The traditional Marseille soap is made from vegetable oils and it grew so popular that it in 1913 the production had reached 180,000 tons (!) and already in 1924 there were 132 soapmaking companies in the Marseille and Salon areas.

Traditionally, the soap is made by mixing sea water from the Mediterranean Sea, olive oil, and the alkaline chemicals soda ash (sodium carbonate) and lye (sodium hydroxide) together in a large cauldron (usually making about 8 tons). This mixture is then heated for several days, stirred constantly.

The mixture is then allowed to sit, and once ready, it is poured into the mould, and allowed to set slightly. Whilst still soft, it is cut into bars and stamped, and left to completely harden. The whole process can take up to a month from the start before the soap is ready to use.

Source: Wikipedia

You can read more about the traditional Marseille soap history at Marseille Tourisme.

Today there are only a few remaining soap factories around Marseille and some soaps has palm oil instead of olive oil, but still very nice soaps so it’s no surprise that this is one of the things the many tourists are buying there.

I would find it very interesting to take a traditionally Marseille made soap and a modern one from our stores to a lab to be able to really compare the content…

Lifecruiser ♥ Vintage Marseille Posters
 

Earlier posts in this serie:

French beach leach
Bloggers toast in France
Bloggers finally meet in France after three years of blogging
French blogger host lost
Start Fart of France Trip
Marseille Air Lair Stare
Pastis in Provence Southern France
Photographer beholder but not older
Connect Hotel Skavsta Airport
 

This big bay has a lot to offer, several different sand beaches - of course very crowded and you better get there early if you want to find somewhere to park your car.

For us it was like heaven to take a swim in the Sea a hot day like this. I believe Anna was one of the first to get ready….

Yep, definitely Beach Babe 2009. Just check in her bikini. I say no more. But who could beach hunk 2009 be then?

We spotted him out to catch the waves. OK, not really any waves but it sounded good, didn’t it? *giggles*

Another one that was very excited of the chance to get her very first dip in the Mediterranean Sea was Diane.

Who by the way, turned out to be almost like a pro-snorkler…. in the water all the time. Maybe she were looking out for the Navy Seal’s to land in the French beaches…. *giggles*

For us Nordic people, the sunny weather and nice temperature in the Sea isn’t anything we’re exactly spoiled with, so of course we had the most wonderful time there.

If I tell you that last week we had about 2 hours of sun in the whole week here in Stockholm and it’s about the same so far this week, you’ll understand…

No wonder I’m dreaming back to that day… *sigh*

My own beach hunk was the photographer, so I won’t share him with you all.

The wonderful person that brought us all there (and into her home) is Claudie. Once again I want to thank her for their hospitality and patience with us all.

Lifecruiser ♥ French Beach Friends
 

Earlier posts in this serie:

Bloggers toast in France
Bloggers finally meet in France after three years of blogging
French blogger host lost
Start Fart of France Trip
Marseille Air Lair Stare
Pastis in Provence Southern France
Photographer beholder but not older
Connect Hotel Skavsta Airport
 

Pierre, Mrs Lifecruiser, Claudie, Renny and Tor.
Southern France, August 2009

The missing faces in this photo are behind their cameras: Mr Lifecruiser, Diane and Anna. This had to be well documented - almost as a historic happening…. lol

No wonder the happy faces and giggling, it’s not every day you get to drink with such good friends and the very best Champagne brand there is!

.. only problem was that they only had one bottle in the store, so we really had to share the drops verrrrrry carefully… *giggles*

Today we have another reason to make a bloggers toast, so I’ll fill up the glasses for you all and hope that you’ll follow me in this toast!

A toast for Renny, who’s birthday is today and is planning another blog gathering nex year in August in Oslo, Norway.

Hop over and congratulate him and see what he wishes as a birthday gift - it’s something very special!

Cheers!

Lifecruiser ♥ France
 

Earlier posts in this serie:

Bloggers finally meet in France after three years of blogging
French blogger host lost
Start Fart of France Trip
Marseille Air Lair Stare
Pastis in Provence Southern France
Photographer beholder but not older
Connect Hotel Skavsta Airport
 

I still remember our 2007 Cyber Halloween Party - if you haven’t read about it earlier, I really recommend to click your way over there! It sure was fun!

Remember, there was a special drink: Boo (the barftender) recommended the Eyeballs On The Rocks!!!

…and for the really thirsty it was OK to order a whole Bloody Mary at once - the real Mary that would last for the whole evening and to be shared with ghoul friends. *giggles*

Other notable Halloween posts:

13 Halloween Trips Tips
Halloween Car Painting
Halloween costumes ideas for a future party

Have a horrorific Halloween my devil friends!

Do you have any drinks from somewhere in the world to share with us? Read How to participate in Drinks ‘Round the World Meme.

Lifecruiser ♥ Halloween Drinks
 

Lifecruiser ♥ French Art
 

I love it when the musicians are having FUN when they’re performing (and not only doing it as it were any boring job task) and this orchestra really lived up to that. They played the perfect joyful music for an evening out, putting us in a very good mood.

Actually they reminded us very much about another Swedish band we use to meet at our summer paradise island: remember Jösses Pojkar we’ve written about before?

When Rusty circle did take their “academic beer pause”, hubby said he would go to the gents room, but he actually went to talk to them, to make them play something for ME!

Surprise! They came back playing and singing Happy Birthday for me and making everyone at the restaurant singing along!

Not only that, they had (without even hubby knowing) written happy birthday plus my name & signed one of their CD’s, which they gave to me too. Such nice guys I tell you.

My beloved hubby also had ordered some romantic songs to be played for me, which they did…. Several of them. Ah… it was such a ♥ romantic evening…

This was at a special Medieval restaurant: U Zlate Konvice - not exactly the cheapest in Prague, but with a special touch.

Lifecruiser ♥ Rusty circle

PS. If you’re interested in Prague, there will be more posts about our time there later on this blog, but also in between there will be posts about other trips we’ve made.
 

The roses were so beautiful, I would even say perfect. There are roses and there are roses if you know what I mean…

It’s a little story around those roses and the sparkling wine. It should have been 3 bottles of them and many, many more roses, because there were more persons trying to give me them!

I guess you can figure out that hubby ordered champagne & roses for me. Then there were our dear Norwegian blog friends calling the hotel ordering the same! Then my best friend Miss Ass. Lifecruiser called the hotel from Spain and tried to order it too, but she got refused to for some strange reason…

Obviously the hotel had never experienced a person that could be celebrated by several persons at once, because all that came in the morning were 1 bottle of Czech Pilsner Sekt Demi sec Premium - which seem to be their most popular sparkling wine - and 5 beautiful red roses.

I didn’t mind terrible though, it’s always interesting to taste something produced in the country or city you are in right then and besides that I only managed to drink that bottle! *giggles*

At the breakfast tray there also were a very nice birthday letter from our Norwegian blog friends, TorAa and Anna, RennyBA and DianeCA plus the fact that they even called me later that day to congratulate me!

…and then there were a lot of congratulations by phone calls, in different social networks including emails - you guys and gal’s totally ROCKS!!! Thank you so much!!!

Not only that, when we arrived at home there were a surprise left for me on the kitchen table: my wonderful sisters and brother had been there while we were away and put some gifts for me.

This was done despite the fact that I had announced that I would not celebrate my birthday, but of course I understand that they wanted to give me something anyway. I’d have done the same.

They certainly know me well, because what did they choose to give me? Flowers, the left one an Asian one, 1 book of exploring Sweden which I have been tempted to buy myself, my favorite chocolate from Lindt and an adventure gift box!

The adventure gift box is from Live It where I can choose an activity to do. Only problem is: there are so many interesting things that I’m having problems to choose… *giggles*

I’m also limited, since I can’t do anything that endanger my back, no bumpy stuff risks, so I can’t choose for an example a balloon flight - which I might have done otherwise!

They gave me the coolest card ever! With an old photo of me (my head) on the front glued on some celeb’s body.

This is something they always have done, the old kinda scrapbooking: mixed photos with cuts from magazines and other things.

The card text says: The 50’s finest perfect favorite. And in small at the bottom you can’t see: Style and Quality. Oh my, I’m flattered… *giggles*

My sister was with us when we saw the movie about Marie Antoinette, plus hubby is said to be related to her somehow way back in time, so it was a good choice to put pictures of Marie Antoinette in there.

In this photo in the heart below you can see my siblings gathered, just as they are in my heart. The photo is taken sometime during the end of the sixties.

I’m so grateful to have such wonderful siblings! Never ever any problems between us and we’re really there for each other when it counts. They’re the best!

In my next post I will tell you about the evening out in Prague we had on my birthday, when we met some really nice guys!!!

Lifecruiser ♥ Travel
 

It’s no secret that I’ve lived half my life now - hint: I’m planning to be 100 year - and is off to celebrate it until Friday the 9th of October.

What do you think they have plenty of there? Right: The best beer - and of course, there will be Champagne too…

Cheer my dears!

Lifecruiser ♥ Travel
 

When seeing the Pastis earlier, what’s instantly comes up in mind is a simliar looking, very true Swedish classic summer drink: Gin & Grape Tonic. One of our own absolute favorites.

BTW: If you think the glass in the photo is a bit blurry, you haven’t had enough of drinks yet! Keep drinking until it’s perfectly clear to you! *giggles*

As a drink, it couldn’t be easier to make, a hot summer day when you feel very lazy!

Ingredients:

1 part of Gordon’s London Dry Gin
5 parts of Grape Tonic water
1 Lemon slice
Ice

What’s very important here is to choose a good Gin, it won’t do with any kind of Gin. We prefer Gordon’s London Dry Gin so far of the ones we’ve tested.

If you have tested Gin & Tonic before and didn’t like it: test with Grape Tonic (preferably in Sweden), it’s much better, promise!

Even though this is a kind of false Gin & Tonic, it’s still called just Gin & Tonic and it shares the same history as the original.

History of The Original Gin & Tonic:

This cocktail was introduced by the army of the British East India Company in India.

Tonic water contains quinine, which was used to prevent malaria. Because the tonic water consumed to prevent malaria in the 18th century was extremely bitter, gin was added to make it more palatable.[citation needed] The bitter flavor of quinine complements the green notes of gin (flavored with juniper) much like dry vermouth complements gin in a classic martini.

Although the consumption of tonic water currently has less medical use than it once did, gin and tonic remains a popular drink. Tonic water available today contains less quinine and is consequently less bitter (and is sometimes sweetened). Because of this connection to warmer climates and its refreshing nature, this cocktail is more popular during the warmer months.

Do you have any drinks from somewhere in the world to share with us? Read How to participate in Drinks ‘Round the World Meme.

This is all about having fun together, so you can just show us a photo or write something - it’s up to you. If you’re making your drink while writing, drinking while commenting: even better….

Leave a link to your drink post in the comments, so we all can come over and have a sip!

Be sure to mingle - and please be aware of the fact that we have different time zones, so be sure to check back later too. That’s also the reason for me posting this while it’s still day and not in the evening - some of you have evening already.

I’ll be back to check up your drinks later!

Let’s party! Skål!

Lifecruiser ♥ Drinks
 

On the way there we were served the most beautiful views. Like this one over the bay in Toulon, with some military ships.

I understand why she wanted to meet us in the town first, because it can be some difficulties to find the right way there.

Did we find our way? Well, yes, but the GPS lost track in the end and we passed some private gates and wanted to make sure we were not trespassing on someone else property, so we had to call them to make sure we were on the right way. Which they confirmed.

First we did see their house - such a lovely, inviting country house with lovely flowers. I was very charmed by it already at first sight!

Then we saw Pierre - with the biggest and happiest smile you can have - showing us where to park the car. Ours too, I could feel the smile going high up from ear to ear.

I got out of the car as fast as I could, to first say hello to Pierre in the way they do in this part of Provence: one kiss on each cheek. We were so happy to receive this warm and heartily welcoming - after all it was mostly Claudie and I that had been blogging together.

In Sweden we’re either shaking hands and/or giving hugs - almost never kisses - so this was a true French experience in itself. A very nice one.

Then we went forward to the house where the others were and finally, after three years of blogging together, Claudie and I got to meet! What a loaded moment! Such big happy smiles! So many emotions and fun memories going through our minds as you can imagine!

I still can’t melt what a welcome we did get. Such fantastic hosts. We also got to meet Claudie’s sister and husband - a very nice couple that too.

What do you think we started with? Yes, of course: Pastis! It was my obvious choice since I had never tasted it before.

We chatted, laughed and has such a blast for ages. Hours and hours went by and also loads of delicious things to eat…. and drink!

Oh, my, how they had prepared well with local specialities like Anchoïade, tapenade with vegetables and pissaladière to welcome this hungry monster! *giggles*

I tell you, this must have been one of the most well documented meetings ever, we were at least 5 person taking photos! Like crazy Paparazzi’s!

Needless to say: we stayed up very late, despite the fact that we had been traveling. It was simply so hard to break up from those wonderful friends and go to bed!

After those years of blogging I felt like I had known Claudie for ages already, like we were old friends and that was established even more when we finally did meet each other. She was everything I had imagined - and Pierre too!

They’re such a lovely couple, so kind and with such big hearts - and they’re for ever included in our hearts. For ever friends were my words one day, just like our Norwegian friends that were with us on this trip.

We were having such a good time together, but you never know until you have met each other for real, do you?

Every night we were really late (more like mornings) and the weather was so hot for us Scandinavian vikings, so it really were a wonder that we managed to do something at all while being there!

So then you wonder what did we do there then…?

(to be continued in next post…)

Lifecruiser ♥ France
 

Earlier posts in this series:

French blogger host lost
Start Fart of France Trip
Marseille Air Lair Stare
Pastis in Provence Southern France
Photographer beholder but not older
Connect Hotel Skavsta Airport