The Manor Founcroup

Staying at The Manor Founcroup was a wonderful experience. Ben and Jaye purchased the property in 1993 and have lovingly restored it. Go here to see the grounds, the exterior of the manor and several rooms. It was quiet, peaceful and restful. When you look at the D Day Tours website, you will see what I'm describing and Ben's descriptions are great reads. If you are going to Normandy, I would rate their bed and breakfast six stars out of five. Yes, D Day Tours is that amazing!!

Even though it was cool and rainy while we were there, we still enjoyed leaving our windows open most of the time we were there.

Jaye prepared wonderful breakfasts and phenomenal dinners. Ben went to a bakery every morning. We had fresh croissants and what he called "crack" bread. This bread was my favorite. It was a heavy whole grain artisan loaf that had the most wonderful flavor. The last day, we had to leave early and Ben brought back the loaf that was still hot from the oven! He called it "crack" bread because it was addictive!!

We had happy hour every afternoon; but, it was Jaye's homemade desserts that left us me wanting to move in! The first night she made a strawberry meringue cake, profiteroles the last night and a banana cream pie on a cookie crust that was to die for the second night. I was bold and asked for the recipe. . .

We met Saffron, their 13 year old English creme golden retriever. She reminded us a lot of our English creme retriever that was at the "spa" while we were away. It was nice that Saffron let us scratch and pet her as we missed our girl.

Chickens, Sybil, Edith and Mary, may become a quilt! Mary liked being petted. They welcomed us when we arrived and Jaye says that they never miss a meal preparation because they want to be sure that there are "treats" left for them! They are named after the characters on Downton Abbey.

The window they are perched in front of is the kitchen window! I think this could make a great quilt.

I'm chuckling because I've had a l o n g chicken project in my works in progress pile. I'm stitching on it again. I started this at least nine years ago as a BOM. Until I reached the center rooster block, I kept up. Not only was this a huge block; but, I had trouble trying to figure out what leaf fabrics should go where and I was disappointed that the buds, which are tiny, don't show. I was frustrated with the process and after some half hearted stitching attempts, I shelved the project.

Mind you, I had a lot of money in these blocks! I decided that however it finished, I would finish it and be thankful that I did finish.

Perhaps, this will be the year that I finish at least the top!!! It is the project that I take with me when I'm hand stitching.


In January, I stitched the blocks together so technically it is a "top." What is left for me to do is to complete the appliqué that runs across several blocks.

This project has always been outside of my skills box. That isn't bad. It isn't good either! I've learned loads. My needle turn appliqué skills have improved loads.

One of my small group friends sets asides Tuesdays as "Tenacious Tuesdays" and she has a number of tubs of projects that she can choose from to work on and make progress on them. She says that since she started, she has emptied two tubs! Thanks, Barbara for introducing me to "Tenacious Tuesdays!"

Including today, I've worked on it three times this month. Perhaps, it would help me to progress if I posted a photo weekly about my progress. Perhaps, I should designate a day like Sunday to really work on it. Hmmm, a slow stitching Sunday. (I've heard of slow stitching.) I will think about those options. It would hold me to be more accountable!


Speaking of chickens, I visited JoJo and saw her updated mariner star block and revamped girls' house. This is one sweet set up for egg layers if ever I did see one! You can read her post here.

I'm practicing selfies. . .I really was there in the flesh!