A Rainy Week

Delphinium and Alum have their moment

This week we have had lots of rain. I guess the garden plant life enjoys it, as the back garden, which we made from scratch just two years ago, is becoming like a jungle. All the plants we tucked in here and there, without much sense of design, are expanding, blooming and enjoying their moment of glory, as are we. The erigeron, called Santa Barbara Daisy in California, is a weed, which I carefully planted everywhere and it fills in as a most faithful and effulgent ground cover. The Blue Star Creeper between the stones is full and blooming with charming little sky blue flowers.

Rainy garden lushness

Inside, my bougainvillea which was practically the first thing I planted almost three years ago, is in bloom for the first time. A very slow growing plant in our environment!

Finally some delicate blooms

Meanwhile, while we endured the pouring rain, James and Daniel spent the week in the south of France in the charming village of Cassis, where a friend lent them his rental property. They sent pictures back each day making us feel just a little bit envious.

James swimming near Cassis

April and May are the best times to visit the south, I think, without the heat, the bugs and the tourists of summer months. They had a marvelous time and are only just back to continue the hard work they're doing to improve their little home in France.

Beautiful landscapes, attractive people and a diffident dog

While the weather kept me indoors this week, I have been using the time to re-establish my Etsy Shop. I have been on Etsy as a seller for 15 years. When I had my etching studio in Montmirail, I sold over 300 prints to people from all over the world. It was very gratifying. Since moving to Burgundy, however, I have mostly let the shop go dormant. This week I decided to take a different track, and begin to sell digital products, including my etchings.

Product photo for one of my downloadable backgrounds

It's been a lot of work creating product photos and even learning how to make little videos. My goal is to have at least 100 listings, so I'm just beginning. But you can check out my progress here.

Product photo