RE-DO UPDATE

OK, now it's the plumber's turn...

to relocate the drain, and where the taps and spigots will tie in.

ONE THING I LOVE: PROVENCAL TABLE LINENS

I love the ones that have been woven on a Jacquard loom, which was invented in Lyon if I'm not mistaken.  Mr. Jacquard had the brilliant notion of using a punch-card system -- rather like what you would find on a player piano, or on early computers -- to control which threads went where.  Brilliant!

This tablecloth and the dishcloth somehow managed to follow me home, even though I had a sneakin' suspicion that I could probably find something similar here in the states, maybe even for less money.

Can you guess why I chose to eat at this cafe?

This would have been really good, had the cheese in it not been quite so stinky!

The food was ok...

but the colors and the table linens were faaaaaabulous!

ONE THING I LOVE: THE FLORAL SHOPS

I loved that they had one in almost every block, and the way their goods always spilled out onto the sidewalk, giving off the scent of jasmine or gardenias, and that there were always smartly-dressed young couples there, on their way to a dinner party, shopping for the perfect hostess gift.

GOOD WORK GUYS!

Well, the demolition part is done, and it wasn't near as bad as I expected.  The best part is, not only are they taking very good care of my house, they even finished up in time for me to go get a taco at Mimas.  Woohoo!

ONE THING I LOVE: THE MARKETS

Several people have asked when I am going to write more about the food we ate on this trip.  I promise a post will come soon, but first I need to think about it a bit, figure out how to explain my impressions, why there were certain parts that left me feeling a little let down, while others sent me over the moon.  One thing that met every expectation and more, however, was the markets, or marche's -- both the covered, permanent kind, and the little neighborhood sort that only appear on certain days.  Enjoy!

Veggies

Something made with white beans.

Our favorite asst. program director, Susie, leads us on a tour of Les Halles de Paul Bocuse.  Our son would have loved her -- she speaks German, and she's a total foodie!  She also led a Chi Gong (sp?) session each morning on the boat.

Pate's

The famous Bresse chickens -- red, white and blue to match the French flag.

Honey

Spices and big bowls of special salt blends.

Cheeses

The fish market in Marseilles -- where most everything is still alive.

This fellow was seconds away from making his escape, when John finally caught the attention of the stall attendent, who had been too busy with her I-phone.

ONE THING I LOVE: CONTRAST

 Vivid color against old grey stone, new against old, soft against hard, hip teenagers gossiping amongst ancient Roman ruins...

 

I love it all!

LET THE MAYHEM BEGIN!

OMG!  After all these months of just thinkin' and talkin', the contractors are actually coming tomorrow to begin tearing out our bathtub -- and I haven't even finished unpacking from the trip yet!  If you recall, we are replacing this old thing...

which is not all that great for showers or soaks, with a nice walk in shower, and new flooring will be installed in both the kitchen and bath.  I'm gonna miss that shower curtain though.

It reminds me of Paris.

John thinks we can continue sleeping in our own bedroom during all this, and just go downstairs when we need to use the restroom.  Of course, he rarely wakes up in the middle of the night, the way I do.  Would you want to go out here in the dark of night...

and stumble down these, only half awake...

praying that you don't run into, oh, maybe some deer, or a skunk, or a big ass snake... just so you can go winky-tink?  I think not.  I think I'll be sleepin' in that nice guest bedroom downstairs for a while.

ONE THING I LOVE: ENAMELED TILE ROOFS OF BURGUNDY

 

ONE THING I LOVE: GREEN WALLS

ONE THING I LOVE: SITTIN' AND SIPPIN'

Chocolat Chaud

A Kir Royale, made with the local blackberry liqueur, Cassis

Vin

Coca Cola

 

 

 

Eau

The'

So many cafes.  So little time.