Blogger Meet-up and Sablet à la Belle Epoche

We have just returned from a wonderful time in Sablet. Niece Leslie was with us and we were on the go day and night. We took day trips, watched the Tour de France, visited with French family, went to festivals, shopped the markets, caught up with friends and enjoyed great food and wine; and I took lots of pictures.

We also had a blogger meet-up at our house in Sablet. Back in January, we were graciously invited for aperitifs to Barbara and Robert's beautiful home in nearby Vaison-la-Romaine, Barbara is the author of the wonderful Cuisine de Provence where she writes about food and life in Provence.

We really enjoyed our visit with Barbara and Robert and we decided that when we returned to Sablet that we would have them over to our house for aperitifs. Happily, we were able to find time to get together. As you might guess, our conversation covered food, restaurants, and summer festivals.

I prepared some food for us to nibble on while we sat on the terrace including eggplant caviar, bruschetta with diced tomatoes and basil I bought at the Vaison market that morning. We sipped on white and rosé Cassis wine from Domaine du Paternel. We had a great time, laughing and telling stories, probably aided by the refreshingly chilled wine on the warm summer evening.

Shirley, Robert, Barbara, and me on the terrace of our house in Sablet.

I should also mention that Barbara gives cooking classes in her fabulous kitchen at their home in Vaison-la-Romaine. If you are coming to the area and would like to take classes to learn how to prepare classical dishes from Provence, check out her Cuisine de Provence web site. I can attest to the fact, she is a wonderful cook.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we had a chance to experience a number of summer events, most we had never been there for until this visit. Unfortunately, the very special "Sablet à la Belle Epoche" took place on Sunday after we left for our return to California.

Barbara and Robert came to Sablet that Sunday and took in this unique event and shot some great pictures which she posted and you can read about on her Cuisine de Provence.

Barbara said, the theme was "Sablet à la Belle Epoche" and started with a mass in Provençal at the village church, followed by the blessing of a winestock by Father Pierre Granier and Provençal dancing. All through the village there were demonstrations of old arts and crafts and the villagers strolled about in their traditional Sunday finery. I wish we could have been there.

Here are Barbara's pictures.

Thank you so much Barbara for the pictures and for yours and Robert's friendship.  We look forward to our next meet-up in the Vaucluse.

Bonne journée et à bientôt mes amis!