Eygalières~Madeleines~Garden Notes~

One small charming town we did not visit last year..was this one..

Someone lives above..

We ate here..Chez Paulette..  had the seafood risotto..met nice people..

We watch a terrific show on TV from France..we had read that the host lived in this town..

wanted to see what the appeal was.

Evident the moment we stepped in ..one quiet warm sunlit morning.

Like a fairy tale.

We walked the streets..admired the homes..talked to 2 lovely women on bicycles who welcomed us..

There is a quietude..that is unlike any other town.

We learned a few famous people live there:)

And met some lovely people at lunch who live there..and nearby.. and in New Orleans.

Imagine that.

The old streets wind and go up up and up..

At the almost top we reach the statue of the Virgin Mary..1893..a miracle happened there .

We ate lunch at Chez Paulette.

It was a memorable day for me:)

The famous people who live there?..

I don't blame them

Oh so far from the Madding Crowd.

And seems so close to heaven.

Once home..I was craving ratatouille..so good in Provence and served often as a side dish..

and Madeleines..

So I made both:)

Ratatouille takes a long time because if I don't just roast it for a pasta..

I cook each ind.ing..

on it's own.

Then mix.

I prefer my madeleines very vanilla sugared..the vanilla sugar being and ingredient for me:)

These take no time apart from 1 hr resting time..

I regret not having eaten 5 more Sacristains♥

It's funny..when we are away..I long for home in some ways near the end..Once home..

I miss where I was in some ways:)

I am often in a quandry inside I guess.

While we were in Provence..

we visited Charles Aznavour's home town in Provence..Mouriès.

We just walked the center of town..and visited a beautiful Moulin d'huile d'olive..a passion of M.Aznavour's...

And thought of Charles.

Jacques has always loved him..and I have loved him since Jacques.

His songs are still playing incessantly on our CD player..on Alexa..etc..

We were so sad to hear that he passed away..just a few days after our visit there..

La Bohème~

I have made many Madeleine recipes,including Ladurée's..

Nancy gave me their Sucré cookbook..

This latest one just seems to be quick and infaillable..

I gleaned it from here..

One evening Lucas made some with me..but we stuffed them w/ jam:)

So for about 13 reg size macarons..made in my silicone mold of 9..

so I have to use the oven twice..

La Recette  but I changed a few things.

2 eggs

80 grams of sugar

Beat until pale and light  (blanchir)

Add an envelope of vanilla sugar..beat in.

Meanwhile..melt 50 grams of butter and cool.

By hand..add 90 Grams of flour that you have sifted w/ 1/2 tsp of baking powder..until perfectly smooth..add your cooled butter..

mix by hand until perfectly smooth.

Place batter in fridge for 1 hr.

Fill your prepared molds..but not to the top..or they will spill over.

In making the filled ones..I used a piping bag..makes a much better job..I pipe..add a smidge of jam..pipe.

Bake in a pre heated 400 F oven for 5 minutes

Bake in a 350 F oven for the next 10-15 mins.

You are looking for a baby bump:)♥

They are delightful in every way.

Have made this recipe 4 times..next I will try one with Golden syrup.

Just because:)

Gotta love snail mail..:)

Garden Footnote..My garlic is planted..w/ temps not expected to rise..I planted it it all Saturday October 20th.

Tulips are planted.

I have interesting seeds for next yr.♥

Datura seeds are sprinkled:)

Hollyhocks,sweet peas..nasturtiums,calendula and tomatoes will wait till spring.

Taking down the pond arbor that has Betty and Comtesse  on it..old..16 yrs at least..rusted and many of the supports are finished.

Ordered a new white plastic one..we seem to be replacing metal and wood w/ plastic.

They last.

Here.

And that's about it for now..leaves are still turning..frigid cold..boys are still loving football..and I am still loving them all♥

Take care..