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TODAY’S WORD: le vallon
: valley, little valley
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AUDIO FILE:
listen to the word “vallon” in context:
La nature est inimitable
Et quand elle est en liberté
Elle brille d’une clarté
Aussi douce que véritable.
C’est elle qui sur ces vallons,
Ces bois, ces prés et ces sillons
Signale sa puissance ;
C’est elle par qui leurs beautés,
Sans blesser l’innocence,
Rendent nos yeux comme enchantés.
Now listen to Jean-Marc read it in French! Download Vallon
Nature is inimitable;
And when she is at liberty,
She shines with a brightness
As sweet as it is genuine.
It is she who by these valleys,
These woods, these fields and furrows
Shows her power.
It is she who by their beauties,
With no harm to innocence,
Renders our eyes as though enchanted.
Louange de Port-Royal, Jean RACINE
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE
An Update on Our Move
Looking out our kitchen window, past the bright pink bougainvillea dripping down the front of our farmhouse…. I looked down past the vineyard, down, past the neighbor’s olive orchard, down past his house and, down, past another’s–all the way down to the sea….
When the thought came back to me: This view! This beautiful view! How will anything ever compare to it?
Leaning over the kitchen counter close up to the window, head resting in my hands over bent elbows, I thought about the latest house a realtor had shown us in “Old Beausset” (as opposed to modern Beausset, which is a bit more lively?). The place was somewhat isolé. And neither Jean-Marc nor I felt that telling “coup de coeur“, that crush, that this is it! notion (as we did here, 5 years ago). But both of us agreed the “stone chalet” (for it looked very much like a mountain chalet tucked, as it was, into a grassy valley) could very well be a place to call home.
Located at the end of a dirt road, past a few abandoned cars and sheet metal (the realtor promised the neighbors would move them), the little house boasted a stone facade. In fact, there was stone stuck all around the house. It wasn’t like the stone on our farmhouse, it was tacked on. I wondered, did it look tacky?
It was funny to suddenly be so picky about how things looked. And where was I looking anyway? What was I focused on? I leaned into our kitchen window, nose to the glass, to that perfect view down–down the hill, down past my neighbors.
And where would I be looking at the new place–tucked deep into a vallon with its towering trees. Well, there would be no place to look, but UP!
This suddenly seemed like a very good vantage point to me. Look up! Look up! to Greatness above, to a sky full of stars, dazzling. How had I missed them before?
Stories you may have missed…
Why we are leaving this special place: Jean-Marc’s open letter
FRENCH VOCABULARY
Increase your vocabulary with this list. More tools here.
isolé,e = isolated
coup de coeur = a sudden crush for something – an immediate like
le vallon = little valley
Shopping…
FRENCH KNIT REUSABLE ECO SHOPPING BAG – made and knit in France!
PROVENCAL TABLECLOTH, French-themed linens for the house.
KITCHEN TOWELS by Garnier-Thiebaut.
Another valley in Queyras. So many lovely valleys in France. A great place to get perspective on where we are in the grand scheme of things.
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Kristi, I had to sigh as I admired the views in those photos. And of course, my impression is nothing compared to the incredible experience of standing there, gazing down into the valleys and up toward the peaks of the mountains. I must say that I tend to be a bit superstitious when it comes to plans, so I completely support your decision to not share with us a photo of the potential new home. We will just have to wait as patiently as we can for your next update. 🙂
Our dear Kristi and Jean Marc,
Such beautiful words,such beautiful photographs just totally capture our imaginations!
And!Your last paragraph is pure magic!
Truly no better way to start the week!
Thank you!
Continuing always to keep positive thoughts for good luck and open doors for your next home!
Love
Natalia. xo
Thank you so much for this post. You somehow know just how much to share and never too much, that’s so rare. My thoughts and best wishes are with you both. May you both achieve what you really want and need and love.
…… Dear Kristi… I know that ‘ not quit it’ feeling… so here is my take…1. it could be an ‘ugly duckling’ just waiting for your touch to make it home.. OR…2. keep it in mind and keep on looking! I have always found that 1. it is hard to make someone love you and 2. it is hard to make yourself love someone or something. We have moved 18 times in 56 years of marriage and never moved into a place we did not fall in love with at first sight! Lucky in life some might say and I would agree. I think you are one of those couples as well….. What is the harm in continuing to look? Judi Dunn, Tallahassee, Fl.
It is beautiful in the valleys of France, however, I don’t think this is it. I don’t think either of you truly felt it either. Nothing wrong with that. I was raised close to the ocean and as much as I love the mountains I am at peace for any length of time if I can be within a half hour of the sea. I know this is in JM’s heart and most likely yours too(even though you came from the desert—which is also beautiful). I also seem to remember someone who really doesn’t like being cold….hmm, it does snow in those beautiful mountains……and at the end of a dirt road. I think to best continue looking. The right new phase of your life will present itself and you will know right away.
How about staying in the paradise you have found?
A different life at the vineyard?
Maybe the solution is not moving, but re-creating a life right there.
Maybe. . .
Tell us how to say “keeping my fingers crossed” in French because that’s what I’m doing!
I can see that it is next to Castellet and in the area you already know and love. That’s great!
Hi Kristi,
I was looking online at homes in Le Beausset and there are some nice ones with big price tags! 🙂 I found one I like
https://www.patrice-besse.co.uk/traditional-mas-house-for-sale/provence-languedoc-roussillon-cote-d-azur-upper-savoy/le-beausset-olive-grove-view-sea-moutain/
I’ve read your blog for years, haven’t commented much, but I do enjoy it, and I wish you the very best of luck with your move. (Bonne chance?)
I am looking out at a snowy forest in a renovated farm house I have loved for more than 30 years.
But I dearly want to sell it and move to a smaller condo or apartment closer to my one year old grandson. When it sells I will search for another coup de coeur with another beautiful view.
Thanks, Kristi
susan
Fingers crossed that a place calls out to you soon. I’m happy that you are still able to find that bit of the good in what I know is a stressful situation. Have a good week.
Dear Kristi ~ I emailed you today with some info. I didn’t want to clutter your comments section with it, but do check it out.
Bisous
So rude of you. If you feel this way, keep it to yourself and just opt out of her blog. You obviously don’t enjoy it and certainly don’t get anything out of it.
I don’t have a good feeling about the isolated stone home. Keep looking, Kristi! Trust your gut.
With the strength, courage, determination, skills, wisdom, and love you both have you could make any place a comfortable and welcoming home.
Please give us your address for snail mail.
Do you remember our invitation to join in celebrating Fred’s 90th birthday?
Comme toujours
Dear Kristi,
I trust you will both know when you find
THE ONE …
Kristi – thank you for keeping us informed of your house hunting. I know you and JM will make the right decision at the right time!
I LOVE your words
at the end of this post!
I LOVE your words at the end of this post!
About things/situations pending, my grandmother always said “do not scatter the forces of success.” In other words, keep your silence until it (whatever that may be) is finished.
Kristi, if the stone house in the valley doesn’t spark joy, don’t even think about moving there!!
Thank you, Joie, for saying what I was thinking!
Thanks for the beautiful photos and the update.
I know you will KNOW when it’s the right home.
Good hunting and fingers crossed!
Stay well!
It does look beautiful .However I’m with ‘joie in Carmel’ .I have friends here who live up in the mountains,(Pyrénées) It is a problem to get down for a loaf of bread ,a doctor, dentist etc down tortuous twisting roads & lanes .Not so bad in summer, but how is your ski-ing ??! I think keep looking .We looked at six barns before ours said ‘Yes’,though still an agricultural barn .Good luck with your search
Bon Chance!
Just keep looking and you will find exactly what will be the best place ever. With so much beauty everywhere, how could you miss. Bonne Chance. vivian