Day: September 5, 2010

Alexander — “best of,” his first three months

OK, so I know it’s a little early to have a “best of,” but nonetheless, here are our favorite images from the summer.  🙂

So cool with his shades on… sitting in Grandma G’s lap.

Just chillin’ for the 4th of July.  Yes, they have July 4th in France.  It’s just not a holiday.  🙂

A little yoga pose.

X and I enjoying lunch in the quaint village of Gigondas … where they also produce some of my favorite wine.  We (including Anna) were touring the area with Gabi and Philipp.

While not always a fan of tummy time, he’s usually very interested in what’s going on.

More happy tummy time on his new play mat.

Hey!  What’s going on over there?!?

Yum!  Thanks Juan and Sonia.

Alexander and Amandine getting to know each other.  They were born only 2 days apart… perhaps they’re destined to be together? Same first letter?  Coincidence, I think not.  Nicolas and Fannie hosted us for a great afternoon and chance for the two to get to know each other.

Just a little handsome man hanging out with us one afternoon.  He was trying to decide if he was happy.

Sure enough, he was happy!  And totally handsome.  Thanks John and Jenni.

OK, so Amandine has a little competition.  This is Juliette who is a month older … they’re already holding hands.  Juliette is the daughter of Daisy and Thomas.

So, maybe he’s not happy ALL the time.  But, he makes the cutest little faces when he’s about to cry.  Don’t you think?  OK, maybe it’s not as cute for everyone else, but in the interest of introducing you to X, I included it.

That does it for now.  Hope you’ve enjoyed an all X, all the time post.  🙂

Up next will be more countryside around us here in France.

–Jim

Ochre Hills of Roussillon

Although my lovely sister has requested more X pictures, I was about to post these images from our jaunt to Roussillon in July.  Then, more X pics!  🙂

So, after spending a little time near Gordes, the road led us to visit the magnificent Ochre Hills of Roussillon.  We were joined by our good friend, Leah.

Apparently, Roussillon sits atop the world’s largest deposit of ochre and was the European capital of its production for use as a colorful pigment in things like paint and wallpaper.  The practice of using the pigment dates from at least Roman times, when they used ochre in building bricks of various colors.  Roussillon had a reputation as the best quality ochre in the world (despite probable dispute from other production sites such as the US and Italy).  Things continued in about the same manner for 2,000 years until right before WWII, when other less expensive options became available.  However, ochre from the region is still used.  The ochre jaune walls in our house is the case in point.  This yellow tinted wall covering is known as chaux and renowned for its thermal properties.  The only downside is no spot painting…  it’s never the same color.  Kinda like painting in fresco.

OK, here are the images from the day:

They say there are 17 shades of ochre.

X had fun hanging out with Anna walking through the old quarry with Anna.  However, since it was bright and hot, he was hiding in his carrier and slept through most of it.  Oh well, I guess we’ll just have to come back when he’s a bit older.

Here’s Leah.

For scale, not the person in the lower right corner of the image.

The three of us.

Another image of Leah.

Yep, Anna caught me again.  Not hard.  As you may notice, I am fully stocked with equipment … a blanket in my cargo pocket, just in case X gets cold in the summer heat.

More of the various ochre shades.

This is the view from a restaurant we ate at in the village.

Another view from the restaurant in the deepening afternoon light.

Almost time for a golden, red sunset

On the way out, we liked this door and garage.  Plus, the wall color is one of many shades in the buildings of the village.  The village itself has been a protected village since WWII and now benefits from virtually no modern development.

One last image of the cliffs before we headed home.  As you notice in the background, there are still plenty of vineyards nearby.

Ok, that does it for the ochre of Roussillon.  Up next is a post of Little Alexander. Until then…

–Jim