Country Style At Home (NAPSA)—For many Americans, French lifestyle conjures images of high fashion, upscale dining and expensive wines. However, more and more Americans are moving beyond these urban stereotypes and turning to the French countryside for inspiration in casual dining, simple home decor and relaxed everyday living. No matter what the activity, you can weave the Frenchjoie de vivre into your life by following a few simple tips from Robert Arbor, author of “Joie de Vivre: Simple French Style for Everyday Living,” and enjoying Red Bicyclette, a new wine from the south of France, available at your local wine andgrocerystore. The Great Outdoors French country living means drawing enjoyment from life’s everyday activities such as shop- ping or preparing a delicious meal. A trip to the farmer’s market can transform an ordinary shopping trip into a sensory adventure, allow- ing you to enjoy the outdoors, touch, smell and sample marketofferings, while interacting with local artisans —farmers, butchers, bread bakers, and cheese makers. In addition to reaping the rewardsof a fresh, seasonally driven meal, you'll relish the shopping experience while supporting your local community. Table Do’s Presentation is an integral part of dining in the French countryside. Whenpreparing for a dinnerparty, place large flower arrangements on the side tables, using smaller vases of flowers on the dining table. The small arrangements should be low enough to converse over and should reflect both the season and the mood you are trying to create. Small votives situated near each setting create an even distribution of warm light. A beautiful table simply adorned and properly lit is an inviting setting for your guests. Choosing a Wine Wine plays an essential role in French country dining and entertaining, and southern France lays claim to someof the country’s finest wines. The new and delicious 2003 Red Bicyclette Syrah, Chardonnay and Merlot offer a fun and approachable alternative to stuffy French wines—no more confusing labels, intimidating language or lack of grape identification. The rich red fruit characteristic of Red Bicyclette Syrah and Merlot complement heartier dishes including lamb, roast duck or pasta, while the crisp Red Bicyclette Chardonnay pairs deliciously with seafood or roast chicken. Nap Time Rest and relaxation are an obsession in French culture, and nap timeis an opportunity to enjoy a quick read, snooze undera tree, or sit back and absorb the day’s activity. In the hustle and bustle of our lives, taking this personal time to relax is crucial. The next time you have a few extra moments, take the time to walk outside, read a chapter of your book, or simply take a deep breath as those who live in the French countryside do! As Arbor says, “All the things you do to make yourlife fun and fulfilling involve completinglittle tasks that actually become reward- ing parts ofdaily life. It’s theselittle things that add upto the big, wonderful reality ofjoie de vivre.”
