Year: 2014

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Thursday Meetup! + Jeton (do you know this handy word?)

Only 54 minutes to complete today's post–in time to profiter or take advantage of the garden before tomorrow's rain! Don't miss the bullet statements below–including information on Thursday's winetasting. (photo taken yesterday, at our local supermarché) un jeton (zhuh-toh(n)     : token, chip Example Sentence from Wikipédia:Le jeton est une sorte de monnaie ou de méreau aux fonctions multiples.A token is a kind of money … Continue reading Thursday Meetup! + Jeton (do you know this handy word?)

Kristin Espinasse44 Comments
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October 9th meetup + joie de vivre

Photo taken at Le Parc du Mugel in La Ciotat, where today's story takes place.  October 9th (Thursday) Winetasting Join us here at home for the next dégustation. Teetolers welcome (you can sit beside me and my pitcher of Eau de Provence!) 10 euros per person. Email jm.espinasse@gmail.com  joie de vivre (jwah-deuh-vee-vruh)     : love of life    Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read the … Continue reading October 9th meetup + joie de vivre

Kristin Espinasse44 Comments
Little Calamities

Handy tool in every French home

Visited Cassis last week with my belle-mère and my father. At La Plage du Bestouan we saw this charming home perched over the sea. More photos and videos of this past week's happenings–at Instagram. la serpillière (sair-pee-yair)     : floor cloth, mop, swab une pompe serpillière = utility pump for draining flood waterla serpillière gaufrée = cloth with a deep waffle pattern, handy for soaking … Continue reading Handy tool in every French home

Kristin Espinasse18 Comments
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Stepmother or stepmom in French

I am bookending today's post with photos of my belle-mère, Marsha–in honor of the beautiful and inspiring woman my father married 20 years ago. I dropped off Dad and Marsha at Marseilles International airport today after an enriching, cozy and delicious visit (many great meals in la mijoteuse and many more by the sea, including here at La Plage du Bestouan in Cassis.).  la belle-mère … Continue reading Stepmother or stepmom in French

Kristin Espinasse32 Comments
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Favorite French Customs and Traditions (and Quirks)!

Opening the windows pour faire courant d'air – this is but one popular French custom. Today we are talking about French traditions and quirks so get ready to share your observations here in the comments! une bizarrerie (bee-zahr-reuhr-ree)     : a quirk or peculiarity  FAVORITE FRENCH TRADITIONS OR CUSTOMS (or Quirks!) Today, following the Favorite French Words post, we are sharing our Favorite French customs … Continue reading Favorite French Customs and Traditions (and Quirks)!

Kristin Espinasse96 Comments
Dad and Marsha

Favorite French Words & next winetasting!

Last winetasting in September is on the 28th at 5pm. We would love to see you so don't be shy–nobody here bites! Email jm.espinasse@gmail.com to reserve your seat on the front patio.  mimi (me-me)     : cute, sweet, nice pretty –from the word mignon. Mimi, in casual talk, means "kiss" (un mimi sur la joue = a kiss on the cheek). And in childspeak mimi … Continue reading Favorite French Words & next winetasting!

Kristin Espinasse142 Comments
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Le quignon – is it your favorite part too?

One more winetasting in September–here at home. Join us!Thanks, Sam Gish, for this snapshot taken at our winetasting. The next meetup is September 28th. Hopefully there will still be flowers on the bougainvillea. Email us today and let us know if you can make it! Confirmations to jm.espinasse@gmail.com  le quignon (kee-nyohn)     : heel, hunk, or end of bread Audio File: Download MP3 or Wav file Un … Continue reading Le quignon – is it your favorite part too?

Kristin Espinasse72 Comments
Dad and Marsha, Recette / Recipe

Un mijoteuse: a must-have for cool weather comfort!

No picture of a crock pot to illustrate today's word. How about a windowsill, which is sort of in theme with the corresponding story (the first sentence anyway). P.S. This snapshot was taken in Ménerbes. une mijoteuse (me-zho-teuz)     : slow cooker Also: crockpot, crock pot, or cocotte Audio file / Example Sentence: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentence (he's recorded it for … Continue reading Un mijoteuse: a must-have for cool weather comfort!

Kristin Espinasse136 Comments
Jackie, Recette / Recipe

Tarpin! How to say “super duper” in French?

2009. With Jackie, when Smokey was tarpin young. Lately everyone's growing up around here! (Picture taken months after Smokey's horrible attack.) Today's word is listed under "Parler Marseillais," or Marseilles lingo, so it may be a regional expression…. tarpin (tar-pahn)     : a lot, very  Would then "super duper" = tarpin tarpin? 🙂 Audio File & Example Sentence: listen to Jean-Marc: Click MP3 or Wav Il fait tarpin … Continue reading Tarpin! How to say “super duper” in French?

Kristin Espinasse72 Comments
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Meetup at our place + How to say “fair trade” in French?

     A shop in the village of Le Castellet, near Bandol. MEET-UP! Come to our home for a wine-tasting on September 13th or Sept 28th! To reserve your seat, email  jm.espinasse@gmail.com le commerce équitable (koh-mairce-ay-kee tahbl)     : fair trade Example SentenceLe commerce équitable est un commerce conçu pour assurer une juste rémunération à des producteurs des pays pauvres afin qu’ils puissent développer leur … Continue reading Meetup at our place + How to say “fair trade” in French?

Kristin Espinasse56 Comments