Lately, I've been thinking and dreaming of all things French.  The architecture, gardens, art, food, clothes, wine, bread, cheese, on and on goes this list.  In my ideal world, on any given day, I'd hitch a shuttle ride to ATL and hop on the first jet heading for the land of champagne and macaroons.  Sadly, today is not that day...luckily I have something to ease my yearning.

My mother gave me this book a few years ago and I love it more every time I read it.  Here's a little blurb about the book if you aren't familiar.

"In MY FRENCH LIFE I share my insider’s view of life in France. In 1999, with my husband and three children, a lifetime dream became a reality when we bought a farmhouse  in Saint Rémy de Provence. I spent three years lovingly restoring the farmhouse, bringing the abandoned fruit orchards back to life and planting an olive grove of more than two thousand trees. This story is my personal tale of taking risks, facing challenges and falling in love with all things French. The photographs taken by my supremely talented friend Carla Coulson are both lavish and exquisite in every way." -Vicki Archer

As a preservationist, I am so inspired by (and quite possibly jealous of) Archer's story.   Either way- My French Life is a gorgeous book and a great read.