FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Leaving the "familiar" is never easy. We feel safe there. Going forward is difficult but we all must do this in our lifetimes. Bon chance for your future! Christine

Selling up and moving top the league tables (proved by research) for inducing stress. Is it any wonder? But bon courage - which I know you all have. And much love and best wishes. I feel very relieved as it's been quite a tightrope we have walked, waiting and watching and praying for A Good Move for you. Way to go of course but fingers and toes tightly crossed.

Kristin & Jean-Marc,
Wishing you the very best in this new chapter of your life together. I am smiling, thinking of the sanglier we shared at your table, back when Bill was still here with us. I do know that as doors close, new ones open, full of different opportunities. I can't wait to see what you will do next. Lots of love from Santa Fe!
Cheryl

This home was made of love and dreams, may your next home be a beautiful place of more of the same! Blessings.

I get it. I eat no beasts. Four hours. Wow!

Yes. I can relate. Our big, open deck has only a single olive tree in a pot on it. it would look beautiful cleverly furnished but every time i think of purchasing, i think of moving again. So, for four years now it has been bare. You sound like you are working your way towards a happy medium.

Phew! is all I can say. The end of your pilgrimage is near, Kristi, and I can't help but be happy for the Espinasse family! Fingers crossed for you here in Maine.

Finally!! This has been a Hugh struggle for you and Jean-Marc but you can now begin the next chapter in your very adventurous life. I recently worked for a friend who has a senior moving business (no dearth of work here in Florida) and saw first hand what people hold onto yet don't need or use as time goes by. Consequently, i have winnowed down my possessions and question each new purchase. A good practice, I feel. Kristi, we who love you and your family wish for you a smooth transition to La Ciotat and many happy years in your new abode. Pictures, please!

Bon voyage! Did you realize that you're moving the day of the total eclipse in the majority of the US? It's a good omen, huh?

Congratulations on the completing the sale! Mixed feelings notwithstanding, it must be such a relief to have that done. Very best wishes as you continue in the hard work of culling/packing. I hope that many wonderful memories will sustain you as you work, and go with you as you move into this new chapter of your life!

Kristin, I hope you and Jean-Marc are finding comfort and pride in the fact that you are leaving the mas a better and improved place. you left a beautiful and important mark. that land needed you and at the time you needed it as well. and now you need something else! you participate so actively in your own evolution -- many people try to ignore changing impulses, but they are important things to acknowledge. and i don't necessarily think that when those changes happen we should consider what came before a 'mistake'.... it served it's purpose at the time and was in some way important. there are times when a 6-drawer freezer is important! and now on to the 'less is more' phase. I so look forward to watching the developments. I have no doubt that you will use each opportunity in a thoughtful and creative way. salud!

Sad to leave on the one hand, but what an immense relief to finally have it done!

You're off on the next Big Adventure!

Kristi and J-M...you will love and embrace simplifying your lives. But---how we will miss your adventures at Mas des Brun!

Love it John !!

Oh how i relate ! Although our move was from the UK to here on the Conflent & to a partly( very !) restored agriculture barn. I look forward to your posts about your new home If later you’d like some Acanthus seeds I am being bombarded with them from my Acanthus !
Bonne appetite for the Sanglier ( I love it) & a good move on the 21st

Lovely town you will be living in, Kristi. The first time I heard of La Ciotat was when I met une Ciotadenne in my train for Cassis. She offered to take my husband and me to see her ville, La Ciotat, le lendemain. Quelle aubaine! of course, we accepted her invitation.

Congrats Kristi and Jean Marc! Best wishes on this new chapter in your lives!

Thank you for sharing your time at Mas des Brun with us. We will miss those stories (to be transformed into your next book someday?) but look forward to what you tell us about life in La Ciotat. How is Smokey doing these days (especially with the heat wave and the moving tumult)? What is he wearing in the photograph above? With every best wish for smooth move and smoother sailing thereafter, Leslie

Yes, Chris Allin commented for me too, Kristi -- good thing all of Us in your Band of Blog-fans are a cinch for you two to 'pack' and cart along to your new home. Nice too that we represent no clutter whatsoever (I hope) but rather a chorus of caring and encouraging friends who are so truly WITH you. Beautiful that this move, which began as a thorn in your comfy shoes, has become half of a fait-accompli as you cross a new threshold. Your next year will continue the liminal phase, I suspect, so may it all unfold to your liking day by day. No matter what, your grace in wrangling major changes will see you through. ~ With warm hugs from Canada!

Bitter sweet!

Home is truly where your heart is!! All the best to you both with the move ( and the cuisse!!!)

Bises, Joanne

Human nature finds comfort in the known and nervous anticipation of the unknown. But
life's journey is a magic exploration and the best is yet to come!!

Wishing you the best
Bon chance
Robert

I love that you re-posted pictures your memories! I remember those posts because your mom reminded me so much of my mom, so bright and colorful and full of life"s energy. I would forward the posts to my daughters and they "got it" instantly. I also wanted to tell you that I got a great surprise the other day. My daughter and her boyfriend were planning to come out to the desert from LA for a weekend visit. A few weeks before their trip, I asked if they could check out your Mas des Brun rose at the one wine shop where it is sold in LA. I sort of forgot about it and didn't want to ask repeatedly...Low and behold they surprised me with a bottle!! I can only say I have never enjoyed a bottle of wine so much! My future son-in-law spoke with the proprietor and learned all about Jean-Marc and the wine and I shared the history of your blog and pictures with them. We loved and savored the wine. Isn't it true that the wine takes on the character of the wine maker? I feel grateful for the experience that I got to taste a little of your life!

Thanks for all the wonderful memories you have left with us from Mas des Brun. What an adventure! And now another begins, with all of us eagerly following along. Et donc, en avant!

And with change comes growth! I know I know...sometimes we get tired of growing ...until later when we see the gift. I wish U both a smooth transition! Love Nyla's comment!

Best wishes on your newest endeavor! The biggest decisions are behind you, yes?

I am currently in the process of sorting, discarding, and packing up what I want to keep from my 'life' while simultaneously caring for my 8 month old grandson full time. My home just went on the market and is expected to sell quickly (hopefully) with a quick closing. I feel your pain in every joint, muscle, and bruise created. Sleep deprivation aside, it is freeing to pare down what you no longer need. Best of luck in your move!

Félicitations et bonne chance ! You and Jean-Marc are an inspiration to everyone who is facing a significant change in their lives. Wishing you all the best as you move on to the next exciting phase!

Good luck to a less stressful life. A chance to enjoy yourselves even more. Mary-Audrey Mellor

Good luck to a less stressful life. A chance to enjoy yourselves even more. Mary-Audrey Mellor

I'm just getting caught up on reading your blogs and would like to comment on the significance of August 21, your moving date, here in the Pacific Northwest. That's the day when the lights went out for over two minutes due to the total eclipse of the sun!

I can see you both turning out the lights at Mas de Brun and being in the dark for a few moments before moving on to your new life in La Ciotat. It is a beautiful village and I know it will be what the doctor ordered in maintaining your health and happiness.