My mother-in-law's French is so colorful and I love to listen to her stories — no matter how many times she repeats herself! Jean-Marc's mom, Michèle-France, has a great sense of humor and does not take herself too seriously, either. She is a real moulin-à -paroles, or chatterbox, but when my ears go numb I can always tell her to zip it! and she won't be offended. A little more about my belle-mère's recent visit in today's feuilleton, or sketch. (Picture, above, taken in the town of Sarrians.)
un feuilleton (fuhy-tohn)
: soap opera ; an essay or sketch
from feuillet sheet of paper (feuilleton is also a novel–or work–that is published in installments)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
"What ARE you doing?" I say to my mother-in-law, who is seated in front of the TV. Suddenly she has that deer-in-the headlights look in her eyes as I pass by her on my way to the kitchen.
"I'm watching a feuilleton," she admits. "It is the only one I follow," she's quick to add.
My mother-in-law needn't explain her guilty pleasure. I used to watch soap operas too and feel just as embarrassed when caught. I would quickly switch channels to the news station when Jean-Marc appeared, as he inevitably would, at the climactic moment of revelation (was Brooke pregnant with her father-in-law's child? Would Taylor make it out of the Harem alive?) I could not blink an eye as I waited for the moment of truth… but that moment was occasionally interrupted when Bonjour! Jean-Marc arrived home early for lunch. Grrrhhh!
Amour, Gloire, et Beauté ("The Bold and The Beautiful," funny how titles are lost in translation…) was my weekday fix as a young, out-of-work expat. And if my then-boyfriend thought the daytime dramas were débile, he was unaware of their educational aspect. I learned street French thanks to the smut tube, and no longer spoke like a textbook. (i.e. Marie fait sa toilette. No she didn't! Marie got ready, however you said that in French. I listened closely to Brooke and to Taylor, who never uttered the humiliating-sounding French word. I hoped I never had to either!)
I don't watch TV anymore (which may explain the downward spiral of my French) but I have nothing against my mother-in-law watching her feuilleton–(Plus belle la vie is her nightly drug) especially while she is making our evening meal: a velvety pumpkin-ginger soup. She chops as she watches.
I study my mother-in-law with the deer-in-headlights eyes. The problem with being quick to admit guilt is that you inadvertently highlight another crime, one you might have gotten away with!
Pointing to the pumpkin I am furious. "You were supposed to wait for me to help you peel those!" I say, casually taking the seat beside the chef. "I used to watch soaps, too," I admit, "they're really language lessons…"
My mother-in-law's eyes are bright. "Yolo! yolo," she sings.
"What are you saying?"
"I don't know, but–yolo! yolo!–I hear it all the time," my mother-in-law says, pointing her knife to the smut tube.
"Yolo… yolo…" I practice as I chop. I am a little suspicious learning modern-day slang from my children's grandmother (had she heard correctly?) but who am I, a sous-chef, to argue?
***
Post Note. I just looked up yolo, a word all the French teens are using. Turns out it's an acronym for You Only Live Once. What will the Academie Française think of this latest "borrowing"?
(Yolo! Yolo! Please forward this post to a friend 🙂
=>Read a favorite story about my mother-in-law
Michèle-France's Pumpkin/Ginger Soup Recipe:
My mother-in-law is an au pif or "by guesswork" cook. The following recipe was a last-minute inspiration and includes a combination of what was in the fridge (potatoes, ginger)–and what jumped out at us at the market stall (those vibrarnt orange potirons, or pumpkins!). To make this easy, delicious, and healthy soup you will need:
- cubed pumpkin, one large wedge (to visualize the size, think 1/4 of an American football)
- two medium onions, chopped grossièrement (coarsely)
- three carrots, no need to peel the organic kind, the skin has a lot of the vitamins
- ginger root - how much to use? We used four or five standard "olives" worth. Olives, footballs, how do you measure things?..) P.S. not sure if we peeled this one or not.
- two bouillon cubes (you may use a can of chicken broth? In France, that is hard to find… so bouillon cubes it is!)
- four medium potatoes, peeled (you can leave skin on if the patates aren't too clumped with dirt)
- cream is optional (sour cream or liquid cream… you could even put a little milk in? )
- salt, pepper i.e. all the usual suspects…
Next…
Put all ingredients in a deep pot and cover with water — just enough to cover the surface of the vegetables. Bring to a boil. Simmer 30 – 45 minutes. Did I leave something out? Let me know in the comments box, where you may also share your soup tips.
Let it cool a bit, then mix. If you do not already have one of these handy soup mixers, buy one now it will change your life! Also works for sauces, dressings, dips, and smoothies! Click here for more info.
Photo taken in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes.
picture taken in Suze-la-Rousse.
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Hi Kristin,
I have never heard YOLO before! I love the photo of the bright yellow building and the birds. Are they cockatiels? Of course I noticed the lavender on the window ledge too! The one soap opera I used to watch all the time as a teenager was Days of Our Lives. I don’t watch that much TV now.
Hi Kristin,
I have never heard YOLO before! I love the photo of the bright yellow building and the birds. Are they cockatiels? Of course I noticed the lavender on the window ledge too! The one soap opera I used to watch all the time as a teenager was Days of Our Lives. I don’t watch that much TV now.
You can tell your mother-in-law that I sometimes get the chance to watch Plus Belle la Vie here in San Diego on TV5 Monde. I have recorded certain episodes to for my students to listen to more current, authentic French. It is a great way to listen to the language and the kids definitely pay attention. I have to be careful to preview episodes though before I show them in class!!
You can tell your mother-in-law that I sometimes get the chance to watch Plus Belle la Vie here in San Diego on TV5 Monde. I have recorded certain episodes to for my students to listen to more current, authentic French. It is a great way to listen to the language and the kids definitely pay attention. I have to be careful to preview episodes though before I show them in class!!
Our dear Kristi,
You not only captured my imagination (again!) with these beautiful pictures, but also by sharing your daily life with us.
I so enjoyed hearing more about your dear belle mere, and how the bond between you becomes more cherished. What a gift(!) as it is for us, your privileged FWAD readers.
Your words paint such wonderful descriptions!
THANK YOU!!!
Love, Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
You not only captured my imagination (again!) with these beautiful pictures, but also by sharing your daily life with us.
I so enjoyed hearing more about your dear belle mere, and how the bond between you becomes more cherished. What a gift(!) as it is for us, your privileged FWAD readers.
Your words paint such wonderful descriptions!
THANK YOU!!!
Love, Natalia XO
Here in California, I haven’t heard yolo either, but I will have to ask my teenage daughter.
“All My Children” used to be my guilty pleasure in high school and college. Then “General Hospital” during the Luke and Laura heyday. Haven’t watched soaps in many years. I think most of them are disappearing.
I checked Jean-Marc’s schedule, and when he is in my area, I will be out of town. So sad.
Here in California, I haven’t heard yolo either, but I will have to ask my teenage daughter.
“All My Children” used to be my guilty pleasure in high school and college. Then “General Hospital” during the Luke and Laura heyday. Haven’t watched soaps in many years. I think most of them are disappearing.
I checked Jean-Marc’s schedule, and when he is in my area, I will be out of town. So sad.
Kristin… Can you share more of the current slang your children and other teens use.
Thanks
Kristin… Can you share more of the current slang your children and other teens use.
Thanks
Merci, Kristin! YOLO – love it! My mother, who now lives with me, loves “Young and Restless” and has watched it for years. I, on the other hand, had not had the “luxury” of watching daytime tv so was not “au courant” with this soap. I had to educate myself (via the internet) on all the characters and storylines so I can help my mother, whose eyesight has been stolen by macular degeneration, figure out what’s going on. It’s certainly been interesting, if not entertaining 🙂
Merci, Kristin! YOLO – love it! My mother, who now lives with me, loves “Young and Restless” and has watched it for years. I, on the other hand, had not had the “luxury” of watching daytime tv so was not “au courant” with this soap. I had to educate myself (via the internet) on all the characters and storylines so I can help my mother, whose eyesight has been stolen by macular degeneration, figure out what’s going on. It’s certainly been interesting, if not entertaining 🙂
I love the photos, Kristin! Especially the adorable bicycle one… of course!
Bisous bisous
I love the photos, Kristin! Especially the adorable bicycle one… of course!
Bisous bisous
Years ago when I was working downtown, I was walking through a department store’s electronic department and stopped in front of a new model TV that was on, showing a soap opera. As I stood there in front of the TV considering the size, cost, etc. of it, I heard this clearing of the throat sound. I turned around to see a woman squatting down, out of the way, but in full view of the TV, looking at me with a withering look which made me realize, heaven forbid, I was blocking her view of the soap.
Years ago when I was working downtown, I was walking through a department store’s electronic department and stopped in front of a new model TV that was on, showing a soap opera. As I stood there in front of the TV considering the size, cost, etc. of it, I heard this clearing of the throat sound. I turned around to see a woman squatting down, out of the way, but in full view of the TV, looking at me with a withering look which made me realize, heaven forbid, I was blocking her view of the soap.
I would love to have the recipe for pumpkin-ginger soup
I would love to have the recipe for pumpkin-ginger soup
The picture is worth to be seized in watercolor or oil – so cheerful and yet peaceful it is! Not even that timepiece, nor the caged birds, interrupt serenity of the moment! Love! Thank you, Kristi.
The picture is worth to be seized in watercolor or oil – so cheerful and yet peaceful it is! Not even that timepiece, nor the caged birds, interrupt serenity of the moment! Love! Thank you, Kristi.
Salut Kristin,
Best not distract the knife-wielding chef! She already has her attention divided.
I think there’s a typo after the last photo. . . . . When my computer “fried”
A plus tard
Salut Kristin,
Best not distract the knife-wielding chef! She already has her attention divided.
I think there’s a typo after the last photo. . . . . When my computer “fried”
A plus tard
Your mother-in-law is a lovely guest — she makes dinner for you!
That is impressive that you learned common phrases by watching le feuilleton.
A nice story today.
Your mother-in-law is a lovely guest — she makes dinner for you!
That is impressive that you learned common phrases by watching le feuilleton.
A nice story today.
THANK YOU DARLING KRISTI,
I loved your story today.
XOXO
MOM
THANK YOU DARLING KRISTI,
I loved your story today.
XOXO
MOM
Ha! I also watch Plus belle la vie. Hard for me to follow with all the argot, but at least it has no subtitles. My excuse is that I need to develop my ‘ear’ for spoken French. I used to watch Sous le soleil, just for the views of St. Tropez ;). Love that TV5!
Ha! I also watch Plus belle la vie. Hard for me to follow with all the argot, but at least it has no subtitles. My excuse is that I need to develop my ‘ear’ for spoken French. I used to watch Sous le soleil, just for the views of St. Tropez ;). Love that TV5!
Over the years the name Billy Clyde Tuggle bubbles up in a pejorative vein(“The Young and Restless” ?) as a reminder that no matter how worthless a man can be, some woman will still take him in…a real ‘chien mechant’…he made us average guys look like real heros in our personal relationships !
Wells
Over the years the name Billy Clyde Tuggle bubbles up in a pejorative vein(“The Young and Restless” ?) as a reminder that no matter how worthless a man can be, some woman will still take him in…a real ‘chien mechant’…he made us average guys look like real heros in our personal relationships !
Wells
Psst, a small usage boo-boo RE this sentence:
“Jean-Marc appeared, as he inevitably would, at the climatic moment of revelation”
That should be ‘climactic’ with a C, having to do with the dramatic climax of the episode and nothing to do with the climate! Love knowing what ‘lolo!’ stands for, and love even more the source of this knowledge being you and your beloved mother-in-law!
Psst, a small usage boo-boo RE this sentence:
“Jean-Marc appeared, as he inevitably would, at the climatic moment of revelation”
That should be ‘climactic’ with a C, having to do with the dramatic climax of the episode and nothing to do with the climate! Love knowing what ‘lolo!’ stands for, and love even more the source of this knowledge being you and your beloved mother-in-law!
My dear stepmother, Mama Rose, came home from her job every weekday to watch her favorite soap .. heaven forbid anyone should say one word at that time! I can hear the echo of her admonishing the bad guys or gals on those programs .. they truly were a part of her life. I wish she was still here. I would happily sit down and watch General Hospital or Days of our Lives, just to enjoy an hour of her company. Enjoy your Mother-In-Law as she enjoys her show … and listen carefully to her voice…one day that experience will be a part of you. Aloha, Bill
My dear stepmother, Mama Rose, came home from her job every weekday to watch her favorite soap .. heaven forbid anyone should say one word at that time! I can hear the echo of her admonishing the bad guys or gals on those programs .. they truly were a part of her life. I wish she was still here. I would happily sit down and watch General Hospital or Days of our Lives, just to enjoy an hour of her company. Enjoy your Mother-In-Law as she enjoys her show … and listen carefully to her voice…one day that experience will be a part of you. Aloha, Bill
Forgot to compliment your photos today .. Nice! Ditto the writing!
Forgot to compliment your photos today .. Nice! Ditto the writing!
Hi Kristin,
What is the humiliating-sounding French word?
Hi Kristin,
What is the humiliating-sounding French word?
My daytime vice used to be “Days of our lives” till the storylines got much too absurd and they started recycling some of them!! It’s SO nice that you have such a good relationship with yourMom in law…so often theres an underlying jealousy that gets in the way…….Hmmmm I’m also womdering what “that” word is too ?
My daytime vice used to be “Days of our lives” till the storylines got much too absurd and they started recycling some of them!! It’s SO nice that you have such a good relationship with yourMom in law…so often theres an underlying jealousy that gets in the way…….Hmmmm I’m also womdering what “that” word is too ?
I think Kristi means “toilette”?
Cute story. I never got hooked on soapies – they always come across as soooo inauthentic. But yes, TV is fab for learning a language – total immersion technique!
I think Kristi means “toilette”?
Cute story. I never got hooked on soapies – they always come across as soooo inauthentic. But yes, TV is fab for learning a language – total immersion technique!
Yes – please clarify the word or words you find to be unmentionable.
My friend, Cathy, was filling my ears with a sordid story during a long drive back in my college days. The ending was so sad that I started to weep.
“How do you know those people?” I sobbed.
“Oh, it’s my soap opera called All My Children!”
I groaned with a mix of shock and disgust.
Later that week she was at my apartment and insisted upon turning the show on. Of course, I got hooked and didn’t get cured until 1984 when we bought a house that had no cable connection.
Yes – please clarify the word or words you find to be unmentionable.
My friend, Cathy, was filling my ears with a sordid story during a long drive back in my college days. The ending was so sad that I started to weep.
“How do you know those people?” I sobbed.
“Oh, it’s my soap opera called All My Children!”
I groaned with a mix of shock and disgust.
Later that week she was at my apartment and insisted upon turning the show on. Of course, I got hooked and didn’t get cured until 1984 when we bought a house that had no cable connection.
Fran, I will try to share some teenage slang — I had been keeping a list… now to find it!
Bill in St. Paul, Yolo… I mean LOL… enjoyed your story about the woman in the TV salesroom!
Ellen, I will get that recipe up soon.
Kitty and Herm, thanks for the helpful corrections.
Bill, Aw, such a sweet scene you paint with Mama Rose.
Aitch, I was referring to toilette. But I could have found a better example. Only little kids get embarrased by such words. (The French word cacahoutte comes to mind. Oh, how the little kids dissolve into giggles when saying the French word for peanut! Those first four letters are so entertaining for them 🙂
Fran, I will try to share some teenage slang — I had been keeping a list… now to find it!
Bill in St. Paul, Yolo… I mean LOL… enjoyed your story about the woman in the TV salesroom!
Ellen, I will get that recipe up soon.
Kitty and Herm, thanks for the helpful corrections.
Bill, Aw, such a sweet scene you paint with Mama Rose.
Aitch, I was referring to toilette. But I could have found a better example. Only little kids get embarrased by such words. (The French word cacahoutte comes to mind. Oh, how the little kids dissolve into giggles when saying the French word for peanut! Those first four letters are so entertaining for them 🙂
I remember watching “As the World Turns” back when I was home from college in the fifties. TV was just getting going then. In later years, my husband and I refused to watch “Dallas” and yet, years after it ended, we got hooked on it in reruns. Don’t watch the new version. Some of the current programs resemble soap operas but I don’t watch any real soap operas, only hour long shows that are on once a week. Your pictures are always wonderful. What a great eye you have for photography. It brightens my day. Merci.
I remember watching “As the World Turns” back when I was home from college in the fifties. TV was just getting going then. In later years, my husband and I refused to watch “Dallas” and yet, years after it ended, we got hooked on it in reruns. Don’t watch the new version. Some of the current programs resemble soap operas but I don’t watch any real soap operas, only hour long shows that are on once a week. Your pictures are always wonderful. What a great eye you have for photography. It brightens my day. Merci.
I hate YOLO. While riding with my teenage son he declared that before making a left hand turn into traffic. I told him he’s not to use that phrase any more while driving.
I hate YOLO. While riding with my teenage son he declared that before making a left hand turn into traffic. I told him he’s not to use that phrase any more while driving.