Tongue in Cheek

The Vachement Son-Bee and other things you learn in a mixed language household

                         

The fabulous foot-in-mouth mishaps that French Husband, the children and I have had tripping over the English and French language has been in the time past (and present) enough fun to poke at each other for years to come

I thought French Husband's classic *pubic transportation would be the number one record holder in our pokes at one another, until I told the priest at our French church that his sermon was: "Vachement bien!"French Husband who never uses slang let alone swear nearly choked, then politely tried to correct me... I wouldn't have it, so I shook my head and I went on to say "What?Vachement isn't slang, everyone says it!"

Though this summer as Sacha has been working with older men out at the ranch he has picked up quite a few choice words...vachement cool if you are a French teen in America and in need of a few good ole swear words to throw around town.

The other day one of the guys at the ranch hollered to Sacha, "Hey when you're done with the "son-bee"  you can throw it in the pick-up." Sacha looked at the man, shrugged his shoulders and asked, "What the heck is a son-bee?"

Somethings are better left not translated.

* Pubic Transportation Story:

When I first met French Husband in San Francisco he soon there after took a bus to meet me at St Gabriel's Catholic Church, (where I worked at the time.) The secretaries at the church, Patsy and Peggy, asked French Husband how he got to the church that day? He replied in his extra heavy French accent,

"I tuke de pubic transportation."

I thought Patsy and Peggy would pee their pants they laughed so hard. The jokes never stopped at St. Gabriel's about my romance to the Frenchman, and his pubic transportation! They had a field day with that remark.

Home Nest

                      

Creating a home is certainly more than creating a nest. It is more important to care for what is growing in the nest than the decoration around the "nest." Creating a home takes a great deal of devotion to the needs of those gathered. A nest of love is a soft steady place to land and it is a place where one can test their wings without fear. With that said I must tell you something I think you already know but nevertheless I need to say it... I love "doing" the decoration around the nest. I love nesting a home with all that feather fluff stuff even if it is just a detail to the larger picture of nesting.

                     

Creating a nest  is definitely something strong within my family's genetic code. I come from a long line of women who were crazy for decorating, who created their homes with old things, who shared nesting ideas and gave wing to expression as easy as breathing. Growing up I heard the chirping of my Aunts, and cousins who spent hours talking about home, garden, cooking and how to raise children. Growing up in a small rural town lent to this, but having generation of women who thrived in nest building gave me the flight map.

                   

Creating a Nest 101: First gather what you love. Honor it (home) as a prized possession. Let it sing to you and tell your family's story. Keep it tidy but not stuffy. Add humor in the details, and give room for dreams to hatch and freely fly.

Note: Feel free to add other ideas about Creating a Nest.

O' blue bird of happiness thank you for landing on my window sill, for singing your song, for showing me how to treasure the day. May we become a symbol of hope to one another, by the way we create our homes and give comfort to those who come our way.

                          

Photos: Taken around my cousin Judy's home-nest. Do you think she has a thing for birds and their nests? The above photo is of my cousin's "creative inspiration board" which she displays on her refrigerator door. Isn't it the best refrigerator door ever?!

Antique Venetian Glass Beads

         

Once a long time ago I came upon a large box full of antique Venetian glass beads. I had never seen anything like it. Each bead was unique, hand crafted and whimsical beyond my imagination. I stopped in my tracks and caught my breath. Then I asked the antique dealer the famous question that longs for an answer that will set a buyer's heart a dancing,

"How much?"

His answer was not what I hoped for. I felt my disappointment briefly, and then my desire started to calculate, wondering how I could negotiate and have the dealer give me a better price.

Though no matter what I offered, begged, bartered, or insisted for, his price was firm and defeating. I could not justify a deal where my clients would make only pennies.

Finding unusual, creative, beautiful antiques was one thing, finding them affordable at a good resale value was another.

Everything has its price, even small whimsical antique Venetian glass beads, and unfortunately the asking price was not feasible for resale.

 

I started to walk away and in doing so I heard the knock on my head, "Hello?" I realized that even though the price was too high for resale, it certainly wasn't too high to buy and give as a gift to someone.

Buying to sell is one thing, buying to keep or offer is another.

My cousin Julie aks Sheba collects beads, and I knew in flash they would be a perfect gift for her. Carefully I scooped some up....Isn't it a pleasure to find the perfect gift for someone you love?

                                                    

My cousin adored the antique Venetian glass beads, and created a mobile with them. Which is a perfect ending for these sweet little beads... Ah fate offered a twist of sparkle and twinkle. My cousin's apartment which they hang offer a spectacular stage to dance, and bounce back light.

                               

San Francisco's Treats

                     

Going to San Francisco to skip stones from the Golden Gate, roll with the fog over the hilly streets, sight see through antique shops, hop on a cable car, taste sweets, feel nostalgic with French Husband as we pass through old stomping grounds and absorb as much as we can of a city we love.

Places to see in San Francisco:

The first place we go to when we arrive in San Francisco, regardless the hour is to eat Mexican food: Pacho Villa

Grenouille: French antique shop for the trade only. But a wonderful place to visit if you want to taste French country.

Bell'occhio: Unusual gifts, ribbons and things that make an artist feel romantic.

Chez Spencer: A delicious French restaurant, chic and hip and the best food.

Bittersweet: Chocolate Thai ice tea.

Baker Beach: Mile long beach with a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. (clothes optional, I'll have mine on.)

House of Nanking: Let them tell you want to eat!

Hayes Valley: Where I use to live many moons ago when it wasn't cool, but just plain cheap and behind the Opera.

Flax: A paper artist's heaven.

Britex: Wrapped up in silk, cotton, wool and tied up with a million ribbons.

Stairway on 16th: Handmade tiles, stunning artwork and spectacular community project. If your legs can take it, go to the other side of San Francisco and hike down the Greenwich stairway where wild parrots will sing to you.

Do you have a favorite dig in San Francisco?

 

Flower Power

Take a photo of an image you love. Print it out on transparent paper that is adhesive on the backside. Then apply it to a clear vase. Add flowers and call it artwork.

Photo example: Vase and flowers from my cousin Sheba's home.

Rose Tea

                         

Take a heaping handful of dried rose petals place them in a teapot, add a bag of green tea and pour two cups of boiling water into the teapot. Let it steep for thirty seconds, then strain the rose tea into your prettiest teacups.

Drink tea, think lovely thoughts that is it for the day.

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I heard this song on the radio and it keeps playing in my head, El Perro del Mar Inner Island. I tried to find it  on YOU TUBE and instead found another one by the same artist called: You've Gotta Give to Get Back.

Drink tea and enjoy the music! What is your favorite drink and music these days? If you can share it here and add a link to it. Merci!

 

 

                          

The Journey to Knowing Love

One of the first signs that  person is falling in love is that the person smiles...alot...

Those who are lucky enough to know a person falling in love finds themselves in a whirlpool of emotions: A combination of happiness mixed with fear. Tenderness tossing around caution. A longing to peek in with sweetness while offering a listening ear.

If you are the parent of a child falling in love for the first time... well let me tell you it is a whole new arena of dos, don'ts and what ifs...and please tell me where is the book called: "What to Expect from Your First Child Falling in Love for the First Time?????" 

As the parent of such a person I feel like I am sitting in the nose bleed section: so far away yet ever too close. Wanting to cheer, and at the same time aware of the tings of passion that want to grab my baby and run back in time.

People who are falling in love are always touching one another too.

Ah the sparks of happiness, the fire that burns, the trusting that your child is growing up and experiencing those wonderful first moments of what it feels like to be loved outside of the family circle.

Yes it is good. Who knows what will happen, but for now it is a glorious journey towards knowing.

Wearing Red Roses is just the Beginning

A sure sign that you are falling in love is that you become more yourself, doing things you never dared to do... As if loving gives the heart courage to expand, opening one's desire to journey towards being one's very best self.

Photo: My daughter Chelsea with a red rose in her hair.

Vowed Holy

                              

Fifty-one years of marriage, today would have marked fifty-two years. Though my mother's heart and soul are forever locked in love with my father's. Death cannot change that.

Yesterday as the day slipped by I thought how fifty-one years ago my mother must have blushed, must have giggled, must have been deliciously happy on the eve of her wedding day. Her expectations were soon to be clothed in white, vowed holy and dreams of happily ever after come true.

Today will be yet another one of the many "first" that she will have to endure without her husband... Ah the taste of love after death. A bittersweet reminder of life and love shared. How I wish I could make this day be less sad for her. Today is significant.

                   

How do you hold a broken heart? What do you do with the many pieces. A heart can mend, but it cannot stop loving what gives it life.

Fifty-one years and today. The love story continues with a new chapter.

Photo: French antique wall sconce.

Seek and you shall Find