Yellow to Orange to Purple to White

In the neighboring village of Uzes during the Truffle Festival, tables were set outside in the Place aux Herbes for the once a year truffle dinner. Each menu had truffles used in unique ways (ours was the hamburger with slices of truffles. See my previous post.). Each table was adorned with the winter yellow mimosa blossoms and fresh oranges. We had the burst of yellow blossoms on our table at home, a wonderful inspiration for writing on a chilly winter's day. Trees had the beginnings of the tiny vibrant blossoms.

The market was filled with the orange of the citrus winter fruit. Oranges appeared decorating tables, in candle holders, and carried with the green of the tree in market bags.


Now, the wisteria hangs gently over the ancient stone walls of the villages. The purple a greeting to spring. My daffodils are in bloom in the courtyard, another sign that warmth is arriving again.

Ah, but here in Colorado, our color remains white. Maybe in another month, we shall see some of the colors of the South of France.

Happy Spring-----almost,


Cindy

Is It Just A.....

Ah, yes, another pastry. And I thought I would not see any more this winter.

I am sitting in the sunshine in the village square. All around me are the voices of the morning market. Winter vegetables are in abundance: cabbage, leeks, chard, carrots, all the colors of winter. Some apples appear, along with the squashes but most of the colors are the whites and greens that have survived the chill of the season.

People rush back and forth filling their baskets and talking with friends of the village. The market not only provides dinner but a chance to catch up on all of the news. The mime dresses as the children anticipate his silent movements.

Of course, on market day, we have to have our cafe creme along with one of those marvelous pastries. It is so difficult to make a decision. The sun warms us in the chill weather.

Ah, yes, it is only a dream. Here I sit on my patio with its view of Pikes Peak enjoying a cup of green tea and a cookie in the silence of winter! Soon, soon, pastries will again be on my plate!





Sweet Dreams,
Cindy

Spring? Not Yet!

As the winds howl, we know that Spring is not trying to come to Colorado yet, however, when we left France , Spring was on its way.

Some of you will remember last year when I planted the daffodils in the Fall for Molly's April wedding in France. Yes, they bloomed wonderfully... in March. And before we left in January this year, they were peeking out of the soil ready for an early rising.

Driving through the countryside, we noticed that the fields were changing. Long rows of plastic covered the Spring crop of asparagus which by now should be seeing the world. Amy's first comment was that Spring is on the way when the striped fields appear.

Behind Matt, you can see the bones of the pruned grape vines marching down the fields ready for their spring finery. However, each morning when we arrived in the fields to prune, the green vegetation was all dressed in a lacy covering of frost, a wonderful way to enjoy the chilly French mornings.













Orion is high in the Colorado night sky, a sure sign that the seasons will be changing. I just know that Spring can't be too far away! Yes, I know, we still have two months before we will see the daffodils---if we are lucky!

It's Close to New Year's!

OK, OK, I am at least two, well, now thirteen days late. First, my computer was hospitalized and than, I couldn't find any of my pictures. And instead of New Year's it is Valentine's Day. Pretend it is still January!

In France, Christmas cards are usually not sent but New Year's cards are, all during the month of January. On our morning visit to the boulangerie (bakery) two days after the first of January there was a box of the greatest cards obviously designed by children. Bright colors, shiny papers, wonderful paintings adorn these cards wishing the receiver a Happy New Year. The sign read, 4 for 1 euro. Of course, I thought we needed some to send next year to our friends. In our wonderful French, Joe asked who had made them. The school children were raising money for an activity. Needless to say, I had to purchase more of these works of art.

Later that week, we had coffee with friends and here is their Christmas, no New Year's card. Michel is a painter/photographer and Cristelle is a sculptor. Visit their website for a real treat. The name of their gallery is Open Galerie and Michele's photos can be found at Open Photo.

I guess I will leave you with a wish for a Happy Valentine's Day. At least I am early for this holiday!

Bisou,
Cindy

Yes, the Perfect Car

I have been going to a neighboring town of St. Siffert for the last three weeks to meet with Blanche, an "almost" five year old, who wants to learn how to read. We climbed the stairs each evening to her room to sound our letters and go "shopping" in her house of art for the letter sounds (Blanche's Dad is an art dealer---what fun their house is.) Maude, Blanche's sister, always brings me a cup of tea as we sit and talk about the day.

Thursday upon jumping into the car, traveling through the narrow, dark, winding roads, down the hill with French headlights almost touching my tail lights, something happened to the car. No power steering. I did get home carefully turning thru the four round abouts and the following day the car went into the hospital.

Now we are traveling in style. We have Amy's car. It was an old postal car and has seen many roads and hills in its life. It is air conditioned as every time I open the window, it falls out. This morning it is raining and I must go to the market for some treasures to bring home. It always is an interesting ride in this wonderful, vineyard vehicle.

Yes, we are returning to the states early Sunday morning. The house is beginning to sparkle again after having Molly and Billy's two dogs vacationing with us. It is ready for the next lucky people who will be journeying to our area. This is our great desk for writing your notes home.

(Ah, we are now home to snow and single digits. Brrrrrr.)

I have lots more stories to tell about our French life and send them on to you. Can't wait.

Hugs,
Cindy

P.S. We did arrive home in snow last night. And the temperatures? In the single digits!

Click on any of the pictures to make them larger.

Friends are selling their home in the next hill town of Castillon du Gard. If you are thinking about a new life, you may want to visit their website. The view is amazing over the vineyards!

http://www.smith-chaigneau.com/page16.htm

Wouldn't that pool be wonderful this summer?
Do see their web site for more views.

It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood...

Yes, we celebrated in France. When we arrived at our friends' home, the television was on showing the enormous crowds on the Mall in Washington. We all gathered around a warm fire and intently watched and listened to history being made. As we watched, Lucy made guacamole for our truly American, Mexican dinner. It is interesting to watch a US inauguration from the British point of view on BBC. It was quite exciting!

This morning I walked up to the Tabac (newspaper, candies, and important things can be bought here.) to get the French newspapers. Yes, the inauguration was front page news.









Here is a picture of Amy that she put on her facebook this morning. It does make one smile.



Off to the vineyard for our last two days of pruning as the next two weeks are black.

It is a beautiful day!

Hugs,
Cindy

More Precious Than Chocolate Truffles!

Sunday, quiet, dark, drizzly. Well, almost. It wasn't quiet. The Truffle Festival was held in Uzès and of course, we had to go. The Place aux Herbes was crowded with the grays and blacks of winter, however, there were those warming spots of color wandering from activity to activity. As we entered the Place a warm fire was blazing under this an enormous pan balanced on a front loader. Hmmmm. The lines grew around it and 300 eggs were poured in along with 2 kilos of truffles. Scrambled egg, one of the best ways to taste truffles.

At the market the sellers were all scurrying to sell their black, bumpy gems. Some had been found by pigs, others by dogs trained to sniff out the treasure. As you can see by the price, you are very careful to pick the perfect truffle---smell it, feel it, and be sure the hunter had not left on extra soil to increase the weight of the truffle, therefore, the cost to you. ( Note the price on all the truffles was 70 Euros for 100 grams, therefore, about 700 Euros for a kilo or 350 dollars for a pound!)

In one tent an auction was taking place. Note the truffle on the right. It was over 2 kilos or4 1/2 pounds. I did not think I should bid on it so left to see what else was happening at the market.

If one places truffles in with uncracked eggs, the eggs will absorb the fragrance from the truffle. You can scramble the eggs and have the flavor of the truffle, while using the thin slices in another dish. The price for ten eggs plus some small truffles? 20 Euros.

Most restaurants have truffle luncheons. (The one pictured is outside with the floor covered with straw and yellow mimosa at every table.) We had lunch at a new restaurant of a friends who will be serving hamburgers. (The restaurant will not open until March, but was trying out a portion of its menu.) Would you believe that the don't French understand that you pick up a hamburger with your hands and eat it! We showed them how.

This afternoon we are going to an inauguration party! Along with some of Amy's friends inviting us to watch, our French neighbors, Michel and Cristelle

invited us to join them. How exciting!

Enjoy,
Cindy
(To see any of the pictures in a larger format, just click on the picture.)