The other day while Smokey and I waited in the school parking lot for Jackie, kids filed past our car, occasionally stopping to point and to laugh: "Mais regarde sa langue! Just look at his funny tongue! Ahahahaha!"
"Laisse tomber! Don't worry about it, Smokey. They don't know your story." So many stories out there… how little we know of the "strange" looking people we pass on the street. The holidays are as good a time as any to open up our minds and our hearts.
le pin (pahn) noun, masculine
: pine tree
le pin d'Alep = Provencal white pine
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read todays word, phrase, and example sentence: Download MP3 or Download Wav
Cette année, notre sapin de Noël est un petit pin d'Alep.
This year our Christmas tree is a Provençal pine.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
When Jean-Marc suggested hunting for this year's Christmas tree in the forêt behind our house, our daughter wrinkled her nose. Now there was a grimace I could translate in French or English: it said that all her friends probably had real Christmas trees, the kind on display at the mall!
Our daughter's reaction made my husband even more determined. It was high time to lift the consumer veil from our children's eyes: A true arbre de Noël didn't always come from the checkout lane! Not this year anyway… not when a forest dense with pines crowded our back yard.
Allez! Jean-Marc persisted, dragging our 15-year-old Christmas tree snob off the couch.
I remained hidden in my room, where I'd taken refuge from all the holiday frenzy. There, in the quiet, I heard footsteps as my husband, our teenager, and the dogs crossed over the boules court on their way to the forest.
Not 10 minutes later and they were back. The brisk foray seemed a bad sign… they must have encountered les chasseurs and had to postpone their search. I sank more deeply into my bed, wondering just when the tree chore would get done! Why didn't I keep the ugly plastic tree of yesteryear? It had been so easy to decide to part with it, while trying to cram our entire life into two economy trucks last September. What a dumb decision that was! (the tree, not the cheap movers—not one lamp broken in the deal!).
But what was the deal with our tree? I threw back the covers and got out of bed. In the living room I found Jackie back on the couch, watching TV.
"Well, what happened?"
My daughter smiled. "Rien".
"But did you find tree?"
"Oh, oui…"
"Well, do you like it?"
"Oui," she nodded, and the stars twinkling in her eyes were proof of that. I felt a bit star-struck myself, bewildered by the peaceful atmosphere, when it was chaos I had anticipated.
My daughter followed me into the sas, the cozy entryway to our home, where a rustic fireplace and two felt-covered fauteuils have become a favorite resting spot.
There the tree stood, between the cozy sas and the dining room, punctuating the two spaces like a semi-colon that joins independent clauses—in this case santa clauses!
Leave it to that delicate, sweep of a tree to join all our Christmases of yesteryear, to the one just before us, the one I had tried to steer clear of!
Jackie knelt down on the ground to arrange the area beneath the tree. "Papa collected some mousse in the forest," she explained, as she borrowed some of the characters from the crèche, setting them on top of the deep green ground cover.
The door opened and Jean-Marc came in, his arms full of firewood for the cheminée. "Alors? Ça va l'arbre? Your daughter cut it down."
"It's beautiful!" I admitted. "What kind is it?"
"Un pin d'Alep."
I ran to my dictionary to look up the term. Un pin d'alep equalled a Provençal pine. What more could a hopeless Francophile want than a French Christmas? This year it would be un Noël Provençal!
And what more could our daughter want than a real arbe de Noël. From the sparkle in her eyes, it was clear this year she had one.
***
Bonnes fêtes! Happy holidays dear reader. May the spirit of the season grab you… filling you with peace, love, and forgiveness. Thank you for reading these missives and for your encouragement to continue writing them.
Amicalement,
Kristi
To comment on this post, click here.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
la forêt = forest
un arbre de Noël = a Christmas tree
allez! = come on!
les boules = the game of Pétanque, read Gary's story
le chasseur = hunter
rien = nothing
le sas = (a synonym for sas is chambre, or room, but here it refers to a small entry way)
le fauteuil = chair
le papa = dad, father
la mousse = moss
la crèche = nativity scene
la cheminée = fireplace
amicalement = warmly (is "friendlily" a word?…)
Paris Metro Cuff! It also makes a wonderful conversational piece — to wear on your wrist. A wonderful "conversation piece" for your wardrobe. Order one here.
French Christmas Music: "Mon Beau Sapin", "Sainte Nuit", "La Marche des Rois", "Petite Ville Bethléem", "Il est né Le Divin Enfant". Order CD here.
Smokey has taught himself how to eat, despite his little handicap (we won't go into details, but he may have learned the trick from a mama bird…). And he has a trick or two for keeping his tongue in place. Name this photo–your thought bubbles are most welcome! To comment on any item in this post, click here.
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Joyeuses fêtes à tous.
What a perfectly lovely story. I think we all remember the angst of the first tree from the mall. A real tree is Christmas. The ornaments look more beautiful and everything smells nicer.
Snowing here in Kentucky et it fait tres froid. Joyeux Noel to you and your beautiful family. Many dog hugs to Smokey and Braise.
Sherry
Happy Birthday for tomorrow, Kristi, Happy Christmas to you all!
Happy Birthday to you, Miss Kristi. And thank you as well for a beautiful story. Smokey looks pretty terrific to me; let’s not dwell on past “might have beens.”
A Happy Christmas and a Joyous New Year to you and your family.
Luci
Oh, my goodness. Two postings in a row from me. But golly, I have to share that my fabulous daughter shares a birthday with you. What a lovely coincidence. Two favorite people, one day of celebration. May you have all good things in the year to come. Bon Anniversaire!
Jomackenzie.com to share her wonderful paintings.
Joyeux Noel, Kristin – et à toute la famille “Bonne Année.”
Have yourself a “merry little provençal Christmas.” I’m driving to Tucson tomorrow to my family. Rosalie
Interesting that the Provençaux have appropriated the Aleppo pine as their own!
Merry Christmas to the winemakers!
Je suis souhaite un tres Heureux Anniversaire chere Kristin!:)
May your heart and home be filled with joy, peace and love on Christmas and all throughout the coming year..Merry Chirstmas!
A million thanks to all your posts..
Merci Kristin,
Cette histoire est une vraie merveille de la saison. Le pin est parfait et je me souviens biens l’histoire du petit Smokey. Moi, je lui trouve assez beau qu’il est unique.
Bon Anniversaire à toi et Joyeux Noel a toute la famille.
Joyeux Noel to your family, Kristen. Merci for this blog which brings a little France into my life each week. You are so good at making me see & feel things that are often overlooked in the rush of a hectic life. I often don’t get to your blog the first day but they always make me smile or shed a tear & you have made me feel so much a part of your family. Hugs to you all & Smokey & Braise.
amicalement = warmly (is “friendlily” a word?…)
Alas “friendlily” is not a word, but “amicably” is. However, “warmly” is a much better translation.
Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
For so many reasons and like so many of your readers, you have my lifelong gratitude and love. Bon anniversaire, Kristi!
My daughter, Carol, celebrates her 54th birthday with both some joy and a heavy heart (long story). Nancy and I will add our love and wishes the next day, Christmas Eve. You may recall Carol came home as our Christmas baby on Dec. 25th!
Joyeux anniversaire, chère Kristin! C’est une saison des Fêtes chez toi. Que ta nouvelle demeure ne se remplisse que de joie et d’amour .
Joyeux Noël et Bonne et Heureuse Année 2013!
Bravo, Jean-Marc for giving your children an experience and a lesson they will not forget! Merci Kristin, for sharing your French life with us! Je vous tous souhaite un joyeux Noël, et que cette année nouvelle vous apporte santé, joie, et prosperité! Bisous, Augusta
I sunk deeper into my bed,
I sank more deeply into my bed.
Sorry, I like correct English grammar.
A Hapy Birthday Kristin !!
Bonne Fêtes a vous et toutes la famille
Bisous
Audrey
Merci beaucoup for your response to this story. I thought about doing a rerun, and now I am so glad to have faced the blank page once again! Your notes are the best reward to this effort!
The thought bubbles for Smokey are just wonderful! Thank you.
Angela and Catherine, thank you for the helpful corrections.
Julie, happy 88th to your dear mother 🙂
Bill, good luck with the games and enjoy your family.
Candy, so happy to see your note. I was JUST thinking about you!
Gwyn, thanks for posting the link and the idea to 26 Acts of Kindness. Wonderful idea.
Marilina, your feedback is so encouraging!!
Anne, Wish our town was called Kissimmee! You lucky you!
Melanie, thinking of you, and your Grandma, aussi!
I am enjoying every single word … and need to finish thanking you for them… but we are leaving now for a birthday lunch. Woohoo! xoxo Kristi
Oh Kristi, what a big smile you brought to me this morning at 3:40am. Enjoy your birthday fete. Thank you for all your stories and sharing this year. Thank you , Thank You. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. May this coming year be the best one yet!
Wishing you a very happy birthday, chere Kristin, and it sounds like you are happily eating another fabulous French meal right now! Woohoo, yes! Love and warm wishes à famille Espinasse! Cheers à tous!
And thanks to Gwyn for the link. Big hugs.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY PRECIOUS KRISTI,
It breaks my heart that I am now with you today. I am having all kinds of thoughts and memories right now. I guess only you can imagine how I am feeling right now. Please take lots of photo’s – I wish for you all of your dreams, but then again I think you already have received all already. That is the good news, there are always more surprises down the road that we haven’t even considered…Thank God for that.
I remember the moment you were born – what a story that was….and then all of the moments in our lives together. Just the memories are a wonderful gift.
I can’t seen to write –
I’ll come back later –
XOXO
MOM
Smokey is a wonderful dog, and my Casey sends him a big kiss!
Bonnes fetes, Kristin. I wish you & your family a wonderful holiday in your new home, and look forward to another year of your lovely stories.
Bises, Judy
Joyeux anniversaire, Kristi!
By the way, Jean-Marc, I did not forget about Kristi’s birthday, you just were first! I waited for that exact day: the Russians don’t say “Happy Birthday” ahead.It’s our rule, for some reason.
I also wish you all (including the dogs!) a very Merry Christmas!
Kristin, I hope that you enjoyed your Birthday lunch! “Bon anniversaire”!! I’m sure that it was “delicieux”!
I wish you and your family a “Joyeux Noel” and a “Bonne Annee”!
I so appreciate your thought-provoking stories.
“Merci mille fois et bonne continuation!”
Andrea
Happy Birthday, Kristin! I hope your day was lovely; I believe I missed it by about thirty minutes “your time”. Your story today made me think of Christmases at my grandmother’s home in North Florida. One year my uncle cut a long needle pine for our tree; the branches droop a bit and the needles are really long. The ornaments and tinsel would slide off almost as soon as we tried to put them on and during the night (too excited to sleep) my brother and I could hear them tinkle as they hit the floor. But it was a wonderful tree just as your pine is very special. Many,many thanks for your expressive writing which is a marvelous gift to all of us. Best wishes, Cynthia
Happy birthday a day late, Kristi! I celebrated your special day (and I didn’t even know it!) at a local creperie with friends, enjoying a glass of pinot gris, a crepe brie and sharing a crepe creme brulee for dessert. I hope your meal was as lovely as mine! Joyeux Noel to you and your wonderful family (Jules and John too!) and to all your readership!
Happy Birthday Kristi, and Joyeux Noel to you all, I hope you have a wonderful Noel in your new home. With love from Diana, Western Australia
Kristi,thank you once again for a wonderful year of stories, this is being sent to you from “down under’ where we are nearly 11 hours ahead so Xmas day is only a few hours away. I am with my family including a geat granddaughter, and all the thrills of Santa arriving in the morning, so household full of anticipation and excitement.
May you and your family have a the happiest of Xmas joy, felicitations from your artist ami June, New Zealand
Cool pic. Love Paris! http://youtu.be/Bv7Xls7GncM
A gentle story. Happy birthday Kristin and Merry Christmas to you all. Thank you for all your postings.
Xxx Angela
I am catching up on FWAD and enjoyed this post, even thought it is a week or so after it was written. Kristin, I hope you had a happy birthday, and send belated wishes for a wonderful year ahead. Likewise, Bonne Annee a la famille, avec toutes sortes de bonnes choses. And to the larger “FWAD community,” too.
As for the tree, I’ve always wanted to go to a tree farm or suitable place and pick one. We don’t have a lot of space for a real tree, and in the past when we had one, our cats knocked it down, spilling water and breaking ornaments. Maybe someday … I’m glad Jackie had the experience, and since you have “pins” nearby, you could have a real tree every year.
Thank you for continuing to send FWAD to us, and I’ll be grateful to read the blog whenever it’s convenient for you to post something new. Merci!