I've Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Fuzzy little yellow ball flowers

The weather here has been typically winter-like.  It's not particularly cold, but a mild drizzle makes it feel raw.  My Brookings friends would scoff at calling what precipitation falls here--rain, but the marble place and street pavers are slick with moisture.  

There are ways to live when the south-of-France blue skies have gone on holiday.  A cup of tea or un cafe at Briocherie Arpin is one way to take away the chill.  I stopped there this morning for a croissant--for lunch with homemade egg salad, maybe tomorrow.  (They're closed on Sundays)  I have some left-over soup which will warm me in the most delightful way for today's lunch.

With last week's yellow tulips

And there's the idea of bringing sunshine indoors.  Mimosa is all over the market, and that's a sure sign that spring won't be long in sending out advance troops.  It's different from the soft pink mimosa that I remember from my childhood, but it is charming in its yellow fuzziness.  I mixed it with last week's yellow tulips (still fresh) and now I have a vase of sunshine in my living room.

I spent 2.30  Euros at the market this morning--for a head of broccoli, some carrots, s tuliome onions and two potatoes!  The broccoli is such a dark green that it appears almost black in some light.  I can just feel the healthy benefits jumping off of it onto me.  It's for some broccoli cheddar soup, also guaranteed to take the edge off a grey day.

Sky blue pitcher holding sun

I actually like the slower pace of January.  After the Magie de Noel,  and Reveillon, (the Magic of Christmas and New Year's Eve) we are all catching our breath,  I don't mind the grey days, because every third or fourth day, the south-of-France blue comes back to remind me of sunnier days ahead.  

Until then,  I can always bring in yellow tulips and mimosa!

I've Got Sunshine on a Cloudy Day....