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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Love your site and very helpful…. thanks.
Love your site and very helpful…. thanks.
Photos of Smokey or Braise make my day every single time, it is without fail! And this makes twice in a row that there are some similarity in our posts (I had a few emails from our shared readers to point it out!). 🙂
Ben no longer plays cache-cache save for when he wants me to feed him. Then he will do the “one eye peeking around the corner” which he knows will make me cave in from cuteness every time.
Perhaps I would be more content with the weather if I had a fine swimming hole to dive into but 75°?!? I am OVER it!!! I want to start wearing sweaters and eating choucroute…
Bisous,
H.
Photos of Smokey or Braise make my day every single time, it is without fail! And this makes twice in a row that there are some similarity in our posts (I had a few emails from our shared readers to point it out!). 🙂
Ben no longer plays cache-cache save for when he wants me to feed him. Then he will do the “one eye peeking around the corner” which he knows will make me cave in from cuteness every time.
Perhaps I would be more content with the weather if I had a fine swimming hole to dive into but 75°?!? I am OVER it!!! I want to start wearing sweaters and eating choucroute…
Bisous,
H.
Fabulous photos today …chapeau!
Fabulous photos today …chapeau!
I use rosemary a lot when cooking lamb dishes. I also have it in my garden but have never seen flowers on the plants. You are so blessed to live in the South of France!
I use rosemary a lot when cooking lamb dishes. I also have it in my garden but have never seen flowers on the plants. You are so blessed to live in the South of France!
In addition to using rosemary in both savory and sweet recipes, the dried needles make perfect pin cushion fillings to keep our needles sharp.
Lemon verbena leaves when dried hold their fragrance, perfect to use when crumbled into shortbread dough
In addition to using rosemary in both savory and sweet recipes, the dried needles make perfect pin cushion fillings to keep our needles sharp.
Lemon verbena leaves when dried hold their fragrance, perfect to use when crumbled into shortbread dough
Lemon balm is in the mint family. Check its stem. I was told years ago that you can tell if something is in the mint family by its square stem.
Lemon balm is in the mint family. Check its stem. I was told years ago that you can tell if something is in the mint family by its square stem.
J’utilise rosemary pour les pommes de terre rotis..Delicieuse!
Mariel
J’utilise rosemary pour les pommes de terre rotis..Delicieuse!
Mariel
Enjoying these useful and interesting tips–thanks!
Emma and AixCentric — many thanks for your positive words.
Passante, I will go and see if the stems are square.
G., love the pincushion tip. Makes me want to take up sewing! And re shortbread, I wonder if the same is true for yogurt cakes? (Have never made shortbread…)
Mariel, mmm, pommes de terre — that I can do! I need to use up a drawerful in the fridge… Maybe Geraldine will share some of her lamb to go with them?
Heather, those are heavenly pictures of your dogs.
Blossoming in Provence:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1467929794/mdj-20
Enjoying these useful and interesting tips–thanks!
Emma and AixCentric — many thanks for your positive words.
Passante, I will go and see if the stems are square.
G., love the pincushion tip. Makes me want to take up sewing! And re shortbread, I wonder if the same is true for yogurt cakes? (Have never made shortbread…)
Mariel, mmm, pommes de terre — that I can do! I need to use up a drawerful in the fridge… Maybe Geraldine will share some of her lamb to go with them?
Heather, those are heavenly pictures of your dogs.
Blossoming in Provence:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1467929794/mdj-20
Sooo jealous that you have Lemon Verbena growing in your garden, and enough to pick and bring indoors…It’s my scent of choice for eau de toilettes, so clean and refreshing…and reminiscent of Provence!
On the other hand, I pull Oregano and Lemon Balm out by the bushel , they grow like weeds!
Rosemary is great on chicken, baked with olive oil. And on toasted herb/garlic bread too. Bon apetit!
Sooo jealous that you have Lemon Verbena growing in your garden, and enough to pick and bring indoors…It’s my scent of choice for eau de toilettes, so clean and refreshing…and reminiscent of Provence!
On the other hand, I pull Oregano and Lemon Balm out by the bushel , they grow like weeds!
Rosemary is great on chicken, baked with olive oil. And on toasted herb/garlic bread too. Bon apetit!
We have a big pot of rosemary growing on our lanai in Florida. I love it when the wind ruffles its feathers and the aroma wafts over us.
I make a marinade in the bender of rosemary, garlic, salt & pepper, sometimes some thyme, and olive oil. I use this to marinate lamb chops overnight, which we grill the next day after scraping them off.
Love, love, love the golden pictures. Our guy “hides” by turning his head. If he can’t see you, he thinks you can’t see him! As we speak, he is moping in the backseat of the car as we make the three-day drive from Michigan to Florida, just in time to escape the cold and reunite with the rosemary bush.
We have a big pot of rosemary growing on our lanai in Florida. I love it when the wind ruffles its feathers and the aroma wafts over us.
I make a marinade in the bender of rosemary, garlic, salt & pepper, sometimes some thyme, and olive oil. I use this to marinate lamb chops overnight, which we grill the next day after scraping them off.
Love, love, love the golden pictures. Our guy “hides” by turning his head. If he can’t see you, he thinks you can’t see him! As we speak, he is moping in the backseat of the car as we make the three-day drive from Michigan to Florida, just in time to escape the cold and reunite with the rosemary bush.
“Steak” those tomatoes? I’m sure you meant “stake” them! 🙂
“Steak” those tomatoes? I’m sure you meant “stake” them! 🙂
Makes me wish I were there. However, I would prefer to “stake” my tomatoes and leave the “steak” to those who are hungry.
Makes me wish I were there. However, I would prefer to “stake” my tomatoes and leave the “steak” to those who are hungry.
Rosemary symbolises remembrance but we use it with roast lamb in U.K.
Rosemary symbolises remembrance but we use it with roast lamb in U.K.
Our dear Kristi,
Another wonderful post and besutiful pictures(as
always!)Your descriptions are magic!How privileged we are to be part of your life!
Thank you!
Love
Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
Another wonderful post and besutiful pictures(as
always!)Your descriptions are magic!How privileged we are to be part of your life!
Thank you!
Love
Natalia XO
I use rosemary inside a whole chicken when I am roasting it in the oven. Just wash a couple of sprigs and in they go with a quartered lemon. Hope they get the window seat in before the weather turns cold and rainy. Have they figured out the flooding issue? Love the pictures of Smokey and your plants. Thanks, Nancy
I use rosemary inside a whole chicken when I am roasting it in the oven. Just wash a couple of sprigs and in they go with a quartered lemon. Hope they get the window seat in before the weather turns cold and rainy. Have they figured out the flooding issue? Love the pictures of Smokey and your plants. Thanks, Nancy
My favorite recipe for lamb chops uses rosemary: Make a paste of 3 T of Dijon mustard à l’ancienne (the granular mustard like Maille), 2 T of honey and 2 tsp of chopped fine rosemary. Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper and spread paste on one side of lamb. When first side is done on grill, turn over and slather 2nd side. Voilà! Make roasted potatoes to go with. Enjoy!
My favorite recipe for lamb chops uses rosemary: Make a paste of 3 T of Dijon mustard à l’ancienne (the granular mustard like Maille), 2 T of honey and 2 tsp of chopped fine rosemary. Sprinkle chops with salt and pepper and spread paste on one side of lamb. When first side is done on grill, turn over and slather 2nd side. Voilà! Make roasted potatoes to go with. Enjoy!
I mince some verbena leaves and put them in coconut palm sugar and use for baking. I just adore your site. Cheri
I mince some verbena leaves and put them in coconut palm sugar and use for baking. I just adore your site. Cheri
Maybe your tomatoes proliferated because they were born and raised free. Your gentle humor delights the day. Thanks, always, for the joy you deliver. -julie-
Maybe your tomatoes proliferated because they were born and raised free. Your gentle humor delights the day. Thanks, always, for the joy you deliver. -julie-
Smokey just melts my heart…
Perhaps your mystery plant is salvia mycrophylla? It is in
the mint family. While trying to figure out if it grows in France,
I found this website: http://ironwoodgardens.wordpress.com/page/12/
Chris in Kansas
Smokey just melts my heart…
Perhaps your mystery plant is salvia mycrophylla? It is in
the mint family. While trying to figure out if it grows in France,
I found this website: http://ironwoodgardens.wordpress.com/page/12/
Chris in Kansas
Thanks Kristin,
Another good morning drinking coffee and “smelling” your herbs in your garden.
Do you ever make tisane?
Thanks Kristin,
Another good morning drinking coffee and “smelling” your herbs in your garden.
Do you ever make tisane?
Hi Kristin,
This from Minnesota where the golden leaves are falling after last evening’s frost…I love your mother’s painting; the flower you wonder about might be in the mint family if it has a square stem; and on “doux” I have a question:
The post reminds me that I learned this summer, teaching a week on “Hamlet”, that the English expression “Sweets to the sweet” (always printed on those little candy hearts at Valentine’s Day) actually comes from Ophelia’s funeral, the scene where Gertrude tosses flowers (sweets) into Ophelia’s grave as a testament to her sweet spirit (that couldn’t handle the viciousness of the Danish court, I guess.) And that made me wonder if there is anything like the expression in French. Thank you for these wonderful posts.
Leslie Schultz
Hi Kristin,
This from Minnesota where the golden leaves are falling after last evening’s frost…I love your mother’s painting; the flower you wonder about might be in the mint family if it has a square stem; and on “doux” I have a question:
The post reminds me that I learned this summer, teaching a week on “Hamlet”, that the English expression “Sweets to the sweet” (always printed on those little candy hearts at Valentine’s Day) actually comes from Ophelia’s funeral, the scene where Gertrude tosses flowers (sweets) into Ophelia’s grave as a testament to her sweet spirit (that couldn’t handle the viciousness of the Danish court, I guess.) And that made me wonder if there is anything like the expression in French. Thank you for these wonderful posts.
Leslie Schultz
Lemon balm, catnip, and basil–all in the mint family. I like to put rosemary in scones, yeasted bread, and shortbread. It is also great as a pesto, but you use much less than in a basil pesto. Use parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and then enough minced rosemary to make it taste good, but not piney. Maybe 1 tablespoon per cup of pesto.
Lemon balm, catnip, and basil–all in the mint family. I like to put rosemary in scones, yeasted bread, and shortbread. It is also great as a pesto, but you use much less than in a basil pesto. Use parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and then enough minced rosemary to make it taste good, but not piney. Maybe 1 tablespoon per cup of pesto.
Suggestion…..when using a relatively advanced construction like “faire en sorte que”, please translate in a more formal or complete manner for our edification.
Thanks…..
Suggestion…..when using a relatively advanced construction like “faire en sorte que”, please translate in a more formal or complete manner for our edification.
Thanks…..
So happy to see those dogs! I still struggle here to have a little garden. In the fall/winter I grow my herbs I love to use in cooking and then dry them for the summer when it is too hot to grow any.
So happy to see those dogs! I still struggle here to have a little garden. In the fall/winter I grow my herbs I love to use in cooking and then dry them for the summer when it is too hot to grow any.
re ‘other flowering plants of October’ – the photo looks to me like it is a Salvia, in the mint family, also square stem.
Beverley in Sechelt, B.C.
re ‘other flowering plants of October’ – the photo looks to me like it is a Salvia, in the mint family, also square stem.
Beverley in Sechelt, B.C.