Catching Up with the Mundane

Oh my goodness. With Gaston filling our lives with adventures and tribulations, I’ve hardly had the time to THINK about blogging. I will write separately about Gaston, aka ‘The Beast,’ as he comes with so many hilarious stories, and I have some tales related to the Etsy store that I will write independently as well.

Since we spent the winter in France (albeit an extremely mild one), we were able to enjoy all the spring flowers that grace our property.

It was always my intent to not only enjoy flowers in the garden, but have enough to use as cut flowers inside. These peonies and roses each had such a marvellous scent, I was in heaven. Peonies, although short lived, are an all-time favourite of mine, reminding me of my mother, who was quite the gardener, despite living in the Colorado desert where the winds howl, the hail beats down and the summers are dry and hot. (Photo Note: Wondering what those glowing ‘eyes’ are on the fireplace mantel in the background? Yes, they’re my trainers, safe away from the puppy teeth 🦷!)

Of course, all of this loveliness does come at a price. My fingernails haven’t been clean for months, I complain constantly about my aching back, but I get a good tan and my ‘oneness’ with the earth is priceless. My love for this place runs deep.

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I tend to work in the garden until my back gives out, then work at the computer for a while, switching back and forth throughout the day. Working in the garden comes with some surprises, too—I’ve received some gnarly spider bites, which made me quite ill, but the biggest surprise of all was to be startled by this little guy on my desk. We have many mantises in our garden, which is a testament to our organic practices. They fascinate me!

I’ve also spent a lot of these long pandemic days cooking. I rarely take photos, but a friend took this one of a birthday flan I made for a friend. The white circle was the only candle we could find in a pinch, but had fun making some chocolate filigree (standing behind the candle). Note the dominos on the table, love playing Chickenfoot (or ‘Chickenshit,’ as some of my adversaries call it)—a favourite winter pastime that we’ve introduced to our friends here.

Another new hobby (not exactly cooking, I guess) for those long winter lockdown nights is mixology. Got my home cocktail bar set up and love mixing up new potions. On the left are some of my new accoutrements, in the middle a shipment from one vendor to get variety in the bar, and the one on the right is some crazy concoction with French gin, Lillet Blanc, Triple Sec, fresh lemon juice and a drop or two of Absinthe.

Undoubtedly, with all this eating and drinking comes extra spread through Cindy’s midsection, so I’ve purchased a bicycle, albeit an electric one, to get me up the devil’s hill that is required to get home from town. I adore it and Gaston helped open it by eating the box! And he chases me in the garden. Can you say “Prey Drive?”!!!

Of course, I immediately start looking for gear. That’s what one does, right? Well, I ran across this lively flower number on the left and imagined my girth stuffed in there, then this other photo came to mind… Laughed my ass off! Just as this lady gets lost in the seed packets, so might I when peddling my ass beside the fields of flowers (they doesn’t really exist, but it’s a good fantasty, yes?)

Just to redeem myself a little bit, I also walk regularly with my friend’s geriatric horse, Nevada (we go the same speed…)

Pretty mundane, I suppose, but want to keep in touch with everyone out there. We are both Covid-free and grateful for every day. Please drop us a note, we LOVE hearing from you!