These past 3 weeks were spent entirely on packing up our Loire home. We wrapped and packed, and stored and transported furniture, cartons. We sorted, threw away, gave away and tried to keep only what we really love and need. It felt great to lighten the load, both in terms of material stuff and mind stuff. Never do I want to own so much stuff again. Since living here in the barn at Coin Perdu with the bare necessities, I have come to realize with how little we can actually be comfortable. I think in this modern age we live with far too much unnecessary “stuff”.

When we locked the door behind us of our Loire home to get into the truck with the last few things on its way to coin Perdu, I took a walk through my garden. I absolutely loved my little “jardin de curé”. I worked so hard in that garden, changing it every so often and I loved every minute of it. I am posting a few images…I have so many, not possible to show them all and of course they will have much more meaning for me, but I hope you can see a little of the joy I’ve experienced in my Loire garden.

…a typical “Tourangelle maison” on the banks of the Loire river.”

garden 2008 2000x3008. Loire home

…for my first birthday in our Loire house 12 years ago, mon chéri gave me a “garguile” from the chateau de Chauvigny, which we converted into a fountain..  garden 2008 1520x1884

..I adored the Loire house’s windows. I couldn’t wait for summers to keep them open morning noon and night..

garden 2008 1819x2544

We only closed the “volets” at night when sleeping..sometimes…

Garden 2008 1964x2534

..and flowerpots on the windowsills…what else!..

garden 2008 2048x1536-001

..the “garguile” peeked through white climbing iceberg roses, close by “un olivier” in a pot..

Garden 2008 2048x1536

..on the terrace – urn planted with boxwood..

garden 2008 1817x1530

..the “jardin de curé” was filled with everything I loved..and still love. Originally I tried to stick to white and blue, but as always, what we plan what eventually realizes aren’t the same…most of the time it turns out better..

garden 2008 2048x1536-004

..corners are a favorite of mine..whether in the gardne, the house, the fields…

garden 2008 2610x1982

..I adored my atelier! I will definitely miss it. It was the old stables of the hopuse which mon chéri turned ito the atelier for me, complete with fireplace, keeeping the old beams and features of the stables intact..To the left of the collage down below, is my galery, which was one of the old caves we turned into my galery.

garden 2008 5120x5120. art studio

..during summers, we pragmatically lived outside in the garden..

garden 2008 2822x1994

garden 2008 3008x2000

garden 2008 3008x2000-001

I hope you enjoyed this trip through the garden during 12 years of living in our Loire home. . I hope you’ll join me in writing our new chapter here at Coin Perdu.

I will soon start posting recipes again, as soon as I can get some order in the chaos here . Bear with me..!

I wish you all a great 2014!

à bientôt

Ronelle

35 thoughts on “Beginning of a new chapter.”

  1. I love the new header..all the home and garden pics..
    I will love following your new chapter..
    So many precious items..not found in stores:-)
    I would have had a hard time deciding what stays and what goes.
    Store stuff..is different.
    Happy trails Ronelle..you look beautiful.

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  2. I know what you mean about acquiring too much stuff. We are slowly weeding out stuff here, too. At Christmas we sorted ornaments and such and made a box for the kids, should they EVER settle down and actually have their own Christmas trees.
    Your Loire home is beautiful. The garden everything I could ever want!
    But…you will create more beauty at Coin Perdu, I am sure. Thanks for letting us have a
    view into French life.

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  3. Thanks for sharing your journey with us,cannot wait for all your new ventures!

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  4. Every happiness in your new home! My husband and I have come to the realization we have too much “stuff” and are beinging a similar journey.

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  5. I’m wishing you all the best with your new chapter. I have moved 11 times over the years and while always looking ahead with great delight, I have found it a little hard to say goodbye to the homes that gave me so much pleasure. For some reason your posts were not showing up in my reader so I have unsubscribed and resubscribed to follow along on your new adventure and wonderful recipes in this coming new year. 🙂

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  7. Ronelle – Thank you for sharing your garden with us. Bonne Annee, and I’m sure your Coin Perdu house will be as lovely as your Loire home, your art, and your spirit.

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  8. It’s always hard leaving a home you’ve loved, but I know you’ll be happy in your new home at ‘Le Coin Perdu ‘ I look forward to seeing if the seeds I sent you will like their new home.

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  9. “Not better, not worse…but different.” Baskets of good wishes to you, Ronelle.As always, I look forward to your new posts.

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  11. I loved that house and your garden there. So glad I got a chance to visit! Your new life beckons.. and I know it is and will be a glorious new phase of your life! xoxo

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  12. Wonderful photos!! Your Loire home was a lovely place but somehow I know your new home will be filled with as much charm. Happy new adventure to you and I’ll look forward to joining in this new chapter.

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  13. Your home was beautiful……….could you hear me gasping for air when I entered the jar din?!!Love love love the boxwood in all the urns…………..LOVE THE PHOTO OF YOU!
    Next chapter will be GRAND……………..I will be waiting with baited breath!

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  15. Happy New Year and all the best for the new chapter! Wonderful images of your last one. Liebe Grüße Albrecht

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  16. So glad to finally see what you look like in the new header!
    Your post has inspired me to work harder to pare down as well. Clutter has a way of weighing on our conscience and causing stress.
    Looking forward to your new recipes.

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  17. Hi Ronelle

    What a beautiful picture of you! I love the new header. Thank you for this lovely post. I am so grateful that I was fortunate to visit you at your beautiful Loire home. What wonderful memories I have…! I can hardly wait for your new posts on Coin Perdu! May you and your family enjoy a blessed 2014! 🙂

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  19. Anita..I thought I’d start showing myself along with throwing out all the old..here’s to new and clean beginnings!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  21. Thank you for your lovely comments..and yes…at last a photo of me. I thought it high time to le go(along with all the extra baggage) of my fear and finickiness about being photographed etc. We only live once don’t we? Have a good 2014

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  23. Thanks Laura…unfortunately you came in winter…next time you drop by in siummer and we can also go sketching and painting etc..will be fun having you here!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  24. Thank you suzanne…I don’t know about the perfection bit…with such an old house we were always in trouble and fixing something…but it was a good 12 years!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  25. Thanks Dinah, that is what I believe too..never wrong, just different!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  26. Thanks Barbara…I look forward to my new garden and to my corner of poppies!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  27. Thank you Toni…and a bonne année to you too! I AM looking forward to our new home and garden and my art and may my spirit be renewed as well..yes!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  29. Thanks Karen…11 times, wow, that is quite a number.. And yes, not easy to lift roots – I actually think a little of us stay behind in each home we live/lived.

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  30. Thanks Barbara…and good luck on your “minimalizing” journey too…keep me updated on how it is going!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  32. Thanks Caterina…here’s to passing on our stuff to the kids and spend time on our gardens!

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  33. Thanks Monique…thanks for the thumbs up on the header…it too me a bit of courage to put it up. Of course I will follow you too on all your adventures this year, like I’ve been doing the past 5/6(?)years…have always loved it and will too…

    Ronelle Myfrenchkitchen Coin Perdu Africantapestry Café des artistes

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  34. I love the photos of your Loire home, Ronelle. Happy New Year to you and best of luck with your new endeavor. A bientôt!

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  35. Ronellle, what a beautiful home. It must have been so difficult to pack up and leave but I am sure you will make your new home a very special place.

    Eileen

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