A stylish window in Alsace. I love decor… even if decorating intimidates me. Read on, in today’s story.
le convive (kon-veev)
: guest
Audio File: listen to me read the sentence below (I may have made an error, by not making a liason between “convives” and “étaient”…: Download MP3 or hear the Wav file
Nos convives étaient sous le charme de la bouteille de lavande tressée par Marie-Françoise.
Our guests were charmed by the lavender bottle, woven by Marie-Françoise.
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A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Dégage, Marthe! (Move over, Martha!)
After a spell of I suck at almost everything—especially decorating and cuisine—it was time to snap out of it, to quit wallowing alongside the dust bunnies and get on with the art of living!
An opportunity quickly presented itself when Jean-Marc invited colleagues over for dinner last Sunday. Rather than panic, I looked around the house and realized that, with a few thoughtful touches, our guests could be both comfortable and delighted.
After warming up the foyer—using candles and books and extra cushions before the fireplace—I turned my attention to the dinner table… comment l’embellir? Table artistry is not my strong point, but did it truly take strength to arrange a pretty table? Bien sûr que non! It only took thoughtfulness….
I was thinking about flowers when it dawned on me that dozens of deep purple marguerites were blooming in our driveway!
The flowers automatically brought to mind a trio of ceramic “poire” vases that were, thank goodness, unpacked after our move!
I hurried to get the little pears, snipping une poignée of purple daisies, in passing….
“Never throw out your books!” Mom always says, “they’re great for decorating!” Good idea, but could you use books as a dinner centerpiece?
Pourquoi pas! I sang, running back upstairs, this time for the extra books. The excitement of decorating carried me from room to room, searching for forgotten treasures; meantime those nagging doubts began to be buried beneath all the growing enthusiasm.
Voyons voir… I would need small books… don’t want to take up too much space on the dinner table… A stack of missels came to mind. But wasn’t that too personal? Too revealing? Too preachy?
Who cares! Transparency = Freedom! Hallelujah! Let it all hang out! I grabbed the prayer books before taking the stairs, two by two, hurrying back to the dining room.
While arranging the books and the flowers I remembered the lavender wand that Jean-Marc’s aunt had woven for us, as a souvenir from our vineyard in Sainte Cécile (on moving day she and her daughter Audrey came by to help. Noticing that the lavender in the driveway had not completely faded, Marie-Françoise began harvesting several of the flowers….).
The centre de table was coming together naturally, nothing like the designing conundrum I had imagined it to be… and when the guests arrived the “little centerpiece that could” suddenly came to life!
“Do you know what this is?” our French convive asked our American convive as she held up Aunt Marie-Françoise’s lavender wand. And so a conversation between strangers began….
Joining in the conversation with my convives, I tell them the story of the bouteille de lavande, how it was handmade by Aunt Marie-Françoise. Pointing to the colorful ruban that held the flowers together, I shared the amusing details of this particular lavender wand.
“You know those ribbon loops that are sewn inside women’s sweaters… to help when hanging the garment?” I questioned my guests, whose faces began to light up in recognition.
“Well… one day it occurred to Marie-Françoise to cut out the satiny loops from inside each of her sweaters… She tied all the colorful ribbons together, to make one long variegated strand with which to weave the lavender wand!”
Just like the smooth fiber weaving in and out of those flowers, our dinner guests, former strangers, began to connect in time to enjoy a cozy dinner.
I realized that I need not panic ever again when it comes to creating a centerpiece. Create a story instead. Better yet, put out a few favorite items… and let the story write itself.
***
Post note: After the dinner party, that centerpiece (pictured below) continued to give off meaning: there was the winemaker’s theme that revealed itself (for the little porcelain pears were a gift from a Sonoma Wine makers, Jann and Gerry); the bottle of Domaine Maubernard was a gift from one of our French guests (who made the wine), and our American guests are our friends Phyllis and Tim at French Country wines!
As for the hallelujah books, that theme hasn’t yet revealed itself… such is the mystery of heavenly things!
To leave a comment, click here. What did you think of Marie-Françoise’s creative use of the satin sweater loops? Have you thought of a second life for some item? Does decorating intimidate you? Ever had a small victory, like me? Thanks for your comments.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
comment = how to
embellir = to make attractive, to embellish
la marguerite = daisy
la poire = pear
une poignée = handful
pourquoi pas? = why not?
voyons voir... = let’s see…
le missel = book of prayers
le centre de table = centerpiece
le convive = guest
la bouteille de lavande = lavender bottle (synonym for lavender wand, a hand-woven collection of lavender flowers, connected by a ribbon (see a picture of Marie-Françoise making one here)
le ruban = ribbon
Hallelujah / lavender wand /wine centerpiece. Why not? Also pictured in this photo, a second lavender wand–woven by Eileen in Charlottesville, VA. I love the French/American duo, between the French made wand and the American made wand. One more note: the little plate beneath the candle is a part of a plate set, left to us by Maggie and Michael. The plates come from a Swiss hotel that Maggie’s father bought, once upon a time. Maggie and Michael left us several beautiful items when we bought their house, last fall.
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Beautiful! Martha move over! You are discovering how multitalented you are.
I agree that a video of you making the wand (with Smokey helping on the side) would be great.
Beautiful! Martha move over! You are discovering how multitalented you are.
I agree that a video of you making the wand (with Smokey helping on the side) would be great.
Brillian! Absolutely brilliant. Hope this gave your confidence a shot in the arm!
Brillian! Absolutely brilliant. Hope this gave your confidence a shot in the arm!
bonsoir Kristin, non seuleument je lis ton blog mais je l’ai aussi recommendé à des amis. J’habite à Sablet.
bonsoir Kristin, non seuleument je lis ton blog mais je l’ai aussi recommendé à des amis. J’habite à Sablet.
love the idea of using prayer books!
love the idea of using prayer books!
Our dear Kristi,
Another wonderful post and gorgeous pictures!
Especially enjoyed hearing about your entertaining (party! dinner guests!)life–you met the challenge not only with flying colors,but gave us all some much needed inspiration to open our eyes and LOOK(!) at what/how we can create with what we have.
This is not to even speak of the menu, which was nothing short of fabulous. Your friends were very lucky indeed to spend such a beautiful evening! And so are we to be a part of it now. THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
Another wonderful post and gorgeous pictures!
Especially enjoyed hearing about your entertaining (party! dinner guests!)life–you met the challenge not only with flying colors,but gave us all some much needed inspiration to open our eyes and LOOK(!) at what/how we can create with what we have.
This is not to even speak of the menu, which was nothing short of fabulous. Your friends were very lucky indeed to spend such a beautiful evening! And so are we to be a part of it now. THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Love, Natalia XO
The best thing about your lovely centrepiece is that you can see each other over the top!! 😉
The best thing about your lovely centrepiece is that you can see each other over the top!! 😉
Kristin…. you are your mother’s daughter… the ‘artistic’ gene just needs a challange to arise to the occaision! Your table and menu were both outstanding.. the dessert made me drool! Just always be your great self and you can solve any problem that comes your way! I am a ‘tablescape’ fiend myself and try and use any and every special event as an excuse to go wild on my table…once you start you will lways be able to come up with something interesting and beautiful. What a treasure he has in you…. Best wishes, Judi Dunn, Tallahassee. Fl.
Kristin…. you are your mother’s daughter… the ‘artistic’ gene just needs a challange to arise to the occaision! Your table and menu were both outstanding.. the dessert made me drool! Just always be your great self and you can solve any problem that comes your way! I am a ‘tablescape’ fiend myself and try and use any and every special event as an excuse to go wild on my table…once you start you will lways be able to come up with something interesting and beautiful. What a treasure he has in you…. Best wishes, Judi Dunn, Tallahassee. Fl.
I want to come to dinner at votra maison! You could have had dead flowers in a milk carton on the table with just candles and that food! But it looked darling. Finding things around the house always works, as do candles and a fire in the fireplace. No flowers, use small branches of leaves in a small wooden box. We all have those “treasures” that we have collected over the years and can’t part with. All those items that you couldn’t throw out because one day you might use them….well, voila, this is when you use them 😉
I want to come to dinner at votra maison! You could have had dead flowers in a milk carton on the table with just candles and that food! But it looked darling. Finding things around the house always works, as do candles and a fire in the fireplace. No flowers, use small branches of leaves in a small wooden box. We all have those “treasures” that we have collected over the years and can’t part with. All those items that you couldn’t throw out because one day you might use them….well, voila, this is when you use them 😉
Dear Kristin,
The centerpiece is beautiful. I would have felt right at home. I am decor-challenged myself; with big things- drapery, sofas. But I love to decorate seasonally. Now with all the wonders of Christmas put away, my house looks a bit spare. Your table decor inspires me to take a second look at some things I could use to spruce things up. Thanks so much.
Dear Kristin,
The centerpiece is beautiful. I would have felt right at home. I am decor-challenged myself; with big things- drapery, sofas. But I love to decorate seasonally. Now with all the wonders of Christmas put away, my house looks a bit spare. Your table decor inspires me to take a second look at some things I could use to spruce things up. Thanks so much.
You are a natural artist, for sure. My favorite color, lavender, would make any decoration beautiful to me. I would have spent all my time worrying about the food and forgotten about the centerpiece until the last minute. You’re a hostess with the mostest.
You are a natural artist, for sure. My favorite color, lavender, would make any decoration beautiful to me. I would have spent all my time worrying about the food and forgotten about the centerpiece until the last minute. You’re a hostess with the mostest.
Puhleeeeeze, Don’t tell us you suck at anything. We will be dismayed. St. Claus is real at least the role and you are tres kool. Nuff said. ha! Ton fan.
Puhleeeeeze, Don’t tell us you suck at anything. We will be dismayed. St. Claus is real at least the role and you are tres kool. Nuff said. ha! Ton fan.
Have enjoyed your writing for a long time now :)…thank you so much! I do hope this comment is private, but the conjugation of the verb ‘to weave’ is weave, wove, woven! You write so well, I just had to butt in and fix this! Bravo, for always pushing your limits…you are one sassy lady! Happy New Year to you and yours, Kristin!
Have enjoyed your writing for a long time now :)…thank you so much! I do hope this comment is private, but the conjugation of the verb ‘to weave’ is weave, wove, woven! You write so well, I just had to butt in and fix this! Bravo, for always pushing your limits…you are one sassy lady! Happy New Year to you and yours, Kristin!
I cannot imagine you touching something and not making it beautiful, le missel, lavande, poignee de fleurs…you know what to do. xx
I cannot imagine you touching something and not making it beautiful, le missel, lavande, poignee de fleurs…you know what to do. xx
Kristin:
Your centerpiece is tres charmant! Sometimes it’s fun just to use your imagination. Love those pear vases.
When our son married his French wife at a ceremony on the beach here in Savannah, I had lunch for between 20 and 30 folks including French relatives who had never been here before and I was really stressing out. I finally got out some white china bowls and filled them with local sea shells and put them on the buffet table on the white tablecloth. They looked very nice and they were also something folks could comment on.
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
Your centerpiece is tres charmant! Sometimes it’s fun just to use your imagination. Love those pear vases.
When our son married his French wife at a ceremony on the beach here in Savannah, I had lunch for between 20 and 30 folks including French relatives who had never been here before and I was really stressing out. I finally got out some white china bowls and filled them with local sea shells and put them on the buffet table on the white tablecloth. They looked very nice and they were also something folks could comment on.
Edie from Savannah
I admire how you took a challenge and turned it into something so beautiful and meaningful, not only to your guests, but to your readers as well. I love both your centerpiece and the story it created!
So glad you shared your creative approach. I will keep it in mind the next time those doubts start shutting me down; for the outcome is so much more delightful!
I admire how you took a challenge and turned it into something so beautiful and meaningful, not only to your guests, but to your readers as well. I love both your centerpiece and the story it created!
So glad you shared your creative approach. I will keep it in mind the next time those doubts start shutting me down; for the outcome is so much more delightful!
You’d give Martha Stewart a run for her money!
Christine
You’d give Martha Stewart a run for her money!
Christine
I love the way the story of weaving the lavender wand was woven into the center piece and the weaving of lives together. Pure genius! Hopefully you will weave the inspiration and success of the centerpiece with the beautiful evening with friends into your heart so that it wards off those pesky feelings of inadequacy the next time they try to invade you. Looking at things with a new perspective is always good.
Nice job!
I love the way the story of weaving the lavender wand was woven into the center piece and the weaving of lives together. Pure genius! Hopefully you will weave the inspiration and success of the centerpiece with the beautiful evening with friends into your heart so that it wards off those pesky feelings of inadequacy the next time they try to invade you. Looking at things with a new perspective is always good.
Nice job!
FABULOUS!! It’s really lovely and such a good idea to create a conversation centerpiece….depending on the people! Keep up the GREAT work – YES, you ARE creative!
FABULOUS!! It’s really lovely and such a good idea to create a conversation centerpiece….depending on the people! Keep up the GREAT work – YES, you ARE creative!
best.centerpiece.ever. 😉
best.centerpiece.ever. 😉
You have a great eye for beauty and style, Kristi, (obvious in your photographs)now for the confidence! What a charming, unusual and thoughtful centrepiece – everything means something.I have loads of lavender here in Australia – and a wand I wove from Marie-France’s instructions! I love the idea of the garment hangers as ribbons – how creative!
You have a great eye for beauty and style, Kristi, (obvious in your photographs)now for the confidence! What a charming, unusual and thoughtful centrepiece – everything means something.I have loads of lavender here in Australia – and a wand I wove from Marie-France’s instructions! I love the idea of the garment hangers as ribbons – how creative!
Thanks, Kiki, for the edit. Your comment is public, but no worries — please know that edits are always happily received, and helpful to me!
Thanks, Kiki, for the edit. Your comment is public, but no worries — please know that edits are always happily received, and helpful to me!
What a wonderful story, and I really love how you describe the art of living. You definitely can make it an art if you look at it that way. I am inspired to do that now as I prepare for a luncheon for 12 on Sunday. Thanks also for the reminder about the lavender bottles. I’ll be pinning one of your pictures from that post so that I can remember how to do it when my lavender is back in bloom. It finally sounds like you are starting to settle into your new home. Warm wishes!
What a wonderful story, and I really love how you describe the art of living. You definitely can make it an art if you look at it that way. I am inspired to do that now as I prepare for a luncheon for 12 on Sunday. Thanks also for the reminder about the lavender bottles. I’ll be pinning one of your pictures from that post so that I can remember how to do it when my lavender is back in bloom. It finally sounds like you are starting to settle into your new home. Warm wishes!
I love you center piece. You have inspired me to try some other types of center pieces by scouting around the house for objects which I would not normally use. Merci beaucoup!
Kathleen
I love you center piece. You have inspired me to try some other types of center pieces by scouting around the house for objects which I would not normally use. Merci beaucoup!
Kathleen
Kristi: I thought about your decorating challenges off and on yesterday. Your photos of everything are gorgeous every time.Why not start in one end of a room, arrange it with your new-found style, and then step back from time to time and VIEW IT THRU YOUR CAMERA LENS as your “editor”? It will all have to be absolutely wonderful! Susie Q.
Kristi: I thought about your decorating challenges off and on yesterday. Your photos of everything are gorgeous every time.Why not start in one end of a room, arrange it with your new-found style, and then step back from time to time and VIEW IT THRU YOUR CAMERA LENS as your “editor”? It will all have to be absolutely wonderful! Susie Q.
Dear Kristi, Your centerpiece was inspired, as is all your work as it seems to me. today I was sitting down to put on my shoes to go out to a meeting when my eye was caught by your 2009 book. I picked it up and was lost, one shoe off, one shoe on, while I read again about Sam and Braiseon the lam in Marseilles. Again my eyes were tearing and my hear was beating faster. You wote it so well that the tension is there, even years after the happy outcome.
I’m sure your house will always be warm andd welcomming. Peggy
Dear Kristi, Your centerpiece was inspired, as is all your work as it seems to me. today I was sitting down to put on my shoes to go out to a meeting when my eye was caught by your 2009 book. I picked it up and was lost, one shoe off, one shoe on, while I read again about Sam and Braiseon the lam in Marseilles. Again my eyes were tearing and my hear was beating faster. You wote it so well that the tension is there, even years after the happy outcome.
I’m sure your house will always be warm andd welcomming. Peggy