Winetasting meetup + Three ways to say "spring fever"

In springtime humans can be found before the mirror, trying on the contents of their warm-weathered wardrobe. Dogs are not immune to this desperate behavior. They just do it with a bit more panache. Smokey, the trilby looks great on you. So it's three seasons old. Fashion is a state of mind!

Join Jean-Marc and Kristi for the April 28th wine-tasting in St. Cyr-sur-Mer. 10 euros. Email jm.espinasse AT gmail.com

I promised you 3 ways to say "spring fever," in French. On second thought, they don't seem to have the same expressive term in France--but if they did it might sound like this:

• l'agitation printanière or
• la lassitude or as google translates it
• la fièvre du printemps

Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following:
Download MP3 or Sound Wav

On ne dit pas "spring fever,"  mais l'agitation printanière, la lassitude, et la fièvre du printemps... ça nous arrive en France aussi!  We don't say "spring fever," but springtime agitation, lassitude, and spring fever... it happens to us, too.

Style & comfort in the beauty of the Provencal countryside. 4 bedrooms & a study with a sofa bed, each with ensuite (full) bath. Villa comfortably sleeps 7-9 adults.

 

A Day in a FRENCH Life... by Kristin Espinasse

That student of writing who resides inside of me knows she should take advantage of this occasion to stretch her composition muscles. But a familiar ailment that strikes all étudiants this time of year is weakening my ability to concentrate. I've got spring fever!

Yesterday, I hid out in the bushes all morning. (To skip class, in French, is to go to "bush school"--or l'école buissonnière--so called for the leafy escape route kids take on their way away from class).

My dog ditched too, and that explains the odd duo hiding in the parsley patch on Thursday. I was set, this morning, to tell you all about our garden escapade--Smokey's and mine--but the thing about spring fever is this:

Ça dure. ça dure...

*    *    *

Comments
Anyone else got spring fever? Share it in the comments box. Meantime, Smokey and I are headed back out to the vegetable patch. We've got sow much to do, not including spelling or composition!

French Vocabulary

un(e) étudiant(e) = student
faire l'école buissonnière = to ditch school
ça dure = it lasts

Vocab (following the next photo)
le couteau= knife
les petit pois (mpl) = peas
la mâche = lamb's lettuce

New rental in Provence. In the charming village of Sablet--this spacious home is the perfect place to return to after sightseeing, bicycling or hiking.

 

 Look what Jean-Marc brought me from Tokyo! The spelling only adds to the charm! I didn't realize how dull my knives were until trying this razor sharp couteau. Chopping salad greens is easy peasy (and those are not les petits pois: here we have fresh fava beans, snow pea blossoms, arugula, celery, and mâche. 

The pretty blue flowers are borage and my friend Rachel taught me this tip: borage leaves are edible! When collecting the flowers, snap off a few leaves from the plant. Using scissors, add the cut leaves to vinaigrette. (Classic vinaigrette: Three tablespoons olive oil, one tablespoon vinegar, salt and pepper. Even better with a dash of mustard.)

Everyone should have borage growing in the garden--for the bees, to say the least! And they are a favorite in companion planting, owing to their ability to nurse strawberries and tomatoes and to protect many kinds of leafy greens, such as spinach.

Order Borage Seeds here
If this medicinal plant is not growing wild in your neighborhood, you can order seeds via this link 

More tips and French recipes in Chef Alain Braux book Paleo French Cuisine -- now available in two formats.

=> Buy the ebook
=> Order the paperback 

 

 

 
Who needs sci-fi when you've got a garden? Jean-Marc and I were adding to our drip system when we came across this horned alien in the celery patch. The pink creature's tail looks very much like the sainfoin flower growing nearby...

Voilà, that's all for you today.

Wait--one more thing! I am very excited to tell you about this interview at Bonjour Paris. Thank you very much, Janet Hulstrand, for the memories you brought back by your thoughtful questions. Here is a screen shot of our talk. Read the full interview here.

 

Comments

[Alisa]

Seems no one is immune, even in Sunny (and sometimes rainy) Central Florida, where the passing of the seasons is oh, so subtle-- only observable to those who are really paying close attention. Though, we barely broke our sweaters out "thrice", still, we are afflicted by "spring fever" all the same. ENJOY, Kristie! You deserve it! The knife is awesome! How thoughtful of JM. Your family photos are, as always, beautiful, mostly because of the subjects/characters within them, about whose lives we eagerly await to hear each week. Popped over and read your interview, too. How lovely it was! You are quite funny, as your readers here already knew! Wonderful! Now, what are you doing over here reading your comments, when you should be out under the trees watching forever in the making? Go! Go! We'll still be here later... :)

[Kristin Espinasse]

Love it! Than you, Alisa :-) Off I go....

[Amber Hopwood]

Kristi,
Lovely interview with Bonjour Paris! I especially like what you have to say about language blunders! Excellent perspective!

We have had a tough winter in Illinois, but now the grass is green and we will be planting 2 apple trees this weekend. Oh, and even though I DID NOT cover the strawberries this year (the coldest, snowiest winter in 30+ years) they are coming right up!

I love the change of the seasons!
Bonne journee et bisous!
Amber

[sandy]

Have a Blessed Easter weekend on this Good Friday !

[Chris Allin]

Ah, Kristin ~ one must live life to write about it. Go for it!

[julie camp]

What is that pink creature with floral tail? -julie-

[Patty Austin]

Spring Fever to the Max! Great Post - got senioritis too, retiring Sept 1! What is the french word for senioritis? Now I will have time to amble thru France, draw and try some figs.

I thought it so cool you had a photo here from with the Paris Lady who is on House International my favorite show, awesome Miss Kristin!

Happy Easter this weekend,
Patty (in Bethesda, the place of healing waters) MD

[Kristin Espinasse]

Hi Julie, It looked exactly like a praying mantis -- only fancier. How about a Parisian praying monk?

[Laura]

Love how your writing brings us to your true experience, full of life!

[JULES IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO]

Hi Honey,

I loved this story - thinking of you today. Wish we were all spending Easter together under the olive trees. What is the weather like?

XOXO

MOM

[Judy]

Hi Kristi, happy Easter to you all. I wonder about your cute appetizers, what is the topping on the cucumber slices under the borage flowers? Still loving your blog.

[Kristin Espinasse]

Thank you, Laura!

Mom, the weather turned chilly today. Thinking of you -- and all readers who celebrate Easter this weekend. So sorry I forgot to mention it! It is one day at a time, for me! We will get to Easter, next :-) XOXO

[Leslie in Oregon]

Yes, spring fever is rampant here too. I'm not sure how well I'm quelling, or otherwise combining, it with Good Friday, a day for quiet contemplation. Happy Easter, Kristin,

[Linda R.]

I've been enjoying spring fever in Arizona, California coast and Portland - all oases of beauty this time of year. Now to return home to Montana and ... snow!

[Kristin Espinasse]

Enjoying reading what some of you are up to today. And , Leslie, thanks for the thought that today is a day of reflection.

Judy, I meant to point out my mother-in-laws tapenade. That is what is spread over the cucumber slices, beneath the borage blossoms.

[Jon-Henri Bonnard]

One day in spring Prof. William James announced he was giving his class a test. Radcliffe student,Gertrude Stein looked out the winddow at the beautiful spring day, sunny and warm.
She wrote on her test. "Dear Prof. James. It is such a beautiful spring day outside I really don't feel like taking this test. She handed said paper to the Prof. He glanced at it and said "My sentiments exactly, Miss Stein" and he gave her an "A"

[dorothy dufour]

Don't worry about spring fever - your great photos take up the slack!

[Nancy, San Antonio, Texas]

Spring fever gets us all (thank goodness) - have been going to the nursery every other day for new plants. Mostly perennials for the back garden. But I think it is the trip to the nursery and seeing all the flowers in bloom that really makes me happiest. And the wonderful aroma!!! Even my dogs, Goldie and Yogi have been into Spring cleaning - they both went to the groomer yesterday for their cooler trims.

Just now a little white furry face with chocolate brown eyes, black eyeliner and black nose is asking for a little lap time. Bye for now and Happy Spring!

[Tom]

It is difficult to get Spring fever when it snowed here in New York two days ago! But I move to Atlanta next week where Spring is in full swing.

Happy Easter!

[Kristin Espinasse]

Jon-Henri, I love William James. This is a treasure. 

Dorothy, :-)

Tom, happy demenagement

[julie camp]

It's Julie, back with internet confirmation re. the pink mantis:

Orchid Mantis, or Hymenopus coronatus, is a pink and white mantis with lobes on its legs that look like flower pentals. Although this species does not live on orchids, it does look...like a flower or orchid. www.keepinginsects.com/praying-mantis/species/orchid-mantis
...popular and loved because of its beautiful bright colors and amazing camouflage. In the wild Hymenopus coronatus is found in Malaysia.

I'll bet bet it's a praying womantis?

[Kristin Espinasse]

Thanks, Julie. I had been searching but could not find the name. Aha, orchid mantis! What a creature!

[sandy]

Hi Kristin,
We were out most of the day today, enjoying the beautiful spring weather with our grandchildren!

Sandy

[Anne]

It's the last days of summer where I live "down Under" and this year it has lasted longer than most others...so we are enjoying every last minute....loved that gorgeous Mantis creature. )

[Bette Goode]

Hi Kristin,
I take an adult jazz dance class once a week with students aged 30-ish to 60-ish. A couple of weeks ago the whole class had a touch of spring fever and laughed and goofed around the whole class! Our teacher joined in too. We certainly had fun and it was just so convenient to blame our lack of focus on spring fever!

[Audrey Wilson]

Hi Kristin,
An itchy feeling (Spring Fever ?), has us opening up our caravan (trailer to you Americans!) and planning a trip to the Costa just near us, over the border, pour l'aérer after winter.
Enjoy the sun & the great outdoors & A HAPPY EASTER to you & yours !

[Buffy]

Happy Easter!! I had Spring fever last weekend when it was warmer, then winter came back this week. I worked in my gardens, and enjoyed the warth of the sun. I recognized your mother-in-laws tapenade; would love the recipe!

Take care, and enjoy the Spring!!!

[Debby howell]

Wow- the orchid mantis- apparently it can change colors. And we can order them as pets- with cage and necessities!

[Eileen deCamp]

Joyeuses Pâques Kristin! I get "spring fever" every year!! I pour through garden catalogs and buy plants at the local nurseries and garden centers. Sometimes before the last frost! Love the interview and the orchid mantis! We grew borage last year for the bees and I heard they were edible, so I will try them this year in a salad!

[Jennifer in OR]

Fun post, and I love the photo of the pink orchid mantis -- so amazing! Happy Spring! ~Love from Oregon, Jen