Newsletter from genuine France! – The Good Life France | EUROtoday

At final the solar has come out right here within the far north of France, and whereas it's not precisely bustin' out throughout, after a really damp and somewhat chilly spring, it's very welcome, and the 200 or so tomato crops I've grown are joyful a few bit of heat! 200?! I do know what you're pondering, why has she grown so many?! Well I didn't really imply to develop fairly this many – I sowed a variety of previous seeds to see what would occur and it was extra profitable than I believed it will be! Once the child seedlings begin to develop, I can't bear to lose them, so I've nurtured all of them and I hope to have a bumper crop. And meaning I can share them with my neighbors. Bartering and swapping are a 'factor' right here in rural France.

Coming from London as I do, the place that is undoubtedly not a 'factor', I've discovered to embrace the idea of sharing, swapping and bartering as taught to me by my mentor and neighbor Jean-Claude. He is a person who loves the finer issues in life, and that is mirrored in his cake, cheese and wine-loving body. He typically says that though he’s not wealthy, some issues – by which he technique of an edible nature – are value spending good cash or time on. He solely buys from artisans and native producers, and barters eggs, fruit and greens from his backyard as a lot as potential. I informed him that Oscar Wilde as soon as stated that some folks know the worth of all the things and the worth of nothing – he now claims these as his personal smart phrases. If anybody dares to say that he may have gotten one thing cheaper within the grocery store, he furrows his bushy eyebrows and quotes Wilde in his greatest French, which takes a little bit of doing as he has a really robust native accent.

I generally swap eggs for beer on the native bar. Madame Jupiler, the perfect jam maker within the village typically drops off a jar or two of her well-known raspberry and vanilla jam in return for eggs (I've acquired a variety of chickens). I as soon as helped decide potatoes and was given a sack load as a thanks which lasted me nearly an entire winter. So a ton of tomatoes which could be sundried, marinated in oil, bottled and bartered is one thing I'm trying ahead to – and should you have been right here, I'd share them with you too!

Read the entire e-newsletter and see this week's prime options and recipe picks

Best needs and kisses from France,
Janine
Editor

Janine Marsh is Author of My Good Life in France: In Pursuit of the Rural Dream, My Four Seasons in France: A Year of the Good Life and Always France: Living the Dream in Rural France all accessible as e-book, print & audio, on Amazon in all places & all good bookshops on-line. Her new ebook How to be French – a celebration of the French life-style and Art of dwellingis out now – a have a look at the French lifestyle.

Don't miss the weekly e-newsletter which each and every week brings you inspiration from France

It's simple to subscribe should you don't wish to miss my weekly newsletters of musings from France and a round-up of fab options, plus unique random e-newsletter giveaways. Just click on right here, sort in your e-mail tackle and click on subscribe: Subscribe

Want extra France?

Discover extra fabulous locations in France with our free journal The Good Life France

Love France? Have a hearken to our podcast – all the things you wish to find out about France and extra!

All rights reserved. This article is probably not revealed, broadcast, rewritten (together with translated) or redistributed with out written permission.