She must have been 6 when she first visited this store. At 17, our daughter Jackie still loves to shop for candy en vrac. Picture taken in Briançon, Les Hautes Alpes.
EN VRAC
: in bulk, in gross, loose
bonbons en vrac = bulk candy
du thé en vrac = loose tea
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jackie read this example sentence
Download MP3 or Wav
Le vrac désigne des marchandises qui ne sont pas emballées ou arrimées.
Vrac refers to merchandise that is not wrapped or
Mas de Perdrix. A home in France that artists and writers love to rent. Work on your creative project in this inspiring environment.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
Some of you learned of this blog via a friend, while others found it in an internet search. If you happened onto journal via an online search, I'd love to know what you were looking for: a particular translation? Or some bit of info on France? Click here to share in the comments box.
I think you will be as surprised as I am to discover what are the most popular landing pages at this language blog. Here they are:
"PAREIL" – a blog post written by my friend Barbara in 2004. The post highlights the French word for "same", then goes on to talk about homonyms, or words that have the same pronunciation but different meanings.
BEST TIPS FOR LEARNING FRENCH – readers offer tips on what helps them remember, pronounce, and use the language.
SAPERLIPOPETTE – an old-fashioned or more classy way of cussing?
ARTIST BIO: WARREN C. PLAUCHE – Watercolor paintings by one of my readers.
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA POST-OP PHOTO – Skin cancer. Seeing the number of people who land on this page makes me want to reach through the screen and offer reassurance and sunscreen! (even if, personally, I choose extra clothing and hats over crème solaire).
FRENCH YOGURT CAKE RECIPE – a classic gâteau that kids and adults love to make and eat.
FRENCH TERMS OF ENDEARMENT – always heartening to know people are seeking words to express their love!
QUITTER – or how to say goodbye (in email). I leave you now with my favorite way to sign off in French…
Amicalement,
Kristi
COMMENTS WELCOME
To leave a message, click here.
Orange blossoms, wooden frog, and green plate–the still life inside that grabbed my attention outside. I set down two wobbly buckets to take this picture, then went back to water the newly-planted apricot trees–a gift from neighbor Annie. (The scarf and hat are the sunscreen I spoke about, in one of the paragraphs above.)
SABLET HOME for high quality vacation rentals in the heart of Provence. Particularly suited to groups of up to four discerning travelers.
SOUTH OF FRANCE RENTALS: An elegant Aix apartment or a seaside village home – make France your home for a week!
Join me over at Instagram where I post photos daily. See what we were up to last week…
Mimosa bursting to the sky. C'est le printemps!
WINNER!
We have a winner for the book drawing: 90 Ways to Know You're Becoming French. Félicitations Cynthia P. Lewis. You have won a copy of this delightful book. Cynthia, I will email you soon!
Window in Queyras.
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Merci pour les belle photos! I needed something pretty and full of life this morning. We received 10 inches of snow overnight and are stuck at home for awhile. I think I’ll just dream of France today . . . .
Ah the photos…c’est printemps in France but still the heart of winter here in Canada,,,but these photos made my day, now to romp in the 3 foot banks -20 degree afternoon with my elkhound,
Love the mimosas. They are out in force in the Var and Côte d’Azure. I came across your blog so long ago I have no idea how I found it. I’m just very happy I did.
I was in Provence this time last year – quite a contrast to the heaps of snow here in SE Ontario.
I first found your blog about 12(?) Years ago, when I was looking for stories about mixed French-English speaking families with young children. Since then I have followed your stories with delight.
Thank you for those lovely photos. We still have about three feet of snow here, and it will be weeks before any blossoms appear. At least today we are blessed with sun, and no additional snow until later this afternoon!
What do I like about your blog? I love hearing about you and your family, all the pictures and picking up new French words and phrases.
It’s magnifique! Shari Reed, New Mexico
I remember taking a bunch of empty wine bottles to a farm or vineyard and having them filled from a vat or barrel. I thought that was called buying it “en vac,” not “en vrac.” Have I been remembering it incorrectly all these years? Say it isn’t so!
As soon as I saw the photo of Jackie entering her favorite candy store, I remembered the story written years ago when Jean-Marc double parked in front of (maybe) this same store in order to buy Jackie and Max each a little bag of their favorite candy “en vrac”. He took a rather long time in the store and you, Kristi, were nervous about being double parked and Jackie piped up and said that he was probably looking over the “journals”. Her brother quickly corrected her with “journaux”! Since then I have never forgotten how to form this type of plural. Thank you, Jackie, for reading today.
I couldn’t be more thrilled to have won the book: “90 Ways to Know You’re Becoming More French”! “Mille mercis” to all. And very best wishes, Cynthia
I found your blog when I googled information about France since we were planning a trip. That was several years ago and we have done our France trip, but your blog reminds me why I want to go back. (I had tried to use your ideas for a French word a day, but failed miserably…still enjoy your site though).
I originally found your blog after reading your first book “Words In A French Life.” I love reading travel memoir and that is where I found it at my local library (our county wide system has 7 copies!). I then fell off reading, but searched for you when I was often housebound caring for my mother; what a lovely diversion all these heartfelt stories and beautiful photos. Love the heart/window today; seems a view that could be seen in the quaint, historic neighborhood where I am pet-sitting a friend’s Greyhound (rescue dog) on this rainy day.
not sure how I found you, seem to have been reading it for a very long time, I enjoy your pictures
It was shortly after I returned from a two week vacation in Provence with my two sisters. We had done some hiking on the wonderful trails in the hills of Provence and visited many of the lovely hilltop villages… And I had left part of my heart in this gorgeous region. I was just looking to virtually revisit there and fell upon your blog, and I was hooked! I so enjoy my little visits courtesy of your beautiful descriptions and pictures which allow me to continue experiencing Provence! Merci, Kristin!
Our dear Kristi,
What beautiful pictures(!)And,as always,beautiful words that wrap us in hugs and brighten our days!
Can’t imagine(and don’t want to!)not finding FWAD in my inbox.You give us smiles and something to look forward to!
THANK YOU!!
Love
Natalia Xo
Quelles belles photos, comme d’habitude! Thank you for brightening my day once again, Kristi! I also wanted to ask you how you cope with the heat of the summer while wearing long sleeves? I know you must wear cotton and linen blends much of the time, but I’m wondering whether you might have additional tips for those of us trying to cover up and using less sunscreen.
Hullo Kristin
It is so long ago (14 years!) that I can’t exactly remember 🙂 My sense is that it was “French words of endearment”. But once a subscriber I was hooked, especially (but not only) by the photos.
Your descriptions of French life from your own very personal perspective connects me to France with a gossamer thread and I look forward to every post.
Regards
Andrew
To learn sth. new
1. eight to 16, useful, but not necessarily everyday, French words or phrases arrayed vertically after relevant discussion
2. about French institutions, customs, habits, or outlooks
4. about French sites of interest and note
Not a very Oprah-ish sort of curiosity, really.
I encountered FWAD more or less by accident. I believe it was via a link in A Word A Day in English (by Anu Garg). I went right to the FWAD site, circa 2006, and have been reading the posts every since. It is a great way to keep up my French, and to learn new words, as well as more of the culture and life in France. I enjoy all of the posts, and really like the ones about les Espinasses, whom I feel I know, although I’ve only met J-M in person. I am very grateful for this blog and appreciate the effort that goes into it. I should add that in addition to other ways I feel I’m becoming French, I use French words as passwords for various accounts. And from the French I’ve learned to “deguster” – the art of savoring things. For example, in today’s post, I think the picture above the “Join me at Instagram” is especially lovely.
Dear Kristi,
I found your blog quite by accident, but I am convinced it was providential. Trying to find the name of a little church in
(Fontainebleau) Avon that my husband’s family lived next to when we were teenagers living in France, I found a photo blog that had posted a picture and the name of the church. I followed that blog until the writer suddenly stopped posting. A frantic search for something else french led me to your website and life changed…..for me and my husband. We are now engaged in reminders of life in France and the beautiful language we tried so hard to master. With every posting we are reminded of old memories and learn something new. It is especially encouraging to witness the fulfillment of dreams as we follow you and Jean-Marc, Jackie and Max, following your dreams.
I found your blog from a link on Word A Day by Anu Garg. I cannot remember what year it was. Since then I have been delighted to read both, always learning something new.
And now, to learn how very early is spring, how short is winter, in the south of France! We are told to expect more snow today, instead of watching it melt.
I was googling French language, and your word-a-day instantly caught my eye. Lucky me! Merci beaucoup encore.
I learned about your site from the video Jean-Marc made about his vineyard for Yabla.
I have followed you since nearly the beginning! To celebrate language, culture, you and your lovely family, and certainly the blooming of Spring there! We expect 6 more inches, encore ici a Cape Cod!
Your blog or French/word-a -day is the dessert to my day!! I live France,the French language every day you post!! Merci Mille fois!!
Hello!
We’ve survived February! Welcome from the “in like a lion, out like a lamb” March in the Midwest, though sometimes the “out like a Lamb” still will have a kick to it.
Someone forwarded me a link to your blog 3 – 4 years ago, and I was hooked. I keep a file on my laptop called “new and fun words” for the year, 98% of which comes from your lists and articles. A lot of them get posted on my blackboard (currently un becot, une bise, et un bisou) for my French students. Like Max, I also love the cultural lessons.
Merci pour tout!
I started taking French lessons at the Alliance Franc in Portland, OR. My teacher told me about your blog — 2010 I think. I may not always comment, but I always read it. I love reading about your family, dogs, countryside, garden & life adventures with French words included!
Merci beaucoup & stay well!
My French teacher is from Corsica and Nice. I am learning French because I want to go there and because at my age, learning a language is keeping my mind sharp. My teacher told me about your blog a couple of years ago and I have enjoyed it ever since. I also have all of your books. I feel I know you and your family and wish all of you good luck in whatever you undertake.
I bought Words in a French Life from a second-hand store, and loved it! Something catchy in the heartfelt words that drew me in to your life. I reread the vignettes while commuting from my job as a Montessori teacher. Finally I realized you had a blog, and found your site. Then providentially, I got to go to Provence twice! It all came together in a wonderful way! Mille mercis!
Want more digitized watercolor paintings? I’m proud of my version of your photo of a single strawberry plant in your garden. May frame it to hang in my own kitchen.
Dear Kristi:
I forget exactly how I stumbled upon FWAD back in 2005. I remember after that emailing you for suggestions on how to close an email or letter in a warm and friendly way, and you offered up “Amicalement.” After that I sent you a story of my own about aging, not gracefully, but fighting it all the way! Then, as so often (sadly) happens, I got very busy with work and my own writing, and there was no more time for emailing; however, I never miss an edition of FWAD… which is always delightful, sometimes heartbreaking, often insightful… it is like getting a letter from a dear friend, and who doesn’t love that?!
Merci beaucoup!
~Alisa
Bonjour! J’ai decouvrit votre blog il y a deux ans quand j’ai voulu ameliorer mon vocabulaire anglais et francais. J’ai voulu recevoir des emails que introduire un nouveau mot, alors je me suis abonnee a un listserve pour les mots anglais et a votre. Le listserve anglais n’etait pas assez engageant, alors je me suis desinscrit. Mais je continue a lire tous les postes de votre blog. Merci!
I was looking for a way to learn new words or be reminded of words I had forgotten. I particularly like, for those purposes, the times when we get idiomatic phrases as well. But I’ve come to enjoy the stories of your family and their life as well. Not just a vocabulary word, but truely “words in a French life.” Merci
Hello Katia, just saw your comment about wearing longsleeve tops and, sometimes, pants. You wonder how do I keep from overheating? I stay indoors a lot, or in the shade 🙂 I also go out early in the morning or late in the afternoon. If I have to go out during intense sun, I may wear shorts and sunscreen. I do wear dresses in the summer, with longer sleeves if possible.
Thank you, Kirstin, for the dressing tips. That’s almost exactly what I have been trying to do for the past few years, having had a pre-cancerous mole removed. Sun safety has been paramount for me. I appreciate your advice.
Sorry to be a bother, but what does “arrimées” mean? You forgot to translate that, and my google search doesn’t make much sense.
Thank you.
PS.
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years, but I don’t remember how I started.
Kristy,
Do you happen to know how to reach Dr. Warren Plauche’ still? I’ve tried the email address in your blog, but it’s no longer available. After seeing his paintings on French Word A Day several years ago, I contacted him and bought six. I was lucky to live nearby, and be able to visit with him and his wife while spreading his lovely paintings all over their living room. They were such a joy! I had told them I’d show them the paintings once they were framed, but could not reach them. If you have any further information, I would so appreciate you sharing it.
And, I love your books and your blog. Don’t remember when I became addicted, but it was years ago! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, emotions and family!!
Enjoying your comments so much. Thanks! And, Myra, Ive just sent you the email address.