This is the story of how a holiday in France turned into a dream come true — I now live in France. Following each step along the way through the posts written in real time.
The Vermeer Exhibition and Amsterdam The Barefoot Blogger stumbles into more good things than I deserve. A ticket to the sold-out Vermeer Exhibition in Amsterdam was my latest “strike it rich” feat. For this, I owe a big “thank you” to friends in Uzès who made it happen. […]
Ohhh… have I got an itch to travel. You, too? Here are five cures if you crave to travel to France. There are places I crave to visit. I could go to some of them again and again. They are my favorites because of their rich cultural heritage, […]
When Chef Eric and Yetunde told friends and clients they were going to Seville, I knew I would be following Cook’n With Class wherever they go. Enjoy the adventure in the Spanish capital with me. It’s my first time in Seville. It’s my first culinary experience with Let’s […]
Here’s a Holiday Gift from France my family and friends LOVE. Yours will, too! One of my favorite chefs in France, Emma Kershaw, introduced her new cookbook during COVID lockdown. “The Day Louis Was Eating” is a big hit with my family in the US and it’s available […]
These days I’m curious to continue traveling around Languedoc/Occitanie in search of the Cathars– the religious cult that at once lived in the south of France. The more I research, the more I am drawn in by stories of the Cathars, their beliefs, their persecution, and their current-day […]
After spending three months with family and friends in the US, I’m back in Uzès. For the return trip to France, I came by the southerly route: Barcelona to Collioure. While sitting at the beach in Collioure, enjoying the views, the breeze, and an Aperol Spritz at a […]
After seven years of living in France, I’ve found a suitable companion. Now I’m learning about life in Uzès traveling with a pet. Meet Fanny. Fanny came into my life six weeks ago. Now, we’re inseparable. My friend Aileen brought Fanny from Sete. Aileen knows how much I […]
After months of lockdown, we’re ready to open again! Tomorrow is the grand re-opening in Uzès of shops and cafes with outside dining. Ready… Set … Let’s Go! There’s lots of activity in Uzès this week with business owners tidying up their spaces after a long, long time […]
Last I wrote about the stress of studying for the French drivers’ code test. It’s one of the most aggravating tasks I’ve encountered since living in France. Now I can attest to the agony of failing it. Yes, I failed the test, along with my two American friends […]
Thanksgiving for Americans in Uzés this year is truly a story of sharing. One traditional Thanksgiving meal fed over two dozen Americans, in thirteen different households, plus leftovers to share with the local Montessori school. The idea was the brainchild of one of our favorite friends and gourmet […]
Do you want to cook like a great French chef and learn the language, too? A French chef’s bilingual cookbook is for you… and definitely for me! If you love French cooking and want to learn a bit of the language, now there’s a cookbook from one of […]
I’m inspired to know people who are staying productive and creative during COVID. While I was in the United States, there were artists in lockdown here in Uzès who created memorable art they are now sharing. British artist Gilly Beal, a resident of Uzès for the past two […]
Renewing my Carte de Sejour mid-COVID was a task I dreaded. To be truthful, renewing my Carte de Sejour is a headache anytime. But it’s the only way that I can continue to live in France. The Prefecture appointment to update my Carte de Sejour was last week. […]
After “lockdown” in the United States, I had the choice to stay in the US with my family or come back to my home in Uzès. It was a tough call. For the present, I believe I made the right choice. I am among the “vulnerable” for COVID […]
Through my Uzès experience, I’ve known and written about quite a few artists. Yet there was something extraordinary about meeting Simon James … aside from his status as an award-winning writer and illustrator. Meeting Simon James Living in a “red zone” COVID world, I miss the small, intimate […]
Since COVID has scrambled plans about traveling this year, there are still many things that excite me about life in Uzès. Like food. This post is all about food south of France, and how it literally “fills me.” All About Food South of France I never take a […]
North of the Dordogne, near Brantome, lies Le Plus Beau Village Saint-Jean-de Côle — one of the prettiest villages in France. Within its tiny confines, the town of about 300 people features everything you’d wish for in a beaux village: a château, a Romano-Byzantine Church, a Priory (Abbey), […]
Who knew that the next adventure we would take together would be a worldwide pandemic!? Life never ceases to amaze. And it’s certainly neither black nor white. So here I am, sitting in Atlanta, Georgia, instead of in my sweet apartment in France. While friends in Uzès are enjoying […]
When it comes to French etiquette, Nancy McGee knows the answers. From the proper way to cut cheese, to eating oysters, she can tell us the French way. Nancy is my good friend from Sete and tour planner, Absolutely Southern France, for our Memories Tours. She’s used to […]
It’s not a coincidence that the South of France Memories Tour would visit Antibes, Aix, and Arles straight in a row. They are definitely A-List tourist spots south of France. A-List Tourist Spots South of France: Antibes You know by now that Antibes is one of my favorite […]