Winter is seriously thinking of calling it a wrap….

I write to you on a beautiful Spring-like day, though Winter is still whispering peut-être que je soufflerais plus du vent froid… But being able to spend hours in the garden, getting ready for Spring, has been uplifting and life-affirming. Especially watching the Ladybugs crawl over plants that still appear dead dry in their Winter slumber – there must be goodness flowing forth from these late risers for a Ladybug to spend precious sunny day moments crawling about.

So many bulbs are up, some blooming. Years ago, I planted violets, each year I would see a few, but this year there are purple jewels all about the garden. Other plants have delicate buds of leaf greening through and I feel in the next week, rain, or chill, I will see the evergreen clematis burst forth, and the camellia too.

This year has been the first of my chambre d'hôte hosting years to have had guests in January, February, March, and early April. I am busy through to mid June. Maybe I will have the luxury of a summer holiday in the second half of July, we shall see says this wondering lass. And what does a holiday mean? Hopefully a visit to Beautiful BC…

Other news? I have opened a Substack account – link is: Barbarajomcintosh.substack.com

To date I have posted 4 times, and plan to post 3 times a month. If you have a moment, please take a look. It is taking me a wee bit of time to fully understand the nuance within the platform, mais je fais le travail. Substack provides an option to become a paid subscriber - of course, I would be delighted should you choose to join the Diner Chez Moi adventure.

This newsletter will remain active with a letter posted once each season.

I sign off now as I am about to be interviewed for two magazines, one Italian – Casa Chic, set to be published in April, the other French - Maison Chic, and is meant to publish in July. Two Dutch women took the photos for the article, and an English woman interviews me. Yes, I do feel international at this moment!

- Barbara-jo and Spring-Sun-loving-Minette

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PS each day we rise and salut the dawn, and yearn for common sense, civility, and peace to prevail. We do what we can to provide calm and support to our community. Actually, I have not heard Minette scream at the neighbouring cat for a long while. Her offering of the white hankie is appreciated. I truly believe it starts by communicating politely with neighbours – even if it is just Bonjour. Pop into the local shops and purchase what you can, keep active in community initiatives – concerts, cafes & bistros, theatre, markets – especially the home-spun variety. Keep reading real books – did you know a book purchased from an independent bookshop includes supplemental comfort and joy? Visit your library, walk there if you can – I promise the moment will be engaging. And most importantly, no matter what your budget be – eat well, cook a great deal, always with sustainability in mind.

Maison des Mots Barbara-jo Residency