Picnic in Provence by Elizabeth Bard

Whoop whoop!  I have finished my first book of my  2016 Reading Challenge 🙂  I really had to push through on this one to be honest as I found it a little lightweight for me and sitting down for long periods was a challenge for this ‘active relaxer’. 🙂  That said I did pick up a couple of pearls both in the cooking realm and life and can honestly say I enjoyed the book.

The book is actually based ten years on from the authors first book ‘Lunch in Paris’.  We meet up with Elizabeth Bard who is now expecting a baby on the way with her handsome French husband – they take a holiday – the last before the baby is born and come across a wartime home of a famous poet. The heirloom roses in the garden, the history,  not to mention the blue skies and lavender fields, entice the couple to move from their city apartment to Provence!

‘Picnic in Provence’ is the story of everything from an American learning the tricks of French motherhood,  to a cook’s initiation into classic Provencal cuisine.

The author blends her recipes in amongst the background of her new lifeline with ease and pearls of wisdom scattered throughout.

An example of this is when Thanksgiving rolls up and our author wonders if anyone in the small village even knows it is a holiday? As a self-professed perfectionist Elizabeth is hard on herself but she realises this day that she is too hard on herself and others and perhaps not grateful enough for what she has – she makes the decision to take the day off! No pressure on herself for a fancy dinner, no worry about whether she is a great wife or mum. “I’ll be thinking and thanking-instead of fretting and fixing”.

I drew some parallels with myself here.  I stopped reading on my own and read a couple of paragraphs out loud to my husband. He listened quietly and then said ‘  insightful self-awareness we could all take a lesson from’ – I know he really meant me! And that was okay. He was right.

So many wonderful recipes to try – Fresh Fig and Almond Tart, to Carrot-Saffron Cupcakes and a Butternut, Roasted Red Onions, Walnuts & Fresh Goats Cheese Rocket Salad! Months of new recipes to try ahead of us.

This book has plenty of humour, honesty and love that is entangled with recipes that tempt the tastebuds and encourage the reader to head to the kitchen!

As the first book for my 2016 Reading Challenge – A Book Set in Another Country – I am pleased to get one  ‘under my belt’.

I did start my review by saying the story was a little lightweight – but upon reflection it was the perfect book to pick up after a few hours and take up where the story left off without having to backtrack to remind myself of the plot! Over the next few months I will cover some of the delicious recipes with photos..and excerpts from the book to give them some context.

Now, onto my next book. I have my ‘Mindfulness Colouring Book’ on the go but need one to read. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Chat soon xx