Les Couleurs

Hats

Roussillon ochre

Lunch in southern France 

The speed and rhythm of life in France is enchanting.  Cafe au lait and croissant in the morning, buying a freshly baked baguette for dinner, lunch in a bistro with a glass of rose....

Felines and umbrellas

 I will definitely return to Provence, for the beauty, the people and the exquisite food.  Above all, I want to take more photos throughout.

Wall - Fontaine de Vaucluse

My parents' neighbor in France feeds this tabby each day.  He meows loudly at passerbys and will rub your leg for a pet.  The indoor cat peeked out as he waited.

Let me in

Le Platane, in Apt, served one of the best lunches that I have ever had.  The food was delicious and presented by the equally delightful waitress and owner.  It was a warm day and the outdoor seating is ideal, draped with trees and pink umbrellas.

Le Platane umbrellas

Roussillon

Roussillon was one of many lovely towns visited on my trip to Provence.  My parents have been often and thought of an equally interesting and breathtaking trip each day. Travel is vital and this trip, unequaled.

Woodpile

Roussillon overlooks the first ochre quarries of over 200 years past. The rich pigments are reflected in the buildings and clothing of southern France.

Summer shop

More overexposed photos, but you still see the hues of the region reflected in the architecture.

 Light

Blue door

Le Marche - Apt

I have recently returned from a dream vacation in a small village in the Provence region of southern France.  My parents have been going for nearly a decade and showed me all of the wonderful sights throughout the area.  As both my father and I have a passion for cooking, and my mother and I appreciate good clothing, we made many trips to lovely outdoor markets.  They had everything I had imagined and more.

Apt Saturday market

I inadvertently re-set my camera to ensure that I overexposed many photos.  I have done my best to salvage as many as possible.  Fortunately, my father the photographer, was able to show me the error and how to fix it.  

Saturday evening dinner

One of these lovely artichokes made for a complete lovely meal, after the requisite cheese and baguette, and accompanied by a lovely local rose wine.

Sweet cherry tomatoes

May colors and the start of baking

For many of us in the Northeast this spring is especially appreciated.  Each warm day passing adds new flowers and leaves.  I can once again wander with my camera listening to the birds sharing my delight.

Three Happy Trees

 Pink skirt

I cook and bake with the seasons, although I seem to be off the norm with baking.  I rarely make muffins, breads or other delights in the winter, but open windows and early sunlight bring on my yen for baking. 

Banana Nut muffins

April spring warmth in the South End

This was our first true spring weekend in Boston.  Still chilly in the morning, but warmed up quickly.  I drove into the city and wandered.  Happiness

Hidden Doorway

 Harriet Tubman House

 Sunlit fire escape

Cabbage Soup adventure Days 5-7

I thought that Day 5 would be one of my favorites, "meat" and tomatoes only.  After breakfast I was craving greens and I didn't feel great at the end of the day either. Cabbage soup was the saving grace.

Veggie Sausage and tomatoes Day 5

Day 6 was easy being vegetables and protein.  This was my first bit of tofu in 6 days and I had missed it the most of anything.  The ginger broccoli tofu was my favorite meal of the week.

                                                                                Ginger Broccoli and Tofu Day 6

Day 7 being only fruits and vegetables was a good finale.  I had become a little tired of the soup on day 6, but enjoyed it for lunch this day.  This is when I went out with a bang over dinner with my aunt, bread and shrimp.

               Raspberry Kale Avocado smoothie Day 7

I have most definitely reduced my carbohydrate intake and plan to make the soup for a general workday lunch.  It is good, filling and nutritious.  I will add new veg for variety over the weeks.  I had missed baking and thought that a new corn muffin recipe would be a great way to celebrate.  Not what I had hoped for, but a recipe that I can tweak and improve.

Raspberry Corn muffin experiment Day 8