Mas des Brun, where we moved to last week…. and where the seagulls sing (or maybe that's the neighbor's chickens?) Photo by Michael Moss, taken in December 2008 after an exceptionally rainy November (we hear the grass is not usually this green!)
s'installer (san-stal-ay)
: to settle in
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentence, in French: Download MP3 or Wav file
On s'installe tout doucement au bord de la mer. We're slowly settling in beside the sea.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
It's day six at our new* home and we are settling in nicely. On s'installe tout doucement, I keep reminding Jean-Marc, who seems to want to have every box unloaded hier, yesterday. I understand his excitement, but I also know about the need for some endurance: some sprinting, a little jogging, a bit of catch-your-breath walking—and we'll soon make it to the finish line. Then we can twiddle our thumbs.
After the initial flurry to get each major item in its place (the kids' beds, the armoirs, the canapé, nightstands, dogs, and télé, we are now taking our time to déballer the rest. As I type, Jean-Marc continues a steady stream of industriousness: putting in wifi receptors, hooking up the telephones and, just now, dangling over the balcony to prune a giant, fruit-laden figuier. I watch as he takes down just enough branches to reveal a Mediterranean mosaic: from our bedroom window, I now see an olive tree, a cypress, an amandier, and several pines. Soon we'll see the meadow with more centuries-old oliviers, in groves.
Walking Jackie halfway to school this morning, I noticed the ground outside is covered with pine needles. The scent brings me back to my childhood, to weekends spent at Kohl's ranch in Arizona. Exploring these new stomping grounds, just as I explored the Arizona forest, I am as delighted as that 9-year-old, by the unexpected discoveries: the thousands of asparagus that carpet this Mediterranean floor (hello les omelettes d'aspèrges)—and there are enough fallen leaves from the old olive trees to start a mulch factory (oh happy potager! But do olive leaves make good kitchen garden soil? Maybe the fig leaves would be better… I see Jean-Marc has built piles of them!).
Another bright discovery is all the cactus growing here. After ignoring the nutritional value of those cactus pears that dotted the desert landscaping of my enfance, I can now experiment in the kitchen with the figues de barbarie that are nestled in around our new property (a YouTube search reveals that the cactus pads are edible too. Let's make nopales stew or even cactus couscous!). Having learned the hard way, I will wear gloves this time, when harvesting—to avoid being stabbed by a thousand invisible, hair-thin needles. It was no fun tossing and turning, during a noon time nap, only to discover the needles had followed me all the way to bed. Aïe aïe aïe!
Trial and error. It is all part of the adaption process. Off now to harvest some cactus for lunch. Will wear gloves this time.
***
* "new" home: this mas dates back to 1875.
French Vocabulary
on s'installe tout doucement = we're slowly settling in
hier = yesterday
le canapé = sofa, couch
la télé = TV
déballer = unpack
le figuier = fig tree
un amandier = almond tree
un olivier = olive tree
une omelette = omelet
une asperge = asparagus
le potager = kitchen garden
une enfance = childhood
la figue de barbarie = cactus pear
nopales = a vegetable made from the pads of a prickly pear cactus
aïe aïe aïe = ow ow ow
How are the dogs getting along? Just fine! They sleep inside at night. By day, they have good shelter in this former cabanon de cochon, or pig hut. Don't tell Braise, but we'd love to put a few chickens there…
Jean-Marc, pruning the figue tree.
Mom's paintings need to be hung. Meantime, they look like a work of art sitting there on an old trunk.
Some chaos and our 17-year-old, who started school today. He'll be at the lycée in la Ciotat.
The kitchen and some swiss chard, or blette. There are maraîchers on every corner! Have you ever had a swiss chard smoothie?
A yellow canary melon, some roasted peppers, and a few thirsty dogs drinking from their gamelles.
Jean-Marc and Jackie preparing for a game of boules. Smokey and Braise looking on.
Thanks, Caroline, for taking this picture of the ceremonial "opening of the new house". Caroline and Thomas, who bought our home in Ste. Cécile, were with us on this special day. Handing me the keys, were Maggie and Michael Moss, who sold us this memory-filled home. It was a tearful and exciting moment and I am so happy these women thought to make a ceremony of it, for I would not have thought to. Thanks again Caroline and Maggie! Michael Moss also took photos of this scene, as well as the gorgeous opening photo, at the top of this post.
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An 1875 mas with wifi! Sounds like you’re all set! Congratulations
Wishing you and your family many, many years of happiness in your new home, Kristin. And thank you so much for sharing the pictures and the story with us.
Congratulations, Kristin! Your new home looks like a beautiful place, inside and out, and I know that your family is already making it even more beautiful. I look forward to hearing more about the whole process of moving, particularly since my husband and I will probably do it, and do it fast, in the near future. I am entirely too sentimental about our current home, where our children grew up. Once again, you are an inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to write to us and post the photographs! Fondly, Leslie in Portland, Oregon
Thank you for inviting us into your new home via all the pictures! A place with such history and character seems like a perfect fit for a family with such depth and love. Best wishes as you discover and settle into your new home!
Kristi, yes, we are all so happy for you .Here comes that word, many blessings to you and your family in your dream home.Looks wonderful.
So happy for you – are you now closer to us in Aix?? And this sentence: “I watch as he takes down just enough branches to reveal a Mediterranean mosaic: from our bedroom window, I now see an olive tree, a cypress, an amandier, and several pines.” may be my favorite Kristi-ism of all – just lovely!
Enjoy exploring your new home. I am looking forward to hearing about your new adventures.
Félicitations! How long do you think it will be before you can call yourself une vraie Pugétoise?
Your new home is beautiful! And the landscape is calming. I hope you all have many wonderful, happy years in your new home.
Carol
We’re so happy for you and your new move! Your writing is brimming over with excitement and joy. Good for you two to follow your hearts again and make some new changes. Much love, Annie and Mike
I think I am as excited for you as if it were my family moving to such a beautiful place! You are going to love it there! I think it is so brave to make a big move – my chapeau off to you and your family. So many exciting new things to explore! We will all be looking forward to more pictures and more adventures in your ‘new’ mas.
Kristin, I appreciated your Arizona references in this blog. Your new home sounds lovely, and I wish you & your family much happiness there. Amicalement, Judy
All blessings to you and your beautiful family in your new home! It sounds wonderful!
Felicitations on your move and new home. It looks beautiful and I’m sure you will spend many happy days there. My only question is: why???? Is JM out of the wine business?? How did your children react to this? Braise and Smokes look happy as always. Love those pups!
So great to see your smile, Kristi; the joy is shining through on your face! I wish all the Espinasse family a smooth transition and much happiness in your new home.
For some reason I feel that you have all come home. You, Jean-Marc, the kids and the dogs. It all seems made for you. I feel a sense of peace for all.
Wow, how did you convince the kids to move? Now we know that your new place is glorious, please tell us why the big change! Love the dog house!
You look so happy. Congratulations – and what a quick move! Less mistral, more seaside. All the best to all of you for a wonderful future.
Dear Kristin,
It was so good to read your update and see your beautiful pictures. Looking forward to Jean-Marc’s upcoming details about the move. Wishing you a wonderful time of settling in. May you all experience bountiful rest in the days and months to come.
Karene in So. Calif.
We are so excited and so happy for all of you! The new/old house looks amazing! It won’t be long and it will feel comfortable like an old shoe I hope! We moved into our home fulltime in July and we still haven’t hung all our art. It is nice to take time and get a feel for what should be where. In fact, we are just today hanging a mirror! Ahhh, nice to have the time!!! So looking forward to coming to Bandol in October and drinking some good wine with you to celebrate both of our moves!!!!!!!!!
Joanne and Paul
Santa Fe, NM
I think I missed something. What happened to the winery? and where are you now. I’m lost.
Merci pour les belles photos de votre nouvelle demeure. Je vois que vous vous êtes bien installés chez vous.
Juste un petit coucou des Philippines où on est en ce moment en vacances.
Bien à vous tous.
Congratulations! Félicitations! I haven’t had a une blette smoothie, but I’d love to try one! Do you have une recette pour nous?
Bon chance! Félicitations! What a wonderful event for you and your family. Wishing you all well.
Dear Kristin,
Félicitations à tous! It sounds like this was a good move with the whole family in mind. Even teens adapt. Like the old Girl Scout song says: “Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver, the other gold.” Take a breather to enjoy your new setting. Bon anniversaire to Oncle Jacques and Smokey. I’m finally getting around to making the Gâteau au yaourt as we speak. It sure looked like yours was in a 9″ cake pan, but mine is spilling over the sides onto the floor of the oven. Aïe! I hope I don’t lose too much, because the batter tasted delicious. Maybe I’ll use a spring-form pan next time. Bonne installation. A bientôt.
Felicitations! So, glad to see your post today! This is all very exciting. I can’t wait for the details. Didn’t see a post from *Mom* this morning, I can’t wait to get her take on the new place.
Oh and yes I have Green Smoothies with Swiss Chard often. I vary the greens week by week. But usually it’s a handful of greens, 1/2 a banana, some berries, and either greek yogurt or protein powder and a cup or so of coconut milk. Makes a yummy, if icky looking, breakfast and great for you too! Can’t wait til Monday
Weather here in Texas is Hot hot hot. It’s 106 today. Sunny and blue skies. Dreaming of the ocean. 🙂
Whew! I was actually worried about hearing from you again and am so glad that all is well and progressing doucement…as required. Wew just came back from the Cote du Rhone area on a wine-buying trip and had hoped for a stop at your old place – but WITH YOU! Oh, well, we had a lovely time all around the region. I am so pleased that you are doing well and accepting the change. Best of luck!
tres charmant!
Kristin,
What a beautiful place! I know you’ll have many happy years there. I grew up with chickens–make sure you pen them up good or they’ll be everywhere!
Wishing you and your family the best.
God Bless your new home and all who dwell and enter therein. And thank you for sharing all your new adventures with us so quickly. It looks as if Smokey and Braise are enjoying their new dwelling, too. I have a fig tree (one), here in Florida. It is losing leaves now with the change of seasons (who would know in 90+ degree temperatures?).I think of you every time I go out to rake and imagine how I would like to be in the south of France doing the same.
Hi Kristi,
Jean-Marc sent me a little note yesterday telling me that your phone and computer were not working and he didn’t want me to worry because i hadn’t heard from you. I hope you are doing great – I will be there soon.
XOXO
MOM
OMG, Kristin! What a beautiful place! and just ten minutes from the beach? So close to the Riviera! Do you escape the winter there? I had the best garlicky roast chicken and potatoes in Toulon in a small restaurant minutes from there. I can’t imagine a nicer place to live.
Best regards, Paul Heffron
Dear Kristin, Jean Marc, Jackie and Max,
Your new home looks beautiful, charming and so inviting. How my husband and I would love to be playing boules with you right now in that awesome boules court you have. I’m so happy you’re all doing well, Smokey and Braise too. Braise looks so cute inside the doorway of the cabanon de cochon. Thank you for letting us know how you are and all of the wonderful pictures. I look forward to all of your new adventures.
By the way, don’t forget you’re a blessing to all of us as well!
Much love,
Carolyn
p.s. Have a fabulous time with Jules!!!!!!
Sorry to be so late in posting. I am still catching up since I was caught up in sitting back and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of Nice, Aix and the Luberon while you were settling in.
This looks like a home where wonderful memories will be made. What an exciting time you have ahead of you. I hope to stop by for a game of boules!
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oh i agree with everyone above, its all been said…but i empathize with your feelings about moving, its so difficult…..i wish you could just rent out your farm for a few years while you two move around. how about Napa valley in California? thats near me in Santa Barbara……at least you know you can always come back to France again. if you keep in mind that any move is not necessarily going to be permanent, you can go anywhere you want, it wont feel so heavy….. if you change your mind, experiment with locations….?
ALL THE BEST WISHES
Thank you for sharing your beautiful story!!!
big hug
Kim in CA