Pooh Bear, you've got competition in France. Share today's "extra" edition with a Teddy Bear lover.
le nounours (noo-noorce)
: teddy bear
Word origin: Nounours–from un ours (en peluche), or a "stuffed bear," is French baby talk. See a list of French Baby Talk here.
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Un nounours c'est un câlin à quatre pattes.
A teddy is a cuddle with paws at the end. (Gill Davies)
Pronounce It Perfectly in French - with exercises in sound discrimination and accurate sound creation. Order your copy here.
When I was little, at the hospital getting my tonsils out, my stepfather (we'll call him that, as Dick was a big part of my childhood, even if Mom never married him) brought me a giant teddy bear. Only, when Dick learned that the little girl sharing my room was dying, he gave her the big teddy bear. (He gave me another, on his next hospital visit.)
My would-be stepfather passed away several years ago, but I will never forget his gesture. From then on, teddy bears were BIG in my life and that seed of empathy grew and grew.
"Teddy, Resurrected". This yellow nounours, seemingly rescued from the municipal trash, was given to my mom by a villager in Les Arcs-sur-Argens. As you can see, I swiped it from Jules….
We all need to vent sometimes. Go ahead, air your teddy laundry! (Can't remember where this picture was taken… Not too far from Sainte Cécile.)
Longing to go out and play…. A teddy reminder that we might stop what we are doing, for a moment, and get out for some fresh air. Solutions come and problems seems to solve themselves… with the help of a little fresh air.
(A second reminder to get up and get out for some fresh air. You needed that second reminder, didn't you?)
Teddy Bears hanging out in Les Baux de Provence. And thanks for hanging out with me, dear readers, for a few moments this Thursday morning…. I needed to concentrate on something besides the pounding and sawing and crumbling going on around here this morning.
Did you ever have a teddy bear? When's the last time you gave someone a nounours? Comment here. My friend Kate gave me two last time I saw her. I shook my head, "It's been years…" I thought, and my thoughts skipped off, right down memory lane.
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here is a picture of my childhood teddy who looks like a cute old man…http://thealchemyofbalance.blogspot.com/2010/02/teddy-bears-washing-machines-and-life.html
here is a picture of my childhood teddy who looks like a cute old man…http://thealchemyofbalance.blogspot.com/2010/02/teddy-bears-washing-machines-and-life.html
Kristin,
Thank you for all the mailings which are enjoyed and learned from.
With the pronounciatons, would you be so kind to capitalize the syllable that is accented, AND where other french words appear in various images, include their translations, as well? For example the menu and sign.
Appreciatively,
Ciao, Mark Anthony
610 337 3335
Kristin,
Thank you for all the mailings which are enjoyed and learned from.
With the pronounciatons, would you be so kind to capitalize the syllable that is accented, AND where other french words appear in various images, include their translations, as well? For example the menu and sign.
Appreciatively,
Ciao, Mark Anthony
610 337 3335
My teddy bear was named Cubby and my older sister had an identical one. The problem came when our dog Woofie dismembered one of the teddy bears. Whose was it? Obvious to me that it was my sister’s that was armless with stuffing coming out all over.
My teddy bear was named Cubby and my older sister had an identical one. The problem came when our dog Woofie dismembered one of the teddy bears. Whose was it? Obvious to me that it was my sister’s that was armless with stuffing coming out all over.
And my grandmere wore “teddies”…don’t you love that?
And my grandmere wore “teddies”…don’t you love that?
Thank you for the Teddy photos. We just bought a house and move at the end of the month. Stressful. When I was in my 20’s I bought a new Teddy Bear whenever I got a new job. Your post made me think a new house deserves a new bear. I love reading your posts. Jan
Thank you for the Teddy photos. We just bought a house and move at the end of the month. Stressful. When I was in my 20’s I bought a new Teddy Bear whenever I got a new job. Your post made me think a new house deserves a new bear. I love reading your posts. Jan
I received a Smokey the Bear teddy bear in the early ’50’s for Christmas…”with a ranger’s hat and shovel and a pair of dungarees.” oh how I wish I still had him! The dearest teddy in our house now is the one our son Sam received, named Kirby, whose little nose is “loved away.” I must stop now or tears will begin to flow–such a dear, sweet post this morning. Mille mercis, K.
I received a Smokey the Bear teddy bear in the early ’50’s for Christmas…”with a ranger’s hat and shovel and a pair of dungarees.” oh how I wish I still had him! The dearest teddy in our house now is the one our son Sam received, named Kirby, whose little nose is “loved away.” I must stop now or tears will begin to flow–such a dear, sweet post this morning. Mille mercis, K.
Note to the writer above who asks you to capitalize the accented syllable. French is not like English in that sense. It does not have the “accent tonique” that we do. Besides, it would be a pain in the neck. Imagine trying to capitalize a syllable in each English word. Eeeuw. Not fun. Readers of your blog should listen to the samples of spoken French you post . Listening is the best practice. Just my 2 cents!
Note to the writer above who asks you to capitalize the accented syllable. French is not like English in that sense. It does not have the “accent tonique” that we do. Besides, it would be a pain in the neck. Imagine trying to capitalize a syllable in each English word. Eeeuw. Not fun. Readers of your blog should listen to the samples of spoken French you post . Listening is the best practice. Just my 2 cents!
The last time I gave a Teddy Bear away was to my dearest friend Clarey, she had survived the war in Vienna and now in New York, she lived alone in a women’s only boarding house, so she had taken to me in a very special way. She had to go to the hospital for surgery, and I went to visit her, on that day, it was St. Valentine’s Day, I brought her the Teddy Bear, she was very touched, and with tears in her eyes, she looked at me and said: Darling, now you can be nasty the rest of the year.
The last time I gave a Teddy Bear away was to my dearest friend Clarey, she had survived the war in Vienna and now in New York, she lived alone in a women’s only boarding house, so she had taken to me in a very special way. She had to go to the hospital for surgery, and I went to visit her, on that day, it was St. Valentine’s Day, I brought her the Teddy Bear, she was very touched, and with tears in her eyes, she looked at me and said: Darling, now you can be nasty the rest of the year.
We lived in a house in New Mexico while having major reconstruction done plus an addition to living space – a two year project, done in two segments so we had a 6 month break between…I have great empathy with you now, but our results were so worth the inconvenience…..and hope that yours will be as well….
Really enjoy your posts, pictures are just great! Merci! C
We lived in a house in New Mexico while having major reconstruction done plus an addition to living space – a two year project, done in two segments so we had a 6 month break between…I have great empathy with you now, but our results were so worth the inconvenience…..and hope that yours will be as well….
Really enjoy your posts, pictures are just great! Merci! C
I still have my Teddy, I am not sure when I got him, but remember taking him on a visit to Belgium in 1950.
I have a photo, but as we are having a new bathroom put in, I cannot get to my computer and I have no idea how to attach the photo.
I still have my Teddy, I am not sure when I got him, but remember taking him on a visit to Belgium in 1950.
I have a photo, but as we are having a new bathroom put in, I cannot get to my computer and I have no idea how to attach the photo.
Thank you for the adorable photos. In the middle of construction you remind us to notice beauty and to smile. Hope the work goes well and quickly ! Jan
Thank you for the adorable photos. In the middle of construction you remind us to notice beauty and to smile. Hope the work goes well and quickly ! Jan
Thank you for the great Teddy Bear photos! This brightened my Thursday morning here in Fort Worth, Texas, where the weather is reminding us of Paris in April…cold and rainy.
Thank you for the great Teddy Bear photos! This brightened my Thursday morning here in Fort Worth, Texas, where the weather is reminding us of Paris in April…cold and rainy.
Thank you for your whimsical Teddy Bear post this morning.
Nothing like Teddy Bear memories to warm the heart and soul.!
Thank you for your whimsical Teddy Bear post this morning.
Nothing like Teddy Bear memories to warm the heart and soul.!
Nicole, loved your blog post and the picture of your Teddy!
Mark, sorry to not be able to help, Carol explained it best: there is not a lot of emphasis on the syllables in French. Re translating the other words, I try to translate all the text, but the words in the picture I had not thought to do those… if I can I will. (The blackboard in this post reads: Todays Menu: Slab of Wild Boar, French fries, raw vegetables and tart of the day.
Bill in St Paul, Aw, Cubby!!!
Suzanne, Hotchacha grandma! Of your YOUR grandma would wear a teddy!
Jan, great idea. Youll name your new bear something French? 😉 Who wants to help name Jans bear? How about Nounours? (Nou-nou for short)
Carol, thanks for mentionning laccent tonique! My French friend Barbara assured me, last time someone asked about which syllable to emphasize, that the French do not emphasize them.
Armando, so touched by your story and Clareys fiesty reply. What a brave character, one who has great friends.
Chaille, thanks for the sympathy. With all the hammering and drilling going on all around me in this house I feel like one big sorry tooth at the dentists office.
Kris, got the picture. ADORE your teddy!
Thanks you Jan, Nancy, and Marsha and to all who comment after this post. Bye now from the rainy coast. The April showers are quenching all the flower seeds. Yay!
French Word-A-Day http://french-word-a-day.com
Book: Blossoming in Provence:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1467929794/mdj-20
Latest video from France/sign up to our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FrenchWordADay
Nicole, loved your blog post and the picture of your Teddy!
Mark, sorry to not be able to help, Carol explained it best: there is not a lot of emphasis on the syllables in French. Re translating the other words, I try to translate all the text, but the words in the picture I had not thought to do those… if I can I will. (The blackboard in this post reads: Todays Menu: Slab of Wild Boar, French fries, raw vegetables and tart of the day.
Bill in St Paul, Aw, Cubby!!!
Suzanne, Hotchacha grandma! Of your YOUR grandma would wear a teddy!
Jan, great idea. Youll name your new bear something French? 😉 Who wants to help name Jans bear? How about Nounours? (Nou-nou for short)
Carol, thanks for mentionning laccent tonique! My French friend Barbara assured me, last time someone asked about which syllable to emphasize, that the French do not emphasize them.
Armando, so touched by your story and Clareys fiesty reply. What a brave character, one who has great friends.
Chaille, thanks for the sympathy. With all the hammering and drilling going on all around me in this house I feel like one big sorry tooth at the dentists office.
Kris, got the picture. ADORE your teddy!
Thanks you Jan, Nancy, and Marsha and to all who comment after this post. Bye now from the rainy coast. The April showers are quenching all the flower seeds. Yay!
French Word-A-Day http://french-word-a-day.com
Book: Blossoming in Provence:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1467929794/mdj-20
Latest video from France/sign up to our channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/FrenchWordADay
Kristin, did you see that we hosting a Teddy Bear Tea Party at the Entiat Library this month?? https://www.facebook.com/events/364698583634757/
Poor old Dakin, the white bear in the middle, was tossed and thrown between rough little boys and lost an eye and a tail, but kept his calm and caring disposition. He will be treated to tea and likely more tossing at our party. I loved to see all of the nournours in the windows! What lovely views they must have.
Kristin, did you see that we hosting a Teddy Bear Tea Party at the Entiat Library this month?? https://www.facebook.com/events/364698583634757/
Poor old Dakin, the white bear in the middle, was tossed and thrown between rough little boys and lost an eye and a tail, but kept his calm and caring disposition. He will be treated to tea and likely more tossing at our party. I loved to see all of the nournours in the windows! What lovely views they must have.
Kristin–I always love your blog and real-life-in-France experiences. Especially useful was today’s link to French Baby Talk. I would welcome other “theme” word lists: speaking to animals, cooking terms, terms of endearment, etc. You get the idea! Many thanks, always. jr (San Diego)
Kristin–I always love your blog and real-life-in-France experiences. Especially useful was today’s link to French Baby Talk. I would welcome other “theme” word lists: speaking to animals, cooking terms, terms of endearment, etc. You get the idea! Many thanks, always. jr (San Diego)
My wife, Sharron, inherited a fur shoal when her mother passed away. Impractical for Arizona and frowned on in today’s world, Sharron had a teddy bear made from the shoal. It turned out beautiful and with the real fur, it is a unique remembrance of her mother.
À plus tard,
My wife, Sharron, inherited a fur shoal when her mother passed away. Impractical for Arizona and frowned on in today’s world, Sharron had a teddy bear made from the shoal. It turned out beautiful and with the real fur, it is a unique remembrance of her mother.
À plus tard,
Kristin: Being a big fan of Teddy’s myself I love the “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” Song. Do you know it? The 1932 version by Henry Hall and His Orchestra is the best!
“….todays the day the Teddy Bear’s have their picnic”
Kristin: Being a big fan of Teddy’s myself I love the “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” Song. Do you know it? The 1932 version by Henry Hall and His Orchestra is the best!
“….todays the day the Teddy Bear’s have their picnic”
Good morning, Kristin,
In the throes of your remodel, perhaps you’ll enjoy this collage by Kelly Rae Roberts – http://shop.kellyraeroberts.com/products/embrace-the-chaos?
Hang in there!
Good morning, Kristin,
In the throes of your remodel, perhaps you’ll enjoy this collage by Kelly Rae Roberts – http://shop.kellyraeroberts.com/products/embrace-the-chaos?
Hang in there!
Your story of your stepfather’s kindness reminds me of my own one. I had a big teddy as a child . My Mum was very concerned about the little boy next door who seemed to be very unloved & not well treated ,so she gave teddy to him.
At first , as a 5 year old, I didn’t apreciate the gesture until Mum said ‘you have all these other toys & a Mummy & Daddy who love you’!
If you are ever in Munich there is a wonderful little museum devoted to,teddy bears .
Your story of your stepfather’s kindness reminds me of my own one. I had a big teddy as a child . My Mum was very concerned about the little boy next door who seemed to be very unloved & not well treated ,so she gave teddy to him.
At first , as a 5 year old, I didn’t apreciate the gesture until Mum said ‘you have all these other toys & a Mummy & Daddy who love you’!
If you are ever in Munich there is a wonderful little museum devoted to,teddy bears .
I love Jan’s idea about a new bear for a new home. Teddy’s are so comforting, aren’t they? My mother bought a teddy bear for herself after a divorce. She had that bear for 20+ years, then gave him to a little girl who admired him on a visit. I kind of miss that bear, but the gesture was so true to my mom’s personality – always enjoying the presence of children, always offering comfort to anyone in need. Dressed in a Santa hat, at the holidays, that bear often sat a top a saddle welcoming visitors. (The saddle was from my earlier horse owner years and is kept at her home.) Now my mother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was given a new bear this past Christmas…perhaps we will name him Nounours…in honor of a French blog by an American ex-pat (we, too, have family in Phoenix) where friends share experiences, knowledge and comfort from afar.
I love Jan’s idea about a new bear for a new home. Teddy’s are so comforting, aren’t they? My mother bought a teddy bear for herself after a divorce. She had that bear for 20+ years, then gave him to a little girl who admired him on a visit. I kind of miss that bear, but the gesture was so true to my mom’s personality – always enjoying the presence of children, always offering comfort to anyone in need. Dressed in a Santa hat, at the holidays, that bear often sat a top a saddle welcoming visitors. (The saddle was from my earlier horse owner years and is kept at her home.) Now my mother suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was given a new bear this past Christmas…perhaps we will name him Nounours…in honor of a French blog by an American ex-pat (we, too, have family in Phoenix) where friends share experiences, knowledge and comfort from afar.
Bonjour, Kristin. Yes. My son’s therapist, at our first family meeting, decided that I and not my 13 year old son needed a teddy bear… my face must have betrayed a longing for comfort. Interestingly, my poodle, who has torn every stuffed toy in our house to shreds, has never touched my teddy bear.
Bonjour, Kristin. Yes. My son’s therapist, at our first family meeting, decided that I and not my 13 year old son needed a teddy bear… my face must have betrayed a longing for comfort. Interestingly, my poodle, who has torn every stuffed toy in our house to shreds, has never touched my teddy bear.
Back to buying Teddy Bears, in a new life chapter, to fill the “Teddy Closet” in a large shelter for abused children and women. Being with doctors and police can be REALLY scary, and a new bear to cuddle and squeeze is so helpful. Children can talk to their Teddys and help us help them. Great job for a super pal, heh?
Back to buying Teddy Bears, in a new life chapter, to fill the “Teddy Closet” in a large shelter for abused children and women. Being with doctors and police can be REALLY scary, and a new bear to cuddle and squeeze is so helpful. Children can talk to their Teddys and help us help them. Great job for a super pal, heh?
I cannot remember ever having a Teddy Bear – No that is wrong – I have one now it remains packed in the moving boxes. Going to get him out for fresh air this morning.
As usual, love your pictures – they are a gentle and sweet comment on the French culture. Thank you for sharing. Really like the idea of providing teddy bears to shelters – a new project. thanks for that also.
I cannot remember ever having a Teddy Bear – No that is wrong – I have one now it remains packed in the moving boxes. Going to get him out for fresh air this morning.
As usual, love your pictures – they are a gentle and sweet comment on the French culture. Thank you for sharing. Really like the idea of providing teddy bears to shelters – a new project. thanks for that also.
My nickname is Sher-Bear and I have a special collection of my very favorite teddies, who sit on my shelves and smile at me. And they are very good at giving a hug just when you need it. I agree that they make great gifts. I gave my mom a bear when she was dying and she held onto that bear during the hardest times. I have that very special bear back now and she is “stuffed” with the most precious angel love ever. ^j^
My nickname is Sher-Bear and I have a special collection of my very favorite teddies, who sit on my shelves and smile at me. And they are very good at giving a hug just when you need it. I agree that they make great gifts. I gave my mom a bear when she was dying and she held onto that bear during the hardest times. I have that very special bear back now and she is “stuffed” with the most precious angel love ever. ^j^