La Cuisine

The 'kitchen birds' at La Madone.

The French are defined by food. To them the growing, preparing, and eating of freshly harvested produce and locally produced specialties from a village or region, is very important. During my recent extended time in France it became clear to me that food, and accompanying local wines, revolve around a concept of seasonality. Most French cooks, because they have a love affair with fresh, seasonal, local foods, would never bother to cook a dish with a vegetable that had crossed the pond, or even just the country, in a refrigerated trailer.

AND.......speaking of eating, what nicer way to start the day than here at La Madone in Provence. At 8:00 AM, a tap on the apartment door and when opened there was smiling Nathalie one morning, and handsome Jean-Bernard the next. Each carried a tray laden with steaming coffee and milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade apricot and blackcurrant preserves, and fresh from the boulangerie baguette, croissants and pain au chocolat, yum!!

The kitchen area where an old iron stove had been turned into the sink unit ~ 'frig and oven behind the right side door. Old scrubbed table used as an island/worktop.

Pretty blue patterned vintage dishes, pale blue cafe au lait bowls ~ Oooh, I really wanted these!

Simple but pretty painted table and chairs, loved the porcelain numbers on each chair back. Constraint was used in the decor ~ nothing was cluttered, everything was pretty, and each item was there for a purpose.

Antique, unbleached kitchen towels embroidered in French red thread ~ I wonder who A.V. was. I purchased these to bring home so I could have some memories of this delightful place.

When saying au revoir to our gracious hosts we managed this peek into their personal area of the house and of course it was beautiful!!

Hope you have enjoyed La Madone. Perhaps some day you will visit there.

I can assure you that your stay will be memorable.