Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: Oh autumn, with your pretty colours, your shifting light and cool days. Everyone seems to be madly in love with you. “My favourite time of year” appears to be the overwhelming sentiment. So why exactly is it that I don’t feel that same way …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: I read an article a while back about what people think about when running. It was rather humorous and it got me thinking—about thinking. I’ve often looked back after rather trying trips on the bike and gone through what my mind was focusing on. …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: It’s that time again. Time to pack up and head back to Canada. As my friend said, you miss Provence before you even leave it. It’s so true and I am not sure many would understand this sentiment, but she does. It’s a feeling …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: My dear friend Elspeth spends much of her summer at her cottage in Ontario and often refers to it as the “northern branch of EC Consulting”. I like this idea so much I am stealing it. And this last week, Vacqueyras has truly been the …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: Another year has passed and I am finally back “home” in Provence. I now have the time and motivation to get back to writing. This blog is a journal really; a memoir so when I get hazy, I can go back and relive some of …

It always happens less than one week after being back in Canada. Less than one week (sometimes less than one day) and I am dreaming about being back in Provence. Generally it’s because I go from summer to autumn/winter in a matter of moments. It’s always cold and dreary and …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: This time of year is always challenging for me. I am never too welcoming of the end of summer on any given year. And I am never ready to leave Provence or France. It comes so quickly each year, and I literally feel as …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: Photo of autumn vines in the Ventoux region. People always ask why I leave Calgary for the summer. Why on earth would you want to leave when the weather is so nice? The short answer, I leave to get an actual summer. A real …

Contributor blog post by Paula Kane: One thing you can count on if you live in Provence is visitors. It’s a given. Everyone wants to come here and they all want to stay with you. This is a mixed blessing; it’s wonderful to have your friends and love ones around …

Cinq à sept is a Quebecois term for cocktail hour. The term is not generally used in France, but I find it a delightful turn of phrase, which literally refers to the hours between five and seven pm. A time to unwind after work and enjoy a drink with friends …