August - been there done that! But let's finish July first!!

 

I know, I know I say it every time "where has the time gone?" I honestly don't know where it is going but trying to make the most of this rather hot month has been hard! It's too hot to go outside (36 degrees for nearly 3 weeks!) but we have had some fun anyway - you can't let the heat stop you getting on with life can you now?

So I left you early on in July and we had enjoyed our 25th Wedding Anniversary - which I still can't believe has been and gone, we spent so long deciding what we wanted to maybe do - we just kind of did something which we probably didn't intend to do but made some lovely memories!

Just a few days after our special weekend away it was back to work and a really lovely, relaxed and fun Wedding was in the dairy! I have known Paul and Susan for some years so it was great to be working with them and capturing their special day!

Beautiful Flowers by Lisa of French Flower Style

I think most people enjoyed delving into the Sweet Bar! 

July as always where our family spends an afternoon making music (Naomi and Rob this year) and taking photographs (me!) in aid of the ATCP (Association Tchernobyl Charente Poitou) this year we found out that the funding that has brought so many children over to France for their much needed respite has been pulled - at this moment in time myself and friends are planning how best to raise funds for next year) 

Musique Pleine Aire certainly helped but at 700€ per child it's going to be hard and we so badly want to see the beautiful Paulina, Sasha and Kristina (and others) back here next year!

Laura joined us this year with some beautiful classical music

Réne Patin the President of ATCP 

Friends of Naomi Grace came along again this year to support the event.

It's always fun and laughter when Mandy and Naomi come together to sing! 

The following day was more Music again this time NaomiGrace was singing at Epènede, she was invited back this year and it was bigger - much bigger and there was a pyramid stage which she found rather awesome!

And then back to Life through the Lens in July we of course have Sunflowers, Sunsets and not forgetting the rest of the flowers and Butterflies!

 

We also celebrated my Mums birthday at the Auberge du Noyer nr. Lodigny and commissioned a Digital Art Print of  Dougal their dog by Rosie a rather talented young lady and which they are rather thrilled with!

We had friends come for a very short stay and it was lovely to catch up after eight years and finally meeting their "baby" boy who is now six! I rest my case TIME does fly!!

Finally I have to share this with you we are rather partial to taking "Selfies" not only on our Gin night but wherever we go - it's a way of Making our very Own Memories so when I saw this in the shop I had to buy it for Mr PJP - can you see the likeness? ;) And no, he isn't going to grow a beard but he does wear a rather nice hat :)

 I think August will be very quick this month as I need to play catch up and have some exciting news to share as well - soooo keep reading :)

Thank you for reading my rambles - half my problem is by the time I get to writing I have forgotten so much which is why my Life through the Lens really does help when it comes to remembering - Memories are a wonderful thing :)

A few links for you from the blog...
Life through the Lens

PJP Events and Marketing Photography

Making Memories - Wedding and Portrait Photography

Auberge du Noyer

Rosie and the Wolf

Naomi Grace

French Flower Style

Laura Springham - Violinist

MAY day.....fun!

Well firstly how is May already? And secondly it's quite funny reading today about how people are having a long weekend Bank Holiday - here in France our Fête de Travail is on the 1st, which meant basically everywhere would be closed and on the day - and long may that continue! But it's not just about the day off, oh no France also has a wonderful tradition of giving bunches of Lily of the Valley to friends and family as a good luck charm.

Here is a little about May Day – Fête du Muguet

Labour-Day-Lily-of-the-Valley copy
Lily of the Valley
May 1st (May Day) is known worldwide as Labour Day.
In France May Day is also the Fête du Muguet when the French greet each others with a sprig or a small bouquet of lily of the valley, a flower that is considered a lucky charm. The tradition dates back to the beginning of the century. Unemployed people went into the woods that were still found in the big cities’ suburbs to pick lilies of the valley. Unemployment benefits did not exist so people had to find ways of making ends meet! 

The lily of the valley is in full bloom in late April early May. It is one of those wild plants that spread very quickly, invading clearings and edges of wood! It grows everywhere and is almost considered as a weed. People just needed the patience of picking it and composing small bouquets which they tied with a ribbon. They sold them in the markets as women once loved to decorate their blouses with a sprig of lily of the valley. This custom was a remainder of the old pagan tradition when people celebrated spring by adorning themselves with flowers. Many provinces have retained a version of this ancient tradition by decorating a pole (May Pole) with flowers. This is reminiscent of the tradition of planting a flowering tree outside the door of the girls to marry off. It was followed by a feast during which they widely celebrated spring, nature and love!

In the language of flowers, the lily of the valley symbolizes ‘marital happiness’.
It was natural to link the flower to dating, and the popular dances “Bals du Muguet” were organized every year so that singles could meet their soul mate.
The girls dressed in white and young men wore a sprig of lily on their lapel; parents and chaperons were banned from attending!
The lily of the valley has been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages but it is said to originate from Japan where it is considered a symbol of spring.
Some sources, however, attest that the Celts knew the flower and already considered it a lucky charm.
The French tradition of giving a sprig of lily of the valley as a good luck charm on the first day of May originates from May 1, 1561 when King Charles IX received a sprig.


Sadly although it has seemingly been a bumper crop of flowers this year, I haven't found any potted in the shops this year, over the last couple of years I have bought them in the pots and planted them up - and enjoying their lovely scent from April to May! 

We did something completely different this year however, we had the lovely Bartonettes join us for a Musical workshop or as we like to call it *Star for a Day* making dreams come true, for Scarlett she has always wanted to sing into a proper mic - so she did!

Singing "Arpeggios" from Aristocats for the first time, and being recorded at the same time!

My youngest giving a little singing guidance so that Scarlett could make the best of her newly found voice! Sam enjoying his first time beating out a rhythm on the Cajon, and he did very well!

A little shyer than his twin sister, but Sam soon found his voice and sang his version of "Arpeggios"

Sophia is only five so not quite into sight reading just yet, so she chose one of her fave nursery rhymes - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.....

On hearing her recording her first words were "That's not my voice!" It took us all a while to convince her that indeed yes - that is you singing!

it's all about the photos now!

Mad!

We had a really fab time and I know the children didn't want to pack up and leave, I think we thought 3 hours was quite enough when it was planned but they had only just started rocking out to Abba - so we have sent them on their way home, to work on a few of their fave songs - so they can come back in Summer and do it all again!

For more photos of our *Star for a Day* please visit PamelaJaynePhotographyMakingMemories where you can see a few more captures of the Bartonettes having fun!