If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Here’s where I would rather be today. And you? Let’s meander up the road for a brief visit to St. Paul-de- Vence, perched on a hilltop north of Nice. Another day we’ll spend more time here but right now it feels like the perfect spot for a quick break.


Wander up the lane to La Colombe d’Or. Visit the website for more photos and details of the extraordinary history of this superb inn and restaurant, owned by the same family since 1920.

Settle in the bar … one of my favourite spots … order your beverage of choice and drink in the atmosphere too.

POP! ~ back to reality ~ so much for that fantasy.
Let me tell you where I really am today. Does this ever happen to you?
Things pile up and the next thing you know a week has simply flown by!
That Tuesday blog post? Oops!
That backlog of e-mails and blogs I follow? *hangs head in shame*
The final details I need to clear up to move on with publishing my next novel? I’m working on them …
But then Mother Nature steps in with a major snowstorm that provides the perfect opportunity to stay hunkered down at home, cancel meetings, and get caught up. It definitely looks like “The Great White North” here in Toronto today and the view from our balcony appears rather like I have felt all week i.e. SNOWED UNDER.
So today has been a gift! I’ve accomplished more writing-related work in the past five hours than the past five days and the load is beginning to shift. By this evening I may be close to completely caught up! YOWZA!
Before we leave France altogether, here’s something else to eagerly anticipate if you are fortunate enough to be in the area.
CARNAVAL DE NICE 2013 – February 15 to March 6. If you are there, get ready!

Click here for a previous post of mine about this annual celebration that brightens up winter on the Côte d’Azur. Is there a winter festival where you live and do you join in the fun or patiently wait for it to be over? I hope wherever you are, you are safe from the storm.