Thursday

My mum has been going through old photos lately, and she sent me this one of my grandparent's little chateau in Languedoc, France, in its previous incarnation, before they began to renovate. On the back is written an excited paragraph from my grandmother to my mother, dated 1965, and beginning with the words: "Dear Eva, I have decided to buy this castle. It is far more wonderful than this card can tell you, and in good enough shape despite its age to make it a dream of a place for all of us. The price is $2,000, less than a Ford car!..."

My grandparents designed and executed a stunning renovation, and lived in the chateau for many happy years. It now belongs to my aunt and my sweet cousins Poppy and Sophie in England. I have so many beautiful memories of childhood days spent playing in this place, the perfect spot for a child's imagination to run wild. It makes me happy just looking at this photo and it's joyful post script.

Footnote: My grandmother was French, my grandfather Dutch, and my cousins British by birth. My mum was born in Holland and raised in France until the family came to the US during the war. It's a bit convoluted, I know. My grandparents lived in the US for many years before returning to France after their children were grown.

17 comments:

alliot + iza said...

Your life is a dream to me :)
I miss you and Q.
Have a nice weekend!

Di said...

A chateau! In France! To play in! Sounds just perfect!

Bree said...

wauw. that is special!
something for in a very happy dream

[do you mind if i should make a dress like Q weres on your header, for my little girl..??] please let me know]

happy weekend

Daan said...

That is so special!

Have you ever visited the castle with little Q?

Mlle Paradis said...

i'm with alliot - all life is but a dream but especially yours!

hope you feel better. i get similar things twice a year. it's usually either antibiotics or lime and ginger tea that finally make it go away!

glad you liked the harajuku girls -always good for a giggle. i did a santamonica shopping day today if you need more escapism!

Angie Muresan said...

Those are indeed enchanting memories to have. How fun to be able to share the place with Q someday. Have a fabulous weekend, Maia, with your beautiful family.

Maia said...

Daan, we have not been back to France since Q came home, unfortunately. Adoption - and even moreso with medical needs involved - is quite a substantial cost, and our travel budget has been cut drastically since becoming parents. Someday...

Rule of Fashion said...

such a cute blog

Checkout my shopping blog
http://ruleoffashion.blogspot.com/

Kenza said...

how elegant! lovely! And I adore the previous post with Q and her friend. such joy! thank you.

pve design said...

I do hope you have illustrated that to go with your illustrious life! How wonderful to have all those memories. I recently was sent letters (by me) from my sister that span many years of being many miles apart. I love that you have that photo with the words.
The price tells one that things are beyond any sort of control now and the dollar has no real value. How much is it worth today? Priceless!
pve

Palmer and Co said...

Oh, wow! That's amazing! You have such history! I love it! Q would love to run those halls I'm sure!

Anonymous said...

happy persian new year! i wish you and your beautiful family the best!

Julia Christie said...

What an interesting life you have lead! Thanks for sharing.

Maia said...

Happy Persian New Year, anonymous!! Thanks for the greeting.

Christine said...

You must have had the most interesting childhood! Raised semi-buddhist, grandparents with a chateau, old Woodstock days. Totally cool!

Kickcan & Conkers said...

Well, yes, I recognise this chateau now. we had a house in le Vigan up until last year. My husband was born there. Many a lazy afternoon have been spent by the stream running through Brissac. I always wondered who this castle belonged too - very grand indeed!

DAKOTA said...

I really loved reading this, and the post afterwards. I wish I could visit this château and take photos! xx