Cherry Orchards & Cherry Pies
As this blog rolls in behind schedule, as most things do here in Provence, I am reminded of our first week here in Lacoste. I told Courtney in the weeks leading up to our arrival of the cherry trees. There lies an entire orchard nestled in the heart of the valley, hugged by the cascading hills of lower Lacoste.
Cherry Orchard | Lacoste, France
As this blog rolls in behind schedule, as most things do here in Provence, I am reminded of our first week here in Lacoste. I told Courtney in the weeks leading up to our arrival of the cherry trees. There lies an entire orchard nestled in the heart of the valley, hugged by the cascading hills of lower Lacoste. Some agreement between SCAD and the valley’s farmers, perhaps as old as the valley itself, has maintained that wandering students might lighten the load of the many trees heavy with vibrant rouge fruit.
Serious Cherry Picking | Lacoste, France
Less Serious Cherry Picking | Lacoste, France
When I came here as a student it was for the spring quarter, a time when the region bloomed into life. First came the poppies, then to my surprise was the burgeoning of cherries on the valley’s trees. Having not had an oven to bring sweet life to a cherry pie, it was my goal on returning to right the inconveniences of the past. When we snuck an opportunity, Courtney and I traipsed into the orchard in all of our newly arrived glee (it should be noted that traipsing also entails walking a quarter mile down a rocky, medieval, goat herding trail).
Picking cherries in south France is a photography dreamland, so naturally I brought our camera with us. We honestly had the best time just taking a moment to rest and meander together in the morning minutes before Courtney had her class. Later we made one of Courtney’s family recipes, a cherry crumble topped with a sweet layer of heavy whipping cream.
My Cherry Picking Queen | Lacoste, France
Cherry Delight
Crust
1 ½ Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
¼ Cup Sugar
1 Stick Butter, Melted
Mix Above & Press into a 9x9” pan. Chill in the refrigerator.
Filling
4 Cups Pitted Cherries
½ Cup Sugar
Simmer cherries & sugar on medium heat until it reduces and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool. Add filling on top of the crust.
Topping
1 ½ Cups Sugar
8oz. Package Cream Cheese
1 Cup Whipping Cream, Whipped with 1 Tbsp Sugar & 1 Tsp. Vanilla.
Whip sugar & cream cheese together, then fold in Whipped Cream. Lay cream on top of filling.
Cherry Picking | Lacoste, France
Randomized Quality Inspection | Lacoste, France
It’s not so much that Lacoste, or Provence, or France for that matter, are altogether different from our life in the States, if anything life becomes more obviously similar with time. Instead, I think that life here has offered a more rich connection with the land than I had back home. The rhythms of the calendar have asked us to walk alongside them, or rather through cherry orchards. The place itself leaves us dreaming of how we might gently bring new patterns into the city earnestly waiting for us to return.
I don’t think it takes living in Provence to cultivate new rhythms though. And remember, they have been cultivating these rhythms over centuries. Your town cook, who is also your town vice mayor and town fireman, organizing a regional fire jumping festival on St. John’s day doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, I think places like this are an invitation to bring new rhythms into your already wonderful life. Maybe we can all develop some beautiful ones and chat about it soon.
— Hampton
The Goat Trail | Lacoste, France
Amidst the Orchard | Lacoste, France
Cherries at Dawn | Lacoste, France
Bonjour from Lacoste!
Hello from Lacoste, or “Bonjour de Lacoste!” as the French might say! That the past few weeks abroad has been a whirlwind would be a massive understatement. Before we get to that however, let’s rewind the clock to May, when I received some delightful news.
Lavender Fields at Dusk | Lacoste, France
Hello from Lacoste, or “Bonjour de Lacoste!” as the French might say! That the past few weeks abroad has been a whirlwind would be a massive understatement. Before we get to that however, let’s rewind the clock to May, when I received some delightful news. I initially applied to be a resident Ambassador as part of SCAD’s Alumni Atelier program some months prior. The program is an initiative that seeks to provide Alumni with a platform to creatively explore new business concepts. My application was submitted in February and centered around portrait painting as a way to more deeply root businesses in the towns they are based in. Preliminary interviews seemed promising and SCAD even suggested the possibility of Courtney returning to finish her degree, a hope that we had all but dismissed by that point. With so much promise on the horizon, Courtney & I waited with more than a bit of anxious anticipation!
Entrance to the Village | Lacoste, France
Acorn Cottage, Our Home for the Summer | Lacoste, France
Once we received the news in May, we were equally excited to be blessed with this amazing opportunity, and exhausted from months of waiting! To shake off our anticipation fatigue we went to our favorite restaurant in St. Louis, Corner 17. Over a bowl of Three Cup Chicken & a Taro Boba Tea, we laughed at how wonderfully silly it was that in a short time we would be in France. With the help of family & friends we managed to say goodbye to our St. Louis family, load up our entire home, move to Savannah, and complete a few painting commissions all before boarding a plane to Marseille. I honestly don’t think any of it really set in until we found ourselves riding through the rolling hills of Provence and into the quaint town of Lacoste. If I could convey to you just how quaint it is, it just might lose the bit of magic that still exists here. That, I think, is the true wonder of the place.
Café Beauregard| Lacoste, France
You might imagine at this point that we had a moment of breathing room, I had similar visions of relaxing with a glass of Rosé in hand. However, we hit the ground running, trying to soak up all that the region has to offer while still keeping up with our itineraries. Between social media photo shoots and marketing moments, things that are wonderful because they allow us to share these experiences with you, we tried our best to enjoy the region. You see, Lacoste is a medieval village set within a hillside, ripe with old stonework and meandering pathways. Each direction I look almost begs me to find a way to paint it. So begin to paint it I did, taking the time one morning to lay pigment to an old boulangerie, or bread shop, now home to SCAD’s library. You can capture a glimpse of it here.
This place hasn’t all been work though, no matter how bold my American sensibilities of relentless pace are, they are no match for the deep rhythms of Provencial life. Summer sun doesn’t set here until 10 or so, almost asking you to bask in the delicate light of those extended evening hours. It is this pace of life that I came here for. The enchanted nature of the countryside invites you in, so I have tried to embrace it. Whether it is a glass of wine with friends or an eventide walk through the village with Courtney. The result is that I have failed to post nearly as much, but something about starting a blog feels a better way of letting you into life here. Social media has never truly been my thing, being an artist from the classical mold will do that to you.
Painting the Lavender Fields of Maison Basse | Lacoste, France
Courtney and Me in the Lavender Fields | Lacoste, France
With the coming weeks, I intend to be more up to date. If you haven’t already, sign up for my newsletter! It will help me let you know each time I write one of these. Until then, I hope you take time to enjoy the place you are in, finding beauty in all of its nooks and crannies.
- Hampton