My beautiful sister, and Mom's first-born, Heidi (right). Our mom, Jules, painted the quail and my mother-in-law, Michèle-France, gave me the owl (next to the rosary and the purse). Voilà… just another family photo. Do you sniff homesickness? 127 Things to do in Paris! Thanks for continuing to share your excellent tips on where to go and what to see in France's most beloved city. Click … Continue reading La soeur – sister in French
When Paris looks a little like Provence. Note the subtle details: the outside-the-window cloth blinds, the "pigeon discourager" (can you see those sharp little pins on the window ledge?) the peek inside the stylish interior… TODAY'S WORDmal barré (mal-baray) DEFINITONup the creek, in big trouble, screwed AUDIO FILE: listen to Jean-Marc read the French words below: Download MP3 or Wav file c'est mal barré = it's not looking … Continue reading mal barre = up the creek, in big trouble, screwed
Le vélo = popular transportation when in Paris. Bonjour! We are working on another city guide and when I say “we” I mean you and me! If you have been to Paris recently please help us out by sharing: hotel or apartment or B&B suggestions restaurants, cafés, bistros nightclubs, theaters, shows unique shops, bookstores… kids or teens – fun stuff and ideas for young ones … Continue reading Things to Do in Paris – 2013
Thank you for your interest in helping to support this free word journal. Donations can be made via Paypal, which accepts most credit card payments. Click on the amount you would like to donate: $10 $25 $50 $100 click here to enter an amount not listed above Continue reading Donate
Thank you very much for your donation to French Word-A-Day! Since 2002 reader support has helped keep this free word journal going. Pictured: our old home in Sainte Cécile. We moved away from this vineyard in August 2012. Continue reading Thank you!
That's Mama Braise and she's got two wildflowers just for you. Do you know what kind they are? Reaching my ankle, they are low to the ground (unlike poppies, which would have been my guess… ) Click here to classify this fleur sauvage in the comments box. un méli-mélo (may-lee-may-loh) : a collection of miscellany; mishmash, hodgepodge : chaos; muddle Cool! While researching … Continue reading Un meli-melo – a collection of miscellany, hodgepodge
Photo of mailboxes taken in Marseilles, in 2003 To reach Kristin, please use this address: kristin.espinasse AT gmail.com (replace “AT” with @) Note: Have a question? Check out the FAQs page. Continue reading contact
My mother-in-law's French is so colorful and I love to listen to her stories — no matter how many times she repeats herself! Jean-Marc's mom, Michèle-France, has a great sense of humor and does not take herself too seriously, either. She is a real moulin-à -paroles, or chatterbox, but when my ears go numb I can always tell her to zip it! and she won't … Continue reading Un feuilleton: French for soap opera + recipe for Pumpkin-Ginger soup
One of the "séquelles" that remain after the two-dog attack on Smokey (years ago!) is that hanging tongue. Read about another, in today's story. une séquelle (say-kel) : aftereffect, aftermath scar, legacy Une séquelle est une lésion qui persiste après la guérison d'une maladie ou blessure. Mot également utilisé lorsque l'on parle d'une conséquence plus ou moins lointaine qui est le contrecoup d'un évènement, d'une … Continue reading Une sequelle: The aftermath or scars after an accident
Ride on! I mean, write on… difficulties, barriers, discouragement, and all. More, in today's story column, below. (Picture of our daughter, Jackie) une embûche (ahm-bewsh) : pitfall, obstacle; difficulty; piège, or trap set for someone Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's word and the following examples: Download MP3 or Wav file semer d'embûches = to load/fill with obstacles/challengesune question pleine d'embûches = a loaded question A … Continue reading Une embuche: Obstacle, pitfall, difficulty in French + My Writing Process, deadlines, and How to finish a post
