Saturday, May 30, 2009

The Show

We were graced with a sunny, balmy evening for the opening of L'Esprit de Corps last night. Unfortunately my camera batteries died just as people started pouring into the gallery so I don't have photos of Elisabeth, looking very elegant as she delivered her discourse on le nu, of the crowds devouring the platters of savoury and sweet goodies and chilled wine on the lawn, the celtic musicians strumming out their lively jigs, and the jugs of wild flowers and roses brought by friends. It was a fabulous evening and the group was thrilled. This was the first time most of them had ever put any work on display.

Here is a review in the local French paper, La Depeche.

And here are some photos taken by Daniel Wattier, our mayor and fellow artist, the next day when things were a bit calmer.

Monday, May 25, 2009

La recolte

I have been eating freshly harvested lettuces for a week now, and my courgettes are shooting out their first little sausage shaped squashes with large yellow flowers on the ends, but this morning I picked my first radishes and something about their firm plump red shapes as they came out of the brown earth was especially rewarding.
A few days of heat after lots of rain has made the garden explode in colour. The irises and wild daisies are battling it out on the top of a rocky wall behind the barn.
The Saints de Glaces came and went without the dreaded frost, and I am the only one in the village with bright yellow flowers on my tomato plants! Naive city slicker lucks out.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Find the cat

QualitĂ© and I looked after the fabulous shop Jour de FĂȘte in Rocamadour this afternoon. Can you find her among the exotic goodies? Several people wanted to buy her but she was not to be had.

Friday, May 08, 2009

A plug for my buddies...

War Horse has moved from the National Theatre to the West End in London. It's a fabulous show- see for yourself:



Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Exhibition poster

This is what I have finally come up with for our exhibition poster. If you are in the 'hood, please stop by.

Better yet, come to the opening on Friday the 29th at 7pm for a glass of wine and some pasta and salad.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Watching paint dry?

Every morning before I even splash water on my face or gulp down eye-opening coffee, I run outside in my nightie to check on my vegetable patch. This is what I have so far:

1. a row of freesias
2. leeks
3. cauliflower
4. radishes
5. feuilles de chene (a tender lettuce)
6. courgettes (zucchini)
7. mache (lamb's lettuce)
8. aubergine
9. lettuce (Boston)
10. green peppers
11. basil, oregano, and chives and parsley
12. beef tomatoes
13. spinach
14. rhubarb
15. peas
16. cherry tomatoes
17. onions
18. potatoes
19. broccoli
20. carrots
21. bok choi (Swiss chard)
22. mangetouts
23. green beans
24. Brussel sprouts
25. sweet corn

Today I was thrilled to find that the radishes and green beans have sprouted. I am over the moon! I just couldn't believe those tiny, tiny black dots would amount to anything. Everyone in the village is laughing at me. I have planted way too much and they say everything is going to be ready to harvest at the same time. I will have to open a grocery stand in front of the gallery. At least they might sell in this economy...

The bouquet of muguets, or lilies of the valley, were sent to me yesterday by a friend. It's a traditional French greeting on the 1st of May.