decided not to accept any bookings and relax. Invited out for both Christmas and the New Year, I did less cooking than I have ever done and curled up with some excellent books. After a few days I had withdrawal symptoms and couldn't resist the urge to get up at the crack of dawn to visit a big local flea market.

I do love the New Year, I like the mental 'stocktaking' and planning, looking back, looking forwards and wondering what the New Year will bring. It is also the end of the financial year in France and I love buying the new stationary, files, diaries and notepaper. I know the internet has made a lot of it obsolete but nothing beats handwriting letters on top quality notepaper.

2013  was challenging to say the least, but I am happy to be ending it in much better shape than I was a year ago. The messages and support from my friends and customers online was incredible and I am very grateful to you all.

 I'm also really happy to have found my French friend, the one whose family were so welcoming when I was a teenager, they were responsible for my lifelong passion for France. But I lost touch, I moved several times and so did they. I had a permanent search online for them and sadly only found them because  her maman, Therése had died and her obituary was online. But, we are delighted to be back in touch and have so much talking to do!

My diary for 2014 is already filling up, holidays already booked and some buying trips too. I've also been roped into a local project collating stories and souvenirs of the first World War for an exhibition during the Summer.

 And of course there are the cats, this year there were four beautiful blue/grey kittens born in the late Spring. They are 'feral' relatives of my Phoebe reared by three adult cats with incredible care. They were not allowed out unchaperoned until a couple of weeks ago. They hid in the tree outside the house and fell out of it like over ripe fruit as soon as they heard us getting up. When the weather became colder they moved into the garage of the bakery opposite, which backs onto the ovens so they are lovely and snug. They will be sterilised in the Spring and I am think I have found homes for at least a couple of them.
Not easy to photograph though! Here are Gloria and Mundi.

Ah well, time to go and put my party frock on! I wish you all health, wealth and happiness and very best wishes for a truly excellent New Year.