My daughter, Jackie, just turned 5 when this word journal began. Here she is at eleven… helping Braise (brez) get dressed for the party!
time!
*Note: the next word goes out on November 5th. (…not because we
will need time to recover from the fête… but because we will be spending time
with the kids, who are on school break again…).
joyeux, joyeuse
(zhwa-yuh, zhwa-yuhz) adjective
: cheerful, merry, joyful
Listen to my daughter's message, and to the French word "joyeux": Download joyeux.wav.Download joyeux.mp3
I have another confession: I have never been good at
événementiel (or "event organization"). Jean-Marc planned our wedding, each
and every detail (contacted the French priest, ordered the flowers, selected
the menu, had the rings engraved, and all but tried on the long white gown
& satin-trimmed veil for me).
The "big day" found his blushing
bride-to-be tripping over a street grate, late for a very important date! I
have been trying to make up for that unforgettable entrance ever since: by
continuing to "réviser" a simple lesson from my husband: relax and enjoy life
and, especially, celebrate the milestones!
Today marks the 6th
anniversary of this French word journal and I am ready to celebrate this
joyful event. I've ordered the flowers (okay, I swiped several from "Mama
Jules"), and selected the menu: a sweet and savory buffet of words.
Now
listen up: this is where you come in–and not as a clumsy bride!:
I would
like to ask you to share a word or two… about yourself. Are you an 85-year-old
collector of Southwestern art? Or a new mother, up to her ears in dirty
diapers? Are you in a marching band? Do you read this word journal in school?
Are you famous? …or infamous? (or related to someone that is?). Do you speak more than two languages? Can you make your ears
move?
Do you suspect you are the youngest on this list–or the oldest?
Are you a tattoo artist or do you dabble in watercolor? Have you invented something? Do you like frogs legs or are you carrément contre la cuisine des cuisses de grenouilles? Do you have an unusual skill?
Are you involved in a charity? Have you written a book and do you want to
"buzz it" here? Are you shy? Ever won a prize? Do you have a blog or site and
would you like to tell us where to find you on the web?
All in all,
just a line or two about you… s'il vous plaît! Meantime, thank you for
reading this word journal, and for helping to create a community as we
move into our seventh year: one sweet and savoury word at a time.
Note: having trouble posting? Please send your message to me (kristin.espinasse AT gmail.com ) with a "request to post" in the subject line. Include how you would like your name to appear. I will try to post your message in the next week.
PS: to share your photo: check out the French Word-A-Day group at Facebook.
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Congratulations, Kristin, on your anniversary! I enjoy your books and especially your word-a-day blog. I majored in French, but never used it professionally. However, 17 trips to France, some French exchange students, many French friends and correspondants have enabled me to continue to learn the language–as real French people speak it!
I am now a retired teacher. My son always refers to me as a “France freak”, but I am happy to be just an extreme Francophile! Keep up the good work!
Je viens originaire de Bretagne et ca fait 24ans que je vis a Sacramento (Californie)…J’aime bien raconter des petites histoires…Par exemple…
C’est un petit nuage qui dit a sa maman…Maman…J’ai envie de faire pluie pluie!
Bonjour! My name is Nicki Gibbs. I am a working mother of two, living in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I took French in high school, then forgot about it until I visited and fell in love with Paris in 1999. Since then, I have been culitvating a fondness for all things French. My husband and I decided we want to give our children the gift of this beautiful language and enrolled them in L’Etoile du Nord – the French Immersion School in Saint Paul. My second-grade daugher is now nearly fluent and has challenged me to catch up. I love this site and look forward to confidently conversing en francais very soon.
Hello again – we met in the summer at your home. Delightful wine (which we are still working through) and delightful people. I’m British, living not that far from London and married to a French lady, with two bilingual children… Good luck on your trip to London, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to come and sample your wines anew because I will be at another event on the other side of that fine city 🙂
Congratulations. I am a 66 year old South African with a language block who has lived in London for the last 21 years. I read and enjoy your newsletter as much for the content as for the new French words. I’m quite embarrassed as my wife and three children all speak fluent French (we have a second home in the south of France near Cannes) but after lessons, CD’s and your daily “words”, I’m still struggling with everything except “Restaurant French”. Keep up the good work. It’s great.
Kristin, Happy 6th Anniversary! I love your blog, found it about 6 months ago and completed devoured your lovely, funny and heartfelt book “Word in a French Life”. {I love the above photo of Braise all “dogged” up for Halloween!} I am a 30 yr old American who lived in Paris for four years while working for various French companies. Passionate about the French language for the past 12 years, I was determined to go abroad and learn to speak fluently after studying 4 years in college. I met my wonderful husband in Paris, yes he is French, and now we live in Southern California. I dream of returning one day, can’t wait to go through the steps to hold a French passport and will never give up my dream of owning an old farm somewhere in the countryside and enjoying life en Provence. I own my own business as a Personal Wardrobe Stylist and author a blog about fashion, personal style, fun, life, travelling and anything else I feel like writing about. After being back in the States almost 3 years now, my French is getting a little rusty and I look forward to your tri-weekly posts!
Bonjour Kristin! Felicitations on your 6 year!
My name is Clifford, based in LA. Weighing in at 37 years, I’m definitely not the oldest nor the youngest. The French language first touched my heart when I was fifteen. Unfortunately it would take another 15 years before I got around to studying it. Without a doubt, it is the longest running hobby I have ever pursued. Also the most enjoyable.
I’m experiencing sympathy pains, trying to get my own book finished. How you managed to do it is beyond me. But it’s persistence, right?
I’ve been a passenger of yours for about 5 years now. A lot has changed since then. Duct tape on the dishwasher, Zizou’s head butt, and showing the street sweeper his story in your book were among some of my favorites.
Looking forward to another 6 years.
I am a 61 year old retired male, divorced,living in Palm Springs California and Mexico near San Diego. I was born in Paris but left at the age of six. I forgot a lot of my French but it is now coming back. I have travelled extensively throughout the world, including France where I met a cousin. I love your photos and the words which help me remember my French which I haven’t used in many years. Keep up the good work.
Bonjour, Kristin
I am 61 years old. I was abandonned in a hotel when I was a week old and did not have a name or a birthdate. I was adopted by the Chappells. My adopted father was from Tennessee and had a Cherokee grandmother. I knew my last name was derived from French. That is how I became interested in France. Sometimes people would call us “shapell”; other times, “chapel”; and if Mexican, “cha-pell.” I used to become excited during the old war movies when someone would sing the Marseilles. Later I discovered that our English word “chapel” is Middle English, from Old French “chapele”. The current French word is “chapelle”. Then I found an old map of English with little crosses on it and the word “chappell” over and over. I think many of our English words come from the French conquest of England after the Battle of Hastings. The Old French word came from Medieval Latin “capella,” originally a shrine containing the cape of St. Martin of Tours, from Late Latin “cappa” (little cape). Hence, Spanish “capilla,” German “kapella,” Slovak “kapka”, etc. And we have the Mexican surname “Chapa”, which is perhaps related. But I must tell you that I was happy when a Black comedian arrived on the scene, named Dave Chappelle, pronounce “shapell”. I tell people that he is my brother, which is true in several ways. Our mother is Lucy. And I did have an adopted brother named Dave Chappell.
I am in my early 30’s and married to a Frenchman and will soon be moving to France!Yikes! My French skills are not so great but I try. I really find your Word of the day helpful not only for the French but also for learning about the French. Hopefully we will be as successful in our venture as your family has been in yours.
I’m a work-at-home mom (in Austin, TX) of a 4-year-old son and I’m in love with France! As owner of a professional book design and publishing consulting firm, I’m always hoping that wonderful French-themed book will come our way. 😉 My husband and I hope to spend a few years in Provence to soak up the culture, learn the language, and share all with our son. Thank you for this wonderful site and for sharing your knowledge with all of us.
I am a 34 year old lawyer in Obama’s adopted hometown! Glad you are back, Kristin!
Bonjour à tous! C’est curieux que c’est presque toutes femmes qui ont répondu. Normal mais curieux. Pourquoi?
Quant à moi, j’ai le même age de Jules mais j’avais une juenesse un peu comme celle de Kristin, je pense. Je sais bien l’intérieur d’une caravane. Par hazard de la guerre j’ai grandi en Louisiane où j’ai fait la connaissance de beaucoup de mes meilleurs amis. Ils portent des noms français comme Thibodeaux, Broussard, Ardoin, et Frugé et its restent aujourd’hui entre mes meilleurs amis. A cause de ce fait j’ai commencé mon affair avec la belle langue française il y a 45 ans. Malgré la pauvreté de la jeunesse, la vie était bonne. Bonne et belle. D’abords j’ai survécu deux voyages à VietNam (quelle bonne chance!). Grace à G.I. Bill j’ai gagné le doctorat et un très bon travail à l’université où je peux enseigner un cours de français chaque année. Après 30 ans de service (actif et reserve)j’ai pris ma retraite de la marine de querre. Il y a 33 ans je me suis marié avec une femme incroyable et nous avons été béni de deux fils extraordinaire (à nous au moins)et deux petite-filles absolument parfaite (sans doute)! Et nous avons des billets pour aller en Provence en moi de mai prochain. La vie est vraiment belle!
I’m a former French teacher turned accountant who never gave up speaking French or seeing French movies. While in school, I spent time studying in Paris and Montpellier as well as teaching in French foreign language camps in Minnesota. I used to have friends in the area who spoke French but they have all moved on so I don’t get a chance to speak French too often anymore. About 3 years ago I decided to do more with my French, (I guess I got jealous of some friends who were able to do some traveling to France), found Kristin’s book and blog. I had the opportunity to help a group serving Haitian people where I could speak French. My daughter now takes French in school so I get a chance to teach again, at home. This past August, I took my first trip back to Paris in 30 years and barely spoke English. J’en etais ravie.
Happy anniversary! I am a 28 year old nursing student in Portland, Oregon that absolutely adores reading your blog. I have many family members in France (primarily in Normandy and Paris), so I have been very lucky to have had many opportunities to visit and even live in France. I miss the culture dearly and your column helps me relive some wonderful (and sometimes funny) memories.
I’m 30 and living in Toronto. I come by my French by way of one of the first French Immersion classes in Ontario, where all instruction was in French: great idea for us anglophones in a bilingual country! I’ve been reading your blog for two years and very much enjoy it, especially all the different phrases which use the word of the day that I may not have known before. I’m actively learning German for work also and am an advanced intermediate, apparently; the blog is a way of reminding me to practice French too! My big hobby is travelling – 33 countries and counting.
The blog also makes me eager to travel to France again. Keep up the good work (and more French please!).
Another American in France… I have been reading your blog for a few years I think. I live in the Seine et Marne with my husband, and commute to Paris to work every day! I speak fluent French, and I love your stories! I especially love when you write about your Mom.
Bonjour, I loved your book and have enjoyed your website for several years. My husband imports french wines to the US. We spend quite a bit of time in Provence and at major wine shows like Bordeaux, Rhone and Vini Sud. We own several hectares of vineyard in the Langedoc area. I love all things French and your columns really make me smile.
I look forward to meeting you at some wine event some day!
Kristi – Honey, I can’t figure out what
Mike Armstrong was writing (but i saw my
name) is he saying he is my age and later
that he fly’s airplanes??? Please translate.
XOXO
JULES – MOMA-JULES
I live in Virginia and teach French to retirees at a Lifelong Learning institute. I taught French for many years in five different states because my husband was in the Navy and we moved frequently. It is such a pleasure to have enthusiastic students who are in class because they want to learn. I even get applause at the end of class. That sure did not happen when I was teaching middle school age students. I have taken high school students to France eight times over spring break. Quelle aventure!! I look forward to reading your French Word a day and sometimes share them with my students. Bravo Kristin, bonne continuation.
Hey Y’all!
I originally from Columbus, Ohio, but now live in the Washington, DC area (Hyattsville, MD). I’m an absolute Francophile and hope to one day be fluent in French. I’ve been to France twice but never to the country which I need to remedy at some point. I have two cats, Henri and Blanche and like to practice my French on them. I am a singer/songwriter working on my third recording in NYC. During the day I work for a lobbyist – he’s a good one! Needless to say I’d love to ditch the day job and become a full time musician traveling the world. Kristin, perhaps a yearly wine festival in your town with live music would be a possibility?! Check me out at http://www.janinewilsonband.com
Thanks for your great stories about your family and congratulations on your anniversary.
Janine
Salut! I discovered your site about two years ago when I was in France as an “assistant d’anglais”. I look forward to your posts every weeks for my little slice of France! Merci beacoup!
I am a 50+ Floridian who loves France and enjoys the glimpse into a French life by your reading your Words. Ever since visiting France I long for the day when I can visit again. Maybe we should have a reunion of French Word a Day readers when it is grape harvesting time.
Congratulations, Kristin! What a great achievement! I’m 26, and have just returned home to the US after doing a year-long stage en patisserie at a bakery in the south west of France (Beziers). I’ve really enjoyed all your stories, words, quotes, and pictures. I read your book before leaving for France, and it was a great preparation for the life and culture. I’m already missing it, and hope to return again sometime soon. In the meantime, I look forward to reading more of your stories and learning new words!
Congratulations Kristin.
I have been following your progress since 2004 and am delighted that no only is your writing career continuing flourish, but your and Jean Marc’s vineyard has seen some early success. I watched with great interest as your family pulled up stakes and launched this new endeavour in a new locale.
As for myself I am an employee of the U.S. Customs Service. I have a commercial pilot’s license, but I do not fly for the service. I have a great hope of securing a transfer to a location in Europe- with France being my first choice of duty station.
Thanks for the window looking onto life in France.
Joyeux anniversaire, Kristin! Je m’ appelle Cheryl et j’étais prof de français pendant 32 ans près de St Louis, Missouri. Je suis maintenant à la retraite. J’ai passé un an et demi en France comme étudiante–un an à Grenoble et 6 mois (bien trop courts!) à Paris. Mon coeur appartient à Paris. J’y rentre autant que possible. J’apprécie beaucoup vos (tes) petits commentaires de la vie de tous les jours. Et moi aussi, je suis tombée amoureuse en France, mais je n’ai pas la même fin d’histoire que vous deux. Cependant je me vois facilement dans ta place. Merci mille fois de ce site!!
Hi! I am a 23-year-old college student in Tennessee, but I am from Colorado. I have been in french classes on and off since 6th grade. Now, french is one of my two minors.
I love french and anything french for that matter. I have french in me somewhere in the past, but I am an American mut.
I live in East Nashville and love to eat food and drink wine at the great restaurants here when I’m not studying.
I am a journalism student who works at a radio station and volunteers at the humane association.
I stumbled on this blog over a year ago? I couldn’t resist and have been reading ever since!!
P.S. I graduate in May!!! Woohoo!
We live in Pennsylvania and just completed our third glorious trip to France. I have been a Francophile since childhood but am not exactly sure how it started. We have our own consulting company, but I have been a writer, in one form or another, for my entire professional life. We have been blessed to make many French friends over the years in the US and St Martin, and are always anxious to make more. Thanks to Kristin for giving us a little treasure everyday to keep our memories fresh and our dreams vibrant!
Angela and Bill
Hello from Asheville, NC, where the leaves are showing spectacular colors. I have visited France several times and love it and envy your experiences there. I enjoy reading your thrice-weekly journal but truly love the photos. I am almost 60 and have to make up for lost time doing the things I enjoy most and right now it is photography! Thanks for sharing your life.
I read your column at work, which is where I am now. I am a children’s librarian at Rockville Public Library in Maryland. I love your blog!! I started taking French in middle school and majored in French/French Literature in college, went to school for a short time in Dijon, France. I am presque 40, tant pis! I have a 15 year old son, 14 year old daughter and a 9 year old son. I am planning a trip to France for my and my husband’s 20th anniversaire– peut etre a Languedoc-Roussillon. J’aime la France!!
Hi Kristin, Congratulations! I read your words and stories with delight from the South East of England. I’ve had a maison secondaire in Pas-de-Calais now for 7 years and am still struggling with the language, mostly because everyone over there wants to practise their English!! I’m 50-ish, am a life coach and practice reiki, as well as being a historian (of sorts). Thanks so much for such a wonderful e-letter and website. They brighten my day!
I have a great passion for french as well as the other Romantic languages of Spanish and italian. I had a wonderful language teacher at school whose love and enthusiasm for french was contagious….at least for me.
At the moment i am in the midst of creating something in this life which does not yet exist….it sounds mysterious and only time will show. I shall keep you posted on this subject.
Life is for enjoying and i love people’s appreciation de les choses simples. It’s the little things that matter. The taste of a lovely cup of coffee, a delicious kiss from the man you love, the joy of hearing laughter unexpectedly….savour it all you fine people of the world.
Bonjour Kristin et les autres! I am a 39 year old mother of two (7 yr old daughter and 3 1/2 yr old son) currently living in Milwaukee, WI. I took French all through high school and graduated college with a double major, one of them being French. But then I moved to Tucson, AZ to follow my now-husband, and French didn’t really come in handy there… My husband and I had the opportunity to travel to France for his job and that re-ignited my interest in the French language and culture. We traveled to various parts of France on three separate trips, but since having children (and since the dollar isn’t as strong as it used to be…) we have not been back.
My daughter had the choice of Spanish or French language at school and she chose French which thrills me — the kids and I have much fun learning new words together and playing the French Bingo game I found. I love reading your posts, although it does make me wistful for the time we spent in Megeve and Evian…
Thank you, Kristin, for teaching me new words along with teaching me to appreciate my family and my surroundings, whether they be in France or in Wisconsin! You have a wonderful way of writing that makes me feel I am not alone in the trials and tribulations of life and that it is possible to still enjoy it all!
Reading all of these comments made me feel that I am among kindred spirits from around the world, connected by French Word-A-Day! No matter our language skills, you connect us to what is happening in a real French-American family, in a real French town, with it’s own cast of characters. Merci pour tout. Bonne anniversaire!
I’m a 31 year old single mother of two, and software developer in Salt Lake City, Utah. I founded and Chaired the Utah for Obama group, and I’m a political junkie. I’ve always had a fascination with all things French, and have been trying to learn it so that someday I can finally go to Paris and be able to speak with the locals!
bon jour kristin. i’m elizabeth claverie and i’ve enjoyed your blog as well as your photos for several years. you are living my dream. i’m a middle school language arts teacher near san francisco and have roots that run very deep into the bearn. after visiting my family there several summers, i was introduced to the camino de compostela and finally walked it in 07. will go again this summer. i can get a glass of wine and find a bathroom there but my french will fail me if i need more. i am fluent in spanish and that helps me in the pyrenees. I write poetry, hike like my life depends upon it, have kids and grandkids, lie about my age every time i’m asked, dance in my kitchen and cook like a demon. keep up the good work!!
Bonjour! I am a 74-year-old Francophile who fell in love with Paris on my very first visit some 15 years ago, only failing to return two times during those years! My struggles to learn French are enhanced by your efforts although my daughter and I can manage with our petit Francaise. As she says, “We can ask directions, get a sandwich and wine, and find a restroom, sil vous plait. What more do we need?” Only wish I could have managed a move to France 20 years ago!
Hello Readers!
I have been reading FWAD for about as long as it has been around. I am an American who lived and worked in several places in France for a quite a few years, my son is still in Paris continuing his studies. I have now moved on to the UAE for work and still enjoy the glimpses back to French life through FWAD. I am always amazed how well Kristin captures moments of her life in France and her writing style is incredibly life like. There are many French expats here in the UAE but French expats don’t tend to mix so well outside of their country – however I mix very well with the French and continue to keep up with the French people by having joined the French groups here and I watch TV 5 and read FWAD – it always reminds me that I will most likely go back and live in France (once I have made enough money to buy a nice Mas!) Bonne continuation!!
Meilee Marts
I am Francois, nickname Faffa,65, retired Biology teacher from Paarl, South Africa.I speak Afrikaans and English and am trying to help myself in French–so thanks also for your help!My interest in France and French is because I am a descendant of Pierre Joubert from La Motte Daigues and Isabeau Richard from St.Martin dla Brasque in Provence.They came to South Africa via Holland in 1688.In 2007 we spend a few days in La Motte and plan to do so again in 2009 if the world economy improves– at the moment 1 euro=Rand14!
Kindest Regards.
Bonjour Kristin
I’m a 46 yr old architect from Florida who has dreamed of a life in France ever since I was a little girl. 10 years ago, I met the love of my life at a French restaurant in Santa Monica, CA while I was on vacation visiting my sister and today my French husband and I are just a couple years away from a big move back to France. I even received my French citizenship just a few months ago and will be very proud to use my new passport when we visit Paris next month for the holidays. I stumbled upon your book today in a bookstore and immediately bought it. We owned a beautiful home in the Luberon for a couple years and spent many memorable weeks there and I can’t wait to read your words and anecdotes and be transported back to our lovely home in Gordes. Thanks so much for your site.
congratulations on your celebration. what a wonderful group you have gathered here.
Thanks to someone Googling “le fleur Christmas ornaments” and visiting MY site, I have just stumbled across this marvelous treasure in the past 5 minutes! I am an artist from Pensacola, FL, who is an ardent lover of France and French in almost all its incarnations. Many of my designs have the language woven into them and I am ALWAYS tapping whatever sources I can scrounge and pester, to make sure the sentiments are expressed CORRECTLY. Authentically. That’s very important to me. (And it’s most gratifying when something I’ve done brings forth a delighted, “Oh, this is just like/reminds me of the little market/café [insert French city]…!”)
Does my confidence wonders, especially since…I’ve NEVER been. It’s all heart and imagination and research…and now this beautiful, living adventure. I am SO going to enjoy catching up and a thousand thank yous for the magnificent effort.
I will deal with my seething jealousy later…{8^P
Hi and happy birthday!
First of all congrats on having such a great site and for having reussi in learning French. I’m currently a masters student in Lille studying Analyse des conflits but last year was my first year living in France. Honestly, whenever I’m feeling a bit homesick or culturesick your emails always cheer me up because they are just so adorable and I love to read about the experiences and views of other Americans living in France. Merci beaucoup et bien a vous tous.
Only just got round to reading this anniversary edition and I just want to add congratulations. I am the RIGHT side of 60, that is, retired and happy with it. My wife Mary and I have moved to the south of France from the UK and one of our greatest pleasures has been meeting people here including Kristin and Jean Marc – meeting people makes learning the language so much easier. We are musicians and wine-lovers. Bises and good wishes for the future of the blog and a good life in the south of France!
I’m on the RIGHT side of 50!- over it! And proud of it, actually I’m 61 and enjoying life more and more every day. I’m a musician who’s interested in French Cantatas of the Baroque era (1700-1740) and wish I knew more French so I could more easily translate the old French to make sense. I’ve tried learning French a few times, but never keep at it. I know german pretty well. So, thought a word a day would be great way to learn, plus it’s such a beautiful site with its pictures and I like your little vignettes and insights. It’s been a pleasure to receive- just started 2-3 weeks ago, plus I’ve passed the news on to some other friends and they love it too. Thanks for enlivening “la française” for me.