I am posting a round of pictures to show how I have a difficult time taking pictures in direct sunlight. Also, to show what happens to your skills when you haven't picked up a camera in over a month. They start to suck.
Anyways, a very nice French lady took our family picture on one of the bridges in the Japanese part of the garden:
Here's the red bridge we were on. You can see it in this pic with Brian and Michael. Michael was NOT in the mood for pictures. Yes, it does happen.
So, I'm lovin' the red bridge and try to get a cute picture of Michael on it. I get him situated in the middle, like I like. And he makes this face:
After which, he decides to look super cute. But then I cut off his feet in the picture and am a little underexposed for his face:
And then he shoots me a huge smile and his face is in the sunlight and the rest of him is in the shadows. Hrmph. I don't think I'm ever going to get this even exposure I am looking for. But I am super thankful that Michael look so happy!
Of course, the Japanese gardens are so peaceful and beautiful. Got this pretty fun reflection picture of Brian and Michael wandering out to the pond. I think there were about 4 goldfish total so there was no need for feeding their fish.
We hiked/walked around the rose garden, English garden, etc. Michael found some little strawberries to pick:
So we had a great time wandering around a smaller, lesser known garden in France! It got hot so we went home.This trip came after a Sunday morning market trip.
Now, I am going to take pictures of these PILES and PILES of Fresh basil they sell here in the summer and post them one day. But this is one of my favorite things about France. There is a produce vendor at my market who grows these INCREDIBLE INCREDIBLE basil plants. We're talking some leaves as big as your entire hand. And he piles them up...probably about 2 feet in height, 2 feet in depth...just gorgeous, fragrant basil.
And it's 1.50 for a HUGE bushel. From one bushel, I usually make about 2-3 batches of fresh pesto (about 1 cup each). I freeze it and use it in the winter when I can't get these gorgeous mounds of basil. And I am a HUGE pesto fan. HUGE.
So tomorrow, Michael and I are making homemade spaghetti sauce with fresh basil leaves and batches of homemade pesto. Michael loves to cook so I am serious when I say that Michael and I are going to be doing this!
I am so excited. This, and Mara des bois strawberries are my 2 favorite parts about summer.
Speaking of summer...the strawberry season is short this year. Last year, it lasted from about May - September. This year, while we see strawberries, we are getting Gariguette ones, which are a bit more sour. And some mara des bois...but not that many. I probably should check with my berry guy to see if he has any from Perigord, a region in France known for strawberries.
But CHERRIES are the king this year. We are getting gorgeous cherries and lots of them too.
And I WILL blog about my USA trip because we've got some fun pics of Michael there.
Love,
P
