A typical country lunch in southern France… read on, in today's story.
rassasier (rah-sah-zee-ay)
: to satisfy, to satiate; (reflexive) to have enough, to be filled
Audio file: listen to Jean-Marc teach us three ways to say I'm full (and not "je suis plein"!): Download MP3 file or hear the Wave file
- Non, merci. Je n'ai plus faim.
- Non, merci. Je suis rassasié(e).
- Non, merci. J'en ai eu assez.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
"An outward focus and an outstanding lunch"
On Sunday we were expected at Yves and Roseline's house for le déjeuner. I thought to send Jean-Marc ahead without me, not wanting to distract the other diners with my bandaged nose.
"J'ai l'air ridicule!" I assured Jean-Marc. It's just comical. How will the other guests keep a straight face?
"Why don't you just cut it off altogether?" he joked. I did not share Jean-Marc's sense of humor, which only fueled my frustration. That's it! No use hiding out at home, alone, with my husband's words ringing in my head!
Lunch at Roseline and Yves's was a welcome distraction. For the repas de chasse, we were greeted by six of Yves's black-and-white spotted hunting dogs, les epagneuls. Our gentle host offered a warm three-kiss welcome, before ushering us into the house, to sit beside the fire with the other guests.
Yves's wife, Roseline, appeared with the first of several apéritifs… Inside the little clear glasses, or verrines, puréed avocado held a layer of crushed, sun-dried tomatoes. Another tray included individual servings of pumpkin potage with a slice of foie gras on top of each mini soup. We used spoons to dip into the small serving glasses; meantime Yves poured champagne….
Also on the coffee table were three kinds of savory petits-fours: one of the buttery pastries was made into little feuilletés à la tapenade, another ( a kind of puff pastry cup) held fruits de mer in a creamy sauce. There were also little pancakes with crème fraîche and smoked salmon on top….
If we were going to finish lunch by 4:30 pm, we'd better get crackin'. It was almost 2pm when we switched tables, leaving the living room for the dining room. Roseline disappeared into the kitchen in time to fry up two omelets, carefully mixing in the truffles that were unearthed near the vineyard just outside her kitchen!
After the omelette aux truffes, Yves brought out his offering:
Lièvre aux truffes. Yves caught the hare himself, and he and Roseline prepared it with truffles, foie gras, and cognac.
The other guests at the table teased the host, after a pellet was found on one of the diners' plates (I think it was Jean-Marc who pulled it out of his own mouth!).
"Be careful not to break a tooth when eating at Yves!" one of the table mates winked.
The four-hour meal continued… A plate of soft cheese, including Saint-marcellin and reblochon, followed, before two "kings cakes"—les galettes des rois— were delivered to the table, following the recent Epiphany celebration.
What with all the outstanding food, this bandaged nose hardly stood out. What a shame it would have been to have missed out on a traditional country French lunch, surrounded by down-to-earth hosts and their delightful convives.
***
Update: I return to the doctor's this afternoon, to have the stitches taken out, and to learn the results from this third biopsy. Many thanks for the positive thoughts you sent me!
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le déjeuner = lunch
j'ai l'air ridicule = I look ridiculous
le repas de chasse = hunter's meal
un epagneul = English springer
un apéritif = usually refers to a drink, but can also refer to a snack, such as an amuse-bouche that preceeds a meal
la verrine = a little see-through glass or cup in which one layers mousse or other savory or sweet "pureed things", topped or mixed, with non-pureed items, too
le potage = a thick soup
le foie gras = a kind of pâté made of duck or goose liver
les petits fours = little snacks or hors d'oeuvres, made of puff pastry
les fruits de mer = seafood
la crème fraîche = sour cream
le lièvre = hare
un convive = guest (see the convive post, here, and hear the word spoken)
Some of the Rhône wines that were served: Domaine la Soumade, in the village of Rasteau.
Domaine Rouge-Bleu, in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes.
Blossoming in Provence is the perfect gift for a traveler, Francophile, or language lover, and the stories, with their in-context French vocabulary, make learning effective and easy! Click here to buy a book, and thank you!
I wish I'd gotten a photo of the lovely Roseline (always too shy to ask to take a photo of the hostess. Will work on this!). Here is a beautiful landscape picture, taken not far from their home. Notice the galets that surround the vine trunks. In the distance, the Baronnies is a favorite area for hiking, horse-riding, hang gliding, and cycling.
A snapshot from the archives. Smokey's sisters "les soeurettes". Would you like to add a caption to this photo?
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As usual your story is wonderful. Blessings on your lovely nose.
As usual your story is wonderful. Blessings on your lovely nose.
Good news! The biopsy came back and the growth was benign! Thank you so much for these kind words and for the reassurance. I believe your positive thoughts helped too….
Good news! The biopsy came back and the growth was benign! Thank you so much for these kind words and for the reassurance. I believe your positive thoughts helped too….
Great news re: biopsy result. Que Dieu vous garde, tous.
Great news re: biopsy result. Que Dieu vous garde, tous.
Does “Je suis content” also work?
Does “Je suis content” also work?
Bonne nouvelle !
Bonne nouvelle !
Woo Hoo! What a relief! So glad the news was good. As I was reading the comments, I found myself wishing there was a “like” button with each one that I could click on. As usual, GUS came through. and I’ll try to remember Corky’s comment about focusing on the spirit. I have a habit of not noticing when someone has shaved off a mustache, lost weight or gotten a facelift. From now on I can say I was focusing on that person’s essence!
Woo Hoo! What a relief! So glad the news was good. As I was reading the comments, I found myself wishing there was a “like” button with each one that I could click on. As usual, GUS came through. and I’ll try to remember Corky’s comment about focusing on the spirit. I have a habit of not noticing when someone has shaved off a mustache, lost weight or gotten a facelift. From now on I can say I was focusing on that person’s essence!
Congrats Kristin!! So glad the news is good!
I love these stories. Thanks for all that you do.
Stay well!
Congrats Kristin!! So glad the news is good!
I love these stories. Thanks for all that you do.
Stay well!
A fine decision to enjoy a special lunch with friends.
In admiration of your courage, humor and inner as well as outer beauty I wish you
Bonne chance,
Ronni
from Paris(until mid-fevrier)
A fine decision to enjoy a special lunch with friends.
In admiration of your courage, humor and inner as well as outer beauty I wish you
Bonne chance,
Ronni
from Paris(until mid-fevrier)
I’m so glad the results were benign. And that you didn’t hide from a wonderful afternoon. When I return to the States my dermatologist wants to look at a spot. Then she gave me the name of a face moisturizer with even higher SPF than I’m using now.
I will be buying more “Blossoming in Provence,” but I want you to know that on this trip to Dijon I have installed a copy of “Words in a French Life” on the bookshelves in my new apartment. I hope future visitors and renters will read it and then find you online. You’re resting between Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Henry David Thoreau.
I’m so glad the results were benign. And that you didn’t hide from a wonderful afternoon. When I return to the States my dermatologist wants to look at a spot. Then she gave me the name of a face moisturizer with even higher SPF than I’m using now.
I will be buying more “Blossoming in Provence,” but I want you to know that on this trip to Dijon I have installed a copy of “Words in a French Life” on the bookshelves in my new apartment. I hope future visitors and renters will read it and then find you online. You’re resting between Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Henry David Thoreau.
Wishing you good luck! Growing up in Florida, I have similar issues/visits. I know this has probably been discussed before but I noted creme fraiche can be used for sour cream, what can be used for cream cheese?
Wishing you good luck! Growing up in Florida, I have similar issues/visits. I know this has probably been discussed before but I noted creme fraiche can be used for sour cream, what can be used for cream cheese?
Kristi…I am so happy for you that the medical news is good. Your luncheon sounds so very amazing…my mouth is watering! And the google pictures of the verrines are awesome! I love the presentation…what a feast for the senses. I want to try making something like that here at home. Do you have any recipes? Or better yet, send your friends here to make another lunch for us poor Americans who are really missing out! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Kristi…I am so happy for you that the medical news is good. Your luncheon sounds so very amazing…my mouth is watering! And the google pictures of the verrines are awesome! I love the presentation…what a feast for the senses. I want to try making something like that here at home. Do you have any recipes? Or better yet, send your friends here to make another lunch for us poor Americans who are really missing out! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Great news!!! I’m so happy for you and your family! 🙂
Great news!!! I’m so happy for you and your family! 🙂
Wonderful news from the dermatologist! So glad you went to the dejeuner. Still can’t believe how long the French can spend at a meal. How do they stay awake after all that food? Guess they know not to overindulge and you’ve told us they don’t eat between meals. Enjoy the day which the Lord has made and give thanks for the good report.
Wonderful news from the dermatologist! So glad you went to the dejeuner. Still can’t believe how long the French can spend at a meal. How do they stay awake after all that food? Guess they know not to overindulge and you’ve told us they don’t eat between meals. Enjoy the day which the Lord has made and give thanks for the good report.
Of course it was benign. There is nothing wrong with you, Kristin, you just have fair skin and got a little too much sun in Arizona, but that same sun also gave you Vitamin D to make your bones strong and provide you with a sunny disposition. Doctors overreact, overreact, overreact. Don’t let them get to you.
One other thing: you will always be beautiful and nothing the doctors do will ever change that, it is a gift from God.
Of course it was benign. There is nothing wrong with you, Kristin, you just have fair skin and got a little too much sun in Arizona, but that same sun also gave you Vitamin D to make your bones strong and provide you with a sunny disposition. Doctors overreact, overreact, overreact. Don’t let them get to you.
One other thing: you will always be beautiful and nothing the doctors do will ever change that, it is a gift from God.
All the best for the new year, Kristin. Thinking of you and the good results. Rosalie from Colorado
All the best for the new year, Kristin. Thinking of you and the good results. Rosalie from Colorado
Our dear Kristi,
You’ve been–and remain–in our prayers,especially now, with results coming in soon,and (hopefully!) stitches coming out! When I’ve faced worrisome(frightening!) situations, I like to remember this (paraphrased) quote by Robert Frost:”I can sum up everything I know about life in three words–it goes on.” My friend, all WILL be well.
There us nothing better to raise one’s spirits than to be in the company of warm and wonderful friends. AND (bien sur) such an incredible repast! WOW!!
To say a good time was enjoyed by all would be a huge understatement!
THANK YOU for sharing this (and the beautiful pictures!) with us. We always
feel like we’re right there with you. What a privilege.
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
You’ve been–and remain–in our prayers,especially now, with results coming in soon,and (hopefully!) stitches coming out! When I’ve faced worrisome(frightening!) situations, I like to remember this (paraphrased) quote by Robert Frost:”I can sum up everything I know about life in three words–it goes on.” My friend, all WILL be well.
There us nothing better to raise one’s spirits than to be in the company of warm and wonderful friends. AND (bien sur) such an incredible repast! WOW!!
To say a good time was enjoyed by all would be a huge understatement!
THANK YOU for sharing this (and the beautiful pictures!) with us. We always
feel like we’re right there with you. What a privilege.
Love, Natalia XO
Kristi…so so GLAD to hear of your good results! You will be SO relieved…I was holding my breath for you as well!
Your dinner sounds absolutely wonderful …I enjoyed your description and felt that I was sneaking a little taste myself! 😉
We also had friends around for dinner but being summer and hot we flung open the doors! I am also lucky as we have a wonderful friend who loves to cook and loves to take over my kitchen! He made pizzas by the dozens from scratch…everyone had a job right down to the children. As a bit of fun you may want to google him…Master Pasta from the wiggles… he cooks and sings opera at the same time!! A very funny fellow! 🙂
Kristi…so so GLAD to hear of your good results! You will be SO relieved…I was holding my breath for you as well!
Your dinner sounds absolutely wonderful …I enjoyed your description and felt that I was sneaking a little taste myself! 😉
We also had friends around for dinner but being summer and hot we flung open the doors! I am also lucky as we have a wonderful friend who loves to cook and loves to take over my kitchen! He made pizzas by the dozens from scratch…everyone had a job right down to the children. As a bit of fun you may want to google him…Master Pasta from the wiggles… he cooks and sings opera at the same time!! A very funny fellow! 🙂
Thank you, for sharing this. I enjoy all the photos, and I look forward to spending a month in France next year.
Blessings to your health.
H.Tomala
Thank you, for sharing this. I enjoy all the photos, and I look forward to spending a month in France next year.
Blessings to your health.
H.Tomala
WHOO HOO!!! So glad the results were benign.
Wow, all that food, I would be full after the first course. But boy it all sounded so good.
Love seeing pictures of those puppies.
xoxo
WHOO HOO!!! So glad the results were benign.
Wow, all that food, I would be full after the first course. But boy it all sounded so good.
Love seeing pictures of those puppies.
xoxo
Thank you, GOD!!!
and thanks for letting us know, Kristin!!
Going to do a little jig and make a thankful prayer, now!!!
Thank you, GOD!!!
and thanks for letting us know, Kristin!!
Going to do a little jig and make a thankful prayer, now!!!
Kristin:
I love “Les sweet and saucy soeurettes”!
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
I love “Les sweet and saucy soeurettes”!
Edie from Savannah
We all are breathing a sigh of relief. Thanks for
posting the good news right away!
We all are breathing a sigh of relief. Thanks for
posting the good news right away!
Hooray for the good news; was just about to post that prayers are with you!! So happy you didn’t miss that deliciously divine dinner!!!
Hooray for the good news; was just about to post that prayers are with you!! So happy you didn’t miss that deliciously divine dinner!!!
So happy!
Great news on your biopsy results. As a fellow “pressure nose bandage” wearer, I know how it feels, but am so glad you attended that marvelous party, wearing it as a badge of courage… thank you for all of your posts.
Sincerely, Irene from Alameda, CA
So happy!
Great news on your biopsy results. As a fellow “pressure nose bandage” wearer, I know how it feels, but am so glad you attended that marvelous party, wearing it as a badge of courage… thank you for all of your posts.
Sincerely, Irene from Alameda, CA
Great News. Celebrate and enjoy!
Great News. Celebrate and enjoy!