Patricia Sands

Author

Love In Provence

Marvellous Madeleine

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If it’s Friday it must be France …

Madeleines have been on my mind quite a bit recently. In my latest novel, I Promise You This (Book 3 of the Love In Provence series), the character Simone Garnier has quite a connection to them. I couldn’t resist the urge to enjoy more than I should have … um, a few … while I was writing.

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These classic, tiny perfect French butter cakes make my heart beat a little faster when I savour one (or two or three) straight off the cooling rack!

Often thought of as cookies by North Americans, madeleines are a delicious accompaniment to your favourite cuppa … whether it’s tea or java or simply a nice cold glass of milk. They even have a classy literary history as Marcel Proust‘s muse in his famous epic 7-v0lume À La Recherche du Temps Perdu (Remembrance of Things Past).  Although they sound a little finicky to make, let me just say this: our granddaughter Meg made them when she was 13, on one of our cookie baking days. They tasted divine! Click here for the recipe.

I guess I should add that many Starbucks cafés often sell them  … just not straight out of the oven!

Speaking of I Promise You This, I’m busy working on edits with Danielle Marshall, my awesome Lake Union editor. We also have just seen the first draft of the cover art, which I loved!

Lake Union Publishing will relaunch The Promise of Provence and Promises To Keep in early October. Here are the revised covers which have a beautiful matte finish. I Promise You This will follow in 2016.

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You may              want to munch on a madeleine or two while you are reading. Do you get hungry while you read? Here’s a list of the best and worst choices to snack on while reading, in case you’re searching for some advice on the subject. 

Bon weekend everyone!

 

 

 

Strolling the backstreets …

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If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Take a stroll with me through some of the back streets of charming Biot … we’ll come back another time for more …

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If you are in the south of France, put Biot on your “must visit” list. This medieval village is just twenty minutes up into the hills behind Antibes and celebrated for, among other things, exceptional glass crafts created with their distinctive artisanal bubble glass. It’s possible to watch glassblowing artists in individual studios or the famous Verrerie de Biot. The colours of the glassware are mesmerizing. I bought a set of 8 glasses, each a different colour because I simply couldn’t choose!

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See what I mean? Yummy colours!

To read a far more amusing post than I could write, click here and spend a hilarious day in Biot with my friend Carol Perehudoff aka Wandering Carol. Bon weekend!

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: DOORS

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Did someone say “doors”? Ahhhhh … j’adore taking photos of doors!

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge this week says, “A door is an everyday thing, yet is often a symbol — of a beginning, a journey forward or inward, a mark of one’s home, or even a step into the unknown.”

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Just looking at some of these doors makes my writing juices flow. I would love to know their stories! Wouldn’t you?

I do happen to know the story about these doors above. They are an entrance to the historic Chapelle Saint-Bernardin in Antibes.  If you click on that link, you’ll find a post I wrote about these doors and the gem of a church. They were carved almost five centuries ago (see the 1581 date on the door) and presented to the church by the villagers and farmers in thanks for having survived a terrible plague. On my early morning walks around Antibes, I love to stop and place my hands on those doors and feel the history. I swear you can!

Click on any image to enlarge it and then double-click again to make it even larger. Do you take photos of doors and windows too?  To have even more of a door ‘fix’, drop by The Daily Post and visit some of the other participating blogs or join in and post some of your shots.

One aspect that I love about the online photo challenges, especially The Daily Post challenge, is the opportunity to discover some pretty amazing websites. I always try to find the time to visit as many as possible as it’s a good break from writing! In particular this time I would encourage you to take a look at this outstanding page. This young woman’s photos are spectacular and her philosophy speaks volumes to me. I think it will to you too!

‘Tis the luscious lavender season

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IMG_6002If it’s Friday, it must be France …

“Lavender is the soul of Provence” ~ Jean Giono, author of The Man Who Planted Trees (A quick 4000 word short story you will enjoy.)

It’s that time of year again in France! Lavender season is at its peak. I was never an avid fan of the scent until my husband and I drove up through the lavender fields a number of years ago so … no surprise here … I could take photos. When we opened the car door and stepped out, we were enveloped in a calming fragrance that was both intense and delicate. I wish I could add that to these photos, but I hope somehow the magic of it comes through.

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Small growers and private gardens create patchwork quilt views through the countryside.

IMG_4968 Some landowners grow lavender simply for their own pleasure.

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Where there is lavender, there will be bees. Delicious honey is one of the many offshoots of lavender production. Try it with goat cheese or in a salade de chèvre chaud. Yum!

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Explore the back roads and stop in to buy from local producers.

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The Cistercian monks of the 12th century Abbaye de Sénanque continue the ancient tradition in an isolated valley near Gordes. It’s a “must” stop on the lavender trail.

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Visit early in the morning to avoid tour buses and find the best light for your photos.This photo was taken early in the season, about two weeks before the peak of glorious color.

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And other times, the fields seem to go as far as the eye can see. It’s almost hypnotizing.

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A visit to the Musée de la Lavande in the hameau de Coustellet, near Avignon, is advised and guided tours are available in seven languages. Learn the difference between lavender and lavandin and the way they are grown and used. Discover the natural benefits of the essential oil produced and be sure to inspect the collection of stills dating back to the 16th century.

Of course, if you aren’t in the neighbourhood at this time of year,  local markets will always have plenty of lavender products to tempt you year round.

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Are you a lavender fan? Do you grow it in your garden? To see more information about the plant’s history, what to do with it and where to find it in France, including maps, click here.