Our son, Max, delivering more cases to the harvesters, who will empty their buckets of grapes inside.
TODAY'S WORD: réchauffer
to heat, reheat
to warm up
to encourage
Réchauffer le coeur de quelqu'un = to console or comfort someone
ECOUTER: "Kristi a réchauffé toutes les pizzas. Kristi reheated all the pizzas. Download Rechauffer
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
Jean-Marc and I don't see eye-to-eye on many of the wine harvest details. But no matter how different our opinions are, there's one thing I know for sure: my husband is, and will always be, Chief Grape. My job is to support the farmer and winemaker and to keep my own anxieties at bay during his critical vendange! A very emotional harvest at that, given we do not know if we will be here in one year's time–a period of doubt having settled in over these past six months.
Our last harvest or not, it is still extremely difficult not to freak out when Chief Grape will not tell me how many people are showing up for harvest lunch. Exasperated by my constant drilling, Jean-Marc made the decision to order pizza. But if there is one person who can complicate pizza, it's You Know Who.
"So you are going to order it the night before? And store it in the fridge? But the French don't like cold pizza!" I pointed out.
"It won't be cold. You can set it out a few hours early and it will come to room temperature!"
"But the ants will get to it by then!"
On and on we went, until it dawned on me I could get off The Crazy Hamster Wheel whenever I chose to. I could stop worrying. I could put into practice the helpful acronym KISS:
Keep
It
Simple
Stupid
As it turned out, there were twice as many people than expected. And, as wildly imagined, they preferred their pizza hot!
Seeing my distress, Jean-Marc's buddy, Nico, seemed to understand the acronym KISS, too. He suggested that if anyone bothered me again for hot pizza, to tell them to just KISS it! (Only he used a more colorful French expression! No, I'm not going to tell you which one!)
But when Nico himself reached for a hot slice as I ran by with the sizzling pies, I realized the French really are particular about the temperature of certain foods!
Hurrying back and forth from the front porch to the oven, my friend Cyn and I delivered la pizza réchauffée, after struggling with the cheap plastic (free with purchase) pizza cutter to divide it (burning our fingers off in the process). The red floor tiles of this farmhouse were covered with clumps of dirt from everyone trekking in to use the restroom. Each time I looked at the mess it reminded me how out of control things were. Here and there, sticky globs of fig were evidence that some people had taken dessert into their own hands–enjoying fresh fruit from the giant tree by the pétanque court. The fallen figs had gotten smashed into their shoes and were now being trekked–along with the dirt and a coat of our dog's fur (Smokey's entire body wags with joy when guests are here)–across the floor inside the house.
Looking down at the floor which was thick with clumps of dirt, I felt that familiar tightening in my throat. The heatwave, the hot oven, the dirty floors, the polite needs of our harvesters (Do you have another band-aid? More hot pizza? Any more cold water?)….everything was spinning out of control.
Running back to the sink, where I had been trying to filter water from a one-liter carafe to all those empty water bottles, my eyes caught sight again of the dusty, sticky floors–only this time everything came to a standstill.
A peacefulness came over the room. The dusty floors began to blur. Looking up, I saw dusty vineyard fields. I was now remembering the scene from 5 hours earlier, before even the sun had risen, when Jean-Marc's friends began to show up, one by one, to the scorched grape fields. Some even brought their children. All brought an unspoken message: We are here to help you at this difficult time.
Back on the front porch I reached for a slice of hot pizza as Cynthia sped by, and sat down to experience first hand what the French so honorably call la solidarité. Though it hurts not knowing whether or not we will continue with this vineyard (and farmhouse-garden) dream, there is no feeling that compares to the catharsis of manifested solidarity–of two dozen friends holding up, with their nicked, scraped, grape-stained hands, an exhausted farmer and his wife.
And if we are here for the next harvest–si Dieu le veut–I will make pasta salad next time! That's one thing the French will eat at room temperature 🙂
COMMENTS
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More pictures from our harvest here on Instagram
Our friends Cynthia and Ian
Selected products
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BRITA WATER FILTER – I used this one for our harvest! Here are some good water filtering pitchers. Click here to order one.
Colorful Foutas – perfect gift : quick dry towels for camping, sauna, gym, massage, water park–and they make very pretty table cloths, too! Click here to order.
French groceries: Carte d'Or coffee, berlingots candies, cassoulet and more. Click here.
Beautiful French Kitchen Towels by Garnier-Thiebaut. Order here.
Paris Peace T-shirt – "so many people have stopped to ask me where I got it" -Betty. Click here
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You live your life with grace and beauty. We don’t necessarily see the fierce paddling that goes on beneath the surface. I was delighted to read that both of your children are well launched into the world and their future studies. I read today that there are fires near Marseilles, and the winds of change seem to be blowing in the world. And out of your difficult year, you and Jean- Marc have gathered your harvest with the help of your friends. The best grapes grow in difficult terrain? I am not a wine-maker! I hope the grapes are going to produce a cracker of a wine! ( Australian expression for something exceptional).
Loved the ending! 🙂
Haven’t gotten up to speed as to why you might not be there next year. Where is the option?
Also, haven’t the French started using the insulated carriers for pizza that keep them, if not hot, at least very warm? Pasta salad is a great option. 🙂
Meilleurs voeux pour la vendange et pour le futur aussi! Le vrai bonheur est l’amitie. Et vous en avez.
A wine harvest looks like a lot of hard work. How wonderful that Jean-Marc has friends who will come help with this backbreaking job. Please don’t worry about keeping the pizza hot all the time, just do the best you can. Smile and say thank you.
The harvest is a timeless tradition, one I have been blessed to be a part of several years in Burgundy. It can be a nightmare, too! As the chef, I am always amazed when the grape chiefs just think the food arrives hot, and the right quantity, and at the right time because they have decided and maybe communicated this! It’s a process, getting information. When you imagine how little the scene has changed over 3000 years, it’s a wonder too. It is stressful, but THE chance to try out getting the balance of hard work, stopping work, accepting help, hustling to get pizza hot, eating and taking a moment for yourself. Congratulations on all of that!
Oh Kristi. Reading this entry makes me feel all the same things — cold pizza, never! Mud, dried fruit, a.k.a. another mess that I have to clean up! And I hear the potential despair about the uncertainty of perhaps leaving your home. I’ve never met you, I’ve actually just discovered your blog and your books as I have been searching for more on Provence and considering a possible part-time life there. Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing and also the help as I get back to remembering my almost 40-year old college French while attempting studying again today. I hope our paths will cross one day because I think you would be a dear new friend. Merci, and bon chance!
Read your last story; your mom is courageous, wise, and uniquely beautiful. It would have been a great treat if circumstances would have allowed me to make your helper group “a baker’s ‘dousin’.”It is amasant what Jean-Marc has accomplished on the hill where you live. My French is failing but not my appreciation of the famille Espinasse and of the joys of spending time with you — especially with my dear wife in Bandol.
“Jewels” is courageous, wise and uniquely beautiful. Jean-Marc’s accomplishments on the hill where you live is a tribute to his hard work and commitment. If I were younger I would have tried to make your group of volunteers a “baker’s dozen.” But I have cherished memories, especially of our visit to Bandol.
Best of luck with the vendange.
Kristi, I’m late to comment. I am working to embrace the idea of uncertainty, planning ahead but also leaving plenty of room for various possibilities. Right now, my mantra to get out of anxiety spells is “Here and Now,” reminding me to trust in what is before me and embrace the present moment. It’s not always easy, but we must continue to work on it.
From where I sit here in Nevada, you are living a DREAM. I hope you will be at your vineyard many more years so you can grow old in your wonderful place.
Every time I get unhinged, I try to pull myself back to reality and thank my lucky stars for all my blessings.
Sometimes I’m not successful, so I whine a little more until I pour myself a glass of French wine and think about my 10+ short visits to France and the wonderful places I have seen. Someday I hope to stay in France for many, many months or years!
Until then, reading about your life in Provence gives me so much pleasure and beauty. Thank you!
Oh my….. you are a saint…. one with a very wise heart and the greatest of friends. Wish I could come help you wash that floor.
You made it through it!! Sad that you may not be there next year…hope that you can be. Have a great visit with your mom despite the circumstances.
Take care and be safe.
Simply writing to send you and JM a lot of support during this uncertain time, Kristi. I hope that the harvest was a great one. xo
I can so relate, Kristi, with my need to know the details so that I can feel better prepared. I’m happy you didn’t miss out on a slice of hot pizza and most importantly the beautiful gift that was present. Congrats on your harvest! You are truly lovely! xoxo
Kristin,
I can relate to why some cannot put words to what fears and uncertainties lie below the surface; it makes them too real. We who stand beside them have to wait quietly until they arrive at acceptance. From what I see in your smile and read in your stories, I know there is strength enough for both of you. Stay strong, Kristin. Solutions and new opportunities will come you way.
Love and best wishes!
Several posts have alluded to a possibility of not staying where you now live. Where are you thinking of moving?
Adding to the list of acronyms:THAWOWO- things have a way of working out. I’m thankful you are able to write during these difficult and stressful times. And I can see from the comments community that there are many of us out here who care for you and your family. Sending you strength and courage dear Kristi. And I too have the scissors for pizza, Cutco, because the blades can be separated for thorough cleaning.
Kristin, I have followed you on and off for years and always you made my day a little happier. We are all here to support you both. I know everyone will help in any way we can, you only have to blog. So chin up, it is never as bad as it seems, and what are friends for and you have so many, we all love you and your family dearly.
My brother preferred “Keep It Simple Sweetheart”