I am a reading addict, passionate about food and a collector of cooking books. I am also a lazy gardener, an amateur genealogist, and I love to write in French and in English. If you are interested in French Genealogy, you will find stories about my ancestors who are spread all over France and Reunion Island.  They are all common ordinary people, but the societal background creates an interesting view in French life .I also write on the Challenge AZ in November, where we publish articles on genealogy , family history, organization , research, regional traditions, old crafts, games, and of course cooking and recipes, old and new. On the blog section, I share my favourite recipes, books and photographs. In those strange and unusual times, I find it quite comforting to share those daily happy pleasures. We often take such small things for granted , but they bring a little lightness to life. I was born in France, but spent most of my life in South Africa. I live and worked for many years in Pretoria and Johannesburg and then, 12 years ago, settled in Riebeek Kasteel, where I ran a coffee shop and a small catering business. Now I am retired and this website is my new adventure. Happy reading.