TODAY’S WORD: LA BONBONNE pronounced “bohn-BON” Une bonbonne is a large, rounded glass bottle used for storing or transporting wine and other liquids; a demijohn or carboy. It is also known as une dame-jeanne, a name derived from the older Occitan damajano, possibly tracing back to Damghan, a Persian city once renowned for its glassmaking. The charming story that it was named after Queen Jeanne … Continue reading A Baby, A Bottle, and a Secret to a Happy Marriage

TODAY’S WORD: la rentrée : the return to school, work, and everyday life after the summer holidays PRONUNCIATION: lah rahn-TRAY EXAMPLE SENTENCE: La rentrée des classes est arrivée.The new school year has begun. LA RENTRÉE DES CLASSES by Jacqueline Espinasse  For some odd reason, the month of September has always felt like new beginnings. Back when I was a little girl, it was the start of … Continue reading La Rentrée: It’s not just for kids!

Mom and the Lumière Brothers, pioneers of cinema who filmed some of their earliest scenes—and their own mother—here in La Ciotat. Today’s little film: Mom and me, arriving for her hospital appointment on the wrong day! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I’m calling this an “extra edition,” though I’m not sure whether or not it’s a good idea to post today. … Continue reading The “double méprise” or how we ended up at the hospital two weeks early

Je ne dois pas tarder, Jean-Marc said while we finished up our coffee in bed. It was a gentle reminder he needed to get going. He had grapes to press! But his words also assured me he had a moment for our morning meditation–the 5-minute reading for couples we’ve been doing for years. But this morning, for those few precious moments, I had another idea… … Continue reading Jean-Marc meets Dolly: A Tribute from France to an American Angel

LE TOUILLAGE — French pronunciation: [too-yahzh] Le touillage = stirring or mixing; here, stirring the fermenting wine in the vat. Example sentence:Je suis chargée du touillage du vin chaque matin.I’m in charge of stirring the wine each morning. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Assistant winemaker may be a stretch. But while Jean-Marc is away in the Alps this week, Max and I have been … Continue reading Backyard Wine: The Whole Family Gets Roped into Jean-Marc’s “Garage” Vintage

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse This week I opened my mailbox to find the latest issue of France Today. Inside was an article I’d written about the Canadair—that cheery red-and-yellow airplane that skims the Mediterranean, scoops up thousands of liters of seawater, then races off to battle wildfires.  When I turned in the story a couple of months ago, I remember … Continue reading We are OK, but France is on fire.

Today’s Word: ça m’amuse : I find it amusing Pronunciation: (sa ma-MUZ) Example Sentence:Au lieu de râler, je choisis de voir la situation autrement en me disant : “Ça m’amuse.”Instead of grumbling, I choose to see the situation differently by telling myself, “Ça m’amuse.” A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse The day began at 5 a.m. when Jean-Marc slipped quietly out of … Continue reading A French expression that will change your mind

TODAY’S WORD: LE TRAC le trac = stage fright; performance anxiety; the nervous flutter before an important event Example sentence: Avant l’arrivée de mes invités, j’ai toujours le trac.Before my guests arrive, I always get the jitters. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse July brings visitors. I love them, but my nervous system doesn’t. My mind begins to spin imagining every future … Continue reading “Le Trac” and Hosting: Do you know the feeling?