First of the Haricot Vert

Joanne has been busy in the kitchen bottling the first of the Haricot Vert, we have had a superb crop this year with a second sowing already flowering. They are delicious, bursting with flavour and goodness, because of their rich green color, we don't always think about green beans as providing us with important amounts of colorful pigments like carotenoids. But they do! Recent studies have confirmed the presence of lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, and neoxanthin in green beans. In some cases, the presence of these carotenoids in green beans is comparable to their presence in other carotenoid-rich vegetables like carrots and tomatoes. The only reason we don't see these carotenoids is because of the concentrated chlorophyll content of green beans and the amazing shades of green that it provides.

Legumes

Can you imagine not having to buy anything and preparing an evening meal that is so fresh & wholesome you just don't want it to end? Well then, join us at La Petite Maison to savour the fresh vegetables and meat prepared by Joanne in the country kitchen.

The perfect end to a perfect day

With the guests well fed and tucked up in bed for the night, Chris & Joanne share a well deserved supper of cheese and French bread washed down with a nice bottle of Bordeaux, a perfect end to another perfect day.

Mont D'or Puy du Sancy

A recent visit to Mont D'or found us once again marvelling at the scenery, from the summit at 1885 meters (6184 feet) you feel like you are on top of the world and can see for miles and miles. The area is volcanic and the rock formations are stunning. The summer months find walkers and hikers of all ages and capabilities, the winter months are for skiers, the slopes range from green to black, Joanne and Chris will learn to ski this year, Mont D'or is only 50 minutes away from La Petite Maison, why not take a Winter break with us? watch out for the Christmas specials http://www.lapetitemaisonlimousin.com

Such a long time since the last post

So sorry to our faithful followers for not posting anything for a while, we have had a telephone and internet outage for nearly 2 weeks following a direct hit during a real humdinger of an electrical storm, everything in the junction box was fried, we still have neighbours without any service. It's been a real mare trying to manage the business here at http://lapetitemaisonlimousin.com our luxury chambres d'hotes.
Anyway, service is resumed and the posts will continue on a regular basis, what have we been doing whilst we have been away you may ask?
As usual, enjoying ourselves !

Mother Natures Miracles

Tiny miracles of Mother nature in all parts of the garden, here at 'La Petite Maison' we have no shortage of natures gift. The goldfinches (Chardonnerets) are busy making sure there is enough to eat for the five tiny fledglings in the nest they call home. Our Belgian hare cross has given birth to an astonishing twelve bundles of joy, Chris and Joanne are making regular visits ensuring she has everything she needs in order to feed them all. The Swallows (Hirondelles) underneath the woodshed have three fledglings to safeguard, this is their second successful year at this nesting site. The hen chicks are doing well and are in good health. Oh what a joy and education to watch them all bring up their young, indeed, a tiny MIRACLE !

Hurry Before The Birds Get Them

The raspberries this year are enormous, we are not sure how we have managed to grow such fruit but are not complaining. They taste devine and we are not sure if any will make it into a jam pot, we can't stop eating them as we pass by the canes Ha Ha!

Not to worry, next to the raspberry canes are the redcurrants which are also ripe and just at the point to burst, we will harvest these tomorrow and Chris will eagerly wait for the fresh pots of redcurrant jelly that Joanne will ask him to put down in the cellar. He could found hiding at the bottom of the garden with a stolen pot of jelly and a French stick!