I realize most of you can't drop everything and jet over to Paris, but if you happen to be there already I would love to meet you! Feb 6th at 6:30 For more info RSVP at rmkatsaros@yahoo.com Now about that mystery man mentioned in today's title. I need your help to tell his story! So please read today's column and let me know how I may … Continue reading Champagne party & Kristi’s book signing in Paris + mystery man
Looking in our kitchen window, Smokey says, "Ever seen those signs in French restaurants: "Nous acceptons les Tickets Restaurant?" "Yes, Smokey dear, I've seen those stickers in the window–but you don't need a ticket to eat at this greasy spoon! Now take a seat and I'll be right out with your Croquettes du Jour!" (Photo taken after Friday's storm, which took down our bougainvillea. But it was … Continue reading Paris meet-up! + “Ticket Restaurant”: an idea worth spreading?
If flowers could talk (and who says they can't) then these are shouting ALLEZ ZOU! After oggling this sunshiny plant forever–and owning it, for a time–I broke down and ordered the Helianthus grosseserratus or "sawtooth sunflower" seeds. If you, like me, believe your garden or balcony or windowbox cannot live without this jumble of happiness, then order some seeds like I just did! And now … Continue reading Winetasting invitation! + “Allez, zou!”
The James Dean of France… and why I'm not a cougar–in today's post. Read on! maman poule (mah-mahn-pool) : mother hen You can also say "une mère poule." Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc Download MP3 or Wav file Une maman poule c'est une femme qui couve trop–ou surprotège–ses enfants. Alors qu'est-ce que c'est une femme poule? Cette expression n'existe pas. Mais le personnage, oui! D'après mon … Continue reading Not a cougar! A “wife hen”! + James Dean in France!
One thing I love about studying French is the opportunity to improve my English! Just this morning I learned of another set of words I've been confounding all along. Thank you, Charles, who responded to my post "Zipper Politics." Charles writes: You mention journalists having a heyday, but the correct expression is "field day." You were confusing heyday with field day. Merci encore, Charles! Considering … Continue reading One good reason to learn French!
Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise. You can't help but want to snap a picture of the sign when ambling through Shakepeare and Company in Paris. But did you know it's forbidden to take pictures inside the famous bookstore? Then again, the French are not known to behave in public. Case in point: France's president–who was spotted in the wee … Continue reading Zipper politics in France (!)
Smokey and the Beanstalk… this snapshot reminds me of a favorite fairy tale. (Pictured: the near transparent "mangetout" bean that sprang up in December–alongside the wire fence of the dogs' pen. I love the camera perspective. Had the lens been moved that much more we might have placed Smokey on a branch… and sent him on a celestial journey. To think that even a slight … Continue reading mangetout + the thrill of sowing seeds
Some pictures from home, and, as Maurice Chevalier would say, thank heaven for little girls. une fillette (fee-ette) : a little girl : a cowardly man The term fillette also refers to a small bottle, especially in regards to wine. Audio File: listen to the French word fillette (file by Wikipedia): Improve your French pronunciation with Exercises in French Phonetics A Day in a French … Continue reading How to say “little girl” (or small bottle) in French: une fillette + Maternal instinct
Welcome home! Lily the 4-month-old huntress tiger greets Smokey–who returned home safely after Monday's great escape. More in today's story column. éplucher (ay-ploo-shay) 1. to peel, to pare (fruits, vegetable); to shuck (remove corn husk) 2. to comb through (documents, files) Listen: hear the French word éplucher:Audio File from Wikipedia: For more pronunciation help, check out the guide Exercises in French … Continue reading To peel or to pare or to shuck in French: éplucher + new video!
"Smokey's Temptation" La galette des rois was not planned. I'd gone to the supermarché for eggs–to mix in with three overripe bananas (for sweet bread). Only, when I pushed my cart into Carrefour I saw the traditional stuffed cakes. "When is the actual date for eating these?" I asked the pretty check-out lady. "Epiphany," she said. " "When's Epiphany?" I wondered. "Today," she said. "…I … Continue reading Recipe: bacon-wrapped prunes – Pruneaux au lard fumé + the French word “serviable” and a lesson worth learning!
