You Gotta Have Friends

Introducing our friends Debbie and Reed Eller. Last December, they treated us to a rollicking good time at their apartment in Paris, with Reed mixing up killer martinis, Debbie whipping up a delicious dinner, and both showing us an evening of full of fun and laughs.


Debb and Reed toasted our wedding in July 2008, serving champagne (and it was the good stuff) in the heart-shaped glasses that they had used at their wedding. Such good friends are truly a joy — the fizzy-licious champers tickled our noses as well as our hearts.

So, of course, we were anxious to see Debb and Reed again and get the chance to catch up — and to hear Debbie's story about our summer home exchange in Abeilhan. Last fall, when we told Debbie where we'd be spending the summer, she simply said, "Oh, I have a story to tell you about that!" A story?!? Hmm. Had she ever been to Abeilhan? Had she and Reed stayed in the house we would be staying in? Did they know Sharon and Mel, the owners?

The answers: No, no, and no. Instead, they told us they have a summer place in Bouzigues! Yep, the cute little town where we spent a lovely afternoon last week. When we first visited Bouzigues, we found a sweet little B&B where we thought we'd spend the night sometime. Debbie and Reed wouldn't hear of it, insisting we stay with them when we came to town last Wednesday. Who are we to say no to such hospitality?

We took our pals to lunch at La Parenthese, where they'd made reservations. The main road in Bouzigues is chock-full of great places to eat, but after our lovely afternoon at La Parenthese, we reckon that Debbie and Reed found the best of the best. It had the whole nine yards: charm, ambiance, super service, and great food.

We started with a massive plate of oysters. OK, Debbie — ready, set, slurp!


On the way home, we stopped at Maison Pitchiline, where I snapped up a very fetching hat for just six-and-a-half euros (that's less than 10 clams). Honey's not to sure about my new chapeau, but it makes me feel oh-so-natty.


Winding our way through the village, we ran into friends of Debbie and Reed. They'd just moved into a new home, and invited us up to check out the view — you can see the oyster beds in the background.


Aw, Shucks!

Speaking of oysters, it was time for Reed, Honey, Vince and me to pile into Debbie's Citroen and pick up some more of the crusty crustaceans for dinner. Reed helped the proprietor shuck the little devils, then taught me how.
























Vince seems worried that we might not have enough oysters. Well, three dozen is just a snack...


Back at Chez Eller, we sipped a glass or three of wine on the patio before Reed broke out the martini shaker. We sipped and talked and laughed as Debbie got busy in her outdoor kitchen, fixing another of her hall-of-fame dinners.


We were joined by George and Maryka Hoover, co-owners of Mas du Mauri vineyards. We all had such a hoot that night. Good food, good fun, and good company — who could ask for more?












But wait! There is more (even though we didn't ask — that would've been tacky). George and Maryka invited us to help them harvest grapes at their vineyard the following Friday, then join them for the feast to follow.

So, tune in next time, when your favorite world travelers become international harvesters!