Wild carrot

This time of year, as summer begins to wind down, is high season for what we call Queen Anne's Lace. In French, it's carotte sauvage (wild carrot). This is one of those plants (and flowers) that I remember from my youth in upstate New York. I remember meadows, fallow fields, and vacant lots filled with these in summer. They also grew along the edges of roads.

The ubiquitous Queen Anne's Lace.

And it's the same here. Wild carrot grows everywhere in and around the vineyard, in any field or meadow, and along the sides of our country roads.

We're moving into a stretch of activity this week. A friend from Normandy arrived last evening to spend a few nights at the house. We've got at least two lunches with friends and neighbors planned, as well as a little wine tasting. Next week we're spending a few days in le Perche, a region to our north. Then more friends for a few days and immediately after that, I'm heading to Paris for two nights to see a cousin and his new wife on their honeymoon. Shortly after that, a couple more guests at the house.

I'd better get busy with the vacuuming!