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.

 Michel and Shirley

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Michel and Shirley, live in wine country, in Windsor, California. They have a full family with two beautiful daughters and five amazing grandchildren. Michel's day job is as CEO of Chancellor Health Care, a company which provides housing and services to older adults.

Previously a co-owner of a popular French bistro called Bistro des Copains located in Western Sonoma County California. The Bistro was closed in early 2015, after nine years!

In 2008, after searching for years and visiting many houses they bought a 17th century stone village house in the medieval village of Sablet which is in the Vaucluse region of Provence France.

Please read about the Sablet House (available for rent) and follow their blog Our House in Provence.

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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Expat Living and Real Estate

What France’s Tous Responsables Means – And Why It Matters to You

March 4, 2026
Whether you live in France full-time, part-time, or are just visiting, knowing how to respond to emergencies is essential. The French government’s Tous Responsables initiative promotes resilience and crisis preparedness, guiding citizens on their roles in managing emergencies. It emphasizes active participation in safety efforts. Below are the key highlights of this program. What is …
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Caroline Longstaffe · Explore · Villages Towns and Cities

Exploring the Haute-Alpes de Provence: A Rich History and Stunning Landscapes

February 27, 2026
Did you know that not far from the beaches, shopping, and glitz of the French Riviera is another world? The Southern Alps are a relatively short drive from the Côte d’Azur city of Nice. These mountains offer plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts, including skiing, hiking, cycling, and incredible sightseeing. However, even Caroline Longstaff, a …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · French Decor & Gardens · Inspire

Discover the Stunning Art Deco Architecture of Aix-en-Provence

February 23, 2026
What is the typical architecture of Aix-en-Provence? It’s a mix of architectural styles, including Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Haussmann style, and contemporary. The city has a rich history reflected in its architectural elements, ranging from Roman baths and Gothic churches to the organized grid pattern of the 17th-century Quartier Mazarin. Yet it might be surprising to …
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François de Mélogue · Lamb · Main Course · Provencal Recipes

Moussaka d’Aubergines: A Layered History, Cooked the Provençal Way

February 18, 2026
In the long history of Mediterranean cooking, few dishes carry as much history or as many revisions as moussaka d’aubergines. Though it is most closely associated with Greece today, its roots reach further east, into the Arab world. The name comes from the Arabic musaqqā‘a, meaning “moistened,” and originally referred to a dish of eggplant …
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Carolyne Kauser-Abbott · Main Course · Provencal Recipes · Taste · Veal

Veal Tenders with Black Truffle and Wine Reduction Sauce – Tendrons de veau du rabassier – tuber brumale

February 16, 2026
Since the 18th century, the black truffle—known as the diamant noir or “black diamond”—has held a place of honour in French gastronomy. King François I famously insisted it appear at every meal, favouring the prized Périgord truffles from Provence. Today, France remains the world’s leading producer, with the Vaucluse region at the heart of its …
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