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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Congratulations on your new home!! It sounds like you have a whole new region and climate to explore. I am brimming over with excitement for you.
SO exciting! Congratulations. I love adventures. Looks beautiful….all those ancient trees! What a setting. 🙂
Welcome to your new home.What a beautiful place and you’re smiling!
It looks charming!!May you be blessed with many years of joy in your new home!
News flash! You just might feel like you’re on vacation tous les jours! Charming! I’ve been to Ciotat. What a lovely area. Year round pleasant weather and beautiful skies. [Fig preserves are absolutely the most delicious. You must try them sometimes.]
http://www.writemomentswithgod.blogspot.com
The kids must be in a new school and faced w/ making new friends. How’s that going? Any resistance to the move?
Beautiful place! Oh Kristi, you will be so happy here. I am so excited for you and your family. Please post LOTS of pictures, I want to see every nook and cranny. In Hungary we had a custom when we moved into a new place: we had to count all the corners, and whatever we dreamt that night would become true. Don’t forget to count the corners! I’m sure there are many.
A thousand good wishes for your new home in your new home! May you spend there many many happy years, dear Kristi!
What a lovely place! A dream come true? Thank you for sharing with us! Bonne installation et heureuse rentrée à tous!
alors..what a beautfiful new home. Where is the vineyard? bonnes Chance and happiness in your new place!!
Just beautiful!! What a lovely place …love all those ancient trees and everything looks so green and don’t the dogs look happy!
would love to see some photos of your views..
Kids OK re the move ? Remember to take lots of breaks you have forever to unpack…ENJOY!!
Sigh from my apartment-sur-Central Park… It all looks so inviting and ideally self-contained. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you and your family many years of joy in your charming home.
Je suis tres triste we missed visiting with you in the old place last summer, mais milles souhaites a tous. Spent my honeymoon at kohls ranch.
What a lovely Farmhouse/home you will make of it, Kristin—in these very beautiful surrounding.
Thanks for taking out the time to share it with us. Hope and pray you and your family have a wonderful life together, in your ‘new’ home.
Take care.
Love, Rina.
Your new home looks perfect for all of you! And I’m sure Braise would be a great chicken watchdog against foxes, or whatever steals chickens around there!!!Not so sure about Smokey, though…
Love all the figues, asperges etc… Hope you plant yourself a great big vegetable and flower garden, je suis si jalouse du climat et du soleil!!
Je vous souhaite beaucoup d’annees de bonheur dans votre nouveau Mas! And I second the question, do you have grapes there?
Gros bisous de nous trois xox
Salut les Espinasses’,
You seem to have moved so quickly, I signed my compromis de vente in June and I don’t move until 15th October. I’m still packing books and selling and giving away stuff.
Very best wishes for your new life on the coast, France has such variety, there is always something new to discover.
Amicalement,
Mike.
I love to hear of the “count the corners” tradition, Marika! And Kristin, it makes so much sense to have all parties together as a home – the soul of family life – is transferred. What wonderful ideas that just make sense.
You are so fortunate to have such Joie de Vivre that even your teenagers followed you to the sea. How are the doggies fairing? Is there any fencing?
Looking forward to cactus and fig recipes!!!!! AND……. photos! But take your time and soak in your new life. There will plenty of time for unpacking and writing later in winter.
Love the old house and the beauty of the setting, and am so impressed with your joy amidst the chaos of transition! Looks like a fabulous move for all.
Congratulations to you and your family! I hope you will have make many happy memories there! It looks beautiful!
Congratulations! We also have moved very recently by the sea in CA and love it. So I certainly understand all of the work involved as well as the adventure. Love that word! Looking forward to hearing more of them. Vivre sa vie.
Congratulations on the new, old mas! It’s a lovely building and I am sure it will be an even lovlier home for the four of you. Those old trees are wonderful…a steady anchor. Enjoy this new adventure!
Wow! That’s really what comes to mind. Your move has been a whirlwind for your readers! I think we are all still getting used to the idea. And, I noticed others have the same questions I have….how are the kids handling the move? What will you do now? You mentioned Olive trees…is that the next thing to press?
Milles felicitations! This is an exciting new chapter. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
blessings to you all in your new home and community.
I have been gone and out of touch with France and today I see that you have moved! What, no more vineyard? I feel so out of the loop. Where can I read about your move and why it happened.
We were so happy to see “French Word a Day” in our e-mail in-box this morning. Your new home looks wonderful and we wish you much joy and peace in your new life’s adventure. Lee & Bill Mears, Bradenton, FL
Thankyouthankyouthankyou for the lovely photos. Keep them up and do let us know how the adjustments for all are going. The piggy dog-house is maybe icing on the cake for the pups.
Chère Kristin,
Mil félicitations! You have found a wonderful new world to explore and make your own. We so look forward to sharing it with you! And now that you are so near Marseille, we will be able to visit you next time we are there.
Amitiés à tous,
Johanna & Will
Albuquerque, NM
Beaucoup de bonheur.
Best wishes to you and your family on your beautiful new home! I hope you have many years of happiness there together.
Lovely to see the photo’s and start to share the new chapter. Two things – fig ice-cream, which we had in Italy the other year – is incredible so when you have mastered the technique let me know and I will be there! In the meantime, Ikea seems a good meeting point – let me know when you have a yearning to catch up or just eat Swedish meatballs!! Gros bisous. Michele xoxoxo
Aha! And now is Jean-Marc to become “Chief Fig”?
May your new home bring you great joy!
No more vineyard?
WELCOME BACK!
Salut Kristin,
What an exciting adventure the Espinasse family has embarked upon! bon chance!
Oh, the refreshing scents of northern Arizona. . . Enjoy! I’ve got two weeks left in Flagstaff and then it’s “Back to Phoenix”. There has been lots of rain in Flag this summer and that’s really brings out the pine scent.
That Swiss chard is excellent when blanched, coated with a mixture of equal parts bacon drippings, sugar and vinegar with a sprinkling of bacon pieces on top…Yummmm!
Dear Krisin,
Beautiful landscape! Just like all the good wishes you have read, enjoy and be blessed as you are a blessing to all of your readers. Good news for the thrice-weekly fans–we will get our Monday-Wednesday-Friday comforting routine back in order soon!!! No rush–well maybe un petit peu!
Congratulations!! So happy for all of you. Bonne chance!!
Wow! From a vinyard to the sea — two such beautiful spots. Congratulations and much happiness in your charming new home.
Perhaps I missed a few of your posts. I’m curious to know more about what led to your decision to move. Whose idea was it? How did you find the house? How do Jackie and Max feel about their new life? Sorry to be so nosey, but I feel as if I know all of you!
Congratulations on this new adventure! The pixs are great!
Thank you for the photos of your lovely new home. I especially love the impromptu art of your mother’s paintings. 🙂
I think it is fabulous! Félicitations, Kristin! More lovely adventures to drool over across the Atlantic. I am sorry we missed you in July, but one of these days… Bring your book tour to Durham, NC next time around!
Teresa
best with the unpacking and discovering new surprises each day!
Nopales are an excellent addition to an omelette with cheese and salsa.
I am thrilled for you and your new adventures.
Salut Kristin! After weeks of being on needles and pins on your great news, I am both relieved (you not quitting us after years of great fun) and happy for you and your family. I love the “new digs” and I know with great confidence that you brought happiness with you. Being one of your American Indian friends, when we move from place to place, we smoke cedar and or sage in our new home and prayer for good things, protection of our family and to allow the old things including old spirits to move on and allow the new things in. Instead I will send warm and happy thoughts to you. I love that you are close to Marseille and look forward to new stories about live on the Mediterranean!!!
Ooops, meant to save “life on the Mediterranean”…only excuse is trying to hurry out the door while saying Congratulations and happiness.
It is so touching to read your comments, to recognize all your names, and to remember your previous words of support over the years. I am especially touched by the comments from new readers. Thanks. I have a good friend from the UK who teases that, quote, Americans are always talking about *blessings*. Since, I have been so careful not to use the word… but I am breaking my pact and saying it now: you are all such a blessing to me and my family! Thank you so much for your interest in these stories. I will try to answer your questions in the upcoming posts.
Jeanne asked about which post mentioned our move. Here it is (and we are still waiting for Jean-Marcs details on what prompted the move. No, adventure was not part of it. More like rest:
http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/2012/08/pecheur.html
Dear Kristin and family! Congratulations on surviving the move! May your new home be blessed for all of you… it looks like a most wonderful and enchanting place… and close to the sea. I am 71, married 51 years ( two children, 11 years apart!) and have made 18 moves in our lives together, all around the world, including 3 years in Paris! that was and remains our favorite place. Each place was a great adventure, and I learned to ‘grow where I was planted’ each time! We all look forward to many photos and charming tales of your newest adventure. Fresh figs in cream for brekky, I can’t think of anything better right now! Best wishes for a long happy life in your new home…Jules’ paintings will complete the family circle there…Judi Dunn . Tallahassee, Fl.
Congrats Kristin! Your home looks wonderful. I wish you much happiness in your new home.
Stay well!
Kristin:
We live in a old house too. Your new old house looks charming and I’m sure you’ll make it even more so.
The dogs look content too. All those new sights, sounds and smells to explore must make them very happy indeed!
Edie from Savannah
Salut Kristin,
I forgot to mention in my previous post:
If your cactus is similar to our desert’s Prickly Pear. The pads are eatable and sold in some specialty store here in Arizona. The fruit when ripe and peeled smells similar to watermelon. It can be used to make to make a white wine. There are numerous recipes on the internet. A challenge for Jean-Marc?
“porchene”==>“poulailler” or “maison de chien”? (pig sty ==> chicken coop or dog house?) Keep us posted!
Loved the pictures of the new place, Kristi! Thanks for taking the time, in what must still be a whirlwind of moving activity, to update us on your new diggs. I’m sure that the change in scenery will calm the frazzled nerves of the entire family. I know it must have been so tiring (though rewarding), trying to maintain a vineyard and having to work year round just to make it happen. Now you can have some quality time together and become “reacquainted” with each other. 🙂 So happy that you have some childhood memories coming back to life with the cactus. I love nopales, especially when they are cut into thin strips and pickled. They are also good cooked in a chicken soup! It was so easy to buy jars of them at the grocery when I lived in Arizona. Unfortunately, there’s not a nopal in sight here in Wales.