Le jour de marché

It's market day. Hurry, grab one of these authentic French market baskets (these were made right here in the Provencal town of Apt in the Luberon Mountains).....................we're going shopping. I know it's early morning, the sun is just up, and you want a second cup of coffee, but do hurry please, the best stuff is waiting and the market will close at noon!

There is so much to see on market day. The abundance of goods for sale amazes one's senses. As you travel from town to town, village to village, there is always unlimited bounty at each market. Colors overwhelm your vision, your nose breathes in the heady scents of fresh bread, lavender, olive oil soap, Camembert cheese, ocean seafood, garlic, spices and so much more.

Pretty and pungent just harvested lavender from the nearby fields of the Luberon below Mt. Ventoux.

Robust chunks of kitchen soap made from pure olive oil..............

................the piece I brought home to my kitchen!

The local olives now being harvested and brined...............

.................and some made into the purest extra virgin oils and delicious tapenade spreads.

Sunny lemons...........................

................for dried fish (a local delicacy)............guess you soak it, but then what?

.................and freshly caught seafood from the Mediterranean.

Freshly bagged herbs, blended for whatever you are preparing for dinner.............

............and an array of spices to make any dish sing!

Perfect braids of freshly dug garlic..........to make the tastiest aïoli, that so French garlic mayonnaise.

Flowers at every corner - in every color.

Much more to see, can you wait until next time? The breads and cheeses - my favorites of course. The fashions, the antique treasures.................yes, French markets don't leave out much. So dress comfortably, tuck your euros in your pocket...........and choose your basket.
What does your heart desire?

French Pinks

"Bonjour" Pink Saturday friends.

Images taken in the South of France often depict blue, every shade of blue can be seen especially on window shutters, doors etc.

While exploring the winding cobbled back streets of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in Provence recently, I happened upon this storefront which was definitely a change of pace.........................shades of pinky red and pale apricot definitely brought out the beauty of the woodwork.

And the shop......................well, when I peered through the windows it was lovely inside too, and chock-a-block with antiques and vintage treasures. The only disappointment......................it was closed for the usual long afternoon lunch break and I couldn't wait 2 hours for it to reopen!

Here's to a pleasant weekend and, if you have time, do scroll back and view

the blues of France also.

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday fun.

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.

La chambre à coucher

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......

On entering the bedroom through a pair of amazing 18th century painted doors, La Madone continues to surprise. The room is furnished simply in the same calm shades.

The heavy silk drapery fabric, which also covers the dressing table bench, is a vintage print of tiny rosebuds and stripes...................


.......a tall cream armoire for our clothes is embellished with an interesting carving.

The 'headboard' for a most comfortable bed is made from old shutters painted dusky blue. They also form the wall for the bathroom area behind. The charming oil painting of the basket of roses contains all the soft colors of the room. Freshly ironed bed coverings of vintage linen with monogrammed cotton pillowcases.

Mini crystal chandeliers with linen covered cords hang over the matching marble topped nightstands.

In the bathroom area the tiny windows were covered with simple linen curtains as were the shower and storage area curtains.
The black tiled shower with river rock floor was the only modern tweak in the apartment. Double sinks with antique mirrors and good lighting was a plus.

And.............where did we enjoy a typically French breakfast after a great night's sleep? I'll show you next time.

......living room......living right

La Madone images ~ Provence 2008

As I look around my own home I notice that recent decorating projects have started to take on the French Country feel. The master bedroom and guest room have some of that casual yet comfortable appearance. My colors changed to softer shades of grey blue, neutral cream and linen. But, after staying here at La Madone in Provence, I now know I have miles to go before I could ever get this same feel...................the quiet, peaceful, uncluttered beauty of this mix of simple country, vintage, and 18th century France.

The old terracotta tiled floor anchored the simple living room furnishings, a comfy linen upholstered sofa and chair, a painted table on a rush mat. The upholstered daybed, where old linen and flax covered pillows were tossed, offered more seating.

Beautifully painted moldings and whitewashed original ceiling beams worked perfectly with crystal chandeliers.

One of my favorite things in the living area was the rustic elegance of the linen padded door. Nathalie explained that this was a connecting door to another apartment and this helped give privacy. We knew there was a German family in that apartment - shoes were lined up outside their entry door - but we never heard a sound!

Wonderful paint finishes covered most of the wood pieces throughout the apartment. Decorative items were kept to a minimum, but what were there, carefully placed, seemed to have been picked for their simple beauty.

Wall decor was stunning in it's mix of simplicity and unusual items.

The old grey-blue zinc window, complete with finial.........

..............delicate vintage bird cages............

...............evocative oil paintings. like little jewels, brought the stronger colors into the apartment.


Next time I will take you through these exquisite doors into the boudoir where a good night's sleep came easy.
A lot more beauty to come.