I wrote an article for LEEF, an Afrikaans magazine in SA, about our life here in France. Their February summer issue was devoted to all things French and I was asked to do a contribution. I called it “In the shade of the walnut tree”. This is our favorite spot in summer time where we enjoy our apéros and amuses bouches, long lazy lunches and philosophical discussions.
So…for the Afrikaans readers out there; the February issue of LEEF magazine is still available on the shelves. For my English and other readers I will soon translate the article into English and post it here.
In the meantime, here in the French countryside we are enveloped in the blankets of winter with misty days, rain, and cloudy skies. It makes for an ambiance filled season and we all enjoy gathering in the bistros around cups of coffee or chocolat chauds. Those more daring go for a glass of Ricard. We talk about the cold and the rain congested soil and what we’re having for dinner. Nestled in the misty hills, the chimneys have trails of smoke. The kitchens smell of les potages, soupes et veloutés and long sauce bourguignons. Our animals are safely sheltered in the stables while the fields are left bare for regrowth. We are cocooning.
à la prochaine fois!
Ronelle
Myfrenchkitchen 
Congratulations! I will mention to Shel.. she lives in SA:)
C’est beau!!
Bon Weekend Ronelle..
Love when I see a post from you~
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Blog’s looking good Ronelle and congratulations on being featured in “Leef” magazine, great stuff! I’ll certainly get a copy!
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Love this adventure and your creative ability to share it in such a graphic way!
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Congratulations! Beautiful winter weather and lanscapes.
Cheers,
Rosa
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Congratulations on being featured in a magazine, look forward to seeing the translation. We too have had lots of rain, but we’ve also had short bursts of sunshine in between the rain, not for long, but enough to cheer me up.
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They are very clever to have asked to you write about your beautiful life. XXE
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YOU COCOON NICELY!LOve the photo of you in the petite window!
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Congratulations, Ronelle! However, there is something about “the February summer issue” that just doesn’t sound right here in the frozen Midwest U.S. 🙂 I will look forward to seeing the issue when you post it. Beautiful shots of the countryside and your hot chocolate and croissants look perfect on a cold, winter day.
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I just loved this post….I dashed out to get the magazine and came back with the Tuis instead! So angry with myself. Monique had emailed me to let me know you had featured.
Congrats to you and best of luck with your home in the mountains.
It all sounds so romantic..I will go out again later in the week and see if I can get a copy of Leef.
I had such pleasure now sitting and reading your last few posts. Beautiful and so creative.
Love the French onion soup and your sketches.
Shel x
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Congratulations Ronelle, that is wonderful. I know it must be exciting to see your article in the magazine and I can certainly see why they would want you to write for them about your life in France. We are cocooning here in New England as well but instead of rain we have snow. 🙂
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“In the shade of the walnut tree” sounds delightful, Ronelle … congratulations! So enjoy your countryside images.
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I am enjoying your blog so much Ronelle. It is good to have found you. We love traveling to France and I enjoy cooking French inspired meals. Hope your Spring weather has cleared the foggy wintry landscape away. Congratulations on your article.
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