video of our home + "mas"
Monday, December 17, 2012
Click to enlarge the picture, and many thanks to Maggie and Michael Moss, and to Maggie's brother Ian, for providing this photo of their second home that is now our own.
We moved here, to Mas des Brun (Brown's house), in September. See what it looked like then, in the latest video at the end of this post. Sign up to our channel. We welcome your ideas and thank you for joining us throughout this renovation series. For the moment, we are brainstorming. (We hope to begin improvements in September 2013....) Please share this post with anyone who loves architecture or decoration!
mas (mahs) noun, masculine
: une ferme provençale, or Provencal farmhouse
Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc:
Un mas désigne une grande ferme en Provence.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE... by Kristin Espinasse
My first thought, on seeing the mas that would become our home, was c'est dommage! Funny words to utter on seeing the house of one's dreams!
"But what is wrong?" The realtor asked.
"The place charming—it is just what we are looking for," I explained, "but I wouldn't want to spend the night here alone! It's too secluded."
"Not at all!" Christine assured me. Come have a look!"
I followed our realtor as she ascended the stone steps beside the garage. As she walked, she chatted about the property. "My parents live on the other side of the forêt," Christine said, pointing to the trees at the head of the stairs. "I grew up here and know the neighbors, who are just around the corner. You'll see...."
We waded past some overgrown buissons, and minded our hides while passing some prickly pear cacti. Just above, a great boulder marked the edge of a glorious field carpeted in wild flowers. Beyond, we caught sight of an historic borie!
The view from the end of that field, where there is another well (inside this rock borie). You can just spy the boulder to the left of the photo, behind the chair. Below the boulder is the farmhouse.
Jean-Marc, the realtor and I stood at the edge of the clearing, two of us amazed to learn that part of the land belonged to the house we were visiting.
"Did you see the borie?! I elbowed my husband, who had already turned to the realtor.
"Is that part of the property?" Jean-Marc asked. How many times had my husband pointed out the stone structures, during a hike in the fields of Provence. More rare than the beloved stone cabanons, were the historic stone bories with their unmistakeable spheric shape. This one seemed to have a unique purpose as une couverture de puits. It covered yet another well that belonged to the ferme.
Christine confirmed that it was part of the property, along with all of the terrasses above it. We would visit those next, and admire the stone restanques that held the terrasses in place.
"Your neighbors!" Christine declared, and Jean-Marc and I brought our focus back to the field, in the middle of which a horse grazed peacefully. Just beyond, we saw the château.
I was delighted to discover the neighbor's potager and to see how the property was teeming with activity.... beginning with a couple of geese that rushed up complainingly.
So the place wasn't isolated afterall! It was alive and soulful. Geese! Chickens! A horse and dogs!
"Do you like sheep and goats? There are a few of those too..." the realtor smiled.
I couldn't wait to meet the neighbors, even if their châtelaine status was a bit intimidating. Then again, anyone with a yard full of chatty animals had to be down-to-earth kind of people.
Returning to the house, below, I gazed at its façade. The pictures we had seen didn't do it justice. It was a sweet and original farmhouse that had somehow escaped the horrors of modern renovation. The question now was, could we be as delicate and discerning in carrying on with the home improvements that were begun in the 70s? I would not want to gild the lys, as my grandmother used to say. And what a precious lily this was!
FRENCH VOCABULARY
le mas = Provençal farmhouse
c'est dommage = that's too bad
la forêt = forest
le buisson = bush
la borie = spherical stone structure, like a hut, found in the countryside of Provence where agricultural workers built them.
une couverture de puits = a cover for a well
la ferme = farm
la restanque = hand built stone wall terrasse
le château = castle
le jardin potager = vegetable garden
le châtelain, la châtelaine = a woman who owns a large house, a female château owner
le lys = lily
***
Lost in Cheeseland & an Interview!
I recently had the chance to be interviewed by Lindsey over at Lost in Cheeseland.
VIDEO: If cannot see the following video of our home or mas, please click over to the French Word-A-Day blog, or to our YouTube channel (where you can sign up to be alerted to the latest videos that we upload). Having trouble hearing the video or viewing the full size? Click over to the channel to view.
Enjoy a funny thought bubble? Name this photo in the comments box. (Smokey left. His mama, Braise, is on the right)
SHARE THIS SITE
Thanks for telling friends, classmates, teachers and family members about these words and stories from France.
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal week after week. If you find value in this website and would like to keep it going strong, I kindly ask for your support by making a donation today. Thank you very much for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
Ways to contribute:
1. Paypal or credit card
2. Zelle®, an easy way to donate and there are no transaction fees.
Or purchase my book for a friend and so help them discover this free weekly journal.
For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Il nous a demandé de quoi nous aurions besoin.
He asked us what we would be needing.
Posted by: gail bingenheimer | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:15 PM
Careful: stereo dogs on board!
Thanks a lot for your kind mail: I'm still following you, as you can see.
Wish you nice holidays, and a Merry Christmas.
Fran.
Posted by: Françoise Pierron-Mathevet | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:31 PM
Yes Son, I know, she's got a cute little tail on her, but those Poodles are bad news!
Posted by: Michele Dujardin - Perth W Australia | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:38 PM
Oh, I loved this video -- the house has so much charm and hearing Jean-Marc's voice made me miss you guys!!!
Posted by: Ann | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:47 PM
LOL, Michele. I hope people are reading to the end of the post, otherwise the photo captions might throw some people off, especially following the renovation story! :-)
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Give us more of the inside of the house. Thanks. Off the subject, love your dog, LOVE pug dogs , I have a small black girl pug. Anyone around you have pugs?
Posted by: Jan McKinney | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:49 PM
Kristin,
Your house looks wonderful.
We've have a wooden house here in New England that was built in 1691, which is old by American standards.
That single photo of your "mas" suggests it might be older than 1875.
Do you know the history of your great old treasure?
David
Posted by: David Simmons | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:51 PM
Francoise - good to see youre reading
Ann, we miss you too!
Jan, the tour will continue... and, yes, I think I have seen pug dogs.
David - good to read about your 1691 wooden house, and thanks for your thoughts about Mas des Bun being even older. Ill have to check back with Maggie and Mike, who have shared so much of the history via email.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 01:57 PM
Dog photo caption"
"Ok, Smokey, looks like a cinch. You grab the guard's pantsleg, and I'll run in and bark at the teller: when she drops the bag, I'll grab it and then we run!"
Posted by: suzanne dunaway | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Your place looks lovely Kristin, what a beautiful place to live. I'd love to see more of the inside & I think you're so right to avoid modern 'improvements.' I've seen so many old places ruined by replacing wobbly old plaster with new.
I give my name as spabbygirl because I help the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings so we call anything old and proud of it as spabby! Is there a similar organisation in France?
Take care and have a lovely Christmas, Lynne
Posted by: spabbygirl | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 03:10 PM
"That's two cheeseburgers, no fries, Smokey."
ps Love the new house and look forward to many reno stories.
Posted by: Sue J. | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 03:26 PM
Hi Kristin & J.M.
Thanks for sharing the photo and video. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress of the renovation and to hearing all of the stories that I'm sure will entertain us as much as your last home purchase (and subsequent renovations) did. And, it will also be so much fun to experience every season of this new area of France with you!
It was good to see Braise and also some of Kristin's chair collection outside! The terrace, I recognized from other pictures will certainly be the new gathering place for many celebrations with family and friends - much like the shade of the big tree at your last home.
Thanks for all the new words today!!
Posted by: Karen Whitcome (in Towson, Md) | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 03:42 PM
CAPTION:
Smokey: "Attends. Is that her?"
Braise: "No. She doesn't have a camera around her neck."
Posted by: Karen Whitcome (in Towson, Md) | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 03:47 PM
OOPS - That should be "Attendez", right?
Posted by: Karen Whitcome (in Towson, Md) | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 03:48 PM
LOL. Thanks, Karen. And I think youre right with *attends* as Smokey is speaking to his mama -- and as theyre not aristochiens.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 04:08 PM
The neighbors property was "teeming" with activity, not "teaming".
"after all", not "afterall"
I am very envious of your new property!
Allen
Posted by: Allen | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 04:20 PM
Possible Caption: Oh, mon Dieu! I told you we should have left earlier. Look at all this traffic!
Posted by: Cassie Alexandrou in Dallas, TX | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Allen, thanks for the correction. I make the same mistake each time!
Loving the photo captions!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 04:34 PM
"Are we there yet?"
What a great house and property. You'll be friends with your neighbors in no time, and they might even convince you to get some more animals...chickens (for eggs)' maybe a cow or 2 ( for milk)... Well maybe not a cow, but chickens might be good.
I agree that you should keep the renovations simple to keep the ambience of the farm in tack and quaint.
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen from Connecticut | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 05:00 PM
I love to decorate, I'll be following for sure. Also I visited your old home back in 09 and purchased some of your wine. Once back to the states, the bottle was turned into a lamp that I still use. Recently I used that same wine bottle as the subject of a painting. I get lots of compliments on both and love to look at both of them because they bring back such fond memories of France!
Posted by: Kathy Horn | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 05:21 PM
Why do I love receiving your news? Each edition is a personal gift package, an invitation, not an "internetted ego trip." Yes, you invite me in and,I cherish each versatile visit, and now to your new spaces, places. Whether with book suggestions, stories or photos and videos, you enrich my life and I feel like family. Thank you. I look forward to finding out ways you add to an already rich history of your home and property. What will be your alterations, adventures, friendships, and holiday celebrations/relaxations?
-julie-
Posted by: julie camp | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 05:23 PM
Really! We posed for the picture, now get us out of here!
Posted by: Georgia Schall | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 05:37 PM
Kristi:
Enjoyed Jean Marc's tour of votre maison. Our Victorian house in Savannah dates from about 1880 and needed much work which we did
with help over the years. It's now shabby chic. I struggle to speak French in a weekly conversation group and have decided I speak "hillbilly" French so at least I can attempt to communicate with our son's French inlaws. Our 3 and a half year old granddaughter is bilingual so I'm making the effort.
Votre maison est tres charmante!
Edie from Savannah
Posted by: edith schmidt | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 06:18 PM
Your new home is overflowing with charm and elegance, but the most striking feature I noticed during J-M's video was the silence, peace, and serenity around him...a priceless gift in todays noise filled world! Congratulations you two!
Posted by: Bill Facker | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 06:47 PM
re: Smokey & Braise ... "I mean, really, Mom ... they're a great family, but getting the door opened is a genuine pain in the ass when she starts taking pictures, and I've got to take a major whiz!"
Posted by: Bill Facker | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 06:52 PM
Thank you JM for the partial description of your new home. It looks nice and so spacious. Shh Kristin, maybe your fans have caught your fautes de frappe. Je suis pressée à cause les fêtes et n'ai pas lu les commentaires de tes lecteurs et lectrices.
Châtelain (châtelaine) s'épèle avec un accent circonflexe sur le premier A.
Puits pour "well" a un S à la fin. And I think you meant "intimidating" instead of indimidating to have a châtelains as neighbors?
J'aurais tant aimé faire la croisière avec vous tous, mais en Novembre c'est difficile.
Posted by: Millie | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 09:01 PM
The rock above the house captivated me. I thought it would be a great idea to have some art (stone mural?) done (some day) on that rock. Art that creates the mood for anyone entering or leaving the house. (Joy, Love, Unity?) I got an impression that the stone is visible from any spot around the house entrance. Something inspirational could be depicted there. Of course it would be up to the owners to decide upon the mural theme.
Helpful "art on stone" links: http://www.fineartonstone.com/#
http://www.artsonstone.com/
Posted by: Francesca | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 09:02 PM
J'ai fait une faute de frappe aussi, car je suis pressée. à cause des fêtes...
Posted by: Millie | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 09:04 PM
The videos are a great visual treat, and it's so good to hear your voices! I'm looking forward to seeing how you transform your new house into a home. What a beautiful location.
Posted by: Connie | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 09:23 PM
Art on stone: something like this, perhaps, simple yet meaningful:
http://www.wayfair.com/Novica-Footprint-on-Stone-Art-76700-NVC1139.html
I come from a vision of Harmony in and around the living place.
Posted by: Francesca | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 09:26 PM
Our dear Kristi and Jean-Marc,
Today's video is wonderful!
Your home already is beautiful, but you two have the gift of making any place you live
even more warm and inviting.
I always love your written words,Kristi,but these videos are really special. We feel like we're right there with you,sharing every moment. What a privilege for all of us!
THANK YOU!!!
Love, Natalia XO
Posted by: Natalia | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:00 PM
For your jardin potager, you probably mean "vegetable" garden, rather than "vetegable," although I rather like the latter. ;-)
Posted by: Lee Isbell | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Der Kristi,
How brave you are to subject yourself to all our corrections and suggestions! Smokey is probably saying, "Hey, I called shotgnn, how come I'm stuck back here with you?" I think the rock is too pretty au naturel to change.
The opening tour was so exciting. We can't wait for the next one. Merci, Jean-Marc.
Posted by: Diane Young | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:40 PM
I know you can renovate without compromising the integrity of the mas. My little cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea is 108 years old which in California to still be standing is somewhat novel. Over the last few years I have finally done some renovations to kitchen, bathroom, living room and exterior while managing to maintain the quaint and cosy feeling while also being more functional. It sounds like what you need first is heat! I don't quite know how you tackle a heating system in a place that old with the walls as thick as they are. Baseboard heaters? I will ask a couple of engineering friends....in the meantime it is snuggling with JM and down comforters. hugs....joie
Posted by: joie | Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:51 PM
"To the dog park.....and hurry!
Posted by: The Travel Insurance Lady | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 02:10 AM
"I hope they'll bring us some bones!"
Posted by: Zoe Willet | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 02:17 AM
Thank you for bringing us to your home through this video. And Jean-Marc's pleasant voice was just the icing on the cake! Can't wait to see it all, the before and after videos. The field with wild flowers is a delight!
Posted by: Vicki, San Francisco Bay area | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 02:47 AM
Oh Kristi,
Did your see the 'face' in the rock above your house? It is right in the centre and of a young girl. Not sure if I'm imagining things, but it seemed quite clear to me. What a beautiful place! Are you inland - behind Bandol? We passed through on the train in September.
Jan
Posted by: Jan | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 08:06 AM
Jan, I think I see it! Is it in the upper right quater of the rock, and it is highlighting one side of her face? She reminds me of George Sand... anyone else see the visage in the boulder?
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Thanks, Joie. Our plan is to live here a while before renovating. I hope we will not rush. But the cold is getting to us! And this might force us to make a quick decision (one that might cut into the walls!) Also, we recently invited three interior architects over, to have a look. Now I feel guilty about taking up their time, and the pressure is on to begin making decisions!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Thank you, Julie! Your comment is the best gift!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Thank you, Millie and Lee, for the helpful edits. :-)
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:52 AM
Hi Kathy, Just read Jean-Marc your note about the lamp. Love it!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 12:13 PM
I see a face in the boulder.. (of course I do! :-) I was captivated by that rock in the first place!) I also see a bunch of animals -- a lion in the center, the body and the head of it.. and some sheep (!) around.. a few.. What an unbelievable combination of otherwise clashing animals! There is even a horse head above the lion! I could probably outline all those in Photoshop. The rock is awesome! Done or au naturel.
Posted by: Francesca | Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 05:03 PM
Hi Kristin, thanks for the video of your lovely house and mas..JM speaks very good english..may I suggest that you do the annotating next time in french..i'm sure everybody will love this. Merci :)
Posted by: Irene Tanedo | Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 12:07 AM
Kristin, I have not written before but have been following your blog for what seems like forever, at least a couple of years. I was sure I remembered a recent mention of a cook book that French women use today...working mothers preparing family meals. I thought it was Bonne Maman, but the recipes there, using compotes et conserves, don't match up with what I thought I remembered seeing in the blog. I wonder if it was in a link I found through your pages! Please let me know if this sparks anything in your memory! Merci!
Posted by: Jenny Sanderson | Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Hi Kristi....you have dropped off my email so have to try to find a way to reinstate FWAD!! Love the video of your home and this architect is certainly excited to see what you may have in store!! ;-) x
Posted by: Gretel | Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 10:42 AM
Jenny, I think you are looking for this book:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/1558327495/mdj-20
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 03:59 PM
Do you really think we can drive this thing?
Dave Kapsiak
Posted by: Dave Kapsiak | Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 07:04 PM
Kristin,
I love the video and the commentary! What a beautiful place to settle into! It's all so lovely---thanks for sharing with us!
Posted by: Cheryl in STL | Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 04:46 PM
Dear Kristin, I loved your video making the gateau yaourt. You are too hard on yourself. I thought you looked beautiful and relaxed.
Best wishes to you for the new year and your new house.
Thanks for French-Word-A-Day and now your new videos.
A bientot
Posted by: Sue Farrowe | Friday, December 28, 2012 at 08:23 PM
I love the video and the commentary! What a beautiful place to settle into! It's all so lovely---thanks for sharing with us!
Posted by: Hoedspruit self catering accommodation | Tuesday, March 05, 2013 at 01:24 PM