Staircase

It's been a while since we've showed any updates of the house. Things are coming along well but they sure can take time. We're feeling good about our progress downstairs. Here are a couple of staircase sketches to show what we had in mind at the beginning to transform it from an abrupt, dark entrance (click here to see)

Angles and options. We wanted something very clean and angular to contrast against the original features. The inverted slope also welcomes you into the house from the front door

The preferred

From the living room towards the kitchen. Color pop still to be added and work required on the rickety banister rails

Clean banister against the intentionally battered looking stairs and beams. Note the stone bottom step. All original to the house which was built in 1804

From the kitchen towards the living room

It's also great to be warm inside whilst it's below 0 and starting to snow outside. Last year, we had cold stone walls and tile floors. Now we have insulation and wooden floors; it has made a world of difference.

More to follow soon on lighting and the kitchen

Papa et Pickle stroll to the end of our drive

Our place viewed over the wintry remains of our neighbour's cornfield

First Santa experience

Here we have it. Her first Santa meeting, he paid a visit to our local village xmas market (he was definitely the highlight). Priceless

Sweet

Cow + Fog

Pickle for a pickle

Grandma & Grandpa Lucius sent Lucius this unbelievable glass pickle ornament for our tree. It even comes with a tale: The German tradition goes that the pickle must be hidden deep inside the tree. The child that finds it on xmas day gets an extra gift. The idea being that the children spend time appreciating the tree, instead of tearing wildly through their gifts and paying it no mind. Lovely

Lucius's Winter Warmers

Baby down sweater will keep her toasty, whilst the wool felt mitts, boots and hat will stop her extremities from getting nippy. Thanks Anette for the postal assistance

Foraged Seasonal Cheer

The wreath came from a big pine tree near the house, plus holly, rose-hips and such. The knocker seems to be a local thing as we've seen a few

The tree's decorated with crystals from old chandeliers (found at flea markets) and natural niceness, such as clove oranges for xmasy smells, pine cones and chestnuts and bits from around the house. There's also real gold thread with Swarovski crystals woven into it, courtesy of Lineapiu fancy yarn cards from Elaine's days in NYC

Very shiny and twinkly by night

Garland across the fireplace, with Aunty Mel's assistance

La Pierre St Martin

On Saturday 6th December the 2009 ski season finally kicked off in the Pyrenées. I spent the day at La Pierre St Martin. Sorry there are no better pictures, I was having too much fun in the snow

Conditions were fine, but it's definitely warmer here this year and we could use a bit more snow here and there. Off piste was quite icy, but the pistes were great

Nothing beats a good cup of après tea

Wassat?

Moody

Pickle Walks

Lucius is taking her first steps into a bigger world. At the moment (8 months) she's super observant and absorbing everything. We showed her how to put one foot in front of the other and she began the assisted stroll immediately. It seems like her learning curve has gone through the roof in the past couple of weeks. Kids are ace.

St Thomas

We recently traveled to St Thomas for the wedding of Anette (Elaine's sis) and Todd

We took a 65ft sailing boat out for a day of snorkeling. We swam with turtles, saw stingrays, barracudas, and much wonderment. No filters have been used in the making of the blue, blue water

Cindy (Elaine's sis), Matt and Caleb. Is that a 'Nooner' or a 'Painkiller' in your hand Cindy?

Honeymoon Bay on St John

Caleb during the 'BEST WEEK OF MY LIFE!'

The boys spent a day out fishing. Tuna, rainbow runners, barracuda and chubs were amongst the day's haul. Neil caught a 6ft bull shark (the third mostly deadly shark on the planet! yelled Caleb)

I swear it looked bigger than this at the time. Thankfully Captain Tyler was there to help hold it in place. It was of course released, with the only harm being inflicted on Neil's tired arms. Trust the vegetarian to get into a fight with a shark

Pickleena in her summer maxi dress ('upcycled' by Elaine from a Makie tote)

Anette and Todd on the big day

The blushing bride with her niece (dress designed and made by Elaine-featuring matching bloomers with a rosette 'bun' tail)

Bui's beautiful camera smile

A distinguished wedding guest

Phew

What a difference a few days can make. First run: Saturday

Desperate

This is a current webcam view of our nearest ski resort, Gourette, who last season officially boasted the most snow in Europe. The lifts are supposed to open tomorrow, but due to warmth and dryness they've pushed it out until 5th December. Thankfully the forecast looks promising from here on out

Tender

Mountain stroll

We took a walk in the mountains (the ski lifts are supposed to open this weekend, not likely at this rate)

Lucius saw snow for the first time, in head to toe knitwear for warmth and roundness

Action

Someone feel asleep on the way back to the car tuckered out in the fresh mountain air

Aunt Melly paid a visit

A weekend of cuddles

Winter bounty

Our favorite veg is finally ready for harvesting. That there is a fat parsnip ripe for roasting, which we wasted no time in doing. In the background our purple sprouting is coming along well, whilst salads continue under cover and garlic and broad beans are overwintering in the second bed

Santa's here

Lucius's Great Nanna Nixey sent us this tres seasonal outfit a few days ago. Those are overalls under that cardigan! All we need is a long red hat and a big black belt, but she might be too round to fit down a chimney

In flight entertainment

Paris - New York - via Halifax for refuel.
(Though we did not see 2 winged horses on our plane's wings as Bui did)

The bassinet looks like a lifeboat. She spent almost the entire 10 hour flight sat like this chatting up everyone that walked by.
St Thomas pics to follow

L's room

Lucius's very own room is ready at last. The ceiling required vigorous cleaning and filling before applying the lovely Farrow & Ball Skimming Stone paint. As did the floor. The walls are Wimborne White, making it the brightest room in the house so far. Apart from a sparkly light fitting, and some fun colour bits we're making to hang on the walls, it's pretty much there

This 'Camber' mobile was made by Brian Schmitt from San Fransisco. They're hand formed and balanced from maple wood

Beautiful wooden blocks, complete with French accents. Thanks Cait & Casey

We picked up this felt food in Portland, OR. Handmade by a local company (named Pickle Things) from old felt offcuts with exacting detail. Genius!