Download Our Winter Menu Collection

Featuring 25 recipes from the South of France for winter 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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Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

An Insider’s Guide to Provence (2026 Update) by Keith Van Sickle

January 26, 2026
In 2021, Keith Van Sickle published An Insider’s Guide to Provence, and he has now released an updated edition. This book serves as a supplementary reference material rather than a traditional guidebook. Comprehensive travel guides, such as those from Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, and Rick Steves, cover all aspects of travel, including accommodations in Provence. However, …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire · Learning French · Living in Provence

Feel Good French: Navigating New Beginnings with Déborah Pham van Xua

January 19, 2026
Deep in the heart of France, Déborah Pham van Xua is transforming how individuals over 50 and retirees embrace new beginnings through language. Her program, Feel Good French, opens doors to a more connected, fulfilling life by breaking down language barriers with empathy and expertise. In a recent conversation, Déborah and I discussed my own …
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Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Inside Pizza by Ézéchiel Zérah — A Beautifully Crafted Celebration of Pizza Culture

January 16, 2026
When someone suggests pizza for dinner, do you think of your favourite toppings? Are you a purist who prefers classic flavours, or do you enjoy trying exotic options? Ézéchiel Zérah explores these questions in his book Pizza: Histoires – Reportages – Recettes. Accompanied by striking photographs from Jean-François Mallet and a talented team of artists, …
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Explore · Guest Post

Things I Wish I Knew Before Spending a Month in Provence

January 14, 2026
I’ve been slow-travelling full-time for over five years now, spending at least a month in each place I visit. And while I’ve explored everywhere from Thailand to New Zealand and beyond, there was something about Provence that felt entirely different. I’d been to France many times before, but Provence stood apart. I knew it would …
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Inspire · Learning French · Provencal History & Traditions · Virginie Van Der Wees

Immersion en Provence : découvrir Glanum et pratiquer le français à Saint-Rémy

January 9, 2026
Avez-vous déjà envisagé d’apprendre le français pendant vos vacances ? Virginie Van Der Wess vit en Provence avec sa famille et propose des séjours en immersion totale dans la langue française. Située près de la magnifique ville d’Aix-en-Provence, Virginie organise des séjours sur mesure adaptés à chaque client. Dans ce cas précis, Jon et sa …
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