Employment in France

Employment in France!!

As you know, employment in France is somewhat frowned on for both the locals and the tourists.  However, I think Steve has found a way around the restrictions and in addition to functioning as a pool boy, Stephan, he is now doing yard work in Lourmarin.  He has found the yard man's attire is to his liking.

Update

We have been somewhat out of sorts this week.  A dear friend and guest has experienced a medical condition and is currently in the hospital in Aix en Provence.  We are not sure when he will be released but are pretty optimistic that things are going in the right direction.

Please say a prayer.

Division of Responsibilities

This is how it works in France....Sunday afternoon, rainy in the Luberon.  Mike was tending the yard, Huck was picking the vegetables, Doug was clearing the land for the next planting, Steve was getting the evening meal together.  


After a hard day of shopping the women were.......well, I guess you can see a women's life in France.

Teaser Photos!!

I am so anxious to see what Sherry will post.  I am circumventing the process and posting a few teasers.  We have been up and down the Luberon recently to amazing villages and little restaurants.  A snap shot from me with details from Sherry. 

A Rose in the backyard.

Jean getting fancy in front of a vintage Citroen in Arles.

Mike modeling on a side street in Arles.

I would like to describe this but am not sure how.  It is Jean in front of a classic blue door in Arles.

London posing.

Up a passage way in Russilon.

Of course this needs no explanation.

Searching........

This is Mike, Steve, Huck, aka "the boys" at the as you can see the Cave at the Chateau in Lourmarin.  We went in search of other than local vino.  Of course in France they chose to be not open.  A lifetime of knowledge would not prepare you for open, close, holidays, hours and so on.


We did not find the wine Huckster was looking for.

Our Followers...

As you know, I have asked my lovely wife Sherry to update the blog.  She is so busy with the day to day that sometimes she just flat out doesn't get it done that day.  She will, so be patient.  As of today, which is my brother Ron's birthday, we have so many adventures to share.  Aix, Lourmarin, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Arles, etc.  So, please encourage Sherry to post but please be patient.

Personally, we are having an amazing time here and might just move here.  Burgundy was great, Lavall a little less but Luberon is flat out awesome.  We would appreciate any input and questions.

Just want to know, from a dad's perspective is there any more amazing baby girl?

Aix en Provence

Our friends were going to visit Cassis and even though it is beautiful we didn't figure we needed a 3rd visit there, so we headed to Aix en Provence. It was a really pretty day and this town was so enjoyable. There was so much shopping and a great deal of people watching.

We took some photos by the water fountain outside the Office of Tourism. Every good visit starts at the tourism office, right? Then priorities, priorities.....lunch. ;->

 London assumed her usual spot on Pappy's shoulders as we headed to find a place for lunch.

 We opted for a spanish tapas bar, quite a change from the typical french cafe's we have been visiting. This was probably the only tapas bar that served lunch with baguettes!!!! ;-> The food and sangria were so yummy! This was certainly a fun stop for lunch - we highly recommend it!

 After lunch, we began strolling around the alleys and streets of Aix. There is SO much shopping - everything from the tourist shops to specialty boutiques to Hermes! Of course we were in hunt for the children's boutique, Catimini. I LOVE their clothes for London. On our way we met this all white man.....London doesn't quite know what to think of him!

 Finally!!! We found Catimini!!! WOOHOO!!! To make things even better, they were having a sale - our lucky day!!! I was checking out and filling out our detaxe form when I heard someone talking to London just outside the store. When I turned around it was one of the girls from UT that was studying abroad in Aix. We had met their group at the Isle Sur la Sorgue market a week ago - what a small world!!!!

Mission Accomplished - a bag full of cute clothes! Or as London calls them, 'her beautiful clothes.'

 The great fountain at the main rotonde in Aix.

 We took a small taxi/bus thing around Aix and London started getting sleepy!!!

 We are trying to get her a second wind with some ice cream. The ice cream was a consolation prize since it was too windy and the carousel was closed for the day. ;->

 After the tourist taxi, we took the tourist train around town. The train actually had headphones that explained the sights around town....in English. ;-> Below are some of the photos from the train. Unfortunately I wasn't really paying attention so I cannot elaborate on the details of the photos. ;-> I think the sangria from lunch was wearing off......SLEEPY!!!!

 Back at the house!! We had stopped at the local boulangerie for our daily bread purchase and London scored a 'Meringue Fraise.' It was as big as her head!!!! Can we say sugar high????

 Back at home, London changed out of her cute outfit into her play clothes, or better what she refers to as her 'pappy pants.' Quite the interesting outfit.....pappy pants, her french 'je suis one princesse' t-shirt and crocs (which I happened to make it 3 years without purchasing those crazy shoes and now she loves them!!!!)

 Playing in the yard with dad before dinner....

 Jean helping set the table for dinner....or maybe just looking good!!!!!

 Our crew getting ready to sit down for a family-style dinner!

 Hmmmmm, what did London find after dinner??? A chocolate eclair???? Exactly how many desserts has this child had today??????

French Poppy Fields

Today we went back to the Isle Sur la Sorgue for the Sunday market. On our way back to the house we passed the most perfect poppy field, so we had to stop and take some pictures. Of course London wasn't quite in the mood, so we will have to go back!! The pictures don't do this field justice, it was beautiful. There was a bride taking pictures in the field and of course London thought she was a princess. And lots of other families there too. This field makes the bluebonnets of Texas seem a little weak.

It is amazing that when we first arrived here in April that everything was bleak and within the last 3-4 weeks the entire area has blossomed.....again, we are simply in awe of this part of France.

Grammy & London

 This dress couldn't have been more perfect.....What luck!!!!

 London loved the poppies, but she just wouldn't give me a sweet smile.

 Mommy & London

 Family poppy picture ;->

 Daddy & London.....so sweet

 Grammy & Pappy

 Grammy, Mommy & London

 Look who jumped in our photo.....PAPPY!!!!!

 These are the most precious Pappy & London photos!!! He is quite a French Pappy in these!!!!!

Friday Morning - Lourmarin Market

I have no idea how we have been here for 3 weeks and have never been to the Lourmarin market!!! We have been to all the surrounding markets and somehow have missed the one in our own backyard.

Kimberly and Robben leave early in the morning to catch their flight from Nice. So we are up early and make our way to Lourmarin before parking becomes a problem. It is probably the best market we have visited!! It is a pretty large market and has everything from food & clothes to amazing photographs and artwork. I'm very disappointed we haven't explored this before and I'm certain we won't even get to see all that is here today. At least we know to come over here our upcoming Fridays!

A morning cafe creme and a crepe.....my French dad!

 London is overwhelmed with the Nutella.....um, fork please!

 My little Nutella-face!

 Such a cutie with her over the shoulder pose!

 Pappy & London find some pink macarons!

 Grammy is trying on a top at one of the stands....London is peeking in to see how it fits!

 Of course every visit to Lourmarin includes a stop at the wine store to see our favorite local dog!!!

 My little girl 'dancing in the streets'

 Ahhh, what is it with the Rognons de Veau......why do they eat so many kidneys over here??? I haven't quite gotten over my experience and still at this point can only eat vegetables and fish!!! Yet it seems they are on every menu!! My advice....AVOID it! Creme sauce cannot make kidneys better!!!