We all need more mudita! Mudita is the benevolent and altruistic joy that delights in the happiness and success of others. It is a sacred joy that finds its pleasure in the well-being of another rather than by feeding envious thoughts and jealousies concerning the other. To illustrate "mudita," we often give the example of parents, who delight in the progress and happiness of their … Continue reading Mudita: The Secret to Happiness in France…and Denver, Portland, Bozeman?

TODAY'S WORD: avoir la niaque (also: avoir la gnaque)     French: Être très motivé, être capable de soulever des montagnes. (Wikipedia)     English : To be very motivated, to be capable of moving mountains ECOUTEZ – Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word: Download MP3:  Avoir-la-niaque Avoir la niaque. Aujourd'hui, je n'ai pas la niaque pour continuer ce projet de vignoble au Mas des Brun.To … Continue reading Jean-Marc’s open letter

I think I could live anywhere…as long as there is a garden to call my own. Or is it time to share another's garden? To contribute and to humbly accept a portion of the harvest? These things cross my mind. Meantime, we continue in limbo, until the day our vineyard sells and another decision is made. Read on. (Photo taken on the island of Port … Continue reading If we left France, Where we could move…

Voici une photo d'un caraco. Here is a picture of a caraco. Worn by Jackie, to her brother's birthday party. TODAY'S WORD: le caraco     – camisole    – bodice, corset ECOUTEZ – Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce today's French word: Download Caraco Ni un débardeur, ni un marcel, le caraco c'est une camisoleNeither a vest top or a tank top, a caraco is a camisole Improve … Continue reading New friends, new words, and meme pas peur!

It's good to be back in France! Please give a warm welcome to our returning sponsor, Cynthia: Provence & French Alps Tours – Two regions of France in affordable, small group tours since 2009. Majestic mountains, Provence colors. Wine/cheese tastings, Michelin Star cuisine. Click here. TODAY'S WORD: fresh as a lettuce    : to be calm as a cucumber, in French, is to be Cool … Continue reading Fresh as a lettuce : and other delights from Mama’s in Mexique

How to get a car into the pedestrian inner-city of Aix-en-Provence, on busy Market Day? And a special message at the end of this post. Don't miss it. CHOCOLATE WORKSHOP! Join two chocolate shop owners in Provence, France & learn how to make chocolates using French techniques. We’ll stay in a medieval village and roam outdoor markets, castles, and more! CLICK HERE. TODAY'S WORD: état … Continue reading Etat des lieux : What happens before you move into a rental home in France

Four years ago, I thought we had finally put down our anchor–that our grandkids would eat these figs that Smokey and I were  harvesting here in the Land of Milk and Honey. Jean-Marc can better give you the reasons for wanting to move. Until then, today's letter answers some of those questions you may be having. TODAY'S WORD: parvenir à une décision     : to … Continue reading To come to a decision. On Turning the Page of our vineyard dream

Our son, Max, delivering more cases to the harvesters, who will empty their buckets of grapes inside. TODAY'S WORD: réchauffer     to heat, reheat    to warm up    to encourage Réchauffer le coeur de quelqu'un = to console or comfort someone ECOUTER: "Kristi a réchauffé toutes les pizzas. Kristi reheated all the pizzas. Download Rechauffer A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE     by Kristi Espinasse … Continue reading Something the French never eat & our first official wine harvest