Download Our Summer Menu Collection

Since summer entertaining should be a breeze, this collection, designed with simplicity in mind, features 20 easy-to-follow recipes and a few menu suggestions. 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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Artists Inspired by Provence · Books on Provence · Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Inspire

Cezanne à Château Noir, a book by William Drea Adams and Thierry Maugenest

August 21, 2025
The authors of Cezanne à Château Noir are passionate admirers of Paul Cezanne’s art. The book centers around Château Noir, a private estate located on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, near Le Tholonet. This stunning location offers views of Mont Saint-Victoire and continues to inspire artists even today. After visiting Château Noir three years ago, William …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Hotels Provence & Cote d'Azur · Stay: Accommodation & Rentals in Provence

Staying at Domaine La Pierre Blanche is Pure Provencal Magic

August 18, 2025
Arriving at Domaine la Pierre Blanche feels like entering a private country home in Provence. This boutique hotel, with 15 rooms, is tucked away from the road, offering a peaceful retreat in the heart of the Bouches-du-Rhône region. Whether you believe in magic or not, staying at Domaine la Pierre Blanche is an unforgettable experience. …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Dessert · Provencal Recipes · Taste

Lavender Roasted Apricots for a Delicious and Quick Summer Dessert

August 15, 2025
Apricots are abundant in the Provence markets in the summer months. The delicious dessert with lavender-roasted apricots below comes from ElsaLenthal.com and has been republished with her permission. Apricots: Summer Stonefruit Apricots are stonefruit (Latin: Prunus sect. Armeniaca) related to plums. The fruit grows on a small tree, about the same size as an olive …
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Artists Inspired by Provence · Inspire · Keith Van Sickle

L’Aix de Cezanne 2025 Photo Exhibition is a Must-See

August 11, 2025
It’s the Year of Cezanne (“Cezanne 2025”) in Aix-en-Provence, with a series of events, exhibitions, and site openings celebrating Aix’s most famous son. One of them, “Cezanne’s Aix”, opened in July, featuring an exhibition of over 200 photographs dedicated to the life and times of the great artist. Organized by the CEPPIA Foundation, it is …
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Gayle Padgett · Inspire · Shopping & Gifts

Discover La Botte Gardiane: The Ultimate Cowboy Boots—à la Française

August 7, 2025
These boots weren’t made for walking, but rather for horsing around on an actual pony. Recently, we visited the leather goods manufacturer La Botte Gardiane in the Camargue.  La Botte Gardiane Mais oui, back in 1958, when the French boot-making company La Botte Gardiane began designing footwear, the intended customers were horseback riders, specifically the …
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