Lavender fields forever!  Since I never was able to get my blog "up and running" while in France, I'll post a few pictures now.

I am home now.  Flew to Florida on Friday, July 18th.  I'm all unpacked and will start packing on Sunday for the next trip, to WI till September.  It is very easy to unpack when you don't take many clothes.

Wow, what an amazing time, wonderful new friends and did I mention how much food there was?
Dinner usually was from 6:30 for appertifs and 7:00 to 9:00 for the usual four course meal.  It is light out till 10 pm so we had enough time to go for a walk around the long block.

Our last night reception was done in style.  The Lady Mayor of Fraysinnet even attended.  Our dinner was lit by candlelight everywhere and flowers fresh from the gardens.  Also, no walk tonight as the meal was 7 courses plus appertifs!  I am exhausted from all the eating!!

Bonjour!

We are staying all day at the Couvent to paint and eat and paint some more!

Saturday we visited Cahors, the largest village we have been to.  It actually was a small city with ATM 's!!  It was Market Day so that was quite an experience. The afternoon was spent painting till appertifs and dinner at 7:00. We are usually finished by 9:00 pm then head out for a walk to visit the local sheep, donkeys and horses!  Oo la la... The smell of French poopie is quite strong!!!!!

Since Internet is so slow, pictures are not uploading on the blog. But, good news!  Go to Le Vieux Couvent. Com. Their website has many pictures of our week so far. What we eat for lunch, what it looks like with artists all over the grounds painting and , yours truly,  modeling the new painting shirts from here.  I'm not sure why, but they asked me to show off their shirt!!

This has been incredible. The group of women is so much fun.  There are so many funny things going on all the time that laughter is heard from all over the grounds, but yet you can't see anyone!

Tomorrow we will go over to a French Flea Market!  Wonder what great  finds I'll have to bring home:)

Check out the pictures on Facebook too.

A Message From France

I'm on the internet finally!!

Arrived on Sunday with no problems. We had appertifs, welcome reception and dinner after arriving at the Couvant. This place is amazing. So many nooks and crannies to discover about the whole complex.  Everywhere you look there are flowers in bloom,  Lilly ponds, gardens and blue doors.

Monday we visited three different villages. Each one offered so many photo opportunities that it was hard not to take pictures.

Tuesday we visited a larger village, Gourdon,  which is built into the hillside. The pastries are amazing!  I came home with a meringue bigger than my hand!  And the chocolate walnuts are pretty tasty too.   In the afternoon,  we had an oil demo by Dreama.  In between our outings and studio time,   we paint or sketch.

Wednesday we started the day with another Dreama demo in oil. We traveled to a wonderful village called  Saint-Cirq Lapopie. It is also built in the hillside and one of the most beautiful villages of France.

As the week has progressed, we are now knowing names and personalities are beginning to show.
I guess mine must be as I was told I look like Loni Anderson but I thought they meant Pam Anderson !!!  Who knew:)

The dinners are amazing. Appertifs every night before the four course dinner. The meals are all made by the chef here  and you can taste France in every bite!!
Last night we went out to eat. The white fish we all ordered was awesome.  It was Lott which is like monk fish. It actually tasted like lobster!

Thursday.
Bonjour USA!
Headed to the lavender fields today. It is Purple Beret Day too!  Should be a fun photo op.
Yesterday the fields of sunflowers  were  all along our route.  Our drivers were kind enough to stop in the middle of the road for some serious picture taking. Who says you have to go to Tuscany for sunflowers?!

Pictures are really hard to publish. I'll keep trying. Just use your imagination and picture  me with my purple beret on standing in the lavender fields.

See you soon.  

Fly Away With Me Little Birdie!

How many people do you know that could pack ALL this

And that...........

Into these?????

And the two together weigh  53 lbs!

I arrived in Chicago on July 4th.  I went to bed hearing fireworks till midnight and woke up to lots of chirping outside my window at 4 am.  The top of the tree is right next to the window.  I guess it is home for all the little songbirds of Chicago!  What else is there to do but sing in the dark as they wait for the sun to shine!

I will be "people watching" this afternoon while waiting for a 5:30 pm flight to Paris. 

Yes, there is actually a lot to do in an airport.  You can walk, eat, sleep, read, sketch and laugh!  If you really watch what is happening around you, there are  plenty of  funny moments to supply you with a smile or two :)  and you can get a great sense of the newest in fashion for 2014!

So, when I arrive in France on Sunday, July 6th,  you will all still be sleeping, and I'm sure all  your  little  bird friends will be too! 

Au revoir till next time!