French Word-A-Day: Recent Episodes
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By the time the leaves turn gold in Lyon, we'll be meeting up with part of my American family. Read about our virtual meetup in today's story, and pick up a host of new French words. TODAY’S WORD: UNE FAUTE DE FRAPPE : typing error, : error made when hitting the wrong button A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I wish I had a written transcript of our accidental family video chat, week before last. The surprising live conference began when my dad tried ringing me via Messenger and, d’un coup, several family members burst onto the screen--POP! POP! POP!--one by one appearing before us en temps réel... POP! - My little sister manifested from her living room in Washington State. I could almost hear the crabs snapping their claws on Shaw Island where Kelley and her husband Brad (also visible) catch them. POP! - And there was my daughter in Lyon, hair tied back and wearing stylish non-prescription glasses. Was she at school? POP! - Then suddenly my husband popped onto l’écran! Beyond Jean-Marc's seatbelt, just past his left shoulder, I could see the familiar landscape of the Southern French Alps as he drove north for...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Soyons fou! A Mother-Daughter Trip to La Côte d’Azur * “Smala” & Family Visit to Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles * Guess Who Moved to Lyon? + A useful computer term in French
Villefranche-sur-Mer, where Jackie and I spent three days last week. TODAY'S EXPRESSION: SOYONS FOU let's be crazy" or "let's be wild". Soyons fous is a playful and light-hearted expression that encapsulates the idea of taking risks, having fun, and embracing the unexpected. It's a reminder that life is short and should be lived with enthusiasm and a willingness to explore new horizons. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Pour la cinquième fois, ever since our first trip together to Paris when she was 16, Jackie and I had the pleasure of experiencing a mother-daughter getaway. On Monday, my girl at the wheel of our Suzuki Jimny, we headed west along the A8 motorway, direction La Côte d’Azur. What should have been a 2-hour drive turned into 4 given “le traf” as we jokingly called it, though le trafic didn’t seem so long in Jackie’s company. The moment I put my daughter in charge of this mini vacation, Jackie decided on a 3-day stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer. I had given my 25-year-old a budget and a green light to select our hébergement but she surprised me by making lunch and dinner reservations, too—including an evening in Monaco! It was...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Guess Who Moved to Lyon? + A useful computer term in French * Coqueluche: My teen heartthrob & 70s fashion through a French girl's eyes * Advice for Each Decade of Life & Surrender: A Mother Daughter update
In French, the term "patate” is sometimes used to describe an animal that is very cute and has a very endearing character. Dogs and cats are known for their sweetness and affectionate side, and that is why they are often nicknamed "potato." (French translation below) TODAY'S WORD: “la patate” : potato Enfin, le terme « patate » est parfois utilisé pour décrire un animal qui est très mignon et qui a un caractère très attachant. Les chiens et les chats sont connus pour leur douceur et leur côté affectueux, et c'est pourquoi ils sont souvent surnommés « patate » —Kingpet.fr A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse "Les Patates (The Potatoes)" This month we are sharing our home with two little dogs, Izzy (pronounced "Easy") and Loca— otherwise known as “Les Patates.” The chiens belong to our son's girlfriend, Ana, who lives in Montpellier but braves many aller-retours to La Ciotat to be near Max. And because Max temporarily moved back in with us after renting out his snazzy apartment to tourists, we have le jeune couple here at home along with the dogs. Though I am a dog-lover, I didn't have an instant connection with these two...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Doggone it! A Travel and Dog Lovers Edition * Le Prénom + French Dog and Cat Names for your pet
A basket of "boules" beside the door of this old stone cabanon. On most family get-togethers, a game of pétanque follows the meal. TODAY’S WORD: RENVERSER : to knock over, to spill A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse “Down The Hatch: A Vintage Bottle of Champagne + A Deep Well = A Lost Treasure” On Friday we left the seaside and drove 45 minutes north to the countryside of Fuveau, where Jean-Marc’s aunt lives in a cozy stone house beside an ancient puits. As most of our extended family was away en vacances, this was a small potluck gathering with its delicious “chacun apporte quelque chose” menu. Collecting a few tartes tomates from our car, Jean-Marc was especially happy to be arriving at "La Clapouille" as memories of his childhood—weekend visits in which his grandmother, aunts, and father gathered—gave this place a remarkably soulful feel. We added our French tomato pies and some American chocolate chip cookies to the buffet of fromages, charcuteries, and conserves (Aunt Marie-Françoise confit d'oignons was delicious over sliced baguette), and sat in a half-circle to catch up on each other's lives. Beyond, the sun began to set behind the rolling collines where...Click the icon below to listen.
There are no cookers for sale in this friperie, but I know where you can find a smokin' deal on a secondhand barbecue. Read on and learn a lot of new French words. TODAY'S WORD: "marchander" : to haggle, bargain, and negotiate the price A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Remember our cool outdoor cooker--the "brasero"--I told you about in the previous post? My husband just sold it secondhand via Leboncoin (France's version of Craigslist). Both parties--our in-house Cordon-Bleu and les aquéreurs--seem to have gotten a smokin' deal on that barbecue. Jean-Marc, with the help of my belle-soeur, Cécile, put together the sizzling contraption some 3 years ago. Made up of a giant bowl-shaped container en fer with a wide plancha for cooking fish, vegetables, etc, the brother-sister team added a metal table beneath la cuve (to hold plates and drinks). But the pièce de résistance, and what really gave the cooker its good looks, was the aged barrique holding it up. That authentic wine barrel was sold along with the BBQ (even if I had my eye on it for another project in our garden...). The day of la vente I heard Jean-Marc's telephone ring. The...Click the icon below to listen.
Our garden this July is so dry. But the tomatoes Jean-Marc grew from seed are flourishing. There are hardly any on the vines because we are eating them all the time. A LITTLE FAVOR FOR THOSE READING... When you support this site by sending your donation via Zelle, there are no fees. Zelle is found within most US bank apps. Thank you for considering Zelle as a means to send in a fee-free contribution to this journal. Click here for more info. TODAY’S WORD: Le Cordon-Bleu : A whizz in the kitchen, a master chef A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When chatting with other couples one of the things I love asking is, "Qui fait la cuisine chez vous?" Who does the cooking at your place? Often they'll reply, "C'est mon mari." It's my husband. He loves to cook! I feel a little wishful when I learn about this delicious arrangement. Quelle chance to have a partner who cooks for you and takes charge in the kitchen. What a treasure! This summer, after 29 years of marriage, I finally realized I had the very same trésor right here at home, buried beneath a stockpot of resistance....Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* La Chandeleur: Candlemas, Santons + The French eat crêpes on February 2nd * Caviar d'Aubergine: An easy, delicious family recipe for you
"Salvataggio"--looking at the foreign word in this picture, can you grasp its meaning? It reminds me of "salvation" and, though I don't speak Italian, my guess is this is a rescue craft. Read on for more thoughts about words and language learning. (Photo of Jean-Marc on the shore of Lake Garda, in Northern Italy.) TODAY'S WORD: POLYGLOTTE (m,f) : polyglot, multilingual, someone who speaks more than one language A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse "Bilingualism = Risky Business?" When our children were little and just beginning to communicate, an elder in the village of St. Maximin came to have a word with me. "Il ne faut pas parler les deux langues à vos enfants!" You mustn't speak both languages to your children! Abassourdi, I automatically nodded in respect for my neighbor's wisdom, but secretly I had no clue what sort of threat bilingualism posed to my equally speechless offspring. Max was just beginning to babble his own name: "Affime!" he declared (this was as close to "Maxime" as he could get). It tickled my heart to hear my children's first words, in any language, including the universal tongue that is "baby talk." As his Anglophone mother and...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Baroudeur: A hair-raising adventure in the Italian Alps * Guess Who Moved to Lyon? + A useful computer term in French * Désinvolte: Mom's new pet (and a message from Smokey?)
That’s Jean-Marc on his way up to the Dolomites. More colorful photos at the end of this post! Book News: My friend and fellow "winemaker's wife" has just published her first book "Rosé Sunsets." You'll find Rachel Pommier's book at the top of my book list, here at the blog. Félicitations, Rachel! You inspire me! TODAY'S WORD: "BAROUDER" : adventurer, bushwhacker, trailblazer Today's story is dedicated to my husband and my Mom--both adventurers, trailblazers, and true baroudeurs! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse On the eve of Jean-Marc's and my Great European Camping Car Adventure, I went to check on Mom. There in her studio, on the side of our house, Jules was putting away her groceries: "Ice cream, yogurt, pudding..." Jules sang, happy for her favorite items to be back in stock chez elle. "And what do you have for food for the next week?" I quizzed. "I don't eat food!" Jules smiled, reaching for the ice cream to cool down in this heatwave. While Mom may be kidding, leaving her alone for a week was a serious matter to me, even if deep down I knew she would be ok. She is a feisty 76:...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Guess Who Moved to Lyon? + A useful computer term in French * Désinvolte: Mom's new pet (and a message from Smokey?) * “La Douleureuse”: A funny way to say “the check” + A Tourist Trap, Beware!
Bonjour from Italy! We are on a feverish 7-day foray through Italy. Our adventure began in Grasse, France, where we rented a camping car and began our gradual climb to the Dolomites. I had a strangle tingle in my throat the night of our departure and by day 3 on the road the flu had its “grippe” on me! But Jean-Marc’s sense of adventure has kept me gripping the passenger seat of our camper, forgetting my aches and pains. I’ll tell you more in next week’s post. For now, hello from Parma… on the road home. une abbraccio, Kristi P.S. We are also celebrating 29 years since tying the knot at the Mairie in Marseille (we celebrate our church wedding in September). Alors, hats of to us. Le mariage c’est une longue aventure! note: grippe = flu in French COMMENTS To leave a comment, click here REMERCIEMENTS Sincere thanks to the following readers who recently sent in a blog donation or purchased our online memoir. This truly is a reader-supported journal and I appreciate your help in publishing it week after week. Merci beaucoup! --Kristi Amy S. Mary F. Chris A. Terry S. Owen A. Denise G. Andrew K. Rob...
Following Jean-Marc's wine tour... lunch with Elizabeth’s family and friends at a hidden beach in Cassis. Left to right: Katie, Olivia, Victor, Kristi, Lily, Elizabeth, and Jean-Marc. For today's story, I asked Chatgpt to summarize the English text in one French word. Here's the response I got: "A word in French that summarizes your story could be "Éclat" which means "Radiance" or "Sparkle." It represents the vibrant and joyful atmosphere depicted in the narrative." Thanks, Chatgpt! And for anyone reading, find out where the joy and sparkle come from when you read the rest of this post. TODAY'S WORD: un éclat : radiance, sparkle un éclat de rire = a burst of laughter A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Sometime in the last week, les cigales woke up from their 5-year siesta and now they are screeching their lungs out. While that is a funny image, I guess it isn't entirely correct. That ear-piercing trille may be produced in some other energetic way, leaving me wondering where cicadas get all their peps in summer's heatwave. I, too, am feeling unusually peppy this sweltering afternoon as I skip over to Mom's to share a recent adventure. As I...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* A Fun Word for Wine + Jean-Marc's Epic Farewell at Chateau Beaupin * “Smala” & Family Visit to Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles * Big News! A Change is Coming + se lancer dans l'inconnu
Cushioned matelas and grassy paillotes on the beach at Club 55 in Ramatuelle near St. Tropez TODAY'S WORD: EBLOUI (ay-bloo-ee) : star-struck, dazzled The following news headline is from Tennisworld.fr. (English translation by Chatgpt) Elena Rybakina, éblouie en voyant Roger Federer pour la première fois. Elena Rybakina a admis qu'elle était en état de choc lorsqu'elle a vu le grand Roger Federer pour la première fois en personne. Elena Rybakina, dazzled upon seeing Roger Federer for the first time. Elena Rybakina admitted that she was in a state of shock when she saw the great Roger Federer in person for the first time. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse While my family's visit to France was the chance to spend time together, it was also a tender pèlerinage for my sister, Heidi, and her children, who lost their father a few years ago. My brother-in-law Doug was a larger-than-life character whose generosity, humor, and sharp wit still echo in our hearts to this day along with colorful memories from our time together on the Mediterranean. The last time Doug was in France he was married to my sister, and they traveled across the French Riviera with baby...Click the icon below to listen.
My family visiting Cassis: Kristi, Reagan, Heidi, Payne, Jean-Marc, and Max TODAY’S Word: smala (smah-lah) noun, feminine : entourage, big family (famille nombreuse) from the Arabic, zmalah: tribe A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse This first week with my American family has gone by en vitesse! Beaches, the farmers market, snorkeling in the Mediterranean and even cliff diving (for the guys). What a whirlwind good time it's been with Heidi, Payne, and Reagan since they flew in from Denver to Marseilles via Munich. So far we've visited La Ciotat, Aix-en-Provence, and Cassis and now my sister and her kids are in Paris (those last two cities rhyme if you pronounce them correctly…). It was the first time my 19-year-old niece and 21-year-old nephew have been to France (not counting when Payne was a baby), and it was fun to hear their reactions to the culture (for them, the French light switches were backward, the toilet handle wasn't a handle (but something you pulled--thus the verb "tirer la chasse"--and a few other bizarreries in their Aunt Kristi's household for which we can't blame France! A highlight of my family's visit was meeting up with my French family, thanks...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Slang in French for "to have a bite to eat" & La Loco (a delicious Italian restaurant in Cassis)
"A Diamond in the Rough" that's the best way I can describe our coastal town. And while it may not be chichi like Cassis, Bandol, or Sanary… La Ciotat has more character in its little pinky than all three. Can you sense our salty sea breeze coming from the turquoise bay just below? Expat? Ready to file your tax return by June 15th? Don't sweat it! Get $20 off when you use Expatfile software and begin the simplified process. TODAY'S WORD: LE QUAI : wharf, pier A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When our vineyard went under contract and my husband tossed La Ciotat into the pot of possible places to relocate, I flinched. Not because of any particular impression I ever got from visiting here, but because this town has (or had…) a reputation as a place that is mal fréquenté. Bref, La Ciotat isn't one of those gems you hear about when discussing charming French destinations. But the tides are turning and the beaches here are blindé—so completely packed you cannot see the sand for les serviettes--that is, you can hardly find a spot to put down your beach towel. And while the beaches here...Click the icon below to listen.
In winter dogs are allowed on this sandy beach. Out strolling with Mom at sunset last night, we enjoyed seeing 5 cavorting canines--including Ruby the pit bull. She wanted to hop on that surfboard and glide up the coast with the help of a couple of giggling girls pulling the rope. Meet another local pooch in today’s story... TODAY’S WORD: “le prénom” : first name SOUND FILE: Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the example sentence and all French words in this post. Then scroll to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Choisir le prénom de son animal à quatre pattes n'est pas toujours une mission facile. Choosing a name for your four-legged friend is not always an easy task. Click here to listen to the French A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Lately, my husband and I have been enjoying morning walks together. Jean-Marc likes to stroll along the waterfront, whereas I prefer a brisk walk inland, away from la foule. So we take turns deciding, or as the French say, à chacun son tour. Recently we were heading home along La Voie Douce, when an older gentleman and his dog entered the sentier, just ahead of...Click the icon below to listen.
Turkeys or dindes at Château Miraval, in 2005. "Glou-glou! Gobble-gobble!" turkeys say, in French and in English. More turkey talk, and some mischief, in today’s story. TODAY'S WORD: glouglou or glou-glou : gobble-gobble : glug-glug* (the sound of wine pouring out of a bottle) FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. For the sound clip click here A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Turkey, in our Franco-American family, is a term of endearment and not a bird for roasting. I say the word often, as in yesterday when my daughter grabbed my favorite lipstick (“In love with Olivia”) and beelined it to the front door. "You turkey! Give it back. Now!" "Just this one more time," Jackie pleaded. "Alright, then. And good luck with your job interview, Turkey.” Then there's my son, who loves to lock me out of places—the house, the car.... "You turkey!" I squeal, as Max pulls out of the restaurant parking lot, making me chase him down the road for a ride. “Open the door! Let me in. You are SUCH a turkey!”...Click the icon below to listen.
A random photo from Paris. You can never see enough hearts! Keep looking for them, and enjoy the following pick-me-up message. TODAY'S WORD: "Vas-y!" : go for it! FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce all 12 French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here to listen to the French vocabulary A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse "The Vas-y Effect" Coucou and a warm bonjour to anyone reading. I am sitting here trying to calm my mind and figure out where to begin today. So far I have woken up, enjoyed some reading/devotional time, and gone for a walk with my husband). Returning home, I picked up the house (that sounds funny doesn't it? How much does a house weigh?), had a boring bowl of flocons d'avoine and now sit quietly in front of my laptop, trying to stave off panic and doubt. There are a dozen directions in which I could go from here (finish an article, begin a chapter, compose this week's blog post...). I could even call it a day--ça suffit pour aujourd'hui!--crawl under the covers and give up on my...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Today is The Day! Something mammoth to celebrate! * Tout va bien se passer (French for Everything's Gonna be OK!) * Rien qu'aujourd'hui (Only for Today): A "How To" for difficult times
Robert Farjon leaving Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where my family once lived. The hollyhocks seem to be hugging his vintage Peugeot bicycle. Find out why plants love this dearly departed Frenchman in the following tribute. TODAY'S WORD: amour-en-cage : love in a cage Amour-en-cage is a synonym for Chinese lantern, or physalis. I loved the term the moment Robert Farjon shared it, and today it is especially meaningful. ADIEU, ROBERT France has lost a national treasure. Plant & Provence historian Robert Farjon has passed away. I learned of Monsieur Farjon's passing from Caroline, winemaker/owner, with Thomas, at Domaine Rouge-Bleu vineyard and B&B in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes. The following story, written years ago, is in hommage to Mr. Farjon. Thank you for reading and for sharing today's remembrance far and wide. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE... by Kristin Espinasse August 14, 2012 - I had an unexpected visit from Mr Farjon the other day. It was such a coincidence, as I had been thinking of him recently—nostalgically remembering all the visits he paid me a several years back. Just like old times, Mr Farjon parked his ancient Peugeot (a bicycle) outside our portail, leaning it against a giant wine barrel, one of two... Related Stories* Désinvolte: Mom's new pet (and a message from Smokey?) * Learn what "quiproquo" means via this familiar synonym + Vive Smokey! * The French Word "Renifler" & Getting my Husband and My Dog to Speak the Same Language
The sign on this quirky façade in Alsace reads Le Chat qui Pêche ("The Cat that Fishes"). Read on for a story about another smart cat...and don't miss the photo at the end of this post. TODAY'S COOL WORD: "désinvolte" : casual, nonchalant, detached, glib A FEW BLOOPERS...Today's sound file, recorded by Jean-Marc, has a funny mistake. The good news is you will hear both the term and the translation (in English). Click the link below for the audio, then scroll to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio file A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I was looking for a word to describe Mom's new pet, son animal de compagnie, when Jules offered a suggestion: "ALOOF. Cats are aloof." Well that seemed like a good term to share with you today... until I saw the boring French translation: "réservé" "distant"... Bof! You already know those words, in French and English! Luckily, the dictionary offered an interesting synonym for aloof: désinvolte, which reminds me of "revolt" which is what Lili The Cat did when we moved into her house 5 years ago. You see, Lili belonged to the family living here...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Learn what "quiproquo" means via this familiar synonym + Vive Smokey! * Piquer: Guess who moved out of our house and stole away with our stuff? * Les oisillons: baby birds fall into our yard + caring for injured and baby chicks
Today's Expression: "dans la panade" : in a jam (in a difficult situation) Other ways to say "in a jam": dans le pétrin, dans la mouise...but if you really want to speak like a native it's dans la merde! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Today is the day! Twenty years ago, on Sunday, October 28th, this French word journal began. Jean-Marc (or a seven-year-old Max?) took this picture in the hallway of our home in a medieval French village. When I look at the image above, I see a 34-year-old woman striking out on a new path. Just look at that mammoth computer. How things have changed over two decades. Nowadays, in a jam, I'll type on a tiny phone using my two thumbs and a lot of squinting--because, short of hijacking a satellite, I will do just about anything to publish my weekly post, and so stick to a promise I made to myself 20 years ago. Now, if I am an accidental hijacker, that makes you an accidental accomplice. Because without your regular encouragement, this blog, this body of work, would not exist. Thank you for your love and support! I am off to... Related Stories* A Special Request + Playground in French (and wild and free learning!) * Burlesque in Burgundy... (A Cheeky Cabaret to Celebrate a friend's 50th birthday) * Tout va bien se passer (French for Everything's Gonna be OK!)
Today's Expression: "dans la panade" : in a jam (in a difficult situation) Other ways to say "in a jam": dans le pétrin, dans la mouise...but if you really want to speak like a native it's dans la merde! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Today is the day! Twenty years ago, on Sunday, October 28th, this French word journal began. Jean-Marc (or a seven-year-old Max?) took this picture in the hallway of our home in a medieval French village. When I look at the image above, I see a 34-year-old woman striking out on a new path. Just look at that mammoth computer. How things have changed over two decades. Nowadays, in a jam, I'll type on a tiny phone using my two thumbs and a lot of squinting--because, short of hijacking a satellite, I will do just about anything to publish my weekly post, and so stick to a promise I made to myself 20 years ago. Now, if I am an accidental hijacker, that makes you an accidental accomplice. Because without your regular encouragement, this blog, this body of work, would not exist. Thank you for your love and support! I am off to... Related Stories* A Special Request + Playground in French (and wild and free learning!) * Burlesque in Burgundy... (A Cheeky Cabaret to Celebrate a friend's 50th birthday) * Tout va bien se passer (French for Everything's Gonna be OK!)
Evening in Paris is a magical time to flâner. Rounding a corner in Montmartre the Sacré Coeur Basilica came into view unexpectedly and took my breath away. Don't miss today's story, below. TODAY'S WORD: flâner : stroll, wander, roam, saunter, meander : to laze about, to be idle La flânerie = loafing, idleness La flânerie, n’est pas seulement délicieuse ; elle est utile. C’est un bain de santé qui rend la vigueur et la souplesse à tout l’être ; à l’esprit comme au corps ; c’est le signe et la fête de la liberté . Strolling is not only delicious; it is useful. It is a bath of health which gives back vigor and flexibility to all the being; to the mind as to the body; it is the sign and the festival of freedom. -Henri Frédéric Amiel FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French quote and all French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio file A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse On the train up to the capital I tapped my daughter on the arm. The TGV...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* “La Douleureuse”: A funny way to say “the check” + A Tourist Trap, Beware! * Lunch in Arles, "Séjour" in Camargue, wild horses and a cool rancher's hut * Boui-boui: Jackie and I lick windows in Miami while Jean-Marc gets stuck in immigration
The sign says “Open.” Coucou from La Ciotat. If you are visiting our city, why not stop into Jean-Marc's wineshop? Call ahead and he will be happy to see you at Le Vin Sobre Bar à Vin. TODAY'S PHRASE: "Le tour est joué" : that's all there is to it, and Bob's your uncle FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here to listen A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse On Wednesday we entertained guests from Oregon and Wyoming. Audrey, from Portland, and her beau, Grant, joined us here at home for le déjeuner sur la terrasse. Planning for a meal still doesn't come naturally for me, so after a flurry of possible eats whirled through my mind like the autumn leaves outside our window, I put a stop to le délire and phoned my sister. As soon as Heidi picked up, I rattled off my progress. "So I've made salmon, and then today I made pois chiches...and tomorrow I'll make la tarte aux tomates..." "Wait--did you say you made salmon yesterday?" "Yep." "But when are...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Name your favorite drink + What does the French “bredouille” mean in English? (Hint: it doesn't mean 'tipsy')
Handwoven fishing baskets on La Maddalena Island, off Sardinia. Read about how we got trapped in a tourist net in today’s missive, and learn another meaning for la douloureuse. Speaking of pain, my eye surgery went well. Thank you for your kind notes. Today’s (Slang) Word: la douloureuse : the check, the bill, “the painful” AUDIO: Click the link below to hear the example sentence + all the French vocabulary. Then scroll down to check your French comprehension. Click here for thr MP3 file L’argot s’est enrichi d’un mot charmant. La note à payer, connue sous le nom d’addition, s’appelle, depuis quelque temps, la douloureuse. Slang has been enriched with a charming word. The bill, known as “the addition,” has for some time been called “the painful.”— Aurélien Scholl In books: How to Retire Overseas: Everything You Need to Know to Live Well (for Less) Abroad A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse La Maddalena c’est le royaume du poisson! Jean-Marc said, and from the selection of fish on display outside the island eateries, I could see why. It was our second day along the Italian archipel, and we had reservations at a restaurant recommended by our Airbnb...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Lunch in Arles, "Séjour" in Camargue, wild horses and a cool rancher's hut * Boui-boui: Jackie and I lick windows in Miami while Jean-Marc gets stuck in immigration
A serene island cove off the coast of Sardinia Her Own Legacy by Debra Borchert: A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts. Available in paperback or read it on Kindle TODAY’S WORD: vadrouiller : wander, meander, roam around FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce vadrouiller and all the French words in this edition. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio file A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Bonjour from Italy ou on vadrouille. My husband and I are roaming around une petite île off the NE coast of Sardinia. So, for this week’s nouvelle, instead of writing a story, which would require full concentration, let’s enjoy some bribes (breebs) or “brief updates”. I think this is win-win or gagnant-gagnant for us both because you will have some variety and I will get to wander around some topics—as well as some island topography. Allons-y! Chapeau! Congratulations to my dad for his recent efforts to acquire a second language (Spanish). He has studied 80 days straight, anywhere from 15 minutes to 2.5 hours per stint, in order to parler espagnol. Really proud...Click the icon below to listen.
Max, working from his new îlot central. After 8 months of renovation, our son is finally settled into his new appartement. Visiting La Ciotat or a nearby town? Stop in and see us at Jean-Marc's wineshop. Call ahead and we'll set up a visit. Today's Word: piquer : prick, bite, sting : to steal, nab, nick Her Own Legacy by Debra Borchert: A Woman Fights for Her Legacy as the French Revolution Erupts. Available in paperback or read it on Kindle FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click the following link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce piquer +hear all of the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio file A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE...by Kristi Espinasse Lunch Chez Max Mom and I were driving to Max's new digs when I cautionned my passenger for the nième time to Hang on! But what is there to hang on to when you are seated with a cactus? We had just bought the prickly housewarming gift at la pépinière's, only to discover it was too tall to fit into the back of our jeep. That left the passenger seat.... As the...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Learn what "quiproquo" means via this familiar synonym + Vive Smokey! * Les oisillons: baby birds fall into our yard + caring for injured and baby chicks * Slang in French for "to have a bite to eat" & La Loco (a delicious Italian restaurant in Cassis)
Forever in our hearts. Goodbye, Sweet Smokey: August 16th, 2009-July 16, 2022 We take a moment to rise above our sadness to thank you, dearest Smokey, for all the humor, love, and care you so generously shared. We will never forget you. As Jackie said, the hardest part is that this marks a new chapter of our lives. Dear readers, we are gently turning this page here at home, quietly sharing with each other all of our memories of our happy dog days with Smokey. This journal will return in September, along with a new chapter of our lives, salt and peppered with French words, and ever sweetened with memories of our cherished chien who is now in dog heaven or Le Paradis des Chiens. With love, Kristi Daughter, Jackie, Smokey, and Kristi. Comforted. A young Smokey with his mama, Breizh, who he now joins au Paradis des Chiens. Related Stories* Learn what "quiproquo" means via this familiar synonym + Vive Smokey! * The French Word "Renifler" & Getting my Husband and My Dog to Speak the Same Language * Fate, Love, and Dogs: Our golden retriever is “un battant”
Our soon-to-be 13-year-old, Smokey and day lilies from our friends Anne and Kirk. Don't miss a beautiful picture of my Mom, Jules, at the close of this post (if your are reading via email, click on the link somewhere below to continue reading). TODAY'S WORD: "un malentendu" : a misunderstanding, misinterpretation, misapprehension AUDIO: click here to listen to the example sentence below Un quiproquo est un malentendu où l'on prend un être vivant, un objet ou une situation pour une autre. A quiproquo is a misunderstanding where one takes a living being, an object or a situation for another. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse During yesterday’s heatwave I was looking for a cold treat to bring Mom. In the frigo I took a yogurt and a banana and headed out the kitchen door, to our garage-turned-studio where Jules has lived for four years now. Le temps vole! Beyond the sliding glass doors I saw Mom resting on her bed. The ventilateur on the nightstand that had been cooling her was now whirring loudly on the floor beside our golden retriever. “Mom, are you keeping cool enough? Let me bring in another fan!” I said. “No, I’m...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Les oisillons: baby birds fall into our yard + caring for injured and baby chicks * The French Word "Renifler" & Getting my Husband and My Dog to Speak the Same Language * Fate, Love, and Dogs: Our golden retriever is “un battant”
Did you know that "GR" of “GR20” is an acronym for “Grande Randonnée” or “long hike”? Today, Jean-Marc recounts his recent adventure along this mythical footpath, one of the most difficult treks in Europe—located on the beautiful island of Corsica. In books: Granite Island: A Portrait of Corsica. TODAY'S WORD: la randonnée : hike, trek, ramble, walk OUR GR 20 TREK IN CORSICA by Jean-Marc Espinasse After a day by train on the famous Corsican Micheline, a ride by cab and a short walk, we arrived at our refuge in Asco. Nicolas and I leave the next day at dawn for our first stage of the trek. Except for the first half hour which is relatively flat, this hike comes with very strong positive and negative changes in altitude. We pass our first and only névé to cross the Col de La Pointe des Eboulis after 5 hours of effort. There follows a short traverse on a ridge from where we can already see our refuge at the bottom of the valley. But if the ascent gives our hearts and breaths a workout, the descent is much harder for the muscles and the refuge that we had seen a few...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Le Défi: An upcoming challenge for Jean-Marc + full story recorded in French * Un avion de chasse: after “canon” another French word for “hottie” or “babe” + French vocabulary: prendre sa revanche, taquin, rebonjour, phare, pantoufle * Rien qu'aujourd'hui (Only for Today): A "How To" for difficult times
My Mom and her fish purse at our farmer's market. Photo taken 4 years ago, when Jules moved to France. In Summer reading: From Moulin Rouge to Gaudi's City by E.J. Bauer Today's Words: Fellowship 1. camaraderie (companionship, company) 2. confrérie (brotherhood, friary) Bonus Word: Homebody : pantouflard(e) (from "pantoufle" or slipper) FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio clip A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Tergiverser—now there’s an amusing word to begin with. It means to hem and haw, to sit on the fence, to remain undecided, and Undecided is my middle name! Just when I was debating about whether I should get out of bed and get to the farmers market and the fish market before la foule, a certain passage in a book I was reading lifted me up and out the door, d'un seul coup! If inspiration is the vehicle that gets us moving forward, then reflection may be the key to what makes us tick. Sometimes we have to wonder why it is we do what we...Click the icon below to listen.
An almost 13-year-old Smokey, keeping cool in the garden. It's a good thing he can't hear so well these days, as the streets just beyond those hedges are loud at the start of summer. Read on in today's bruyante update. TODAY'S FRENCH EXPRESSION: blindé 1. jam-packed, full (of people) 2. loaded (with money) blindé de monde = crowded, full of people In books: Travels Through the French Riviera: An Artist’s Guide to the Storied Coastline, from Menton to Saint-Tropez FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio file A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE, by Kristi Espinasse Over lunch on our terrasse, we were discussing the busy summer season here in the south of France when my family used some colorful words and expressions to describe la foule passant.... “C’est la folie!” my belle-sœur said, of the crowded beaches in Marseilles. So packed you have to move your beach bag to make room for a stranger to set down their towel. Forty-five minutes east, in La Ciotat, “C’est le bordel!” Max seconded, pouring some chilled rosé...Click the icon below to listen.
One of the many "points d'eau" Jean-Marc talks about in his update, below. The English version follows and the entire story is available on sound file, below. Today's French Word: "le défi" : challenge, dare Sound File: Click below to listen to Jean-Marc read his story. Note: Jean-Marc repeats a few of the sentences in this long recording (where an error was made). Click here for the audio File JEAN-MARC'S UPDATE IN FRENCH Dans deux semaines, je vais parcourir une des plus belles randonnées d'Europe : Le fameux GR20. Ce magnifique sentier traverse la Corse en diagonale, partant au Nord Ouest de cette "l'île de beauté" (Calenzana) pour arriver au Sud Est, à Conca. La plupart de cet itinéraire est en haute montagne avec une incroyable diversité de flore composée de chênes, châtaignier et le maquis Corse, de faune et même au mois de Juin, il est fréquent de traverser des névés surtout dans la partie Nord du parcours. Je pars randonner avec mon meilleur ami, Nicolas, avec qui j'ai lié mon amitié pour la vie suite à un voyage inoubliable en mobylette à travers la Corse, alors que nous avions tout juste 15 et 16 ans. L'année dernière, pour...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Un avion de chasse: after “canon” another French word for “hottie” or “babe” + French vocabulary: prendre sa revanche, taquin, rebonjour, phare, pantoufle * Rien qu'aujourd'hui (Only for Today): A "How To" for difficult times
A café in Paris. A bit of a coffee theme in today's story, so we'll pair that now with a picture taken years ago in Montmartre. TODAY'S FRENCH EXPRESSION: "avoir le déclic" : to have an aha moment, a lightbulb moment FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio clip A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE, by Kristi Espinasse I will never forget the time the true meaning to an English word jumped from a French page. It was Christmas at our vignoble near the Drôme and a children's storybook was concise enough for me to pause amidst the holiday flurry and read to the kids. Only, as soon as the lecture began a certain mot moved me to tears. Fast forward 11 years and one more vineyard later... My husband and I are going through another phase, and for this we have been talking a lot to each other. These causeries are encouraging, difficult, relaxing, and sometimes funny. Especially amusing is how each time Jean-Marc says the word "express" (a recurring term lately) it conjures...Click the icon below to listen.
Cistus flowers high up in one of France's most blossoming villages. Don't miss all the colorful photos in this edition, click over to the blog for the full post. TODAY'S WORD: "alentours" : surroundings, vicinity FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the audio clip A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Jean-Marc has not been feeling well again, so our plans for a two-day escapade were up in the air last Friday. When finally we could not decide either way what to do, we just did. Typing this now my husband’s old saying comes back to me: Mieux vaut une mauvaise décision que pas de décision du tout. Better a bad decision than no decision at all. A change of scenery turned out to be une bonne décision. One thing to love about France is how quickly the landscape changes in so little space. An hour east of La Ciotat, and we were entering Le Lavandou (the word reminds me of “soft lavender” for the way it is pronounced). No lavender fields here,...Click the icon below to listen.
Those wildflower seeds loved the terroir in Sainte Cécile, where we lived for a time. TODAY'S WORD: "terroir" : soil, region; "somewhereness" FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Listen closely to the vocabulary list A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse You have probably stumbled across the word terroir (especially if you are a wine lover) and have a notion as to what it means. But, lately, this earthy term is taking on even more significance, helping to clarify just what it is I love about France. And it’s more than the food, more than the architecture, more than French dirt! A synonym for terroir is "somewhereness". J'aime ça. My husband, a former vigneron, says a complete definition of terroir (beyond the region in which the grapes are grown and the soil) would include the history of a place and even the winemaker. Mais bien sûr! It is also le facteur humain that describes our strong attraction to France. I love the way French women of all ages stroll arm-in-arm, or "bras dessus bras dessous". At...Click the icon below to listen.
Pictured: a muguet stand here in La Ciotat. I hope you all had a relaxing premier mai, or Labor Day, and that the month is going well. On May 12th, at 6 p.m., Jean-Marc and our son Max are having a special wine-tasting for organic and natural wines. If you are in the area of La Ciotat they would love to see you. Click here for more info about this free winetasting event TODAY'S FRENCH WORD: “dépanner” : to help out, to lend someone money, to help someone out of a jam, to come to the rescue (Here we are focusing on one sense of the multi-meaningful verb “dépanner” as it relates to today’s story) FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here to access the MP3 audio file A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Driving up to a local ATM for some flouze, I saw the familiar figure loitering around the strip mall. I hesitated over whether to drive off or face the situation. As soon as I got out of my car, the...Click the icon below to listen.
One dove, Betty (pictured beside Mama), remained in our care until Sunday...when she successfully took flight. Read on for an update on her brother, Rusty, and his trick on local tourists :-) Your edits to this post are helpful, appreciated, and incorporated as soon as possible. Merci. TODAY'S FRENCH WORD: "s'envoler" : to take flight, to fly away, to fly off SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here for the soundfile A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse The baby birds have successfully flown our makeshift coop. Quel soulagement! But eight days into the doves' rescue we were holding our breath after one of the oisillons took off in an erratic flight, landing above the busy street corner at the edge of our lot. As trucks shrieked by and hungry seagulls flew overhead our eyes were trained on the teetering tourterelle, Rusty. How he surprised us when he suddenly took flight after his last feeding in the garden (when I filmed this video). And there we thought his sister, Betty, would be first to fly the...Click the icon below to listen. Related Stories* Les oisillons: baby birds fall into our yard + caring for injured and baby chicks * From huppes to rapaces--birds in our French garden, les oiseaux dans le sud de la France