I want an eco-friendly Christmas tree!

Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas without the Christmas tree, but it disturbs me to see every year so many trees cut and a couple of weeks later thrown away.
I like the idea of leasing a live potted tree. The idea is to get a live tree delivered to your home, you take care of the tree while it’s at your place, and after Christmas the tree is collected and replanted in the wildlife till the next year.
After a few years, the trees are planted and retire.

That’s my plan for next year! I know they do it in France and in the US, pretty sure it’s done here in Finland as well.

 

 

 

Merry Christmas!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

Long time since I wrote last. I had nothing to say, can you believe that. Photography has not been on the top of my priorities neither. The weather has been pretty bad to my taste – I am still waiting for the snow. Today we had a glimpse of it and for a moment I really believed that we would get a white Christmas. A few hours later, all had melted away. Now it is wet and dirty. Depressing!

Anyhow, the good news is that Christmas is just around the corner. Most of the cards have been sent – I doubt more will be sent this year. Our Christmas three is proudly standing in our living room and has been decorated just in the same way than in the last 15 years (or more): red and gold. Not got bored yet of the color theme so no reason to change it! We have baked a few Christmas goodies, some presents have been wrapped and posted and the rest will be wrapped soon. 

All that is not depressing at all!

I can’t wait for more of Christmas decoration, food and odors. I can’t wait to slow down during the holidays. I can’t wait for Christmas Eve and its atmosphere. I am counting the days ...

C'est l'heure de l'apéro: Santé!

 

In France, just before noon or in the evening just before you sit down to eat, it's 'apéritif' time - a sacred ritual, a way of life.

 

 

 

Apéritif is a special moment combining drinks, snacks before the meal, a good time with friends chatting and relaxing. It's a moment of conviviability and ode to local specialities.

 

 

No apéritif is like another - hosts use their imagination.

 

 

 

I'll shut my eyes, remember my last summer's apéritifs in Provence: sun, friends, a sip of pastis, tapenade, a slice of saucisson, long discussions, laughter ... a moment of pure happiness ..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santé!

Fall

 

So that's it, the summer has come to an end: September 22nd was the first day of fall.



I will take a moment to look around at the trees, see each leaf change their color and turn into orange, red and yellow.



 

I'll stay home, lit the candles, eat mushrooms (picked by Mum) and bake apple pies. 

 



 

I'll even find my wellies, make multicoloured leaf piles and jump into them! Fall doesn't sound bad, does it?

Crayfish galore

We had our traditional girls crayfish party. Once again had a great time and laughed plenty!

 

 

As you should do, we ate crayfish, sang schnaps songs and toasted with schnaps a few time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Finland, crayfish parties are held in August-September to mark the end of the summer.

This popular tradition originates from Swedish hight society.

 

 

 

I you are around during that period, try to get an invite, it's worth the detour (and the headache)!

Friday!

Please, stand by ...

Happy-happy land

I have touched very briefly the subject of happy-happy land in one of my previous posts. I thought I'd open its meaning a bit more and, in the future, I might even let you enter my happy-happy land!

 

I tend to day dream a lot and have plenty plans. I can project myself in any places and live countless lives. Happy-happy land enables me to bring one step further all those plans and dreams I have. When I say: one step further, I really mean it.

For my latest big plan, I have a business plan ready, vision & strategy wrapped-up, resources mapped, negotiations started with suppliers, marketing and media plan on its way. Investment = the lottery ticket.

 

I recently found out that I am not the only one having an happy-happy land!

 

 

Did you know ...

The brain of Albert Einstein has been subject of much research and speculation. Among one, after analysing recentely discovered pictures of Einstein's brain, it was discovered that one of his most significant feature is in his frontal lobe: 4 giant ridges on the right hand side. Apparently, it is very unuasual as generally we have 3 ridges. This area is called the prefrontal cortex and involved in higher cognitive functions such as remembering things, keeping them on line and -not the less- day dreaming and planning the future!

Einstein had also his happy-happy land!! OK, I'll agree, it is far fetched - Welcome to happy-happy land!

Have a good day and make the world a better place to all!

Friday!

Do you quantify yourself?

I thought about that and I have come to the conclusion that self measurement has taken over my life! What is my goal weight for next summer, the pedometer tells me how much I walk, I log onto websites and specialised applications all sport I practice and now I have a food diary ... Obsession over health data? Yes maybe, but I find it motivating. But THE question is: does data change behavior?

Friday!

... and they lived happily ever after!

Did not find the time to update the blog lately - been busy having fun with family & friends and the bride (my sis)and the groom! For the coming days, many of us will be busy editing and watching our pictures. I am so looking forward to see what others saw :)

... and they lived happily ever after!

The best view ever...

The best view of our village

also the best view ever you could have from a living room

Isn't it?

Just love the stone and tiles. Tiles actually same as in the Metro of Paris! 

I would do anything to be there right now ..

Summer 2013 - waters

A few souvernir pictures of this summer water :)

 

 

Water is just great when you can swim in it not when it is pouring down like today !
-c-

 

Friday!

Côte d'Azur - Auctions

 





Abrivado and Bandido in Bouillargues

The festivities in Bouillargues last for a few days (from Thursday till Monday if I remember right) and we got to see the bulls for a couple of time during our stay.
On Monday, 40 bulls were let in the village's streets! I was not there but I have been promised a few pictures and when I get them I will make an exception to the rule and load a few here.

Abrivado: the bulls charge through the village to the arena.
Bandido: the return of the bulls from the arena to the paty (grazing grounds).

 

 

 

Similar festivities start in April till November all around the region. The Camargue area is plenty of traditions and I have not seen half of it. I will need to get back there again and again :)
-c-