Welcome to Provence

Pastis

Photo and text by Corey Amaro:

Provence is drinking Pastis in a small village, with cicadas clicking their heels in the background.

poppies

Provence is a red blanket of poppies with a child in the middle wearing a straw hat.

Blue-shutters

 

Provence is, without a doubt, blue shutters and flowers on the windowsill.

 

Fishing-village-cap-brun

Provence is a small fishing village nestled along the coast, a place to cast your dreams afloat.

Fish-soup

Provence is a white bowl of fish soup with sliced dried baguette, a head of garlic, grated cheese, and garlic mayonnaise.

 

Doorways in france

 

Provence is double-painted doorways…

Facade-marseille

And colorful facades with stripped awnings with a…

 

Provence Market

Fruit and vegetables stand underneath.

Yes, Provence is

the land of good and plenty.

————————–

Today is my cousin Kathy's birthday. They went to St Tropez, and I stayed home to bake a surprise birthday cake. But what was I thinking… St. Tropez versus Birthday Cake?!? I stayed back because I lost a tooth and had a dentist appointment: Oh the joy of growing old. Maybe I'll bake my tooth in the cake as a double-whammy surprise.



Comments

27 responses to “Welcome to Provence”

  1. I love that! I am still giggling at the image it conjures up when someone gets the lucky piece!! Sorry about the tooth though.

  2. I just love that double painted door…what a great & beautiful way to stay secure! Love the photos, they give us a wonderful view of France. Hey that tooth would make a great prize indeed…reminds me of the trinkets the English put in their Christmas puddings, though I daresay the recipient may not be so amused! They’d probably think it was their own tooth!

  3. It can be like la feve…in La galette des Rois….See how much I have learned from you?
    Gorgeous pictures of beautiful scenes!
    Hope it doesn’t hurt at the dentist too much!

  4. Sorry about your tooth, Corey!!!
    Mmmmm garlic mayonnaise are two of hubby’s favorites! He likes mayo on his fries instead of catsup! Is that because he’s French I wonder?

  5. Your pictures are superb! The elegant glass of Pastis with reflections is poetic and the poppies, well, they pop! All lovely and the last, ah, the last, has me longing for farmers’ markets that have several long months to go yet.
    ’tis no fun losing a tooth, and usually an expensive proposition to get a replacement part – but in the cake? Now that would be a story for cousin Kathy to tell back home.

  6. I think you should put your tooth under your pillow and see if the tooth fairy comes. Is this a tradition in France? I would just love, really love to see those poppy fields in person. Ahhhh. Happy Birthday to Kathy!

  7. Elizabeth

    Those doors are unbelievably close to the street. I would also want a large wooden door to close to prying eyes and cold winds!

  8. beautiful.
    we just got back from St. Remy which was gorgeous.
    xo

  9. jend’isère

    Your resolution cake was destined to finally be baked for special guests. And while keeping your humor about the Galette de Roi. Joyeux anniversaire Kathy!

  10. Corey, just wanted to let you know that due to that pesky volcano, my husband and I were stuck in Europe for an extra week… instead of staying in Lugano, Switzerland, we decided to spend several days driving through Provence. It is as beautiful as you write about and as your pictures show! I feel lucky to have seen your corner of the world! Thanks for your blog; it always brightens up my day.

  11. Debra P.

    Lovely . . .thanks for keeping my dreams alive! This post reinforced my passion. Your choice today really stank; dentist or St. Tropez???? Oh, to even have that choice!

  12. If only I could find those COLOURS at Benjamin Moore Paint! I’d paint everything in our house, pets included!

  13. Julie Ann Evins

    Thank you for always reminding me in glorious photographs and pros just how Provence is my spiritual home Corey. You are a superstar and always give me just the fix I need. We are all set for some British bank holiday weather here and I crave the South, Happy Weekend, Love Jx

  14. Corey, BEAUTIFUL Pictures, It’s better than Calgon. Christine the trinkets in the English pudding could make you lose your tooth. The last one found in our pudding many years ago was a silver sixpence. Saved it, my daughter will wear it in her shoe when she weds. I just planted RED flowers in pots in my backyard, behind the blue pool. After my trip to Nantuckets yesterday I also feel like I have been treasure hunting. I shall pretend I am in Provence.

  15. Love your pictures! Love the colors of Provence, especially the blue shutters. Just lovely. Have a lovely visit with your cousin.

  16. oh no!! are you all right? i totally agree aging is not nice –it is like your body turns on you or something –so sorry about the tooth, i hope you are not in any pain..g

  17. You crack me up! Sorry about your tooth.

  18. Natalie Pacheco

    I am thinking of you Corey and love you so much. I can’t believe it’s been two years; your right, it does not seem like it. I feel the same about my mother. Please tell Uncle Gene & Aunt Kathy hello for me. I am so jealous that they are with you. Please give my love to your family. I love you Corey.

  19. Nothing says happy birthday like a tooth cake!

  20. Corey… I don’t write often, but visit your blog frequently. Your pictures are something I look forward to. Thank you for them. They enrich my life!

  21. Such beautiful pictures, Corey. Makes me feel like I can step right into them and be there immediately. If only….

  22. I shared your blog with an old friend and she in turn shared a fabulous Provence trip story – to die for! Seems everyone I know has been to your part of France but me.
    I know I’ll get there, all this love for your country cannot be in vain. 🙂

  23. Photos of Provence
    More! more! MORE! More! MOre! mOrE!
    Love when you share your part of the world.

  24. Yes, do it. I only know you from the blog, but that sounds just like you!!
    😉

  25. lol, lol I’m going to think of this the next time my elbow bends and my mouth opens for a piece of cake. Your pictures are fantastic, how did the cake turn out?

  26. How about hiding your “lost” tooth in the cake, like a faience feves? LOL! Thank you for sharing all the images that make up quaint Provence. Garlic mayo? Did you ever go to the garlic festival in Gilroy, CA when you lived here? Garlic ice cream is a favorite item there! Not sure about the garlic mayo but I’ll check it out 😉 Have a wonderful weekend with your family.

  27. juilette Gigalkin

    Provence is where I’ve choosen to live… Provence is a wonderfull place to be; espacially by your side . Thanks for your pretty pictures remiding us the Bauty of our land.
    Love.
    Juju

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