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.

 Mary Jane Deeb

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Mary Jane is multilingual and decidedly multicultural. Born in Alexandria, Egypt to Slovenian-Levantine parents, Mary Jane grew up speaking French at home. Her studies and travels took her from an Irish school run by nuns to Washington, D.C., where she has lived since 1983 with her family.

This mother and now a grandmother is one accomplished lady with a doctorate in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University. She is currently the Chief of the African and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress.

Her career has included positions as the Editor of The Middle East Journal, Director of the Omani Program at The American University in Washington D.C. and Director of the Algeria Working Group at The Corporate Council on Africa.

Mary Jane taught at both Georgetown University and The George Washington University. She worked tirelessly for the United Nations Economic Commission for Western Asia, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), America-Mideast and Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST), and the US Agency for International Development in Lebanon during the civil war.

In her spare time, Mary Jane has published four mysteries: Cocktails and Murder on the Potomac which is set in Washington DC, and three others that are set in Grasse, Cannes and Nice: Murder on the Riviera, A Christmas Mystery in Provence and Death of a Harlequin. You can find Mary Jane's books here.

The beauty of Provence continues to inspire Mary Jane’s writing.

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Barefoot Blogger · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Catch the Festive Spirit Christmas Markets the Holidays in Provence

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The South of France is a wonderland during the holidays, with colourful markets transforming historical settings into scenes from fairytales. I visited Christmas Markets in the South of France, within a two-hour drive of Uzès. Here’s a journey through some of the region’s enchanting holiday experiences. Ménerbes at Christmas My shopping travels started at Montpellier’s …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Christmas & Holiday · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Taste

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Inspire · Learning French · Provencal History & Traditions · Virginie Van Der Wees

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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

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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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