Remi and I have been known to read each others thoughts.
It just happens and when it does, we will invariably make the same comment, “You aren’t allowed to do that! Get out of my head!” And then we laugh. It is an old joke between us but it never does, actually, get old.
So I knew before he spoke that he wasn’t willing to just go the grocery store as planned for our last run before New Year’s Eve but had something else in mind. “Why don’t we go get some good olive oil to use for cooking the lamb?” he queried. I was already nodding before he finished his question and so we took a different direction at the upcoming roundabout and headed towards the Alpilles.
Nearly 80% of this years olive crop was struck down not only here but throughout Italy and Spain as well. Remi was planning ahead. He knew that the good stuff – which we buy regularly at the Moulin de Jean-Cornille in Maussane – wouldn’t last through the winter and he was more than right. There was hardly any left.
We bought three one liter bottles but still were disappointed. The energy in the boutique had been bizarre with other customers clamoring for the oil. I didn’t want our brief foray in the Alpilles to end on such a sour note. Not that afternoon, not ever.
“Why don’t we go and pick some fresh thyme for the lamb as well?” I suggested.
Despite what one might think, les Alpilles do not unceremoniously sprout les Herbs de Provence – rosemary, thyme and sage – partout. Not entirely. Luckily, we have our spot. A tried and true destination…
…amidst olive groves and running vines, parasol pines and stone chopped hills. But would it be there?
We arrived just in time…
…for the most beautiful sunset of the year. As if it knew that it had to take one grand swoop of a bow before time had run out.
And the thyme? No, it had not run out.
It was Remi who insisted that I take this photo of his victoriously brandishing our récolte or harvest, one that would, indeed perfume l’agneau marvelously along with such exceptional huile d’olive.
He did so because he knew that I was already thinking of you at this beginning of the end. Because just as Remi and I can read each others thoughts, so, oftentimes, you, that royal You, can also pop up inside my head. With a moment so beautiful that it shimmies up next to the sublime, of course, my only recourse was to share and share alike.
Have a wonderful weekend…
Via email:
"No one but you and Rémi live such beautiful moments, and no one shares them better! This post is another example of why I never can delete your posts. Thank you, Leslie in Oregon"
I hope we will have some oil next year. Not one drop this year and we have 700 olive trees. Mas de la Barre had some oil as did Moulin de Bedarrides. (http://www.moulinbedarrides.com)
Judy
The olive crop is alive and well to your south in Greece and having had the opportunity to watch (and taste!) some of the olives become oil, I can assure you there will be olive oil in the coming year. (Luckily their crops were spared the attack by the fly that struck in Italy and Spain). This is a lovely outing you took and what a beautiful way to close out one year and ease into the next.
OLIVE OIL SHORTAGE…………OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for being my newspaper as well………………
The photos are sublime…….the colors, the shots…….all truly gorgeous!
I hope the lamb was a success………..and NOW I SEE THAT'S REMI's ARM!!!!
XOXo
Every time I think, okay, Most Romantic Post Ever, you outdo yourself. I live vicariously through your posts, dear Heather, and remember my ever so brief visit, so that in my fantasy I can sprinkle bits and pieces of real memory. Much love to you and Remi for the weekend, and always, G
I hope you realize that your writing is my equivalent of 50 shades of grey. Are you kidding?!!! Jaunts to get olive oil and picking thyme in the golden hour of sunset?! What could be more romantic or perfect than this? These photographs are stunning. The pink highlights against the trees! Oh my. What a gorgeous world you share with us!
I so wish we had connected when you lived only minutes from me!
Thank you so much for your comment today. I am very insecure in my writing and worry constantly that it doesn't translate to anyone else.
Lovely. You make it all so appealing. I miss my herb garden during our harsh northeast winters.
Lovely. You make it all so appealing. I miss my herb garden during our harsh northeast winters.
"In a nutshell" you have described one of the many reasons I love France .. food preparation as an exciting Family event. Think good thoughts for me, please, as I get in the car and drive to Costco …… yes, even on beautiful Kauai … sigh …
Aloha,
Bill Facker
http://www.kauai-to-paris.com
So beautiful Heather, the thoughts the images, I love that you and Remi are so close.
xoxo
Karena
French Artist Frederique Chemin