at Jardin du Luxembourg - Do I abhor gloomy weather? Is it despicable? This one picture may just have fundamentally changed all that I believe, when it comes to weather……. Can a city cause you to question the very foundations of your belief system? Can it change your outlook, fundamental elements of your personality and the perception of what makes you happy, how you look at beauty? I have found that Paris has the power to cause a … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2015
Extraordinarily Rewarding and Other-Worldly; More of Domaine de la Baume
When I was anticipating what I might be lucky enough to see on our first excursion to Provence, I confess I was consumed with those grand and ever-stretching fields of Lavender and shops filled with iconic pottery selections and Boit Glassware. But, a completely different experience unfolded…….. Perhaps the one sentiment one can most hope for when staying somewhere on a vacation is "extraordinarily rewarding". Moreover, to shortchange a … [Read more...]
Swan Song in Provence – L’Isle Sur la Sorgue, Chateauneuf du Pape and Avignon
When you leave home to go away for two weeks, it seems like you should have quite a lot of time to do and see what you want to. You imagine long, lingering days moseying up and down cobbled streets, eyes stretched ahead or up to see and soak in all the richness around you. Sunday, October 4 was our last day before taking the train back to Paris. Part of me was wistful, part of me anxious to get back to my beloved Paris. That Sunday before … [Read more...]
When Is It Dangerous to Walk the Dog? Banana-Corn Scones with Pecans
It is no secret in our house, that whoever is on "dog walk duty" each morning gets the stare-down and followed around incessantly until she gets her way. This can begin right after she watches us out of the corner of her eye as we sip our coffee and try to get to some palpable level of cognitive function, especially lagging these days - as the sun isn't peaking its head over the tree line until well after 7:30. who can resist this kind of … [Read more...]
Did Someone Say Romans? A Visit to Arles
Did someone say Romans? Time is getting away from me now and so, I should hurry up and finish my posts from our trip before I completely forget what happened there. It is the 22nd of October already….. When in France and especially around Paris, it is easy for someone with a head-of-the-pin-sized focus-orientation to keep in perspective that the entire world didn't begin around the period of Barron Haussmann and his dramatic re-vamping of … [Read more...]
If At First You Don’t Succeed….. The Banana, Pear and Walnut Cake
Apples and Pears I'm obsessed with pears right now. I suppose it began in Paris……. beautiful pear tarts at Patisserie Gerald Mulot (oh, to be back there now…….) I know that apples tend to hold sway with most people at this time of year, and I do love lots of different apples. But, I adore the all-around delicacy and allure of a lovely ripe pear - not to mention their gorgeous autumnal hues and shades. While I was in France and … [Read more...]
Did Someone Say “Frost on the Pumpkin”? Always-Inspirational-Alice Waters and Pumpkin-Cider Scones with Toasted Pecans
I awoke to 30F this am! Yikes, scary! At first I was afraid to look, preferring not to see the end of my beloved morning glories, should they have been finished. But, here is a shot I took, barely at dawn - wow, snuck through that one! Not sure how that happened, but I'll take it! Yesterday was just a banner Autumn day, wasn't it? I spent the day traipsing downtown and up, seeing Alice Waters, first at the Farmer's Market signing … [Read more...]
Next Base, Aix en Provence
famous Musquee de Provençe pumpkins At first I was a bit disappointed with Aix, as it is not an especially inspiringly-looking city from its edges. After where we had come from in Tourtour though, anything would have been a letdown. We knew how special from whence we had come had been. Aix en Provence provides more of a little challenge, one to find the charm. But, once you realize this, there is plenty to be found. That's how I would … [Read more...]
Gluten-Free Pumpkin-Corn Griddle Cakes with Toasted Walnuts and Dried Cranberries
Having been away for 2 weeks and trying desperately to adjust to the time zone and weather here, I guess I will finally have to give over to the fact that it is Fall here in NJ! I've tried to resist by not buying any pumpkins or Fall flowers yet, but I am guessing I will have to give in! It is really a lot darker here, particularly at night. :( Here is a recipe for your cool mornings! Their texture is light as … [Read more...]
Venturing Out from Tourtour – Saint Tropez, Aups, Villecroze
Today's offering: This kind of travel is for me, a heady mixture of pure rhapsody, luxury and indulgence! Feasting doesn't always have to be at a table. There are 4 other senses to be fed……... Tourtour, France is a small commune, I'll call it a hamlet, in southeastern France. The tiny towns which surround it have a charm all their own, and the views from here are really quite amazing. While we were at Domaine de la Baume, we took … [Read more...]