Friday, September 28, 2018

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: MY FIRST FOODIE MYSTERY TRAVEL GUIDE

Who out there has never read anything by Peter Mayle? If not, why not?


His most famous book, A Year in Provence -- based on his and his wife's real life experiences -- was the 2/1/09 giveaway in my Year of Reading Dangerously, and had much to do with my determination to live a life imbued with "seasonality". It also made a trip to Provence the #1 item on my bucket list, which finally got crossed off in June of 2011, when we took our Viking River Cruise there.


 


The best part of the trip, however, happened after we disembarked from the cruise, and headed off on our own to spend a few days in Marseilles. You see, I had just finished reading one of Mayles' mystery novels called The Vintage Caper, which took place in Marseilles. And, using that as our only guidebook, we had one of the best adventures, and ate one of the greatest meals, of our lives!



Ever since, I have made a point to seek out and read at least one novel (preferably one written by a foodie) before heading off to a new country.

P.S. For any of you who are considering a trip to Cuba, I highly recommend the novel I just finished reading, Next Year In Havana, by Chanel Cleeton. It's one of Reese Witherspoon's book club picks, and one that I sincerely hope she ends up making a movie out of!
 

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

LOOK THROUGH MY WINDOW: HELLO LITTLE BUCKAROO!

Well, it's been a crazy fun extended weekend, with a visiting sister and niece, and a double birthday celebration with the kids. But, par for the course, when having a little too much fun, I forget all about taking any photos! So, instead, I will leave you with this.


Once again I find myself asking, how will I ever be able to give up the constant source of entertainment which this bedroom window and our balcony porch provide me with, and go back to living in town, looking out on the house next door or a parking lot?