Keeping Up With the Lavender

Dear Liza,

A few summers ago, Auntie Bridgett sold her art at the Quatorze Juillet Fête put on by the Alliance Français at Jamison Square.


When we were packing up, one of the organizers gave Bridgett two big bunches of lavender.

It was a lovely gesture, and the car smelled great on the way home.

That lavender has been sitting in two large vases in the front room ever since.

And with Halloween decorations going up, we decided it was time to process all that lavender goodness. It’s not a difficult process, but a bit fiddly.

The bits of stems and dried blossoms tend to fly everywhere. I plucked and rubbed with both hands over the biggest pan I have and still got seeds on the floor, the stovetop, and on the counter top across the way.

But after twenty minutes or so, those two huge bunches were scooped up and stored into three pretty jars to await their future in sachets for Christmas presents.

Now, I just need to decide what the sachets should look like. Crazy Patchwork? Embroidered? Painted? Maybe all three?

Love,

Grandma Judy

Bastille Day Fête at Jameson Square

Dear Liza,

On Saturday, Auntie Bridgett was selling her art at a table in Jameson Square. The Alliance Française organizes a Bastille Day celebration that is playful, musical, artsy, and very busy!

Since the Alliance supplied the tent, table and chairs, it was an easy set-up. Grandpa Nelson drove us to the northwest part of Portland and unloaded, then headed home.


There were hours of happy people-watching as hundreds of kids and families played in the fountain. A delightful program of live music, ranging from Cajun jazz to French pop, kept the mood lively.

Auntie Bridgett’s table was busy all day, and she sold a lot of cards, books, and artwork. My favorite painting, “Á Paris”, went home with this lovely lady. I was sad to see it go, but that’s what it was painted for. It was Bridgett’s most successful selling day ever!

I spent most of the day on a bench in the shade close by, to give Bridgett support if needed. I also enjoyed a conversation with Alan, a fellow Francophile (person who loves and appreciates French things). When I needed a snack I walked down to Via Delizia for an éclaire and iced chai latte. It was perfectly delicious and I felt very spoiled.

Later in the afternoon there were even fencing lessons for kids from a local fencing club. It was amazing. Full face cages and nice bendy epées kept everyone safe while providing a really good time.

Thanks, Alliance Française! We’ll see you again real soon.

Love,

Grandma Judy