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!
 

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?

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: TASHA TUDOR AND LIVING AN AUTHENTIC LIFE

Welcome to the next episode in our year of reading dangerously, The Private World of Tasha Tudor, by Tasha Tudor and Richard Brown.

FLASHBACK

LITTLE BOY OBSESSIONS

The Last Time It Was Ever This Clean

Well, it seems our little Goober Bear is easing up on his musical instruments and train obsessions, to make room for his new obsession with cars and trucks. It started with Mimi's Little Blue Car, which he insists on riding in every time he sees us, then spread to trucks -- especially dump trucks and "bull-doz-ers."

Our BFF's made the 2 1/2 hour drive down here and then back again on Sunday, despite having a sick doggie back home, just so they could deliver yet another load of their own grandson's outgrown toys to our Little Goobs. Is it any wonder why we love them so?

I just wish you could have seen the look on his face when he first spotted this little blue truck on our front porch...

then reached out to touch it softly, whispering "Oh Wow."

It may take him a while to get used to driving with his feet, à la Flinstones!

When Paula informed me that there was a really cute children's series of books about a Little Blue Truck, by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry, and that they were based on the seasons, well, what was a Mimi to do? Three of them should be arriving in our mailbox tomorrow!

The portable race track was a pretty big hit as well!

I wonder what he will be obsessed with next?

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

For someone who doesn't really drink, I seem to be spending an awful lot of time at Los Olivos wine bar here in Wimberley. This time, however, it was because we heard they were teaming up with their new-ish back door neighbors, Rancho Queso Cheese Shop, to do a Taste of Texas wine and cheese paring. A match made in heaven, no? I do love me some good cheese!

Favorite bite of the evening? That little mound of Pure Luck chevre in the lower right corner, which had been drizzled with a bit of sea salt & lime honey. Tasted like Key Lime pie! I bet son Austin and his wife Areej, the only coffee drinkers in the family, would love those triangles with the black specks on them -- Pachi Pachi Farm's Cafetero cheese. I liked it, and I almost never like anything with even a hint of coffee flavor in it!

The Rancho Queso Husband and Wife Team

 Part of the Father-Daughter Team, Right, Who Bought and Rebranded the Former Tastebuds Location, Transforming It Into Los Olivos Wine Bar, and Its Wine Manager, On Her Left

 Can't wait for the next one!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: SIMPLE ABUNDANCE

Next up in our year of reading dangerously? Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Enjoy!

 FLASHBACK

THE DOWNSIDE OF A CREATIVE BRAIN

Well, I finally finished my second "folk art fusion" project using techniques learned in a book by the same name. This time, however, I started with one of my own sketches, instead of one from the book.

I was so tickled with how it turned out, I was ready to jump right in and start another one. But then I remembered my "no sew" travel journal from our Marfa/Marathon trip, and decided I really ought to get back to that, before the memories fade.

The thought of fading memories reminded me of my baby Calvin journal, started  in 2/17, and still with only one spread in it!

At this rate, the kid will be headed off to college before I ever complete it!

But, then I remembered that I still haven't even started the cigar box journal I had in mind for our Cuba trip. I went over to my art shelves to grab the cigar box. Only, it wasn't there. Then I checked in the closet, and the cedar chest, and every other place I could think of. Still no cigar box. Finally I decided that my only course of action was to totally rework all of my shelves, drawers and closets. Which will probably take all week, if not longer.

So, now you know why, out of all the art journals on my shelf, the only one that ever got completed was my circle journal -- the one where I did the first few spreads in it, then I passed it around a circle of friends, all around the country. When it finally made its way back to me, it was full of wonderful art! Just not mine. Some of mine is now in each of their journals. I really miss it.