Friday, June 24, 2016
Hi Journal. I’m sorry that I’ve been lacking in writing but I’m beginning to lose track of the days. I was thinking of journals past and I’ve written volumes. Now I’m afraid that I’m treating my journaling like a third child. You know—a million photos are taken of a first born; then a bit less with the second child. By the time the third child rolls around you have to search for the fewer photos you’ve taken.
I promise to write more next year.
Today we woke up to the news of the “Brexit”. The people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. This is bad. And I’m afraid it will affect voting in the USA. I don’t want Trump to be elected.
Wait! I’m not thinking about politics on this wonderful trip.
We’re going to laze by the pool today for a while. There was a notice that due to a wedding, the pool will be closing at 2:30 this afternoon. Can you imagine having your wedding here? I’m so pissed that I’m not wealthy. I want to have Oona’s wedding here one day.
I take my favorite place at the pool. Luckily I have hearing like a dog and can listen to the conversations of the wedding party. And pretend that my daughter, Oona, is going to have HER wedding here someday. I better start that diet now!
If only Oona knew what I was thinking she would beg Bonaparte to have me committed.
At the pool, wedding guests were bragging about the celebrations. I was eavesdropping on what the women were going to wear. I was also eavesdropping on where some guests were going after the wedding festivities. One couple was going to spend eight weeks touring throughout Europe. I’m jealous!
After soaking the sun under an umbrella, we up and left to change. We decided to take a drive to Cabris!
Outfit of the afternoon. It’s about time I put some real clothes on! I’m wearing this years-old shift from J. Crew. This white dress is perfect for the weather on the Cote d’Azur. It’s cotton and breathes!
Cabris holds a special place for Bonaparte because his daughter spent many summers with her grandparents there.
View from the village of Cabris. It’s located higher up in the mountains so the views never fail to please. Sorry about the date on the camera. I was messing around a bit and ..well–you know!
I’m mighty high here!
The lapsed bad Catholic girl in my loves visiting Cabris because every year I get to see the statue of Saint Rita and pray to her for money, a job, Botox, a winning Lottery ticket—things that nice girls shouldn’t even think of. But somehow old St. Rita takes my pleas with a grain of salt and pays me no mind.
St. Rita. Every year I visit her. Every year I ask more more and more. She’s not looking to happy with me…
..I also stop to pause for reflection by the altar at the little chapel and every year I take the same picture.
In the past, we’ve been to this charming little village when the heat index was supernatural. Hell was cooler.
This year, surprisingly, the weather was rather comfortable. Maybe around low 90’s with zero humidity. As usual the drive was pleasant, and even more pleasant was the fact that we got a parking space under the shade of trees. Actually parking in Cabris is always good.
Cabris is little village and one of those places that just seems to take a baby step back in time. The homes are cute and well-maintained. There isn’t a lot of hustle and bustle.
Houses are adorned with cute decorations..
..and the narrow streets, which are more like passageways, are lined with homes..
Trees with little oranges line the way..
…..people can keep stuff outside of their homes and it won’t get stolen..
…grab a seat and watch the world go by….
…or be like this cat and take a nap outside
Bonaparte said that it’s pretty much the same now as it was thirty years ago.
I love the cushioned bench.
..an old church that never seems to be open..
..a restaurant and auberge..
Another building..
We also took time out to visit an adorable little galerie that I had seen for a couple of years, but it was never opened when we passed by. I’m so happy that we were in Cabris when the galerie was opened.
Atelier Galerie Lulu.
We’ve passed by in previous years, but this was the year we finally entered the studio. Atelier LuLu is named for Lulu the artist’s cat!
…shhhhh. Lulu is sleeping. Or hiding from me.
Seriously. This galerie is the greatest little studio/galerie I’ve been in. The outside is inviting and there is a little bench with books that you can have. Well—just to have! The owner/operator/artist in residence is Olivier Buccellato. Olivier is quite the handsome Frenchman AND he is incredibly creative and talented.
Olivier Buccellato at work. I would like to introduce him to Oona!
The atelier is pretty much dedicated to his cat, Lulu!
How can you not love a studio that gives out free books??
I was glad that Olivier allowed me to take photos of the place. I wish Olivier the best of luck with his galerie because it is such fun, funky and pleasant. You know how you walk into a place and you get this vibe that it’s just a good, good place to be in? Yeah. That’s how Atelier Galerie Lulu is. If you ever get the chance to visit Cabris, definitely stop by the Galerie. You just may get to see Lulu too!
The inside of Atelier Lulu. This is the perfect place to curl up with a good book on a rainy day!
Maybe it rains books sometimes. Olivier said that he attaches books that he isn’t crazy about on the ceiling. That’s a good thing because I trash books I don’t like!
I’m really diggin’ Olivier’s work. Lulu!
A closer look.
More Lulu inspired artwork..
So glad we entered into this galerie!
Don’t forget to visit the galerie when you are in Cabris!
Cabris is always a pleasure to visit. It is always slightly sleepy and there is a certain sense of ease with the people who live and work there. My guess is that St. Rita likes to watch over them.
She’s glad that I’m gone for another year. She told that little statue so.
We enjoyed another long dinner on the terrace. Tonight we had one of the great little chickens that the French roast so well. The flavor packs a punch. A salad of tomato, mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with basil, salt and pepper was perfect for this hot summer evening.
Aperitifs on the terrace before…
…delicious, cold, roti chicken…and
Tomato and Mozzarella.
Nighty night! Tomorrow we have a rather ambitious schedule. Eze. Menton. And Monaco.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I leave you with one of my favorite songs by Michel Polnareff: La Poupee Qui Fait Non. It’s very Ye-ye!
Lovely pictures 🙂 Such a peaceful looking place .
The little oranges are loquats , when they are ripe they are very good and sweet , but be careful because they leave stains in your clothes forever 😉
Turtle Hugs
Hi Turtle. Thanks for letting me know those little oranges are loquats. I want to try them next time I’m in Cabris–but I’ll have to wear something other than white due to my royal sloppiness!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!
They have huge seeds in them, with little flesh. The skin is not nice. It’s Ok’ish – one or two is enough for me. My nephew had them growing in his yard.
Soul–the funny thing is that I thought this fruit wasn’t edible. I thought it was for scents. I’m not making much sense now. Am I?? XOXOXO!!!
Better eat them over the sink (you know like “over the sink peaches or plums”) and the sloppiness is contained 😉
Turtle. I can’t believe you said that. LOL. The only way I dare to eat peaches and plums is over the sink–and even then the drippings still manage to get on my clothing!!! XOXOXO!!!
We must be sisters or something 🙂
Turtle Hugs
(and Vive La France – je peut le dire le 14 Juillet) even if I’m Portuguese and they’re loathing us since the 11th 🙂
I love, love everything about this post. Wonderful photos of a beautiful place. Thank you for all of the detail.
Hi Lori! Thank you. I’m glad that you are appreciating my attention to detail (or maybe rambling–lol). Cabris is one of my favorite villages! XOXOXOXO!!!
I am saving your post. Who knows…I might find myself in Cabris one day following in your footsteps!
Happy Tuesday from Portland!!
That cat with the black stripes was absolutely gorgeous! (Would you believe that was my favorite picture tonight? 😀 )
Lady Calen. I have to admit–I love that photo of the cat as well. It just seemed s/he was so peaceful and comfortable in front of the door. Just napping. It was a moment! XOXOXOXO!!!
It just amazed me. I’ve never seen a tabby (which it was because it had the “M” on its forehead) that had such distinctive markings. I wonder if it’s common in France. (Yes, I have a thing for cats. 🙂 AND dogs.)
place…so much for multitasking!
Spent a couple of hours tonight catching up with your photos and writing. I’m enjoying your vacation stories, and am learning a lot about France. You earlier asked about my 3-week Cannes vacation: Sept 9-22, 2014, bookended by a week before and a week after in Paris. November 2015, we spent a week before and a week after the terror attacks in Paris, bookending a 3-week trip to visit son and DIL in Singapore, where he works for a French company. Reading your blog makes this Texan a little “homesick” for Cannes.) xxoo
Hi Vadalia. We always visited Paris before AND after our visits to Theoule. It’s a great way to round out the trip. We passed on Paris due to the passing of a loved one :https://atypical60.com/2015/10/27/paris-without-daniele-part-un/
We were there a week before the last incident. We will be returning to Paris in the fall–but it will be different this time.
You are a Texan???!! My oldest son is a graduate of UT at Austin. Austin rocks! I have a brother who lives outside of San Antonio. We have a lot in common I see! XOXOXOXO!!!
Re: the leaving stuff outside and not getting it stolen. One year when the kids were in the teens we did a bike ride holiday in the middle of France somewhere. It was wonderful. We left our car at the start of the route and our luggage was transported every evening. We were given a packed lunch and being a Brit I expected a cheese sandwich and a packet of crisps. Do tell Bonaparte that our panniers were packed with a full 7-course French lunch – to us Brits it was a revelation!! Also when we arrived at our first stop in a small village we asked where we should leave our bikes. Oh just prop them up outside the bar. What, not lock them up? No, they replied, and a bit puzzled as to why I asked. And of course they were still there the next morning. And that happened everywhere on route.
Hi Penny. Isn’t it amazing? The lunch? Believe me, here in the States lunch these days would be a sandwich on gluten-free bread with a slice of meat or cheese made of tofu and an apple. No diet soda for a drink. Instead water. I love the way the French lunch! And it is so true. If I left a bike unlocked I would get no sleep. Amazing! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
A fun and beautiful read. Can’t chat. I’m off to the market to buy a chicken, tomatoes and mozzarella and start a novena to St. Rita petitioning her that I get to visit Cabris soon.
Hi Bernadette! Have fun at the market. Oh…and can you sneak in a special request to my buddy St. Rita to find me a real office job soon? Retail is killing me! lol! XOXOXOXO!!!
I can only just imagine. I worked retail clothing store for three years. I will include your petition in my prayers to Saint Rita.
Me too! Cabris here we come!
a very nice location! Congratulations for your pictures.
many regards
Thanks Antonio! Please visit more and join me for the rest of the trip! XOXO!!
Hi Antonio! Thank you so much. The location was perfect–wasn’t it? Hope you continue to enjoy our trip! XOXOXOXO!!!
Love, love, love the gallery visit and artwork. The whimsical style reminds me a little of Bonaparte’s father’s drawings. Thanks again for sharing a your adventures.
Karen. The gallery was freakin’ awesome. I want to go back there. Perhaps next year we will purchase one of the Lulu drawings–and YES–Olivier’s artwork does remind me of Dany’s! Glad you are enjoying our tripXOXOXOXO!!!
Great post! Looks like a very charming village. Hello from Eugene, Oregon!!
Hi Vava, Thanks. Cabris IS an incredibly charming village. I’m missing it already! Oh..and hello from Phoenixville, PA!! XOXOXOXO!!!
How pretty is your white dress – you look amazing! Love the photos and ever the glutton I have spent maybe a little too long admiring the photos of food (all the photos are lovely – and the artistic is rather ummm attractive – but then French men are!)
Oh Juliet. Thank you for your compliments. That dress is sooooo old but it’s an old faithful. It fits me through weight gain and loss and manages to be so comfy and good to me. Yeah. Olivier is certainly some French eye candy for the ladies!! XOXOXO!!!
Books he hates glued to the ceiling – how cool is that !!! Thanks for the tour 🙂
Hi Soul! Is that the coolest thing ever? I should have kept “Little Paris Bookshop” and nailed it to my ceiling! XOXOXOXO!!!
So quaint! All of these photos and your musings are such a gift – I am really enjoying YOUR vacation! LOL
Thanks! I need to go back. Soon. Like later todayl LOL!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Love the message about the “entry fee” on the artist’s sign!