We've Always Had Paris ... and Provence

This room, the one that the previous owner called 'la salle blanche',

because it was all white, had the window of my dreams.

The top of my head just brushed the top of its frame,

and though I have to stoop a bit, the mountain view was majestic.

The window faced due west, so each evening as the sun set in a ball of reddish-orange fire,

I would be drawn to that spot, watching as the day said goodbye over Mont Theos.

I was determined that someday I would peel carrots at that window.

This room HAD to become my kitchen.

 

The above are excerpt from the book that I am currently reading: We've Always Had Paris ... and Provence (A scrapbook of our life in France). It was written by Patricia Wells and her husband Walter. Patricia  is long recognised as the leading American authority on French food and her husband, Walter, live the life in France that many of us has often fantasized about. She's also the author of "The Food Lover's Guide to Paris" and "The Food Lover's Guide to France".

I bought this book when Howard and I started talking about our next holiday destination - we were thinking of Paris. But now after reading this book, I feel like I am at 'Chanteduc' their farmhouse in Provence. I imagine myself picking cherry, plump, figs - especially the deep purple variety known as St. Jean in their orchard. Oh, not to forget what in the herb gardens - sorrel, chives, lemon verbena, borage, basil, thyme,mint, lemon balm, hyssop, purslane - among others (and she also has her own caper bush!). I would also love to walk in her pastel-colored garden - pale purple agapanthus, pure white roses, and of course what Provence famous for - freshly opened lavender!

While reading this book, I also discovered something that I never heard about, 'the truffle'! They have the rare black truffles hid beneath the soil of their vines. Do you know how they hunt for truffles in Provence? They used dogs instead of pig - you don't have to fight the dog for the truffle, as you do with the pig (pigs are carnivores). My cooking guru knows how people in France train their dogs to hunt for truffle - you got to ask him if you want to know details

Now, Howard and I will have to decide whether Paris or Provence and the countryside. Howard said he's been to Paris more than 10 times. And I am not so much into shopping while on holiday, except if I were given plenty of money and forced to go shopping ... then I'll happily abide!  Otherwise the money is more for airtickets/transportation, accomodation and food and also experiencing the countryside.