Happy Art (or L'art joyeux). The other day I was snapping a picture of this lively fishing boat, or pointu, when a passerby sniffed Quelle horreur! ("How tacky (that boat is)!" I was struck by the comment until I rememembered we don't all see things the same way or, as we say back home, Different strokes for different folks! Even if I wouldn't paint a boat in the colors of a rainbow (had I only one boat to paint), I think this bubbly bateau fits in beautifully here in the port of Sanary-sur-Mer. Taking the hint from today's French expression, we could say, il faut de tout pour faire un port. (It takes all kinds to make a harbor.)
I received some touching feedback from our French readers when recently I posted a "reverse" vocabulary entry (the English term or phrase first, followed by the French translation). I think it's time for another, which would bookend this edition nicely–given the last section includes a letter from Francophone reader Marie-Pierre. Today's reverse entry is…
"different strokes for different folks"
: Il faut de tout pour faire un monde
The French equivalent means, literally, it takes all kinds to make a world. Another way to say it is this: chacun ses goûts (to each his own). Know another way to say it? Comment on this expression, here, or continue reading the rest of this edition, below.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
(This story section will return next week. I have a lot of updates for you–such as Max's first car (can you guess it?) and his summertime job. I could also tell you about the first ever concombre I just harvested (Youpi!!) and the mongolian tournesol growing behind our house. I haven't even mentioned the sacks and sacks of home-grown produce our neighbors, Josette and André, keep delivering–fèves, then haricots verts, then tomates, then a giant bushel of lavender! Our home smells like un champ de lavande. Best air freshener ever!
I leave you with some colorful clichés taken over the past two weeks. Enjoy the photos, and see you next week.
Passez un bon we,
Kristin
French Vocabulary + Audio File:
- Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the following French words: Download mp3 or Wav file
Il faut de tout pour faire un monde = it takes all sorts to make a world
le concombre = cucumber
youpi! = yay!
le tournesol = sunflower
la fève = fava bean or broad bean
la tomate = tomato
un champ = a field
la lavande = lavender
bon we (week-end) = happy weekend
un cliché = picture (also means photo negative)
passez un bon we = have a good weekend
With any luck, I thought, these sunflowers will be thriving when Heidi and Brian arrive! The entwined tournesols reminded me of the reunited couple.
In the background, you can see Jean-Marc's green market stand. He bought it with the plan to sell some of his wine roadside! I may let you know if that happens… Meantime, it was so funny, Sunday, to see Aunt Marie-Françoise stride up to the stand and chant "Melons! Achetez des bons melons de Provence!" Melons! ("Step right up and buy some good melons from Provence!") A chorus of chuckles erupted from the front porch, where 20 some family members had just returned from the beach, after an end of summer picnic.
In Cassis during my sister's visit, we passed this graffito. The message was serendipidous, given that my sister Heidi and her ex ex, were visiting us in France–celebrating their reunion. After 24 years apart, they are happily together again. The sign above reads "You can't beat this love". Read the story of their reunion here.
All decked out in Cassis, where French windows are full of wonder and whimsy.
Sometimes French mailboxes are as expressive as French window boxes. More mailboxes here in the French mailbox post.
I love to read the names on the front. The white one on the bottom belongs to the Cassan and the Migraine family. I wonder, does a "Mr. Headache" really live here?
"Babiol" it's both the name of this shop and a favorite French word. And that's a French Vanna White. Just kidding. That's my beautiful sister! (Little sisters love to kid–even though they're poor sports when they're teased.)
The mongolian sunflower growing behind our house, in the potager. When Cousin Audrey saw it, she said it looked like a shower head. (I recently heard creative people can see forms and familiar shapes in the objects they gaze at: whether tiles, clouds, clusters of trees, or sunflowers…) What have you seen recently? (I see hearts everywhere, and recently a "pig" jumped out of the cluster of leaves on a backyard tree! I blinked my eyes, but it was still there, green and rustling in the wind.) Comments welcome here.
That bale of lavenderI told you about… and an update on Braise (left). Occasionally someone writes in to say "so many pictures of Smokey… but what about Braise–is she okay?" Braise is doing fine, though she worried me last week, when she had three accidents in the house (pee-pee par terre, or "puddles" on the floor). It wondered whether she was getting old, but she is only 7. Then I realized the fault was mine! Owing to summertime, we are sleeping in a little later. This means Braise and Smokey have to hold it an extra hour… No more grasses matinées, or sleep-ins, until 7:30 am. If we make it to the front door an hour earlier, we'll avoid all those accidental puddles.
Corrections
I love your site and find delight in seeing photos of my native, favorite Provence. The word of the Day is helpful to me as I am using it the other way around for perfecting my English knowledge…
One small correction however in the usage of "from the bottom of the heart": it is a personal expression used for a personal feeling avec un sens de provenance (mouvement), and one should say "du fond de mon coeur" ie: je te remercie du fond de mon coeur. "au"fond de mon coeur" means "deep inside of my heart"(pas de mouvement) ie: je garde son souvenir au fond de mon coeur
Merci de me permettre ce commentaire et dans l'attente de votre prochaine lettre. [Thank you for allowing me this comment and I look forward to your next letter.]
Bien amicalement.
Marie-Pierre
Thank you, Marie-Pierre, for the correction and for the helpful example you shared. –Kristin
The stone structure behind the dogs is known as un cabanon. Some say they were used to house farm animals, others say they sheltered farmers during a blistery Mistral. Have you heard of other uses for these beloved structures, salt and peppered across the French countryside? Comments welcome here.
And that's Smokey whispering into Mama Braise's oreille. What is he saying?
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Twingo, Fiat Panda, Citroen C3, those are my guesses xxoo
Twingo, Fiat Panda, Citroen C3, those are my guesses xxoo
I immediately saw the sunflowers in embrace as you and Jean-Marc! I love J-M’s market stand, such a find! I would find many uses for it here; this week for the over abundance of ripe cukes and zucchinis. I ate my first ever grown eggplant this week, such a treat. I am loving having a garden.
Enjoyed all the photos; especially the tasteful graffiti, the “showerhead” and beautiful Vanna (funny as my beloved is always telling me the way I point at things I look like Vanna)!
Max, a new car? Hmm… Enjoy your week!
I immediately saw the sunflowers in embrace as you and Jean-Marc! I love J-M’s market stand, such a find! I would find many uses for it here; this week for the over abundance of ripe cukes and zucchinis. I ate my first ever grown eggplant this week, such a treat. I am loving having a garden.
Enjoyed all the photos; especially the tasteful graffiti, the “showerhead” and beautiful Vanna (funny as my beloved is always telling me the way I point at things I look like Vanna)!
Max, a new car? Hmm… Enjoy your week!
Thanks for the update on Braise and I’m sure Smokey is saying “Look, Mom, she’s taking our picture again!”
Thanks for the update on Braise and I’m sure Smokey is saying “Look, Mom, she’s taking our picture again!”
Kristin
I think that Max Got a Deux Chevaux…in blue.
Love the pics and always love seeing Braise and Smokey. He is saying ” Je j’aime!
Tomatoes…canning, sauce or mozzarella and tomatoes?
Kathleen
Kristin
I think that Max Got a Deux Chevaux…in blue.
Love the pics and always love seeing Braise and Smokey. He is saying ” Je j’aime!
Tomatoes…canning, sauce or mozzarella and tomatoes?
Kathleen
Definitely enjoyed this post. Maybe it wasn’t so bad that you wrote less than usual; folks seemed to enjoy the way you wound up doing it! Your pictures just did more of the talking than the words. Nothing wrong with that. 🙂
“Keep on trucking.” is very literal and wouldn’t translate well or have the thought you’re going for. Maybe “Bon courage.” and/or “Ne lâchez pas.” Can we hear from the true francophones? I’m still a “wannabe” even after years of learning and working in, with and around French. Just can’t ever, ever learn all the colloquialisms, and there isn’t always a good translation for ones we’d like to use.
pee-pee = “pipi” in French
“A chacun son goût.” (With “À” at the start of the phrase.)
“Achetez des bons melons.” works here because “bons melons” is used as a unit. But you’re right, Susan; normally “des” changes to “de” before a plural adjective preceding a noun–at least in careful French. But it’s not a pattern even native speakers always follow.
Definitely enjoyed this post. Maybe it wasn’t so bad that you wrote less than usual; folks seemed to enjoy the way you wound up doing it! Your pictures just did more of the talking than the words. Nothing wrong with that. 🙂
“Keep on trucking.” is very literal and wouldn’t translate well or have the thought you’re going for. Maybe “Bon courage.” and/or “Ne lâchez pas.” Can we hear from the true francophones? I’m still a “wannabe” even after years of learning and working in, with and around French. Just can’t ever, ever learn all the colloquialisms, and there isn’t always a good translation for ones we’d like to use.
pee-pee = “pipi” in French
“A chacun son goût.” (With “À” at the start of the phrase.)
“Achetez des bons melons.” works here because “bons melons” is used as a unit. But you’re right, Susan; normally “des” changes to “de” before a plural adjective preceding a noun–at least in careful French. But it’s not a pattern even native speakers always follow.
Our dear Kristi,
What a wonderful post today and such gorgeous pictures!
Really enjoyed seeing those precious pups again! Regardless of many words or few,through your gifted writing you privilege us to be in your life!
What a pleasure!
Thank you!
Love, Natalia. xo
Our dear Kristi,
What a wonderful post today and such gorgeous pictures!
Really enjoyed seeing those precious pups again! Regardless of many words or few,through your gifted writing you privilege us to be in your life!
What a pleasure!
Thank you!
Love, Natalia. xo
Loved the pictures and especially the colorful boat. What a dull world it would be if all the boats were just white and all the mailboxes were grey. Thanks for the mouthwatering mention of fruits and vegetables. Great that you have room and can grow these plus flowers and plants. The world was meant to be colorful and nurturing, n’est-ce pas? Bisous indeed to les chiens, mere et fils.
Loved the pictures and especially the colorful boat. What a dull world it would be if all the boats were just white and all the mailboxes were grey. Thanks for the mouthwatering mention of fruits and vegetables. Great that you have room and can grow these plus flowers and plants. The world was meant to be colorful and nurturing, n’est-ce pas? Bisous indeed to les chiens, mere et fils.
Miss you, Krisin. A wonderful post. Looks like you’ve had a wonderful summer.
Miss you, Krisin. A wonderful post. Looks like you’ve had a wonderful summer.
Thanks for a great post and fabulous photos! I love the pups!
Stay well!
Thanks for a great post and fabulous photos! I love the pups!
Stay well!
Kristen, I’ve been a bit low lately and I can’t tell you how seeing your post in my inbox this morning gave me the “happies.” It always does. I love the photos, the great ‘French lessons,’ the stories, everything. In fact I’ve read the post a couple of times now, including all the great comments. I think Max might have gotten a little pickup truck! I wish I painted like Jules, and if I did, I’d paint that boat!
Kristen, I’ve been a bit low lately and I can’t tell you how seeing your post in my inbox this morning gave me the “happies.” It always does. I love the photos, the great ‘French lessons,’ the stories, everything. In fact I’ve read the post a couple of times now, including all the great comments. I think Max might have gotten a little pickup truck! I wish I painted like Jules, and if I did, I’d paint that boat!
You said that “Babiol” is a favorite French word. Please help me understand what it means, and why it’s a favorite word.
John Sanders, Nashua, NH
You said that “Babiol” is a favorite French word. Please help me understand what it means, and why it’s a favorite word.
John Sanders, Nashua, NH
Love the abundance in the window photo – find the dried skull a bit disconcerting – feels like a touch of our American southwest decor slipped in.
Love the abundance in the window photo – find the dried skull a bit disconcerting – feels like a touch of our American southwest decor slipped in.
Hi
I did two paintings of one I photographed on my first visit to France,
I was told by a French woman we know, that the cabanon”s were used for shelter for the farmers tending the vines or fields.
Hi
I did two paintings of one I photographed on my first visit to France,
I was told by a French woman we know, that the cabanon”s were used for shelter for the farmers tending the vines or fields.
oh I forgot I love the colorful boat it is fun and does make you feel happy
Thanks for all the wonderful photos and stories I often share with a
friend and I told her she can sign up and get them in her box, she said ” no I so enjoy when you think it is one I would enjoy”, I will be
sending her this one today
oh I forgot I love the colorful boat it is fun and does make you feel happy
Thanks for all the wonderful photos and stories I often share with a
friend and I told her she can sign up and get them in her box, she said ” no I so enjoy when you think it is one I would enjoy”, I will be
sending her this one today
The boat is gorgeous … perfect for those colours though I couldn’t imagine my brother’s 15m yacht painted up that way, I could suggest it to him as it’s due for some maintenance 😉 … Have just bought one of your books for the kindle, the weather is looking cold and wet for the weekend so instead of mowing my lawn I’ll be curled up with a book… um kindle, remembering my own images of Provence … that lovely warm sun and the juicy peaches bought from a roadside stall.
And what Smokey is saying to Braise? : I wuv ou mama.
All the best to you and your family 🙂
The boat is gorgeous … perfect for those colours though I couldn’t imagine my brother’s 15m yacht painted up that way, I could suggest it to him as it’s due for some maintenance 😉 … Have just bought one of your books for the kindle, the weather is looking cold and wet for the weekend so instead of mowing my lawn I’ll be curled up with a book… um kindle, remembering my own images of Provence … that lovely warm sun and the juicy peaches bought from a roadside stall.
And what Smokey is saying to Braise? : I wuv ou mama.
All the best to you and your family 🙂
I’ve just discovered this glorious resource. My husband and I are going to be spending the winter in France – Avallon in Burgundy – we reckon if we can survive a winter in France it’s more likely that we can live there longer term!
So I’m sruggling like mad to bring my French up to speed and have come across your wonderful Word a Day. And what a delight to see all of the other marvellous information that you include. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thank you!
I’ve just discovered this glorious resource. My husband and I are going to be spending the winter in France – Avallon in Burgundy – we reckon if we can survive a winter in France it’s more likely that we can live there longer term!
So I’m sruggling like mad to bring my French up to speed and have come across your wonderful Word a Day. And what a delight to see all of the other marvellous information that you include. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thank you!
Judi, more happy photos on the way. Meantime, keep smiling.
Yinka, welcome abord! Very happy to have you with us 🙂
John, Babiole is one of those fun-sounding words–i like it for that reason. As for what it means: a trifle or a trinket or a knick-knack.
Judi, more happy photos on the way. Meantime, keep smiling.
Yinka, welcome abord! Very happy to have you with us 🙂
John, Babiole is one of those fun-sounding words–i like it for that reason. As for what it means: a trifle or a trinket or a knick-knack.
My friends, Claudine and Jean-Pierre who live near you in La Cardière were the first people I knew to use the word “cabanon”. They own a great deal of hunting land near where the great French movie , “La Source de Jean de Florette” was filmed and refer to their hunting shack as “le cabanon”.
My friends, Claudine and Jean-Pierre who live near you in La Cardière were the first people I knew to use the word “cabanon”. They own a great deal of hunting land near where the great French movie , “La Source de Jean de Florette” was filmed and refer to their hunting shack as “le cabanon”.
Chere Kristi,
I can’t get enough of these gorgeous photos! When are you going to do a coffee table book of your best photos??? That would be a hit!
I would love to sail off in that colorful boat and then go back to your place for a delicious lunch (that included your tomatoes) and then a walk and playtime with Braise and Smokey. Thanks for sharing them-I’ve missed seeing those beautiful faces! Give them kisses from me please!
Carolyn
Chere Kristi,
I can’t get enough of these gorgeous photos! When are you going to do a coffee table book of your best photos??? That would be a hit!
I would love to sail off in that colorful boat and then go back to your place for a delicious lunch (that included your tomatoes) and then a walk and playtime with Braise and Smokey. Thanks for sharing them-I’ve missed seeing those beautiful faces! Give them kisses from me please!
Carolyn
Hi Kristin my name is Michael I work at an optical store in puerto vallarta, I had the pleasure of meeting your mother the other day and she talked to me about this site and I really liked the idea of it. I hope I get to learn a little french with the help of this site.
P.S your mom is a very wonderfull person I´m very glad I had the chance of meeting her 🙂
Hi Kristin my name is Michael I work at an optical store in puerto vallarta, I had the pleasure of meeting your mother the other day and she talked to me about this site and I really liked the idea of it. I hope I get to learn a little french with the help of this site.
P.S your mom is a very wonderfull person I´m very glad I had the chance of meeting her 🙂