September 30, 2017

A picnic in the vineyards



On a lazy Saturday in September, we loaded up our little red wagon - just me and the girls (and the cats). A picnic in a wicker basket, a proper blanket, a few stuffed friends and a couple of costumed girls. Marguerite and I took turns tugging on the black handle and then insisting little legs walk to our picnic destination: in the vineyards behind our house, beneath the big oak trees. We spread it all out and sat for lunch in the perfect shade, the sun still piping when the sun is high. We went gleaning ('grappiller') - sweeping the vines for remaining grapes, turning to sweet raisins in the sun. A local friend confessed that every year this is her favorite treat, after les vendanges (harvest) and before Christmas - the remaining clusters hanging there like candy.













Our bug collection



We are all quite proud of our bug collection. To me, it is the symbol of why we came here. I've wanted to build a world for the girls were they spend a lot of time examining the smallest details of nature. It's taking its effect. Whenever we come upon a new variety of bug they squeal happily. Ingredients for a good bug collection: extra time + spending it in a wild place. We're not in NYC anymore

September 27, 2017

Three girls in the olive trees



September in Provence - olives are growing plump and we vacillate between putting on sweaters and then switching them out for swimsuits and I love the mix. I caught the three girls out in the olive trees, climbing and swinging on their low branches. Romy's little limbs trailing below her sisters' and Marguerite's long like branches themselves. These are really good times between them. We often find the girls all together living out some elaborate story they've created. Rich characters, drama and worlds all their own.



September 25, 2017

Lavender Wreath



Romy and I harvested the lavender (admittedly, a bit late this year). We gathered two baskets full and hung it aside to dry. I decided to try a lavender wreath and started by gathering small bunches of lavender. The smell was divine.











I loved the ringlets made as other plants grew up the lavender stems. Twirly whirly, twisty turny, as Romy said.



September 24, 2017

Gorges du Verdon



I had long been fascinated by the water of the Gorges du Verdon, which is a series of deep river canyons here in Provence. The gorges are on the border of two departments within the Provence-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur region (the Var and the Alpes-de-Hautes-Provence departments). Despite being far from the Côte d'Azur the waters are as spectacular as the famous Mediterranean coast, green-blue from glacial sources and the minerals suspended in the water. We headed to kayak a portion of the Gorges (from Montpezat to the dam entry of the Lac de Saint Croix) in August. I was obsessed with getting in the water, but most surprising was the water temperature. At its coldest point on our kayak trip, the water was 4 degrees celsius. Water that cold is really dangerous and the kayak rental folks actually prohibit their clients from getting in. It felt knife-like when I dipped my legs in for just a flash. Unreal turquoise water up against limestone walls, plants dripping from them in jungle-fashion. I want to go back to kayak the rest.















Provence Summer



Summer...white dresses on girls who smell like sun. Sun sheets too. Pure luxury. Day after day summer blinked by and I was in a trance. Didn't take a moment to sit and write or reflect. Just soaked it in and took some pictures.

The beginning of September was ‘La Rentrée’ - the famous moment in France everyone references all summer…not just back to school, but back to life (in a country where everyone takes a proper, often full-month, break). Leading up to la rentrée the summer was full of guests with a stint in the USA.



House totally full…we even farmed Colette out at some point for a sleepover so her bed could be occupied. To the gills. We had a few famous members of the extended Joly family to stay - with their flair for story-telling and holding the spotlight around a table. Xavier’s Aunt Gaby came, belly full of laughter and stories from her wild house in the Alpes-de-Haute Provence above Nice. She lives feral…currently fighting off a family of boars who have taken a liking to her hilltop property. A mama boar and baby, dangerous stuff. Uncle Rémi, who came with courgettes from his garden, sautéed them perfectly with garlic, olive oil and pepper. I still have the sweetness in my mouth when I think of them. Xavier’s sister Marie and her family…endless art projects and handling nature, observing the sky, the moon, the stars with the girls. Outings around Provence and summer baths in the pool. Cooking, cooking, cooking - every meal enjoyed outside, long affairs. And good friends from New York and past lives. Such a treat to reunite with beloved people. Chris, my favorite travel companion and inimitable friend. Meredith, Jordan and little tow-headed Lars, finest friends from New York and beyond.


Marie and Louise


Pinecone mobile project with Aunt Marie




Outdoor painting on oversize canvases


Louise with a good book always in hand


Olives getting plump


Laurier in full bloom


Colette by the pool


Family poker with the ultimate bluffer: Mr. X


Cousin games


With Chris at a long, drawn-out Provence lunch in the shade


Jordan, enchanting all the children


Meredith, making me howl with laughter. Here, we were on a special tour of a near-by château and I had to contain it to a giggle-whisper laugh.


Lars-y boy, charm charm charm


Sister training


Taking a break

I’ve learned a lot about food in France, of course. Goes without saying. I always come back to the notion of “profiter.” The skill of, the ability to be, still and enjoy. Seems simple, but it is not. To sit properly with everyone involved and use all five senses to focus on what is there in front of you - together. And not start or finish out of synch. It is highly cultural. These small rituals - obvious things like never filling one’s own glass before everyone else is considered; ceremoniously composing plates and sitting to chat for just a bit longer before anyone picks up a fork or knife; locking eyes to the clang of a glass - and never crossing; and the famous Joly ‘banc’ - a congratulatory clapping ritual - everyone at the table knows the cadence and performs together to thank the chef or to congratulate a child on an accomplishment or to celebrate the host. All of this starts so early. At the girls' school cantine, the children are served and then they wait until every other child has been served to begin.





School! Marguerite has a big year - she has begun ‘Collège’ (middle school) - sixième. She is so tall, she fits the part. Doesn’t look like a primary school kid any longer. She is Paris chic, she can’t help herself. She got a lot of her dad, it keeps unfolding every weekend she is here with us. The time is unflagging. A terrifying and beautiful thing to witness.




This summer Marguerite attended a local circus school...you can guess the rest

Colette, in grande section à la maternelle, waltzed into her classroom and took control. She knew the kids; the teacher already knew her. No surprises there. She is a force of nature.



Romy began ‘real school!’ Petite section à la maternelle. She kept saying, “Do I get to go to Colette’s school?” Now we insist it is her school too. She proudly walked into her classroom and sat down where a piece of paper and some crayons were displayed. Began drawing, looked up at us and said goodbye. All around was carnage. Most three year olds were sobbing and begging their parents not to leave them. Her teacher came over and said that they would find Colette if Romy got sad during the day (Colette is famous at that little school). The charm of a small town.





Apparently, Colette protects Romy outside in the play area.(?!) Some kid walked up to Romy the first day and took a bunch of her hair in his hands and started pulling. Colette stomped over and grabbed his wrist and instructed “Laches!!!!” She imitated the face she was making when it happened for me later when she told me about it; it was really intense. Big Colette eyeballs. Romy nodded in grateful recognition as Colette told the tale.








A lavender harvest! Romy was delighted to pitch in and carry the baskets. Sachets sachets sachets - lavender in every room and closet




Gathering the olives (a bit too early), but in beautiful light


Constantly gathering


Morning ritual - feeding Mr. and Mrs. Cat


Every day is a tea party - gravel is the main course. The petals soften it though


Morning thoughts - avec doudou


Romy face, Romy hair


My jasmine is at the halfway mark


Poor baby bird


Summer play dates with amoureux Esteban - the love continues


Local abbey exploration. Little girls in big places


Flower child Colette


Funeral for a big bird. The girls were so thoughtful - placing him on a nice pillow, with a kitchen dish cloth for a final blanket (!)

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