Walnuts, Goat Cheese & Honey

Shortly after arriving in St. Remy we had late evening dinner in a small restaurant about 20 km outside of the town at a somewhat lonely crossroads. I think we were actually lost and starving, and saw the warm light from the leaded glass windows inviting us in.  We were only one of three couples dining that evening, and the proprietor took special care of us. We received an appetizer of toasted baguette spread with a creamy fresh goat cheese and then slightly baked and then drizzled with warm honey and toasted chopped walnuts and sprinkled with what appeared to be finely chopped thyme; just a dash!  It was delicious and I've used it from time to time when needing a quick but impressive treat. Or sometimes, when John is away at an art show, just my own evening supper with a light salad and a glass of Eagle's Nest Riviera de Sel wine. 
Our first trip to Provence initially took us to a charming house outside of St. Remy where we stayed about 4 days/nights, taking day trips around the region. Here we discovered boules, the national past time of French men, and now women and children, before evening supper and after work.  It is a fun game to watch as well as play. Much like Italian Bocce Ball , except totally different type of balls, the rules are basically the same.  If you visit St. Remy, as you are driving out of town towards Galumn/Le Baux/Maussane the local court is next to the tourism office and public toilets. ( I am now somewhat an expert on the location of public toilets in the region, which is good info to have ) Stop and sit on the stone wall and watch for awhile to enjoy the flavor of the competition and the culture.
Boules is not all we discovered. 
We quickly realized we preferred the "N" or "D" roads to the "A" roads, mainly because there were no tolls on the N or D , but more specifically because we saw so much more and found so many intriguing places to stop and discover.  Driving through the many villages we began to fall in love with Provence and the people and the pastry!  Seriously tho, we were like little kids in a candy store with only ten cents and needing at least fifty cents to fill up the bag.  Then and there we knew we would return...again and again.
On one of these day outings we came across a two story stone house that was quite deserted, sitting off in a field next to a dirt road. We drove down to it and poked around through the rooms and upstairs, wondering how anyone could just walk away from such a charming place. We decided it was a great "starter kit" and wondered how it could be acquired.  Then the mind begin to imagine the possibilities of such a project; a place to restore and enjoy in years to come.  I really believe that old house was the seed that planted the idea of our actually eventually living in Provence .  With each subsequent trip we look for possibilities and now are defining where we would like to really settle after we sell The Eagle's Nest.  When I say settle we only mean for 5 or 6 months per year, as we love our home and our friends in Missouri and would not want to leave there permanently. we would rent out our Provence Cottage, when not there, to others who love the region as much as we do.  Hey, that might just be you!   Until next time......