Every August most towns in Provence have free evening music, outside dancing, carnivals and other activities to celebrate summer and to bond the community. Our town had an aperitif last night to start off the celebration (I drank water!).
At the aperitif we met up with some friends of ours and decided to have an impromptu dinner before the "The Town Ball" started.
After comparing notes of who had what in their fridge, we gathered at our friend's home with our movable feast.
I brought baked salmon, roasted red jacket potatoes and a tomato salad.
Our other friends brought baguettes, ratatouille, eggplant something or other that was delicious, couscous salad, dessert and wine.
Impromptu, spontantious, last minute, of the moment lifestyle works for me.
Since some of my friends have been giving me a hard time (jokingly) that I never post about them I decided to break that habit... Though it is rare that I take out my camera when I am with close friends and or in the evening. I took photos while on the go, with my cell phone hence the blur.
In the summer it stays light until 9 or 10, I wish it could be like this all year long. Long warm days, gentle cool evenings, no bugs, the scent of the pine and oak trees mixed with wild herbs of rosemary and thyme...
My friend Corinne, walking and talking, animated sweetheart, excellent cook. She made a tapenade mini bread. I must admit I had one bite, delicious, moist, I must tell her to give me the recipe.
I know, I know I have been talking about food alot these days. But here is the thing, it is not because I am on a diet. No really it is not. It is because France and Food go hand in hand. Meals are a lifestyle. Life is surrounded by food. Friends and food go hand in hand. Our impromptu dinner lasted two hours, and that was cut short because we wanted to go to the town ball.
In France, the French do not eat on the go, never in the car, nor use plastic or paper. Meals are often shared with family and friends. It is HARD to diet in a land where food is breathing, and meals take up a big part of your day and night. Where markets are not an event, but where people truly go to buy their provisions for their meals, walk with their baskets overflowing and share recipes... and buy tablecloths. As an American friend noted to me, that she had never seen so many tablecloths for sell... and she is right tablecloths are as common as bakeries and cigarettes. A French table always has a tablecloth on it.
Don't you feel sorry for me?
What did you have for dinner last night?
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Photo Source Lunch in Provence
August Fireworks around Provence
Where to Stay in Provence??? At my friend Denise and Vlad's.
