Since becoming winemaker and majority owner, along with Thomas Bertrand, of Domaine Rouge-Bleu, Caroline Jones has few free moments. Yet, she took time out during her busy first bottling last week, to put together a caring package for a friend. Read on, in today's missive.
Question: How to say "care package" in French?
Answer: I'm not exactly sure—but here are some ideas!:
- un colis suprise
- une trousse de soins
- un paquet de soins
Now for ideas about what to put into un colis surprise? How about something sweet, something nostalgic, and something healing? (see examples in today's story, meantime, share some care package essentials with us here. I would love some creative ideas for what to include inside un paquet de soins. Do you have any good ideas about whom to give une trousse de soins to? Soldats and étudiants often receive them, but I loved this blogger's idea about who to make up one for: give a care package to a homeless person.
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc list three ways to say "care package" in French, and hear him read the following sentence: Download MP3 or Wave file
Rien ne dit à domicile aux militaires déployés comme un paquet de soins. Nothing says home, to deployed military, like a care package. (Note: example sentence, in French, taken from here).
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
"What happened to the shepherd?" Jean-Marc asked, after walking the dogs Saturday morning.
I'd been wondering the same thing. Though I hadn't seen the punk rock berger lately, I had heard him, on Friday morning, somewhere in the bleating distance….
I was typing up the brebis story, struggling to meet a self-imposed deadline, when I heard the sheep, bells-a-clanking. I also heard a host of curious code words and whistles, as the shepherd steered his flock. A nagging dilemma arose: finish my story on time… or follow the bleating cue and get up and go meet the shepherd to find out about the bells, whistles and more!
"In a year it won't matter whether you posted a story or not!" I debated, as I pecked at the keyboard, grasping for le mot juste…
***
"I don't know… " I answered Jean-Marc, feeling a wave of regret for missing a second chance to deliver the shepherd his gâteau. And now the berger was gone…. and he never got his slice of homemade chocolate cake (worse, I ate it, along with the rest of the cake in the pan—and all the crumbs too!)
The cake may have disappeared, but the intention had been there all along…. even as I typed the last words of the story:
Little did the berger know—and little do we all know—that out there, somewhere, someone is trying to comfort us without our even knowing.
I still believed those words, which were quietly intended to comfort readers. Typing them filled me with hope, too, and I couldn't help wondering whether someone, somewhere, might even be trying to comfort me, just as the shepherd's cake had?
***
In the kitchen I was pressing and pinching the bottom of a Bundt pan, forming the remaining crumbs into cake balls and transfering them, sheepishly, into my mouth. Meantime another ball, of anxiety, was stuck in my throat. Apart from the berger, there were other souci, the kind that are difficult to put your finger on. How much easier it was to put a finger on a cake crumb!
***
"Caroline sent this back for you," Jean-Marc mentioned, as he returned home from Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where he had been helping the new owners with their first wine bottling.
Something sent back? For me?!
Jean-Marc handed me the colis, then went about the business lighting the fire, which had gone out when he left the day before.
I peered inside the boîte and saw two potted plants….
How thoughtful of her! I remembered telling Caroline, when she and Thomas bought the vineyard, that there were some medicinal plants in the garden. They were given to me, as ornamental plants, by the Dirt Divas; later on, I was excited to learn that the plant, euphorbia peplus, had healing properties. Coincidentally, is used to treat skin cancer!
When Caroline moved to Domaine Rouge-Bleu she said she would be happy to dig up the plants for me, but she cautioned me about self-medicating, "Please be careful. This is a toxic plant!"
I heeded Caroline's precaution, planting the euphorbia in our new garden as it was intended (as an ornamental… but one I will keep researching just in case…); each time I pass by the plant, it reminds me of the Dirt Divas and of Caroline, too. Regarding the extra plants Caroline sent back in her care package, she noted:
"I found these bigger ones amongst the vines when I was pruning. They look a bit winter-hardy, not sure if they'll grow well but thought it worth a shot!"
From her words, it was clear Caroline would keep researching too!
Wiping tears from my eyes, I peered back into the box and discovered a bottle of olive oil. Caroline and Thomas's first press! As I studied the bottle, thinking about picking those same trees with Jean-Marc, the tears were replaced with chokes of laughter on reading Caroline's tip:
Go easy with the olive oil – it's not filtered so quite peppery (nearly choked to death when we first tried it – but it has softened with age).
The cloudy olive oil was just what I had been searching for, ever since learning that the fresh press (when it's still cloudy) contains the most health benefits. No worries about the peppery taste. I could handle the healthy punch!
The tender nostalgia continued… the presents too! I pulled out this one next, handmade by Caroline from the corks of Jean-Marc's wine. I quickly hung the treasured souvenir on the wall of the cozy entry, stopping to admire the stylish handiwork of the winemaker-crafter.
I thought about how hard Caroline and Thomas have worked since moving to our former vineyard–and all the improvements they have made in less than five months.
They've gone through the whirlwind harvest (the pictures hint at the busy and joyful time), they have continued to renovate the farmhouse, to plant a vegetable garden–they have even completed their first bottling!–and they have designed a new and knock-down-delightful label (Do you like it? Be sure to let Caroline and Thomas know your thoughts about it, in the comments box!)
Caroline and Thomas, toasting to our new adventure, here at Mas des Brun.
In spite of all the hustle and bustle–including the recent wine bottling (indeed, as I type this, Caroline is finishing up the last of the mise-en-bouteille today!), this busy winemaker took the time to put together a thoughtful package, un colis de soins, for a friend.
Caroline, checking the old barrels.
Yes, of course, someone, somewhere, is trying to comfort us without our even knowing. And while I was anxiously pressing the cake tin, gathering the very last crumb, someone, at the same time, in a different place, was busy filling an old wine box with a thoughtful thing or two–for me… and why not for you?
***
If you enjoyed this story then it's safe to say that the thoughtful package touched and comforted us all! To comment on today's story, click here.
French Vocabulary
le mot juste = just the right word
le souci = worry
le gâteau = cake
le colis = package
la boîte = box
la mise-en-bouteille = wine bottling
There's a new vineyard dog at Domaine Rouge-Bleu… and her name is "Mirabel". Meet Caroline and Thomas's kitty.
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Bonjour Kristin,
Nice picture of Caroline and she was so thoughtful to put together a care package for you. I also love the idea of putting together a care package for a homeless person. What a kind idea! I was thinking of putting together one for Tara. Just a few things she likes from home. She is having a wonderful time in Antibes and has been down to the Italian Riviera too!
Bonjour Kristin,
Nice picture of Caroline and she was so thoughtful to put together a care package for you. I also love the idea of putting together a care package for a homeless person. What a kind idea! I was thinking of putting together one for Tara. Just a few things she likes from home. She is having a wonderful time in Antibes and has been down to the Italian Riviera too!
Hi again,
I forgot to ask if the painting of the bottles was one painted by Jules?
Hi again,
I forgot to ask if the painting of the bottles was one painted by Jules?
Hi Kristin,
So very thoughtful and touching of course – of Caroline. Bisous to all!
Hi Kristin,
So very thoughtful and touching of course – of Caroline. Bisous to all!
Hi Kristin,
I LOVE the cork grape bunch! How creative and meaningful!
xoedie
Hi Kristin,
I LOVE the cork grape bunch! How creative and meaningful!
xoedie
Love the new label for Mistral! How are you lovely people? Miss seeing you. xx cj
Love the new label for Mistral! How are you lovely people? Miss seeing you. xx cj
The label. Is perfect. Sort of van Gogh meets Lautrec meets great graphics. Where can we buy this wine? We live in Uzes in the Gard.
Ellen
The label. Is perfect. Sort of van Gogh meets Lautrec meets great graphics. Where can we buy this wine? We live in Uzes in the Gard.
Ellen
Delightful item Kristin! We never outgrow those pleasant little surprises…especially those which are given with such loving care! Surprises and thoughtfulness have no age limit or expiration date!
I confess as a newbie to this column, I am not familiar with your original label for the vineyard Kristin…
Love the new label. As a graphics person and artist, I found it very eye catching. It has such great visually appeal and a sense of movement that makes one stop and take a second look…the ample white white space is key. Refreshing to see when I am so used to seeing what I consider tasteless advertising these days
Delightful item Kristin! We never outgrow those pleasant little surprises…especially those which are given with such loving care! Surprises and thoughtfulness have no age limit or expiration date!
I confess as a newbie to this column, I am not familiar with your original label for the vineyard Kristin…
Love the new label. As a graphics person and artist, I found it very eye catching. It has such great visually appeal and a sense of movement that makes one stop and take a second look…the ample white white space is key. Refreshing to see when I am so used to seeing what I consider tasteless advertising these days
my 21 year old son is studying this year in Paris. he asked for me to send him a care package for Christmas. He was missing his home here in Massachusetts. I was not too excited since anything I might send would be expensive to mail, and he might be charged a hefty custom’s tax in France. But, I finally found a small box and sent him: a kindle reader, a pair of “base layer” thermal underwear for coldish mid-winter coldness in Paris, his childhood Christmas stocking with a card and some lip balm, and some pictures of home, both in a small album and some on a cd. He finally received the package after Christmas but was very happy and said it “hit the spot”. A care package is a good thing. and latest report is that the lightweight thermal base layers are being used. it snowed in Paris and has been damp.
my 21 year old son is studying this year in Paris. he asked for me to send him a care package for Christmas. He was missing his home here in Massachusetts. I was not too excited since anything I might send would be expensive to mail, and he might be charged a hefty custom’s tax in France. But, I finally found a small box and sent him: a kindle reader, a pair of “base layer” thermal underwear for coldish mid-winter coldness in Paris, his childhood Christmas stocking with a card and some lip balm, and some pictures of home, both in a small album and some on a cd. He finally received the package after Christmas but was very happy and said it “hit the spot”. A care package is a good thing. and latest report is that the lightweight thermal base layers are being used. it snowed in Paris and has been damp.
I love the new label! I collect santons, and one of my favorites is the vieux berger au mistral. How appropriate that he be on the new label! And, I love the tribute to the previous label with the two silhouettes of the twisted vines.
Jean Marc, when will you be in New York? Will I be able to buy my annual case of Mistral?
I love the new label! I collect santons, and one of my favorites is the vieux berger au mistral. How appropriate that he be on the new label! And, I love the tribute to the previous label with the two silhouettes of the twisted vines.
Jean Marc, when will you be in New York? Will I be able to buy my annual case of Mistral?
Having just sent a birthday care package to our 33 year old son, who still loves opening the surprise box, I was particularly struck with today’s entry. It also made me think of the packages my father sent us..He enclosed a bit of everything – from specialty food items to socks! I received his last package several days after he passed away. I still have the box he addressed….
Having just sent a birthday care package to our 33 year old son, who still loves opening the surprise box, I was particularly struck with today’s entry. It also made me think of the packages my father sent us..He enclosed a bit of everything – from specialty food items to socks! I received his last package several days after he passed away. I still have the box he addressed….
I love the label. Sometimes, I help out in a local wine shop and when you can tell a story about the wine to customers, it not only helps sell the wine, but makes the experience more meaningful to them. Part of the joy of wine is the journey it takes one on. In the US, drinking French wines about which one knows the story can transport one, for but a moment, to France. Even those who do not know the story of Domaine Rouge Bleu will be able to enjoy that sense by the image and the name. Well done!
I love the label. Sometimes, I help out in a local wine shop and when you can tell a story about the wine to customers, it not only helps sell the wine, but makes the experience more meaningful to them. Part of the joy of wine is the journey it takes one on. In the US, drinking French wines about which one knows the story can transport one, for but a moment, to France. Even those who do not know the story of Domaine Rouge Bleu will be able to enjoy that sense by the image and the name. Well done!
Eileen, thanks for identifying Moms painting. I left out that important info, and a few other items in todays letter.
Katie, so glad you saw the vine tribute. Wasnt that thoughtful of Caroline and Thomas, to put the echo of the old vine, from the previous bottle, on the label? Thanks for seeing it!
Madonna, loved reading about the care package to your son. We should never underestimate what such a gesture means to our own children (lately, I am having this lesson again and again with my daughter). P.S. those thermal underwear were a GREAT call. IT is freezing here.
Edie, the grape bunch is, as you said, so meaningful. Since moving, we have not really put out any souvenirs from our previous life. The grape bunch is perfect!
Cathy, we miss you too!
Ellen, love your description of the label! Re where to buy: visit their Facebook page and leave a message https://www.facebook.com/DomaineRougeBleu?fref=ts
Betty, Here is a picture of the labels: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=469567283064228set=pb.469526396401650.-2207520000.1358778561type=3theater
Jeanne, thanks for sharing the touching story of your Dad, and for his great ideas. Who doesnt love socks–a key comfort item!
Dave, great to read your feedback. A label that evokes a story is a meaningful one!
Eileen, thanks for identifying Moms painting. I left out that important info, and a few other items in todays letter.
Katie, so glad you saw the vine tribute. Wasnt that thoughtful of Caroline and Thomas, to put the echo of the old vine, from the previous bottle, on the label? Thanks for seeing it!
Madonna, loved reading about the care package to your son. We should never underestimate what such a gesture means to our own children (lately, I am having this lesson again and again with my daughter). P.S. those thermal underwear were a GREAT call. IT is freezing here.
Edie, the grape bunch is, as you said, so meaningful. Since moving, we have not really put out any souvenirs from our previous life. The grape bunch is perfect!
Cathy, we miss you too!
Ellen, love your description of the label! Re where to buy: visit their Facebook page and leave a message https://www.facebook.com/DomaineRougeBleu?fref=ts
Betty, Here is a picture of the labels: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=469567283064228set=pb.469526396401650.-2207520000.1358778561type=3theater
Jeanne, thanks for sharing the touching story of your Dad, and for his great ideas. Who doesnt love socks–a key comfort item!
Dave, great to read your feedback. A label that evokes a story is a meaningful one!
Acts of kindness enrich the lives of both giver and recipient, don’t they? I am enchanted by your lovely observation that the thoughtful paquet de soins from Caroline brought pleasure also to us, who simply read about it. Thank you, Kristi, for giving us windows into your French life with weekly vignettes and photos. Quel cadeau!
Acts of kindness enrich the lives of both giver and recipient, don’t they? I am enchanted by your lovely observation that the thoughtful paquet de soins from Caroline brought pleasure also to us, who simply read about it. Thank you, Kristi, for giving us windows into your French life with weekly vignettes and photos. Quel cadeau!
Dear, dear Kristin, your writings are a care package for each of us every time we read FWAD. You make us feel grateful and hopefully more compassionate and thoughtful. And then your readers add their comments and experiences which reinforce your thoughts. A letter can be a care package of words. Mille mercis, Cynthia
Dear, dear Kristin, your writings are a care package for each of us every time we read FWAD. You make us feel grateful and hopefully more compassionate and thoughtful. And then your readers add their comments and experiences which reinforce your thoughts. A letter can be a care package of words. Mille mercis, Cynthia
I do like the Mistral label. Are the wines available in the Boston area? I’ve made trivats using the corks. And a friend made me a box. Someone made a wreath that was impressive.
I do like the Mistral label. Are the wines available in the Boston area? I’ve made trivats using the corks. And a friend made me a box. Someone made a wreath that was impressive.
I love to surprise friends with little gifts and what a blessing when one surprises me! I loved reading this story today! 🙂
I love to surprise friends with little gifts and what a blessing when one surprises me! I loved reading this story today! 🙂
Thank you for the reminder of how nice it is to be thought of by someone for no special reason in particular. I often have “the best intentions” of doing such things for others, but the busy-ness of life always gets to me and the moment passes.
To share a similar story of your cake that didn’t make it to its intended berger recipient – I once made cookies to welcome new neighbors, but when after 3 days we couldn’t connect in person, I ate the cookies instead of leaving them at the door with a note! When we finally met them I was brave enough to relate that story and it was a nice ice breaker for our new friendship!
Thank you for the reminder of how nice it is to be thought of by someone for no special reason in particular. I often have “the best intentions” of doing such things for others, but the busy-ness of life always gets to me and the moment passes.
To share a similar story of your cake that didn’t make it to its intended berger recipient – I once made cookies to welcome new neighbors, but when after 3 days we couldn’t connect in person, I ate the cookies instead of leaving them at the door with a note! When we finally met them I was brave enough to relate that story and it was a nice ice breaker for our new friendship!
Love this story and the pictures. Beautiful.
Love this story and the pictures. Beautiful.
Hello to you all and thank you very much for your lovely messages regarding our new Mistral label. We were very anxious of your reactions but thanks to you all we now know it was the right decision!
Dear Ellen, we would be delighted to meet you and introduce you to our wines if the travel from Uzes is not too far for you (be careful lots of envious readers live a continent away from the domaine!)
Just email us at contact@rouge-bleu.com as we are sometimes in the vines or some place else. It will be our pleasure to meet you!
Hello to you all and thank you very much for your lovely messages regarding our new Mistral label. We were very anxious of your reactions but thanks to you all we now know it was the right decision!
Dear Ellen, we would be delighted to meet you and introduce you to our wines if the travel from Uzes is not too far for you (be careful lots of envious readers live a continent away from the domaine!)
Just email us at contact@rouge-bleu.com as we are sometimes in the vines or some place else. It will be our pleasure to meet you!
You are the care package that I received so many years ago. You are the precious gift that keeps on giving day after day and year after year. We all love you for the beautiful and thoughtful person that you are.
You are the care package that I received so many years ago. You are the precious gift that keeps on giving day after day and year after year. We all love you for the beautiful and thoughtful person that you are.
Erin, glad you mentioned best intentions. I feel so guitly for all the best intentions that never materialize! But to want to comfort another–or to spoil or surprise or make anothers day–is a good thing to be focused on.
Thank you all for these lovely remarks and responses to the story of Carolines gesture. To borrow borrow Cynthias idea: all of your comments are individual care packages!
There was so much I did not have time to fit into the story, like how down-to-earth and funny Thomas, Carolines partner is, and what a great cook Caroline is (and the sweet and savory care items she has given us. I also ran out of time and so didnt get to talk about the excellent mini photo album that she made of the harvest! What a thoughtful thing to do! And much more.)
Erin, glad you mentioned best intentions. I feel so guitly for all the best intentions that never materialize! But to want to comfort another–or to spoil or surprise or make anothers day–is a good thing to be focused on.
Thank you all for these lovely remarks and responses to the story of Carolines gesture. To borrow borrow Cynthias idea: all of your comments are individual care packages!
There was so much I did not have time to fit into the story, like how down-to-earth and funny Thomas, Carolines partner is, and what a great cook Caroline is (and the sweet and savory care items she has given us. I also ran out of time and so didnt get to talk about the excellent mini photo album that she made of the harvest! What a thoughtful thing to do! And much more.)
DAD, Jean-Marc and I were both reading your comment, when I looked over and saw tears in Jean-Marcs eyes. Of course I am bawling my eyes out to! Thank you, my precious Dad. God gave me you! What a gift!
DAD, Jean-Marc and I were both reading your comment, when I looked over and saw tears in Jean-Marcs eyes. Of course I am bawling my eyes out to! Thank you, my precious Dad. God gave me you! What a gift!
Kristin:
An unexpected gift is always a treat!
Yesterday a friend came by with a wonderful, still warm plate of meatballs with beans and greens. We had them for dinner with some roasted potatoes and smiles on our faces.
Your dad’s comments were very touching and sweet.
Take care,
Edie from Savannah
Kristin:
An unexpected gift is always a treat!
Yesterday a friend came by with a wonderful, still warm plate of meatballs with beans and greens. We had them for dinner with some roasted potatoes and smiles on our faces.
Your dad’s comments were very touching and sweet.
Take care,
Edie from Savannah
Kristin, what a lovely coda piece to your story about making the cake for the berger. Who could have imagined that as you typed those last lines someone was making a present for you. This story makes me want to look around to see to whom I should be directing a care package. You’re writing sure has been on a roll.
Kristin, what a lovely coda piece to your story about making the cake for the berger. Who could have imagined that as you typed those last lines someone was making a present for you. This story makes me want to look around to see to whom I should be directing a care package. You’re writing sure has been on a roll.
May I quote your dad, Kristin, when I write to my children? After the holidays, they went back to their life, from their roots, with wings to fly, but love will sustain them for ever.
My suggestions for “care-package”: panier-réconfort ou colis-réconfort.
May I quote your dad, Kristin, when I write to my children? After the holidays, they went back to their life, from their roots, with wings to fly, but love will sustain them for ever.
My suggestions for “care-package”: panier-réconfort ou colis-réconfort.