Images and impressions

The weather has stayed mild so it is easy to decide on some outdoor visits. We walked into town when it got dark to check out the lights in town again...this time with Maya. This is a sort of "raining down"system of lights...looks a bit like snow falling above the street.

 We had a nice lunch in the little restaurant on this square and the lights at night are quite pretty.There is a fountain on the right.

 Some sparkle near the cathedral "ski slope."

 City Hall also decorated.

These are some more of the window decorations in town...

 this shop sells tea...

Love the giant bunny with its teddy bear!

Many of the color schemes seem to be leaning towards grays and silver...this is just one of the chic windows. I really liked the huge wooden beads and the little sheep in the window.

 A photo pause at the foot of the giant decorated Christmas tree.

This is the crèche of santons in the cathedral St. Siffren. There is a santon for every profession and most towns have a fair with stands to buy santons for the family crèche at home. Usually the santon is made of the red clay in the region and painted by hand and they range in sizes from miniature (under one inch) to large. These santons were quite large (about 18") and dressed in fabric clothing. Notice how one of the church statues (on the left), located here on usual times, is wrapped in brown paper??!!

Look at the quilting on this santon's skirt made of provençal print fabric. 

On Monday we drove over to Venasque for a little stroll in the quiet streets. Here's the city hall.

 A view of the ancient church from the main street.

 The fountain was all decorated but since it was Monday afternoon on the 27th the boulangerie was closed.

 Some blossoms on walls...kind of a surprise to see in December.

 I love the fat walls which open out to the parking and the boules playing area. These were built to keep out the raiding Moors who were sweeping through France at the time of Charlemagne.

We went down the hill into Saint Didier where people were out and about. This is a view of the main street from the car window. I wanted to go and get some nougat at Silvain...master nougatier.They even make nougat with olive pieces in it. It is so good! Another of the 13 desserts for Noël.

Here is another crèche in the community center window...really very complex and pretty. Look at the hilltop village...could it be Venasque I wonder?

Can you see Jean-Claude and myself reflected in the window??

I loved this little passageway's name and the color of the shutters. Raspberries are one of my favorite summer berries!

We got home in time for a little evening cuddle. What is better than a snoozing baby after a busy day???

A la prochaine!!!