Download Our Fall Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for cooler fall weather, along with menu suggestions, all designed to make your cooking experience enjoyable. Download this PDF, which includes recipes for starters, main courses, side dishes, and desserts.

 J. Christina

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J. Christina is the author and hobbyist photographer behind Scribbles and Smiles, writing a personal travel blog from the Midwest. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on-board with their travel jaunts around the world; sharing in their blogging endeavors. He supports, encourages, handles gadgetry and embraces the role of the in-house editor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

J. Christina's blogging journey began before the word blog was trending, writing about European travel destinations on share-sites, forums and online journals. After many years of intrepid travel, they thoughtfully opened their treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through their words and images, so others can travel vicariously. J. Christina believes smiling with your eyes is a beautiful thing.

You can read their most recent dispatches from aboard an elegant European river ship, sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers and their capital cities. Or, follow them through serendipitous discoveries in the Cote d’Azur, where J. Christina captures the essence of a perched medieval village.

J. Christina's work has been featured on France Today, Bonjour Paris and The Good Life France.

Enjoy the Scribbles and Smiles stories

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Christmas & Holiday · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Taste

Pompe à l’Huile a Christmas Holiday Recipe from Provence

December 5, 2025
Kristi Espinasse is the wordsmith behind “French Word-a-Day,” a blog she has written religiously for over two decades. While she no longer publishes daily, her articles are always a heartwarming chronicle of life in the South of France. Kristi is an American born in the Philippines. Her path to living in Provence was unplanned, arriving …
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Inspire · Learning French · Provencal History & Traditions · Virginie Van Der Wees

Immersion in the Heart of Glanum’s Ancient Ruins: Learning French Differently

December 3, 2025
Have you considered learning French on holiday? Virginie Van Der Wess lives in Provence with her family and offers French immersion homestay experiences. Located near the beautiful city of Aix-en-Provence, Virginie curates a custom holiday experience that suits each client. In this case, Jon and his wife Marie were interested in learning about Glanum, the …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Local Food Producers · Taste

Order Today! Gourmet Christmas Delights from Domaine la Pierre Blanche

December 2, 2025
This holiday season, Domaine la Pierre Blanche in the Alpilles is here to enhance your celebrations with a delightful selection of gourmet Christmas treats. Curated by their talented culinary team, place an order before December 20th and pick up your items before December 24th. This way, your festive gatherings will be filled with culinary magic …
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Provencal Recipes · Side Dish · Taste

Mashed Potatoes with Black Truffle – Purée à la truffe noire

November 28, 2025
In Provençal cuisine, few ingredients carry as much prestige and allure as the black truffle. Revered for its earthy depth and intoxicating aroma, this culinary treasure transforms basic dishes into extraordinary experiences. In this recipe, mashed potatoes with black truffles are enhanced with crème fraîche and salted butter. This is a sensational side dish with …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · What's On Provence & Cote d'Azur · Winter in Provence

2026 Winter in Provence Events and Festivals Calendar

November 26, 2025
 Winter Festivals and Events in Provence Many images of Provence and the Côte d’Azur depict summer scenes with ribbons of blooming lavender fields, glasses of rosé with beads of condensation, and beautiful people in straw hats enjoying their holidays. Perhaps wintertime in Provence garners less attention, but it’s a great time to enjoy the region …
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