Would you like proof of how brain-addled I am due to this heatwave or canicule? A little while ago while getting ready to take the puppers out for their brief evening walk, I grabbed a bit of sun cream to put on – one can never be too careful (especially as a blue-eyed redhead – second only after albinos in terms of tendency towards skin cancer). Well, it was only after I had rubbed a big swath all across my cheek that I thought, “The texture feels weird” then, “Wait, this smells minty!” Yes, my friends, I was anointing myself with toothpaste. Organic toothpaste albeit but nonetheless…
So, perhaps it is best to down-shift my expectations this evening and keep it rather simple on the blog with not too many words involved lest I need to string them together and be held accountable for it. But there are a few things around the house that I wanted to share, so why not just make it a more decor-oriented week, at Lost in Arles – pas de problème, non?
While it is slightly mind-boggling (and we have already made it clear that my mind is indeed boggled) to think that we moved into this house in the country nearly a year ago, there are still plenty of things to be done and tweaked. After waiting to the point where we both became deranged by seeing too much of the necessary junk packed in next to the firewood and trunk o’tools under the pavilion, I put up a pair of cream curtains, only to find that it looked like they were sheets and we were about to put on a puppet show. Fortunately, it is les soldes and so I was able to score a pair and a half (the half will rest below the courtyard’s stone sink) in just the right shape of taupe for only 6 Euros each. Look past the cutie and you will see them in the photo above. Visual obstructions obscured!
Remi, for his part, found these smart tea-light holders at Casa (for my French friends here – it is where you go to get all your candles too, right?) for only 1.50 each. His is going to redo his rock arrangement at the base of the olive tree so that they fit right in and already, they look just lovely in the night.
But what about rethinking/the tinkering? As we were crazily restrictive when we first moved in about what “art” we would put up on the walls, there have been things that I have found myself missing. Namely, our antique batiks from Bali. This is what our first floor landing looked like when we first moved in. It has been home to a kind Buddha that we brought back from Phnom Penh since then but walking by one afternoon, I saw a nail in the wall at just the right height and thought to give a batik a try.
My first attempt, the oldest of our little collection, smelled still of its earthy vegetable dyes when I took it out of its wrapping. And yet, despite the helpful presence of a handsome doggy, it was too heavy, too overwhelming.
I thought of another of the batik holders, a mischievous one – whose sculpted faces were still swathed in bubble-wrapped from the move (my doing) which lead me to set them free…
…and try the magical blue prancing stag batik. I dragged the bench at the end of the bed in order to put it up and thought, “Well that looks rather nice there. I have always wanted a tiny place to perch.”
Plus, the tones worked nicely with our 1940’s unfinished portrait – one who has always reminded me of my Mom and so is one of my favorites.
So Voila! A bit more interesting, non?
I don’t miss the bench and yes have already used it when I need a good solid think…as in it might come in handy right about now…
…because did I mention the heat? Some of you might have heard about it on the news. For you see, this is not just about me whining (or whinging if you prefer) but is a national crisis. During a canicule, the temperatures remain extremely high all the time, even at night so that the body has a hard time cooling down. It is especially dangerous for babies and the elderly. This is the worst canicule since 2003 when nearly 15,000 people passed away due to heat-related causes.
We are trying to be wise about it all. Ben has it figured out as you can see…
…even when he is in the garden, he knows to take cover.
Kipling, our rascal, loves his sun alas (he also like to remain touching his loved ones whenever possible). Has it had an effect on his thinking? You tell me…
Yes, that would be a corncob playing the role of evil alien. Oh, Kip. Well, at least I am not the only one…
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and for those that are celebrating in the States, Happy Fourth of July!
Cooling thoughts your way. I like the new redo. Ben is as adorable as ever.
Great video! That is so funny.
Kipling is my new therapist! Every time I view the video, woes will run for cover from the radiance of my smile and laughter! Thank you
As one of those friends in Portland, I can empathize with you, Heather, about the canicule (aka the Heat Dome, straight from the Southwest). Here, for the last two weeks, we have had temps in the mid to upper 90s F, record high temps at night, and unusually high humidity. Today Portland is one of the four hottest cities in the U.S. This is all very unusual for Portland, where many of us have never needed to get air conditioning. Just like Ben, Henry, our Golden, stays close to the tower fan, and he has become adept in finding shade during the few times each day he goes outside. Bob the Long-Haired Dachshund has not tolerated high heat since he had a brush with heatstroke years ago. Amazingly, it is too hot to even take the boat trip to our favorite beach to swim. And so dry that the Columbia River is lower than I've ever seen it. Our 2015 weather certainly is a CLIMATE CHANGE, the heat-and-drought equivalent of the unending cold and snow of last winter that Judith endured and Karina. I hope that France has some relief from it soon. In the meantime, your artistic brain clearly is working well…the first floor landing is beautiful! Warmly, Leslie in Oregon P.S. Henry and Bob are still looking for the dog that was barking by my computer!
Charming perfection everywhere. A delight to see!
As always Heather, your home is lovely and truly exquisite! It is such a pleasure to view, whether a glimpse of the courtyard or a well appointed room. Just add Ben & Kipling and there you have perfect domestic bliss!
What a gorgeous home! Our friends in Portland, Oregon are suffering through their own "canicule" this summer while we on the East Coast are having a rather comfortable summer so far. Happy Fourth to you as well and Karina wants to know why the doggie in my computer won't come out and play with her 🙁
Beautiful, Heather. Very nicely done. My brain is a bit foggy in the canicule, as well. Rémy takes it in his stride. Our foster girl Polly does, too. We bought them a wading pool and neither will enter! Stubborn bull terriers. Sigh.Looks like we'll get some relief soon. Happy 4th! This is, somewhat oddly, my most homesick holiday. Hope you've got something nice planned.
Loved the toothpaste story…Funny! One trip I put moisturizer in my hair instead of hair goo, not one day, but two, before I figured out why my hair was so…. umm, limp. (To my minimal credit, all my cosmetics were in little look-alike, but labelled, travel containers.)
Sorry about the heatwave, but thanks for the giggle about the toothpaste. What SPF do you think that might be? Your home is just lovely, the old tiles, the large windows, the staircase, and of course the garden where a hot pup may cool his paws. Thank you for sharing! xo
Your home is looking lovely. It reminds me of old Maltese houses and brings back fond memories. Ah yes, the heat. I can't wait till it's over. Happy 4th on July
Your home is looking lovely. It reminds me of old Maltese houses and brings back fond memories. Ah yes, the heat. I can't wait till it's over. Happy 4th on July