Joyeux Noel!

 A birthday was celebrated last week... 35, holy moly. There were chocolate croissants - bien sur - and train trips through France and Switzerland (not as romantic as it sounds with a toddler in tow) and help from the little man to blow out birthday candles.

I am feeling a little sentimental for the sun and the summer festivity of an Australian December, but am also trying to just take in the joys of a French winter with family that we don't see too often. We're off again on one more little trip before Christmas (I'm going to need a holiday after this holiday) and so I'll say this now... wishing you and your families a joyous Christmas wherever you may be in this wide world.
Gros Bisous! xx joanna

p.s. I dropped my phone on ceramic tiles yesterday and needless to say, it's a little worse for wear. So for you followers on instagram, I'll be a little absent for a while!

Snippets

A few little snapshots from the last couple of weeks.
The photos - and our time here in France - have been dominated by the snow. A first for Leo, and  a novelty for me, a girl from an Australian city. Of course, there was also Paris. We won't talk about the tears on the train, but otherwise the food, the galleries, the views, the snow, the head space... well it was all wonderful. But there was much delight in seeing the smiling face of my little one again (though he was more interested in the train I'd just stepped off) and now we potter and wander and prepare for Christmas and visit friends in Switzerland and eat more cheese...
xx

* the grandparent's house in the mountains
* he was not so sure about this first experience of snow...
* Andy Warhol at the Centre Pompidou in Paris
* Pompidou
* A rainy, snowy day in Paris
* Of course, I had to go and buy macarons
* We had to tell him that there were no cars back then, but still, it was Jesus, sheep and cars in the nativity scene
* The last two photos are of a glorious sunny day in the snow - skiing, tobogganing and general good times.

(p.s. for some reason I can no longer view youtube videos despite various efforts, so music mondays are on indefinite vacation)

eek...

It's chilly here.

Last week we went up to the nearby mountains to give Leo his first glimpse of the white stuff. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen snow fall and I think - no, I know - that I was more excited about it than he was. And it bucketed down. It was beautiful and enchanting and all those things that snow is when you don't have to live in it.

This weekend, I am being completely decadent and am hopping on a train to go back up to Paris for 2 nights ON MY OWN. I've never spent a night away from Leo so I'm a bit nervous about that. But the overriding emotion is one of excitement at being able to wander the streets alone, going wherever my feet and heart fancy. To walk and visit galleries and eat and browse and wander and eat and drink and eat. Without having to consult anyone, or discuss plans or be anywhere by a particular time or change a nappy. Completely decadent. xx

Music Monday #10

Well we made it. And the flight wasn't too bad. Still it was a long and exhasting trip and it is lovely now to be here with hubby's family, letting them soak up the goodness of time with their grandson. I have only ever been here in the summer time so it's a somewhat strange experience being here now with the leaves falling, the mist rolling in in the mornings and the short, dark days. Papi's harvest is no longer peaches and berries and cos salads, but endive and carrots and kiwis. It's lovely to observe the stark contrast of seasons and let Leo embrace it too.

So from chilly France back to Melbourne for a moment with today's Music Monday (it's still monday here!). I love this local duo, Sweet Jean, and this song and this cute little clip. Enjoy and next fortnight I may pull out a Frenchie one...
happy week!

bon voyage...

ok, I think we're just about ready to go. This is Leo this morning after receiving a going away gift from Grandma... his very own little carry on bag with a tractor on it (vehicle obsession going on at the moment) and headphones for the plane.

If it's a horrendous flight, it won't be because I'm not prepared! Our apartment is looking as clean and tidy as it ever has, as we've put it on airbnb so that people can rent it while we're away. And it's already proving popular... so that's a bit exciting. I almost don't want to leave, it's looking so spick!
But leave we are and so bring on that white Christmas.... I'll check in here every now and then, and will be on instagram (miettehandmade) so see you there! xx

ooh, almost forgot... this photo was taken with my new 50mm lens - an early birthday present from my family! I don't think I mentioned here that I did Tim Coulson's workshop in Melbourne a while ago and  was inspired to update my kit. Happy I have!

Oui oui...

Yes indeed, this time next week we will be in Paris. It's quit hard to get my head around (as is the idea of going back to Winter). We will spend a day there with cousins and then head down on the fast train to hubby's parents' house in a little village in the South where we will spend six weeks. Six weeks of family and cheese and snow in the mountains and Leo having a good dose of his French grandparents.

I'm looking forward to it (particularly the few days I'm treating myself to in Paris... ALONE!). Though not so much to a 24 hour plane trip with an energetic almost 2 year old. Last time we did it he was six months old and was either sleeping or breastfeeding most of the way. This time, I'm expecting a completely different experience and I'm preparing my little bag of tricks. Any ideas or tips gladly welcomed!

Music Monday #9

A couple of weekends ago, we got away to the beach house and caught up with friends and family, and on rest and relaxation. My sister brought with her a box of old CDs that had been hidden away for a while and we spent an evening going through them, playing our favourite songs, being transported back to earlier times and places and sharing our memories.
I found this old song that takes me back to one particular summer in a share house during my early twenties. I love love love it. I had it on this awesome album (part of the fabulous Back to Mine series) if you're interested.