Since becoming winemaker and majority owner, along with Thomas Bertrand, of Domaine Rouge-Bleu, Caroline Jones has few free moments. Yet, she took time out during her busy first bottling last week, to put together a caring package for a friend. Read on, in today's missive.
Question: How to say "care package" in French?
Answer: I'm not exactly sure—but here are some ideas!:
- un colis suprise
- une trousse de soins
- un paquet de soins
Now for ideas about what to put into un colis surprise? How about something sweet, something nostalgic, and something healing? (see examples in today's story, meantime, share some care package essentials with us here. I would love some creative ideas for what to include inside un paquet de soins. Do you have any good ideas about whom to give une trousse de soins to? Soldats and étudiants often receive them, but I loved this blogger's idea about who to make up one for: give a care package to a homeless person.
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc list three ways to say "care package" in French, and hear him read the following sentence: Download MP3 or Wave file
Rien ne dit à domicile aux militaires déployés comme un paquet de soins. Nothing says home, to deployed military, like a care package. (Note: example sentence, in French, taken from here).
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
"What happened to the shepherd?" Jean-Marc asked, after walking the dogs Saturday morning.
I'd been wondering the same thing. Though I hadn't seen the punk rock berger lately, I had heard him, on Friday morning, somewhere in the bleating distance….
I was typing up the brebis story, struggling to meet a self-imposed deadline, when I heard the sheep, bells-a-clanking. I also heard a host of curious code words and whistles, as the shepherd steered his flock. A nagging dilemma arose: finish my story on time… or follow the bleating cue and get up and go meet the shepherd to find out about the bells, whistles and more!
"In a year it won't matter whether you posted a story or not!" I debated, as I pecked at the keyboard, grasping for le mot juste…
***
"I don't know… " I answered Jean-Marc, feeling a wave of regret for missing a second chance to deliver the shepherd his gâteau. And now the berger was gone…. and he never got his slice of homemade chocolate cake (worse, I ate it, along with the rest of the cake in the pan—and all the crumbs too!)
The cake may have disappeared, but the intention had been there all along…. even as I typed the last words of the story:
Little did the berger know—and little do we all know—that out there, somewhere, someone is trying to comfort us without our even knowing.
I still believed those words, which were quietly intended to comfort readers. Typing them filled me with hope, too, and I couldn't help wondering whether someone, somewhere, might even be trying to comfort me, just as the shepherd's cake had?
***
In the kitchen I was pressing and pinching the bottom of a Bundt pan, forming the remaining crumbs into cake balls and transfering them, sheepishly, into my mouth. Meantime another ball, of anxiety, was stuck in my throat. Apart from the berger, there were other souci, the kind that are difficult to put your finger on. How much easier it was to put a finger on a cake crumb!
***
"Caroline sent this back for you," Jean-Marc mentioned, as he returned home from Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where he had been helping the new owners with their first wine bottling.
Something sent back? For me?!
Jean-Marc handed me the colis, then went about the business lighting the fire, which had gone out when he left the day before.
I peered inside the boîte and saw two potted plants….
How thoughtful of her! I remembered telling Caroline, when she and Thomas bought the vineyard, that there were some medicinal plants in the garden. They were given to me, as ornamental plants, by the Dirt Divas; later on, I was excited to learn that the plant, euphorbia peplus, had healing properties. Coincidentally, is used to treat skin cancer!
When Caroline moved to Domaine Rouge-Bleu she said she would be happy to dig up the plants for me, but she cautioned me about self-medicating, "Please be careful. This is a toxic plant!"
I heeded Caroline's precaution, planting the euphorbia in our new garden as it was intended (as an ornamental… but one I will keep researching just in case…); each time I pass by the plant, it reminds me of the Dirt Divas and of Caroline, too. Regarding the extra plants Caroline sent back in her care package, she noted:
"I found these bigger ones amongst the vines when I was pruning. They look a bit winter-hardy, not sure if they'll grow well but thought it worth a shot!"
From her words, it was clear Caroline would keep researching too!
Wiping tears from my eyes, I peered back into the box and discovered a bottle of olive oil. Caroline and Thomas's first press! As I studied the bottle, thinking about picking those same trees with Jean-Marc, the tears were replaced with chokes of laughter on reading Caroline's tip:
Go easy with the olive oil – it's not filtered so quite peppery (nearly choked to death when we first tried it – but it has softened with age).
The cloudy olive oil was just what I had been searching for, ever since learning that the fresh press (when it's still cloudy) contains the most health benefits. No worries about the peppery taste. I could handle the healthy punch!
The tender nostalgia continued… the presents too! I pulled out this one next, handmade by Caroline from the corks of Jean-Marc's wine. I quickly hung the treasured souvenir on the wall of the cozy entry, stopping to admire the stylish handiwork of the winemaker-crafter.
I thought about how hard Caroline and Thomas have worked since moving to our former vineyard–and all the improvements they have made in less than five months.
They've gone through the whirlwind harvest (the pictures hint at the busy and joyful time), they have continued to renovate the farmhouse, to plant a vegetable garden–they have even completed their first bottling!–and they have designed a new and knock-down-delightful label (Do you like it? Be sure to let Caroline and Thomas know your thoughts about it, in the comments box!)
Caroline and Thomas, toasting to our new adventure, here at Mas des Brun.
In spite of all the hustle and bustle–including the recent wine bottling (indeed, as I type this, Caroline is finishing up the last of the mise-en-bouteille today!), this busy winemaker took the time to put together a thoughtful package, un colis de soins, for a friend.
Caroline, checking the old barrels.
Yes, of course, someone, somewhere, is trying to comfort us without our even knowing. And while I was anxiously pressing the cake tin, gathering the very last crumb, someone, at the same time, in a different place, was busy filling an old wine box with a thoughtful thing or two–for me… and why not for you?
***
If you enjoyed this story then it's safe to say that the thoughtful package touched and comforted us all! To comment on today's story, click here.
French Vocabulary
le mot juste = just the right word
le souci = worry
le gâteau = cake
le colis = package
la boîte = box
la mise-en-bouteille = wine bottling
There's a new vineyard dog at Domaine Rouge-Bleu… and her name is "Mirabel". Meet Caroline and Thomas's kitty.
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Lovely, as always, and I especially enjoyed the picture of the new vineyard “dog.”
Just a caution, however; never give chocolate to a dog. I can kill them. You can check that with the vet to see if thinking has changed.
Would be great if you could find a way to have color pictures in your book. Your photographs are so wonderful.
Lovely, as always, and I especially enjoyed the picture of the new vineyard “dog.”
Just a caution, however; never give chocolate to a dog. I can kill them. You can check that with the vet to see if thinking has changed.
Would be great if you could find a way to have color pictures in your book. Your photographs are so wonderful.
omg! It not I can kill them!!!
Too lazy to preview your post? It can be deadly.
omg! It not I can kill them!!!
Too lazy to preview your post? It can be deadly.
Edie from Savannah, that sounds absolutely delicious! Lovely friend of yours!
Julie, enjoyed learning the word coda. Cool!
Martine, thank you so much for the translations, including panier-réconfort. Its perfect. May I add them to the definitions list?
Lorrie, good to get the no chocolate for dogs message out (and no grapes, either!). Re the pictures, Jean-Marc took the ones of Carolines gift. The other photos are from Caroline and Thomass Facebook page, by various harvesters (thanks, C Ts harvesters, loved seeing all of your photos from the vendenge!) And the photo of Caroline and Thomas, here at our new home was taken by JM or me — or maybe Maggie or Mike… the English couple that sold us this home.
Lorrie — MDR (LOL!) happens to us all the time, here in the comments box. We hit publish then, yikes! the mistakes suddenly shout out. No worries — ever!
French Word-A-Day http://french-word-a-day.com
Book: Blossoming in Provence:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1467929794/mdj-20
Latest video from France/sign up to our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FrenchWordADay
Edie from Savannah, that sounds absolutely delicious! Lovely friend of yours!
Julie, enjoyed learning the word coda. Cool!
Martine, thank you so much for the translations, including panier-réconfort. Its perfect. May I add them to the definitions list?
Lorrie, good to get the no chocolate for dogs message out (and no grapes, either!). Re the pictures, Jean-Marc took the ones of Carolines gift. The other photos are from Caroline and Thomass Facebook page, by various harvesters (thanks, C Ts harvesters, loved seeing all of your photos from the vendenge!) And the photo of Caroline and Thomas, here at our new home was taken by JM or me — or maybe Maggie or Mike… the English couple that sold us this home.
Lorrie — MDR (LOL!) happens to us all the time, here in the comments box. We hit publish then, yikes! the mistakes suddenly shout out. No worries — ever!
French Word-A-Day http://french-word-a-day.com
Book: Blossoming in Provence:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1467929794/mdj-20
Latest video from France/sign up to our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FrenchWordADay
Update: another excellent blog, via the first one mentioned in todays post, about what to include in a care package for the homeless. This blogger keeps extra care packages in her care. Great ideas here: http://wheremyheartresides.com/2012/11/07/hope-for-the-homeless/
Update: another excellent blog, via the first one mentioned in todays post, about what to include in a care package for the homeless. This blogger keeps extra care packages in her care. Great ideas here: http://wheremyheartresides.com/2012/11/07/hope-for-the-homeless/
Hi Kristen ! I follow your article each week and often talk about it with the French conversation Class I teach at our local Seniors Centre. There are 12 in the class. They ask if I speak French with a Scottish accent (45 years in Canada) and I tell them about the Auld alliance between Scotland and France and my ability to roll my “r’s” is quite natural.
Anyway I am really writing to tell you that when I sized down from a house to an apartment one of my friends came around on moving day and brought me a large basket of paper towels, toilet rolls, nice soap, bath salts etc. It was wonderful – there was a bottle of wine too!
amicalement, Janette Calder
Hi Kristen ! I follow your article each week and often talk about it with the French conversation Class I teach at our local Seniors Centre. There are 12 in the class. They ask if I speak French with a Scottish accent (45 years in Canada) and I tell them about the Auld alliance between Scotland and France and my ability to roll my “r’s” is quite natural.
Anyway I am really writing to tell you that when I sized down from a house to an apartment one of my friends came around on moving day and brought me a large basket of paper towels, toilet rolls, nice soap, bath salts etc. It was wonderful – there was a bottle of wine too!
amicalement, Janette Calder
It’s exciting to know Domaine Rouge Bleu goes forward, and seemingly with another nice couple “at the wheel”. Just think of it, Kristin .. you and Jean-Marc created a lasting name and legacy as you lived, loved, and grew together in St Cecile. Few can claim that in a lifetime. Congratulations are in order. I’m anxiously awaiting the first taste of the next chapter in Bandol! Aloha, Bill
It’s exciting to know Domaine Rouge Bleu goes forward, and seemingly with another nice couple “at the wheel”. Just think of it, Kristin .. you and Jean-Marc created a lasting name and legacy as you lived, loved, and grew together in St Cecile. Few can claim that in a lifetime. Congratulations are in order. I’m anxiously awaiting the first taste of the next chapter in Bandol! Aloha, Bill
Hi again, Kristin…
Good to hear back from you. Karen and I still share, and very much enjoy, your column. The link you requested (or am I pressing this upon you?):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARE_Package
All the best to Jean-Marc et votre famille,
Skip…note new e-mail, s’il vous plait.
Hi again, Kristin…
Good to hear back from you. Karen and I still share, and very much enjoy, your column. The link you requested (or am I pressing this upon you?):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARE_Package
All the best to Jean-Marc et votre famille,
Skip…note new e-mail, s’il vous plait.
Dear Kristin,
Robert Frost was thinking of you…..
I went to turn the grass once after one
Who mowed it in the dew before the sun.
The dew was gone that made his blade so keen
Before I came to view the levelled scene.
I looked for him behind an isle of trees;
I listened for his whetstone on the breeze.
But he had gone his way, the grass all mown,
And I must be, as he had been,–alone,
`As all must be,’ I said within my heart,
`Whether they work together or apart.’
But as I said it, swift there passed me by
On noiseless wing a ‘wildered butterfly,
Seeking with memories grown dim o’er night
Some resting flower of yesterday’s delight.
And once I marked his flight go round and round,
As where some flower lay withering on the ground.
And then he flew as far as eye could see,
And then on tremulous wing came back to me.
I thought of questions that have no reply,
And would have turned to toss the grass to dry;
But he turned first, and led my eye to look
At a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook,
A leaping tongue of bloom the scythe had spared
Beside a reedy brook the scythe had bared.
I left my place to know them by their name,
Finding them butterfly weed when I came.
The mower in the dew had loved them thus,
By leaving them to flourish, not for us,
Nor yet to draw one thought of ours to him.
But from sheer morning gladness at the brim.
The butterfly and I had lit upon,
Nevertheless, a message from the dawn,
That made me hear the wakening birds around,
And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground,
And feel a spirit kindred to my own;
So that henceforth I worked no more alone;
But glad with him, I worked as with his aid,
And weary, sought at noon with him the shade;
And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech
With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach.
`Men work together,’ I told him from the heart,
`Whether they work together or apart.’
Dear Kristin,
Robert Frost was thinking of you…..
I went to turn the grass once after one
Who mowed it in the dew before the sun.
The dew was gone that made his blade so keen
Before I came to view the levelled scene.
I looked for him behind an isle of trees;
I listened for his whetstone on the breeze.
But he had gone his way, the grass all mown,
And I must be, as he had been,–alone,
`As all must be,’ I said within my heart,
`Whether they work together or apart.’
But as I said it, swift there passed me by
On noiseless wing a ‘wildered butterfly,
Seeking with memories grown dim o’er night
Some resting flower of yesterday’s delight.
And once I marked his flight go round and round,
As where some flower lay withering on the ground.
And then he flew as far as eye could see,
And then on tremulous wing came back to me.
I thought of questions that have no reply,
And would have turned to toss the grass to dry;
But he turned first, and led my eye to look
At a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook,
A leaping tongue of bloom the scythe had spared
Beside a reedy brook the scythe had bared.
I left my place to know them by their name,
Finding them butterfly weed when I came.
The mower in the dew had loved them thus,
By leaving them to flourish, not for us,
Nor yet to draw one thought of ours to him.
But from sheer morning gladness at the brim.
The butterfly and I had lit upon,
Nevertheless, a message from the dawn,
That made me hear the wakening birds around,
And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground,
And feel a spirit kindred to my own;
So that henceforth I worked no more alone;
But glad with him, I worked as with his aid,
And weary, sought at noon with him the shade;
And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech
With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach.
`Men work together,’ I told him from the heart,
`Whether they work together or apart.’
Our dear Kristi,
What a wonderful post!You once again gave us not only the privilege of being part of your life and sharing your friendships,but also another really worthwhile insight to remember: pass on the kindness given to you. Besides prayer,that is precisely what Jesus wanted us to do for each other.
Keeping this thought close to my heart, there couldn’t be a better way to start the week.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
What a wonderful post!You once again gave us not only the privilege of being part of your life and sharing your friendships,but also another really worthwhile insight to remember: pass on the kindness given to you. Besides prayer,that is precisely what Jesus wanted us to do for each other.
Keeping this thought close to my heart, there couldn’t be a better way to start the week.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Natalia XO
Kristin another great post thankyou, Caroline and Thomas and Mirabel welcome to this world of blogging, hope you have time to enjoy a good read every now and then. Your work is impeccable.
Kristin another great post thankyou, Caroline and Thomas and Mirabel welcome to this world of blogging, hope you have time to enjoy a good read every now and then. Your work is impeccable.
I meet with an old friend with whom I traveled to France together. She survived Katrina and numerous other battles. Is finely back after 8 years. I’m giving I love the new label. I’m giving my friend your website. Southern Oregon is having a Southern France winter day; clear and cold and beautiful. Wear your hat!
I meet with an old friend with whom I traveled to France together. She survived Katrina and numerous other battles. Is finely back after 8 years. I’m giving I love the new label. I’m giving my friend your website. Southern Oregon is having a Southern France winter day; clear and cold and beautiful. Wear your hat!
The link to the photos of the labels did not work for me. Instead, while logged in to facebook, I searched for Domaine Rouge Bleu, and got the right page. There is a photo of Caroline holding a bottle with the new label and Jean-Marc holding a bottle with the prior label. Very nice!
The link to the photos of the labels did not work for me. Instead, while logged in to facebook, I searched for Domaine Rouge Bleu, and got the right page. There is a photo of Caroline holding a bottle with the new label and Jean-Marc holding a bottle with the prior label. Very nice!
David, that was beautiful. To be reread again soon!
Natalia, you always spread kindess and cheer, wherever you go.
David, that was beautiful. To be reread again soon!
Natalia, you always spread kindess and cheer, wherever you go.
Acts of kindness and gestures of caring bless the giver, as well as the receiver. It can take the focus off of our worries and bring us joy. Thank you for the reminder, Kristin. As far as someone unknown out there to comfort us, there are angels unaware.
To Caroline and Thomas, your kindness to the Espinasses and your creativity are a pleasure to view. I hope to taste your Mistral one day!
Acts of kindness and gestures of caring bless the giver, as well as the receiver. It can take the focus off of our worries and bring us joy. Thank you for the reminder, Kristin. As far as someone unknown out there to comfort us, there are angels unaware.
To Caroline and Thomas, your kindness to the Espinasses and your creativity are a pleasure to view. I hope to taste your Mistral one day!
I was just introduced to your Blog today by my good friend, Pat, who is a wine specialist, and a lovely person. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this way. I feel ‘gifted’ just reading them!
I was just introduced to your Blog today by my good friend, Pat, who is a wine specialist, and a lovely person. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this way. I feel ‘gifted’ just reading them!
Caroline and Thomas,
I love your “Mistral” label. It looks very much like my Mistral santon- which I like so much I keep it out all year!
Caroline and Thomas,
I love your “Mistral” label. It looks very much like my Mistral santon- which I like so much I keep it out all year!
I feel as if I receive a care package every time I read your blog Kristi. You give so much of yourself to us, your readers. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
xoxo
I feel as if I receive a care package every time I read your blog Kristi. You give so much of yourself to us, your readers. I am so blessed to have you in my life.
xoxo
Great post today. Very thought invoking. And, I had no idea about the stages of olive oil. Why don’t I ever wonder about these things that I just take for granted on the grocery store shelf?
To Caroline & Tom: I am so very impressed with how your energy and creativity took right off from Day One and still continues. It shows what can be accomplished where this is passion.
Great post today. Very thought invoking. And, I had no idea about the stages of olive oil. Why don’t I ever wonder about these things that I just take for granted on the grocery store shelf?
To Caroline & Tom: I am so very impressed with how your energy and creativity took right off from Day One and still continues. It shows what can be accomplished where this is passion.
Endorphins flowing everywhere! What a wonderful, multi-faceted post! Many things I wanted to say have been expressed already.
How admirable that your words have elicited all these positive, life-enhancing messages.
Thank you David Rhum for the wonderful poem.
Thank you Betty Tuininga for opening my eyes more widely!
So many times I have read and viewed things anew thanks to your blog and the comments from your wonderful community of readers.
An Australian care package would no doubt contain a jar of Vegemite (you have to be born here to like it, I think!). A care package from Belgium should contain a jar of ‘good’ chocolate paste.
My darling mother used to mail me asparagus, parsley and endives grown by my father, as well as gaufres aux amandes she baked. She lived in Adelaide and I worked in the Outback, where fresh vegetable were hard to get…
Thank you Kristin for bringing us all together.
Endorphins flowing everywhere! What a wonderful, multi-faceted post! Many things I wanted to say have been expressed already.
How admirable that your words have elicited all these positive, life-enhancing messages.
Thank you David Rhum for the wonderful poem.
Thank you Betty Tuininga for opening my eyes more widely!
So many times I have read and viewed things anew thanks to your blog and the comments from your wonderful community of readers.
An Australian care package would no doubt contain a jar of Vegemite (you have to be born here to like it, I think!). A care package from Belgium should contain a jar of ‘good’ chocolate paste.
My darling mother used to mail me asparagus, parsley and endives grown by my father, as well as gaufres aux amandes she baked. She lived in Adelaide and I worked in the Outback, where fresh vegetable were hard to get…
Thank you Kristin for bringing us all together.
Beautiful writing, Kristin,and lovely comments from everyone too.
I have been following Caroline and Thomas’ facebook page ever since you told us about it. It’s been fun to see all the pictures!
Beautiful writing, Kristin,and lovely comments from everyone too.
I have been following Caroline and Thomas’ facebook page ever since you told us about it. It’s been fun to see all the pictures!
PAQUET – CADEAU I would call it. Bien bonne idée pour dire à quelqu’un qu’on pense à lui/elle.
nadine, napa, CA
PAQUET – CADEAU I would call it. Bien bonne idée pour dire à quelqu’un qu’on pense à lui/elle.
nadine, napa, CA
A surprise care package is one of life’s most wonderful gifts. Thank you for sharing with us. Your blogs are like a care package to your readers. Merci, chere amie.
A surprise care package is one of life’s most wonderful gifts. Thank you for sharing with us. Your blogs are like a care package to your readers. Merci, chere amie.
In Greece I met a woman a few years ago from Australia who lauded the anti-cancer properties of Euphorbia Peplum, a relative of the milk weed. She swore that she and her husband had removed skin cancers from their face and even one from her eye that had long roots by applying the sap of the plant. I proceeded to research it and found a lot of science from Australia where they are looking at how to get it into the health system. So bravo for finding it in France. I tried to get seeds to no avail. We live a bit south of you in the Aude in a small wine growing village (St. Jean de Barrou). If you succeed with your plants and have seeds, could I get a few from you just in case the big C should crop up on our skin. I enjoyed your first book. Bought it on a recommendation from a FB friend and look forward to my French lessons chaque jour. Passez un bonne journee. Mary
In Greece I met a woman a few years ago from Australia who lauded the anti-cancer properties of Euphorbia Peplum, a relative of the milk weed. She swore that she and her husband had removed skin cancers from their face and even one from her eye that had long roots by applying the sap of the plant. I proceeded to research it and found a lot of science from Australia where they are looking at how to get it into the health system. So bravo for finding it in France. I tried to get seeds to no avail. We live a bit south of you in the Aude in a small wine growing village (St. Jean de Barrou). If you succeed with your plants and have seeds, could I get a few from you just in case the big C should crop up on our skin. I enjoyed your first book. Bought it on a recommendation from a FB friend and look forward to my French lessons chaque jour. Passez un bonne journee. Mary
Mary, good to read about your friends experience with Euphorbia and skin cancer. In my research, I have come across one big precaution: keep it far away from the eyes, or risk blindness! I have not used the plant as I am not 100 percent sure it is the right type of Euphorbia that I have here (it should be euphorbia peplus). If anyone reading can have another look at the photo, in the post above, to help identify it, that would be helpful. And I would be happy to send the seeds, once the plant is identifyed and once it goes to seed. For more information, check out this skin cancer forum: http://www.topicalinfo.org/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=1
Mary, good to read about your friends experience with Euphorbia and skin cancer. In my research, I have come across one big precaution: keep it far away from the eyes, or risk blindness! I have not used the plant as I am not 100 percent sure it is the right type of Euphorbia that I have here (it should be euphorbia peplus). If anyone reading can have another look at the photo, in the post above, to help identify it, that would be helpful. And I would be happy to send the seeds, once the plant is identifyed and once it goes to seed. For more information, check out this skin cancer forum: http://www.topicalinfo.org/forum/default.asp?CAT_ID=1
What a great pic of Caroline with her lovely hat! I was fortunate enough to meet both Caroline and Thomas on our family’s recent trip to France. Timing was perfect and we helped out as volunteers with the harvest for a day. A back-breaking but incredibly fun experience. It is one of our fondest memories of our stay in Provence and to meet another lovely Aussie lady was a great reminder of home. She is truly a thoughtful and generous person so I am not surprised that she put together a “colis de soin” for you. Isn’t it the most precious and uplifting feeling to know that someone cares enough to create a special surprise for you?
What a great pic of Caroline with her lovely hat! I was fortunate enough to meet both Caroline and Thomas on our family’s recent trip to France. Timing was perfect and we helped out as volunteers with the harvest for a day. A back-breaking but incredibly fun experience. It is one of our fondest memories of our stay in Provence and to meet another lovely Aussie lady was a great reminder of home. She is truly a thoughtful and generous person so I am not surprised that she put together a “colis de soin” for you. Isn’t it the most precious and uplifting feeling to know that someone cares enough to create a special surprise for you?