Pétanque and potager. Been planting lettuce, kale, and goji berries beside the boules court, turmeric, too! It looks like the Braise and Smokey are busy with a game now… OK, as long as they don't stop for a healthy snack!
faciliter (fah-seel-ee-tay)
: to ease, to make easier
Audio File: listen to the following example sentence Download MP3 or Wav file
Ma mère est là pour faciliter cette transition.
My mom is here to help ease this transition.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
One of the reasons I wanted Mom to come visit, the week after we moved to Bandol, was so the kids and I wouldn't be alone while Jean-Marc was away at harvest. (He wanted to help Caroline and Thomas, the new owners of Domaine Rouge-Bleu during their ten day vendange).
The other reason I needed Mom here was for her ability to instantly infuse our new home and our environment with a unique essence: that of family, of love, of timelessness. Once Mom arrived it would be as though we had always been here forever, along with the French and British predecessors of this 19-century mas.
Indeed, as I hear Mom's voice echo throughout the meadow—where she is off on her morning walk with two happy dogs—it is as though I have never left home, whether that be the Arizona desert, where I grew up… or the bustling city of Marseilles, where Mom arrived in time to greet her first grandson… or the quiet village of Les Arcs-sur-Argens, where Jules came to help with the growing family, only to learn that tumors were growing inside of her. Mom literally left a piece of herself in France that time, before returning home to Mexico to have the other breast removed.
From the boules court where I am picking figs….
Figs-hunting with Smokey…
…I spy Mom exploring the ancient restanques and the future vegetable garden. Jules is wearing my old hiking boots and another of her loose ponchos (she never did have the reconstructive surgery, after her mastectomy–and hated those constrictive prosthesis bras which would gradually inch up, finishing the journey by strangling her at the neck! The ponchos and other loose-fitting clothing have become Mom's carefree solution).
I wave from beneath the figuier, shaking a fig at my fellow explorer down below. When Mom sees me she lights up, shaking a discovery or two of her own.
"Look!" Mom shouts, waving an exotic flower "the only one in the meadow". I don't have the heart to tell her that the delicate blue flower grows à gogo in a neighboring field. I watch as Mom returns in time to fill a shot glass with water and place the "rare" blue specimen (a chicory) on my desk. "Honey, always keep flowers on your desk," Mom smiles.
After the flowers, there will be gifts of pine cones ("look at the teethmarks!" Mom enthuses. "I wonder what wild animal was hungry for this one?"), and feathers (Mom loves to stick them in her hat, along with the wildflowers), and intricate leaves, "for your souvenir book," Mom suggests. In the evening I will tuck the leaves and the feathers into my journal, and do a sketch, as Mom suggests, of the little potager garden we are planting. I want to document where I've planted things–in case it all grows out of control! Meantime, lettuce, kale, rhubarb, turmeric, blueberries, gojiberries, beets, verbena, celery, and cilantro are coming up like like morning sun. A brand new day….
After sharing two decades of France with my Mom, I couldn't wait for her to be here to usher us into this next chapter of our lives. Like the opening paragraphs of a great novel, Mom is helping to set the scene of this mysterious and promising new beginning. It is her commencement as well; the start of a new year–her 66th. Happy birthday Mom!
Selected French Vocabulary
la pétanque = game of boules. See Herm's poem.
le potager = kitchen garden
boules (f) = synonym for pétanque
la vendange = harvest (definition, photo, and story here)
le mas = country farmhouse
une restanque = a support wall made of stones
à gogo = galore, in great quantity
Some family photos for you. There's Mom, outside with Max. Inside, that's my mother-in-law, Michèle-France, and 15-year-old Jackie.
Jean-Marc, Michèle-France, Jackie, and me.
Jules, Max, Jacques, Michèle-France, Jackie, and Jean-Marc, before serving Jackie's birthday cake.
La famille. To comment on any of these photos, click here.
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Happy Birthday to Jules and Jackie! I was just thinking how any one of your photos must evoke such a wonderful feeling and memory for you! (even if the photo was taken just yesterday – treasures!) You are so blessed to have your Mother with you and your family all around. You have the best of all worlds – exciting new beginnings, with all the ‘warm fuzzies’ of a family to go with them.
I know it was hard to leave what you knew and where you were the happiest and the most comfortable – but you are making such an admirable new beginning! I know it isn’t always easy. You were very wise to have Jules come and stay to help you over the transition hurdle – it sounds like you are doing a fine job of it! Take care and enjoy the growth of your family, your feelings, and the veggies!
Bon Anniversaire Julues!
Love, beauty, growth and contentment – your posts are always filled with these qualities, Kristin – you and your family are pretty darn special……
Kristin – I have been following your posts since almost the very first one. I used to write to you by email, before you had such a large following, and was pleasantly surprised and pleased when you wrote back. I stopped writing, but never stopped reading, so I thought I’d take the time now to tell you how much I have enjoyed French-Word-a-Day and all your wonderful stories.
Très cordialement, Donna
P.S. I love your Mom!
Happy Birthday to the September babies in France–you all look marvelous! One of my grandnieces turns 6 on Saturday, and my mother would have turned 82 one week ago, so they are in my thoughts as well. Kristin, it’s wonderful that you can and do turn to your mother for support; it speaks well of both of you.
And hooray for planting! It’s a wonderful exercise in ‘putting down roots’ at your new place! ;-0
Beautiful family in a beautiful, new home! I LOVE your rustic table! I’ve been hunting for one similar to that here in the Austin, Texas area for our back yard. I’m trying to create that French feel.
Enjoy your new home and house! Be happy!
Linda U.
Happy birthday to Jules and Jackie . My husband has a September birthday also, but he turned 76.
Your new abode looks lovely and I’d like to challenge you to a game of Patenque and you should get yourselves a “Fanny” for the losers to kiss.
Kathleen
You are looking great, and very happy! The new place suits you.
Happy Birthday to Jules. I can’t imagine a more wonderful place to celebrate!
Happy Birthday, Jules!
Bonjour Kristin: J’étais en voyage et n’ayant pas d’accès à l’internet, j’ai loupé tes petites histoires. Mais, c’est chouette de voir ta grande famille se réunir dans ton nouveau domicile. Ta mère est ravissante, comme d’habitude. Et tes beaux enfants ont grandi si vite.
Jackie,
Je te suhaites un trés bon anniversaire
plein de joie, santé. amour et bon chance
dans le nouvelle androit pour ta famille et le
chiens. La chose plus important pour un
changement dans la vie, c’est d’être
toujours POSITIVE.
Amicalement,
Marti Hinman
USA
Hi Kristin,
I so enjoyed this post today! Family is everything, isn’t it? I love the pictures of everyone gathered around the table to celebrate Jackie’s birthday. There is so much love already in your new home and everything is always better when “mom” is there.
Happy Birthday to Jules! She and you, Kristi, are such an inspiration to me! Merci, merci!
Cate
Happy Birthday to Jules and Jackie!! Hoorah for new growth in your garden too!
Happy Birthday Jules! I admire you for all of the wonderful things I have learned about you through Kristin. I know you are a special lady. I love all of the photos. You make life look wonderful!
Happy Birthday, Jules!
Many thanks again for sharing, Kristin. Your stories strike at my heart, misting my eyes, while helping me learn more French.
A poignant message today, touched to tears by the presence of love here. It is evident, Jules zest for life and cherished way of living, colors your home and family so beautifully. Love all the photos (love your skirt!)!
September has been full of birthdays and anniversaries…and weddings! My brother was married here on the farm last weekend. My father’s, my new sister-in-law’s and three good friends all celebrated birthdays within the same week as dear Jules.
I loved this: “Like the opening paragraphs of a great novel, Mom is helping to set the scene of this mysterious and promising new beginning.” I am so in love with your new mas, too.
The photo of Jackie upside down by Michèle-France, looking out the glass at Jules and Max–oh wow. A blur of beauty.
Bonne Annniversaire, Jules. Wonderful to see you at the new home of your loving family. The Espinasse men do all have the great warm eyes. Kristin. thank you so much for sharing your new home and family pictures with your readers.
Kristen, I’m always amazed at how much you do, i.e. gourmet cooking, your gardens, all you do for your family and sharing it all with the world. I can’t wait for each posting to come. Merci Beaucoup!
Kristin thank you for your beautiful thoughts and may I wish Jules bonne anniversarie. I also shared a happy day with my husband on his 66th birthday. also have 2 children and a brother sharing birthdays at this time. I have just moved into a new flat, and had painted a new floral picture for my room together with a vase of flowers on my table to help me feel at home in this new enviironment. Yes I agree having flowers on ones table or desk, creates a feeling of beauty and life, and just to be able to pick flowers daily is a joy. May this be the beginning of many more joyful birthdays in your new home. June,Qld,Aust.
Thank you for these encouraging and cheering responses. I just want to respond the the latest one, by Barbara–so as to dispell any ideas that a gourmet cook and master gardener lives here (in which case, I am still looking for her!) Make no mistake, any planting or cooking or writing-blogging that goes on, here, is by someone who just keeps trying–two steps forward, one back. It will all work out, as my grandmother used to say. Some days I just want to take a nap and slack off, and I do…
jolie photos est vous etes une belles familles pleins de bonheurs dans cette nouvelle maison tous ensembles gros bisous a vous ; mariem
tu nous regales toujours avec tes photos merci christie
May your family and garden continue to grow in love and happiness.
Happy Birthday to a very good Mom who also has a very good daughter. Lovely.
Happy Birthday wishes with much good health and joy for the coming year to you dear Jules! And, thank you Kristi for such a heartfelt post. It brought tears to my eyes:) And hugs to Jackie during this period of upheaval, we are going through it here in Oz with our teen twins. xx Leisa
Bravo, Kristen! It looks like you have chosen the perfect endroit for the next chapter of your lives. I love the family photos on the terrace. I’m looking forward to my visit to the Languedoc-Roussillion area next week to complete a specialist designation with the French tourism board for my travel business.
Kristin, your family is full of warmth and love, and your new home cannot help but be filled with it as well. I am listening to a lovely podcast from this site – http://www.onbeing.org/program/science-healing-places/4856
about the science of healing places. I think you would like it. May your new home be as much of a place of respite as French Word – A – Day is a site that soothes and refreshes our restless souls in cyberspace. I love that your mom finds you wildflowers to put on your desk. Thank you for liking my pumpkin on FB.
More beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing Kristin. I’m so glad you were able to celebrate with family.
A very, very, very Happy Birthday to you Jules!! You look wonderful and can’t possibly be 66! Thank you for the blessing of the kind messages you have sent to me this past year. I send many blessings back to you and wish you a wonderful year.
J’adore votre fils ;P Vous avez une tres belle famille!
Brother-in-law Jacques is so handsome! If he is single and interested in an American girl (like his brother), give him my email!
Beautiful family. God bless you all. I enjoy your posts so much.Hope to come to France again one day. My late husband and I came to France in the 70’s and 80’s. I love it there. Best wishes to all of you.Cathy