Secret Project number one

Last week, a pile of friends (new and old) signed up for my secret project. The secret project might remain pretty secret for those who haven't had the courage/energy/eagerness for a little extra project right now... but I can tell you that each week I will feature a project from a different someone special. Each project will be unique- there are lots of possibilities out there, and I only suggested a few assignments to get some brains ticking and tocking. Yes, I have offered prizes to all participants, and no, I will not tell you what the prizes are! Each prize is handmade, and each one is made specifically for each person who participates. They're all different! A prize will be mailed to each project-maker as I receive the projects. Feel free to share your project with the internet once you have it... but I don't think I'll be giving any more hints.

   
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasongcampbell

This first little project comes from France. From Paris specifically, by way of Angouleme, by way of Seattle, and of course, by way of Mukilteo. I may have missed a few other places in between, but by now you get where she is from.

photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasongcampbell

Enjoy!

I happen to get this question a lot, particularly from my family, most of whom don't understand the rush of emotion you get from traveling somewhere new and different. I hear, 'What's so great about France? The people aren't nice and they eat some weird stuff, right?' and I get a little squeamish. Not that I feel the same, au contraire. I want to get up and shout, 'Freedom!' but I usually just say something like, 'It's different and I like that,' which is also the truth, but one that is easier to swallow. People, especially your family don't like to hear that you need space sometimes. Say, roughly, 6,000 miles of space and an ocean in between. France has become my haven of sorts. I've been coming here since 2004, in short and longer stays. I slowly developed my endurance and I've been living in southwest France for the last two years now. Of course there have been days when I just wanted to take the next plane 'home', but if I've learned anything from being here it's that I'm my own home. Near or far, I'll always be where I need to be and where I'm loved. The necessity to build a life is different, and that's the part that can get a little tricky and messy. I was lucky enough to find a job here that gave me lots of time to play, travel around and get my bearings, and I even met the love of life while participating in a work 'activity' (ie. party). Everyday this country becomes more of a 'home' and I become more of a 'me', if that makes any sense. The things that once seemed strange have become the standard and I know I would have a hard time going back to the way my life was before in the US. The thing that really makes me smile deep down inside though is when I find a happy medium, a blending of a past and future tenses.

A road trip, the ocean, a cool breeze.

photo by lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble

When I was young my mother and I would always jump in the car and drive. If there was anything wrong it would clear our heads and give us new ideas. We'd usually go on the weekend, but sometimes we'd even take mini-trips on evenings after school. We'd go nowhere, anywhere, somewhere. Most of the time we went to visit the ocean to say hello. We'd roll the windows all the way down and let the wind make the soundtrack that we would sing back. I know it all sounds a little nostalgic, but really, those times in the car on the way to the ocean are my some best memories from my younger days. Any time that I can recapture them are like a slice of heaven. In France, I don't drive. It's one of the simple pleasures that I have not yet had the courage to attempt. I'll say that it's the size of the roads and how recklessly people drive here, but it's probably just the fact that I have yet to learn how to drive a manual shift. I could have my license tomorrow if I wanted, but for now I'll take the view from the passenger's seat, merci. I'm lucky enough to have a husband that knows that all he needs to do to keep me happy is take me somewhere every once in a while.

Last weekend the Family and I decided to take advantage of the good weather that is still lingering about and we took a trip to the ocean.

 

photo by lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble

I sat in the back, enjoying the full effect of the wind. My little pink shoes are from Spain, made of cotton and perfect for hot, beachy settings.

   

photo by lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble

If you're ever on the road in the south of France you'll see this; vineyards as far as the eye can see. Rouge, blanc, et surtout, Bordeaux. I'll admit that I don't drink wine that much but summer afternoons do call for a little splash of white wine.

 

photo by lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble
 

We stopped at a little wine producer that we like and knows us well by now. His wine was the gold medal winner at the Salon in Paris this year so his stock has been going fast but he always keeps a few cases aside for us. Since we're going to a wedding a few weeks we picked up a little extra and he was very happy. His vines receive the salty ocean air, get lots of sunshine and I think they must be very happy.

 

photo by lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble

Picnics at the beach are always a little tricky, especially when it's windy, but this was a pretty good choice. Tomato and tuna salad and fresh bread on the side. It's not fancy, but the homegrown tomatoes and spanish tuna really can't be beat. We also had some nuts, homegrown peaches, duck rillettes (like a pate), and lemonade. C'est bon!

photos by lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble

Sometimes it's nice to get to away, even just for day. It really doesn't have to be that far.

Sometimes it's hard to be far from the ones that I love. It's important for me to be able to share experiences with them, so in a way that's why I started my blog. I know it's not the same thing as being there, but at least my family can see my adventures, big and small. Maybe someday they will understand that I need the time and space to explore. Sure, not everyday is a day at the beach, but any troubles make the good moments even more special.

After two years of being in France, when everyday things start to lose their luster, well, I have to look harder but it's no less rewarding to find something new. Noticing that the ground beneath my feet actually shines and shimmers, there's nothing better than that.

 

To see more of M's work and adventures, check out http://lesmotsquivonttresbienensemble.blogspot.com/

 

If you do want to get involved in the project, simply send me an email (mipiacekate@gmail.com) with your mailing address, and maybe an introduction if we don't know each other, and I'll send you the secret project details.