Happy May Day!

On May 1st you can see vendors on street corners selling lily of the valley...they are "porte bonheur" good luck bringers (!!) The supermarkets were full of them days before May 1st because that day is a holiday and most things are closed. That is the date for the fête de gardiens in Arles which is a Provencal cowboy (oui!) celebration with women in beautiful costumes and men on white horses. Quite spectacular!

We did not go to the fête and instead drove over to Beaumes de Venise (famous for its muscat wine of that name) for a vide-grenier which is a sort of rummage sale but includes mort of the people in town who bring things to sell out to the market square...

We turned left and headed towards Orange/Bollene.

 This is the entry to the little town and the square in front of the Hotel de Ville.

I thought the platanes were so gorgeous I had to get a close up shot too...they look so wise and massive and probably are very old. I wonder how many "haircuts" these platanes have had?

On the edge of town, in the vineyard there are California poppies blooming! I think they are in competition with the red Flanders poppies and it was a surprise to see them! I wonder if I had some seed in my pockets when I came to Provence in past years??!

We found some treasures at the vide-grenier so everyone was happy. Here is an interesting sculpture at the round-about outside of town:

Heading homeward we had some plans...a barbecue in the garden and then some dessert...so just so you know, Anton and I thought we would do an American treat to compete with the French desserts...we made Rice Krispy Treats!!! What do you think? Hmmm, is it the presentation perhaps?

Actually, Maya and I decided we would try to make some brownies instead in the gourmet bistro.

We mixed up a batch while the barbecue was in session.

Everything turned out delicious...even the cat liked the brownies and sneaked a piece before going off to bed. ( Did you know cats like chocolate? She seems fine this morning!)

Later, after a session with paints we joined Emmanuelle's family for an "apero dinatoire" which was so much fun...everyone talking at once, laughing, cuddling the new baby and just generally having a good time in the garden.

paint brush clean off collage...joli non?

Well, thats it for now. More later after I pack up for Rome. We are heading in that direction on Saturday, May 3...then some real adventure begins...

Il buon giorno si vede dal mattino!