It's Me, Sara Louise

Big stuff is happening around here people, big stuff! My mother is arriving in Le Petit Village for the holidays tomorrow. T O M O R R O W !

Fifty and I have turned into headless chickens as we run around trying to get the house in order (the house is never quite clean enough for a visit from your mother).

So because I’m busy little bee, instead of my usual waffling on about Gatz, or hunting or whatever else is irritating me around here, today I thought I’d show you some festive photos of a traditional Provençal crèche and let that be that.

This one belongs to Papa’s Wife and is full of Santons (Santons are the ‘little saints’ that decorate a creche. They are a speciality of Provence. The first ones were created in Marseilles during the French Revolution. History lesson… BOOM!)

Since no Nativity scene would be complete without the little guy, here he is… the baby Jesus… with an angel flying above, his mom and dad, a little drummer boy, a couple more angels, a donkey, a cat, and I think some guy playing a violin (???). I’m not sure, there’s a whole lot going on there.

To the left is a moulin (perhaps used to produce wheat flour) with a few little bakers who are off to sell or make their bread (I’m not sure what they’re doing). The rocks there in front of the bakers, are part of the rock wall that Papa works on every year (and if you remember from a couple of years ago doesn’t let any of us touch).

Here’s another wall that Papa built. I think this one is supposed to be a bergerie (shepherds hut) since I’m pretty sure that the guy with the lamb on his shoulders is a shepherd, plus because of all the other sheep hanging about. And I think that might be a goat with the horns next to the lady.

And not only did Papa build a shepherd’s hut, but he made a river so that the little fisherman, has something to do, and the ducks have someplace to swim…

Next up is the Santon that I’m pretty sure is Papa’s favorite…

Yes, no crèche is complete, without a wee hunter. Obviously.
And if you’re wondering what the hunter is shooting at, well here they are…