Jouer à cache-cache means to play hide-n-seek. This was a favorite game of Smokey's when he was one-years-old (pictured), though his hiding places were a bit obvious. Now, at 4, he likes the classics: a good ol' game of catch is fine by him.
doux (do)
: mild, temperate; sweet, pleasant; soft; lenient
Doux also refers to a gentle person–or how about a gentle soul, like the one hiding behind the tomatoes? Speaking of tomatoes, we're busy harvesting them–along with grapes–during this exceptionally mild weather.
Terms & Expressions
un billet doux = a love letter
le vin doux = sweet wine
dire des mots doux à quelqu'un = to whisper sweet nothings
faire les yeux doux à qqn = to make eyes at someone (to look at someone with puppy-dog eyes)
Share more terms and expressions here, in the comments.
Example Sentence:
Une période de temps doux et sec au début d'octobre fait en sorte que les apiculteurs ont amplement le temps de préparer leurs ruches en vue de l'hiver qui approche... A run of warm dry weather in early October is providing beekeepers with ample opportunity to prepare their hives for the coming winter…. (from FAC express and Linguee dictionnaire)
Bescherelle conjugation guide. "This is without a doubt the definitive guide to conjugation of French verbs… an indispensible reference and not overwhelming for beginning students." Order it here.–M. Savoir (Amazon reviewer)
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
"It looks like we will have tomatoes up into November!" I tell Jean-Marc, pour la troisième fois. I am excited by the findings in our garden, and motivated to do better next time. (Next time I will stake those tomatoes, which have spread like a riot across the garden beds. Though unruly tomatoes taste just as good, they are harder to find than "ruly" tomatoes–which don't hide behind the parsley or get tangled in with the cucumbers (will need to tie those up next time, too).
Here in the South of France, the weather on this 22nd of October is si doux! si doux! It's so mild outside. I watch the locals swim in the sea and the farmers collecting grapes this late in the season. (As I type this, Jean-Marc and the kids are high on the hill behind our house, working on a morning-long vendange. And when they are done, I know one of them will return to the beach, to wash all the grape juice off with the help of a salt-water bath!)
But back to fall weather… I love to see the autumn wildflowers pop up and to discover which plants are flowering. The roadsides are flanked with yellow beauties called millepertuis, or "a thousand holes"–for the tiny perforated leaves they sport. (In English we call them St John's wort). Some use the flowers to treat depression. My husband uses them to organically care for his vines (do vines get the blues?)
Also flowering here in our garden are the verbena plants—in French la verveine. Their blossoms are like lacy spears and, though silver-tinted, they are pretty in the golden vase Mom brought me years ago from Mexico.
I'm on my way outside now, to collect another bunch of verveine—for the lemony aroma, which freshens the house (and, some say, wards off les moustiques… But my experience is that it attracts the very same! Just last night I stood there with une poignée of leaves (to sweeten my tea) when–zap!–I was bitten by a flimsy passer-by! I watched as the drunk pest staggered off through the air, leaving its victim seething with vexation. How a weightless bully can displace a giant ever amazes me.
No use letting a wobbly mosquito ruin one's mood. An extra drop of honey in one's tea is sometimes enough to restore sanity. (And a dab of miel on one's mosquito bite couldn't hurt either). When it comes to lotions and potions, Mother Nature's pharmacy is full of possibilities.
* * *
Pictured above: In other "flowering plants of October," here are some melisse, or lemon balm (I think…). A friend thought it was de la menthe, or mint–and though it tastes a little minty, it is not mint. What would you call a plant whose leaves looked like mint and whose flowers looked like this, pinkish-red?
French Vocabulary
pour la troisième fois = for the third time
si doux = so mild
la vendange = grape harvest
le millepertuis = St John's wort
la verveine = verbena
le moustique = mosquito
une poignée = a handful
le miel = honey
=>expression, être tout sucre, tout miel
Bill Facker, are you reading? Here is the hibiscus plant you bought us in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes. We dragged it south, when we moved. One year later–it's bloomed! (pictured: Smokey, in a rare holding-that-tongue-in moment).
Like the verbena plant in our yard, this rosemary is very old. But oh the blossoms it produces! What do you use rosemary or verbena for? Share some ideas, here, in the comments box.
Lemon verbena in the house. Did you read the previous post, about our current remodel project? Click here to see it. The work has not advanced since then….
Mom's painting matches the construction tape that holds up these plastic walls. The idea is to keep out dust….
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Just love the photo of young Smokey playing hide and seek. Your beautiful photos and interesting, eloquent posts provide a moment of relaxing relief while I care for my mother at her home with the help of Hospice care. By the way, how did Smokey get his name? He isn’t gray as is the case with most fluffy kittens I know named Smokey. I must have missed that story. And, does Jules sell her paintings online anywhere? I tried a search and discovered her name in a few spots, but none attached to any of the artist sales websites or her own.
Just love the photo of young Smokey playing hide and seek. Your beautiful photos and interesting, eloquent posts provide a moment of relaxing relief while I care for my mother at her home with the help of Hospice care. By the way, how did Smokey get his name? He isn’t gray as is the case with most fluffy kittens I know named Smokey. I must have missed that story. And, does Jules sell her paintings online anywhere? I tried a search and discovered her name in a few spots, but none attached to any of the artist sales websites or her own.
I remember An Agatha Christie novel which used the phrase “rosemary is for remembrance”. I can’t imagine pork chops or roast without rosemary. Wonder where one gets coconut palm sugar? Sounds tres doux (douce?).Your pictures are so expressive of the area and its charm. I thought at first that the white sheet with the red marks was an early Halloween ghost but saw in the next picture it was plastic sheeting. Love seeing all the plants and flowers. Maybe you thought you would “steak” the tomatoes because of there being a variety called beefsteak tomatoes.
Your miniature ones look so good. Bon appetit!
I remember An Agatha Christie novel which used the phrase “rosemary is for remembrance”. I can’t imagine pork chops or roast without rosemary. Wonder where one gets coconut palm sugar? Sounds tres doux (douce?).Your pictures are so expressive of the area and its charm. I thought at first that the white sheet with the red marks was an early Halloween ghost but saw in the next picture it was plastic sheeting. Love seeing all the plants and flowers. Maybe you thought you would “steak” the tomatoes because of there being a variety called beefsteak tomatoes.
Your miniature ones look so good. Bon appetit!
Great post today — and I love the “puppy” photos.
Thanks for sharing a part of your life Kristin! I also have my cup of coffee while I read about your adventures. Love it!
I have a huge rosemary plant that is blooming. I will look at it more closely and appreciate it more.
Stay well!
Great post today — and I love the “puppy” photos.
Thanks for sharing a part of your life Kristin! I also have my cup of coffee while I read about your adventures. Love it!
I have a huge rosemary plant that is blooming. I will look at it more closely and appreciate it more.
Stay well!
Well, you may be harvesting into November but in St. Paul and most of Minnesota we got a good frost last night. It was below 30 degrees when I left for my French lesson this morning.
Well, you may be harvesting into November but in St. Paul and most of Minnesota we got a good frost last night. It was below 30 degrees when I left for my French lesson this morning.
When searching for sal de baine in Saint-Remy in early September, Melissa had hoped to find lavande, mais, bien sur, no! So, her mother graciously accepted verveine instead.
When searching for sal de baine in Saint-Remy in early September, Melissa had hoped to find lavande, mais, bien sur, no! So, her mother graciously accepted verveine instead.
Don’t you just love flowers/leaves/branches in the house?! So wonderful.
Perhaps those mint smelling tall plants w/ the rose/red flowers in the picture are beebalm (bergamotte. They attract hummingbirds & papillons which is why we always have them in our garden…they spread similarly to mint…w/ runners…take shade & sun.
Love the photos…& your posts!
Don’t you just love flowers/leaves/branches in the house?! So wonderful.
Perhaps those mint smelling tall plants w/ the rose/red flowers in the picture are beebalm (bergamotte. They attract hummingbirds & papillons which is why we always have them in our garden…they spread similarly to mint…w/ runners…take shade & sun.
Love the photos…& your posts!
We’ve been blessed with warm days and a brilliant display of leaves this fall in southern Oregon. I put my garden to bed last week as the night temps here in the mountains were dropping below freezing. I’ve got a sink full of veggies, including green tomatoes which are now ripening.
Rosemary I use in containers and flowerbeds as it does well in our hot, dry climate. Mine are covered with precious bluish blossoms and the bees are glad for that. I love the scent of lemon verbena; such a pretty bouquet it makes. Enjoyed your story and your sweet Smokey pictures!
We’ve been blessed with warm days and a brilliant display of leaves this fall in southern Oregon. I put my garden to bed last week as the night temps here in the mountains were dropping below freezing. I’ve got a sink full of veggies, including green tomatoes which are now ripening.
Rosemary I use in containers and flowerbeds as it does well in our hot, dry climate. Mine are covered with precious bluish blossoms and the bees are glad for that. I love the scent of lemon verbena; such a pretty bouquet it makes. Enjoyed your story and your sweet Smokey pictures!
It looks like salvia gregii (Autumn sage) to me. It blooms for months, the hummingbirds love it, and it returns every year in my 6,000′ Southern California garden.
“Officially named Lamiaceae, the Mint Family includes some of the most important and popular plants for gardens – and kitchens!
A few familial characteristics shared among most Mint Family relatives are square stems, opposite leaves, tiny flowers, and volatile oils in their leaves and stems, which gives them their entrancing fragrances and flavors (and usually makes them deer resistant as well).
As far as taste, where would we be without basil for pesto, mint for juleps, or oregano for spaghetti sauce? And herbal teas would surely go wanting without bee balm (also called Oswego tea) as a key ingredient. Other culinary Mint Family stars are rosemary, savory, marjoram, sage, lemon balm, and thyme.” Bon appétit!
It looks like salvia gregii (Autumn sage) to me. It blooms for months, the hummingbirds love it, and it returns every year in my 6,000′ Southern California garden.
“Officially named Lamiaceae, the Mint Family includes some of the most important and popular plants for gardens – and kitchens!
A few familial characteristics shared among most Mint Family relatives are square stems, opposite leaves, tiny flowers, and volatile oils in their leaves and stems, which gives them their entrancing fragrances and flavors (and usually makes them deer resistant as well).
As far as taste, where would we be without basil for pesto, mint for juleps, or oregano for spaghetti sauce? And herbal teas would surely go wanting without bee balm (also called Oswego tea) as a key ingredient. Other culinary Mint Family stars are rosemary, savory, marjoram, sage, lemon balm, and thyme.” Bon appétit!
Greetings from Oregon! I love your postings, and treasure memories of time spent visiting Provence. Rosemary & basil (both together, along with diced onion) are lovely seasonings for julienned green beans. Moi, j’aime les chats, mais Smokey pourrait me conquerir!
Greetings from Oregon! I love your postings, and treasure memories of time spent visiting Provence. Rosemary & basil (both together, along with diced onion) are lovely seasonings for julienned green beans. Moi, j’aime les chats, mais Smokey pourrait me conquerir!
These comments rock! All the information is the perfect compliment to this post. Extra thanks for making this edition educational. I am hungry for these suggested meals, too, and left with extra appreciation of these herbs. Merci encore.
These comments rock! All the information is the perfect compliment to this post. Extra thanks for making this edition educational. I am hungry for these suggested meals, too, and left with extra appreciation of these herbs. Merci encore.
A friend uses my rosemary as a mop for basting his favorite barbeque lamb. Enjoy!
A friend uses my rosemary as a mop for basting his favorite barbeque lamb. Enjoy!
I make a wonderful lemon verbena pound cake and rosemary, aside from obvious cooking use, makes a fragrant hair rinse that helps keep the gray away…
I make a wonderful lemon verbena pound cake and rosemary, aside from obvious cooking use, makes a fragrant hair rinse that helps keep the gray away…
Rosemary thrives here in the high desert of southern California . It loves heat and sun, so I have enough rosemary to feed an entire town. The bees love it when its tiny lavender-blue flowers bloom. I wash and chop rosemary (minus the stems) and put it into any tomato sauce for Italian food.
The picture of Smokey playing à cache-cache made my heart happy. Il est très doux, ne -c’est- pas?
Rosemary thrives here in the high desert of southern California . It loves heat and sun, so I have enough rosemary to feed an entire town. The bees love it when its tiny lavender-blue flowers bloom. I wash and chop rosemary (minus the stems) and put it into any tomato sauce for Italian food.
The picture of Smokey playing à cache-cache made my heart happy. Il est très doux, ne -c’est- pas?
Some varieties of tomato are indeterminate in growth pattern (more vine like than bush like), so do better if not “steaked?”. The determinate varieties, however, do tend to produce better when staked.
I am really enjoying your posts about your new place. Just as I enjoyed the ones from the Domaine Rouge-Bleu.
Some varieties of tomato are indeterminate in growth pattern (more vine like than bush like), so do better if not “steaked?”. The determinate varieties, however, do tend to produce better when staked.
I am really enjoying your posts about your new place. Just as I enjoyed the ones from the Domaine Rouge-Bleu.
Greetings Kristin
We use lemon verbena to make a verbena sorbet every time we have guests in France and everyone raves about it. It is such a treat since I cannot find this plant in the US. Let me know if you would like this very simple, yet impressive recipe. Greetings to all and
les grandes bisous xoxox
Virginia
Greetings Kristin
We use lemon verbena to make a verbena sorbet every time we have guests in France and everyone raves about it. It is such a treat since I cannot find this plant in the US. Let me know if you would like this very simple, yet impressive recipe. Greetings to all and
les grandes bisous xoxox
Virginia
P.S. Kristin
I’ve seen a few posts from Trina in St. Petersburg, FL, my other home town. Do you know her? A francofile? Perhaps we should meet. Any thoughts on that?
Virginia
P.S. Kristin
I’ve seen a few posts from Trina in St. Petersburg, FL, my other home town. Do you know her? A francofile? Perhaps we should meet. Any thoughts on that?
Virginia
Our white dog likes to play fetch too, when she isn’t hiding in plain sight. Rosemary..I just like to pick some branches and use as room scent. Also cook chicken dishes with it.
Our white dog likes to play fetch too, when she isn’t hiding in plain sight. Rosemary..I just like to pick some branches and use as room scent. Also cook chicken dishes with it.
The cutest picture of the cutest dog!! 🙂 (Smoky in tomato plant).. My Precious/Spoiled/Dearly/Loved/ One would have been jealous if she could read what I am typing now. 🙂 …but I lllove them All! 🙂
The cutest picture of the cutest dog!! 🙂 (Smoky in tomato plant).. My Precious/Spoiled/Dearly/Loved/ One would have been jealous if she could read what I am typing now. 🙂 …but I lllove them All! 🙂
Love this blog entry as I am very much an herbalist. But I have to admit I am unsure about the plant with the red blossoms unless it is bee balm which is in the mint family as well.
Rosemary can be used as a tea for digestion, but too much can be toxic. The oils are very strong. It is nice in a hot bath along with lavender and rose… put it in a muslin bag so it doesn’t litter your tub.
As a vegetarian, I don’t cook with Rosemary all that much but I do make soaps with rosemary and lavender blossoms for gifts and personal use.
Your photographs are so beautiful…But I think it helps that you have a wonderful backdrop with which to work along with your great eye for photography.
xbj
Love this blog entry as I am very much an herbalist. But I have to admit I am unsure about the plant with the red blossoms unless it is bee balm which is in the mint family as well.
Rosemary can be used as a tea for digestion, but too much can be toxic. The oils are very strong. It is nice in a hot bath along with lavender and rose… put it in a muslin bag so it doesn’t litter your tub.
As a vegetarian, I don’t cook with Rosemary all that much but I do make soaps with rosemary and lavender blossoms for gifts and personal use.
Your photographs are so beautiful…But I think it helps that you have a wonderful backdrop with which to work along with your great eye for photography.
xbj