Encore jeudi

Here are a few more pictures from Isle sur la Sorge...we had just finished feeding the ducks in the stream behind us and Maya met some people including a lady walking "un loup"...a wolf...but I think it was more like a Siberian Husky!

It was a sunny afternoon and we were still savoring that delicious ice cream!

Jeudi en ballade

We headed out to Isle sur la Sorgue for some ice cream at Isabella's (AMAZING flavors) and a little tourist stuff.

Here we are!!! First stop though is the manège which has been restored by the artisan welder who runs the rides and makes sure several children get the "pompom" which means you get a free ride next time around...it is our favorite stop. Maya likes the spaceship which flies up and down and also the very jazzy sports car where she is a movie star on the Cote d'Azur!

Around the corner from the manège is the terrain de boules where there is always a group of fellows playing and discussing scores. I think the guy in the turquoise shirt won this match.

By the way, that is the color of the Derby shoes I found in a little shop off the canal...shoes Made in Spain!!

We got home in time to play several hands of Go Fish and Dobble and then off to bed. Market day in Carpentras on Friday and Maarja will be there!

Spring in Carpentras

We have been here five days already!!! and it has been a busy time. First you should see what things are in the garden here (besides sunshine I mean ;-) )

See that lemon in the middle photo? That went into a glass of Martini Rossi for apero yesterday...along with some black olives and a few nuts to munch we sat in the garden and enjoyed the little frogs singing to us!

We are working on learning some cross stitch and soon the sewing machine is coming out to make a Sacagewea costume for Maya...here we are getting a tracing. I know, its probably easier to use a tape measure but lying down on the floor is so much more "precise" right? Also fun!

In the meantime...this is what JC is doing!

En voyage

We spent a long day in the Chicago airport but our flight on Iberia to Madrid was very nice...the most interesting part was to have Javier Bardem sitting right in front of me! We smiled at each other but I did not have the nerve to take a picture so I cannot prove my story!

The Madrid airport is very modern but also confusing...everything is indicated by letters in red, yellow, blue...section H where we were headed is in another terminal and luckily some other travelers were able to piece together information with us otherwise, I think we might still be there! It seems they post flights by time of departure rather than alphabetically...I'm glad we had a general idea of our  
flight time!

We were gathered up at the Marseilles airport and before long we arrived in sunny Carpentras...the drive seemed so short compared to the long travel time (I mean all the waiting and etc. at the airport).

Soon after our arrival chalk was taken out for some art in the kitchen and the next morning Black et White joined us for coffee and sketching.

Today we spent playing Old Maid, The Ladybug Board game and dressing in princess rings and glue on earrings.

We actually had a little rain today so playing games was the perfect way to spend the day!

I hope I'll have more to tell you in the next few days...maybe more pictures too.

Arrival in Passe Christian and New Orleans

After a long stopover in the Dallas/FortWorth airport we arrived in New Orleans and were whisked off to beautiful bayou land.

We had a great time seeing such interesting spots and spending a little quality time on the beach with our new friend Murphy...

Then off to New Orleans for a taste of that amazing place. So much energy and zipadeedoodah!

This building is the Napoleon house (just in case you think they only have him in Corsica and Paris.)

Here is the view from our hotel as we tuck in early...long flight tomorrow at the crack of dawn to Provence and I can hardly wait! Bonne Nuit!

Time for bed! Suitcases at the ready...departure tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. or so. I can hardly believe we'll soon be on our way. We had a wonderful dinner (not cooked by me yipee) and now I am just finishing loose ends. How long will I be able to sleep tonight? I am still just a beginner on this blog thing so bear with me and I hope to improve. So far it has all been practice and you know what they say "practice makes perfect!" Alors...bonne nuit et bons rêves.

Some useful books!!!
I hope I'll have to ask what the cafeteria is serving today! Oggi.