Viewing this edition via email? You'll need to click over to the website, here, to see the video. In the clip, Smokey and I have just returned from a hike (at a nearby calanque) in time to share the French word for "to sprinkle" as well as the useful term "quitte à le faire". You'll hear Braise, Smokey's maman, complaining in the background (she's stuck, stage left… in the chenil). You'll also see some of the old trees in the oliveraie just below, where fèves once grew. Hidden on the left of the screen, there is the stone cabanon that you saw in the previous video. Translation note: in the short film, you'll hear me refer several times to baking "powder". I really mean to say "soda". (The French word for baking soda is "la poudre chimique".)
saupoudrer (soh-poo-dray)
: to sprinkle something with (sugar, powder, kindness)
saupoudrer de la farine, de poivre, de panure = sprinkle with flour, pepper, breadcrumbs
saupoudrer de chance = to sprinkle with luck
saupoudrer d'amour = to sprinkle with love
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's word and the terms, just above: Download MP3 or Wav file
You'll also hear the expression quitte à le faire. Can you guess what this term means, based on the context in which it is used in today's video? Share your translations in the comment box.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
A lot of activity here at home today, beginning with the massive hole being dug up behind the mas. Along with many of our fellow country-dwellers, it is time to bring our fosse septique up to standard after the French government updated its rules and regulations concerning assainissement.
Apart from the septic tank, we are kicking up dirt in other areas of our domaine. A huge machine, or excavatrice, rested in the olive orchard over the weekend, after it was used to blaze a trail from the oliveraie to the upper terraces, where Jean-Marc will plant his mourvedre vines.
Jean-Marc suggested this morning that, while we have access to the backhoe, or pelleteuse, we ought to use it to dig up the dirt we will need for our next vegetable plot. The idea is to build 4 buttes, or raised garden beds, through which we will run a drip system that will water our future potager.
"Want to have a look at the future garden?" Jean-Marc proposed.
Minding my steps across the muddy path with its deep, giant tractor-tire imprints, I gingerly followed my husband up to the terrace in question. Now was the chance to assess things. But once we reached the restful spot, all peace was lost.
I didn't point out the fact that the tractor had trail-blazed right over my experimental carrot patch! (how could the tractor operator have seen it, anyway, for the carrot tops hadn't yet appeared). Instead, I focused on my husband who was busy searching his coat pockets.
Jean-Marc produced a piece of paper on which he had sketched a diagram, based on my verbal description (and a few jottings) of our dream garden. But why, I wondered, were the beds square when they were supposed to be rectangular? And why were the four corners of the beds almost touching? There should be enough space between the beds for some sort of… ornamental object… maybe a circular bench or a tree. Yes! Wouldn't that be pretty!
As I proceeded to imagine, going as far as to raise my arms and spin, ornamentalement, Jean-Marc stomped his feet to the beat of reality. A bit dizzy, I stopped to listen to him.
"You need to get a tape measure and some markers!" he advised, unamused by my demonstration.
"But I am ONLY brainstorming!" I informed Monsieur Spoilsport.
"Well we ONLY have the tractor till Thursday!" came his sporty reminder.
And on we went, spinning and stomping until the only ones with their feet on the ground were the four-footed creatures watching us. If only Braise and Smokey could go ahead with the renovations…. and save us all from the frustrations of home-improvement.
***
Follow Jean-Marc's journey as he plants a vineyard on the terraces surrounding this historic olive orchard. His new blog is called Mas des Brun.
French vocabulary:
le chenil = kennel (note: I'm looking for the word "dog run", which better describes the fenced area Jean-Marc created for our dogs to use during the daytime. Submit a term in the comments box. Thanks!
une oliveraie = olive grove
le cabanon = stone hut
la maman = mom
la fève = broad bean, fava bean plant
Vocabulary from today's story (please help by sharing translations in the comments box):
mas
fosse septique
assainissement
excavatrice
domaine
oliveraie
pelleteuse
butte
potager
ornamentalement
Our 15-year-old, Jackie, falling from the sky like an angel. Photo taken from beyond the trampolene, just beneath her… I love the peaceful feeling this image brings, and enjoy reminding our kids that, once upon a time, they fell from heaven, into our arms.
French Christmas Music: "Mon Beau Sapin", "Saint Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here.
Discover more from French Word-A-Day
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Love the video. I so love to see you and the dogs.
The picture of Jackie is amazing. You have such an eye for taking pictures.
xoxo
Wonderful video, Kristin…you and Smokey are such a good team! Will we get to see Braise in action too?
The photograph of Jackie is stunning. Thank you for sharing it!
P.S. Teresa, thanks for the tip on blocking ads from appearing on blogs.
Love the flying angel’s picture!
Translation for “quitte a le faire”:
Literal: To put all your activities aside in order to do something else.
Matching English expression: Take a break.
“quitte a le faire” – does it mean something like ‘ go away and let me do it’ or ‘ go ahead and do it’?
This is my first day to receive this blog…merci beaucoup!
Hi Kristin, wonderful video! Great words…. You are a Natural in front of the camera, and natural to boot!
How well you chose your mother! A tigress when roused, and also so gifted with words (if not with sp, wink wink!).
How lucky we are that this amazing medium allows us to be like an extended “family”, where the occasional spat occurs but where I can learn and re-learn compassion, tolerance and other things. We struggle daily to cope with the challenges of Fair Trade and the very medium that unites us here (computers, smart phones etc) employs people in less than desirable circumstance… Should we, therefore toss out this technology?
Thanks Skeptique for the creative translations; most enjoyable 🙂 Could I add this definition of: Potager: “Herb” garden
Spellcheck:
– “country dwellers, is time to” = it’s time to
– “blaize a trail” = blaze a trail
Bonjour Kristin!
I love the photo of Jackie! It’s stunning!
Dear Kristi,
I love your videos! You two are just adorable. Please keep doing them!
Amicalement,
Cate
Hi dear Kristin,
What a wonderful post!
Needless to say (!)you have captured videos!
It, that glorious picture of Jackie, and (always!) dear Jules’ comments just wrapped my heart in smiles!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love, Natalia XO
PS When I was young(er)(lol)and regular washing wasn’t always available, we used baking soda as a dry shampoo for our own hair. Really soaked up the oils and as long as you brushed throroughly afterwards, was a great temporary fix.
My list of the words, with gender and one American meaning
un mas = a farmhouse
une fosse septique = a septic tank
un bon assainissement = good sanitation
une excavatrice = an excavator
le domaine = field or area
une oliveraie = an olive grove
la pelleteuse = the backhoe
une butte = a mound
le potager = the kitchen garden
ornamentale = ornamental
puis, ornamentalement = ornamentally?
Un mas
is it pronounced mah ou mas?
That sounds like such a fun time, to be laying out the gardens, and the fields.
un enclos pour chiens seems to be a dog run. How does that sound to Jean-Marc?
Yes that photo of Jackie in the sky is fantastic. Printed and framed for grand memories.
We just finished a 3 month remodel of our kitchen and we are still together! It can happen-but, we had our moments to be sure! I think we went through some very similar ‘conversations’ that you reported about yours with Jean-Marc! Sounded very familiar! People just have different goals, likes, dislikes, worries – and, of course when money is involved, it brings one into a whole other hazard zone! It’s very hard to not clash on some things.
I loved the photo of Jackie! Beautiful – also, your video. That Smokey-Dokey is amazing. I love how relaxed he was as you dragged him into position by his hind feet, flat out on his back side – too funny!! So fun to see you both in the video. I’m with some others, and would love to see you shoot some scenes of the property and the village. Thanks for sharing!
I just wanted to reiterate how DELIGHTFUL, OPEN and HUMOROUS you tell a story .. I laughed and laughed at the description in your book of the tumbleweeds (and cobwebs) at not being able to get your stories published.
I too am a frustrated writer and have undergone the disillusionment and anxiety of living in a foreign country (Holland) while being married to another foreigner (Greek). Now THAT makes for some hair-raising story-telling. We did have a lot of fun poking at the Dutch while trying to understand each other’s culture … Greek/English dictionary close at hand.
I’ve just recently ‘met’ an actual FRENCH man 11 years my junior on the internet and have been experiencing the same frustrations. Don’t worry, I’m not deluding myself into thinking that this could lead to anything but trouble. Still, like you, he has been helping me with my French and believe me, I’ve already got a dozen stories to share about our lack of communication. Here we go again!!! Where’s my English/French dictionary????
Thanks again for taking the time to answer my emails. This shows character on your part. I will now go back to reading your daily blogs .… with relish I might add. You’re a dear.
Greetings from Holland.
Linda Casey
P.S. I love the new idea of videos! Keep them coming.
Well, Ms. K., as Oliver Hardy (of Laurel and Hardy fame) might say, “now you’ve gone and done it.”
In a previous life I blogged a bit, commencing in the City of Light and meandering across several continents.
Life has recently taken another twist which had me contemplating whether to re-engage.
I tentatively decided to forgo the agony and the ecstasy of journalistic endeavor, but the obvious success of your metier (and your kind words in response to several of my comments) now has me a bit flummoxed.
Short of a cure for Cabin Fever I would not wish the reading of all my posts (52 I believe) on anyone, but you might take a look at the first and render a professional opinion as to the wisdom of defying Thomas Wolfe and attempting to “go home again.”
http://solovoyager.blogspot.com/2008/01/view-from-small-planet.html
More, more, more videos and do whatever you want! We will watch them! Of course, the Smokey Dokes are the most fabulous. I have a bookstore (which used to have a big golden retriever in residence), and so I share these videos with the ladies who work with me, and watching them is a great blood pressure lowerer. He is such a character and you are doing a wonderful job!
I love Jules’ idea of taking the video with you on walks. You can show us the area in which you live using french vocabulary here and there. And the idea of talking to some of the French people is delightful. Maybe at the Farmer’s Market….or even a short conversation with Jean-Marc….but not about the vegie garden. And yes, one need space around the raised boxes….at least 4 feet so you can easily walk around each to harvest the goods. And you need a smaller one near the mas for just your herbs. That way all you have to do is step outside the door and gather what you need when cooking.
Dog run = enclos pour chien
I understand about the ads, but I just wanted to mention that an ad for Crayola was displayed across the bottom of the screen for about 1/3 of the video. It didn’t appear when I watched the video on Youtube. Nonetheless fun to watch.
To: EL | Wednesday, December 05, 2012 at 05:30 AM
Really?! I have not even noticed the ad! Perhaps with nowadays internet I was just lucky to train my eye in that way that I simply do not notice anything that beyond my interest. If I could do that, perhaps, anyone could.
Hi Kristi,
Great photo of Jackie and I appreciate your sentiment about children. I applaud your venture into video. I second the suggestion to include local scenes and activities – perhaps local markets? Or perhaps interviews with local characters?
Also, when I watched your video, the ad was for “Dog grooming in Austin” so perhaps Google applies an ad appropriate to the viewer’s location.
Omg, I love,love love the video!! I am so trying this on my big dog too! Not to mention it is great for my pronunciation and listening skills. Thank you! And if I were to chose a topic it would be food. You have to know us Americans wonder about the French Paradox, so what do you eat? ( because you look amazing)
We are renovating now too so I feel your pain.
The weather in Texas is sunny and chilly. About 60 degrees. It has been unseasonably warm here this week, yesterday it was 80.
Kristi I remember the instructions for making the “bottles ” out of lavender that one of Jean-Marc’s aunties gave us a few years ago. Could you make a video of her doing that? Mine turned out just beautiful. It still is lovely and fragrant!
Gosh, how do you have time to read all the comments .. come are just so charming, and of course Jules tops them all in her defense of you. I have to agree with those who continue to encourage your efforts. You seem to be excellent in writing, photography and now videography (sp). Whatever you do, don’t drop one for the other. And, oh, by the way … honestly I don’t really care WHAT Jean-Marc reads .. he just has the most sexy accent on this planet. Keep HIM in your blogs too!!! Makes this cougar ashamed of herself.
Kristin, I came to your website because I love France and the French language but now I am addicted to Smokey! So, any videos that have anything to do with Smokey – I will watch in a battement de coeur!
Still not the least bit clear as to meaning of “quitte a le faire”…disappointed that among all of the comments, only about five people even took a stab at it…even though you specifically requested comments re the meaning of the phrase.
Hi Marshall, quitte a le faire means, in this example, while we are here, might as well… It is the idea of taking advantage of the situation to do, or introduce, another thing. Hope this helps.