Transition Day, Grocery Shopping and Those Darling French

Today was transition day for us, moving out of Chateau-Renard and doing final preparations for Workshops in France.  Here I am in my usual pose,  out on the balcony getting in that last Instagram post before I leave wifi!

In celebration of the Lavender Season, I decided that lavender toes were appropriate.

Upon heading out, we picked up our second rental car, which thankfully Belinda del Pesco will be driving (bless that darling woman), and headed back to Auchan, the mega grocery store.  I had such a good time there I wanted to share some things I saw.

BUT FIRST, let me tell you how charming the French people are here.  If you try to speak a word of French to them, they will go out of their way to try and speak English in return, doing their best to help you and lead you around the store to find what you need.  Forget the stereotypes you may have in your head.  They are adorable. 

Now, here are some things you don't see every day at the market in Los Angeles.  How about an entire section devoted to rabbit?

Or an entire eight foot section devoted to each kind of cheese.  This is just the camembert!

Then there are the acres of wine.  Again I am fascinated with the Rose, because where I come from it is downright un-hip to drink it. But here in the south of France, they are known for it, and people who are passing through from neighboring countries make sure to stock up on it when they visit.

How about yogurt in cute little crocks and glass pots?

And let's not forget those darling French fish department guys.

Again we got out of there with a boat load of food, stocking up the fridge for breakfasts and lunches during the retreat.  The dinners will be catered.

We moved into the Chateau, and here's just a tiny glimpse.  I'll talk more about it in future posts.

Dinner was extra special tonight as we entertained our very first guests.  There were none other than Julie's cousin, Gillian Hill and her good friend Liz Downing, visiting Provence from Majorca, Spain.  Julie and Gillian have not seen each other since 1995.  Gillian, Liz, Belinda and Julie all have a love of boats in common, and it was great fun to hear them exchange stories and experiences.  Dinner was  Monkfish wrapped in proscuitto, roasted potatoes and a tomato and cucumber salad.   So good,

and Belinda made us a killer drink called a "Very Berry", which was Blackberry liquer, fresh limes and Blackberries, and Vodka.  So refreshing, and it also happened to pack a whallop.

We finished the evening with a group shot to remember a splendid evening.  Left to right are Gillian, Julie, Your's Truly, Belinda and Liz.

And as I stepped outside to walk back to my room to write the blog, I noticed it's a full moon tonight.  What a beautiful way to say goodnight to you all.  Bonne Nuit and Sweet Dreams.

 Love, Linda

Getting the Lay of the Land in Provence

"So, Linda," you ask, "just what are you doing in France, anyway?"  Good question!  As my jetlag lifts, and I slowly start adjusting to the nine hour time difference, I can answer this.  I am here to assist Julie Snyder in conducting her fabulous "Workshops In France" art retreat, along with wonderful artist and new found friend Belinda del Pesco.   Together Belinda and I will assist Julie in taking care of her guests on this ten day retreat, which begins Sunday.  Here are some ramblings regarding our last two days.  First of all, we are driving SUV's in a country that is made for teeny, tiny cars.  Here is an example of most of the back roads here.  One lane for two way traffic.

In addition, their favorite word where driving is concerned is "roundabout".  They are EVERYWHERE.   Luckily we have the aid of our navigational system lady with the polite English accent who I have yet to give a name.  Need to give her a good one.  She seems to like to mess with us and is not always spot on.  Luckily she at least speaks English.

Then there is the shopping.  We spent some time today picking up supplies at the local mega super market Auchan.  Here they seem to like coffee a lot (it fills both sides of this aisle),

and you can buy anything from Violette Liquer

to Espadrilles.

Here's Julie checking out with some goodies for the Chateau!

Next we did some touring, looking for the fields of lavender that are already blooming.  One of my favorites is the one we found outside of the charming village of Roussillon.  Love the sumptuous curves.

Another high point to the day was visiting Gordes.  Here is a spectacular view of this ancient city, which literally brought me to tears.  How lucky I am to be here!

We spent a lot of time driving today and this countryside is packed with vineyards, lavender fields, and apple and cherry trees dripping with fruit.  The lavender hums with honey bees, and the leaves of the grapevines glow a brilliant green in the sun.  It is all so breathtaking.  I wish you see it and smell it for yourself!  In addition, the French language sounds like music and people in Provence greet each other with three kisses.  Cheek, other cheek, and back again.  It's adorable.

We finished the day with dinner in L'isle Sur La Sorgue, where I had a divine Goat Cheese and Spinach Quiche and Salad and a glass of Rose.  Yes, Rose.  It's not the wine that I would usually order, but they seem very popular here and I am in wine country, after all.  I need to try something new every day.  It was delicious.

These past two days have been a whirlwind tour.  I will tell you more about each town as we spend time there over the next ten days or so.  Tomorrow we move into the Chateau!!  How exciting is that?  Can't wait to share it with you.  I'll finish with a pic of the courtyard of the Air Bnb where we have been staying in Chateau-Renard,

and a pic of me hard at work blogging!  Yes, it's always after midnight before I finish, but I enjoy it so.  Tonight is no exception.  Bonne Nuit from Provence!

Love, Linda