
Provencal Relaxation Yoga at the Silk Farm Retreat
Relaxation in Provence A silky cocoon of soft luxury is precisely what the team at The Silk Farm Retreat delivers. Tucked away in the hamlet of Les Ferauds, in the Var, this converted farmhouse is ideal for a get-away in Provence. The Silk Farm Retreat welcomed the first guests in …
Relaxation in Provence A silky cocoon of soft luxury is precisely what the team at The Silk Farm Retreat delivers. Tucked away in the hamlet of Les Ferauds, in the Var, this converted farmhouse is ideal for a get-away in Provence. The Silk Farm Retreat welcomed the first guests in …

Provencal Architecture and the Shutters of Provence
I’m often asked why I called my blog ‘Shutters and Sunflowers.’ To me, they are both so defining of Provence and indeed much of France. Throughout this beautiful country, many of the buildings, whether historic or recently built, are adorned with shutters. And in the summertime, everywhere but especially in …
I’m often asked why I called my blog ‘Shutters and Sunflowers.’ To me, they are both so defining of Provence and indeed much of France. Throughout this beautiful country, many of the buildings, whether historic or recently built, are adorned with shutters. And in the summertime, everywhere but especially in …

Roasted Pears with Crème Anglaise for Dessert
Pears are a fruit that is well-suited to desserts like this one with Roasted Pears and Crème Anglaise.
Pears are a fruit that is well-suited to desserts like this one with Roasted Pears and Crème Anglaise.

Salmon Wellington – Salmon en Crôute
My variation on Salmon Wellington en Crôute includes other seafood (sole, scallops and shrimp), it was “born” out of necessity when we lived in Maine. Over the years, I have lightened-up the recipe ingredients a bit.
My variation on Salmon Wellington en Crôute includes other seafood (sole, scallops and shrimp), it was “born” out of necessity when we lived in Maine. Over the years, I have lightened-up the recipe ingredients a bit.

Join Artist Jill Douglas for Painting in Provence
It was 2015 when an opportunity dangled in front of Jill Douglas’s painting easel in Los Angeles. Could she help out for a few months at Atelier Fourwinds, an artist’s retreat, in the Alpilles village of Aureille? Born in England, life took Jill to France and then to Southern California …
It was 2015 when an opportunity dangled in front of Jill Douglas’s painting easel in Los Angeles. Could she help out for a few months at Atelier Fourwinds, an artist’s retreat, in the Alpilles village of Aureille? Born in England, life took Jill to France and then to Southern California …

Provence our Home Away from Home in Sablet
An Address in Provence Michel and Shirley live in California’s wine country north of San Francisco but even surrounded by those beautiful vineyards they felt a tug to Provence. The couple searched for several years before buying a house in Sablet, a village in the Vaucluse. Perhaps it was Michel’s …
An Address in Provence Michel and Shirley live in California’s wine country north of San Francisco but even surrounded by those beautiful vineyards they felt a tug to Provence. The couple searched for several years before buying a house in Sablet, a village in the Vaucluse. Perhaps it was Michel’s …

Warm Salad Roasted Leeks, Edamame and Cheese
We served this dish as a side at Thanksgiving. However, it also works well as a starter course. Begin your dinner party with a warm salad of roasted leeks with edamame, fresh herbs, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Join us in May for the Pitcher & Powell culinary adventure in Provence, where …
We served this dish as a side at Thanksgiving. However, it also works well as a starter course. Begin your dinner party with a warm salad of roasted leeks with edamame, fresh herbs, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Join us in May for the Pitcher & Powell culinary adventure in Provence, where …

Eze Village is a French Riviera Must-See
Eze is a beautiful village on top of a hill with possibly the best views over the French Riviera! Walk around on the narrow pedestrian streets and visit the art galleries and the beautiful botanical gardens. The small town is located between Nice and Monaco and is easily accessible from …
Eze is a beautiful village on top of a hill with possibly the best views over the French Riviera! Walk around on the narrow pedestrian streets and visit the art galleries and the beautiful botanical gardens. The small town is located between Nice and Monaco and is easily accessible from …

Creamy Mushroom and Chestnut Soup for Fall Weather
Luckily, this recipe for Creamy Mushroom and Chestnut Soup is so delicious it has stopped my brown food colour rant in its tracks.
Luckily, this recipe for Creamy Mushroom and Chestnut Soup is so delicious it has stopped my brown food colour rant in its tracks.

Massage and Aromatherapy at Home in Provence
Relax at Home Flairesse is the name of Claire McAlpine’s company. She offers massage and aromatherapy treatments in the comfort of your home in Provence. How did you land on this name? “Flair was a nickname my friends called me at university, and ‘esse’ from Latin means existence, the essence …
Relax at Home Flairesse is the name of Claire McAlpine’s company. She offers massage and aromatherapy treatments in the comfort of your home in Provence. How did you land on this name? “Flair was a nickname my friends called me at university, and ‘esse’ from Latin means existence, the essence …