La Chandeleur: Candlemas, Santons, Crepes (and a Sobriety update...)
Wednesday, February 02, 2022
Brushes, paint, and clay figurines at a santon maker's in Marseilles. Read today's story about a few French traditions taking place on February 2nd. And don't miss a very personal update in the post note.
Today's Word: la chandelle (shahn-del)
: candle
Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French word for candle in today's proverb: Download Chandelle.wav
Le jeu n'en vaut pas la chandelle.
The game is not worth the candle. (It’s not worth it).
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
All good things must come to an end and in Provence santons are no exception. On February 2nd, at Candelmas (what the French call "Chandeleur") the meticulously arranged crèche is finally taken down and the colorful clay figurines are carefully put away. That's when the party begins--for February 2nd is also known as Crêpe Day!
Regretfully, our family didn't have any hand-painted santons to store, but boy did we put away the pancakes! When Jean-Marc couldn't find his mother's crêpes recipe, he rolled up his sleeves and made the batter au pif--mixing together a bunch of flour, several eggs, a drenching of milk, a dash of salt, a swirl of warmed butter, and a few larmes of water.
Meanwhile, I prepared the fillings tray: the salty and sugary additions that would top off the delicate crêpes. The salé selections included le gruyère, le jambon, le tarama, le saumon fumé, and l'houmous. As for the dessert crêpes, we had sugar for sprinkling and other sweet spreadables including fig jam, caramel sauce, chestnut purée, Nutella and Aunt Marie-Françoise's lavender honey. Missing were the whipped cream and my mother-in-law who, if she were here (instead of in Marseilles preparing sarrasin crêpes for her neighbor) would've loved a drop or two of lemon juice and a powdering of cinnamon to go with the sugar on her crêpes.
Jean-Marc had pre-cooked the crêpes for reheating at the dinner table, this, thanks to the handy dandy "crêpes party" machine (a Teflon coated unit with six mini pancake-shaped warmers). Because I didn't see my husband grilling the cakes, I can't be sure if he remembered to flip them with the right hand while holding a coin (une pièce d'or) in the left (an old French tradition for prosperity (and good crops!).
Some say the golden, round crêpes are reminiscent of the sun and, therefore, the coming of printemps. While our pancakes reminded me of those things, the golden disks had me thinking of back home where the Arizona desert is lit by the large chandelle in the sky. I remembered my nieces and nephews, little southwestern marmots who were probably just coming out of a long slumber in time to celebrate Groundhog's day, awake in time to enjoy my sister's homemade waffles (a sort of square-shouldered, dimply-cheeked big brother to the dainty crêpe and, in my experience, all the better for hogging).
***
POST NOTE: A CELEBRATION
I wrote today's story in 2007, in the medieval village of Les Arcs-sur-Argens. This is where I lived, where I began my blog, and where I made a life-changing decision to quit drinking. This week marks 19 years of sobriety! I will never regret the decision to stop drinking, which has led to so many improvements in my life and innumerable blessings. It led to a career in writing, an occupation that focuses my mind and allows me to turn life's frustrations and challenges into comedy (and on occasion, into meaningful reflections). One more thing: while editing this post, and researching Candlemas, I learned it is also called “The Purification.” In 19 years I have never made that connection, and I just had to run over to Mom’s and share the accidental significance:
“I'm no saint,” I said to Jules, “and I’m not saying I’ve been purified. But I like how significant this is--my sobriety corresponding to The Purification!
Mom looked at me and shared her own no-nonsense definition. In Jules’s Dictionary, and in all caps:
PURIFICATION = FREEDOM
Leave it to Mom to come up with a rockstar definition. I love it! And I feel it, with each sober anniversary. Freedom.
photo by Jules. Sobriety is one of three themes in our memoir "The Lost Gardens" (the other two topics are marriage and starting a vineyard). If any of those themes interest you, please check out our book.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
Listen to Jean-Marc read the vocab list:
Click here for the audio file
le santon = clay figurine, nativity figure
au pif = "by the nose" (by guesswork)
une larme = tear
salé = salty
le gruyère = swiss cheese
le jambon = ham
tarama = a pink-colored, fish roe-based creamy spread
le saumon fumé = smoked salmon
le sarrasin = buckwheat
une pièce d'or = a gold coin
le printemps = springtime
la chandelle = candle
le brocanteur, la brocanteuse = second-hand goods seller, antique trader
A brocanteur selling santons at an outdoor antique market in Suze-la-Rousse
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal each week. If you find joy or value in these stories and would like to keep this site going, donating today will help so much. Thank you for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
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For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
Congratulations on 19 years. Be so proud of yourself. You have accomplished what so many can not.🥰
Posted by: Diane Dainis | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 12:44 PM
Oh the food...is there anything better than French crêpes?! So simple, so delicious. I feel this has inspired my Dinner Menu this week....
Sobrierty... always a consideration... I admire you for the willpower and commitment. I am sure it is wonderful for a clear head.
I just bought a beautiful non alcohol drink made from Juniper berriss and Hibiscus... it is more for Summer, served with fresh raspberries and mint... I can recommend it. It is from Cedars. Though they are basically the same price as alcoholic beverages which seems a bit crazy. I would consider making my own...
Apparently this is going to be a new trend... alcohol free beverages.
And well,.... I have to say that I still enjoy a Glass of Champagne and wine ... though I am very curious since you are married to Mr grape... when he has a wine, what drink of choice do you have to raise a Toast?!
Beautiful day to you.
Posted by: Kristina | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:02 PM
Kristina, Your juniper berries/hibiscus is delicious! I would have a splash of that in my sparkling water - which is what I toast with these days.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:08 PM
Congratulations Kristi
But to write “I'm no saint,” I said to Jules, “and I’m not saying I’ve been purified"
... you ARE a saint. Not because of 19 years absinence from alcohol, but because the Bible declares that all those who follow Christ are saints - just read the introductory verses of Paul's letters, again & again he writes "to all the saints" ... it includes you!
Posted by: Ian Pitt | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:10 PM
I've always wanted a few Santons but never found any while in France. I must not have been there at the right time or found the right store.
Congratulations, on your sobriety, and Happy Candlemas!
Posted by: Deborah | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:47 PM
I loved hearing you speak French and at such impressive speed. Bravo. Et aussi, bravo pour ta sobriété.
Was the host of the interview surprised (offended) by the bucket of water at the end? It was funny and unexpected. He spoke quickly, as the French do.
QUESTION…why did John-Marc turn his head to one side while his nose was in the glass. I know it was to increase the olfactory bouquet, but why the presentation and preference of one nostril over the other? Deviated septum?
Posted by: Nyla Witmore | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:50 PM
Mmmm. I can almost smell those crepes! 😉
Posted by: Gail in AZ | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:51 PM
In England pancakes are the same as the French crêpes. We eat them every year on Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras, and in my childhood it was always with lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar -- still my favorite. We do have the American-style thick pancakes too, but we don't eat them with bacon and maple syrup for breakfast. (I never could wrap my mind around bacon and syrup.) We call them either drop scones or, in some parts of England, Scotch pancakes. They are eaten cold and spread with butter for tea.
I think that the Purification refers to the and of the 40-day period after the birth of a child when Jewish women were in seclusion and at the end of which, the first-born boy was offered to God in the Temple. So to Christians it would be the day Jesus was taken to the Temple.
Posted by: Judith Greig | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 01:59 PM
Je suis si fiere de toi, Kristi!! Congratulations, and thank you for the story of the Santons, I never knew their significance
Posted by: Suzanne Codi | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 02:11 PM
There are no coincidences… We are all blessed by you!
Especially loved “dimpled big brother” description! You are a clever saint.
Posted by: K. J. Laramie | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 03:03 PM
Happy Soberversary!!
Posted by: Holly | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 03:20 PM
Congrats Kristi. You may know this: Candlemas is the Feast of the Presentation: Mary and Child completed the prescribed time & ritual purification under Mosaic law so can now enter the temple to present the First Born Son to the Lord. Beautiful imagery, and your epiphany shows the ongoing inspiration of these ancient Scriptures.
Posted by: Anne | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 03:33 PM
Congratulations, Kristi! 19 years! Heck, each day you are to be congratulated! Quite an achievement - and, a life being all for the better, for you and for all your loved ones!
Posted by: Judi | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:02 PM
Congratulations on your sobriety, Kristi! I'm amazed that you were able to do that, given that your life was surrounded with wine! Bien fait !
Is your memoir book complete now? I was waiting to buy it until it was finished.
Blessings to you and your family ♥
Posted by: Beth Fiacco | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:14 PM
Congratulations Krisit, you are amazing.
Posted by: Karen Cafarella | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:17 PM
Congratulations - you are an inspiration. Have a beautiful day.
Posted by: Lynn | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:20 PM
Thanks for sharing your story of being a very strong woman, Kristi. You set an inspiring example for all!!!
Posted by: Wendy Rieder | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:22 PM
Congratulations on 19 years! There is something to be said for freedom! :)
Posted by: Kristine Bates | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:40 PM
19 ans -- chapeau!
Posted by: Passante | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:55 PM
19 years!! Congratulations! I love your Sobriety- Purification- Freedom triad. It sounds simple but is a profound truth.
Posted by: Sandy | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 04:58 PM
Bravo, Kristi. On peut faire des choses difficiles! Tu m'inspire:)
Posted by: [email protected] | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 05:11 PM
19 years. Amazing accomplishment. Wouldn't it be a good idea for all of us to send a little donation in honor of your 19 year victory?
Now I must get the buckwheat crepes out of the freezer. You have inspired me.
Posted by: Sherry Frank | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 05:15 PM
Congratulations, Kristi! This week was a celebration for me too - fourteen years of sobriety. You truly have been an inspiration, in many ways. Thank you.
Posted by: Susan L Barnabe | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 05:31 PM
Our dear Kristi,
We send huge hugs of felicitations!!!
You are not only an inspiration(and a gifted one at that!) but also a sweetheart whom we are blessed to have in our lives.
We didn't have santons to put away,either,(we don't have a lot of Christmas decorations, but those that we do , we keep out all year)--though that didn't stop us from doing an admirable job of partaking in a beaucoup amount of crepes and savoring every bite.
Every day, every minute , every second we give thanks for the Father ,Son and Holy Spirit-- for our faith, health, family, and friends like you!!
Love
Natalia. Xo
Posted by: Natalia | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 05:34 PM
Congratulations Kristi on 19 years of sobriety! And thank you for 19 years of encouraging us to speak French.
Posted by: Julia | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 06:08 PM
I love this blog, and it inspires me to stay sober! I have been in recovery for 5 years this month. Congratulations on 19! What an amazing journey. And PURIFICATION is absolutely the right term to go along with this journey. Keep it up!
I also have a website and blog related to my sobriety and infertility struggles as well as my current life with twin toddlers! It is so cathartic to write through our feelings and events in our life.
Posted by: Ellen Ahrendsen | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 06:28 PM
How fitting --- FREEDOM! Sending love to you!
Posted by: Stacy Lund | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 06:35 PM
Congratulations on all the you have accomplished and achieved, Kristi, including 19 years of sobriety, and thank you for taking us along on much of that journey.
Bob the Long-Haired Dachshund (who thinks he is a Golden Retriever, like his late big brother Henry) and I love the above photograph of you and Smokey.
Posted by: Leslie in Oregon | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 08:14 PM
Formidable! Felicitations, Kristin, on such a long interval of sobriety, especially in an environment where wine surrounded you.
Congratulations also to Susan Barnabe and Ellen Ahrendsen for your sobriety, as well. You will also reach 19 years!
I am a very occasional drinker (almost a teetotaler). I really prefer nonalcoholic beverages. I like several different kinds of sparkling fruit drinks. One of them is called "Val de France" and is a product of France. The bottle I recently bought is a combination of sparkling Pear and Apple juices. I recommend them.
Posted by: Marianne Rankin | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 09:15 PM
I love Sherry Frank’s suggestion of donating in celebration of your 19 years of ‘purification’ 🥰
Posted by: Leslie Foster | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 09:27 PM
How I miss Gill’s ( my wife) welsh pancakes (crapes) that she made every shrove Tuesday with a wonderful sauce made mainly of lemon juice and sugar.
Posted by: Jerry | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 09:48 PM
Félicitations Kristi!
I can only imagine how difficult this challenge was for you in early years, especially being surrounded by wine everywhere! But I’m sure you’ve emerged a better & stronger person, and your FWAD fans love you for that (& your writing, of course)!
Amicalement, Judy
Posted by: Judy Feldman | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 10:43 PM
Blessings for 19 more, at least, and congratulations! You are an inspiration for those of us who have battles to fight!
Posted by: Valerie Porter | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 11:06 PM
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand therefore firm, and do not submit to a yoke of slavery!
Rejoice and be glad.
Posted by: val | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 11:08 PM
Nice review. I missed it the first time. Did you know that Candlemas was when Saint Blaise blessed candles. Two are tied together with ribbon and on St Blaise day people go to church to have their throats blessed.
Posted by: barbara michels | Wednesday, February 02, 2022 at 11:50 PM
Congratulations on 19 years dear Kristi! Freedom indeed. xx
Posted by: Lisa Smith | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 01:22 AM
What a fabulous word! I may adopt it! Merci beaucoup :-)
Posted by: Patricia Sands | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 01:24 AM
Brava! So proud to know you!
Posted by: Patricia Sands | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 01:26 AM
Dear Kristi, as always a wonderful post filled with warmth and humour. Congratulations on 19 years of sobriety! Candlemas celebrates the presentation of the baby Jesus and the final verse in that account is Luke 2:40 "And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him." That is what your blessing was 19 years ago and it has been a privilege to share your journey through FWAD as you grow stronger, become wiser and continue in the blessing of the grace of God.
Posted by: Deborah | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 02:48 AM
Congratulations on 19 years of sobriety. God bless!
Posted by: Joan | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 03:47 AM
Brava! (ou bravo comme disent les français...) Today happens to the my 3rd anniversary of my sobriety. I didn't plan to quit but after drinking too much 112 proof gaoliang in Taiwan I found myself in the ER with pancreatitis. The ER doc told me in no uncertain terms that I had to quit and I did. Its was surprisingly easy, I just turned the page and started a new chapter.
Like you it has been a great improvement: health, finances, etc.
Bon février!
Posted by: Pippo | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 04:00 AM
How fun to hear about crepe day. When I was a student in Dijon almost half a century ago I was invited to a crepe party. To this day I never understood what the day was commemorating. My friend and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and loved the crepe making and eating but never could quite decipher the explanation from our fellow party goers who spoke at lightening speed.
Posted by: Gail from Holualoa | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 04:07 AM
I too am waiting to buy your latest book when it is released in hard copy form. Any thought as to when that might happen?
Posted by: Lynne | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 05:34 AM
Thank you for this meaningful scripture, Deborah. I will write it in my notebook and read it at every future sober anniversary. It’s a treasure!
While I am here, I would like to thank each and every one who has left a comment here. It is most touching to see your names and read your encouraging words. Thank you all for taking the time to write. ❤️❤️❤️
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 07:38 AM
I agree with what Ian Pitt said. Because of Christ you ARE a saint, you ARE purified, and you ARE FREE! And you are a great writer--I've never enjoyed a blog more.
Posted by: Paul B. | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 08:17 AM
Thanks, Lynne, for following up on this question and for your interest in our book. We have no immediate plans to print the book, but will keep this as a goal.
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Thursday, February 03, 2022 at 01:50 PM
A million congratulations and thousands of "Atta Girls" just for you, Kristi! 19 years is a huge milestone. I wish you continued strength and 50 more years of sobriety!
Posted by: Karla Ober | Sunday, February 06, 2022 at 03:27 PM
Bonjour Kristi, Sorry this comment is a little late - I just got around to reading your post. Chapeau bas to your 19 years of sobriety!
Your post about candle mass brought back memories of my childhood, when, every February 2nd, le jour de St.-Blaise. We used to go to church and have our throats blessed with a pair of crossed candles, while the priest said some kind of benediction over us.
As for the crêpes, I never knew about the savory ones until I stopped at a restaurant in Bretagne, where I had crêpes de blé noir and a bowl of cider. A simple yet memorable meal! America you don't know what you're missing!!
Thanks Christy for continuing to write your blog -I look forward to receiving and reading your posts!
Merci mille fois et bises. Augusta
Posted by: Augusta Elmwood | Monday, February 14, 2022 at 06:28 PM