Un autre soir en Provence

We had not even stepped on the US-bound plane after our idyllic week in Provence before we were planning how to go back. And since plane tickets aren't cheap, we would have to find a way to visit Provence without leaving Arlington.


Solution: an evening of Provencial food and drink, French music, and boules under twinkle lights in the yard. We started to scribble possible menus on our drink napkins on the plane. Goat cheese and olives? Absolutely. Cote du Rhone reds and whites? We'd scour the stores. Planning was underway.

Of course, it took us a while to find a date where we and a few friends were available, so we didn't actually get around to this party until last weekend--and it's a good thing. The weekend before was over 100 outside, and the thought of spending time anywhere but our cool basement was almost unbearable. But the day of the party was absolutely, unbelievably perfect. And, to top it all off, Trader Joe's was stocked with bunches of lavender! I brought it home, and our whole house smelled like the market at Lourmarin.


The menu:
Herbed goat cheese and baguettes
Olives marinated in herbs de Provence
Tapenade
Cherries
Grilled chicken with herbs de Provence
Eggplant, zucchini, and tomato tian
Fruit salad with mint sugar
Foccacia bread
Plum tart or chocolate hazelnut tart for dessert


I have a thing for twinkle lights (see wedding, Christmas, college dorm room), and I think the party was just my excuse to put lights up in the trees by our garden. I usually bemoan the fact that we are missing a back yard, but with twinkle lights and folding chairs, we suddenly had a little fairyland. Between the food and the story telling and the amazingly perfect weather, we suddenly found ourselves still sitting around laughing at 11:30! Such a fun, fun party. And such a wonderful way to share our trip with our friends!