Madame of the Villa with her eagle blue eyes, sets out to the open market. Preparing for Sunday lunch is serious business. I tag along for the adventure. We start early in the morning, the moment the market opens it…

The first time I went to the grocery store in France, I bought sour milk instead of milk, and cornstarch instead of flour. After that I always took a dictionary. It was an all day affair just to buy the…

The church bells ring in the morning, the good bakery (there are several in our village, we call it the "good bakery," as not to be confused with the others.) has a line a mile long! Sacha stands waiting his…

1988 The first time my Mother came to visit me in France her impressions were: 1) The beauty of the fruits and vegetable stands. 2) That surely she had died, tripping over her tongue due to the antiques she was…

                            I am in Rennes at my Belle-Mère’s home. We have grown accustomed to one another, The frost we use to feed each other has melted. No longer does she find…

                                        What does it mean to be French?  After living in France for over 18 years, does that make me "un peu" French? Does wine taste the…