A Year in Provence-October, November, December

In October mushrooms experienced their peak season which is all well and good if they are inocuous. The Mayles were of the same opinion as me and before indulging in tasty mushrooms, they checked if they are edible.

The Mayles hadn't only difficulties with choosing the right mushroom, but also with the restoration of the house, which more and more appeared to be a never-ending story.

Suddenly, Mayle's wife had a brainwave. She invited the builders and their wives to celebrate the restoration of the house although she knew perfectly well that the house was far from being restored yet.

This measure of her's brought the builders back to work in the twinkling of an eye and all of a sudden the idea of having the house restored in time wasn't wishful thinking anymore.

Finally, after a few days of frantical work on the builders part, Christmas came and with it the looked-for celebration. Food was the main star of the evening as usual in France, but along with it came a lot of laughing and the Mayles' recognition that they felt at home in Provence.

At the end of the day, this understanding is what matters the most.