A Provencal Blog

Today I searched for blogs from Provence. I found one that is simply wonderful! It's called
Extremely Pale Rose and it's written by Jamie Ivey, a Brit, who moved to Provence with his wife to write and to sell wine, rose wine.They live in Lourmarin, a village that I've visited several times. In fact, it's the village where I went to my very first French market. As I read thru Jamie's blog, I learned that one of the village markets he sells at is Cucuron....one of my favorite Provencal villages. Just the mention of Cucuron took me back....

17 April 2007: "A beautiful morning! No rain inspite of last night's clouds. Today will be an errand day for me; then I may explore a little on my own and hike around Goult to get some background for 'Camille.' I can't do mega shopping again today! I drove to Lourmarin on the windy, steep back road, then on to Cucuron--charming, not too touristy. Had lunch by the 'etang' while the Tuesday market wound down. Then walked up to the church and cemetery."

Above is a picture I took of the 'etang,' or pond. In this case, it's a cement pond. Market was set up around it; I enjoyed lunch at my outdoor table on the west side. Was Jamie there, selling wonderful rose? Why did I ever feel the need to explore Cucuron? "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe and Marion Cotillard, of course! If you've seen the movie, there's a scene where Max and Fannie are getting cosy over a glass of wine. Lights are strung thru the plane trees and at the open end of the 'etang,' a young French guy sings while scenes of old French movies play behind him. It's simply lovely, and I wanted to see the place where it was filmed.

After lunch I wandered thru the village towards the church. I watched an artist painting thru her open door while rich opera music drifted out of her open windows. Then I spied these shoes sitting on a worn step outside a battered door. This is the kind of village Cucuron is...a working village populated by people who appreciate tourists, but who live real lives. It's one of my favorite pictures from my entire trip.

Near the very top of the village and directly in front of me I saw the village church, Notre Dame de Beaulieu. It was a very warm spring day, and I was hot. I debated whether to climb the steps to the church, but decided I should. The huge wooden door was very heavy, but the dark coolness of the church was very welcome. As the door swung closed, it became instantly quiet. It was so cool inside that moisture had condensed on the beautiful tile floor. The black and white tomette tiles were only on the center aisle, tho. The side aisles were plain. In fact the rest of the church was plain and just a little shabby. But it was cool and a respite from the heat. I saw a tall statue of Ste. Tulle which was badly in need of painting ; the pews were very worn. But there was a vase of fresh flowers in honor of Ste. Tulle, and votives burned in hopes of prayers being answered.

I left the church and wandered back thru the village to my car. I had to get back to Goult! I had a cooking lesson this afternoon. More on that in another blog....

Gross National Happiness

Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a country that based the strength of its economy on happiness? Bhutan does! What a wonderful concept... the government's official policy is that economic prosperity is measured by 'Gross National Happiness (GNH)- where cultural, environmental, spiritual well being and happiness of the people comes ahead of monetary wealth.' It's hard to imagine a country that considers happiness more important than how many cars it sells or how much oil it pumps. America is one of the most materially prosperous countries in the world, but how happy are her citizens? Not very happy lately as we bemoan the sub-prime mortgage crisis and our slide into recession. Would you be willing to give up material luxuries in exchange for happiness as measured by how clean your environment is or how easily you could access the arts? Is going to church or having moments of prayer and meditation as important to you as driving an SUV or having a flat screen TV? Hm-m-m...food for thought. I, for one, would easily give up my non-flat screen TV and DISH for the arts. But ask me about giving up my book addiction or my nightly glass of red wine...I might give you a different answer!

Maybe giving up material goods for happiness isn't the place to start. Maybe simply caring about your neighbor's happiness and doing one thing to help insure a clean environment would be enough to tip our national economy towards happiness for all.

I intend to use GPH (gross personal happiness) as a benchmark for success from now on. Thank you, Edith, for introducing me to this life-changing economic concept!

Are You Confused?

It dawned on me as I look back over previous blog posts that you might be a bit confused about my friend, Mickey and my friend, Marie. They are the exact same person! Mickey and I lived across the street from each other in high school. In those days, she was 'Mickey, Mickey Mouse, Mary Louise, and Princess Mary Louise Louise.' She began to call herself by her real name, Marie, later. I try to say Marie, but frequently lapse into her old high school nickname. Mickey isn't exactly the most professional name for a person who sells multi-gazillion dollar homes, huh? Here's one of the joys of Marie's friendship: she doesn't do email very well. This means I get real, in-the-mailbox, snail-mail from her! Like yesterday...there in the box was the familiar dark blue Sotheby's mailer with Marie's return address on it. Inside was the food section of the Los Angeles Times that contained a fascinating article about Anne Willan, a cookbook author and gourmet chef, who has just moved to Santa Monica from an 18 bedroom chateau in France. It came complete with recipes!

This is a picture of Marie/Mickey from our trip to Provence in 2005. We were enjoying a tres Provencal dinner in Patrick's tiny kitchen in Goult. Baguette, cheese, olives, Cavaillon melon and ham...and of course, a bottle of luscious Provencal red wine. Chin-chin!!

PS...back in those high school days, I was 'Evie,' my brother, Jim, answered to 'Jiminy Crickets' or 'Crickets', and brother Walt was known throughout the neighborhood as 'Go-Go Gomez,' Willy Lump-Lump,' or just plain 'Lump.' Guess it's a good thing we all grow up!

Valentine's Gifts

I was puzzled when I opened my mailbox on Thursday and saw a large package overnighted from my friend, Mickey. Tearing it open, this is what I found...a beautiful black and red box of chocolates! Handmade by a couple (he's French, she's American), the chocolates, the packaging and even the business card are simply beautiful.

The chocolatiers have named their business "Chocolats du CaliBressan," a combination of California and Bresse, France. Here's the dilemma: I gave up sweets for Lent! While this is not something that is normally part of my spiritual practice, I felt I needed the discipline of Lenten sacrifice this year. What to do? I 'visited' a bit with God that evening, and this is what he told me. "Go ahead and have one, Evelyn. It would be unkind to your friend to not enjoy her gift. The rest take to work on Friday and share. Any leftover? Put them in the freezer and don't get them out until Easter morning!" So, that's what I did. The one I tasted was yummy...a milky chocolate with a hint of Irish whiskey that melted...literally...on my tongue. The dark chocolate heart is a pure chocolate truffle, according to one friend; the red lips are dark chocolate infused with tangerine liqueur with an internal coating of white chocolate, according to another. Thanks, Mickey, for sharing a bit chocolate pleasure. Tres scumptious!

My second Valentine's Day gift came from my Dad...a quick phone call to say 'I love you.' Just as yummy and lovely as chocolates any day!

The Perfect Gift

You know that feeling, don't you? That warm, excited, can't-wait-to-mail-it feeling you get when you find the PERFECT GIFT for a friend!! Triple that feeling and that's how these adorable file folders and Parisian labels make me feel.

I found them linked to a thrice-weekly blog I receive called "French-Word-A-Day." The blog's author, Kristen Espinasse, is an American married to a handsome Frenchman. They live in the south of France and have just purchased a 400-year old house with a vineyard. Kristen blogs about French words she finds intriguing and always includes a story vignette and a picture about her life, her husband and her children. She also provides links to various French-related websites.One such link took me to Amazon.com and these French items. I couldn't resist buying a pack of the file folders and the little tin of labels.

I'll send two folders and some labels to my friend, Marie. She's going to Paris again in April. Two more folders will go to my Colorado friend, Anne, who is also going to Paris (for the first time!) in June. The folders will be perfect for them to save travel plans, articles, receipts, maps, business cards in. Edith, my wonderful friend with awesome 'travel karma,' will get two as well. My guess is she'll use them to organize her fabulous photos.

I'll keep the rest. One has already made the trip to work. I slipped it into a file holder on my desk, right in front where I can see it all day. When I have to carry letters to the mailbox, an agenda to a meeting, or notes for a report someplace, they go into the folder and off I go carryaing a tiny memory of France with me along with my work! A simple pleasure that brings a spot of joy into a sometimes long, stressful or frustrating work day.

Guess this purchase was not only the perfect gift for friends, but for me as well!

Weather Widget

Look to the left, below the Red Bell Farm clock. I've added a weather widget to my blog. This is an attempt to keep me from whining about the weather here in Iowa! I have to tell you, though, that the current temperature doesn't tell the whole story. The wind is blowing and parts of the state have wind chill advisories for 30-40 below zero temps. You should also know that there is a lot of snow on the ground. Snowfall last week measured 11 inches in St. Charles on Wednesday and it's still around. It feels pretty bitter outside!

Guess the widget didn't exactly work as I wanted. I'm still whining about the weather!

Lucie

This is Lucie. She came to live with me a couple of years ago. It was a lovely October afternoon when I spotted her sitting on my deck peering thru the sliding glass door. The last thing I wanted was another dog, but....the next morning she was still there, curled up asleep in a fuzzy black ball! So, what could I do, but feed her. Remy didn't mind her being here, and she immediately made friends with both cats, something that Remy never managed to do. I called all the neighbors to inquire if she belonged to any of them. Of course not! Dumping unwanted animals along a country road is common in Iowa; I was sure that was what happened to this little dog. Long story short...I had the vet check her out. She thought the little girl was probably about a year old and she was healthy. I thought about taking her to the Animal Rescue League, but just couldn't make myself do it. Shots, spayed, bathed...she became mine. A little neighbor girl suggested Lucy for her name; I made it Lucie with an 'ie,' tres French!

Lucie has turned out to be a good and faithful companion. I've never much cared for little dogs, but this is a little dog with heart! And she thinks she's big....tears into the neighbor's rottweiler and makes him yip and cry! And she never fails to greet me with joy when I come home.

I'm open to suggestions about her breed...any ideas? She's tri-color, about 22 lbs with very thick, long black hair. The vet thought she looked like she was part King Charles Spaniel. She loves to swim, is very protective of the property, and has no 'hunt' instinct...she loves the cats, squirrels, birds, rabbits, whatever wanders into the yard. I think she's part terrier, maybe with some cocker spaniel. What's your guess??

Happy Birthday, Becky!

There's another birthday to celebrate in our family! Today is Becky's special day. You can see by looking at this picture where Parker gets his dark hair and his deep brown eyes....from his beautiful Mommy! Becky has truly been a blessing to our family. Her energy and enthusiasm is infectious; her passion for life is a joy. And she brought sweet Parker into our lives! As a mom, I say a special thanks to this lovely woman who has accepted the challenge of being a partner to my son. Every mother-in-law should be as lucky as I am.

Happy birthday, Becky!

Dream of Spring

I'm trying very hard NOT to think about the 'complex winter storm' due to hit Iowa tomorrow night. It's predicted to have a mixture of everything with ice accumulation south of I-80 (that's my neighborhood). So today I'm concentating instead on my pretty Provencal dining room table and dreams of spring.

The orange and yellow tulips are from the grocery store, but everything else is from France. The tablecloth and the coordinating napkin (black and cream Provencal bees on orange) came from the big Saturday market in Apt. The bright orange plastic flower napkin ring has a twin and two hot pink 'cousins' that all came from a darling shop in St. Remy de Provence. My favorite piece, though, is the little iron bird. I bought her at Gatti...brocante-decoration, Rue de la Republique in Goult...on a warm spring day last April. Just looking at my table cheers me up! Couple that scene with a warm slice of spinach-shrimp-goat cheese quiche served up on a square plate decorated with a sheaf of lavender that I bought in the Marais in Paris....well, I've forgotten all about that winter storm bearing down on Iowa!

Let's just hope the weather forecasters are wrong, huh? I'm not sure I can deal with ice again.

Happy Birthday, Trav!

36 years ago today was the worst day of my life...who says you forget the pain of childbirth? It was also the very, very best day of my life because it was the day Travis was born! Who knew that 8 lbs. 6 ounces of squalling baby boy could bring so much joy into my life? Sure, there have been times of worry, times of frustration, but most of the time, life with Travis has been a blessing and has filled me with pride.

I called him today to wish him "Happy Birthday" and to say "I LOVE YOU!" He was at home, on 'Parker duty,' getting ready to go to basketball practice this afternoon. He's the assistant boys BB coach at Gardiner High School again this year. He loves doing it. Tomorrow they take a 3 hr. road trip to play an away game at Twin Bridges, MT. Between basketball, work, and hunting, he's had a busy fall and winter

I can't tell you how proud I am of the boy who's turned into a fine man and a good daddy. I love you, Trav!