Yesterday morning. Do you remember the lively scene, last June, when we picked the almonds from this tree? Click here for those pictures and the story: “A food that guarantees happiness, luck, health, and offspring.”
arrosage (ah-roh-zazh)
: watering, spraying
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Arrosage. Ici, à Mas des Brun, on préfère l’arrosage à la main.
Watering. Here, at Mas des Brun, we prefer to water by hand.
France and Monaco Rentals: short-term holiday rental properties throughout France. Click here for pictures.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Several pictures for you today, and an update on the last four or five days…
While Jean-Marc continued to water his new mourvedre, cinsault and ugni blanc vines last week, we had some memorable visits with friends.
On Thursday, Beth and Guillermo came for lunch. Beth is one of my very first blog sponsors. Was it around 2004 when she began advertising her lavender and lavender tours in Provence? Beth is currently living in Marseilles, where she got those mouth-watering Arabic pastries.
We ate them when she and Guillermo returned from the cellar visit with Jean-Marc. See him again, two photos up, using his earth-stained hands to talk about his favorite subject: le vin!
Jean-Marc had to excuse himself from the lunch table, to return to his just-planted vines near the restanque or stone terrace wall. With a morning and evening arrosage à la main, he is able to water 1200 vines per day.
After picking a bagfull of kale in the potager (to send home with my guests), Guillermo (kale-chip lover), Beth and I walked down to the new parcel (right) just beside the one we planted last year (see it, left? With the tall stakes). Beth asked if she could return again, to paint among the vines and olive trees. This brings me to my next guest, Tess! Let’s meet her next, after our sponsor’s message…
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Provence Dreamin’? Maison des Pelerins, Sablet. A Vacation Rental Dream in the heart of the Côte du Rhone.
I know Tess from the time Jean-Marc and I lived in Les Arcs-sur-Argens. If you’ve read this blog a while, you’ve already met Tessa here, in the ancient village of Séguret, and in many other stories.
Tess is an artist and chef, so when she came on Friday we enjoyed cooking together, long walks with the dogs, and painting the blossoming almond tree you saw at the top of this letter.
When Tess told me about her upcoming Paint in Provence classes, I thought of a few readers who have contacted me, inquiring about an all-inclusive trip.
I cannot recommend Tess enough! What a treat to spend a week with her at her farmhouse in Lorgues! And to eat homemade food from her French kitchen!
You must check out Tess’s Paint in Provence website. I’m linking, now, to the activities page, where you will see a day-trip to our vineyard – where you will be painting in between the very vineyards that Jean-Marc is tending, now.
If you have been looking for a very personal and unique trip to Provence, where you will be taking care of from the moment you step off the airplane to the moment you are driven back to the airport, then please contact Tess today. She has four openings total for this very special artist vacation.
Click here to check out Tessa’s Paint in Provence, and see you on May 21st!
Parapluies and kumquats.
And Sunday we had the chance to meet Gail and Fred! (I don’t have a picture for you yet, but here’s a snapshot of the table waiting to be dressed for lunch. There is so much sun out that we needed a covering for shade… The parapluies, or umbrellas, were a whimisical solution!)
Gail is the lady who wrote in, following my “Help Max find a room in Portland!” post. Apparently she was not put off by the post’s title “Logis, nourri, blanchi” (or housed, fed, and washed!) and she went ahead and reached out to us, offering to let Max stay in her apartment. Hmm. Did she tell husband Fred?…
“It’s serendipidous!” Fred said, when he arrived at our home for lunch. It turns out that Fred’s son is a friend of ours! Mark and his wife Debbie were unaware of Max’s séjour in Portland, until Gail mentioned, “I have a French boy coming to stay at our home.” A few details later and the coincidence was discovered.
Always good to sign off on a serendipidous note. It leaves the rest of the day open to so much possibility. Enjoy your Monday and see you next time!
Amicalement,
Kristi
And watering… and watering… and watering! Bon courage, Chief Grape! More pictures at my Instagram, including a mother-daughter moment with Jackie!
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Glad Max found a place to stay in Portland, though I felt sure he would. He’s so personable:-) It sounds like the perfect place, since you already know the family. What a coincidence!
Sandy
Lovely post, but I think you mean “serendipitous”.
Thanks Sandy and Petra! And I will fix that spelling at the next chance. Much appreciated.
Hi Kristin,
Love all the photos and the stories of all the friends visiting! I love how your blog connects so many people! 🙂 The painting in Provence sounds wonderful!
I can’t get enough of your beautiful updates, Kristi! Serendipitous, indeed. What a small world this is, and how great that Max found such a great couple with whom to stay in Portland!
Ah, serendipity! … and all those yummy treats to share with good friends.
BTW, Kristin, might there be a way to create the links to other blogs that open in a new tab? (e.g., when we check out Provence Lavender we loose your page) Just a thought.
Also, just finished reading your friend, Ann Mah’s, novel “kitchen chinese.” Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you, Katia! Eileen, you would absolutely love Tess and staying at her farmhouse. Shes a wonderful teacher. And so much fun. Click on the different pages at her site, to see photos.
Trina, that is a great tip. I see I have the option to do that, but never knew how important it was. Will keep this in mind for the next time!
Your home is so peaceful looking. It is such a small work isn’t it. You just never know who knows whom.
xoxo
I love love love serendipity! Isn’t it just the best thing ever?! How perfect for Max. Wish I could come paint with Tess in Provence and amongst your vines… Will keep the faith it will happen! And that serendipity will play its part when it’s time.
Our dear Kristi,
What an absolutely beautiful post and such gorgeous pictures! We feel like we’ve been treated to a mini vacation with you and such dear friends at your lovely home!
(Wow! How does this get better????)
Once again you have given us inspiration to look for and find the serendipity that isaround us if only we look for it.
THANK YOU!
Love
Natalia XO
The painting in Provence sounds fantastic. I was disappointed with the dates though. I’m a teacher and only get July and August for holidays. Otherwise I would consider booking it….sigh.
Husband Mike and I spend a charmed week in Lorgues a few years ago. Market day was one of the best ever anywhere. Oh how I’d love to sign on for Tessa’s painting class, especially the one that will feature your vineyard. I’ve forwarded Tessa’s website to painting friends.
In May/June this year we’ll drive from Rome to Lyon area for 3 weeks. -julie-
I couldn’t file this FWAD away without commenting on your beautiful photo of the almond tree in bloom blending with the rosy sky of dawn (or sunset). The pinkish red tiles on the small stone structure in your garden bring you back to earth … such a peaceful scene … perhaps one for your mother to paint. Many thanks.
Dear Kristin and Jean Marc – I don’t know why, but your recent posts about Chief Grape working the land and watering the vines have touched memories deep inside about seeing your original home and Rouge Bleu casks and being a part of the stream of your lives. Nancy and I are well, but France and Provence continue to call to us and we miss you and follow your ventures, including Max and Jackie, with warmth and love. And we miss seeing Jean Marc in Washington, DC!!! I know the vines will blossom and burst with life, as do you all. Maybe one day soon we will venture south of Paris again and lift a glass with your family! Many kisses, Linda