While you were sleeping. . .

We woke up early this morning to attend the St. Remy Market. Lucky for us we stayed the night in St. Remy! Now, once again, you are asking yourself, "How many markets are required before you get your Market Badge?" . . . Answer. . . "Until Paula says so!" Paula is of the opinion (Duane doesn't disagree) that "More is More" and overdoing it is not an issue. We do love the markets! We visit the market. We buy a few things . . . Christmas presents, but we can't tell who for, and fresh "Herbs de Provence." Now if you are not already using "Herbs de Provence" you should start doing so immediately! Put it in, on and around everything savory that you cook. . . It'll taste so much better! P.S. Don't put it in your hot chocolate. That is just awful! It is also terrible in cake, but put it in everything else except Creme brûlée.
While in St. Remy, we make friends! Some from Boston, Some from California, some from Canada.
Jumping in the Punto, we head for Aix en Provence. This is a lovely drive through the countryside that is dotted with vineyards and Olive groves on both sides of the road. Duane, coming from corn country, (Iowa) notices that growing grapes and Olives looks like a lot more fun that growing corn! And when you compare the final product, Corn Flakes vs. wine and EVOO, there is no contest! Duane wonders why his father (Alvin) never moved to Provence? He is, however, forever grateful that Alvin moved from South Dakota to Iowa, so all is forgiven. Still, raising grapes and Olives looks like a whole lot of F.U.N!
Now we are in our hotel in Aix and for some reason, we can't move. Could it be the bottle of wine we had for lunch, or are we DONE. There is a discussion going on about how long one can stay "Out" before the inclination to sleep in one's own bed becomes overwhelming? Paula is there. Duane wants to catch the Eurostar to London, rent another car, another apartment and visit the British countryside for a month. The lure of fresh Scotch from the Scottish countryside is pretty attractive right now. One can, after all, overdose on wine. Pastis is not all it 's cracked up to be!