The buds on the trees right outside our fourth floor window are growing every day, new leaves cannot be far away.

Last Saturday was such a good day. We visited Adam in the morning, then a quick stop at New Seasons to pick up the fixings for Sunday lunch – large portobello mushrooms and Yukon Gold potatoes. Grilled portobellos stuffed with mash are something we missed in France since they never had the large ones.

In the afternoon we visited the J. Pepin Art Gallery and had a nice conversation with Jennifer, the owner. She clued us in to First Thursdays here in The Pearl, they will become a part of our life soon.

We stopped off at Olive or Twist, our new favorite spot just around the corner from our apartment. We had an enjoyable time with Sam, the owner for twenty years. I promised to do a painting of his house which we will deliver later today.

The day was made complete by watching the last of the Jurassic World movies. It was a good day to be in The Pearl.

As a result of the situation in the world and in our country I often have sensations of foreboding and anxiety – art, cooking, and this blog do a lot to keep me hopeful. Of course when my mind wanders it so often ends up in the south of France. The lavender is not yet in bloom there, but before long the iconic color will spread over Provence.

When we were in Provence we walked by this old olive orchard near the hospital in Saint-Remy-de-Provence where Van Gogh went a few months after the tragic events in Arles that caused Gauguin to leave him and Van Gogh to cut off his ear. He stayed in Saint-Remy for about a year before returning to a Paris suburb. He painted this same orchard, his painting is worth a lot more than mine, but I did enjoy doing this one.

Looking out our window yesterday it reminded me of the narrow canyons we walked through in Death Valley, the streets here are shaded much of the day by the tall buildings.

Food of course is critical in keeping my hope alive. I baked bread for the first time since we returned from our cruise.

My Norwegian tastebuds love rye crisp piled with grilled sardines, red onion, and cornichons.

I am looking forward to spring here in Portland, I remember that it was always a beautiful time. Thomas Jefferson’s observation, “Every man has two countries – his own and France” certainly is true for me. While Tricia was shopping I sipped un café and wrote haiku.

It was a good week, that is where I keep my focus, it softens the negatives of life a lot. I hope your week is going well, and I hope art is a part of it – capture the moments in whatever way you can. As always thank you so much for following along with our journeys.