en l'occurrence - such a useful expression!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Une bonne heure with my son in Aix-en-Provence = le bonheur. (See Max in the doorway?)
Beautifully renovated and decorated home in the Luberon. 4 bedrooms and a study with a sofa bed, each with ensuite (full) bath. This villa comfortably sleeps 7-9 adults.
EN L'OCCURRENCE
Strange to think I have never used this French expression. I hear the locution adverbiale so often, when my husband or my daughter or my belle-mère speaks. So why have I never tried it out? For the simple reason that so many of us students of French don't use certain expressions: 1) we are not exactly sure of what they mean and 2) we're too lazy to look them up!
Lazy like this, we can make the mistake of assuming a word's meaning (I thought today's word meant "on the other hand"). Let's have a closer look, now, at an oft-heard expression and today's mot du jour:
en l'occurrence
: in this case, in this instance, as it happens
Also:
occurrence = case
en pareille occurrence = in such circumstances
AUDIO FILE: listen to Jean-Marc talk about winefarming:
Download MP3 or Wav file
Lors de la plantation de vignes en 2014 au Mas des Brun, nous avons constaté 24 décès, ce qui en l’occurrence représente 0.6% de mortalité sur les 3 700 plants mis en terre.
Following our 2014 vine-planting project at Mas des Brun, we noted 24 deaths, which, in this case, represents 0.6% mortality among 3700 planted vines.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE... by Kristin Espinasse
I'm going to spoil you with photos in today's edition--after the previous catastrophic post--a formating nightmare as you see here! Thank you for being so patient and, without further ado--or sans plus de cérémonie, here are some images from the past week:
A snapshot of our dining table, yesterday morning. Clockwise, beginning in the center, we have the beautiful Azalea plant, a gift from Gail and Fred--the couple who are letting Max stay in their home this summer. Next, the straw hat I wear most of the time, followed by Jean-Marc's electric pruning shears, or sécateurs éléctroniques.
And there, below center, are the cards I bought at the stationary store pictured higher up. The open book of Proverbs is a gift from Anne and Kirk, who visited recently. If you are looking for a beautiful apartment for rent in Aix, click on the link below!
- SOUTH OF FRANCE RENTALS: An elegant Aix apartment or a seaside village home – make France your home for a week!
Above the book is more daily bread, held in an old pelle à cendres. (Now that I think of it, that couldn't be an ashes pan--not in wood! But I am sure that is what Michel told us when he offered the gift years ago...)
Fred and Gail (Max's hosts) the day they came for lunch. They loved Jean-Marc's rosé and were so encouraging and enthusiastic about our vineyard project. No matter how much hope and faith you have in a project, you also have your days. So it is always helpful to see your progress through another's eyes! (In this case professional eyes. Gail and Fred have been in the restaurant business for years, and they have stocked a lot of interesting wines in their cellars.)
Where's Max? Also, Notice the old painted BYRRH sign in Aix-en-Provence. After I posted this photo on my Facebook, Audrey Wilson shared this update:
Byrrh is still produced in Thuir, a town near us in Roussillion. Its cave boosts the largest barrel in the world containing 1,000,200 litres of wine !!
What melts your heart more: a weathered French bakery or a Franco-Australian baby? I had the chance to meet-up with Caroline and baby Mathilde, on Tuesday. It was a rare getaway for Caroline, who is busy tending vines and making wines at Domaine Rouge-Bleu, which she now owns with Thomas (They purchased this vineyard from us in 2012).
Did you know Caroline and Thomas opened up a B&B on their beautiful vineyard? My former writing office is now one of the rooms! Click here to see the rooms and to reserve your stay in this beautiful and well-located place.
The seaside town of La Ciotat. I think the street name reads: "Hairy People's Street."
(Voilà, the missing photo from the previous edition, which talks about the true meaning behind Les Poilus)
I just received the latest newsletter from author Patricia Sands, in which she features so many colorful photos of a favorite village: Antibes! She also lists a ebook giveaway for my First French Essais book!
ENTER TO WIN
Please click here to read Patricia's newsletter and to enter to win a prize (two are listed!) You may also want to subscribe to Patricia Sand's updates on France, writing, and travel.
What's more charming than blossoms on a tree? Petal confetti!
- SABLET HOME for high quality vacation rentals in the heart of Provence. Particularly suited to groups of up to four discerning travelers.
Back to my son, pour un moment. As a special treat, I took him for a milkshake at a well-heeled bistro along Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence. Quelle déception! What a disappointment when he took the first sip. French milkshakes sometimes miss the mark... (I will never forget the frango mint milkshake my Grandmother Annette treated me to, as we sat at the counter at Frederick & Nelson in Seattle. Anyone remember these?)
Back to our picture story... As we sipped our drinks my eyes travelled across the street, to where I had met Max's father 25 years ago. I have to blink, now, to make sure the young Frenchman seated before me really exists. And when Max comes into focus, with the dapper coat and hat, I see his father, standing at the door to my studio, wearing his best suit. The year was 1990.
I remember him handing me a houseplant on that first date, as he stood so hopeful in the doorwell. And I remember thinking, sadly, I won't be around to water it next week!
I had to leave France within days, but I could not shake the impression Jean-Marc had made on me. That magnet that had pulled me to France seemed to be nestled right there, inside the man holding the potted plant.
"Bonjour," he smiled, that mysterious force drawing me to him.
(And now, glancing at the snapshot taken above, I can see how all that alchemy worked together pour accomplir sa fin, or to acheive this goal.)
Well, we've come to the end of our photo périple. I hope you enjoyed these snapshots from Provence. This last one, a chalkboard sign taken in Pélissanne on St. Patrick's day, is all-inclusive don't you think? :-)
Comments welcome here, and have a good rest of the week!
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
I thoroughly enjoyed this photo périple How romantic is the story of Jean-Marc's courtship of you & no wonder you couldn't resist it eventually !!
Thanks for posting my comment about Byrrh . I see I made a typying error. Should read 'boast' & not 'boost'!! I sometimes type too quickly for my oown good .
Posted by: Audrey Wilson | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 12:04 PM
Beautiful photos, Kristin. Makes us anxious to be back in France again.
Posted by: Bill in St. Paul | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 12:15 PM
Very nice article. I agree with the other comment and loved hearing the story of your romance. Your son is quite handsome. No wonder you fell for his father.
Posted by: Karen Pearson | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 12:18 PM
I loved learning today's phrases and learning more about the photos you have posted recently. Looking forward to seeing you this afternoon.
Posted by: Jacqueline | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 12:32 PM
Bonjour Kristin! Love today's post and the wonderful photos. Became a little teary-eyed reading about your romance. That image will remain imprinted on your heart forever. Bon journée + xoxo.
Posted by: Cindy Mc | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 01:03 PM
Kristin, I could find no way to post after the last entry regarding "poilus". I believe one reader/commenter confused "poilus" with 'pois lourd" which is, in the most literal sense, a "heavy weight" but is also a term to describe a 'big truck' or 'semi' here in the states.
Posted by: Tom McCullough | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 01:47 PM
I just took a deep breath and smiled as I finished reading your sweet memories. My heart is full of gratitude for your sharing such lovely moments from the past to the present. Mille mercis Kristin
Posted by: Annette Heath | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 01:49 PM
Nice trilby Max!
Posted by: Henry | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 01:53 PM
I really enjoyed today's post. The photographs are really wonderful! Having lunch with Max was a snapshot in time too!
I'm so glad your broadband connection is cooperating with you!
I just read Grape Expectations from Caro Feely. Thanks for turning me on to that!
Posted by: Barry from Alabama | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 02:16 PM
Hi Kristin!
I enjoyed the post today and love all the photos! I loved your story about meeting JM. Max looks so handsome in his hat! I have never heard of Byrrh but it was re-introduced into the U.S. in 2012. I will have to look for it!
I checked out Caroline's B&B and was wondering which room was your writing room.....Grenach, Syrah or Roussanne. I love the view out of the Roussanne room!
Enjoy your Thursday and the weekend!
Posted by: Eileen deCamp | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 02:22 PM
Kristin, that is incredibly special that you took Max to the place where you and Jean-Marc started your courtship. Too bad about the milkshake! Thank you for sharing the lovely photos with us.
Posted by: Katia | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 02:36 PM
Frederick & Nelson was a great store. My sister and I ate lunch there several times during the 70's and early 80's. Unfortunately, I never tried the milk shakes. So sad that Frederick & Nelson and the Bon Marche are no more. These stores gave city downtown areas their unique character. We used to go down to Pioneer Square for the great cinnamon buns at the original Starbucks store. Took me years to realize that WAS the original store.
Posted by: Sandy | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 03:16 PM
A lovely, very special post! Wonderful stories, pictures, and oh my Max has become quite the handsome young man! Thank you for getting my day off to such a lovely start!
Posted by: Joy Bryden | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 03:23 PM
Dear Kristin,
Your post and beautiful photos lifted my spirits as I savored both over my morning coffee. How handsome Max is -- a young Jean Marc, but I definitely see you in him, too. So nice that you got to spend this special time together. We "moms" live for moments like these.
Amicalement,
Cassie
Posted by: Cassie Alexandrou | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 03:38 PM
Frango mint milkshake brings back memories of many trips home from Chicago, stuffing our mouths with Frango mints bought at Marshall Fields old store.
Posted by: Marcia | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 03:49 PM
My recollection of AIX when I painted "en PLEIN air" 23 years ago. A woman approached me to ask if I would paint something on her shop window. I was doing acrylic back then (oil now). She had just opened shop and there was no time to hire a professional sign painter. I WAS IT. In exchange, she allowed me to pick out a skirt in her fashionable boutique shoppe for "les femmes".
(I seem to be a magnet for serendipitous happenings.)...a far better occurrence than when painting in a nearby town where Cezanne painted a lovely yellow grande Maison. I set up my easel beside a moat to paint the famed yellow building...when....whooooooopsy, the large intrusion of Le Mistral produced a monumental gust of wind which lifted my canvas mid-air and promptly deposited it in the moat. I had to wade in to retrieve it.
Posted by: Nyla Witmore | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 03:49 PM
Always enjoy your photos and stories, Kristin. They are a bright spot in my day. Today, particularly, I appreciated the reminder of true romance and how the course of our life can change in an instant. Regular readers know the trials and tribulations exist, too. But, today, we are reminded that love lives!
Posted by: Trina, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 03:49 PM
Kristin,
It seems that your Max will be in good hands here in the U.S. Fred and Gail seem like the perfect hosts, and common grounds with your family! Your Max looks so charming in his hat. Thanks for the pictures and sharing your life!
Posted by: Beth Fiacco | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 04:06 PM
Thank you, thank you for an enchanting post today! It has it all and leaves the reader with sentimental feelings for the entire day. You are so kind to share it all with us.
Posted by: Cynthia P. Lewis | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 04:15 PM
Dear kristin,
I just want you to know how much I love your photos. You have the rare talent of turning very "banale" images into "extraordinaire". I hope this didn't come out wrong. I think some people may think you just went click click click with your little "appareil" but 'tis the where, the how and the when to know you have to press the button. Be it Smokie's togue, the faded Sunflower or the bowl of compost........you put so much poetry and beauty in them to soothe our souls.These pictures make me realise that we should see our surroundings more often with our hearts than look blindly with our eyes.Thank you for your hard work in putting the silver lining on our clouds, and to share your courageous daily life.
This last phrase is for Tom, who made a typo in writing "pois lourd" instead of "poid lourd". For our french learners, the former meant "heavy pea" :)
Sorry Tom...best wishes, khimmie.
Posted by: khimmie | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 04:47 PM
Kristi, excellent photos -- I especially appreciate the one of Max in Aix! How special that you could spend time with Max there, this splendid town where you fell in love. Regarding Domaine Rouge Bleu, you may recall that we went to Caroline and Thomas's B and B last summer just after Matilde was born. What a truly delightful experience! We learned a great deal, were extremely well cared for, relaxed in this lovely Provençal setting, and explored charming villages nearby. I highly recommend it to your readers!
Posted by: Cynthia Gillespie-Smith | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 05:11 PM
Yes I do remember those wonderful Frango milkshake made on site at Frederick & Nelson's. Enjoy reading your postings.
Posted by: Fran Rice | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 05:52 PM
sorry Kristin, I had a typo too. I meant Smokie's tongue.
Posted by: khimmie | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 05:57 PM
A dashing young man that Max! Enjoyed photos and knowing another tidbit of your and Jean-Marc's courtship! Merci beaucoup et passez un bon week-end!
Posted by: Faye | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 06:01 PM
Being from Chicago, your mention of "frango" shakes caught my eye. I went to wiki and learned that Seattle's Frederick & Nelson, which is now gone, was associated with Chicago's Marshall Fields, which is also now gone. Both are huge losses. But the beloved Frango Mints live on! When Marshall Fields was absorbed into Macys in 2006, they made an agreement to continue making Fields' famous Frango Mints, which was little comfort for Chicagoans who were enraged at losing Fields. Every year, my dad in Chicago still sends me a box of Frango Mints for Christmas. So I do know the wonderful flavor of frango. And I hope I never lose that last sweet piece of my memory of Marshall Fields. Who knows, maybe you can order a box online from Macys and have them ship it to you in France so you can make your own Frango Shakes! :)
Posted by: Sheryl in Denver | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 06:13 PM
I loved your story of your plant and your magnet and seeing the father in the son and vice versa. Merci beaucoup.
Posted by: Julie Farrar | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 06:50 PM
Thank you, Khimmie and friends, for taking the time to respond to this post, and with the kindest words. And thanks, Cynthia, for recommending Caroline and Thomass BB!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 08:22 PM
Love the photos and Max is such a handsome guy.
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 08:29 PM
I worked at Frederick and Nelson through high school and college and my greates treat was always a Frango milkshake at the lunch counter downstairs. My mouth is watering now. Thanks for your ongoing wonderful life stories.
Linda, Bainbridge Island , WA
Posted by: Linda Meier | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 10:25 PM
Great pictures. You are a marvelous photographer. I paint and see so many of them that I'd like to give a go with my paintbrush. Max looks just like his dad. Both of them quite handsome, too.
Posted by: Barbara Becker | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 10:38 PM
Such lovely stories and delightful photos! Merci bien...your effort and inspiration are greatly appreciated.
Posted by: Sabine | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 10:46 PM
Our dear Kristi,
Your beautiful words and photos absolutely capture our imaginations,and take us to a place where we are filled with smiles.
What fun and what a privilege to share in your life!
THANK YOU!
Love,
Natalia XO
Posted by: Naalia | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 10:58 PM
Incurable romantic that I am, your description of Jean-Marc's offering you a house plant on your first date and the mysterious force that drew you to him touched me deeply - I know the feeling well! Your well-chosen words are beautiful. Max's photo shows that he has his parents' good looks and charm and will evoke the same passion in some lucky young woman that you felt. What a beautiful family you have - including Braise and Smokey!
I remember the Frango milkshakes and ice cream at Frederick & Nelson. I'm pretty much a lifelong resident of Seattle, having moved here in 1953 and visited many times before that. I still recall the pleasure of meeting you and Jean-Marc and your sister here in Seattle several years ago and have enjoyed your books and blog ever since. Thanks, Kristin!
Posted by: Joanne Johnson | Thursday, March 19, 2015 at 11:08 PM
Hi Kristi
Such a wonderful post today!!! Full of feeling and a lovely trip to take with you. I think it's you at your best...thanks!
Nikki...from Vaison and San Rafael
Posted by: Nikki Tureen | Friday, March 20, 2015 at 12:40 AM
A romance, Our local French Bistro owner had a small cafe in Nice. One night a young blond American girl ran in. she announce she was being followed and was afraid to walk back to her hotel. Would they please call her a taxi. But no, our Bistro man walked her back to her hotel and every night during her visits over the next two years. So on year 3 Alex and Sara married and moved to Fla. So for the past 8 years its a walk to a fresh baguette and coffee.
Posted by: Hampton | Friday, March 20, 2015 at 03:23 AM
Hampton, what a sweet story!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Friday, March 20, 2015 at 08:09 AM
Oooh another favorite, full of beautiful shots (making me yearn to return to Aix asap!), and tales both nostalgic and promising, as only you can share them, lovely friend!
Posted by: Anne Woodyard | Friday, March 20, 2015 at 08:31 PM
Kristin: Loved it all. What a hansome lad; I see both of you in him. Viv
Posted by: Vivian Langley | Friday, March 20, 2015 at 10:14 PM
Thanks Kristin for your lovely post. Max is so handsome! I loved all the photos and they took me back to this region we have visited several times and is our favorite part of France. We had a Frederick and Nelson dept store in Portland, OR and I grew up shopping there in the 70's and 80's but never had the frango mint milkshake. C'est dommage, sounds delicious. The B&B at your former vineyard looks very inviting. Thanks again for sharing and transporting me back to France!
Posted by: Candice | Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 06:09 PM
What a cutie he is!!! A tiny grammar correction from a grammarphile:
"She also lists a ebook giveaway for my First French Essais book!"...should be an ebook... always use "an" in front of a vowel.
Hugs and ..I LOVE THIS BLOG!
Posted by: Tonya | Saturday, March 21, 2015 at 11:11 PM
Thanks, Tonya. Grammar help is always welcome and appreciated!
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 07:50 AM
There is so much that is lovely about this post but I need to thank you most...for the phrase "en l'occurence"! Yes! That is so very helpful and seriously how could I never have known it before? I will admit that this is the first time that I listened to Jean-Marc's phrase (as I usually know the words or phrases) because I really need to get it right. ;)
Bon fin de WE and oh what handsome men you have in your life!
Posted by: Heather in Arles | Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 07:42 PM
Didn't have the frango mint shake, but I remember having lunch there and having an egg salad and smoke salmon (NW hot smoked kind) sandwich. In my young mind have lunch with my sophisticated Auntie Cathie it was heaven! I miss my auntie and Seattle.
Posted by: Ann | Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 07:08 AM
This is a lovely post. I always enjoy reading but this had so many enjoyable elements. Thank you so much. I can see from many other comments left I was only one of many more who were likewise affected.
Posted by: Ally | Monday, March 30, 2015 at 08:24 PM
Thanks Kristin for your lovely stories that transport us back to France - a place dear to my husband's & my heart!I particularly like Jean Marc's Äfrica"T-shirt - does that mean you visit here? We'd love to meet you!
Posted by: Kate Lindsay | Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 01:10 PM