Month: September 2013

La Soupe au Pistou

bonne lecture + a newly-released memoir that will satisfy your hunger for France (and maybe even andouillette)

Today's story and photos are by Ann Mah, whose Paris memoir is out now! If you love France, language, and food, you will appreciate Mastering the Art of French Eating! Wishing you 'bonne lecture.' bonne lecture (bown-leh-ktewr)     : happy reading, enjoy the story or article or paper Audio File/Example Sentance: Download MP3 or Wav file En vous souhaitant bonne lecture.Wishing you happy reading.Exercises in French Phonics - read … Continue reading bonne lecture + a newly-released memoir that will satisfy your hunger for France (and maybe even andouillette)

Kristin Espinasse32 Comments
Readers

reconfort: a farewell to a reader with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease

Bon voyage, chère Mélo. If you only knew how much you meant to me–je te garderai dans mon coeur pour toujours. Our dear friend and fellow Francophile, Mélanie, passed away September 23rd after surviving 18 years with the neurodegenerative disease known as ALS. Melanie will be honored in a ceremony on Monday. In case, like me, you struggle to find words to comfort a family in … Continue reading reconfort: a farewell to a reader with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease

Kristin Espinasse212 Comments
Italy, Marriage

tenir la route

I still can't believe this hunka hunka burning love (as one of my endearing readers calls Jean-Marc), yes I couldn't believe it then and now, 23-years later… I still can't believe he loves me. Happy anniversary, Baby. We celebrated our 19-year- wedding anniversary (the date we exchanged religious vows), on Sept 24th. Jean-Marc is reading "Mastering the Art of French Eating," by Ann Mah. Highly … Continue reading tenir la route

Kristin Espinasse126 Comments
Fashion, French Destinations, Recycling, sustainability

How to say zipper + recycle or repair your shoes! + Comps-sur-Artuby

A cobbled path leading to church in the village of Comps-sur-Arturby. More photos at the end of this edition. Today we are talking about repairing or recycling clothing. Please join the discussion, sharing your experience and ideas for staying stylishly up-to-date–while minding ecology and the economy. Provence Villa Rental Luberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, 5 baths; gourmet kitchen, covered terrace & pool. Views of Roussillon. Click here.   … Continue reading How to say zipper + recycle or repair your shoes! + Comps-sur-Artuby

Kristin Espinasse58 Comments
French Destinations, Grignan, Plants

Pictures from Grignan + an emergency visit to the vet–and the French word “epillet”

 Sweet 16! Today, September 18th, is Jackie's birthday and we've had chocolate cake for breakfast and look forward to Chinese food for dinner. (Meantime she's begun another day at fashion school. But after our dog's recent drama, and Jackie's hands-on response, I think she'd make a great veterinarian! Read on, in today's French infused story column…. un épillet (ay-pee-leh)     : foxtail or grass … Continue reading Pictures from Grignan + an emergency visit to the vet–and the French word “epillet”

Kristin Espinasse128 Comments
French Destinations, Le Vieux Cannet

What does the French word “micmac” mean?

At play in the perched village of Le Vieux Cannet. Mom and I strolled through this town and took these pictures in 2006. Le Vieux Cannet is close Les Arcs-sur-Argens–where we lived for a time. More photos at the end of this post.  France and Monaco Rentals: short-term holiday rental properties throughout France. Click here for pictures.   un micmac (mik-mak)     : an intrigue, … Continue reading What does the French word “micmac” mean?

Kristin Espinasse56 Comments
Uncategorized

Photos of Roquemaure + souvenir: remembering September 11th, 2001

Do you believe someone watches over us? Photo taken the town of Roquemaure. le souvenir (sooveh-neer)     : memory, recollection Audio file: listen to Jean-Marc read the example sentence below: Download mp3 or Wav file  Hier soir, nous avons regardé un film en souvenir des attentats du 11 Septembre 2001.Last night, we watched a film in memory of September 11th, 2001.  The latest edition of Pronounce it … Continue reading Photos of Roquemaure + souvenir: remembering September 11th, 2001

Kristin Espinasse152 Comments
French Destinations, Grimaud

Pictures of Grimaud + conjugation

Grimaud. Did you know the Gulf of St. Tropez was once called the Gulf of Grimaud? Gives you an idea of its importance. The Grimaldi family once had ties here, which may account for its rank as one of the wealthiest villages is the region (surpassing even "St. Trop").  For no particular reason (except that my computer is full of photo archives that I haven't … Continue reading Pictures of Grimaud + conjugation

Kristin Espinasse60 Comments
Little Calamities

une mare

I didn't have the chance to run this by Mom and get her permission to post her photo… so I'm taking advantage of the fact that her computer is broken. She can kill me later (for the fabricated "rain dance" caption) when her laptop is repaired and she catches up on all the missed editions of French Word-A-Day. I know she misses the stories–and especially … Continue reading une mare

Kristin Espinasse82 Comments
French Destinations, French Islands, Port Cros

kif-kif! + list of Arabic words you will hear when in France

The island of Port-Cros, where those who love nature roam…. This protected site, off the coast of Hyères, is a protected paradise. Put this one on your bucket list — unless you suffer from island fever or prefer to lick windows ("shop", that is) when on vacation. Only one boutique on this island–and it sells foutas. Read on. Provence Villa Rental Luberon luxury home; 4 bedrooms, … Continue reading kif-kif! + list of Arabic words you will hear when in France

Kristin Espinasse58 Comments