Proud wife, or femme fière. I snapped this picture last July, during a special dinner, in Colmar, in honor Chief Grape! Given today's theme (which is partly on focusing), I hope this picture fits the bill—j'espère que celle-là fera l'affaire! P.S. If you are looking for a cozy and delicious restaurant-bistro in Colmar, Jean-Marc and I very much enjoyed Mina and Jérôme's warm welcome at La Cocotte de Grand-Mère!
Bonne et heureuse année
: best wishes for a good and happy new year
Audio File: Listen to the following "good wishes" letter: Download MP3 file or Wav file
Bonjour les amis!
Just a little mot for you today, as we are heading to Aunt Marie-Françoise and Uncle Jean-Claude's for lunch! I can't wait to see them as well as their lovely daughter, Cousin Audrey, who is in from Italy—and with her handsome boyfriend, Julian (non, il n'est pas italien!).
I leave you with these meilleurs voeux:
Bonne et heureuse Année 2012.
Have a good and happy 2012.Concentrez-vous sur les bonnes choses!
Keep focused on the good!(et soyez sage, aussi!)
(and be good, too!)
Bien amicalement,
Kristin & Jean-Marc
Le Coin Commentaires
To leave a comment, click here. We would love to hear from you! Be sure to note your city (my dad loves to know this part!)
Note: in cased you missed it, the highlighted names in today's story will take you to the following posts:
Aunt Marie-Francoise = click on the previous link to read about a family tradition of making lavender wands! Also see a beautiful picture of my aunt-in-law!
Cousin Audrey = read about the tender complicity that I share with Jean-Marc's youngest cousin.
Uncle Jean-Claude = discover this family's vineyard in the historic village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape
French Vocabulary
le mot = word
non, il n'est pas italien = no, he is not Italian
les meilleurs voeux = best wishes
bien amicalement = best wishes, yours
BOOK GIVEAWAY! Julie Mautner at The Provence Post wrote a very kind review of French Word-A-Day in her latest post. Read it and enter to win a copy of Blossoming in Provence!
Click here to go to the book giveaway post.
Two things are helping me to keep that inner joy going in the new year: 1) a change of perspective 2) focus (on the good). Here Mama Braise and Son Smokey illustrate these tips…
Mama Braise: "Smokey! Keep your chin up. Eyes high on the horizon, Son!"
"Atta-boy!" (Mama Braise, right. Son Smokey, Left). If you are new to French Word-A-Day, you might not be aware of Smokey's near-death experience (read about it here). Mr. Smokey R. Dokey is quite an inspiration for all who are trying to heal.
How will you keep that inner joie kindled in the new year? I'd love to know your secret for a peaceful heart. Comments welcome here.
A Word About Some of the Ads You See on This Blog
I received the following letter last week:
"Very disappointing to see a political ad on your blog. This is a sensitive time in America politically and financially. Seeing the Warren ad on your blog, has given me pause to continue with your blog…"
Please note that some of the ads you see at French Word-A-Day are automatically generated, by Google! Thank you for your understanding and very sorry if some of the ads are inappropriate or not to your liking. —Kristin
To leave a comment on this topic, click here.
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Good morning France! I hope you have a wonderful visit with family and return with more stories to share with us. I am up late and have never been your first post of the day. I am excited! High Point, N.C. has been unseasonably warm and we are expecting two days of “cold” weather. A balmy high of 43 degrees. Makes my friends in Florida shiver! Can you share a favorite family winter recipe? I need to mix things up a bit.
Good morning Kristi — and a happy New Year to you and Jean-Marc. Enjoy a glass or two of the good Banneret Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Concerning the ads on your blog, I can tell you that I see Danish ads her (for instance for weight loss!) that viewers in the US or France won’t see. We’ll just have to live with it.
Copenhagen weather is clear and 8 degrees C.
Ooops: It is ‘here’!
How to keep that inner joie? Rise above it! Que sera! (easier said than done…)
Bonne année et bonne santé! 🙂 Gaye
Bonne Annee to you and your family, Kristin, and I hope you’re having a fun holiday with your tante, oncle and cousine! Here in the Finger Lakes region of upstate NY, we’re poised to receive our first real snowfall of the season after enjoying very mild temps. It’s a far cry from January in Paradise Valley, but such is life in the northeast, n’est-ce pas?
Re the ads, I do notice them sometimes, but really only if one strikes my fancy. I usually ignore the others…
Bonne annee a tous!
Good evening (as it’s nightime here in Auckland New Zealand….and also summer too!) That bit was for your Dad kristi.
Re: the inner joie….I “try” to think of what I have, and not of what I haven’t.. also try to think that many are worse off than I.
It doesn’t always work…but gets me “thinking”.
Much love and happiness to you and yours in that lovely country you are living in.
Anne
From Roussillion (for your Dad !) A Very Happy, Prosperous & Healthy New Year to you & yours .
Looking forward to your ‘words’ this year.
Meilleurs vœux
Audrey
Checking in here from Everafter Farm in Shushan, New York [upstate, hi Dad!] Wishing you and your family the Bonnest Année ever!! Also to my new best friend, Jules :))
Your book arrived Friday, and Saturday morning found my husband and I drinking coffee in bed, flipping through the book, looking at pictures, oohing and ahhing. Of the cover, he [the pro photographer]
said nodding ” Wish I’d taken that.” I haven’t started reading yet with all the New Years hoopla, but will do so soon!
Love you, dear,
dawne
Happy New Year Kristin and family, from Graham in Aussac-Vadlle in the Charente. You brighten every day with your Word-a-Day, no matter what the weather!
Good morning, Kristin.
Our weather in Maryland (DC) was in the 50s. Not what you expect January 1st!
Ways I keep my inner joy is to just breathe when things don’t go the way I wish and find something positive in the situation. Reminding myself how much I have – that gratitude journal comes in handy! My two cats, Henri and Blanche, are also a wonderful source of joy whether they are pulling pom poms off of my Christmas tree skirt (sigh..) or curling up on top of me while we both take a nap.
I can’t wait to start diving into your book tonight – one of my resolutions this year is to read more and I’m starting with yours!
I wish all the best to you and your family in the New Year, Kristin!
Much luv, peace, and music,
Janine
Happy New Year to you, Kristin, and to all here at FWAD. I love your wish for us to keep focused on the good AND to be good. Just yesterday I ran across an internet article explaining How to be Good! Yes, there is a “how to” site for just about everything out there! http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Good
To keep my inner joie kindled this year, I’ve promised myself 1. to begin yoga & meditation practice that will helpfully enable me to slow down and capture more life moments and 2. to GIVE more (because giving to others brings joy to yourself, too.)
re:ads on the blog. I never even notice them. If you’re on the internet, you’d better learn to block them out of your sight. Plus, the whole world is facing sensitive political and financial times! Not just the U.S.!
Good luck with all of the resolutions for inner joy!!
Bonne Année to you and all your family, too. Your book arrived at the end of last week and it is beautiful and fabulous!! The best ever. Even though I am familiar with almost every story, I am enjoying reading them all again and love the layout, too.
May 2012 bring all of you happiness, good health, peace, and good times together.
Sending you and your family all the best for 2012, from Toronto CA
Re. The ads. I have bought all of your books but also appreciate that in order to keep your blog coming to my mailbox there will be those pesky ads. I’m learning to simply ignore them…
Also, I copied a friend who during November did a daily Facebook post on something she was thankful for in her life. I did the same for 30 days and found that it was easy, making me realize how I am incredibly blessed…to have clean water coming out of my faucet, the sense of sight so that I can appreciate cloud formations, the list goes on. Inner joy doesn’t need to come from something big.
Bonne Année, Kristin, to you and your family! Your book is on it’s way via Amazon. Can’t wait to read it! Your blog has enriched my life in so many ways…
Re the political ads; what you have received is an example of the intolerance we are seeing in the US toward any political opinion other than our own. So easy to just ignore, yet some people want to censor our every thought.
To quote a reader..the BONNEST OF ANNEES….which went out as AMBER in several text messages. Georgia is warmer than usual…but we had a nice grey winter day for Jan. 1. Off to show houses. Enjoy …. gratitude is an attitude.
Happy New Year, Kristin (((hug))).
Thank you for the sweetness and gentleness you bring into my day …
Closing formulas of letters. The imperative is used to close almost all letters in French, from the most perfunctiory commercial or formal letters to all but the most intimate. These closings are followed immediately by the signature.
Recevez, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.
Veuillez agréer, monsieur, l’expression de mes sentiments distingués.
Veuillez croire, chère Madame, à l’expression de ma sincère reconnaissance.
Recevez, Madame, mes hommages respectueux.
A very happy 2012 !
I am at Nuevo Vallarta for the Holidays and I will go to Puerto Vallarta, at the beachfront, to try to run into an elegant lady selling ice to eskimos…
Bisous, besitos !
Ads? What ads? I don’t see any ads! :o) Of course, I am saying that although I see them, I ignore them. It’s like listening to the pleas of children for the latest must-have fad. I’ve learned to turn them off.
Chere Kristi,
Your 21 day book arrived (2 copies) and 2 days later it had been read cover to cover. Almost all of your petites contes were re-reads, 2 or 3 at the most were new to this faithful reader, and every one brought pleasure. Comme toujours, Fred
Wow, Amazon is really on top of things. Didn’t order my two books until Dec 21 and they arrived Dec. 24 (In time for Christmas!!). I’ve enjoyed perusing my copy and gave the second to some colleagues from Nantes who are stateside for a few months.
Oh, and the ad that popped up on my screen today was “Date Women Over 50!” How does google now my gender, my marital status, and my age? Did George Orwell know that “Big Brother” would be spelled “Google”?
Bonne année and meilleurs voeux à tous!
Bonne et heureuse annee to you and your family! Hope you enjoy your day visiting the family. Here it is an unseasonable warm 84 degrees Fahrenheit in San Diego! I am gearing up to go back to work tomorrow and am looking forward to sharing more of your wonderful blogs and pictures with my students!
I don’t really notice or pay attention to other ads. On several occasions, I’ve bought things from the FWAD site.
Reading just one or two stories a night before bed (to make the book last), I’m halfway through Blossoming in Provence. I’m already hoping that another book will follow sooner or later, though maybe created in more than 21 days.
Having gone through a difficult patch medically last year, I’m pleased to start this year off in good health, and with a job, finally, after a long period of unemployment. It’s very easy to take things for granted.
Do any of you make New Year’s resolutions? Do the French do that? I’m resolving several things, among them to complain less, and to be more economical (car insurance will rise dramatically when my son gets his license). Above all, to savor every moment.
I’m very glad that FWAD is part of my life, and hope eventually to meet the whole family.
Meilleurs voeux pour l’annee 2012!
Happy New Year Kristi from Yvonne Thibodeaux from Lafayette, LA.
I grew up speaking Cajun French with my parents, but unfortunately because of lack of practice, I’ve forgotten a lot. Your Word A Day and Blossoming in Provence is bringing it all back! Thanks so much, keep up the good work, and best wishes to you and your family.
Happy New Year!
From Douglasville, GA (west side of Atlanta)
Many good things for you and you family, Kristin this year and all years to come.
As for the ‘ads’…I do not worry over them…I understand about Google ads…they do as they wish. I know you have very little control as to what they decide to put. And every cent matters. no worries:)
Thank you for you…and thank you for this blog!
I was pleased to see the Warren ad. As your poster said, “sensitive times in America.” It is good to see that some, like Elizabeth Warren are THINKING about the problems. I especially enjoyed following your medical experience, having had a similar one within the French health care system. I’ve detailed on my own blog. I live half the year in Paris, and would make the complete transition if I could. I enjoy the language aspect of your site, but the cultural aspects interest me more. Thanks for the effort.
Aloha .. New Years Day on Kauai was absolutely beautiful. Brilliant sun, blue water, and emerald green everywhere .. accented by a proliferation of orchids blooming throughout the yard. Yet, with all that natural beauty surrounding me, I did think a cup of chocolate with petite breakfast baguette would be excellent. Seems to be the Human Thing .. always wanting what we don’t have. Spoiled little Humans! Happy New Year Kristin, Jean-Marc, Jules, et everyone. Wishing each of you Great Health, Wealth, & Happines in 2012. Pray for Peace. Aloha, Bill Facker
a happy, healthy new year for you and your loved one.
cigalechanta(mimi) here in Cambridge, Ma,USA
De mon charmant village du Québec, je te souhaite à toi et à ta famille, une BONNE ET HEUREUSE ANNÉE! Qu’elle soit remplie de santé, de joies, de plaisirs, de bonheur. Que 2012 vous apporte la réalisation de vos RÊVES, même les plus fous !
Amicalement,
Claudette H. Kunsay
Bonjour, Kristin from Cary, North Carolina. My ongoing theme and mantra during these turbulent times is to return to plain old “gratitude” and to all the levels that it applies!
Enjoying your wonderful new book and passed another along to a friend.
Happy and healthy New Year to you and yours!
Happy New Year to you and yours. I try think of five good things about each day as I ‘m drifting off to sleep. If we stay in each moment, hectic or peaceful, we learn a lot about ourselves. To your inner peace and good health in 2012 .
Jackie in Calif.
Happy New Year to your beautiful self and your awesome family! It was a fun, but noisy celebration here in Austin, TX. The fireworks at midnight surrounded our home — beautiful but so loud.
My inner peace comes from trust in the Lord and doing His will. It’s amazing what happens in your life when you do these things! Amazing. 😉
Happy New Year Kristin & to your family. I had never read about Smokey, how heartbreaking. I am so glad he survived and is well.
Just got your book, can’t wait to start.
I look forward to your columns —– thank you so much. Your lovely prose, warmth & positive words are wonderful. You bring it all to life for me.
Be well!
This is from our church’s Ensign magazine, December 2011 — an excellent way to refocus:
Take a Gratitude Challenge
By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat
Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds like it is too many, try this:
1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
7. Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.
8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for.
10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.
When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us.
Kristin:
Bonne annee to you and your family.
Here’s to a healthy and happy 2012!
We just got a note from our son’s French inlaws wishing us a “bonne annee” from St Etienne where they live. We hope to get back to France one of these days.
Edie from Savannah
Chère Kristin, je te souhaite, ainsi qu’à toute la tribu Espinasse, et ta belle maman Jules…
une excellente année 2012, Santé, Bonheur et Reussite pour tous.
Très amicalement.
Enjoy your blogs very much.
Pls include the translation for the restaurant names such as La Cocotte de Grand-mere. Thanx, Laura
Happy, Happy New Year, Kristin! May 2012 be fabulous, loving, healthy, fun and profitable!
All the best,
Linda
Happy 2012 to you and your family. We hope it is filled with all the things that mean the most to you and your family.
We are a group from White Rock,B.C. Canada that visited your beautiful winery in May, 2010 and dream about seeing Chief Grape again. We are looking on coming in May 2013 and staying at the farmhouse recommend on your website. We stayed at Mas Monique in 2010 and had a wonderful time.
I love reading all about your adventures.
Take care of yourselves
Dan and Marilyn Murphy
Ads? All I see are long lists of books about France, French words, some recipe books. Now that I look, I see two white strips of google ads, and half of them are for word reference books. One is a little late or a lot early, for Christmas cards. Interesting how those vary for each reader.
Bonne année 2012!
Sarah near Chicago,
where winter cold has just arrived, with below freezing temperature and some wind.
Happy New Year!
I really don’t see the ads funny how I am only interested in the story and the comments. Ha, ha
We are having near 80 today in Phoenix, AZ.
I wish all FWAD friends and great 2012!
xoxo
Bonne Annee a vous aussi! I am buying two of your books today – one for me, and one for a friend. She’s an aspiring writer, too, and also married to a French man. They live here in Napa, and, oddly enough, he’s also in the wine industry (a vineyard manager). Here’s to a wonderful 2012!
Happy New Year! We enjoyed a bottle of Lunatique which was magnifique for Christmas dinner. Thank you, Jean-Marc and everyone who helped you in the vineyards!
As is our holiday tradition, we are planning next autumn’s vacation. Back to Provence … the Luberon this time (thank you and JM for your recommendations for the area around Bandol so maybe another year). We will be close enough to visit you again.
Love to you and all of the Espinasse famille.
How to keep the warmth of inner joie going? Remember that 2011 was a year of affirmation that dark chocolate, wine, and travel are good for us! Know that this year will hold similar joys. And don’t spend energy on the hope/thought/wish that the past will change. Happy New Year, Kristin!
Connie in Portland
Happiest of New Year Wishes to you and all of yours 🙂
OXOX
Missy
Happy New Year and New Perspectives to you and your lovely family, Kristin, including Jules and her husband, your father and his wife, and your sister and her family . . . AND (whew) to all of Jean-Marc’s much-beloved family.
Love,
The Scott family: Ralph, Diane, Annalise, Amy, Ralph IV, and Will
Blossoming in Provence was on my doorstep when we returned from a gorgeous trip to Santa Barbara. I’m devouring it and agree with the wonderful reviews. You have a way of squeezing my heart (and the tears from my eyes) with some of your stories.
A new year mantra for you ~ All shall be well and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well!
Ton amie, Jan, from Danville, CA
I enjoy your blog advertisments and all- I think we all become overly sensitive to a lot of things. Have a wonderful New Year and no need for apologies.
Bonne Annee to you and your family and to all of the FWAD readers. May Peace, Love, Joy and Happiness find its way into your life and those around you.
The weather has been mild here in Madison, Connecticut, except for the Hurricane in September and the freak snowstorm we had at the end of October. A couple of nights have gotten down to the 20’s, but it really has been quit warm for this time of the year.
Received you book and will start reading it tonight.
Merci, Gordon Lyman, for sharing The Gratitude Challenge with us.