DON'T FORGET TO MOTHPROOF

Friend Sylvia's smart-phone photo sent straight from the sunny south of France serves as a reminder for un truc de grand-mère:  put sachets of dried lavender in the closets to chase away clothing moths.

Vocabulary
une mite:  a moth
un antimite:  a moth repellent, mothproofer
un truc:  a thing; a trick; here a tip
traité à l'antimite:  mothproofed



©2012 P.B. Lecron

LAVENDER: SWEET AND SAVORY

Lavender has started blooming in the south of France! Friend and smart-phone photographer Sylvia sends these powdery close-ups from her garden in the Gard.  

I see lavender and think dessert--especially one that is decorated and perfumed with fresh lavender buds: une feuilleté aux abricots à la crème anglaise. A perfect marriage.

Tip: If you have a hankering to dot a crème anglaise with lavender buds, then its best to grow your own to ensure that the flowers aren't contaminated by pesticides or animal urine. Otherwise, buy organically grown culinary lavender.

Vocabulary

la lavande:  lavender

un feuilleté:  a flaky puff pastry

une crème anglaise:  a classic dessert sauce made from a pourable vanilla custard

un bourgeon:  a bud

un abricot:  an apricot

Expression

En mûrissant, faites comme la lavande, adoucissez-vous.

Like lavender, grow sweeter as you grow older.

©2012 P.B. LECRON