An Experiment in Communal Living
Lena’s x-mas present from ol’ Père Noël. He even brought a hot water heater and a shower too.
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The long awaited sequal to: What’s Upstairs by Le Vignaud Productions.
The story of a young chicken named Tchitchi… who grew up so fast! Our little baby Tchitchi is now a mother! She had six little baby chicks hatch- We’re so proud!
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Shutters Opened
Here’s the new chicken coop, made from recuperated palette wood- Even the nails were recuperated! Total cost: about 3 euros for brackets and screws… It’s traditional acadian-french style with clapboard siding and trim. The roof is angled to the south so that the sun does not make the interior too hot, and is equipped with a rain water recuperator… This will be the home of ecologically conscious chickens! Inside we have some comfy hay (certified bio from our field), and nice perchoirs for sleepy chickens at night time… now just have to find some lovely inhabitants. Can’t wait for eggs! (more…)
Listing # BLZ119
Price €149,900
Approx. Sq. Meters: 102
Bed/Bath: 2 / 1
Approx. Acreage: 3.29
-Nature’s beauty and end of the road privacy makes this 2/1 cottage with detached woodshed and three caves a special part of this enchanted forest. A dream great room to spend many happy moments, a patio area surrounded by stone wall and wooded privacy. Summer cottage or year round home, you choose. A sense of comfort and warmth will capture you as you enter this home – be prepared to enjoy! (more…)
Intimacy with another country is ripened by pleasures but also by loneliness and error. It is nurtured through long wet winters as well as radiant days.
–Shirley Hazzard, Italian Hours
Le Vignaud, 2 November 2008
It’s been quite a while since I have had the time to write or share any photos on the website- things have been busy over the past few months. Needless to say, I have plenty of stories and photos to share! I should have regular internet access coming soon, so expect to have some new updates on the way…
. . . . .
One year has passed since I drove from Germany in a rickety old Renault truck, bound for my tiny village in France. It has been a wonderful ride- I have made life-long friends, followed a longstanding dream, overcome many obstacles, and fallen to others. But through all the cold, the rain, the sunshine, the good food, the up and the downs, I wouldn’t trade a day of the last year for anything else.
Le Vignaud in August
August has finally arrived here in La Creuse. Surprisingly though the weather has so far remained mild, and we haven’t gotten the typically hot summer of past years. The lake is warm though, and every other day another fruit tree is ready to be harvested is some forgotten corner of the village. I’ve done my share of collecting, harvesting, digging, and eating all of the bounty that surrounds us in this time of year…
Of particular note, is the now finally completed Dandoodlies video which describes our first attempt at dandelion wine making here at Le Vignaud. This has been in the works for over three months now – along with the wine, and now both are ready for consumption.
Added yet another super excellent stop-motion video; This one’s of the Tour de France as it passed under the Glénic viaduct on Bastille Day.
Also, Cherry Picking occupied much of my time in late May and early June, and I’ve thrown together some thoughts about those experiences as well, including, Clafoutis and Confiture.
I have literally hundreds of photos from the past few months waiting to be picked through and a few stories to go along. I hope to be able to get some of that online over the next week or so while I happened to be ‘connected’ for the moment. I will be back-dating those articles, so please check back often, or even better- Subscribe Now.
Thank you once again to everyone for your continued show of love and support- both for me and this project in general. From family to friends, to neighbors and strangers; so many people have had a hand in this. I hope this project has been and will continue to be a source of inspiration in whatever form it may continue.
Love and light,
Jason
Click through for more photos…
It’s been a long wait and after all those cold winter days, summer has finally arrived. It’s this time of year that we all remember exactly why we are here. It’s a beautiful time of year to live here, with beautiful weather and nature rewards all who are in it’s presence.
Flowers in the Front Yard
So, a few updates of possible interest for all of you out there…
Plenty more photos and words to come. Please take the time to SUBSCRIBE NOW, so that I can lay off the spam. You can also receive email updates if you prefer, but either way please keep in touch.
Love and light,
Jason
