La Roseraie - Our Dream

01/09/2026

Dave rally-driving on country roads... How does he look so calm!? 😂

12/08/2026

The driest I've ever seen it!! And we're into another heatwave now.... ☀️ 😲

I hope the waterways will recover in autumn. 🤞 🙏 💦

08/08/2026

02/08/2026

Wow! What a weekend!
The party went brilliantly, so many of my favorite people came. 💕
I'm still blown away by my birthday surprise, a brand new electric bike!!! 😁 All organised by Dave, with everyone contributing to buy it. So so wonderful.
It's well and truly topped me up on good vibes!!! 💕 😊
So very lucky to have such amazing friends and family - I love you all!!! ❤️

https://youtu.be/E2COHeSgfP4?is=jRQhOiM8MevfmznU

31/07/2026

After weeks of heatwaves, we're being treated to rain and thunderstorms. 😁 ⚡
Just in time for our BBQ this evening... 😂

Still, been able to get the grass down and clear the space ready for guests, and spent the morning preparing food for an amazing birthday buffet meal. 😊

Menu:
Entrée:
Spinach & Ham Quiche Squares
Charcuterie with cherry tomatoes & cornichons
Buckwheat Flatbreads with Spinach dip and Lemon, Yoghurt and Herb dip

Main Event:
BBQ-d Pork Filet Mignon
BBQ-d Marinated Vegetable Skewers
Rosemary Potatoes
Griddled Aubergine Slices
Coucous Salad
Carrot Salad
Green Salad

And dessert!!
Birthday Strawberry Mousse Tart
BBQ-d Peaches with Syrup & Ice-cream
Maybe some marshmallows later. 😁

Been very busy in the kitchen - very much looking forward to eating it all!!! 💕 😁

22/07/2026

A wonderful friend has made these for me! 😁 💕
What do you think?

https://www.facebook.com/share/18tNmygz1G/

13/07/2026

It's hard to explain quite how much has changed over the last few years.
Some of those changes were practical – learning to work in French, starting a business, navigating finances, supporting our boys as they grow, and helping Dave through some health challenges.
Some were much quieter, but far more profound.

I've spent a long time untangling unhealthy family dynamics and making difficult decisions that I knew would bring grief. For someone who treasures relationships as deeply as I do, that has been the hardest work of my life. There have been days I've felt vulnerable, exhausted and unsure of where I fit.

But slowly, something has been changing.
I've learned that it's possible to love people deeply without abandoning myself. Some relationships have become more distant, while others have become healthier than they've ever been. I've realised how deeply I've been held by the people who quietly stayed beside me. Dave, my sisters, friends here in France... people who simply kept showing up, never making me feel small for struggling.

And now, as I begin to step forward again, life feels as though it's gently saying "yes."
I started my little business and almost immediately found wonderful regular clients. We picked up our YouTube channel again, expecting nothing, and suddenly found thousands of people wanting to come along with us on our little French adventure. We've worked hard to steady our finances, only to discover unexpected little blessings waiting for us. Even something as simple as inviting friends to my birthday barbecue has reminded me just how surrounded we are.

None of this is because life has suddenly become easy.
It's because I don't feel like I'm standing outside of it anymore.
I feel like I belong in it again.

There's something incredibly freeing about discovering that healing isn't about creating a pain-free life. It's about finding your feet again. About trusting yourself. About opening your hands a little and allowing life to surprise you.
And goodness... life really can surprise you. ❤️

25/06/2026

Prenez soin de vous pendant cette canicule... Encore quelques jours à tenir, et espérons que ce sera supportable. 💕

Les abeilles s'y prennent tôt aujourd'hui. 😁

17/06/2026

Hello my lovelies, we're back in our groove after our amazing time in England. 😊
Life is going smoothly through lots of changes. Into Summer and hot weather!!
I did a little video update. 😊

https://youtu.be/pHqXDJcbgNE?is=X_tetg7iBdQBHcVO

Music: Farewell Guitar
Musician: EnjoyMusic
URL: https://enjoymusic.ai

A quick video to update all my lovelies on where we're at right now...

17/05/2026

Wow it's been busy!!! 😁 A full and happy week here at La Roseraie.
I'm receiving lots of house-cleaning work for my business, and the feedback is fab! 😊 🎉 And also I've booked in my first regular client too!!! Eeeee!!
Preparation for my sister's wedding is underway, I did have a moment where I realised I wouldn't be able to get my dress altered in time... but no worries I found some death-defying high heels in the back of the wardrobe and the dress fits perfectly now. Hopefully I survive the day! 😂
We celebrated a lovely friend's birthday, (which I of course wanted to make a cake for), made costumes for said party, and somehow fitted it all in around the constant barrage of May bank holidays and boys being home 😂
It's been busy, but in a good way.

I'm very pleased to be finishing the week with a completely chilled Sunday - roast lunch (thank you Dave) beautiful walk with the family magically missing the rain showers, and now complete vegging out. 💕

Aand... Reeeeelax!
Happy Sunday everyone! 💕