So readers, it seems that my life on the other side of the pond less inspires me to write. Truthfully, it has been an adjustment getting used to my work life and home life at the condo in Brunswick. While I continue to love my students at LHS, I dread the long commute and can’t help but shudder every time I walk into the building. It has been lovely spending time with James, Parker and Matthew on a daily basis, but I miss the autonomy of my French life, my sweet house and garden, and all my friends. In fairness, this autumn was absolutely beautiful in Maine. We were spoiled with dry, warm days with no frost until November. I forgot how brilliant the foliage is in this part of the world and I savored it on my daily long walks with Sophie.

It was part of my decision making that as a trade off for working in the U.S. all year, I would plan 2-3 vacations in France. This one now, is only 10 days but will allow Matthew and I to reconnect with friends, decorate the house for Christmas and relish in some of the peace this place brings me. I came over ahead of Matthew by three days. I spent a day in Paris all on my own which was lovely. I shopped for little Christmas trinkets and bought myself a new and highly practical sequined skirt for the season.

I don’t have Sophie with me so it is much easier to travel. Dragging bags from hotels to trains to rental cars is much simpler without my squirmy companion, her tangled leash, and incessant need to smell everything. While easier, it is also less joyful. I have been walking my beloved trails each day but it lacks some of the fun that watching Sophie bound ahead brings.

Before Matthew came, I warmed up the house with fires as it was pretty cold. The weather apparently fell of here just before I arrived and the temperatures hover just above freezing. I was treated to a soft falling snow the first night I arrived but it melted away the following day in the sun. I scavenged the woods and trails for holly, red berries and fir trees. I collected pine boughs and stuffed them in my window boxes and filled vases and pitchers with holly. I put out all the personal items and photos I lock up when I am hosting Airbnb guests. Essentially, I made my little house a warm, winter nest as we plan on returning with some of the kids for Christmas this year.