Bon jour. It’s absolutely beautiful here. Of course England has it’s own beauty, but let’s face it, France is France. For one thing it’s warmer. I’m finding myself inspired at every street corner and I am tourista supreme, camera in hand at every waking moment. The buildings, the flowers, the shutters on the windows-I love them. The coffee, the chocolate, the cheese,- that too. One should not be too surprised if the HOPE spring 2010 collection is seriously influenced by this trip. I have so many ideas, if only we could get enough orders this year to warrant printing our own fabrics next year. What a field day I would have! I’ve been to France three times before and have loved it each time but I find it so much more inspiring to have a focus, a place to direct my creative inspiration. Plus of course, I find everything more inspirational with my children. Their eyes and their comments allow me to see things that I wouldn’t see on my own.

How’s that for a bit of French chivalry? Deva has said several times that Auguste is like Luke (her cousin in the USA) because they have the same hair only Luke’s has a little bit more curl. I must admit Auguste does remind me of Luke and I keep thinking how fab it would be if he (or any of my nieces and nephews, actually) could join us on some of our adventures!

The kids are coming along with their French. Deva has the sounds down as I heard her saying something nonsense to Auguste, only I thought it was Auguste speaking proper French. Kai has been answering in French. It’s been a great bonding for Kai and Greg as France is such a big part of Greg’s childhood. They are connecting on simple things like the love of fresh fruit ( the melon here is out of this world and I don’t even like melon-well, unless I’m in France) and running through the hay. Kai is so impressed with all the things Greg knows about. For example Kai came in from playing in the garden saying that a bug had bitten him, but Greg said that actually it was a nettle sting and proceeded to take him outside and show him the nettle plant. Kai was really impressed by this knowledge.

With all of the progress and extreme effort with the French, does come a bit of resentment towards Greg. Although they are doing well, it is really hard. More so for Kai at age six. One funny thing he said in distress was “Can they only speak plain ‘ole French?” I know it is easier for them than it would be for a lot of kids due to their experiences making efforts in Thailand, to have themselves understood. But that doesn’t change the fact that if Greg had just spoken to them in French from birth they would be fluent. I must say it grates on my nerves everyday and I know that he has realized what a disservice he has paid them as well, but the realization doesn’t change the fact that I am annoyed. If I’d been the one fluent in another language, especially if it were my roots, the kids would also be fluent. Anyhow I just find it annoying on a daily basis. The truth is that they’d be fluent if we had six months to stay here. But we don’t have six months to stay here. What I’ve realized is that we are going to have to make more of an effort to spend holidays here, which means I’m really going to have to crack down with my study habits and learn some French.



In closure for today, I’m sure the French would be pleased to know that Kai and Deva have found a gourmet French cheese that tastes exactly like Annie’s Natural Mararoni & Cheese. Not. Pleased that is. I think that Annie is the one who will be tickled pink. All that culture in a box! Perhaps I’ll drop ‘em a line.
Cheers & Ciao for now—-G