French Learning

No Letters to America? New Tariffs Disrupt French Mail

TODAY’S WORD: le chamboulement : upheaval / disruptionPRONUNCIATION: [luh shahn-boo-luh-mahn]EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Ce chamboulement a commencé avec le vent, mais il a fini par atteindre jusqu’à nos lettres.This upheaval began with the wind, but it eventually reached even our letters. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Le Monde à l’Envers Opening my bedroom shutters, I hold on to the dusty ledge, half afraid I’ll be carried … Continue reading No Letters to America? New Tariffs Disrupt French Mail

Kristin Espinasse14 Comments
French Learning

Plouf! A Big Little Leak in My New City

Before I begin today’s story—Jackie’s story—a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already ordered a copy of our newly released book. Seeing our mother-daughter stories gathered together in one place, along with your positive feedback, has been such a joy. With your help launching this colorful series—books teeming with photos and French—we will be able to reach readers who have yet to discover A … Continue reading Plouf! A Big Little Leak in My New City

Jacqueline Espinasse13 Comments
French Learning

Ça y est! Our New Book Has Arrived

Dear Readers, Our book is ready! After a last-minute hurdle getting this bébé up onto the bookshelf, ça y est — a beautiful paperback edition, brimming with full page photos, is now available for purchase. This is the second volume in the series A Year in a French Life—a lively chronicle of language, family life, and love in France and beyond. Thanks to the wonders … Continue reading Ça y est! Our New Book Has Arrived

Kristin Espinasse14 Comments
French Learning

Success: Advice from a French Nurse and Dog Lover

TODAY’S WORD: se mettre en échec : to set oneself up for failure PRONUNCIATION: [suh met-truh ahn eh-shek] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Quand on apprend quelque chose de nouveau, il vaut mieux avancer doucement pour ne pas se mettre en échec. When learning something new, it’s best to move forward gently so as not to set yourself up for failure. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi EspinasseDuring one … Continue reading Success: Advice from a French Nurse and Dog Lover

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
French Learning

Strong Values & The Art of Having Fun in a Storm

Salut! Enjoy today’s story by my youngest, Jackie—and thank you, as always, for reading. I’ll be back next week with an exciting update from us both, something we’ve been working toward for a long time. Profitez de l’histoire d’aujourd’hui, écrite par ma benjamine, Jackie, et merci, comme toujours, de nous lire. Je serai de retour la semaine prochaine avec une belle nouvelle de notre part … Continue reading Strong Values & The Art of Having Fun in a Storm

Jacqueline Espinasse18 Comments
French Learning

A Note From Kristi (and a link to the full text for today’s story)

Hello Dear Readers, Very sorry for this extra email in your inbox. Did you notice something unusual in my recent newsletter? Things got a little scrambled in my previous email. A technical glitch created question marks throughout the story text (in the emailed version, only). Please use this link to see the full version. I put a lot into today’s story. I hope you’ll take … Continue reading A Note From Kristi (and a link to the full text for today’s story)

Kristin Espinasse8 Comments
French Learning

Love is…

TODAY’S WORD: se soutenir : to support each otherPRONUNCIATION: [suh soo-TEH-neer] Nous nous soutenons, même quand il est loin.We support each other, even when he’s far away. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When the fire alarm suddenly sounded in our house, my husband was not here to silence it. Its piercing scream sent a slew of gros mots flying out of my mouth … Continue reading Love is…

Kristin Espinasse10 Comments
French Learning

Welcoming My Brother to Brooklyn from France + Street Food

Bonjour, new readers—welcome! I’m Kristi, and I began this French word journal in October 2002, when my kids (two are pictured above) were 5 and 7. Today, my youngest is helping carry on the family journal. Enjoy Jackie’s update, and I’ll be back in a week with news from the south coast of France. Une vague de froid By Jacqueline Espinasse December 27th, Mom, Dad, … Continue reading Welcoming My Brother to Brooklyn from France + Street Food

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
French Learning

Un Bel Apprentissage: A Beautiful Learning Experience

TODAY’S WORD: apprentissage : learning; apprenticeshipPRONUNCIATION: ah-prahn-tee-sahj A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse  The first thing I did when Jean-Marc and Jackie left for the airport was to hurry to her room. Our little American shepherd followed, to sniff out anything my daughter might’ve left behind.  Ricci’s nose swept the floor like one of those metal detectors used by treasure hunters here on the … Continue reading Un Bel Apprentissage: A Beautiful Learning Experience

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Uncategorized

Étincelle: A Quiet Spark of Faith

“ETINCELLE” This last chapter is the chance to end the year on a meaningful note. Je ne veux pas le rater.  Yet I sit at the dining room table, facing the blank screen, listening for inspiration as the rain falls outside. “Il pleut, Bergère !” Jean-Marc sings. Behind me, my husband is tinkering in the kitchen: pots and pans meet like noisy tambourines as he … Continue reading Étincelle: A Quiet Spark of Faith

Kristin Espinasse43 Comments