july 31, 2012

Had another one of those A Year in Provence moments today. A group of guys got together to help another guy move a bunch of huge stones on his property, and we enjoyed experiencing the whole wonderful way that French people do this, with much discussion over how to accomplish the task, many breaks with delicious consumables, and friendship and enjoying the company being at the foremost. We laughed that what would have taken a group of Americans one hour (get it done quick and get back to whatever else you need to do) took these guys four...but they had a whole lot more fun and community along the way. 

(BTW, Jay did not do all the work by himself and I in no way am trying to imply that through this picture! It just so happened that I took a picture while my husband was working, a normal proud wife thing to do I guess).

july 30, 2012

Ben & Crissy, hanging out at our friends' place in Lyon. We got ice cream at Adélice twice today, which makes it pretty much the best day ever.

july 29, 2012

Out for an evening hike in the hills around the place we're house-sitting. 

july 28, 2012

Out for an evening stroll in the neighborhood. I'd be jealous of me, too.

july 27, 2012

Taking the early train out of Lyon.

july 26, 2012

In Lyon for the day, visiting some really great people, the Klopps. Temperatures over 90 degrees called for a trip to my favorite ice cream place in France, Terre Adélice. It's a place where you can get all your basics...plus about a million other flavors, like smoked bacon, goat cheese, cucumber, red bell pepper, wasabi mustard...you get the picture. Jay was pretty adventurous, his cone here composed of lemon-basil and tomato sorbets. I had rhubarb and the red bell pepper, which were both amaaazing. I would seriously love to live in Lyon just for the chance to try every one of their flavors.

july 25, 2012

Market day in Pont-de-Vaux...tis' the season for peaches, nectarines, and apricots! We're pretty much in heaven.

july 24, 2012

Some friends took us out for a day on their boat, which they live on year-round (so cool!). We took the Sâone river up to Tournus, had lunch on the boat, and came back. Okay, we drive to Tournus all the time, on a road that goes right next to the river, but being out on the river on a boat felt like being in a totally different place altogether...such a different perspective.

july 22, 2012

We participated in a local wine walk, a combo hike through the countryside/wine tasting event, with booths set up for tasting every couple of kilometers for about 15 kilometers. Here we are with our little wine glass carrier necklace things, enjoying the sun & vineyard views. We're going to miss this place, I do believe!

july 21, 2012

This is the annual Bastille Day celebration in our village (they do it late to spread out the festivities between the different towns). Before the fireworks show, the children are given paper lanterns (which yes, do catch fire from time to time) and they parade around the village, parents and on-lookers in tow. It's quite charming, and gives one that happy glowy feeling that everything's just wonderful in life. 

july 20, 2012

Our house is getting empty. Feels so good!

july 19, 2012

Jay taking a break from the packing. 

july 18, 2012

Jay found this pretty little nest today. What a lovely home!

july 17, 2012

Some friends of ours are lovingly restoring this old building on their property, turning it into a concert hall. We haven't seen it for a while, so Pierre gave us a tour of all the progress they've made; pretty amazing. 

july 16, 2012

Mmmmm...doing a deep clean of the kitchen, scrubbing grease out the inside of the hood fan. A strangely satisfying job.

july 15, 2012

Our garden. 

july 14, 2012

The packing continues...

july 13, 2012

Friends over for dinner. No, we didn't just serve them hot dogs.

july 12, 2012

We had a team outing of castle-hunting today to celebrate all the super hard work that our interns have done during these past weeks of busyness. Love these girls!

july 11, 2012

It's a two-photo kind of day, because two big things happened today and I just couldn't leave either of them out.

Firstly, we got to watch the Tour de France! Here's Jay taking real photos as the group arrived. It's actually not all that great of a sporting event to watch in person, because they all just whizz by in a matter of seconds and you can't even tell who is who (not that I had any idea anyway), but it's still pretty exciting to have it pass by just inches away!

Secondly, we started packing up our house today, as we're moving out soon. So here's our place before it turns into a tornado-land of boxes and piles of junk to sort. I've loved this house so much and can't believe it's already time to move on!

july 10, 2012

I know that guy there with the white apron and white hair! He's a friend from our church, and he got to be in a nationally-televised cooking competition that took place in Mâcon, celebrating the Tour de France which is passing through Mâcon tomorrow. Très cool! 

july 9, 2012

A little visit from from friends from the States. They wanted to learn a few French recipes, and I was super impressed by their enthusiasm even over snails!

july 8, 2012

Dale Chihuly has been at work in our garden.

july 7, 2012

Out for a little team bike ride.

july 6, 2012

Our long cooking stretch is finished! Woo-hoo! The first thing we did when the final group left was to run to the hamac and take a nap.

july 5, 2012

Fun times in the kitchen. I'm pretty blessed to have a guy who's so great at prepping vegetables. He's a carrot-peeling whiz-kid.

july 4, 2012

Celery root. It's what's for dinner.

july 3, 2012

Poached pears simmering away (the floaties are lemon zest, if you were wondering...)

july 2, 2012

Me & Crissy, finishing up the evening kitchen-cleaning after a cooking day.

july 1, 2012

This is Jay's hand, helping himself to what may look like a plate full of salsa...but in actuality he's made the leap and is eating one of his new favorite dishes, steak tartare, which consists of completely raw, finely diced beef, mixed with herbs, spices, and a raw egg. I am so totally proud of him for this!