New Almanac for Belonging Masterclass!
Masterclass for Belonging: Choosing Light- February 21 Sat. 5pm French Time




Where is the Light???
Having trouble seeing the end of Winter? No matter where you live, don’t worry. It is coming! It always encourages me that there is light to be sought out at the edges of the two seasons and I work to define these edges every cycle of seasons. Why not join me for the latest Masterclass in Belonging: Choosing Light at the Edge and discover a few of my secrets for belonging all year long.
Next week-on Saturday, February 21, I will be hosting a 45-Minute Masterclass in Belonging: Choosing Light at the Edge. This is my way of saying let’s take a look at what’s around us and then do something to celebrate it. February can certainly be called the gloomiest of months this year, and although I am desperate for a full day of sunshine, I am still tracking fattening buds and a few pale pink blossoms in the rain including one solitary blossom on my beautiful sakura or flowering cherry tree. But how do you grasp these small moments of Spring hope and bring a little inside your Winter cave? Let me show you!
First of all, I will share with you my tips about kitchen window gardening. Small pots that can be arranged and rearranged as they grow and fill out; it’s much easier than trying to plant a big tub or heavy pot. I’ll share with you my favorite fast growing herbs that thrive on the windowsill, inside or out, and a way to keep some greens growing for garnishes until the salad crops come in. I’ll be planting some seeds inside now as well so they can be moved out into the garden later. Their little sprouting tips are full of hope and light energy!
Choosing light at the edge isn’t just about the physical wall of dark and light we resist all winter, rather what do you choose when you have an hour before you are going to want to eat? Order food delivered? Open a package of instant ramen? Or make a quick meal of your favorite breakfast food. I am Team Pancake every time! It is about as fast as dialling the delivery guys after getting lost in uninspiring menus or deciding which pizza to order as well as being the ultimate comfort food. Why not treat yourself!


In our time together, I’ll share:
The way kitchen windows in France become a frame like an impressionist’s painting - a patterned or lace curtain, some vintage pots, and a basket or two.
Three guiding principles that make window gardening feel relaxed and at ease as well as charming.
One simple French ritual you can repeat all season but will jump start you to Spring.
Plus my favorite kitchen technique that you can do right now- Homemade Vinegar! Save that old wine or dregs of each bottle and make your own vinegar. If you don’t drink, you can use all kinds of fruit based fermentation like apple peels and pineapple rinds.
Learn to prune inside your kitchen as well as in the garden. Now is a good time to toss out a few things from your tired pantry and make some room for a brighter fresh Spring.
And a perfectly simple recipe for a short stack of comforting pancakes- one bowl, one pan and 5 simple ingredients which you probably have in your pantry. Or should have!
Remember, this is not a cooking class but a return to a comforting rhythm in the kitchen. A return to a restful presence, to the timeless rustic French wisdom that has shaped my kitchen and house for more than 35 years.
My goal is for you to leave feeling uplifted by the simple joy of day to day rituals including shopping and cooking, anchored to a few simple repeatable gestures, and creating a safe place to settle in before Spring really appears. I’ll share my French world here at Camont where I belong and show you how you will be able to belong wherever you live.
If you’d like to join me, you can reserve your place here by paying the one time Masterclass $75 fee at this link- sign up here.
A confirmation link for the Zoom class and further information will follow. And like usually, there will be a saved video for later viewing if you can’t meet the time zone.
In the meantime, I am making a warming Parmentier de Canard, one of my favorites and will be sharing that recipe with paid Subscribers tomorrow as I test out Substack’s new Recipe features. This is a perfect time to subscriber or upgrade to paid to reap the benefit of membership. Merci!





Bonjour Kate, I am a paid member and have previously paid for a masterclass. Do I need to pay the 75.00 again? Also, I have standing plans with my sister on most Saturdays, so am hopeful that I can watch the recording? Merci, Lori
Love this!