Bonjour!

Hello from sunny South France! I have been here over a month now, enough time to experience spring transition to summer. It has been hard to sit down and write which I love, because days are filled with seeking something for the mas, getting into the everyday rhythm of this life, meeting new and old friends, and exploring new adventures.

Life slows down from what I am use to, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Businesses close, errands are halted, as everyone takes a two hour lunch break. A long pause midday, also means that businesses are open longer into the evening and generally dinner starts later in the evening too.

A month ago, spring thunderstorms and heavy rains were happening and now have disappeared into hot, sunny days approaching 90 plus degrees F. Temperatures are about 14 degrees higher now than the average.

Green and white asparagus which were so abundant in the markets earlier, are nowhere to be found. It is true, when the season is over, it is over until next year. Yes, asparagus, artichoke, and cherry season are gone but luckily replaced with the equally incredible season of luscious stone fruits of apricots, nectarines, and peaches. And not to forget squash and haricot verts. No one complains, everyone knows. The seasons are short, yet to be embraced and celebrated until their glorious time comes around next year.

It is very much a rural and agricultural area here. Vineyards are abundant in carefully tended neat rows. You often see people bent over in fields, and wondering what they are tending too. Tractors large and small can impede normally impatient fast-driving cars.

Wednesday Uzés Market at Place aux Herbes

Incredibly, John and I have had our little mas for three years now. The real estate listing said the mas was built in 1850. We have since learned that is a “blanket date” for certain homes, and our mas actually dates back to the late 1700’s, evidence by its ceilings and architectural nuances. That makes sense as we live in the older part of a village, and the mairie (town hall) down the street dates back to the 18th century too.

Our Mas Kitchen Ceiling

Our Village Mairie Amongst Open Fields And Poppies

Our mas was certainly updated and modernized, but it lacked the warmth and charm this little mas deserved. Three years later, we have just about completed our long list of desires. In fact, this trip, I listed 28 things , big and small, we did or found for the mas. Little changes that make a huge difference.

Most of the decorating is finished. Most “wants” have miraculously be found. With that said, I have enjoyed frequenting brocantes, flea markets, and vide greniers (local village sales) for items and pieces that fit in nicely and complement the period of the mas. I always have “edit” on my mind, as here in France especially, “less is more.”

I found on this trip an oil painting on canvas at one of my favorite flea markets. I love the content and colors so much. Much of my mas decoration is earth tone colors, and the blue flowers and copper pot pop the room. Besides, who can resist “Provence Blue.” You can find these wonderful paintings frequently at the flea markets and for very reasonable prices. Need I mention, that art is a very integral part of French life, as they excel in the “art of living.”

Blue Flowers In A Copper Pot, A Flea Market Treasure

This time of year, there are a lot of fêtes, events, and happenings in the villages. Most are very local, and even word of mouth, as they are small, yet well attended. This year friends invited us to their small village, Sauve, where there is an annual Fête des Violons. A three day celebration that attracts violinists of all ages and ability to play together. The kickoff of this celebration is a mass of violinists playing together and parading through the village in a “pied piper” fashion. People are encouraged to follow and dance among the violinists, with surprise vignettes playing from a balcony or in a garden. This annual event was started to honor the traditional village life and folk music of the past, and remind new generations of both.

Fête des Violons at Sauve

John and I have made it a point to do a few short trips, two days and one night within easy driving distance of our home base. In Europe, distances are quite deceiving, taking much longer, and sometimes much slower.

On our first getaway, we went down to Sète, a beautiful port town on the Mediterranean. It is often called “The Venice of the Languedoc.” It borders the Étang de Thau, which is a saltwater lagoon known for raising delicious oysters. The oysters, mussels, and seafood are amazing. We stayed in a beautiful little Belle Epoque hotel, Le Grand Hotel, located right on the Canal Royale. The lobby and three floors open to an incredible glass atrium. It was tastefully decorated with wonderful antiques that all tugged at my heart.

A week later we went into Provence and revisited many of the villages we had traveled to nearly 20 years ago. We specifically stayed at the Le Saint Hubert in St. Saturin-les-Apts, and dined in their stunning terrace restaurant overlooking the Luberon. Le Saint Hubert was established in 1852, and has had many lives. Six years ago a young vibrant husband and wife, followed their dream and have slowly renovated the hotel, its six rooms, posh restaurant and cafe. Their food is amazing and captures the best of Provence flavors.

Melon Cucumber Gazpacho With Goat Cheese And Market Vegetables at Le Saint Hubert

Our last trip was to Lyon, the second largest city in France situated on the Rhône and Saône rivers. Lyon was a surprise. Quite a vibrant city where the late famed Chef Paul Bocuse made his name. We stopped in at the citiy’s food hall named after him for a sampling of many of Lyon’s specialites. We had a great dinner at La Meunière, a traditional Bouchon Lyonnais since 1921, and the next day a great lunch at Saône whose chef treats you to a modern twist on Lyonnais cuisine. We did a lot of walking in Vieux Lyon, a saved neighborhood district that dates back to the Renaissance, and climbed up high to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière overlooking amazing Lyon, and not to forget the Fourvière Roman Theatres.

Overlooking Lyon From The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière

I hope you have enjoyed a little snippet of our life in France. We have done and experienced so much in such a short time, I can’t share it all. This is great, because it opens the door for more sharing, tips, and inspiration for future writing about why I am so passionate about “A Taste of French Country Living” through the garden, kitchen, and home.

Thank you for following along. À bientôt…Bonnie

Best Vinaigrette Dressing

I am always on the hunt for the best vinaigrette recipe, whether it is in a new cookbook, online, or from a friend. Samin Nosrat sang its praises for The New York Times, and it is originally came from Jody Williams and Rita Sodi, from their West Village restaurant Via Carota. A nice pedigree for a vinaigrette.

This vinaigrette is simply delicious, and can be used over vegetables, grains, salads, steak, fish or roast chicken too. Sherry vinegar is always my preferred vinegar for dressings. If you don’t have two types of mustard in your pantry, use twice as much of whichever mustard you do have. It yields 1-1/2 cups.

Ingredients:

1 large shallot, very finely diced

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon aged sherry vinegar, plus more as needed

1 tablespoon warm water

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1-1/2 teaspoons honey

1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1-1/2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard

2 thyme springs, washed leaves picked and finely chopped (about 1/2 teaspoon)

1 garlic clove, finely grated

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

Place the shallot in a fine mesh sieve and quickly rinse with cold water. Allow to drain, then place in a medium bowl. Add the vinegar and warm water, and let the shallot mixture sit for 2 minutes.

Whisk in oil, honey, both mustards, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the salt and vinegar as needed.

Cover and refrigerate remaining dressing for up to 1 week. Enjoy!

You Could Store Your Vinaigrette In A Clean Bonne Maman Jar

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Truffle Season Announcement In The Uzès Tourist Office

Hello Everyone! I took some time off from writing to start my 2026 in France. I trust your 2026 is off to a great start, and wish you all the best in this coming year! May you be happy, healthy, and prosperous!

Fresh Truffle In My Kitchen

In our area in South France near Uzès, the highly prized culinary black truffle is in season now. Truffles are available in the winter markets from truffle producteurs (producers), restaurants create truffle specific menus, wine and truffle paired events are offered, there are truffle hunting with dogs demonstrations, and the third weekend in January is the culmination of events and celebrations centered around the prized truffle in Uzès. My husband John, and I were fortunate to take in a few of these very special events with wine and truffle pairings.

Collias Wine Cooperative, Wine & Truffle Pairing Event

Duche D’Uzès Winemaker’s Wine & Truffle Gala.

Truffles grow underground at the base of certain trees like oak, hazelnut, hornbeam, pine, and a few others. The unique landscape around the Uzès area is ideal for the black truffle. The black truffle, also called the black diamond for it’s culinary excellence, has been found, cultivated, and highly revered for centuries. In Uzès, truffle season is from November to March.

Fat absorbs the unique flavor of truffle the best. Therefore, truffle pairs very well with eggs, creams, butter, and fats. I had the good fortune to talk to with a friendly wife of a truffle producteur, who said she always infuses her cream, her eggs with truffle for at least a day in advance, before using it in her cooking. Not having really cooked with truffle before, I decided to try truffle three different ways.

Truffles are not cheap, the truffle pictured below was about the size of a small whole walnut, and cost about 19 euros, or about $23.00. By the way, the recommended way to store fresh truffles before use is to wrap them individually in a paper towel, place them in an airtight glass jar, and refrigerate them in the crisper drawer. Change your paper towel around the truffle daily, and use your fresh truffle within a week.

Truffle Butter Is Very Flavorful And Easy To Cook With

Storing Fresh Eggs With Black Truffle In An Airtight Glass Container

Infusing Cream With Black Truffle Shavings In An Airtight Glass Jar

Pan-Seared Salmon Over Celery Root Purée

The first recipe I tried was a Celery Root Purée, a recipe similar to Ina Garten’s. However, I used celery root and potatoes, boiling them separately as they have different cooking times. I had previously infused the cream I used with black truffle shavings, adding it to my mashed celery root and potatoes. The fresh salmon was so delicious from my favorite (and very handsome) fishmonger at the Uzès market. French green lentils are also a culinary treat, and go so well with salmon, I made those also, to have on the side.

Truffle-Infused Cream Sauce Pasta With Peas And Ham

The second recipe I tried was Truffle-Infused Cream Sauce Pasta With Peas And Ham. Very simple and very flavorful. The key was the subtle truffle flavor infused for a day in the cream sauce.

Sauteing Onions, Garlic, and Mushrooms In Truffle Butter For An Omelet

The third recipe I tried was a French Omelet for lunch. The French normally don’t eat eggs for breakfast. Eggs are eaten more often for lunch or a light dinner. In fact in France the saying goes, “Breakfast is light, Lunch is sacred, and Dinner is social.” —Barefoot Blogger. First, with my truffle butter I sauteed onions, garlic, and then the mushrooms until they became dry. I whipped my eggs infused with truffle, added a touch of truffle-infused cream to the eggs, poured the egg mixture into the pan, and then added the ready mushroom filling. What an omelet!

Cooking with truffles is fun and easy, and wow that incredible truffle taste elevates every dish you cook with. I am going to cook more with fresh truffle, when it is in season, and experiment with more recipes.

Fresh Truffles For Sale At The Uzès Market

Truffle season was really fun this year. Participating in these events was also a great glimpse into another facet of this local culture, people, and cuisine. I am very grateful for the conversation with the truffle producteur’s wife, as the few truffle tips she gave me, got my truffle cooking adventure off on the right foot.

She said her husband’s father was also a truffle producteur, and I am sure on the same land. Curious, I asked about their truffle-hunting dogs, thinking they had probably five or so. Oh, non, just one, and one puppy being trained, and never inside the house.

Please share if you have cooked with truffles before, and have a favorite recipe.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

A Great Spot Under The Mulberry Trees To Ponder

Pause to ponder, all of the wonderful things in your life, and where you are in this moment. How far you have truly come. Take a moment, pat yourself on the back. It can be anything that is especially meaningful to you. I think many of us don’t take the time to pause, reflect, remember, and pat ourselves on the back. Life itself often gets in the way, but the journey is really where the riches in life lies.

Twenty five years ago, my husband John and I, had just acquired our Encinitas property with an open field of nothing but foxtail. I remember vividly visualizing and wanting a property with two Adirondack chairs facing towards a view and water. Something similar I had seen on Cape Cod vacation.

After a good stab at starting a garden and failing in this field, I quickly realized it had to be a more serious concerted effort to successfully grow something here. Ironically, struggling to figure out what, I happened to see an issue of a Bon Appétit magazine’s “Back of the Napkin” article featuring Peggy Fleming, the endearing 1968 U. S. Olympic gold medalist figure skater, describing her Los Gatos, California, backyard vineyard. A spark of an idea to do the same was started. What about a vineyard as a landscape solution? It had many pluses. Beautiful to look at and onto the ocean, four season interest, drought tolerant, genuinely using the land, and possibly growing a good grape.

Finding a vineyard consultant, and expertise to plant a vineyard in Encinitas took many years. Backyard vineyards are prolific now in San Diego County, but back then I was a little ahead of the times. Finally, in 2006, everything seemed to align. We found a local consultant. Mira Costa College offered a Vineyard Management & Production class. Work finally began. Our field was leveled, measured, staked, planted and irrigated with the help of the entire class. it was a big experiment, a leap of faith, and the rest is history. Next year, our vineyard will be 20 years old.

Our west property backed up to a working nursery originally, early in our time here. I chose and planted a long row of ‘Little Ollie’ olive trees, to aesthetically buffer our view and property line. I chose fruitless olives trees because I wanted the wonderful Mediterranean look, and thought the grapevines were enough to grow and manage, without adding harvesting and pressing olives in the mix. It was a good decision.

Ten years later, I decided to create a nice alfresco seating area close to the vineyard. A social area for entertaining, possibly cooking, and overall enjoying the vineyard. Borrowing from my travels in Provence, where I saw fruitless mulberry trees commonly used as shade trees in courtyards, I thought to plant three fruitless mulberry trees. Fruitless because fruiting mulberry trees, although the fruit is divine, are messy, easily stain, and are not best for social areas.

Not easy to find, Village Nurseries near UTC at the time, said they had fruitless mulberry trees in their retail inventory and could have them transferred to San Diego from their Sacramento growing area. I remember driving up Highway 5 with my precious trees filling and hangin off the bed of my truck, hoping that the trip home would be uneventful. At first the newly planted trees struggled a bit, then a gopher nearly killed one, but, the trees came around and started growing nicely. In fact they need a good yearly trim, to keep them in check. I have shaped them to easily reach and cover the alfresco area with wonderful shade.

Around 2016, the nursery property in front of us sold, and is destined to be developed. Knowing that there was to be a development coming, I searched for taller trees for a west hedge that would work nicely with the view, horizon, existing olive trees, and the vineyard. I choose the Arizona Cypress, because it is a tall cypress that can be trimmed to a suitable height, is drought tolerant, has a lovely gray-green foliage that would work beautifully with the horizon and sky, and it has a fairly long life span. In short, it has the capability to hide what I want, and complement the existing landscape.

When I look out at this view, I do have to pause to ponder and remember it all. The challenges, the unknown, the triumphs, the appreciation.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Welcome To My French Kitchen, June 2025

This is my new kitchen after a few tweaks. New dimmable lighting. Linen mood sconces. Overhead light moved above table. New tile backsplash. Additional electrical wall outlets. New sink and faucet. New shelf for additional storage. Added flea market treasures for warmth and ambience.

In My French Kitchen, March 2024

This was my French kitchen a year ago in March 2024. Still very nice and basic, but a bit cold and industrial, and possibly— patiently, waiting for a little tender care and charm.

Spring Asparagus At The Uzès Market

My cooking has also evolved as my kitchen has. I am now more comfortable with an induction cooktop, which is very common, popular, and energy efficient in France today. Armed with a new set of induction cookware, I love strolling through the farmers markets deciding what to cook based on what I see.

Cooking from the markets is simple and very rewarding. New ingredients to try and dishes to create add to my cooking pleasure. A simple herb garden off of my kitchen door further enhances my cooking.

Ripe Charentais Melon, Great For Breakfast, Appetizers, Or Anytime

Oddly enough, I a have a library of cookbooks at home in California, and just one or two in France. I prefer to cook in France by instinct and I suppose experience, off of the top of my head. As I mentioned in my last post, “delicious food is tightly woven into the French culture, each and every day. It is generally on the simple side, made with fresh ingredients at their peak, and beautifully presented like a gift.” I continuously strive for beautiful presentation, but I think you will agree, all the ingredients shine for themselves.

Sharing with you, a few dishes I have made from my recent visit, diving into my kitchen.

Steamed New Potatoes, Blanched Green Beans, Parsley, Red Lettuce Salad with a Sherry Vinaigrette

Sautéing Sea Bream Before Adding A Medley Of Sautéed Tomatoes, Olives and Capers

Roasted Organic Chicken Basted With Normandy Butter, Lemon, and Tarragon

Toulouse Pork Sausage Over Vinaigrette Salad with Auvergne Blue Cheese

Starting Pan Seared Salmon With Sautéed Spinach, Tomatoes, and Zucchini

Lunch From The Uzès Market Of Sliced Baguette, Tapenades, Tomatoes, Fresh Goat Cheese And Cherries

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Entering Our Village We Ran Into a Shepherd Grazing His Flock

Bonjour to all of you! It has been a while since I have written. It has been a very busy beginning of the year, and sometimes one benefits from a nice long pause, to catch your breath, reflect, and reset if necessary.

I am back in France again and wanted to share some of my first week here. Coming into our village after being away for almost six months, my husband and I were greeted by a surprise thunderstorm of rain and lighting, as well as a shepherd grazing his huge flock of sheep in the protected forest. Welcome back to France, and be ready for the unexpected.

All is well with our little mas (house), and it was very exciting to unlock the door and see all of the incredible changes in person. I have been working with a special someone here in France the last six months, who has a great design eye, and a team of artisan trades people at her fingertips to make a few needed changes with lighting, wrought iron railings, etc. Our little mas is cute, but some little tweaks here and there have made it especially charming and inviting. I will share more in another post.

Running of the Bulls at Fête de L”Etang

The French are full of fun, and always have festivals and events happening. Some we stumble upon, and others we are told about. We were told about the annual celebration, Fête de L’Etang in La Capelle, the next village over, where there is food, music, and even running of the bulls. L’Etang is a beautiful rare protected freshwater lake in this region among the typical garrigue (scrubland). Surrounding this lake you see a lot of vineyards, fruit orchards, and dark brown bulls are even raised here. These French cowboys and cowgirl are running three bulls in the middle of them around a small portion of the lake. You can hardly see the bulls, but if you look closely in the middle of the photo, you see two bull’s curved brown horns. It is a fast pace, and very exciting to watch. The beautiful white horses, it seems to me, have such a big sweet heart, and are a special breed typical of this area, that I have got to find out more about.

Mussels in Marseille

Still within our first week here, we met Colorado friends in Marseille for a day. We had never been to Marseille, and rented an AirBnB down by the Vieux Port. Marseille is interesting, a gritty melting pot of many cultures and history. Our friends were on a week long Mediterranean cruise that docked in Marseille for the day. I love mussels (moules) from my Brussels, Belgium days. I was in heaven having Mussel Meunière and frites for lunch.

It has been a whirlwind week full of surprises and adventure! Sheep, horses, and mussels!

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

Last Scoop of Tomato Truffle Bisque

Tomato Truffle Bisque

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, diced small

3 carrots, diced small

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsp. tomato paste

2-15 oz cans or 1-28 oz can, San Marzano tomatoes

2 tsp. Herbs de Provence (optional)

1 -1/4 cup vegetable stock

2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

½ cup heavy cream

2-3 tbsp. black truffle oil

1-2 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

Grated Gruyère

 Directions:

-In a medium saucepan, sweat the onions, carrots, and garlic until translucent; add tomato paste and cook for two minutes.

-Add San Marzano tomatoes, Herbs de Provence, chicken stock and cream; simmer for 30 minutes.

-Add truffle oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

-Blend carefully in a blender until smooth.

-Return soup to saucepan and heat slowly before serving

-Finish the soup with a drizzle of truffle oil and a sprinkle of Gruyère cheese

-Serves 4-6.

Last year I lovingly adapted Jeffrey Scott’s recipe from Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles, California, in a menu for one of my cooking classes. His recipe further inspired me to create my own version. In my area in South France, near Uzès, En Provence Occitane, the culinary treasure—black truffle is found, and is in season from November to March. This being March, and the end of the season, I thought to share this recipe with you.

Easy to make, with almost everything readily available in your pantry, with possibly the exception of black truffle oil. Trader Joes, around the holidays stocks a black truffle oil /white truffle oil in a two pack. Other places to find black truffle oil are online, and where specialty foods, vinegars, and oils are sold.

For these blustery March days, make this creamy dreamy bisque, and pair it with a yummy grilled cheese sandwich, a French Croque Monsieur, or even a Trader Joes warmed Garlic Naan.

Black Truffles for Sale at Local Village Truffle Festival

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

A Sunny Lunch at Le Plongeoir, Nice

We flew into Nice, France, and stayed a few days. Recent articles on Nice had mentioned that Nice was experiencing a renaissance since covid. It has been about 15 years since we were here last, and the time was right for another visit. We stayed in Vieux Nice, home for 20,000 people, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We ate well, strolled the famed Promenade des Anglais along the water, and took in the Monday brocante (flea) market.

A few days later we drove and stayed at the picturesque port and small town of Cassis, along the Côte d’Azur. Enough time for an evening dinner along the port, and to take in the Wednesday market there. A quick stop at Domaine du Paternel for wine tasting. This area is known for gorgeous white wines.

Above Cassis is the start of the Route des Crètes, one of the most scenic routes along the highest cliffs in France which allows to you view the coastline and out to the Mediterranean sea. Breathtaking!

Picturesque Cassis Port

Market Day at Place Richelme in Aix-en-Provence

On to Aix-en-Provence for a day and night. A vibrant university town with magnificent architecture and a grand wide boulevard called Cours Mirabeau. We had one of our most memorable and delicious lunches at Les Vielles Canailles at this tiny little restaurant, know for the talented chef and extensive wine list.

Hiking at the Gardon du Gorges, A UNESCO Biosphere

After almost a week in France, we rolled into our village around Uzès. So happy to be here again, to further explore our area, work on our little mas, and search for decorating treasures from brocantes and flea markets.

It is not all work, we have taken time out for market days, long lunches, and one day we hiked part of the Gardon du Gorges. It is an incredible gorge carved over time by the Gardon River. Steep cliffs, rushing river water, and natural landscape have earned this protected pristine gorge a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere site.

My New Wall Sconce, Upper Left, for the Living Room

Sharing with you the vintage sconce I found for our salon, living room, stone wall. Small, delicate, a perfect size. It is French, and pre-World War II. It cleaned up beautifully, and adds a touch of elegance to our rustic room.

Our Neighbor’s Beautiful Stone House

It is beautiful here in the autumn. My neighbor’s vine-covered stone house is a site to relish in the fall.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend from France…Bonnie