the lazy french country sunday

by Sharon Santoni

small potatoes ready for baking

All those of us in the colder parts of the norther hemisphere have got to that really nitty gritty part of the winter where the wind is cold, the mud is thick and boots a necessity.  Oh yes, and where the dogs are dirtier than you ever thought possible.

tinh potatoes in paper bag

So what is the best way to deal with this damp grey month when you live in the country?

winter vegetables

Of course, if I had rashly made any new year’s resolutions then I’d be doing my best to stick to them and probably be spending most of my time at the gym or outdoors with the dogs.

potatoes and meat for lunch

However, I was not in resolution mode this year, and therefore have no issues  with the idea of spending a sunday in front of the fire, of sharing a lovely meal with those I love most and just enjoying the smaller, but oh so significant bits of everyday life.

chocolate mousse with ingredients

A good meal, a quick stroll up to the field to feed the horse is always on the schedule at some point, but for the rest of the day, there is a charmingly liberating lack of urgency.

A permission to do very little, which in today’s world does a great deal of good.  Time to read, to chat over a shared meal, to share the preparation of that meal

red wine in glass with baguette

So I hope that today, you too, manage to make a little time for yourself and for those around you.  To forget about the crazy schedule we all seem to create for ourselves all week long, and to focus on the small things.

The important stuff.

36 comments

Marika February 1, 2015 - 3:37 pm

Excellent blog! I agree with everything you wrote. Thank you!

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Myriam van Beurden February 1, 2015 - 4:47 pm

Agree with what you write ! You can write ! love the way you create your centences . Thank you

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Sharon Santoni February 1, 2015 - 8:30 pm

Thank you ….. I live it when people agree with me !)

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Sharon Santoni February 1, 2015 - 8:31 pm

That would be love , not live !

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Jody February 1, 2015 - 3:41 pm

It is often the tiny, precious moments that mean the most.

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Sharon Santoni February 1, 2015 - 8:35 pm

precisely Jody, but you have to take the time to notice them 🙂

xx

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jeri brain February 1, 2015 - 3:54 pm

it’s these moments that we remember most… the quiet time we share with loved one or neighbors… today, is super bowl sunday in usa… 5-8 inches of snow due in southern michigan, and my day will be spent making two dips for my neighbor’s party later on today… keeping my stoop cleaned off for my five ferals and lighting a fire as i made the dips… a total bliss day… god bless you for sharing yours… hugs2u

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Sharon Santoni February 1, 2015 - 8:39 pm

happy super bowl day !! 🙂

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Patricia Cowan February 1, 2015 - 4:04 pm

I just posted a blog with a similar tale of walking the woods and making soup…what better way to spend a Sunday…but ever so much better at your place than mine here in Virginia! Love your blog, follow and always share with friends…photos are inspiring!

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Sharon Santoni February 1, 2015 - 8:41 pm

Patricia, I am sure that it is beautiful in Virginia …. walking in the woods and making soup sounds good to me

xx

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Karena February 1, 2015 - 4:09 pm

Waking up to snow this morning, makes this just the kind of day you describe Sharon. Taking time for ourselves and loved ones. I love your photography in black and white!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

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Sharon Santoni February 1, 2015 - 8:46 pm

black and white is great now and then Karena, we haven’t had much snow yet, but I’d like a little, even if its only enough for a few pictures 🙂

xx

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JUDY February 1, 2015 - 4:30 pm

I wish all humanity could slow down and as you say celebrate the common place. To use the wedding china and the silver, the pretty goblets and a snow white linen cloth every day. To savor taste and fragrance and to take notice of Life in its passage and to be softly happy at this moment and never look for happiness in the moments yet to come. If we weren’t so hell bent on the future moment we might see the devastation of mountain top mining, timbering the rain forests, factory ships over fishing our Oceans, chemical fertilizers and insect spraying and melting polar ice. We possess a beautiful planet and we ought to take as gentle care of it as we do our little ones.

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:20 am

You are right Sally, we do need to take more care of the big and the little things
x

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Sophia February 1, 2015 - 5:05 pm

I couldn’t agree more Sharon……am currently sitting happily in front of a roaring fire here in freezing Kent after a happy family lunch. Nothing better!

Sophia x

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:23 am

Hi Sophia, we’d be lost without those log fires, I’m sure that Kent must look beautiful in the frost 🙂

x

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Colleen Taylor February 1, 2015 - 5:15 pm

Well said so elegantly well depicted Sharon. Your blog post this morning mimics the weather outside we’ve been having. We are not living up to our “valley of the sun” image of late!

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:27 am

Then maybe you appreicate the novelty factor Colleen! 🙂

xx

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Betsy February 1, 2015 - 6:33 pm

Lovely! It really is the little things!

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:28 am

🙂

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Heather in Arles February 1, 2015 - 6:48 pm

This was my yesterday where I didn’t get up from the couch (and the pupper cuddled up next to me, snoozing) unless it was to stoke the fire. Heaven.

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Leslie in Oregon February 1, 2015 - 8:33 pm

Heaven to me, too!

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:29 am

I think we can all relate to that pleasure Heather. Hope you are keeping well

xx

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melissa o'toole February 1, 2015 - 7:43 pm

Being from California I still am excited when it snows here in Pennsylvania, even after 10 years. Today clear but 6 inches of snow on ground, more snow will come tonight, so my 14 year old daughter and I rode horses in the snow, cleaned the Barn, Went for a beautiful walk in the bright sun and snow and then tonight we make dinner while husband and son go next door to watch football and my daughter and I will clean tack and watch Downton abby. Love these days!!

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:31 am

This really sounds like my idea of heaven Melissa, such precious moments are shared on horseback, I am so grateful for all the time I spent riding with my girls

xx

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Leslie in Little Rock February 1, 2015 - 8:17 pm

Yes! After spending the morning journaling and reading my devotional/Bible. I am now ready to cuddle up with my new book- All the Light We Cannot See, and my snoring Cavalier, Baby, by my side. Glad I’m not only one in pursuit of non-pursuits! Love the pictures and post.

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:33 am

Thank you Leslie

xx

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Nina February 1, 2015 - 9:06 pm

Notice you said you went to feed the “horse” in the singular. Did I miss something? Used to love to see pics of them.

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Sharon Santoni February 2, 2015 - 10:35 am

Ah, my readers have eagle eyes! No Nina, they are both still there, the ‘horse’ was just a typo. I’ll try and do some pictures of them soon

xx

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Marlene Stephenson February 1, 2015 - 9:07 pm

The sun shines here in Okla.but,it is deceiving cause the wind is blowing hard and makes it cold. I did get dressed and went to church and now i sit in the sun light trying to stay awake. Love your pictures,looks like you had something good to eat,have a wonderful day.

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Vicky from Athens February 1, 2015 - 9:50 pm

It’s the best way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon! My husband is on the golf course ( it’s 61 degrees here in No. Georgia) and I’m happily sketching scenes from my recent trip to Yellowstone Nat’l. Park where I studied wolves. Soup on the stove, a glass of wine at my side . . . what more could a girl want!

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La Contessa February 1, 2015 - 11:06 pm

YEP………..doing just that!Wrote my POST on the FRENCH BASKETEER and SUCCESSFULLY LINKED your BROCANTE TOUR TO IT TOO!!!!!!!!!Shared Jill a wee bit and now have come in from the garden to READ and sip a warm TEA.
XX

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Barbara Aine Powell February 2, 2015 - 6:45 am

I agree whole-heartedly with you, Sharon. We so need those days shared with the ones we hold dear!!!!! We are at the Cottage by the Bay this weekend and loving it!!! We put new outdoor lights up and I started a new knitting project just in time for the next storm…….all is well and peaceful!! 🙂
Barbara. xx

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Lynn February 2, 2015 - 9:38 pm

I couldn’t agree more that not having resolutions is freeing. In fact I got rid of my gym membership in January, and decided there are better ways to lose weight and keep active. Sunday is a wonderful day for relaxing and being with the people you love.

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Nib's End February 2, 2015 - 10:53 pm

“Spending a sunday in front of the fire…sharing a lovely meal with those I love most and just enjoying the smaller, but oh so significant bits of everyday life…” Sounds like a profitable list of resolutions to me.

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Corinne February 4, 2015 - 1:27 pm

Love your blog Sharon, very inspiring. And yes let’s focus on what matters most, family, love, friends and forget the crazy to do list!!! Thanks

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