Our Jackie turned 5 when this word journal began. Here she is at eleven (two years ago) helping Braise (brez) get dressed for today's birthday party!
: cheerful, merry, joyful
Listen to my daughter's message, and to the French word "joyeux": Download Wav or MP3
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
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 fleurs, selected the menu, had les bagues engraved, and all but tried on the long white robe & 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 8th anniversary of this French word journal and I am ready to celebrer 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 who is?). Do you speak more than two languages? Can you make your ears move? or can you do the splits?
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? Do you decorate your window sill? 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? Or eaten an entire pie? Are you on a mission? Do you have a blog or a website and where can we find you on the web?
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Bonjour Kristin! I’m a first year university student and a newbie to your blog. Happy Anniversary btw! I live in Vancouver and I quite enjoy reading your blog on quiet rainy days like this. I usually read your blog between lectures. I love biking, hiking, writing, singing and I aspire to travel to ‘far lands’ one day. Thank you for sharing your inspiring life stories!
Bonjour Kristin,
I am a 71-year-old retired English and French teacher (high school). However, I am now losing my fluency in French, malheuresement. Since retirement, I sing in two community choruses–5-part harmony. Am busy with rehearsals and performances. I live my French life vicariously through your blog. Merci beaucoup.
Anniversaire Joyeaux! (Hope I spelled it correctly.) Came across this site when doing research on my paternal side of the family. My father’s parents were married in Paris, he being born in Sedan in 1892. At two months of age he made the journey to the U.S.A. with his mother, his father having journeyed ahead of them. Am a retired teacher and occasional poet of sorts. Your site and your wonderfully descriptive stories somehow gives me connection to my father’s family and my French heritage. Merci!
Bonjour Kristin et Bon anniversaire!
I am an artist who creates sock monkeys for fun. My half French petite-fille is a beneficiary of some of these critters.
I share your love of photography and was thrilled to get a merit award for a funky photo in a show in Atlanta this year!
Your blog is always a pleasure to savor!
Edie from Savannah
Bonjour Kristin,
Happy Anniversary! I really enjoy reading your stories and geeting to know you & your fmaily. I am a francophile, was an exchange student when I was 18, and still connected to my “family” there many years later. I’m an artist, and France, along with Matisse, is a big influence in my paintings. So, I love seeing your photos – will subscribe to that site. You can see my work at http://www.judyfeldman.com
Joyeux anniversaire! Je suis un professeur à la retraite de la littérature anglaise. Je vis dans la belle ville médiévale de Dinan en Bretagne. J’aime la vie ici avec mon ancienne maison, grand jardin, et mes chiens, mes Papillon appelé Emma et mon bouledogue français appelé Chompsky. J’ai déménagé ici il ya huit ans du Maine. Mon fils et la fille vivent à Oxford, en Angleterre et visite souvent avec leur boule de vos photos sont incroyables et j’aime les histoires de vos chiens.
Bonjour Kristin!
I am a homeschooling mom of three. Two of my children decided to learn French this year; and I haven’t studied it since high school! I was delighted to find your book, and subsequently your blog. It has added a very lovely element to our lessons– the dreaming part… Do you think we’ll ever get to France? Where would we visit?…etc…
We are busy with Operation Shoebox right now, filling boxes for orphans and poor children all over the world, and are wondering if some of our boxes may end up with children who speak French. Will we meet them one day? Maybe this is another part of God’s incredible plan!
Thanks for the joy you share!
I’m a recently retired lawyer living in New Mexico. My wife and I owned a small apartment in Aix-en-Provence for a couple of years that we used along with several family members. Ma femme parle tres bien Francais, and I can get along after being in country for a few days. We’ve spent a good bit of time in most of the regions and cities of France, and we still love to be there notwithstanding the nuttiness over the retirement age, and other unique French attitudes. C’est la vie et c’est les Francaises.
I am a thirty-something woman living in the Sierra Foothills of Northern California. I am the lead singer and guitar player in my own garage rock band; I recently quit my boring day job to sell vintage clothing online; and I am married to my best friend. Among my blessings I count your blog, which connects me to the French I studied back in high school. We even recorded a song in French, thanks to your inspiration! (-: Sasha Soukup
Bonjour Kristin! I’ve been following your blog/emails for about 5 years now, ever since I left Ohio to study in Avignon for a semester. I was a French major and, as you understand, studying abroad in France left a lasting impact on me and an appreciation for the language and culture that I’ll never lose. To top it off, my college sweetheart even took me on a surprise trip to Paris where he proposed under the Eiffel Tower- France will always have a special place in my heart!
Thank you for painting a charming and beautiful picture of France, to help us reminisce on those memories and hold us over until our next trip back 🙂 From all of the francophiles, un grand remerciement!
Elizabeth, Washington, DC
How fun to read all the stories of your blog readers!
A little about me: I am a 43 year old mother of 6 children. I studied Spanish in High School, but fell in love with Italian while in college and followed with a study abroad in Italy. In 2001, we had the opportunity to live in Brussels, Belgium for 4 months and that was when I fell in love with French! Now 2 of my children are in a French Immersion school and the rest of us are trying to learn French and we even have a French exchange student living with us this year – so fun!
I have degrees in music and law, but most recently I opened a bakery and ran that for 5 years – It was a blast and I was kind of famous since I was living in a small town at the time. At the moment I spend full-time having fun with my kids (lots of music and French) and dreaming of living in France. Hopefully we will make it to France for a visit in 2012, and maybe retire there in 20 years. On verra!
Love this blog, Kristin, Jules and the darling readers that I “know” through reading the comments.
Merci Kristen pour tout ce que tu fais pour nous. C’est-à-dire que tes mails me donnent beaucoup de joie chaque jour. J’étais un professeur de français aux Etats-Unis, mais maintenant je suis en retraite. J’ai trois enfants adultes et quatre petits-enfants, qui me donnent aussi beaucoup de joie. Bon journée!
Bonjour Kristin! My hubby Ken and I will be moving permanently to the Languedoc in Spring of 2012, so we are taking every opportunity to enhance our french language skills between now and then! Thoroughly enjoy your blog– especially, as a fellow dog-lover, the tidbits and photos of Braise and Smokey — adorable! I adore your writing style.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your column — a breath of fresh air as I read your column, for about four years now. I’m a father of 8, software developer, learned some French in high school, then perfected it as an LDS (Mormon) missionary in Quebec. I’ve kept up my French and have used it for work, even presenting at a trade show in Paris a few years ago. Now I have a son serving in Romania, hoping to keep his language up as I have when he returns. Merci !
Hi Kristin,
I have been reading your postings since 2007. I am a retired teacher and living in Newport Beach, CA near my grand daughter. My husband and I have had 2 chances to live in France – Paris, 1972-1975; and Thoiry, 2008. We love France! Keep up the great stories!
Karen
Bonjour, Kristin. I am a friend of the previous poster, Gail Fyhrie, and am also a flight attendant although I live near DFW airport in Texas. I have been a faithful reader of your blog for several years and, as with another of your fans, I sometimes use your charming photos for my desktop wallpaper! Though I am not fluent in French, I love Francophone pop music with Isabelle Boulay, Coeur de Pirate, and Peppermoon being only a few artists I listen to.
Congratulations on your 8th anniversary and thank you for sharing your life with us.
Happy Anniversary Kristin! I enjoy the peek into French life that you give me! Thank you for sharing with everyone. Me? I am 49, married, 2 grown kids, 1 sweet old dog and I call my track home a cottage. I dream of Paris and love hanging out with my insane and wonderful friends. I often feel like I belong in the 18th century…ideally next door to the “Dashwoods”.
Overall content here in central California.
Congrats to your success. Cheers!
Thanks for the invitation to de-lurk! A francophile friend turned me on to your French-Word-A-Day emails, and I enjoy reading them, and am delighted when it’s a word I already know. I’m married to a french gentleman (from Manitoba) and our daughter attends a francophone school here in Vancouver, Canada. Your blog gives me a wider view into the francophonie, so thank you!
Dear Kristin,
Meeting you and your husband pleasure at a wine tasting in Paris was the highlight of one of our trips to France. Your Rouge-Bleu wine had just come out. I have been reading your block for 7or 8 years. My husband and I live in Seattle, Washington and try to visit France every year. Each time we go some place different. I have studied French for some years but still struggle with it. Your blog is so interesting. Smokey pictures are my favorite.
Bonjour Kristen,
I have been following your wonderful blog for almost a year now and I have also read your book and I loved it! I have learned many words thanks to you..I look forward to “french word a day” and I love your stories and photo’s..I LOVE your dogs, they are just adorable! My boyfriend is French, I am trying to learn as much as I can about French language and culture. I am from San Clemente, CA and I hope to make my first visit to France in the spring. It would be such an honor to meet you and your husband someday. 🙂
Hi Kristin!
Congrats on your eighth anniversary! I love French language and culture. I’m a French teacher at a Montessori School in the Boston area. I have taught young children French for the past 12 years. I was an au pair in France for a year and have visited several times. Some day, I’ll be able to return with my family! Thanks for your blog and beautiful photos!
Joyeux Anniversary! I am a retired computer programmer, age 62,living quietly with my 4 dogs in Las Vegas, NV, USA, which is quite like living anywhere else, except hotter. I am not French by descent nor have I ever been to France but have always been drawn to it for some unknown reason, even studying French in high school and college. Currently, I am attempting to launch a freelance writing career. j’adore your blog, your stories, the photographs, your two dogs — thank you very much for being my link to French life.
Hi Kristin,
I am currently a stay-at-home mom with two beautiful teenagers and thoruoughly enjoy your French Word-a-Day. I’m a part-time student of French, currently teaching myself after taking a few courses at a local community college, and hope to someday be able to use my new skill while living in France. I received your French Word-a-Day, Summer 2009 Stories and Words in a French Life books as Christmas gifts last year and absolument love them. Thank you for all your stories. They’re wonderful!
Hi Kristen. What a fun idea! I am a 64 year old Southern lady, and alas! I am entirely ordinary….not famous, never done anything weird, never been rich, never met anyone famous. But I can say that I never lacked for anything. I am grateful for every day. I am completely head-over heels in love with Paris. Your French-Word-a-Day has brightened my life, and improved my French vocabulary. I especially enjoy the tales of Smokey r Dokie and his Mama. Many many thanks. Bon chance.
Bonnie in South Carolina, USA
Bonjour Kristin… I am a California oil painter. I have been following you for so long that I’m not sure of the when it all started. I am in love with ‘our’ puppies. Braise and Smokey are just the cutest ever.
And like others here, I too am a Francofile. Great adventures for us all to visit with you (and Jules).
My blog is: http://bandolsek.blogspot.com
Married to a wonderful husband with two glorious adult daughters, I am blessed abundantly and as I believe one of Monty Python’s songs go, I always try ‘to look on the bright side of life’… AND I love a good story which is where you come in. I have referred so many women your way and they always thank me for it. You bless us with your wordsmithing. Happy Anniversary dear Kristin to you & yours.
Happy Anniversary, Kristin.
My friend, Karen, told me about your site.
I had French in high school and in college but have never visited France. Does Quebec City and Montreal count? I read your page because it helps to keep my ear tuned to the French sound. But really, I just enjoy reading about your life in France. My window on France.
I am a senior, married with 2 grown sons. I am a retired clinical psychologist who has tried many crafts but I love silversmithing the most. We travel as well as winter in Florida. That’s it.
I love your dogs because I lost my buddy last year and miss the closeness I shared with Muffin.
Keep on writing. You are great!
Anne
HI there! I had my high-school and college years in AZ also – Scottsdale high (which they have torn down) and then UofA. After a failed 1st marriage (dumb choice) and after 27 years of moving around, we have now settled in Burgundy France for the last 10 years. It became a dream of mine since High-school French in 1964 – with a poster of Mt. St. Michel. Wow, does it feel good to have achieved that dream! I feel like I “should” be here so am enjoying every day. How lucky can we be?? Even more lucky than we can comprehend – with so many lovely Ex-pat friends in our area too! I’m so happy you achieved your dream younger – you are doing a great job and we so enjoy all of your escapades while making wine. We decided we want to drink it instead of making it…since we were retired when we finally made it here! Continue the good work! Smiles, Allison Herron
Chere Kristin, Felicitations! What a pleasure–and privilege!– it is for all of us to share life with you and your dear family.
My wonderful hubby (of 45 years now!)are savoring our troisieme age and making a reality of Eleanor Roosevelt’s words: “Every day is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present”(!)
Your beautifully descriptive writing and gorgeous photographs -three times a week-
give us exactly that,a present, and a reason to smile, no matter how dismal world events might sometimes be.
Mille merci! And a toast to many more of your blogs!
Bon journee! Today and every day!
Joyeux Anniversaire, Kristin! My mother and I are separated by 1/2 a continent but one way we stay connected is through your blog, which we both love! She is a free-spirited type, who traveled through Europe in a VW bug she and my dad bought back in the day. I am more, oh, nothing that sounds very flattering, so I’ll go with tightly wound. Now, I am a lawyer in LA but I have a past as a Pan Am “membre d’equipage”, a time during which I fell in love with France and all things French, so much so that my daughter is named Ondine. We look forward to every entry and Braise and Smokey the Survior have a special place in our hearts. Amicalement, Kate C.
Wow! You have quite the following! I love your photos. I am a retired teacher. I am a photographer and love to travel. My husband and I have traveled throughout Mexico in a van, camping along the way. I speak Spanish and have lived with a family in Guadalajara Mexico. I have also lived with a family in Aix-en-Provence, studying French. We have also lived on a sailboat. I really enjoy reading about your life in France and following the adventures of your family members,including your dogs. Congrats on such an accomplishment. http://www.fotogypsies.com
Joyeux anniversaire, Kristin and FWAD! Nine years – that must be amazing to you. I’m certain the time has flown!
I do several things in the Pacific Northwest, but love paints, textiles, words, and my camera – as well as a little grape picking and wine drinking, every now and then. 🙂
Have a great time off.
http://voiedevie.blogspot.com
Bonjour Kristen,
Félicitations!!! I have been in Paris for 8 years and started your website just over 6 years ago I think. It’s been a lifesaver, has helped me with the language and I always walk away from the computer with a smile or a tear – a happy tear!!!
Something about me – I am 52, am a New Zealander and have just started Irish (Riverdance) Dance classes in Paris. You’re never too old!!! Complete débutante, can’t walk the next day, but hey, it’s gotta be good for you! Poppi x.
Bonjour, Kristin, et Bonne Anniversaire!
I have been receiving your wonderful blog for nearly one year. When I see French Word-a-Day in my in-box, a smile lights up my face! I love peaking through a virtual window into your daily life. Merci! I am a 58 year old woman who started studying French in 7th grade, spent a summer at a language school in Evian and Melun at age 15, and continued my studies in college, though it was not my major. Although I speak other languages (Hebrew and Norwegian), I have a special love for the French language (and French everything!) – and now that my daughter is engaged to marry a lovely French gentleman (who, by the way, is a wine importer), I need to practice so as to be able to speak with our new in-laws! And as a wannabe writer, I especially love reading about the ups-and-downs you encounter in your relatively newfound career. Keep it up … and thanks for sharing!
Félicitations Kristin,
I believe I may be one of your earliest subscribers back to the time when your blog was a five-day-a-week email. We’ve exchanged many emails over the years, and just after you moved to Ste-Cécile-les-Vignes we almost visited you ~ that didn’t quite work out. Despite a life-long curiosity about France and high school French classes, my love for France really began decades ago when we first visited. It inspired me to produce a travel newsletter for others who had a desire to see France for themselves. FRANCE On Your Own began in 1997, with the web site going online in 1998 (http://www.franceonyourown.com). In 2000 our au Château (http://www.au-chateau.com) site was launched to introduce people to château B&Bs. We produce free quarterly newsletters from our web sites. I’m an avid francophile, a travel writer, a potter, a painter, a wife, mother, and grandmother of two living in San Diego, California. The pottery and painting, unfortunately, have to take a back seat to almost everything else. We get to France for month-long stays as often as we can. Your thrice-weekly missives are fun, heartwarming, insightful and a relaxing bright spot in what otherwise are very busy days. Don’t stop!
Affectueusement,
Salut Kristin et joyeux anniversaire for the 8th year of your wonderful blog!
I am an artist–oil on canvas or wood,oil pastel on paper, and watercolor–living and working with my artist husband in Portland, Oregon. I was sent the link to your website about 1 year ago by an acquaintance here in Portland, and have really enjoyed your stories, lovely photos and French vocabulary. Merci!
My husband and I lived in Paris from 1996 until Nov. 2008–so we are new to Portland. We were able to travel around the beautiful country of France each year–and now we try to return for a month’s visit every fall. We just returned from 3 weeks in Paris and 1 week in the Dordogne region. We both began learning French when we arrived in Paris–so after 12 years of using it, we can speak it (more or less!) and we can understand it.
I learned Spanish in school, but don’t speak it, and I learned a few phrases in Italian for several trips we took to Italy while living in Paris.
Paris feels like “home” to me after 12 years there, and I never cease to marvel at the beauty France has to offer. I love, the villages, the architecture, the countryside, the wine and cheese, and the wonderful cooking. Living in Paris changed forever the way I buy food and cook–thank goodness!
Most of my work was and still is based on scenes and people I knew in France.
Best wishes to you for completing 8 years–please continue to enlighten all of us with your wonderful stories and photos! Trish
My web address is: http://www.trishnickell.com
Thank you for everything you write, and your glorious photographs.
I first saw France from the back of my (then) boyfriends motorbike when I was 17 (1978). I fell in love with the country, jam, and the smell of coffee from the Cafe’s. You remind me of happy times and your e-mails share life in the now written beautifully.
I travel to see retired folk in their homes for a charity to help them sort out problems, I’d love to travel the world but now know my family has lived in this part of England over 400 years and hardly moved 10 miles! My husband is unique, he started something called Men in Sheds in 2009 the first in Britain (Australia have Men’s Sheds) it’s a place for Men to have fun do woodworking, make new friends and socialise if you are 55 plus.
The happiest of anniversaries, Kristi. I admire your talent, your patience, your sense of fun, your little insecurities, your good looks and mostly your perseverence for keeping your nose to the grindstone these last eight years. Thanks for providing us with an entertaining as well as educational insight into your ever changing, always exciting life. I’ve been so lucky to be able to share a few of these experiences with you and your family and look forward to our continued friendship. I share this space with an illustrious group of your followers and suffice it to say that I’m a devotée of the French lifestyle and language. I enjoy good food, good wine (of course)and great fellowship. For others’ benefit, I worked in the airline industry for over 25 years and have traveled quite extensively. I’ve lived in England for awhile (live in Oklahoma now) and spend my time visiting friends I’ve accumulated over the years, who live in France, England, Germany, Wales and in numerous states across the U.S. Needless to say, I’m not home very much! Keep up the excellent work, Kristi and I will continue to follow you as you keep celebrating those anniversaries!
Bonjour! I’m a French teacher in Indiana and I follow your blog to enjoy your vocabulary lessons and beautiful photos.
Salut Kristin,
Don’t people like writing about themselves, and not surprisingly I am no exception.I am a retired widower (46 years of a great marriage and suddenly living alone). I first lived in France between 1960 and 1963 in Fontainebleau when I was in the RAF. I do own (well share ownership) of a patent for an invention, unfortunately it’s not a vacuum cleaner but it helps the pension. I have helped out with English classes at a local school and still work hard at my French, travel as much as I can, take photographs (not as well as yourself), look after my 4000m3 garden, read what I consider to be good authors (in French and English) and generally try not to concern myself with things I cannot influence. I have enjoyed (and continue to enjoy) your blog for a long time now and trust it will continue to entertain me.
Best wishes to you and your family, including Braise and Smokey,
Mike.
Bonjour Kristin,
Happy anniversary!…What light and love and humor you bring to us all each week from your lovely home and region.
Merci beacoup! I thought of you yesterday as the winds blew close to 70 mph here in Boulder. Good preparation for the mistral for us one day.
I have been reading your blog for many years and treasure your book. I so enjoy your stories, photos and willingness to share your adventurous life with all of us.
Such a delight and full of insights and cheer. I have recommended your book and web site to our French Club friends. Try to arrange for a visit to Denver/Boulder if you can sometime!
We finally returned to France in September, visiting friends in the Loire and a lovely time strolling beaches, cafes and the beautiful villages of Normandie and the Charente. We did not make it South on this trip, however. Mostly, we savored a much needed vacation and did a bit of fun house hunting. The flowers were still so gorgeous.
I hope your harvest season went really well?
I know we will meet here or there one day, hopefully soon. I am working on plans to return already.
All the best to you and your family, furr children included bien sur. Yes, celebrate this marvelous anniversary day, so well deserved.
Bravo…amicalement,
Bonjour and congratulations Kristin on 8 years of this Blog.
I discovered you via word of mouth before embarking on my own “year in provence’. As I followed your posts and experienced the same mistral, the same full moon and the the endless rows of vines, your stories and photos became part of my experience too. Three years later, you remain my favorite bookmark and through your stories, the colors of provence still glow in my heart and mind. Now for that writer’s tea we’ve talked about…
Fondly, Kim
Portland, Oregon
Hello Kristin,
I too live in Colorado. I began traveling to France with a group of artists in 1992 and painting plein aire in Auvillar, France. I became a Francoholic and early on included reading your words as part of my addiction. I retired from teaching art full time, (now only once a week to les enfants) . I am a pastelist,if you were to drop into Denver Friday you could come to an opening of my work and others at Aum Gallery. I also have a blog about color and outre choses – http://www.colorcreates-pastelsdaysplaces.blogsot.com. Thanks for the opportunity and generosity!
Joyeux anniversaire! I love reading your blog. It keeps me attached to France and the French Language. We haven’t been back to Paris in 18 months and miss it. I’m an artist, a woman of a certain age, love to read, travel, and am taking Spanish classes, which have deliciously helped my French. Go figure. I have 2 blogs, one just for recipes, and 2 adult offspring, who keep me digitally smart. I think your photos are an inspiration. Keep up the good work. PS I have all of your books, too.
Bonjour Kristin,
I studied French for over 7 years and now that I work a regular 8-5 job I miss speaking/learning/writing French! I would like to think one day I will teach the French language! I lived in Germany when my husband was in the Army and took every chance I had to visit France. Now I live in the states and read your blog to keep a little bit of French in my life while I help put my husband through pharmacy school. Right now I read your blog from work but soon I will be reading it from home on maternity leave for a few months!
Thanks for sharing and allowing all of us to have a slice of French life in our day!
Happy Anniversary Kristin. I love reading your blog about your French life and garden of delights there – trying also a bit of tackling the language. I spent 3-1/2 glorious fall weeks in Paris and the countryside in 1997. Trekking home with my photographs, watercolors of the wine country around Nuit Saint Georges and beyond. Aaahhh.. I was depressed for six month after my return to US and thus departed to Hawaii in 2004 presently blogging and photographing, & painting my life here. Stay inspired, keep gracing us with your work… savouring the heart of France…Merci Beaucoup!!