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Up close and personal … sort of …

June 29, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Join me in the garden of this beautiful home … can’t we just move here … ? Or at least have a writers’ retreat here? Or just all sit around and tell stories?

France-PSandsPhotos
France-PSandsPhotos

I know I just posted this photo a little while ago but I love this place SO much I just had to do it again. Excusez-moi.

First of all, I know it’s Saturday. Here’s my story and I apologize if you feel it is TMI. I began to think about my post last evening and ended up falling asleep at my computer … seriously … I was leaning on my elbow, perusing my French photos and suddenly – THUNK! My head hit the keyboard … I thought it was time to take a hint …

I normally have tons of energy but this month has been crazier than most with three weekend drives up to cottage country – one to speak to the wonderful women of Haliburton Highlands CFUW, one to attend the CAA CanWrite!2013 conference, and one to meet with the other tour leaders for the amazing Women’s Travel Network who have organized the ten-day tour to the south of France that I will be leading in June 2014, along with my speaking partner Susan Sommers. ( p.s. There are only 6 spots left!)

This week my DH and I drove to Stratford on Wednesday to join my brother and his wife  in seeing Blithe Spirit written by the always cleverly entertaining Noël Coward. Then on Thursday Susan and I drove to London where I was invited to speak at the first Cocktails

canstockphoto12590151
canstockphoto12590151

and Conversation event organized by Cynthia O’Neill, founder of the outstanding Power of The Purse women’s conferences.  What an enjoyable evening that was with so many interesting and involved women from the London, ON area.

I owe a great deal of thanks to a lot of people for making June so full of exciting, stimulating, occasions. In between all of that I’ve been doing the usual – writing, blogging, making deadlines. SO … all this is to say that for the rest of this holiday weekend (in Canada) I’m going to move away from my computer to play golf, tennis and bridge and hang out with my DH and some wonderful friends (at least for today and tomorrow … I might be writing again on Monday … yeah …)

Bon weekend tout le monde! Have a great weekend and take time to have fun! What plans do you have?

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Filed Under: Blog, News Tagged With: Canadian Author Association, Cynthia O'Neill, Haliburton Highlands CFUW, Power Of The Purse, Stratford Festival, Susan Sommers, Womens Travel Network

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Edith says

    June 29, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    What a lushly gorgeous photo! Imagine a writing retreat here….aaahhhh! Enjoy your short sabbatical! :0 xxx

    Reply
  2. sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. says

    June 29, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Patricia – Never ever apologize for posting pictures of beautiful gardens. If it weren’t for European style gardens and my ability to replicate them, I’m sure I’d have lost my sanity many times over by now. Just this morning when I let the dogs out, I marveled at how well my front door garden was thriving (as an English garden) in spite of our oppressive three digit heat and high 90% humidity. For my mental health I make time to venture into my multiple flower gardens each evening that I’m home to putter, maintain, water and meditate on the glorious creations I’ve been provided. Have a wonderful weekend and yes, I too have fallen asleep at the keyboard.

    Reply
  3. Angeline M says

    June 29, 2013 at 4:29 pm

    I am relieved to know I’m not the only one to fall asleep at the computer.
    That is a gorgeous photo! Happy weekend.

    Reply
  4. Julie Farrar says

    June 29, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    Agreed — perfect for a writer’s retreat

    Reply
  5. Bernadette says

    June 29, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    That picture makes me want to go back to South of France again this year, but it will not be happening! Just ordered your new book online, will have to suffice with reading about it instead. Can’t wait to get it!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 12:31 pm

      Thanks Bernadette! I was looking for you and must reconnect on your blog. You will recognize a lot of the places in the story and I hope it takes you back to lovely memories.

      Reply
  6. fransiweinstein says

    June 29, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    My goodness, no wonder you’re tired! Have a fun — and restful — long weekend.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 10:01 am

      I will, Fransi, and you too! I just snuck on here to quickly say hello and I promise we are leaving for the golf course shortly. What are you up to?

      Reply
      • fransiweinstein says

        June 30, 2013 at 11:21 am

        Brunch with friends 🙂

        Reply
  7. vastlycurious.com says

    June 29, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    or just gaze longingly at your photograph : )

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:59 am

      LOL … to quote a blogging friend of mine “le sigh … “

      Reply
  8. Patricia Caviglia says

    June 29, 2013 at 8:59 pm

    That house is where I pictured Katherine living her first trip to Provence.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:59 am

      And why not?

      Reply
  9. photosfromtheloonybin says

    June 29, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Have a wonderful weekend!! 🙂

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:58 am

      Thanks … and you! Ooops – I’m not supposed to be on my computer today. Off to golf soon, I promise!

      Reply
  10. Isabella Rose says

    June 30, 2013 at 3:09 am

    The first photo is my ideal home!! Where in France is it??

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:57 am

      I agree wholeheartedly! Who wouldn’t want to live surrounded by that beauty and atmosphere? It’s a private villa in a town along the coast, 15 minutes west of Nice.

      Reply
  11. thephotoseye says

    June 30, 2013 at 3:22 am

    Beautiful photo of a beautiful house and gardens….very inviting!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Your shutter would be steaming there! You know what that’s like!

      Reply
      • thephotoseye says

        June 30, 2013 at 1:15 pm

        Absolutely! French gardens are lovely….then throw in lovely architecture and well – click click click! Enjoy your weekend!

        Reply
  12. fatimasaysell says

    June 30, 2013 at 9:05 am

    Beautiful garden! We are getting our motorhome ready for departure to France, Belgium, Germany and Italy next Friday. can’t wait!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      June 30, 2013 at 9:54 am

      Bon voyage! That sounds like a wonderful trip! Take lots of photos and stay safe. 🙂

      Reply
      • fatimasaysell says

        June 30, 2013 at 9:56 am

        Thank you. I will. 🙂

        Reply
  13. filbio says

    June 30, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    That picture looks like the kind of place I would like to own as a summer getaway! So nice.

    Too funny that you fell asleep on your computer. I think we are all a bit addicted!

    Reply
    • Patricia Sands says

      June 30, 2013 at 1:12 pm

      Addicted. Yes. Happy 4th this week!

      Reply
  14. RoseMary Leddy says

    July 2, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    Just finished The Promise of Provence, and your France was sure nothing like my France 55 years ago. We lived for 16 months near Angeloume when my hub was in the Army, in a “town house” very similar to your picture, which was so damp the wallpaper was falling off the wall where it wasn’t mouldy and the hot water came from a 5 gallon tank above the kitchen sink. It made for very short showers. Sadly, no garden, we were barely 4 feet off the main highway. Wish I could have done it again when I was older and wiser and less homesick.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      July 3, 2013 at 12:34 am

      My goodness, that sounds like another book! I hope you enjoyed taking a trip in slightly different circumstances in the story. Thanks for the taking the time to stop and comment.

      Reply

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