Provence seemed like an obvious starting point for this blog: this is summer, and that's where we go to spend our summers.

I sort of have a thing about France (but that’s a story for another time). Back in 1995, I was desperately missing being there, so I convinced my husband, Mark, to vacation in Provence. It was an instant hit with the whole family.

In November 1996, Mark, Charlotte and I were invited to a French-inspired dinner at a friend's house. It was late in the afternoon. A couple of us were in the kitchen cooking - actually, my friend was cooking; I was drinking a glass of wine and kibitzing...