French la Vie

Last week's French la Vie group came for the experience, to admire everything French, to soak up the culture around dining, to learn about France through antiquing, and to buy a bit along the way.

They enjoyed food, so I called them the "Foodies." It was an absolute pleasure since France is about food, and talking about food is their language.

However, the photos below do not show what we ate since we were too busy eating, drinking, and talking about the tabletop or the antiques related to French cuisine.

I was thrilled.

Food, antiques, tabletops, good company, conversations, and many laughs.

So you see, the French la Vie is more than just buying.

They left more for me to buy … do you hear me giggle?

 

The first night dinner was at my home.

 

 

A coffee ice cream dessert. At a local restaurant.

 

These purple plates. 

 

 

Dinner at my friend Monique's home with her beautiful handmade pottery adorning the tabletop.

If ever you have had a meal at Monique's home, you know what I mean about 

A  B  U  N  D  A  N  T      G  E  N  E  R  O  S  I  T  Y 

 

May is the month of flowers.

 

Isabelle's creative touch.

 

Soooo delicious!

But her homemade gnocchi with spinach and chard was incredible, as were the roasted beets finely sliced with goat cheese. I have always had a good meal at her home. Isabelle is an extraordinary chef.

 

And her tabletop was delightful.

 

 

A platter of birds.

 

 

 

 

Olive oil tasting

 

 

Far into the countryside, a handmade flamingo swirls above a table beside the fire.

Delightful.

 

 Aïoli is homemade garlic mayonnaise made with olive oil found in the cuisines of the Mediterranean, especially in Provence. It was a classic meal served when Catholics refrained from meat on Friday: cod, boiled potatoes, green beans, a hard-boiled egg, carrots, and turnips with a dollop of Aioli.

I cannot believe I did not take photos of the food.

That happens when I am focused on my guests and talking about brocante…

When the meal is served, I am too caught up in the moment, translating, and eating. It is only afterward that I remember to take a photo. But who wants to see a finished plate?

 

 

Olive tasting from the producer.

1500 Olive trees. 

 

And at last, a drink on a boat in Cassis

To set our memories a sail.

Thank you, Lorna, Kari, Sandy, Ann, Hannah,  and Diann, for being enthusiastic about the wonders of Provence. May your memories of the French la Vie make your mouths water for more.

Beware of the little dinosaur (the inside joke to remember.)