Along the steep zigzagging path to the sea in Sicily, we stopped to peer in to this tiny chapel. The doors were locked but we stole glances all the same.. colombe (ko lohmb) noun, feminine : dove A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse (Continued from the previous story: "Switch-back") On New Year's Day I was walking along a steep and slippery … Continue reading colombe
Jean-Marc and the Ionian sea in Sicily… where the saline breeze draws you to the salty waters, pleadingly. épingle à cheveux (ay pehngl ah sheuh veuh) n.f. hairpin bend (road, path); switchback Audio: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words: Download MP3 file Le chemin de terre qui mène vers la mer descend en épingle à cheveux.The dirt path that leads to the sea descends (in … Continue reading epingle a cheveux
The French have a colorful word for what we scaredy cats feel. Read on. Photo of Italian door taken in Aciereale, Sicily. Get out and take some photos or keep a point and shoot camera on hand, at all times, and never miss a shot! une peur bleue (per bleuh) : a morbid fear (also, in French expressions including color, see "l'heure bleu") .Audio … Continue reading peur bleue
If you have not yet done so, you must read Robert Camuto's book "Palmento" (as Jean-Marc does, in the following story!). Read the rave reviews. Photo taken last week at the iCedri B&B in Sicily….
gourmandise (goor mahn deez) noun feminine
: a fondness for food
J'ai mangé par gourmandise et non pas par faim.
I ate for the fondness of food and not for hunger.
Audio File: Listen to today's word and example sentence: Download MP3 or WAV
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
I am sitting cater-corner from my husband, on the edge of the B&B bed. I have covered the hand-sewn lace bedcover with two small bath towels. I would not want to drop so much as une miette anywhere in Vittoria's chambre d'amis, prepared with such care and hospitality.
Outside, the camellias are in bloom and the fresh scent of citrus perfumes the air. Only in Sicily! It is wintertime but the flowers in southern Italy are blooming like well-nourished souls, which brings me back to my mission: le dîner.
As for the evening victuailles, it is each to his own or chacun pour soi tonight, especially since we have enjoyed a copious lunch, one that lingered on into the afternoon…. Jean-Marc, at the head of the bed, is reading, but that won't keep me from eating. I reach for the paper bag, wondering how to say "delicatessen" in Italian? I should have paid more attention to the names above the shopfronts but my eyes were trained on the colorful cauliflower (in purple!) and the plethora of prickly pear, or fichi d'India, that decorate the streets this time of year.
Currently all of my attention goes into opening this paper deli sack as quietly as possible. I try to be discreet because I can't bear it when my husband stops to watch me eat. He always has to make such a big deal about it, as do all of the French with their vocal voeux of "bon appétit!"
I stole away to Sicily last week… with him…
With Jean-Marc completely absorbed in his book, I reach into the noisy sack. I notice that my husband has bought two kinds of cheese, quelques artichoke hearts in olive oil, two typical bread rolls (one covered with toasted sesame), a box of bruschetta crackers, and two chocolate bars….
Continue reading “Gourmandise in French means “a fondness for food””
