A woman's work is never done. Personally, I'll take the job of hanging out laundry… and let my husband patch up the concrete! (Photo taken in Croatia, a few summers ago…) se tromper (seuh-trom-pay) : to be mistaken, to be wrong tout le monde peut se tromper = anyone can make a mistakesi je ne me trompe = if I'm not mistakense tromper d'heure … Continue reading se tromper
Does the Christmas rush "kill" the joy of the holidays? And re gift-giving, how much is too much and how little, too little? or is it all just over the top? Are we remembering the reason for the season? Read on in today's story column. tuer (too-ay) : to kill tuer le temps = to kill time Reverse Dictionary killjoy (spoilsport) = un(e) … Continue reading Cadeau: My Daughter’s Christmas “Liste de Voeux”
A sea urchin, or oursin, is very prickly. You wouldn't want to step on one while wading out to sea! Today's popular French expression has a funny take on these underwater creatures… avoir des oursins dans les poches : to be stingy ("to have sea urchins in one's pockets") A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse The other day, while allowing … Continue reading avoir des oursins dans les poches
Looking out towards Cairanne, a nearby village aube (ohb) noun, feminine : dawn, daybreak Le jour vient après l'aube.Day follows dawn. A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse If you were sitting here with me now, facing this blank screen, you might be tempted to do as I am doing… and let your eyes travel over to the porte-fenêtre, beyond … Continue reading aube
Part of this photo will appear in the book "Blossoming in Provence". Note: all book pictures will be in black and white (I want to keep down the purchase price of the book. To fill it with color photos would greatly increase the cost for readers). si (see) : if *Note: "si" means "yes" when used to answer a negative question.ex. Tu n'as pas encore … Continue reading si
When this madcap publishing adventure is over, can we all just sit down and have a drink together? Speaking of sipping, here's a word from Chief Grape: Invite Rouge-Bleu wines to your table for Thanksgiving. They will assure you great success, even if you burn the Turkey. Click here to locate them or Email Chief Grape if you can't find a local retailer. Thanks for your support. fignolage (fee-nyo-lazh) … Continue reading fignolage
Tip: take a break from the current "book publishing" theme by simply reading the stories that follow, below. In the stories "Foi" and "Conjoint" you will continue to build your French vocabulary, while in "Envie" you can read about longing. Mas la Monaque - rent this beautifully restored 17-century farmhouse! Click here for photos and availability. s'envoyer des fleurs : to pat oneself on the … Continue reading s’envoyer des fleurs & a request for blurbs!
Please stick with me on this French word journey. The current theme, "publishing", will come to a close soon… and we'll be back with more colorful episodes "in a French life"! croire (kwahr) : to believe I don't even know which day of the 21 Day Publishing Challenge today is (Day 11? Day 12?)! I think the deadline is one week from Wednesday, … Continue reading croire
I am deeply grateful to all readers who have answered my call for edits! Thank you very much for the time and effort you have put into helping me locate typos and grammatical errors! I now ask you to put your name, only (no messages please, just your name as you would like it to appear), in the following comments box. Now listen up: by … Continue reading Acknowledgments (Blossoming in Provence)
Is it really possible to publish a book in 21 days? I'm taking heart that it is. Meantime, a certain heart is taking me…. Read today's story. qui réchauffe le coeur (kee-ray-showf-leuh-ker) : heartwarming A Day in a French Life… by Kristin EspinasseThe Original "Editorial Sweethearts" This story is dedicated to William C. Myers, or "Behind the Scenes Bill", who undertook the colossal task, … Continue reading qui rechauffe le coeur
