Today is my last full day at Germolles. There probably won't be much gardening today as our sunny day has turned to thunder and hail. Balzàn -- the younger of the two labs -- spent the morning in the kitchen with me, making flower arrangements for the various halls in the chateau. He was a perfect angel -- not his usual naughty self -- I think he knows I am leaving and he'll have one less person to steal bread from during dinner ;)
Had a wonderful visit with Niels, David, and Niels' sister (Gemia); Matthieu's friend, Dominique, is here from Paris -- as usual, there is always something going on at the chateau. I will miss it.
There will be more posts and memories when I return. Looking forward to being home again with you.
See you soon!
Amy
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Finally! Dessert!
After days and days of "La Guerre on the Square", I finally got to actually PLANT something yesterday!!! It was a day of much rejoicing for me. The "carre au fleurs" -- square of flowers -- as it is called has been a bit of a battle that I came to refer to as la guerre (war) on the square. Christian would ask how the battle was going -- truly I had a formidable enemy. Today I managed to weed most of the remaining corners -- and made another trip to Jardinland for more nice things to plant. The clerk remembered me (I had quite a haul the day before) and said, surprised, "encore?!". Oui, encore.
I feel like after gagging down lima beans and brussels sprouts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that I finally -- finally -- got to have dessert!
Victory is sweet!
Things feel like they are wrapping up here... I'm seeing Niels and David tomorrow morning and we have dinner with some locals in the evening. Thinking about being home soon... a bientot.
I feel like after gagging down lima beans and brussels sprouts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that I finally -- finally -- got to have dessert!
Victory is sweet!
Things feel like they are wrapping up here... I'm seeing Niels and David tomorrow morning and we have dinner with some locals in the evening. Thinking about being home soon... a bientot.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Time Warp
Being in a place where multiple centuries collide at every corner can put you in a bit of a time warp. I realized I'd completely missed the fourth of July (though I posted that day). We are a day ahead here, but most times I'm not really sure what day it is.
Pretty much everyone and everything is friendly at Germolles, from the fish in the moat, to the chickens and quail in the farm yard, to the butterfly that fanned my back the other day or the bat that came in to see my bedroom last night. It was a very polite bat, kindly asked to be let out, and then fluttered around while I opened the enoromous windows.
There is always something to do here, another reason to lose track of days. Hard to believe it has been a week already. Dinners are late here -- very late -- and it was nearly 1 am by the time I climbed the spiral staircase to my room. Christian is quite a ham -- and his "chou croute lady" is a continual source of amusement. It is easy to see why he and Matthieu love Germolles. It's the kind of place where you could be very happy -- maybe forever.
(not to worry though... I'm still coming home).
Pretty much everyone and everything is friendly at Germolles, from the fish in the moat, to the chickens and quail in the farm yard, to the butterfly that fanned my back the other day or the bat that came in to see my bedroom last night. It was a very polite bat, kindly asked to be let out, and then fluttered around while I opened the enoromous windows.
There is always something to do here, another reason to lose track of days. Hard to believe it has been a week already. Dinners are late here -- very late -- and it was nearly 1 am by the time I climbed the spiral staircase to my room. Christian is quite a ham -- and his "chou croute lady" is a continual source of amusement. It is easy to see why he and Matthieu love Germolles. It's the kind of place where you could be very happy -- maybe forever.
(not to worry though... I'm still coming home).
Friday, July 4, 2008
La vie du Chateau Germolles
It is really quite incredible to be here. I find myself in the garden glancing up at this 14th century place and I can't believe this is where I am. There is so much to tell about. I'm getting the hang of the french keyboard -- but am still a bit slow at typing -- frustrating when there is so much to write about.
I arrived on a hot Burgundy afternoon -- the kind that had me wondering why I bothered to pack long pants, banana sweats (yes, I brought them) and my waterproof jacket. I was glad I did as we had a storm the other day where the sky turns black and the wind whips around in a way that makes all the birds and bugs nervous. It reminded me of the storm in "Under the Tuscan Sun" where Frances finds an owl in her bedroom. Apparently, that had happened before in my room, so I half expected one. Mother Nature put on quite a show with great cracks of lightning and a torrent of rain that lasted most of the next day. With the rain pouring in buckets, gardening was a bit of a challenge -- though this Oregon girl made a valiant effort. Finally I resigned myself to some cooking -- I made some jam with rhubarb from the garden and a gallete of peaches, raspberries (or RAPSberries, as Christian calls them) and apricots.
The kitchen -- which is a mix of every century from the 12th to the 20th -- is one of my favorite places. The pantry next door smells of wonderful stinky cheese -- sometimes I go in there just to smell it. While the rain isn't ideal, being inside wasn't awful.
This morning Matthieu had a tour in English, so I went along. The history of the chateau is fascinating -- and there is something to discover around every corner. My bedroom is on the first floor (actually the second according to American architecture). This was the floor where the nobility largely slept/lived so I've got one of the best rooms in the house! Though the bedroom where I sleep was redecorated/changed to a more Parisian style, underneath there are the original paintings of Marguerite and Phillipe's initials. It is believed that the Duke Phillipe the Bold gave Marguerite of Flanders Germolles as a gift -- and her influence is everywhere. I'll write more of that later.
Today was beautiful weather for gardening and I spent most of the day in the carre du fleurs -- the wild garden behind the Orangerie (greenhouse). I am taking some before and after pictures -- hopefully the "after" will meet with Marguerite's approval. :)
All for now -- all is well.
I arrived on a hot Burgundy afternoon -- the kind that had me wondering why I bothered to pack long pants, banana sweats (yes, I brought them) and my waterproof jacket. I was glad I did as we had a storm the other day where the sky turns black and the wind whips around in a way that makes all the birds and bugs nervous. It reminded me of the storm in "Under the Tuscan Sun" where Frances finds an owl in her bedroom. Apparently, that had happened before in my room, so I half expected one. Mother Nature put on quite a show with great cracks of lightning and a torrent of rain that lasted most of the next day. With the rain pouring in buckets, gardening was a bit of a challenge -- though this Oregon girl made a valiant effort. Finally I resigned myself to some cooking -- I made some jam with rhubarb from the garden and a gallete of peaches, raspberries (or RAPSberries, as Christian calls them) and apricots.
The kitchen -- which is a mix of every century from the 12th to the 20th -- is one of my favorite places. The pantry next door smells of wonderful stinky cheese -- sometimes I go in there just to smell it. While the rain isn't ideal, being inside wasn't awful.
This morning Matthieu had a tour in English, so I went along. The history of the chateau is fascinating -- and there is something to discover around every corner. My bedroom is on the first floor (actually the second according to American architecture). This was the floor where the nobility largely slept/lived so I've got one of the best rooms in the house! Though the bedroom where I sleep was redecorated/changed to a more Parisian style, underneath there are the original paintings of Marguerite and Phillipe's initials. It is believed that the Duke Phillipe the Bold gave Marguerite of Flanders Germolles as a gift -- and her influence is everywhere. I'll write more of that later.
Today was beautiful weather for gardening and I spent most of the day in the carre du fleurs -- the wild garden behind the Orangerie (greenhouse). I am taking some before and after pictures -- hopefully the "after" will meet with Marguerite's approval. :)
All for now -- all is well.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Exotic Alaska
This travel gal headed to Alaska for her summer vacation and what a trip it was! I have always wanted to sea kayak so when Kendra asked me if I wanted to go, it was kind of a no-brainer. Originally I was picturing the Puget Sound... orcas, birds, mountains (you get the picture) but Prince William Sound? Who knew it could be even more beautiful! I am so fortunate to live in this lush, green, make-me-happy place.. and Alaska is even better.
We stayed in a forest service cabin on Paulson Bay. It was a 45 minute water taxi trip from Whittier to the cabin, provided by an attractive local who gave us beer at 11 am :) Getting to
Whittier is an interesting experience: picture 2 miles under a mountain with a single lane road. Getting in or out is all based on a well honed system of departures (the train also uses the road as it was originally on accessible by train until recently). Here are a few pictures of my travels, see my blog for more if you're interested.
We stayed in a forest service cabin on Paulson Bay. It was a 45 minute water taxi trip from Whittier to the cabin, provided by an attractive local who gave us beer at 11 am :) Getting to
Whittier is an interesting experience: picture 2 miles under a mountain with a single lane road. Getting in or out is all based on a well honed system of departures (the train also uses the road as it was originally on accessible by train until recently). Here are a few pictures of my travels, see my blog for more if you're interested.I spent almost 2 weeks hanging out with my friends, eating at all my favorite places and riding a borrowed bike on the Kincaid Trails for pleasure and in preparation for the Livestrong ride the weekend I got back. A total highlight was spending time with Teagan and Anna. They are absolutely precious! Teagan is 12 months and Anna is 3. We made rhubarb cobbler and played with her dolls... yes, I did.
While this summer is very different than the past two (France, Germany, Italy, Scotland, England.. ahhhh...) it has been equally fun so far. Adventures come in all different shapes and sizes~ yeah! Can't wait to hear Amy's stories when she gets home. Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Thank GODDESS!
I would write about the drive from Strasbourg to Blienschwiller -- but I'm not ready to think about it yet. Let's just say I got there and that the car was in one piece. Thankfully, the trip to Germolles went better. I am so happy to be here. Christian and Matthieu are wonderful, the place is more amazing than I remembered and all I can say about the room I'm staying in is that I think I gasped. The chateau is beautiful, and there is so much more to say but it's finally cooled off and I'm headed to the garden.
:) Amy
:) Amy
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