Pink Saturday

Pink Caunes marble.

The village of Caunes-Minervois, where my family now live, is famous for its marble which comes in three shades ~ pale pink, sandy pink and blood red. The marble was used for the columns of the Grand Trianon at Versailles, the Opera Garnier in Paris (yes, where The Phantom hung out), the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel at the Louvre, and many famous buildings in Europe. The marble quarries have long contributed to the village's prosperity and renown.

Winning pieces from annual marble carving competitions are displayed around the village.

Local grape picker?

Early Autumn leaves in one of several pink marble fountains in the village.

Visit Beverly at How Sweet The Sound

to enjoy more pink posts today.

My "French" Family

Sometimes a visit to one's immediate family means a long journey. On arrival at my brother's home many doors open in welcome ~ warmth and love soon surround ~ feelings of comfort and happiness prevail.

Ring the bell ~ soon one hears the latch lift on the gate.......................

...............step through onto the crunchy gravel path...............

.............pass by the garden, still and quiet in the early Autumn sunshine......

................the old, original front door...............


.............and enter the house through these doors leading into the dining room and kitchen.

This lovely house was not a home when I visited the first time in 2006. It was being restored ~ it needed a lot of time, muscle, money and love to bring it back. It was the house of the corn merchant. It's location is perfect, on a small lane called an impasse, across from the elementary school where the voices of the children liven the crisp morning air.

The warm welcome from my family in their French home.