Nutmeg is uncertain if sculptors Ursula Hanes and Donni Buffalo Dog were visionary or slightly crazy when they purchased a five-acre property on the outskirts of the hamlet of Aureille, in Provence, the year was 1993. Their interest was not in the house. It was the 600 square-meter mothballed chicken and rabbit coop that had grabbed their attention.

Tags: Artist Retreat in Provence, Ateliers Fourwinds, Aureille, Provence Travel, Sculpture Studios in Provence

This entry was posted on Monday, December 30th, 2013 at 6:00 am and is filed under France, Provence, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

A visit to Provence can be a sensory overload:

Purple-blue lavender rows combing the landscape
Market stalls brimming with wild mushrooms in a palette of earthy browns
Pincushions of creamy goat cheese
Butcher shop chickens roasted on portable spits on Sunday mornings
Rosé chilling tableside

What should I take home from Provence?

Nutmeg often gets asked this question by friends who are visiting Provence, these are five gifts that she would suggest, each one uniquely representative of the region.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: fleur de sel, Food, herbes de provence, Lavender, Markets, Olives, Provence, savon de Marseille, Travel Tips

This entry was posted on Monday, December 23rd, 2013 at 3:00 am and is filed under France, Provence, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

All I want for Christmas is a photo workshop in Provence.

If that is number ONE on your Christmas list this year, then Nutmeg would like to help you out.

Andrew Squires is a professional photographer based in the village of Ansouis, in Provence. He runs photo workshops for both groups and individuals; photography on-location, with social breaks, fun festivals and time to explore Provence behind your camera (any type will do).

Colour, gesture, all help tell the story.

Tags: Andrew Squires, France, Photo Workshops, Photography, Provence

This entry was posted on Monday, December 16th, 2013 at 6:00 am and is filed under France, Provence, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Does the thought of Christmas baking put you squarely in one of these categories?

1. You start collecting holiday recipes in June, and dream of red and green sprinkles in July.
2. You would rather clean out your basement than attend a Christmas bake exchange.
3. You have a local “go-to” bakery for their qualified help.

Tags: Christmas baking ideas, Easy baking recipes, Easy Cookie Recipes, Recipes for Shortbread, Recipes with Hazelnuts

This entry was posted on Monday, December 9th, 2013 at 6:00 am and is filed under Desserts, Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

The sun was baking the rolling hills, and the annual harvest of ruby-purple grapes was underway – Indian summer days were still gracing Provence. Visions of glasses of chilled rosé danced in her head…

What was Nutmeg thinking?

Tags: City Highlights Jogging Tour, Dublin Tours, Irish Travel, Sight Jogging Dublin, Touring Ireland

This entry was posted on Monday, December 2nd, 2013 at 6:00 am and is filed under Ireland, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.