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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What a touching story. Our kids can surprise us so often. And Smokey looks positively regal with that halo of lights around him. Bonne fêtes! Maybe later I’ll have a caption for Smokey-doke.
“Ecoutez!” I think I hear the Christmas Angels singing!
Merry Christmas to you and family, Kristen, and mille mercis for your continued postings this year, always a pleasure.
Glad to be the first to comment to announce that tomorrow is Kristi’s birthday…
Happt birthday to my lovely wife and merry Christmas to all
Joyeux Noel to all. Lovely story and joyeux anniversaire en plus, Kristi. Belle histoire cette fois-ci!
Joyeux Noël chère Kristin. I wish for you and your lovely family good health, peace and love. My Toutou sends sweet Smokey his best wishes too..(he’s not sure about les bises.) xoxoxo Cindy
Bonne Anniversaire, Kristi!! I hope that the joy you find today matches the magic we find in today’s story. And, may it also begin and end with the adorable Smokey.
Have a peaceful and joyous holiday!
Have a happy birthday, Kristin.
It sounds like the Christmas spirit has found you just in time.
“We love you Smokey, oh yes we do…” (To be sung with the tune from Bye,Bye Birdie).
How I do love that dog. He will never let the laughing creeps get to him. He is too strong and too loved.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I look forward to your posts and your videos in the future.
Happy Birthday Kristen, and Merry Merry Christmas to all of you!
Bon Anniversaire et Joyeux Noel, Kristin, et à toute la famille. Great story et bravo to Jean-Marc!
“Is that Santa’s sleigh I can hear?”
Buon compleanno, Kristen, and buon natale to the whole family.
It’s true, you know, ridicule is born of ignorance. If we all could walk not even a mile, but perhaps a few yards, in each other shoes, what empathy we’d all have for each other (and for Smokey).
Like Laurie, I too love ‘our’ Smokey. He’s a miraculous bundle of love.
Bon Anniversaire Kristin!. I thoroughly and sincerely enjoy your style of writing. So true to heart…
Joyeux Noel to you & your family (Smokey & Braise included). Your tree is lovely and Smokey looks very proud of it. I’m grateful for your stories through the years, they have always moved me by lifting my spirits, evoking chuckles & belly laughs or a tear. I look forward to more in the New Year.
What a sweet story! The tree is lovely and the story even more so. Joyeux Noël à vous tous et une bonne année, aussi! Thank you for these regular glimpses into your Provençal life!
“Savon d’Alep” is originally from Aleppo (Halab), Syria, and is made from olive and laurel oils. It is not made from pine trees!
“Mama Braise told me to hold my head high. . .”
” AND IT CAME TO PASS ”
Bon Anniversaire Kristi. Vous avez vingt-neuf ans encore! Caption- Pas des pepites de chocolat biscuits pour pere Noel cette annee. Joyeux Noel a toute la famille aussi.
The pine tree, the moss from the forest, the figures from the creche, a wood fire, your family (including Smoky and her mother), all feel like a very special Christmas card from France. Thank you for sharing your lives with us in far away Canada. Blessings to you on your birthday, and may this be your best Christmas ever!
Aloha, “Mele Kalikimaka” to all, and the happiest of Birthdays to you, Kristin. Mahalo Nui for another year of French Word A Day!
Happy birthday Kristin – it is also my dear mother’s birthday tomorrow she will be 88 and like you she sees only the best in everything. her sight is failing now but she still is full of optimism and love for her family. Your FWAD is truly a joy filled with honesty and love. blessings to you and your family this christmas.
Smokey looks like he’s singing “fa-la-la-la” to me. I remember when Smokey was attacked and almost killed, he’s come along way and seems to have adapted well. The whole family is now in town and I have to be on my best behavior, playing games with my grandchildren that I haven’t played in 60 years! Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!!
Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas from Oregon! Your depiction of home life often makes me smile- while the particulars may vary from my American experience, there is a beautiful commonality which reaches across differing cultures, making things like retreating to your room to escape the chaos in the rest of the house something I definitely identify with ( we have 3 boys)! Here’s to more wonderful videos and essays in 2013 – I love reading not only your blog but also the comments which follow, from all over the world.
“Thank you, God,” says Smokey.
From you I learn French and writing. Thank YOU Kristi for the lessons and for inspiring us with your shared reality. Joyeux anniversaire. Bless you. Tomorrow I will be imagining you being celebrated, all day.
Oops, almost forgot – Happy Birthday, Kristin!!
Smokey is getting ready for a New Year. The tongue placement is his version of the song, “Auld LANGUE Syne.” What a smart dog!
Oh, and happy birthday!
(And, has Smokey confused “barf” with “bark?”)
My Darling Kristi,
I just finished my second reading of your post today – a story I could read again and again. I can see you in my minds eye sitting at your little make-shif desk in the corner of your bedroom clicking away on your keyboard as this story flowed effortlessly from your heart. How wise you were when you decided to have a blog to make the decision to just let your thoughts flow – to release your true imprint onto the page before you. You have brought forth another little ‘Masterpiece’ this morning cloaked in the simplicity of life. I am once again blessed by your presense in my world –
A big kiss and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUG to the little girl that has changed my life forever.
XOXO
MOM
Happy Birthday, Kristin, And
Feliz Navidad to you and your family
Happy birthday and Merry Christmas dearest Kristi. May 2013 bring numerous blessings and grand adventures for you and your family. I don’t post often anymore, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t read and enjoy your posts. They are always a bright spot in my day. Hugs to all!
Dear Kristin,
I have adored discovering you and your family this year! I too have been a little overwhelmed lately with all that needs to be done for Christmas and long for a little more simplicity. What a beautiful picture of your tree and Smokey!
Wishing you a very happy birthday! With love from Karene in California.
Arrrrrrrhhh, Horry Niiiiiiight…………….
LOVELY STORY1
Joeux Noel to you all et un bon annee!
Merci pour tous les postes!
Ici il pleut et pleut et pleut mais your
posts have been brightening up my days with
all the warmth in them!
LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT YEARS POSTS IT HELPS
OUR FRENCH SO MUCH AND THEY ARE SO INFORMATIVE, CARING, FULL OF HUMOUR AND FILLED WITH A LOVE OF LIFE!
Bon anniversaire, Kristin, et joyeux noel a tous!
Smokey: “Santa, I am being such a good boy!”
Kristin, this was so lovely. You found the holiday sparkle, and it was in Jackie’s eyes–a lovely reminder that we don’t CREATE the sparkle, we discover it. this was the most peace-filled post. thank you.
one other note: in trying to resolve the tragic events of last week, i saw the following story. people all over the world are doing 26 random acts of kindness–one for each of the people who lost their lives at the school. yes, the only thing that can conquer darkness is light. it’s something i CAN do in a situation that makes me feel utterly helpless. give it a read. http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/17/15972814-inspired-to-act-26acts-of-kindness-to-honor-those-lost-in-newtown-conn?lite
merry christmas to all the special people at FWAD!!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, Kristi! I hope you spend it doing something you love!
What a beautiful Christmas tree; so special to have obtained it from your land rather than from the store! I wish all the Espinasses a Joyeux Noël ~ may the simplistic true spirit of Christmas warm your hearts this holiday season! And Merry Christmas to Jules, as well!
Happy Birthday Kristin and thank you for your very helpful word-a-day posts each week. Having lived in the Poitou-Charentes region of France for 9 years I can really identify with some of your observations on French customs and way of life. You have a lovely way of educating us with the language and life in France.
Also thank you and your co-star Smokey for your videocasts – don’t change your style whatever you do it is great!
I hope you and all your family and readers have a very Happy and peaceful Christmas and healthy New Year.
Elaine
Your stories always make feel warm all over, filled with real life and love but not sentimental. I think you are a great writer to be able to communicate your feelings so well that the reader can feel what you are feeling.
Joyeaux Noel!
Bravo! You and your family have the true Christmas spirit.
Smokey is Waiting …….(in the last pic.) Waiting for the Child to arrive.
Merry Christms and Peace and Blessings to you and your family.
From Kissimmee, Florida
Smokey is regal and dignified no matter what!
Ahhhhh! The smell of a fresh tree………….
Bonne anniversaire Kristi! I hope you have a wonderful day. My grandma turned 100 yesterday but they will be celebrating it on your birthday.
Joyeux Noel to you and your family!
bises
Joyeux Noel, to you and your family. Many thanks for sharing with all of us. I wish you all the best for the happiest of holidays, and a very wonderful 2013. Frances in Napa.
Et Bonnes Fetes ausssi a’ toi!
I haven’t had the time to post anything recently, but I wanted at least to wish you all the best of the season!
Tell Smokey that it was a lot of Golden Retrievers who were the
first responders with love for the grieving community of Newtown.
We should all take a lesson of noblesse oblige from this golden
breed who steadfastly serve us with their fidelity to love.
Happy Birthday Kristi and Merry Christmas and Happy New year !!! Long may you continue to “blog” and share your life and times with us all …..You share a name (Kristi) with my daughter and also a B-day with a grandaughter,and the love of all things(well mostly) French, with me. Take care …enjoy the Christmas season with your family and lovely dogs…and continue sharing your life with us all in 2013. Anne in New Zealand.
PS..Best wishes to Jules too !
Hi dear Kristi,
Today’s story once again wrapped itself around my heart.It brought back all the emotions that your beautiful Jackie feels at her age, and also(!) those that her dear parents feel as well. Wonderful times of life for you all!
Chere Kristi, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are indeed a Christmas child,with gorgeous spirit radiating from the inside. We are all so blessed to have you in our lives and fortunate to be part of yours. May God grace you always with faith,health and joy.
Love, Natalia XO
Dear Kristi,
You give us all the Christmas spirit when you point out the need to love others. Have a blessed birthday and a Christmas filled with love. Hugs to all la famille Espinasse, and maybe an extra one to Smokey, our treasured friend. Think he’s smelling the wonder of the season.