A little cabanon in the Drôme. Today's Word: mousse (moos) noun, feminine     1. moss 2. froth 3. mousse 4. foam 5. apprentice… …and the funny expression: se faire de la mousse = to get all worked up about something A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse What you say is what you get. This was a truism at my house when I … Continue reading mousse

 Photo taken in Oppède-le-Vieux (Luberon). Don't miss this photo's "sisters" and "brothers" in the latest picture gallery!. France and Monaco Rentals. Exclusive Vacation Rental Properties throughout France. châtrer (shaah-tray) verb     : to castrate, to neuter. New: Featured Community Question: What to do in the Loire Valley? Que Faire Dans la Vallée de la Loire? See Jan's question and help answer it, here.. ……………………………………………………………….A Day … Continue reading chatrer

 What do this dog and I have in common? We were both fragile, yet trusting, passengers over the weekend. Read on, in today's story column. (And thanks to Bernard, a photographer, and his dog "Pixelle" for allowing me to take their photo after I introduced myself to the two in a mountaintop café.) Yabla French Video Immersion. The fun way to learn French conduite accompagnée … Continue reading la conduite accompagnee

I was standing on a medieval bridge, over the Nesque River, when I took this photo. I did not notice the tiny mouse until I posted the (larger version of this) photo at Cinéma Vérité. That's when Margaret pointed out la souris. Next, Newforest commented on the"la girouette" and, like that, we all learned the fanciful French word for weather-vane!   Camille Claudel: A Novel … Continue reading rigolo

 Today's story takes place in this cheese shop, in Pernes-les-Fontaines. More photos here. pressé (preh-say) adj & past participle (presser)     : hurried; urgent être pressé de partir = to be in a hurry to leavec'est pressé? = is it urgent? Best-selling books on the French Language: Pronounce it perfectly in French: essential for travelers! Easy French Reader: one of the best ways to learn … Continue reading pressé

 We spent Valentine's Day in Marseilles (not the easiest place for a wrinkling wife to keep her husband focused on the love of his life!). Posters, such as this one and the one below, were plastered all over the city. Dozens of demoiselles en dentelles. Oh no! Meet-ups: We'd LOVE to see you! Jean-Marc will be in IOWA CITY next month and elsewhere in the … Continue reading pimenter

 Our new stagiaire even helps with the dishes! Alexis is helping Jean-Marc here at the vineyard.  stage (stazh) noun, masculine     : internship, training period faire un stage = to do an internshiple/la stagiaire = trainee, intern   Speaking Better French: The Key Words and Expressions that You'll Need Every Day. Order here. *** A Day in a (French) Life…  by Kristin Espinasse While our son, … Continue reading stagiaire

Random photo from the Luberon. More in my weekend photo journal.. Wine Tasting with Jean-Marc! Meet him in New York and elsewhere in the States… un apprenti (ah pran tee) noun, masculine     : apprentice synonyms: un stagiaire, un mousse* Next Meetup: PARIS! On March 1st at Shakespeare & Company bookshop I will be talking about writing, publishing, and–bien sûr–blogging! (Starts at 7 p.m.)  Blogger … Continue reading apprenti

 Seasons in Provence: "Winter" (c) Kristin Espinasse. More info about Provence in Julie Mautner's "The Provence Post": for those who live in, travel to or just love the South of France! Note: this picture-filled edition is best viewed online. Click here! le rein (leuh rehn) noun, masculine     : kidneyAudio File and Example Vocabulary: Click to hear my daughter pronounce une greffe du rein (kidney … Continue reading rein