Hi! I’m so glad you could join us…
I’m Marie. Glad to meet you. If you clicked on this page, you must be looking for a little more information.
Here goes!
First, a little background information. I’m the mother of three mostly-grown children, step-mother to three completely-grown children, and wife of a wonderful man. I spent nearly twenty years selling food at retail – mostly meat and seafood – in chain grocery stores, independents, and small markets. I left that world behind a few years ago, and now focus on a different part of the food chain – growing, cooking and eating.
I began this blog in September of 2009 as an easy way to share photos and news with my far-flung family while focusing on improving my writing and organization skills.( I’m easily distract – hey! a butterfly!) Over the course of the first year, it evolved into what you see here – a chronicle of gardening and cooking here at our Rhode Island home, with the occasional visit from the local wildlife and stories about my family.
I’m also lucky enough to be able to spend a portion of the year at our apartment in Paris and exploring the beauty, history and culture of France. If my love of all things edible began with a job behind a fish counter, travelling with my Frenchman-at-heart husband has developed it into a deep and abiding passion. I’m happy to share these trips and experiences with anyone who wants to read about them.
So, thanks for stopping by! Come back any time. And don’t ever be shy about leaving a comment. Making new friends is never a bad thing.

Hi, Marie. Just dropped in for a peak. You sound well. We have survived the ice but it’s still cold! Take care!
Hey Beth! Good to have you here! Mom says you’re doing some writing, too. Send a link and we’ll put it up!
Hi Marie, Just wanted to say hello and say how much I enjoy reading your blog. Love the photos and the stories with them. I hope you don’t mind, but think I will add a link to your blog on mine.
Leanne
Thanks, Leanne! By all means, link away… And please, feel free to chime in on any topic you like…
Glad to know you’re here!
Hey, there, Marie,
It’s been years, but I thought I’d see if you remembered me. The maiden name is Shockley, and I’d love to hear from you.
Maria
Hey, Junior High wasn’t THAT long ago!
Wait – yes it was…
Good to hear from you! I’ll drop you an email in the next couple of days… The weather’s finally broken here, and I’m up to my eyeballs in weeds!
Talk soon!
When are you going to come to Lawton for a visit?
Not til next year, probably. You’ll hear about it, I’m sure…
I better.
HI! I found your blog today and I am enjoying it! I thought of another one I frequent that you might enjoy as well. The address is http://thekitchensgarden.wordpress.com. It’s not putting that as a link but anyway, that should get you there! You both are gardeners and it just seems like you might enjoy each other’s work! I look forward to reading more of your posts! Gretchen
Oh, it did put the link when I posted the comment! Yay!
Hi, Gretchen, and welcome! I can’t tell you how honored I am to be compared with Miss Celie’s blog!
She’s much funnier than I am, you know… But I do love her!
Looking forward to reading more of your blog, and your Adventures in Publishing!
I’m so glad that you already know each other! That’s funny. I just KNEW that you two had things in common! Yes, she’s a hoot. Thanks for checking out my epiphanies! It’s fun, this blogging world.
Hi Marie, I’ve just subscribed to your blog, and am loving it! It’s great to read about other gardeners /growers/ cooks /seasiders
Hello, and welcome!
I’m fairly sure I’ve stumbled across your blog once or twice…there don’t seem to be enough garden-bloggers on WP!
I love to see what others are doing, too – especially in other countries!
“I love to see what others are doing, too – especially in other countries!” Me too! It’s kind of like standing over a virual fence chatting with your neighbour about the garden or what’s cooking. I love it!
Hey Marie,
I just want to say that I enjoy our “conversations.” Looking forward to your next blog!
Mel
massachusetts-is-wicked-awesome.com
Me too, Mel…it’s always fun to make new friends!
I’m happy to find other food growers as well. And we’re all women!
Hi Ellen, and welcome! Looking forward to reading about your journey on your blog as well.
Don’t count the guys out – we’ve got a few good grower/cooks hanging aroung here!
Found you through Rufus and so glad I did. Late afternoon in Paris looks lovely.
Welcome, Ruth! I’m glad you like it.
Hi Marie, hello from neighboring Mass! Great blog, and so envious of your apartment in France. My husband is a Frenchman-at-heart too, that’s something we definitely like to daydream about.
Hi, Sara! Welcome! It’s always good to meet a ‘neighbor’…
Don’t be too envious – the *other* reason we were in France last week was to get a crash-course in the French insurance system…The apartment upstairs from us had a plumbing issue sometime in August(you know, the month that all of Paris goes on vacation?) and our apartment flooded. The damage to the floor alone made me want to cry…
http://photographyofnia.com/2011/12/15/bottles-in-the-kitchen/
I wished to give a real gift to you…
Thanks, Nia! That is so kind!
Tally ho, Marie!
I don’t think I’ve kept it a big secret how much I love your blog. I like how you can so easily write about different subjects — seamlessly, it seems. I just nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award in my post this morning. Hope you are well!
Mel
You’re the best. I’ll go check it out soon!
I believe I found a Hen of the Woods today 1-17-12. I don’t recall seeing it yesterday. Is this possible? I posted a picture on my facebook page.
Looks like you’re in RI, too, so no, probably not a hen. Our recent deep-freeze temps make that nearly impossible. I don’t Facebook, so there’s no way to have a look at it, but it’s most likely some kind of polypore – stiff and leathery, and not edible. If you’d like, I can email you, so you can send me the photo…just let me know here.
What a delightful site! I’m so glad to have found you.
Food and France, these are a few of my favorite things….
Glad to have you!
Just checked out your site, too!
Sunshine Award
Hi there! I love your blog, and that’s why I am nominating you for the Sunshine Award! Please feel free to do whatever you wish with it. There is no obligation! Here’s the link to my post on Tuesday with the rules etc. http://wordsandherbs.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/sunshine-and-l…er-blog-awards/
Happy blogging! Cathy
Thanks, Cathy! That’s a new one for me
I’ll try to get to it in the next week or so.
I’m so glad to have a new garden-blog friend!
I know you are super busy, and probably don’t have time for these, but I have nominated you for an award, I had to.
http://leannecolephotography.com/2012/05/02/dead-flowers-can-be-inspiring/
For you, sweetie, I’ll try my best to get to it!
As always, I’m honored by the thought….