After a beautiful, sunny, not-too-windy summer during which we saw hardly any hot-air balloons (montgolfières) at all, we've now seen this one three times in just a week. It's a balloon we were used to seeing float by for the last four or five years. Walt noticed it yesterday morning when he was out walking with Tasha, and then I was able to get this long-zoom photo of it from a window.
There was no sign of vendanges (the grape harvest) starting up yesterday. The weather was beautiful, and the grapes look ripe, but I haven't seen any news about a decision as to when harvesting can begin. The autorités départementales up in Blois decide that by publishing a decree giving the vignerons the go-ahead.
This is the northeast corner of the Renaudière vineyard, just a few steps from our house. It's on a steep slope and bordered by woods. Tasha and I walk down there several times a week, and we see chevreuils (roe deer) there fairly often. This year I've seen a strikingly deep-rust-red-colored chevreuil three or four times, but never when I had my camera with me. Walt says he's seen a pair of chevreuils, a buck and a doe, several times this summer, but again, no camera in hand on those occasions.
I've never seen Bonne Maman Bisquits in my food store in Arlingtom, Va, but they do carry Bonne Maman preserves and jellies.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen the cookies either, but the preserves are pretty much every where here. The cookies actually look pretty good at the link, as I see others have commented below.
DeleteHere's what they look like.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have seen those at Monoprix in my neighborhood in Paris. Since I'm not a fan of cookies, The cookie aisle at Harris Teeter is not familiar to me. I'll check when I'm back.
DeleteExcellent photo of the Montgolfière! And, those images of Bonne Maman cookies you linked to, were not bad, either. Unlike chm, I am a fan of cookies :)
ReplyDeleteI've taken Bonne Maman cookies to North Carolina as gifts, and the whole family (mom, sis, nieces, cousins) has enjoyed them.
DeleteI only use Bonne Maman preserves ( strawberry mostly) As for cookies .. I don't think there is one that I have not liked :)
ReplyDeleteI like good cookies too, mais ils sont à consommer avec modération. Your Bonne Maman strawberry preserves are CHM's favorite — not! I love them though.
DeleteLOL, Et je suis bien élevé!
DeleteI wish I didn't like cookies...but I like to make them and eat them. I buy Bonne Maman preserves and will look for her cookies in some of the fancy grocery stores near me.
DeleteI'm surprised the farmers have to wait for a decree before they can harvest.
ReplyDeleteEverything in France is reglemented, and often over-engineered. Bon anniversaire !
DeleteThank you, Ken!
DeleteI didn't even realize Bonne Maman sold cookies, but I don't buy much of those or of jams. Nice to know about, though, for the next time sweets are needed. And they do look tasty.
ReplyDelete