A Few of My Favorite Things

You probably just read Ryan's blog post about Provence. He isn't lying, the place is absolutely magical. If someone gave me a euro each time I muttered the phrase, "What if we stayed! What if we bought a vineyard and became wine makers and just stayed!" I could probably hire the real estate agent needed to look for said vineyard. But hey, it's a start and a girl can dream. There were many highlights during our long week of Provençal living, however I must apologize to the cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels, as the floating market at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and a Provençal cooking class officially rank higher on my list of favorite things.

When I close my eyes and picture a French market I imagine stalls overflowing with perfectly ripened produce, men in aprons slicing hunks of cheese from wheels the size of my head, spices nestled into burlap sacks, dried fruit, nuts, the aroma of fresh baguettes wafting through the air, proteins that are both recognizable and frightening (brain or heart anyone?), soaps, flowers, linens, beautiful antiques that put the replicas at Anthropologie to shame and the constant banter, barter and exchange of coins between customer and vendor. When I open my eyes at L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue I see my fantasy become a reality. 

We sampled every cheese, so good!!

"cute on cute"

If this isn't enough charm to last a lifetime, throw in the fact that we happened to visit the market on the first Sunday in August. Why does this matter you ask? Whelp, for more than 20 years, on the first Sunday in August, the market invites local producers to sell their wares from flat bottomed boats along the Sorgue river. The boats criss cross from bank to bank, flanked in flowers and filled to the brim with local goods (flowers, produce, lavender, honey, soaps, etc). The entire scene (as if it isn't charming enough) is set to local music, each vendor is wearing traditional costume and they add in a few market "clowns" (two men pretending to sink, fall out of their boat, etc) for good measure. It is exhilarating and delightful. Not ones to miss out on tradition, Julie and I purchased a bouquet of flowers from one of the boats. This included us pointing at the bouquet, the vendor throwing it at me, me testing my hand-eye coordination (success), and then tossing a coin back at the merchant. Transaction complete. We later discovered the floating market tradition dates back to when the towns fisherman came down on Sundays from their upstream villages to sell their goods directly from their boats. All in all, the market was a success and we left with lighter pockets and arms full of market delights. 

Floating market, ridiculously adorable

Flower purchase success!

Il est 5 heures quelque part (look it up)

 Since our Paella cooking class was such a success, we decided to try our hand at Provençal style cooking. With Richard back in the fold (he had traveled to the US of A for a good friends wedding), we drove 1.5 hours along country road to Barbara's house in Vaison la Romaine. Upon arrival, we were greeted by Barbara who is originally from Germany but officially living my dream as she and her husband have retired to Provence. She gave us our cooking aprons and a tour of her amazing property. They have a pool. They have a lovely lawn. They have olive trees and annually collect 11 lbs of olives to make one bottle of oil. They have fresh herbs. They have fig trees. They have it all. They better watch out because I might just move in. 

I am eating a fig. I am holding fresh Rosemary. I am hanging out with a butterfly. I am in heaven.

We spent the first portion of the class learning about olive oil production and collecting various herbs from her garden. She then put us to work chopping, weighing, stirring, mixing and preparing our 6 course lunch, all the while making sure our glasses were filled with Rose´(I must mention the class started at 9:30am and day drinking is totally normal in Provence). We spent the next few hours chatting with the delightful Barbara and watching all the pieces of our menu puzzle come together to create a meal. While we dipped our feet in her pool, Barbara set her patio table and then we all sat down to dine. 

Richard, looking like a French Froggie, drinking his Rose´ by the pool

The meal included: mousseline, tapenade, sable´s, petites quiches, tian de legumes and clafoutis aux abricots

The lunch was amazing and I've officially decided to purchase, at the very least, a "return to Provence" piggy bank. I am positive the winters will bring snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes and the silver white winters will melt into springs. Because, Provence, you are my favorite thing.

Fun Fact: We debunked the french are rude myth! Between a handful of strangers helping us try and find housing and a rental car after a delayed train from Barcelona to Marseilles (we were a day late to Provence) and the hospitality of Patrick and Michele we are officially fans!