Views of Carcassonne

The fairytale castle is right out our window, the "low city" lives in its shadow and was our exploration today, followed by a stroll around the moat after dinner. Interestingly, the modern and medieval cities were almost ghost towns. I'll settle for ZERO TOURISTS anytime.

Re: What to do with an attic…

HEAVEN!!!  

Couldn't be any more perfect for you two -- have a fantabulous time!!

Pat

On Sat, May 20, 2023 at 10:19 AM Tina Hittenberger <freckle469@icloud.com> wrote:

…that overlooks a castle in Carcassonne. Go with taupe and wait until sunset when they light the ramparts.
And bring a guy with a sketchbook.









Tina Hittenberger
707-738-5607

What to do with an attic…

…that overlooks a castle in Carcassonne. Go with taupe and wait until sunset when they light the ramparts.
And bring a guy with a sketchbook.

When is a sink not a sink?

When it's a charcuterie board. We've invited folks over for a "auberge despagnole" - a french potluck. Everything here looks like a painting!

It’s all about the LIGHT

It’s all about TUBS

Our Air BnB lives up the the highest of French standards. Perfect light, impeccable elegance and no heat.

Nightstand in France

Reading into the night.
We are nine hours ahead of California time, so plenty of time to read after antique shopping.

The Death of Art

Sunday in Saint Antonin

Artists abound in the Market

A new Nougat Gold Standard

Saint Antonin Noble Val has a Sunday market the is phenomenal: sausages, spices, sweets - and everything under the sun.
So we created an "Auberge de España" known as a "potluck" in America. Our contribution included a slice of nougat larger than anyone had ever seen and costing more than anyone could imagine. Now that we've been royally (they must have thought we were British) screwed, from here on out, all prices will be calculated in NOUGATS.

Sort of looks like the stone walls and ramparts, eh?

It’s all about Ahhhhrrrt.

Off to Albi, the home of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, a magnificent castle and the largest brick cathedral in the world.

My favorite French guy

There is usually something creepy

…about dead people's stuff - especially discarded dolls, used silver spoons and crates of lost garden gnomes.

The little free library

Our village has one. It's filled to the brim with books in five languages.

What to do with a garage in the country

Party house!!!

Hot tip!!!

From my smarter-than-smart friend,Cathy Edmondson: 30 hours before your flight check in on-line and upgrade your seat if you can. Alss, Business class (for $89) wasn't available but one can pay a very modest amount to assure no one sits in the middle.

There is no such thing as waiting

Chuck draws wherever we go. Just give the guy a pencil and he's a happy camper. When did lead applied to paper become an anti-anxiety treatment? Need to let those psychiatrists and the folks at big pharma know.

Supplies are essential

And advice is much appreciated. Sennelier in Paris has been supplying artists for hundreds of years.

Off to a painting workshop

Chuck is teaching painting with Keith Wicks in Saint Antonin Noble-Val, France. I'm coming along for the ride, light, friends, food and beauty of it all.

Oh by the way

This is our Petaluma friend, Sara Dalcher, who moved to South Carolina A few years ago. On Friday, she got dressed for the first Norman Rockwell Museum "Sketch, Sip and Socialize." This is her very first Little Black Dress.
She is a cancer survivor, a dragon boat champion (note the medals handing on the pegs on the wall) and has just recovered from COVID.
Hero's walk among us.
Chuck may just have to sketch her...

Pan-Demic Forte

Hope you will enjoy the "panforte" (strong bread) made from an ancient Tuscan recipe. It nourished Crusaders during the plagues of the Middle Ages. It's made with dried fruits, nuts, honey, pepper and bitter chocolate. Great for breakfast or can also double as a doorstop. It will last at least as long as this quarantine. Perhaps longer, but enjoy now...

Panforte: STRONG BREAD

One of my favorite discoveries and unique tastes in Sienna, Italy was PANFORTE. It's an intense combination of dried fruits, nuts, honey, chocolate and spices created in the Middle Ages. It's a dense nourishment that would last for months on long journeys (sort of a Cliff Bar for Crusaders). Panforte is designed to immediately satisfy, sustain energy and reward patience.
Like Limoncello. Like friendships.
As we go into the next phase of these restricted times, the panforte made today will age beautifully. Complexities will be revealed and I will find myself recalling, recreating and taking time to rediscover even more astonishing things. All of which, are happily shared.

Gluten-free TP Cake

This is a March Monday Morning surprise for our most beloved Mail Depot Maven, Maureen.

A lot can happen in 9 years

It's a magic number and a magic life!