The Accidental Shoplifter & Happy Medium in French

THE BITTEREST WINE: a novel about a family's conflicting roles in WWII Provence and famous writers of the Resistance who influenced them. Order the book. TODAY'S WORD: le juste milieu         : happy medium ECOUTEZ – Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word: Download Juste-milieu La vertu est le juste milieu entre deux vices. -AristoteVirtue is the happy medium between two extremes. -Aristotle Improve your spoken … Continue reading The Accidental Shoplifter & Happy Medium in French

French Etiquette: Did you know about this rule for cheese? I sure didn’t!

"New Day". Smokey reminds us all to live simply, slowly, and not to make a cheese about things! Speaking of fromage, tell us your favorite kind here in the comments. TODAY'S WORD: en faire tout un fromage         : to make a fuss about something      : to make a mountain out of a molehill      : to make a big deal out of something ECOUTEZ – … Continue reading French Etiquette: Did you know about this rule for cheese? I sure didn’t!

Before We Move… The Story of How We Came to Live at Mas des Brun

Picture of the balcony off our bedroom. It was my dream to live in a stone house and, in 2012, this rêve came true–with a view of the sea to boot! TODAY'S WORD: sourire     : (noun) smile    : (verb) to smile AUDIO FILE: Listen to the following quote: Download MP3 Ne pleure pas parce que c'est fini, souris parce que c'est arrivé. – Dr … Continue reading Before We Move… The Story of How We Came to Live at Mas des Brun

To be in limbo

It is raining this morning, here in St. Cyr-sur-Mer. Visibility is fuzzy–just like today's word (and our situation). TODAY'S WORD: être dans le flou         :  to be in limbo   BEAUTIFUL FRENCH FARMHOUSE for rent near Portland Oregon. Multi generational possibilities . Click here. YOUR AD HERE. Reach 26,000 readers. Place an ad in the French Word-A-Day newsletter. Click here. ECOUTEZ – Listen to Jean-Marc … Continue reading To be in limbo

Gigot: a surprise from our neighbor

An arbousier we planted behind our farmhouse. I first noticed these "strawberry trees" while visiting Corsica, where they are plentiful in the wild—as are boars, which gobble up the fallen fruit. More about sangliers in today's post.TODAY'S WORD: un gigot     leg, thigh (of animal) le gigot d'agneau = leg of lamb ECOUTEZ – hear Jean-Marc pronounce today's word: Download MP3 file Un gigot. Hier, … Continue reading Gigot: a surprise from our neighbor

Fried Eggs in French, a Maman Poule, and a visit from Max

The French eat quail eggs (les oeufs de caille)… but do they eat fried eggs? Read on… TODAY'S WORD: un oeuf au plat     : a fried egg, egg "sunny side up" ECOUTEZ – Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word: Download MP3 for "Oeuf-au-plat" Un œuf au plat, œuf sur le plat, œuf à la poêle ou œuf miroir est un œuf… cuit à … Continue reading Fried Eggs in French, a Maman Poule, and a visit from Max

La Paix des Choses Sauvages , Wendell Berry, and Thoughts on The US Election Results

Picture taken on Election Day morning. Is the sky half full or half empty? Depends on how you see things. TODAY'S WORD: la paix des choses sauvages     : the peace of wild things A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE     by Kristi Espinasse Have you missed me? Or have you been so absorbed in the election results that you didn't notice a post … Continue reading La Paix des Choses Sauvages , Wendell Berry, and Thoughts on The US Election Results

Le Changement d’heure : do you like it or dread it?

Here in France, we set our clocks back one hour on Sunday. And you? Do you have a time change coming up? And how does it affect you, le changement d'heure? Share your thoughts in the comments at the end of this post. TODAY'S WORD: le changement d'heure     : time change heure d'été = daylight savings time, summer timepasser à l'heure d'hiver = to … Continue reading Le Changement d’heure : do you like it or dread it?