Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Late Afternoon on a Summer Day

Views from Home

Last night French Husband and I went to the Fete de la Musique in Cassis, we went by motorcycle as parking would have been impossible otherwise. I wore a dress over my jeans, and carried an extra pair of shoes in the top case. A free strip show, with music in the background, and the roaring beach on the other side was my stage. 

We had reserved a table on Le Grand Bleue on the terrace, my new favorite restaurant in Cassis… 

 

Views from Home

During dinner, we had a glass of wine, which was wonderful– The wine was from a nearby winery.

We decided after work today, we would take a ride to the winery. It is at a chateau, that is one of the advantages of living in an old world… chateaus instead of malls.

I am not wearing a dress over my jeans. Riding a motorcycle has its disadvantages… One has to dress safe. Leather gear in summer, the sun will be cracking the whip. 

 

Views from Home

A few blurry views from home, taken on the go with my i Phone.

I hope to take clearing photos on the back of the motorcycle, let's hope that works. I'll post them later today.

Do you like red, white, rose wine?

I only drink red.

 

Views from Home

At the end of the stairwell, two doors behind a fainting couch, with a Joan of Arc style banner hanging in between. 

 

Views from Home

A prayer written on a leaf that was stuffed in an old prayer book that I found. 

I pinned it on an 18th century piece of French textile that has seen its better days (which makes it prettier in my opinion) and tacked it on an old hand carved wooded frame.

Now, back to the million things I need to do before this evening… Riding a motorcycle on a late summer afternoon… nothing better, excluding the brocante that is.

What do you like to do after work on a summer day?

Comments

16 responses to “Late Afternoon on a Summer Day”

  1. Shannon

    We spend the end of a summer day watching the kids play Little League. So American 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jackie

    So did you have the dress over the jeans or not? Or was it a pair of leather pants with a whip? I’m confused, it must have been the wine:)

    Reply
  3. Marilyn

    Enjoy the quiet of my backyard under the trees. No wine for me, but I do like a sparkling tea or juice. I do believe I would love this motorcycle ride through Provence. What a treat to be taken along.

    Reply
  4. annie

    Warm and languid – just what I would expect on a summer day in your world. Today is farmers market day. Another succulent is orbiting into my world.

    Reply
  5. Tamara

    Cooking with American husband Jeff. We made delicious mushroom and lintel enchiladas with Mexican cheese. Would have been fabulous with a California red Zinfandel but we don’t drink during the week. Ahhh but today is Friday …..so…..

    Reply
  6. judyo

    A perfect summer day ends at the beach with an ice cream cone.

    Reply
  7. Zosia

    Make a nice salad, preferably with some goat cheese. Have it with fresh bread and maybe a glass of white or rose wine. Sit outside and read a book or go for a walk.

    Reply
  8. Ann

    After work, a summer day is no different than in winter. We always fix a nice meal and watch the PBS News hour. Then I spend a few min on my personal computer answering family email, then a movie and have some homemade frozen yogurt (yum). It’s only on weekends that we venture out of our zipcode.
    We love to go to different restaurants. Last weekend we ate at a French Cafe and were greated in French by the owner. He’s from northern France. Had a lovely lunch and enjoyed the experience. Not sure where this weekend will take us but we will have a special lunch somewhere.
    In addition to my full-time job and the many work related activities, I have a small antique business which is my hobby but nonetheless a business. Every weekend I check on my two antique booths and it is pure bliss to spend time on them. They are my secret garden where I go for refreshment. This is where I find my balance from this mad and hectic corp. world.
    It’s the weekend and I only drink wine on weekends. So glass in hand – cheers!

    Reply
  9. Brother Mathew

    Bike ride and a beer on the porch.

    Reply
  10. Paula S In New Mexico

    Enjoy a glass of wine (red or white). Watch my garden grow and the birds at the pond from the shade of my patio.

    Reply
  11. Jojo

    On summer evenings after a very long day I love sitting outside on the deck with a glass of wine watching fireflies. If I’m lucky there will be a starry sky.

    Reply
  12. Dianne

    I would like to see a picture of you riding on the back of a motorcycle with French Husband. I like red wine but it stains my teeth so I have switched to white and I can drink more of it. Any good French white wines?

    Reply
  13. Ann

    Hi Paula, Can you tell me where in NM you are? I’m going to Albuquerque soon and would love to meet you if it is close by. Ann

    Reply
  14. Marie-Noëlle

    What do I like to do after work on a summer day ?
    I like to walk barefoot in the grass of our garden, or about the house,
    I like to have a swim,
    I like to make a fresh smoothie.
    Do I like red, white, rose wine?
    White wine:
    A glass of Chablis with oysters.
    A glass of Jurançon or Sauternes with foie gras.
    Red wine in the winter time.
    Rosé wine in the summer time. “Côtes de Provence”, mostly.

    Reply
  15. Lauren

    i like my wines the sweeter the better! so i prefer white. but i do love pairing wines with food so that’s when I usually branch out and still love whatever I try.
    Corey, you’re home seems to magical!! i love how you decorate. you have great taste. everything seems like a fairy tale to me.

    Reply
  16. Maggie

    My summer day is redolent with jasmine, roses, hydrangeas, herbs all running riot in my garden front and back. I love to walk barefoot in the early morning along the smooth gravel paths, coffee cup in hand, my legs laced with morning dew, my heart drinking in a garden created over the years, its myriad heights, hues, shapes, textures, added and subtracted at whim or great planning. The old clay and alabaster pots sheltering my ever changing arrangements of foliage and flower beckon, an old bench begs for me to sit, close my eyes, absorb this fragrant place. It’s very simple: old roses, the wisteria and honeysuckle, the hollyhocks ready to pop, the tall firs careful not to block the sun, the gentle hemlocks and native plants protecting the fragile understory, a California bay, now the canopy tree, an ancient espaliered pear tree, the blueberries turning sapphire, the buds of raspberries following behind.
    My home is for sale in July, and this garden, the joy of my summer days, all my days, must be bequeathed to others. It is not the first I’ve left behind, but I love it more than the house. Gardens are for losing, giving, sharing, loving. Gardens are forever.

    Reply

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