Monday, April 18, 2011

Le Jour de la Terre -- Earth Day

22 avril 2011


plant some trees – plantent des arbres
plant some flowers – plantez des fleurs
plant a veggie box – plantez un potager
compost – fût de compostage
recycle – recyler
pick up litter – fait disparaître les ordures
bird feeder – mangeoire d’oiselle
bird house volière d’oiselle
water fountain – fontaine d'eau
I lovej’adore
My god - Mon Dieu!


Le Jour de la Terre is one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a time to appreciate this amazing planet, which is so full of gifts to receive everyday. In celebration of this beautiful planet, my family plantent des arbres, des fleurs et un potager. We live in Florida, so we add plants to our yard that are appropriate for our region's climate. Fortunately, I enjoy the regional varieties and they work well in my yard. This month, we planted some special ornamental trees. I’ve always wanted a pomelo grapefruit tree because j’adore the sweet taste of this unusually large juicy fruit. I look forward to a bountiful crop next winter month, when the fruit ripens with its anticipated deliciousness.

 The best way to celebrate earth day, every day with my family is by spending time outside. To encourage social gatherings outdoors, instead in front of the tv, I created a special outdoor room. I call it my garden room, only enter my room if you want to laugh, relax, play, and create many memories!

My garden room

Passion Flower (Florida climate)



Mon Dieu! All that garbage we ALL produce – recycler! My family is grateful to have a recycling program in our beach village and they pick up twice a week! How easy is that? We also have a separate bin for our organic material, fût de compostage. Compost sounds so much better in French, n’est pas? Our bin consists of layers of dirt, egg shells, grass clippings, weeds, potato & bananas peels, and with all those grape fruits I'll be eating, grapefruit peels! Do not put meat or fats in the bin, they'll really attracts rodents. Give composting a try, your garden will thank you!

Our beach community also has a great program fait disparaître les ordures. We get together once a year and pick up litter in areas of greatest need. Our beach can look pretty rough after the spring breakers leave. On a daily basis, during my walks with my dogs, I bring a trash bag and pick up their “business” and any trash I find along the way. This is easy stuff!

Through out the year, we maintain our bird sanctuary. I know that sounds grand and fancy, but it’s really simple to do. Birds love a beautiful garden, just like we do and by adding un mangeoire d’oiselle et un volière d’oiselle will increase your chances for them to visit your yard on a daily basis. It is also important to provide a fresh water source, like un fontaine d'eau for the birds. Ironically, we are surrounded by water where I live, but it’s a salt water bay. All the birds in my neighborhood really appreciate my fresh water fountain. In fact, after a good rain, I see birds bathing themselves in the puddles every where. Every morning we wake up to the birds singing and thanking us for the gifts all through out the beautiful garden.




There’s so many ways to enjoy Earth Day. Enjoy, participate, celebrate Earth Day your way!
Website about Earth Day and how you can celebrate it: http://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2011

 Always a pleasure talking with you. Bon Journee!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Is Hollywood going français? - Trois Films to see

Is Hollywood going français? Is it just my french obsession or am I seeing more and more french influence around the US these days? I wonder if the french president, Nicolas Sarkozy's wife has anything to do with this, she even appears in Woody Allen's movie, Midnight in Paris. It doesn't hurt that Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. is très belle et charmant. Hollywood gets inspired in bizarre ways, sometimes it's purely economical. I once read in an article that Woody Allen can't afford to film in New York anymore, so he films in his next favorite city, Paris, where the jazz is hot and the city is lit on. This is all to my benefit, of course. Please make more movies in France, Hollywood!

 Midnight in Paris
 A romantic comedy in Paris, what's not to love?
Woody Allen, love ya!

  The legendary musketeers are now down on their luck, they must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war. This movie will be hot!


 Burlesque
A small-town girl ventures to Los Angeles and finds her place in a neo-burlesque club run by a former dancer. J'adore cabaret!


vocabulaire:

très belle et charmant: very beautiful and charming

J'adore cabaret: I love caberet 

Thursday, April 7, 2011

T – 160 days until Provence – scarves, sandals & white linen

I’m starting to feel the pressure to learn as much langue de français as possible. Just 160 days until I’m in Provence, speaking with the natives and celebrating one of my favorite places on earth.  Unfortunately, the more I learn, the more it seems to fall out the other end (my other ear, not the rear)! Oh, lo lo lo!

One thing I have learned, I’m more prepared then I was last year (derrière année). In fact, my travels to France seem to get more relaxed and familiar every time I visit. But this time, I will bring two pairs of sandals…and more scarves! Walking around Saint Val du Vence, Goult, Amboise,Giverny, and Paris, I actually blew out a pair of sandals.  But, I am prepared now. I was a good girl and did my research on the internet. I asked the question on the Google search engine, “What are the most comfortable woman’s sandals on earth?” Of course, several brands popped up, but I read the blogs and remarks, and took "le plunge" and bought a pair. In fact, I bought a second pair right after the first pair went on my feet the day they arrived. I found that Merrell is what I consider the most comfortable, stylish and light on the feet. They aren’t the cheapest brand, but in this case, you get what you pay for. Is this another frenchness thing (buy quality, not quantity)?


One French thing I just adore, is the French woman’s obsession with scarves. J’adore les foulards! I only selected two scarves to bring on my last trip from my grand collection, how distressing! All kidding aside, there is nothing like un foulard to dress up a simple dress, a top, or a jean jacket. I read in fashion magazine that french women don't wear scarves...they flaunt them! You instantly feel like une belle femme, n’est pas? My favorite secret is that I get many of my scarves from second-hand stores. In this case, you get what you pay for, which is a lot! I approach these stores like a treasure hunt. Voila, I found you, une belle écharpes, amongst this heap of bric-a-brac! I usually wear my scarves fairly simple, throw it around my neck. However, I found a great site from Brooks Brothers that shows how to wear my favorite accessory in various ways. Enjoy!

Will I even need a scarf in Provence in July? mais oui! I’m looking forward to wearing my “all white” look. I noticed that Provençal women wear white linen all summer. It’s not only practical during the sizzling l’été afternoons, but it looks so fresh. Linen breathes, thank god, and while I’m walking through the daily farmers markets of Provence, I will not only look stylish, but stay cool. I can smell the fresh baguette, tomates et fromages already, can you?


Alors, I have my essentials for a prepared and stylish trip to Provence: sandals, scarves, white linen, and my French dictionary. You can also find me on Facebook. Always a pleasure to talk to you, have a great day, a bientôt!

vocabulaire:

langue de français: french language

derrière année: last year  

J’adore les foulards: I love scarves 

une belle femme, n’est pas a beautiful woman, don't you agree? 

mais oui: but yes, of course  

l’été: summer

tomates et fromages tomatoes and cheeses 

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

My first blog, everyone has a first, n'est pas?

My first blog, everyone has to have a “first”, n’est pas? I am terrified! Maybe if I bash it out and say it en français, it’ll be less terrifying. Bon courage! Even in franglish, I’m still well aware that this is my first blog, my first time putting it all out there! I’ll just have to get through it, my franglish heart and all.
I sit here sur la terrasse, into my reverie, starring across the big pond at France. Okay, it’s really a bayou, and there are some of your typical Floridian style homes across from my backyard. It’s a beautiful spring day and the setting is relaxing (perfect for blogging). I’m listening to internet radio, 104.7 Europe 1. I think they’re talking about the news of the day, all the way from Paris, France. I love this radio station, lots of various programs, even though je comprend un peu!  I do understand the music and the laughter that they are sending over the airwaves. Music and laughter are always universal.
I am obsessed with all things French, but it is a healthy obsession. I think everyone should have a hobby, don’t you? I don’t necessarily want to transform into a French person, I’m too optimistic, thanks to my American upbringing. But, there’s a lot of frenchness I do so admire. When I was a little girl, I would play dress up. I guess that isn’t so unusual for a little girl, but I would pretend I was a performer or l'actrice at the Moulin Rouge! My mother would have to watch me dance and sing for hours in boa feathers, heels and rouge lipstix! (The beginnings of a healthy obsession, non?) However, with maturity (I refuse to say with age), my french obsession became a healthy one when I began to appreciate what makes them so very French or what I call “frenchness”. It’s their passion for life and life's journey. I recognized their obvious passion for food and wine, not just the dinner on the plate, but how it got there. Organic isn’t just in a small section in the super marché, it’s their way of life, in their everyday food, and why I believe their food tastes très bon.
I found that their farmers are under strict regulations and are frequently monitored. Is this pride of county, pride of region, pride of product, or is it frenchness? I watched a documentary on how fois gras is made in Périgord, the southwest region of France. Whatever your philosophy is on the subject, I was amazed on how these animals were cared for during their journey into the world’s premier pâté. When la agricultrice was interviewed, she stated, "if at any time our geese and ducks are unhappy, they will make terrible fois gras!" She continues, "They need fresh air, room to roam and plenty of good food themselves". She confirms, "C’est naturellement!"


I also recognized their love for art, music, architecture and even engineers. Yes, engineers too. They are respected and admired. I can see why, I married one and he’s brilliant. They have state-of-the-art train systems, bridges, energy, architecture, etc. Despite the 50's & 60's urbanisation, France has seemed to marry the old with the new. They have preserved their past while introducing the modern world. Sometimes its a struggle, but I believe they do it with grace.  

So, my first blog is nearly finished. That wasn’t so bad after all! My journey begins as a blogger, but my travels as an admirer of all things French continues. What's more, I still dress up in various dancing garb (coins giggle skirts, boa feather, beads, & scarves) and sing and dance around my home. I don’t know why Cher & Christina Aguilera didn’t call me to be in their new movie “Burlesque” a sort of re-make of Moulin Rouge. I’ve been rehearsing it all my life. I can’t wait to see this movie.
Here’s the trailer for Burlesque: http://www.burlesquemovie.org/





Who's this with the tambourine?...
...I told you I still like to dress up and dance!
 
Drum Circle at Nokomis Beach, FL

You can also find me on Facebook. I look forward to hearing from you and enjoy sharing your perspective for all things French, food, gardening, scarves, art and music. 
Bon Journée!


Vocabulaire:

Bon courage: good luck, good courage.

sur la terrasse: on the terrace 

reverie: a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.
je comprend un peu! I understand a little

l'actrice; actress

super marche: super market 

très bon: very good

l'agriculteur, l'agricultrice: farmer 

C’est naturellement. : This is natural.