Glorious.
It is a word true to its sound, both expansive and bright, reaching upwards. And that is the feeling floating through our courtyard these past few days. Remi and I – yes and the dogs too – are waking up slowly to the Spring that has arrived on our doorstep in full force.
Suddenly, everything needs to be clean, to be swept, to be made new in order to echo the sudden growth all around us. Finally, the rusty iron candelabra has been hung above our old teak table. We have been planting and repotting – including a new jasmine that I will watch crawl over our walls until it emits that sweet, true perfume that is most certainly…glorious.
This happiness.
Soundtrack for this post:
I am sending out my Very Best Wishes to those of you that are celebrating either Easter or Passover this weekend. And Peace and Joy to everyone…
Hi Heather,
yes , I cooked two very simple dishes. Botargo spaghetti and
Prawns cooked in prosecco ( an Italian wine).
Botargo is produced in Sardinia from flothered mullet or from Atlantic bluefin tuna or even swordfish. It is called the caviar of the south .
I put some oil in a pan with thinly chopped shallot then I added strips of lemon peel and a ladle of spaghetti water.
I put cooked spaghetti in the pan and added 3 teaspoons of botargo. I mixed well and served hot . It was delicious!
Simple and easy. No Lamb for us this year!
I will cook them for you when you come here in Rome!
Have a nice evening my dear!
You know that you are always welcome to stop by the actual, not only virtual home, Ann! Especially if you call me "chère Bruyère"!! I love that. 🙂
It has been WAY too long since I stopped by your corner of the blogosphere, chère Bruyère! Your photos instantly cheered and soothed me! It makes me so happy to know you have such a lovely place to call home. I'll have to stop by more often. xo
I curse the French postal system. But you know my vote – please keep it for you!
I love your dogs names Elizabeth! What a mouthful to call them all at once! 🙂
Glorious visions for certain… I just got back to Eze and guess what was waiting for me? The bubble bath. Will try again, wish I had dropped it off just to see the beauty.
Heather, how wonderful to see your beautiful courtyard space and your beautiful pups! My pups, Pisa, Paris and Munchen are all sun lovers and move from spot to spot on the the back deck and then to the front porch as the sun moves during the day.
Spring seems as if it has been a long time in coming for us all. Thank you for sharing your beautiful places and spaces!
G, I can't help but contemplate this loveliness everyday! And as I consider you all my friends, of COURSE I want to share this happiness with you… 🙂
Hello mes chères Hattatts! It is a truly wonderful space to be – the best room "in" the house. 🙂 We have already started having lunch outside when the weather permits. So far it is still too chilly in the evenings but we know from last Summer (when we moved in) that wonderful moments await.
I am sending my Very Best Wishes for your new Holiday Home and for continued enjoyment of your quite wonderful life in Budapest,
xo
Heather
It is lovely, Tracy and it is so fun to walk around everyday and see what it is growing! Sadly, we finally learned the reason for why the amazing huge rose vine over our front gate is not moving…we talked to the owner this weekend and it turns out she had hired a gardener to trim it back that most likely killed it…we are still hoping that maybe next year it will make a comeback!
Thank you, Meredith! I need to get caught up on your fabulous Map and Menu posts…eeee! I am so behind everywhere but it is because I have been outside in the sun. =)
Janey, that is one of my favorite photos of Ben! It just was such a lovely, peaceful moment. 🙂
I am missing you too, my incredible, incredible friend. I try not to do the overdramatic "Why oh why?" thing too often but I certainly could as far as wondering why we live so far away from each other…
Sending much Love to you and a handful of almond blossom perfume,
H
Karena, it is so interesting because just as the Magnolia is winding down, the vine is starting up! We are so blessed…
Everything WILL be fine, Silke. I too was left just absolutely astonished by it. I still am. And then there were the horrific shootings in Kenya. I didn't know how to write about it so I just tried to busy my mind elsewhere with the posts here. There is such contrasts in our world. I feel them deeply and am so grateful for the power of the beauty around us too.
Your trip is soon, non?!? You and R must be SO excited!!! It is at the end of the month??
Really hope to see you if it works out but I also want you both to just enjoy!
xo
H
Oh why Hello there, Amy! Any friend of Jackie's is a friend of mine. 🙂 We are actually no longer directly in Arles but just outside in the country. I kept the blog name because I like it. But there are still the same Provencey stories…I hope you will enjoy it here. I am a bit biased, of course, but I think that I have the nicest readers anywhere.
I especially love "Happy everything" Jackie! Sending that one right back to you too…
Oh don't be fooled Loree! We had friends coming for Easter and it was just the "encouragement" that we needed to clean up…And the wind here is also quite nippy…Hold on, your hot weather will be there before you know it!
It most certainly is, Edgar. Poor Persephone ruling the underworld so that we can have our seasons…
I know how you like the photos of the boys, Marsha. Can you tell that they are both begging for their supper in the last shot with them together?! I can!
I can't take credit for that. Remi did it as a surprise for me when I came home from being in the States so long last year. I love it.
And it is great to have an outdoor sink here. There are a lot of places in Provence that have a full-on "Cuisine d'été" or a Summer Kitchen with sink, fridge (for rosé of course), prep area along with the bbq.
You and your Banksy. How I hope that he stays!!
I think that you are asking about the front door – but I can see why you would be confused because it is actually white but when the sky is crazy blue above it comes out as blue in the photos. 🙂 We are going to repaint it soon, so it will look nice and proper…
Thank you Jeanne! I hope that you did too. But as for that steamy Saigon air? NO THANK YOU! 😉 Oh la la when Remi and I were there we were both just hopeless in the midst of it. We would work either early in the morning or late in the afternoon/evening and would nap in the middle! I know that you have said that you get used to it but it is the one thing about that amazing part of the world that I am not so crazy about…
Gros Bisous,
H
Nina, our boys are total Sun Dogs! Really! They only switch to a cool spot when they can't take the heat anymore. 😉
I don't know if you have read here that my Mom and Sis are in Michigan (Ann Arbor/Chelsea/Ypsi area) and so I am well aware of what a crazy hard Winter you have had. Oh My!!! Sending good thoughts to hang in there…and thank you for your wishes as well.
I love that Remi's little creation around the olive tree was inspiring to you…
Thank you so much Leslie. The front door is open right now! They come and they go. The big surprise is that BEN is loving being outside so much…our couch potato!! Both love the sun. Kipling will spend some mornings in Remi's office and they both find their way to me in the late afternoons…when they want to start begging for dinner! You know how that goes…The water from the faucet is super cold so we only use it judiciously on them but we spray down the flagstones in the evenings in the height of Summer and it is wonderful for both the humans and the puppers too.
You are so welcome Lee, thanks for being here.
Thank you Emilia! I hope that you had a fabulous Pasqua – I bet that you cooked up something great…
I bet it must be just lovely in your parts too…
Yes and…No…about the doggies. I would say that they both are showing certain signs of…erm…Spring Fever at this time of year! But what a Yes to Nature cleaning house and how lovely that we instinctively follow suit.
Cheers to you on the other side of the world, Bill…
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Snow? brrrrr *shudders* Stay strong! Spring is on its way. And yep, these photos came out pretty well – that is what the wall looks like. We like it. 🙂
My goodness, your orchids just took care of themselves for two whole months?! I love that and it is inspiration indeed, dear Joan.
Sister, you are so awesome. I love you. 🙂 Nope, we weren't here for Spring – although we first visited the house a year ago! It just took a loong time before it worked out to move in. Remi did the rocks – now I will always see fishies! And your adding the "boing, boing, boing" most certainly put a smile on my face.
As if the setting weren't gorgeous enough already, you have the added beauty of scattered magnolia petals. In all your spring activity, I am glad you stopped to contemplate this loveliness and send it on to us.
Hello Heather,
Glorious it is indeed.
These first new shoots and the rays of sunshine which start to penetrate after their long Winter absence. Your courtyard does indeed have all the promise of eating outside, leisurely moments spent over coffee and tea and a peaceful place at sunset to share a glass of wine and the highlights of the day.
How comfortable Ben and Kipling look in their new home. A happy scene of contentment and how wonderfully glorious is that!
It all looks so beautiful Heather, I look forward to seeing more pictures as everything grows and blossoms.
xxTracy
Absolutely lovely! Happy to see you are all enjoying spring.
I love the soft light in the first shot…and that pretty blue door. I am hoping that you too had a nice holiday. janey
Glorious. Wish I were there, missing you, missing Spring in Provence,
xxxxx
G
Heather I love seeing you courtyard getting ready for spring with your pupsters. I am doing the same thing and loving the green and the flowers shooting up out of the ground. The flowering trees! Beautiful!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Isn't it wonderful, Heather! The first spring in your new home and there is so much private space in your courtyard!
I love the turqoise little table you have there.
I just discovered the "poterie de la madelaine" and their famous traditional "vase d'Anduze". You may know them already….
In fact I already have a small one without knowing it. Unfortunately the turquoise coloured ones are more expensive and only in large sizes available. I could perfectly imagine them in your courtyard (;
Spring takes its time here. it is still unusually cold. Therefore I am looking so much forward for the trip ahead.
PS: I would have liked to comment the "Place de Voges" post but what happened dans les Alpes de Provence left me voiceless. We'll come with the same airlline and I am sure everything will be fine!
Joyeuses Pâques ! À toi, Rémi et les beaux chiens.
It's so wonderful seeing spring "spring" all over the world! I spotted you in the blog roll over at Travel and Write. Had to stop by and visit Arles! Cheers from your newest follower!
Happy Easter! Happy Spring! Happy everything!
It is so beautiful Heather and so peaceful looking. Spring is a bit late here this year. The wind still has a bite to it and our yard, unlike yours, is still in shambles.
Springtime, jasmine, the sweet fragrance…It's a long wait now for winter.
Ben and Kipling seem to enjoy the new season.Should we thank, is it Persephone?
You have no idea how much I love reading about and seeing, your home, Heather. And the dogs? No words !!
Your courtyard is gorgeous! That sink! I've still yet to see a single blooming flower but know we can't be far off now. Did you do the stone arrangement around the base of the tree?
Where does that blue/grey gate go?I do not think it's the front entrance!I adore Spring………..I adore every season but there is something special about Spring.I think you nailed it!Iam up with BANKSY asleep in my left arm head tucked into my side…………..he has had his morning meal and now sleeps………………Happy Easter to all of you!XOXO
Spring is in the air in Provence…so beautiful Heather, I feel like I am walking along with you. I would love to embrace the air around you right now…can I trade you for some steamy Saigon tropical air? Sending you warm and happy wishes for a wonderful weekend. Happy Easter! xx
Oh those Goldens. They always like a cool place to lay. At this time of year ours would find the last patch of old snow to "chill out" for a while. Love the courtyard, especially those stones around the tree. I'm going to try and collect some from our Lake Michigan beach and create something similar. Happy Spring and Happy Easter.
Nina in Michigan
Yes, it is glorious! And how wonderful to see Ben and Kipling, side by side, drinking it in. I love everything about your courtyard! I didn't realize it included a stone counter, sink and faucet. Do you attach a hose to the faucet and wash off (or cool off) the dogs there? When the weather is so beautiful, do you leave the front door open and let Ben and Kipling meander into the house and out to the courtyard as they please? If so, do they tend to be wherever you and/or Rémi is/are, or do they like to remain outside, in the courtyard? It is so wonderful that you four have a way to be outside in your own private space. Happy Easter and Passover and Spring, Leslie in Oregon
Glorious, indeed. Thank you.
Every Season is a Wonderful world! I love them all …. Your garden is "magnifique" J'adore the rusty candelabra: it's perfect! Love, love, love everything!
Happy Easter to you my dear!
Beautiful photos, spring is just such an enchanting season. A very happy Easter to you too
Beautiful photos Heather! I'm struck a sudden realization that while we humans exhibit industrious Springtime energies, the wonderful doggies simply "are" .. breathing in and "taking in" the incredible metamorphisis of nature .. and Nature doesn't even have to clean house .. it just happens .. what perfection, what a magnificent time of year. Mahalo, Heather, for sharing.
Aloha et Au revoir
Bill
http://www.kauai-to-paris.com
I am just drinking this in. What color is that gorgeous wall? A rosy terra cotta? Still lots of snow left here, and though we have sun and slightly milder temperatures, there is a harsh April wind blowing here today.
Loved every word, photo, bud, bloom, and blossom as well the stones and trellis and more! Wish I could reply with photos from my entrance and deck….orchids blooming after weeks of neglect while I was unexpectedly away for two months. A lot of catch up and recovery work needs to be done elsewhere but the orchids are an inspiration and glorious !
Methinks no one can argue with your word choice – glorious, indeed!! Wow – it looks beautiful in your courtyard – I can't believe all of the colors! It's reminding me of a Music Together chant about spring: "smells so green and skies so blue; spring has sprung, and now, me, too!" (followed by "boing..boing..boing…"). Though spring is happening here, you definitely have way more color! I love the rocks around the tree – did you face them like that? They look like fishies! It does look inviting – no wonder the pups love it. I can't remember if you were there for spring last year – I don't think so, hence the discovery!! Enjoy it – you/we waited a long time for it! Glad it is bringing you happiness, and grateful you shared it with us! Happy Easter! : )