13 Comments
User's avatar
Dierdre Wolownick's avatar

Been to / seen most of the places you mentioned, and reading about it all brings back all those great memories. Merci beaucoup!!

Expand full comment
Karen Bussen's avatar

I love that!!!

Expand full comment
Melissa Foster's avatar

I decided to sit outside on my front porch swing to read your post. It's a perfect August morning in New England and the cicadas are singing and I just went to Brittany with you! Thank you! Love, Aunt Missy

Expand full comment
Karen Bussen's avatar

Hi Aunt Missy! Brittany has a lot in common with New England, but the lobsters are more pricey here. Monsieur B really wants to visit New England as he’s never been, so maybe one day we’ll see you there :-)

Expand full comment
Melissa Foster's avatar

Oh I hope so! We'll take you to your cousin Charlie's seaport restaurant, Woods Hill Pier 4!

Expand full comment
Betty Carlson's avatar

It's definitely not weird. I've lived in France since 1990 and have never taken a two-week vacation in France, and know many French people, farmers especially, who definitely haven't.

My time was taken up with going back to the USA, and now that I don't need to do that anymore, my (French) husband is of the "one week maximum" variety. I also tend to prefer lots of little trips to a longer one. But I suppose that could change at some point!

Expand full comment
Karen Bussen's avatar

I agree--I also like a one-week getaway on a more regular basis! And I know what you mean--when you "have to" or "want to" go back to the States, that can eat up a lot of other possible vacation time.

Expand full comment
Dierdre Wolownick's avatar

As a lifelong teacher, who spent most of my summers in Europe (on a teacher's budget!), I find it quite incredible that you've never taken more than 2 weeks off!! What keeps you going, psyche-wise, with no time to yourself to re-charge??!

Expand full comment
Karen Bussen's avatar

Honestly, it was always an entrepreneurial thing, and just the sense that I had work/projects to attend to or that I was responsible for, even if I took some time away. I am new to the idea of a complete vacation where you simply recharge, but of course this is what life is about and I'm loving it and so grateful to have this chance now that I'm in France to prioritize this restoration of the body and soul.

Expand full comment
Dierdre Wolownick's avatar

Amuse-toi! Renouvelle-toi!

Expand full comment
Jane Frost's avatar

So happy to hear about your lovely holiday Karen! So much great information and anecdotes. They make me want to visit that area in the summer. My sister and I went to Normandy in 2022 and it was such an experience. Happy trails! Jane

Xo

Expand full comment
Karen Bussen's avatar

It is really wonderful! If you do plan a trip I can give you some thoughts 😘

Expand full comment
Nana In CA's avatar

A delightful post - thank you! We’re in very warm Northern California, and our vacations to France are in late September. We loved our times in La Bretagne and le Normandie, too. So glad you are enjoying it!

Expand full comment