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TODAY'S WORD: la cage d'escalier
: staircase, stairwell
EXAMPLE SENTENCE, read by Jackie:
Ma cage d'escalier est plutôt du style ancienne époque.
My staircase is mostly in an old epoch style.
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A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
"UNDRESSED IN AIX"
This weekend Jackie returned home to rest, study, and to faire son linge. I notice she brings her draps each time which tells me she has grown to appreciate the value of clean sheets. Is there anything better at the end of the day than getting into a bed of crisp, fresh-scented linens?
Though our 19-year-old was home all weekend, we rarely saw her. Holed up in her room she crammed for upcoming exams, surfacing three times a day for meals or to check on her clothes which, owing to gray skies outside, dried on an étendoir in front of our fireplace.
Sunday I carefully set the table, hoping to clue-in all three family members (Max was away skiing) that we were going to eat together! Hélas, there was a live match de tennis during mealtime (Nadal vs. Federer) so Jean-Marc rigged his computer to the TV and shouted intermittently at the screen — causing Jackie and me to attack back:
Putain! Ça va pas de crier comme ça! (Jackie)
Oh! Arrête de crier! Tu va me donner une crise cardiaque! (Me, copying Jackie's tirade, only without the cuss words). Reestablishing law and order, Jackie and I continued our cozy conversation at the lunch table–she in her fuzzy pantoufles, and me wearing several layers to keep warm in our chilly farmhouse. At the center of the table, a just-out-of-the-oven poulet rôti brought us further back to our senses, with the scent of fresh herbs, slow-cooked onions, garlic, and butternut squash tucked beneath the bird.
"I'm glad to hear you're comfortable in your apartment," I said, as we ate. "One of the things that most attracted me to it, when your father and I were looking for a place for you, was the building's staircase. All the other apartments we saw had dark, narrow, grungy stairwells leading up to the studios. But when we walked in off the street to your building, it opened up beautifully! And for the same rent as the others (with their fire hazard staircases) you could have this grande escalier!
Jackie agreed, sharing that the cage d'escalier was historic or, as she called it, from the ancienne époque. Next, she laughed…."It's so stylish that a magazine is coming to do a photo shoot there."
"Really?"
"Yah. There was a notice posted inside my building. It warned that the models would NOT be dressed."
"You're kidding!" I snickered, picturing male models draped across the Rococo-plastered guard rails….
"NON! NON!" Jean-Marc howled. "NOOOOOON!"
Jackie and I set down our forks and burst out laughing. Federer must have missed the ball. 🙂
* * *
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FRENCH VOCABULARY
Increase your vocabulary with this list. More tools here.
faire le linge = to do laundry
le drap = sheet
un étendoir = drying rack
putain! = expletive, worse than dammit….
Tu vas me donner une crise cardiaque! = you're going to give me a heart attack!
la pantoufle = slipper
le poulet rôti = roast chicken
Stairs at the famous Train Bleu restaurant in Paris's Gare de Lyon. Booking.com has a great selection of rooms. Reserve your hotel, B&B, or house in Paris or any city, here.
PARIS METRO CUFF – Unique bracelet and great gift for those who love Paris. Click here.
APRONS, French-themed – keep the tomatoes in the tart and off of your nice shirt.
PARIS PEACE T-SHIRT – "so many people have stopped to ask me where I got it" -Betty.
A captivating journey to off-the-beaten-path French wine country with 100 simple yet exquisite recipes, 150 sumptuous photographs, and stories inspire. Order Mimi Thorisson's book here.
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Thanks for the laugh this (early) morning. Just what I needed to start the day. I’ll keep this little scene in mind when I need a boost!
Naked men about the stair case!! Nadal/federer tennis! A great way to start the week. Hope Jackie aces her exams. Thank you for sharing.
Timing is everything, huh? I was feeling off this morning and this story certainly helped to cheer me up. So, thank you, Kristi, and bon courage to Jackie!
Belles photos et histoire interessante.
So glad Federer won! Your food sounds so good. Have a bonne semaine.
Our dear Kristi,
Wishing dear Jackie good luck on her exams!
Not fun to study but wonderful to be together and giving each other hugs filled with smiles!
THANK YOU for starting our week in such a happy way!!
Love
Natalia. xo
Your story today is better than a video could ever be! The aroma from the “poulet rôti” and the faint soap tinged steam from Jackie’s “linge” come from your words. This is why I love to read episodes from FWAD. Thank you and best wishes to each of you, Cynthia
This reminds me of watching the French Open finals a few years ago. My wife and I were at our friends’ house in Provence and snacked on Champagne and French pastries as we watched – much better than the typical sports-watching grub in the US! The conversation was simple (“Allez Nadal !” and “Bien fait,” things like that) but all in French. I was still learning the language at the time and was thrilled to be able to take part.
Hello Kristi! I am delighted by today’s hilarious story with such a cozy feel to it. You have once again graced me with a smile and warmed my heart. I, too, am wrapped up in many layers inside my chilly farmhouse.
As for the gorgeous book, French Country Cooking, I have both of Mimi’s books and simply love them!
I went into the link you provided for the Paris Metro cuff, but there is none listed or shown on the Amazon page. Please advise where it might be. Meantime, I did manage to get the Paris Peace T-shirt which I love. I do love reading your wonderful blog. Merci beaucoup! ~Mary Alice Kier
Kristi,
If I ate a big meal like that in the middle of the day, I would fall asleep. Even when in France, I just can’t get into the large lunch meal and small dinner meal, but it sounds and wonderful!!
Naked men on the stairs…oh la la. Was JM remarking about the tennis or the men?
Mary Alice, when you click on the link for Amazon, the French Metro cuff is there. I just did it.
Bon chance Jackie on your exams.
Kathleen
Loved the post. I’m recuperating and needed some warm smiles and laughs. Still trying to picture nude male models on Jackie’s staircase!
I love you Kristi Darling…your stories are beyond wonderful for my soul. xoxo MOM
Merci Kristi for the fun post and great stairway photos. I really could picture you and Jackie dining together, smell the roast chicken and hear the yell of the sports fan!!! Bonne journée et bisous
Thank you, my dear Mom! Seeing your note, mixed in here among so many lovely messages, really cheers me. I love you!
Hi Kristi! I love old staircases and the one in Jackie’s building is lovely! I love that you are able to see Jackie and Max often and enjoy a meal and time together. I also loved seeing Jules back on the comment feed! 😊