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   You may remember we acquired a kitten while in France. A soft, cuddly thing to love when we were feeling homesick. She provided us with much entertainment and needless to say, had to come back to the States with us. I was dreading the trip with her as getting her into a crate to go to a vet was excruciating. One would think she was being tortured, she would let out deep, loud growls of displeasure. We feared it would be 6,000 miles of howling under our seat on the planes. I had some strong sedatives (for her, not my children) and I kept reminding the kids(and myself), the travel was just for 1 day. One day of headache, embarrassment and frustration- we could do it. Low and behold, Cat did not make a sound the entire trip- no sedation needed.
   We snuck her into the hotel for the night in Albuquerque where she bounced off of the walls for a few hours, then back into the crate for the drive to Colorado. Now she was so used to the crate, she slept peacefully for the 4 hour car ride. Bravo mon petit chaton!
   One thing I missed while in France was to-go coffee and iced tea. I kept one with me for most of that first day back, starting the day with hot coffee to go from the hotel, to iced tea later in the morning for the drive.
   I do miss the rose from France, though.

My roady coffee

Almost home

Last Market for Me

   I woke up early the day before departure, restless but tired, needing to embrace every last minute of our year abroad. I ran into town to hit the boulangerie for a last Sacristan pastry and bid farewell to our favorite Patissier. It was market day- I will miss these regular village gatherings, listening to the French chitter/chatter of catching up on the week's worth of gossip. After filling their baskets, friends migrate to the cafes for a drink and rest to watch the passers' by.

   Summer produce was just starting. Ripe melons, cherries and apricots were so full of flavor. I will miss the dedication to the taste of food.

Saying Good Bye is Tres Difficile

   Bags are in the car, house is clean and we are very patiently awaiting our return to the USA. Yes, we are all very excited to see our friends and family. But as I watch my kids move about today, there is a sense of mourning. I feel it too. Our neighbors, our commune, have become family. Being 5,000 miles away is significant and while the Internet makes the world a small place, there is no arguing that we are far apart.
   While I fully intend on returning to France within a year or so, it will most likely be longer before I can spring for 4 tickets for all of us to return to Provence. The kids already ask when they can come back, which makes me feel like the year abroad was a success. I can not commit to when we will all be able to return, but it will happen, someday. And even though many miles separate us, I am thrilled to have these new friends and know we will be reunited in the not so far off future.
   So, without much of a pity party, I want to say a bientot to my friends, family and life en France. C'etait un super annee. Merci.



 
 

Last Market Makes a Good Meal

   I woke up early this morning, remembering at day break that it was my last full day in France. I went to bed last night feeling the same way- as soon as the rain passed, I just wanted to be outside, listening to the coo-coo birds and frogs,soaking in every last minute until dark fell at 10:00. 

   I had to hit the trash bins, recycle and drop off some books for a friend in town this morning, so I decided to wander through the market for one last time, too. The French markets are so full of life. Of course, there is produce galore, but also so much more. Similar to our local Colorado market, it is a major social event for the community. By mid-morning, the cafe tables are full. Half of the canine community are sniffing one another, while pedestrians are trying to pass by in the narrow streets, bidding one another bonjour. Vendors get progressively louder, doing their best to make as many euros as possible in the morning hours.

   Even though I am supposed to be emptying my cupboards, I couldn't help but buy a few poitrons(red peppers), chevre, and gambas(shrimp) to share with friends back at the best place of all- our garden table.

   Oh, and yesterday friends brought over fresh sardines which we grilled and ate with fingers with a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of salt and yum- Youngest Child has a new favorite culinary treat. Second only to Escargot- he has done well in France.

Zetta giving me a lesson on eating sardines.

Early summer produce.

Every market has their rotisserie chickens- they are delicious with potatoes roasting underneath...

There are several vendors selling flowers.

Early morning market.

   

The End is Near

   We are literally counting down the hours until our departure. The house is looking very empty, the fridge even more so. Every moment is being savored by either a last visit to favorite towns nearby, lounging in the sun at our house and of course, a last visit to the sea yesterday.
   The water was the warmest it has been this spring, which made it easy for even temperature sensitive me to float in the ultra-salty Mediterranean one last time. New friends aside, the sea is what I will miss the most.
   Good-byes are hard. I have no doubt we will reconnect with most of these new friends, but a year or two may pass before seeing each other again. Thank God for technology that allows us to stay connected virtually.
   It is with mixed feeling that this year comes to a close. I am excited to see family and friends, my animals and my home, but my experience here has been a dream. Even though it was hard at times, feelings of isolation, frustration with lack of communication, too much time in close proximity to my children, (and them feeling just as sick of me), our minds are full of memories that we will draw upon for the rest of our lives. Some day, getting lost in Nice will be hysterical, even though I was in tears driving down a minuscule, one-way street going the wrong direction, coming to a barrier, then having to back out a couple of hundred meters while passers-by watched with amusement.
   Our flight leaves Sunday. That day will be quite an experience, too, mostly due to the fact that our wild French cat will be travelling with us, too. We considered finding her a new home here, as getting her into a carrier is a feat in itself, let alone a 5,000 mile air journey, but she is our greatest souvenir of all. As the time nears for that day, I remind myself it is but 1 day- and will be yet another part of our experience that we will reminisce about in the future.
   Yes, good-byes are hard, both to friends and to this most amazing year.

Fountain in Barjols

Typical lunch out from a boulangerie

Last day at the beach with friends

Apres picnic siesta

Enjoying the salt and sand of the Mediterranean for the last time.

Markets and More

   We have stopped by a few markets in the past week, gathering some gifts for friends and enjoying the beginning of summer produce in Provence. Strawberries are readily available and full of sweet flavor. The asparagus is waning, being taken over by zucchini flowers. I bought a handful today, stuffed them with local goat cheese, dipped them in batter and fried them- yum.
   It is funny that we have been here for nearly a year, and though these villages are small, we continue to find new shops. Today, we stopped into a homemade pasta store- tagliatelle for dinner- I will let you know how it is. We also popped into a patisserie that we did not know existed- it was France's mother's day- I don't know if that is why it was so busy, but the place was packed. Chocolates, nougats, candies, cakes and all kinds of delicious sweets were displayed.
   We are busy packing and cleaning, though I feel a strong urge to get out and explore for our last days here. We have less than a week, then it is back to Colorado to re-enter our already wonderful lives that exist there.

Fried Squash Blossoms

Textiles galore

Looks like summer.

Sweet delicacies

 

Porquerolles- A Great Finale to the Year

   Undoubtedly, I am trying to pack in as many fun adventures on our last days in France. The weather has been gorgeous so as you can probably guess, we headed to the coast spontaneously the other day to a new place for us- Porquerolle Island. At the southern tip of Hyeres, a ferry takes you a short distance to this small island that is strictly protected by the French nature conservatory. It is 2 miles wide and 4 miles long. The only cars on the island are residents and delivery vehicles. So, upon arriving on the island, we rented bikes and began exploring.
   First stop was to the southern side of the island which is lined with a rugged, wild coast-line. Cliffs plummet down to the sea. It was spectacular. We crossed the island to the eastern side where a narrow strip of land offered black sand on one side and white sand on the other.
   We cruised through the cute town to grab some picnic provisions before heading west to La Plage de Notre Dame where we waded in the crystal clear(though frigid) water.
   I am sorry we did not discover this place before our last week, but I am grateful to have made it one of our last memories of this year abroad.

The day's transportation. 

Spectacular coastline.

Heading down to the beach.

We will miss the clear, salty water...alot. 

Beach activity- building structures with driftwood.

Porquerolles 

Readying for lunch service.

It is all about the beach.