Qu'est-ce que j'ai trouve?

Wednesday, I got the challenge of a new topiary style: the cone. I found this to be much easier than all previous forms, though I forgot to provide photographic proof. My camera is a bit large to carry with me all the time. You'll just have to trust me on this one for now. I also go to take a fun ride on the back of a tractor to one of the further reaches of the garden to do some weeding with Katie and Lydie. Lydie works in the garden Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and has a dog that could be Hercule's twin. 

I'll have to take a photo sometime
where you can actually see her face.

Usually I've been working off by myself with someone checking in to see how things are going, so it was nice to get to work with the ladies. The time passes a lot faster when you can talk and work at the same time. While we were out, we stopped to collect elderflowers for sorbet this weekend. I've always loved ice creams and sorbets, but this is definitely my new favorite flavor.

Thursday morning, I was set to trimming yet again. This time, it was the hawthorn hedge next to the chicken coop. It had gotten overgrown and was reaching out to grab people as they walked past. It was simple enough, a straight vertical wall, but it was rather long and took me until lunch to finish. My arms have gotten a lot stronger already since starting trimming, but man they were tired.

After lunch, I started working in the rose garden. The roses are in full bloom, and so begins the dead-heading. All needs to be perfection for when Madame is in residence for the weekend.

The rose garden is just past the church here.

I was working on cutting the roses that were past their prime when I heard a noise from the other side of the garden. As it was rather insistent, I went to investigate. I'm not sure what I expected, but I found a little cat! As soon as he saw me, he ran towards me and was super lovey. He was quite hungry, and stayed with me all afternoon in the rose garden playing with the falling petals and chasing insects. I dubbed him Monsieur Rosier de Brecy. Not incredibly original, since rosier is a rose bush, but only nobles rate the use of 'de' in their name. 

 

Doesn't this face look noble to you?

I love cats, and it breaks my heart to know that someone abandoned this little guy. He's so sweet, obviously loves people, and is totally litter trained. I'd keep him in my luggage if I could!

From the rosebush where I found him.

He snuggled right in when we brought him inside.
He was obviously meant to be a house cat.