A Weekend in Southern France

Everything's about the same here as at home, except that I don't have a cafe that opens at 6 to go write in on Saturday morning. And besides the market that is three times as big as the one on Tuesday, and the baby goat that greets you when you arrive (it's owners are selling candy). Oh, and the apple-seller who flirts with you in English, does magic tricks with the children and gives free samples of different kinds of apples. We were interrupted from actually doing any shopping at the market by my mother-in-law catching us as we reached the first stall and inviting us to have a cup of coffee with her, her sister, her brother, his wife and a dozen of their friends, all gathered around one table at an outdoor cafe,some of them smoking. While we were seated to be questioned and petted, the kids went off with Mamie to the carousel. They had already been given the details of how we got here and all of the obstacles encountered along the way, but they still had lots of things to say and ask. We eventually made our way back to the market to stare at the fish and seafood, admire the cheese, (of course), and shop for fruit and vegetables, sausages and other tasty morsels.

Then there are the hours and hours of eating that take place at our in-laws' and many other houses throughout France. We start out with a little aperitif, then head for the first course. This usually involves sausages and pates, maybe fish or deviled eggs with tuna. Sunday we had foie gras again, poor us. Then comes the more serious food, this week it was "confit" which is duck in a can. Legs and parts of duck that have been beautifully preserved in duck grease. They are removed from their confinement and fried to a crisp, the meat remains tender, just the skin is crispy. Ya' gotta eat the skin, it keeps the bad cholesterol away. To keep on the healthy side, we had fries with that, and a St.Emilion red wine, followed by the salad and cheese courses. Dinner was cabbage soup and bread, delicious too!

So, it's basically life as usual, give or take ten pounds, daily babysitters and time to write and knit. I'm sure we'll all be tired of it in time to come home in July.