Month: June 2014

Uncategorized

Mom goes missing – and What does “quiproquo” mean in French?

"Smokey and the Sunflower Stalk." The day Mom flew home our giant tournesol blossomed. But the joy Mom left in her wake turned into something else…. quiproquo (kee-proh-koh)     : mistaken identity Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following example sentence:Download MP3 or Wav file Un quiproquo est un malentendu qui fait prendre quelqu'un pour un autre ou une chose pour une autre. A quiproquo is … Continue reading Mom goes missing – and What does “quiproquo” mean in French?

Kristin Espinasse78 Comments
Jules

To take off, to get off the ground. Can you say this in French?

Mom's wish before she took off this morning (it could be custom fit to speak to any one of us, no matter our hearts desires!). Read to the end and find out. (Photo of Jules admiring the poireaux, or leeks, which went to seed, beautifully.) décoller (day-ko-lay)     : to take off, to leave the ground (flight)    : to unstick, unglue, blast off … Continue reading To take off, to get off the ground. Can you say this in French?

Kristin Espinasse160 Comments
Encouragement, hope, inspiration, Jackie

Desiderata Poem in French and English: Lifechanging Words

Our 16-year-old set out, yesterday, on a 24-hr voyage. Alone, she flew from Nice to London, then London to Dallas, and on to Denver. Unsure of what to say to my daughter before she left, I slipped the following poem into her travel bag. Photo taken at the Vieux Port in Marseilles, on break from her internship at a couturier's.   "D E S I D … Continue reading Desiderata Poem in French and English: Lifechanging Words

Kristin Espinasse130 Comments
Uncategorized

“Un Sourire” (Bilingual poem that will make you smile :-)

This photo of my maman really makes me smile. The snapshot was taken in the little fishing village of Le Brusc, at Café Le Piadon. "Un Sourire""A Smile" Listen to Jean-Marc read this French poem. Click here Un sourire ne coûte rien et produit beaucoup,A smile does not cost anything but produces so much*, Il enrichit ceux qui* le reçoivent,It enriches the person who receives … Continue reading “Un Sourire” (Bilingual poem that will make you smile 🙂

Kristin Espinasse84 Comments
French Destinations

A trend in France this summer + photos of Ramatuelle

At beach restaurants like this one–and over at the old port in St. Tropez–everyone is asking for un rosé piscine. When June already feels like August, the "glass of rosé on ice" really hits the spot. But if you're like me, you might prefer "de l'eau gazeuse." To each his own, à chacun son goût! (If you are new to this blog, here is a picture … Continue reading A trend in France this summer + photos of Ramatuelle

Kristin Espinasse72 Comments
Almond Trees

A food that garantees happiness, luck, health and offspring?

Happy, lucky, and healthy and we haven’t even eaten an almond yet! Just goes to show the power of this fuzzy, favorite French fruit. Read on… Mas la Monaque – Rent this beautifully restored 17-century farmhouse. Click here for more pictures. une amande (ah-mahnd)        : almond sugared almond = la dragéealmond paste = la frangipanealmond tree = un amandiersweet/bitter almond = amande douce/amèrealmond tartlet = une … Continue reading A food that garantees happiness, luck, health and offspring?

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
Jules

to cradle in French + garden photo

                                     Today is your story. Write on! Tenir tendrement, bercer     : to cradle AUDIO FILE: Jean-Marc recorded the example sentence, below, in lively Marseilles. Enjoy! Download MP3 or Wav En regardant bien cette photo, on dirait que les fèves, les artichauts, et compagnie sont en train de tenir tendrement … Continue reading to cradle in French + garden photo

Kristin Espinasse127 Comments
Driving, Family Life, Jules

en panne

Never stop receiving these words and photos (this one, with flax flowers, taken in the back yard) Today's word reminds me we need a Plan B! Recently I've learned that French Word-A-Day is not delivering to all subscribers. Rather than panic (changing mail carriers), I'll continue sending out these posts via Feedburner. But before we lose each other, please take a moment to connect with me here, via Twitter where … Continue reading en panne

Kristin Espinasse78 Comments