Radio Flyer

Elaine and her sisters fondly grew up with the classic red Radio Flyer wagon and tricycle. This special package arrived in the mail a few weeks ago: a littler walker version (thank you Grandma and Grandpa Lucius)

A handy Papa quietly puts the wagon together during her mid-day nap

What wonderment if this!? A delighted little mademoiselle

is shyly overwhelmed

and very pleased

And she's off... and hasn't stopped since.
The Lucius Transport Trolley for Toys starts first pick-up promptly at 10am every morning weekdays and weekends. Please mind the step. Toot! Toot!

Sowing

We've made newspaper seedling pots (thanks for the Paper Potter Mel) in recycled egg cartons to launch our new seedlings. We have some exciting new veg we are trying this year for deliciousness and dramatic visual impact: salsify, scorzonera, red curled kale, cardoon, peppers (hot chocolate habaneros!), and long purple aubergine. And lots of assorted flower seeds from Neil's Mum, Mel, and the kind madame of Chateau Momas.

Tower!

After months of delight with our her blocks through banging, rolling, chewing, sharing, and carrying them about, Lucius has finally mastered stacking towers. And she is well proud too.

Painted

Our house is now painted and looking lovely. We enlisted the help of 2 seasoned professionals, who spent 3 weeks transforming the place into a light, airy space.

The colors had been deliberated upon for some time (Elaine loves color studies), and all eco paints

The colors of the house next to the stone barns were incorrect and a bit jarring. And the shutters had also become quite weather-beaten. So, we selected colors taken from the stones of the barns for the house shutters and doors. All now makes sense together

The finish makes the place look tres grand and welcoming

Previously, these front doors were dark, poorly stained wood. Now they suit the space and the original old iron bar makes a lovely home for our brollies

The original oak stairs were hardly grand before. The beam had been paneled over, and when removed, old matt pastel green paint covered its character. The walls are now a matt warm white, with all woodwork in a satin version of the same color. We intend to do the stairs justice later with some rubbing and oiling

The floors and ceilings are a warm, putty grey, also in satin. This allows the aged textures of the wood to show through nicely without looking stark

The stairs leading to the attic had been a melange of paneling and grey paint

The landing (sans furniture). The porcelain lamp now looks at home. The copper pipes will be buffed to a shine shortly

The hallway to the guest room still features fetching wallpaper, and en-suite bathroom & wc with 70's brown tiles. Another project for later

Bare but great. We'll post more pictures when all the furniture is back in place

Hallway leading from the landing to the closet

All the difference for morning dressing

The master bedroom fireplace, without its usual ornaments, we're still putting all back into place. Pictures only go so far to show the difference. The house feels cleaner and grand, but also cosy, and finally ours

First Solo Flight

It's amazing to see her almost up and walking without our help. With the painters here the last 3 weeks, the stepladder ended up downstairs and little miss curious noticed immediately. In a few short minutes, and Papa's careful guidance, she had fashioned it into her personal walker for the morning.

Pre Paint

Before the painters arrived to transform the maison, we had a few jobs to attend to on the second floor (first floor for our UK readers)

Our master bedroom featured the final portion of the delightful pine paneling

This is our bedroom fireplace, which is original, but treated shoddily with a terrible dark stain

Beneath the paneling lay many cobwebs, a few ex-critters and some lovely old beams full of character

All of the walls on this floor required much plasterwork, sanding and cleaning

There were gaps through to the attic and between rooms

The walls were the color of rancid butter; the color of sadness. Many had never been painted and were raw discolored plaster

The pine floor had never been treated, and displayed a fine array of stains and scratches

This is the closet half painted. A fine example of how the dark ceilings sucked light out of the rooms, creating a general dinginess

Very Cloudy

Neil purchased a new whisky with some of his birthday money. It tastes very lovely

Thanks Herb and Nancy, I'll drink to your health