Monday, October 9, 2017

Maillane~













The cuteness♥ Petite Arlésienne~








Paper napkins as toppers..economical..easy to cut..and cute.





For a number of years Sam wrote posts about Maillane and St-Rémy..and I mentioned to Jacques that if EVER we went back to Provence..I would like to see those places..

IF EVER happened and we went.
I have Sam to thank for the inspiration and her darling Meakin.

Our home base for the week in Les Alpilles was St-Rémy..Maillane was so close:) 
We went..
The drive is pretty and the town so sweet..

We happened to be there during the Frédéric Mistral festival.
He was born there and his father was from St-Rémy~
Do have a read.. I learned a lot.A Nobel Prize Winner.


That is where the word mistral for provencal winds came from.
We had some mistral winds particularly in Gordes..where market day took on a whole new meaning w/ crates flying..people walking against the wind..it was in fact not dangerous..but humorous in parts.

So I have put a few Maillane photos..and I must tell you that we ate lunch twice there..and loved our meals..magret de canard etc..but especially the desserts..we were told it is because the desserts were works of a wonderful pastry chef.
So good!

The festival..gave us access to his home there..the gardens..and we had a delightful show by les 

danseuses provençales who ranged in age from little to ladies♥


Maillane..where everybody knows your name I think:)  Population ap 2400 in 2012.

A young woman was the tour guide for the festival..tour of his home..she could not have been more pleasant.
She would love to come to QC..
it was so nice to hear so many people tell us that that they would love to come to Canada,especially QC.And out west.
Because it was the festival..photos were permitted..
Look at the atmosphere there:)♥
Melts your heart,



Things I bought in Provence..

mostly watercolor things..like Ochres..powders to paint with..3 brushes..a couple of watercolor journals and a book on how to  paint Provence.

When I have gone to Europe..3 times now..I always remember the moments and the things we came home with..

Never costly things..but fun things.

So I did spend a few euros.
Again nothing very costly..
and I have regrets..in Aix..the last day..an amazing market..I found the antiques and etc..much more affordable than Isle -Sur-La-Sorgue..well for my pocket book..

ooohh..aah..a stack of gorgeous old plates/bowls..that off white w/ a touch of crackle w/ those old blue small flowers around..3 euros each..
those beautiful salt boxes..  you know the ones.. 13 euros..
a canister set..the kind we love..24 euros for 8 pieces I think..
well none of that came home w/ us..
we are limited w/ weight etc..

economy flying..

did I mention I used to get excited at an airplane meal?
No longer;)
Oyoyoy.


I made Jacques' mom's ketchup this week..he loves it..
It smells like her home when I make it:)
You can find the recipe here~
A wonderful lady..that we saw at a few markets..makes all her own jams from all her own produce..she topped her jars w/ paper napkins..instead of fabric..=winner.♥


Happy TG Monday ..we had dinner at my daughter's last night ..Thank you Mylène!
Made Kim's brown bag apple pie..and the power went out:( It came back on several hours later..I stuck the pie back in..w/ out the bag..there was very little time left..it worked!

PS notes re the ketchup..it is more like a sweet tomato fruit chutney..the spices are PICKLING SPICES..I don't blanch the fruits..before cutting now..only the tomatoes..I don't use a wax seal..I trun over the hot filled sterilized jars..let cool..turn upright..and refrigerate.I did not water bath this time..but am refrigerating .

54 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful post. I feel Like I was there in France! I have never made homemade ketchup. I will try it!

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    1. You must be in 7 th heaven right now at home🙂👍🏻
      It is more like a sweet chutney..both my son-ion-laws like it too!

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  2. What an amazing, fun and incredibly packed-full trip you had Monique! It looks like it was the perfect time of year to travel in Provence!

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    1. I think September is ideal.In some places..tourist places..like Les Baux..on a drizzly kind of day..I have photos of empty streets..usually packed June July August..it was all so wonderful..I think my girls are sick of hearing the word Provence☺️

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  3. Never give up, I love that. I'd not have thought that pie would have actually turned out so good. Such beauty and the weather looked wonderful. What a trip. Glad it wasn't like the Paris trip. I usually don't buy myself anything in Europe - just for the kids and grands. I did buy last time in Paris at the flea market and barely got home with it all. I was over the limit and when I went through customs, he wrote on my declaration OVER, but the people in security waved me on. I was sweating bullets afraid of being fined.

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    1. I can just picture you!Next yr if we go back my purchases will be at the market in Aix..Cour Mirabeau❤️I hate sweating bullets!!

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  4. Monique, I am so happy for you. What a fabulous trip. The photos are enticing, makes me want to go back. I appreciate you sharing your travel journey.

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    1. Linda..right now you have so much on your plate.. taking care of your parents etc..I hope one day you get some time to go back..w/ your new tote of course:)
      I am so happy we enjoyed this trip too..I was a bit tarnished...

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  5. Maillane does look quaint and friendly. I love the smiles on the dancers :) I love touring historic homes like that. I spy you in the oval mirror :) I'm so glad you had such a wonderfully pleasant time this trip! Oh my, food on planes has really gone downhill, hasn't it? Most flights don't even serve meals any more. We either eat in the airport or pack our own food these days. Beautiful pie and I'm going to peak at Jacques' mother's recipe too...♥

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    1. So quaint!! AS time went on towns changed..different beauty here and there..but all had their charms..I am so attracted to charm:)That's what does it for me.. an olive branch..a delicate dessert..a door.. a window..a storefront..♥A field of grapevines..stone..markets..lol..:) Going to Shutterfly all this..

      oh the food was BLECH..you could buy a meal..by chef Daniel Vézina..$25.00

      Non merci.

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  6. Happy Thanksgiving Monique! Your pie is lovely even though it didn't want to bake the whole time :) I've said it before, and I'll say it again ... you have a wonderful eye and your photos are fantastic. You make me want to travel again - and I'm still tired from the last trip - haha. Have a fantastic week!

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    1. Tricia ..this trip has made ME want to travel again..it was the most peaceful beautiful trip ..we were fortunate..well the driving was not peaceful for Jacques..but everything else..and next time we would stay on firmer ground:)Thank you for your kind comments I feel the exact same way about you.

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  7. Bonjour Monique....
    Your photos are always so pleasing to the eye...eye candy! Magnifique!
    The tones and colours are beautiful....
    I am sure those new brushes will get a great workout....very soon!
    That "ketchup" sounds glorious....you never fail to amaze me with your skills in the kitchen.
    Must bring back very fond memories for your Jacques.
    That pie!!!! Sure wish I could make gluten free pie pastry....my daughter would be in pie heaven!
    What a wonderful weekend this was....I am pooped! Hahaha!
    Have a great week....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was fun to see your pics on IG..😍So cute the girls..flip flops..glam bling pumpkin etc..hmm. I am going to Google gluten free crust!
      Thanks Linda!

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  8. All the buildings, doors, roofs are so pretty. So old, so European. I will look at Jacques mother's ketchup recipe, it looks so different from what is sold in the USA. Happy TG day. We are doing our annual trial turkey dinner this weekend and celebrating my sister's birthday. Apple pie in the bag will be part of dessert, Jerry is making his lemon meringue pie-for Katherine. She loves lemon anything. Your top crust this year looks like it was rolled rather than crumb topping. Do you change it up year to year? I like the leaves, I have some of those leaf stamps, think I will add them to my pie too.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Same recipe..I think the power going off made it look different..it became more like a crust crumb top..still delicious taste..maybe I put more butter too:) LOL

      You know me I go by eye..

      Jacques' mom and the reste of le Québec call it ketchup rouge sucré..it is like a tomato/fruit chutney..this yr I only scalded the tomatoes..peeled everything else just raw..:)
      I ran w/ it and it worked!
      I liked the look of the loose leaves..IG has FAB pie bakers..you should see the deisgns..OMG I am a poor pie maker..:)

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  9. Oh, don't you wish there was no weight limit. Those antiques sound so pretty. And where do you find such pretty paper napkins? You have the cutest ideas!

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    1. I borrowed that idea from a WONDERFUL jam maker/seller ..we saw her at many markets..well 3..her stand was so colorful..grwos everything..packages everything..napkins:) So easy..!
      I find you can even get cute cute napkins at the dollar store..but if you have a Christmas Tree Shop..that's the most economical cute provider,saw some beauties in stores in FRance but again..how many napkins do you needs..so funny in one place I thought I was buying teatoweld..napkins:) Fabric..but cute:)

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  10. Monique, is this what the mixed spices for Jacques mother's ketchup is similar to?

    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/247313/authentic-canadian-steak-spice-eh/

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    1. No..PICKLING SPICE..is what you use..Club House makes it etc..there is cinnamon and ginger and cloves..allspice etc..

      I just bought a fresh package ..used what I needed..I can put some in the mail for you today if you want ..let me know..check to see if you have it..you must..McCOrmick makes it etc..am going to the PO this AM..

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    2. PS..I just flip the filled hot sterilized pots now ..let cool overnight..and put in our extra fridge..I used to parafin and cord them..:(

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  11. How funny! I just made an apple pie this weekend :)

    I could move right into that beautiful home. It's truly gorgeous and charming.

    I'm glad you had a fun trip. I agree with you on airplane food these days... yuck!

    xo,
    rue

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    1. You should make the food!! LOL they would sell so many meals!!:)

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  12. Walking in your shoes is like being there...all the senses awaken.

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    1. Such a sweet small town..:) Close to all..I thought of you in Roussillon:)OF course!

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  13. I save your posts on Provence to look at when I have the time to just savor the photos, the words. I love your purchases. Every single one of them. In the "Lisette's List" book she speaks of the mistrals and the ochre mines and so much so seeing the photos sort of brings it to life a bit! Your timing for the festival sounds just perfect -- lovely photos; I felt like I was there with you!

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    1. Sheer luck that we were there during Le Festival..so interesting ..booksellers selling books in the original Provencal words..In Provence..the accent is totally different than in Paris..totally.
      I think it was a little rip of a lifetime for me.I am not a crusier..nor an organized trip person..we like to just go and see and and discover.I am sure we miss a lot..but we cover a lot of ground..next time..slower in the most special places..they are pretty much all special though;)
      Thanks Jeanie!

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  14. Love the subtle colors of the village. The pale blue window and door paint next to the stone and plaster of the same hue. You will have plenty of inspiration for your paintings!

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    1. RY..Maillane IS that..subtle colors.and I found it so peaceful..probably nw that you mention it..because of that.
      It felt like a wonderful place to retire.:)If one could..
      I should inspire myself w/ those colors.I am unfortunately..all over the place..

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  15. What a great post! I love the photo where you are reflected in the mirror, it makes you look like a part of the gallery. The napkin toppers are genius, and I'm going to try this, as well as the ketchup (I have never made ketchup before) and the pie.

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  16. Oh Monique, I am so pleased that you liked the little village of Maillane. How fun that the Frederic Mistral festival was taking place at the same time as your visit. All of your lovely photos brought back such wonderful memories for me. We hope to visit next spring...
    Sam

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    1. You were everywhere in Maillane to me:)
      It is such a charming town..easy to live there..I love the sieste time too..so quiet:)
      Thank you so much:)

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  17. I feel as if I were there with you and Jacques! I love that you share your beautiful pictures first and then the commentary. It gives me time to linger on each.

    The ketchup, the pie...you have me so inspired to get into the kitchen!

    Jane x

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    1. Hi Jane..I put the pics first so you can skip the text altogether:)I tend to write a bit too much..I don't get out much lol:)
      Thank you as always!

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  18. Dearest Monique,
    Wow, you certainly did have a fabulous time while over there. So happy for you and Jaques!
    Sending you hugs and thanks for sharing such fabulous photos with us.
    Mariette

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    1. Le best trip yet of my 63 yrs.
      Not that I have taken many:)
      Thank you Mariette..Have a great day.

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  19. I just found your blog today, and am enchanted by your photos. What a wonderful experience. :-)

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  20. Oh MOnique, I am so enjoying my visit to Provence with you. I found France, especially the Dordogne very charming. The small villages, the architecture. The scenery, the food. French blue . . . I love French blue, the colour. Oh how difficult to find things you fell in love with at a good price that you couldn't bring back because of weight. I would have been tempted to mail them to myself. Your MIL's Tomato Ketchup is exactly like mine! I know from experience how very wonderful it is. I have not made it in a few years. I should buy the ingredients and make some. I used to make swiss steak with it, which was a real favourite of my family. Just brown the steak and then pour a jar of that over top and let it simmer. SOOOOOOO good! Now I am craving it. Love all that you share dear friend, the photos, the thoughts, the words. Beautiful and that pie looks amazing too! Love you! xoxo

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    1. You're so sweet Marie spreading warmth everywhere you go all the time..all the time..

      I never thought of shippng..I found one item online back home..14 euros..28 to send..a sugar dispenser! So..ummm..no..
      La Parfaite♥ That's her name..not like our Le Parfait jars..La Parfaite..how cute..

      I just heard Jacques on the phone w/ someone and he said Provence is magical..it is..Dordogne..:) Maybe one day!!

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    2. You would love the Dordogne also I believe! I would go back in a heartbeat.♥

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  21. Her pie is amazing Marie...Mon that picture of the little girl I would frame it!!!
    Beautiful picture's Mon....as always...Perfect you are! You haven't lost your touch...❤️

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    1. Oh Di..you are great in back of a camera..you need a blog w/ your pics and cooking:)

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  22. Thanks for letting us travel with you! As usual, everything is picture perfect!

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    1. I have to document it better than in my journals..all messy and handwritten:) And getting the pics ready for Shutterfly..I wonder if you Shutterfly your trips?:)

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  23. September in Provence looks wonderful! I think that is the month we would go.
    Homemade ketchup is the best....I'm sure it made Jacques smile too.

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  24. Sigh...you always capture the beauty and make it even more beautiful!

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  25. I just found your blog today, and am enchanted by your photos. What a wonderful experience.

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