Vocabulary Roundup : the French words we learned in May

Fred and my Mom dancing, in May 2015 Happy Birthday Fred Caswell! Fred turns 90 today! He is one of the first readers I ever met, around 2005, and I have had the pleasure of seeing this Middletown, Rhode Island resident several times in France: at our home in Les Arcs, our first vineyard in Ste Cécile-les-Vignes, and here at Mas des Brun. Fred and … Continue reading Vocabulary Roundup : the French words we learned in May

Did you know The French Salt rule?

Une paillote or beach restaurant in Ramatuelle Rosé is Ready! Jean-Marc will be able to hand you your wine purchase in person, in Nice, June 3rd. Contact him at jm.espinasse@gmail.comTODAY'S WORD: la salière         :salt shaker, salt cellar A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE Les Bonnes Manières à Table     by Kristi Espinasse It's never too late to learn French etiquette. Yesterday while having … Continue reading Did you know The French Salt rule?

Faire du sport + “forest baths”: your ideas and tips for relaxing mind and body

SABLET HOME– for high quality vacation rentals in the heart of Provence. Recommended by readers. Click here for photos.   Thank you very much for the feedback you sent in on the website redesign at French Word-A-Day. I've so far added a search box, included more posts on the front page and brought back the "recent posts" in the blog's sidebar and footer. Suggestions welcome … Continue reading Faire du sport + “forest baths”: your ideas and tips for relaxing mind and body

Envers + Recipe for generosity

Today, try the online edition–and let me know what you think of the new background (from red to some lighter shade…). photo: Chris Davis Speaking of  colors and shades our Mas des Brun is now available in the US at these addresses. TODAY'S WORD: envers      : to, towards    : back à l'envers = upside down Try Mastering French Vocabulary with Audio MP3 AUDIO FILE: … Continue reading Envers + Recipe for generosity

Porter + en savate: A popular way to wear a French classic (espadrilles!)

Beneath the wicker baskets you can see the stand of neatly-stacked espadrilles at our local quincaillerie here in St Cyr-sur-Mer SABLET HOME– for high quality vacation rentals in the heart of Provence. Click here for photos and more details. TODAY'S WORD: porter     : to wear prêt-à porter = ready-to-wear Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the French words espadrilles porter en savate Les … Continue reading Porter + en savate: A popular way to wear a French classic (espadrilles!)

Mon Grand: A Father’s tender tribute to his son, in French and English

Our son Max turns 22 years old today. On this special occasion I have asked Jean-Marc to express his thoughts, which are especially moving in today's recording (don't miss the sound file in French). The English version of this letter follows, just below. Where to find Mas des Brun Wines? Thanks to those of you who have written in asking where to buy our Mas … Continue reading Mon Grand: A Father’s tender tribute to his son, in French and English

Bichonner & wise words concerning beauty by Sam Levenson

Today's bilingual post was inspired by Douglas's comment in a post called Papillon. Douglas shared the following recipe for beauty, adding it was from " Sam Levenson (although often attributed to Audrey Hepburn because she enjoyed reading it to her children)". Listen to our daughter read these sage words in French…. TODAY'S WORD: bichonner         : to pamper oneself Can you distinguish between the French … Continue reading Bichonner & wise words concerning beauty by Sam Levenson

To shut somebody up (in French): clouer le bec

Peace and quiet outside the Relais Odeon Bistro in Paris. Sit down and enjoy a slice of pie–just don't fling it at anybody…. TODAY'S EXPRESSION: clouer le bec     : to shut somebody up French listening tip: do you hear "le" in this French sentence?             *    *    * "Le Bec ( the beak) has lots of uses in French. It can be used to … Continue reading To shut somebody up (in French): clouer le bec

Commentary on French presidential election. Emmanuel Macron. Laisser le champ libre à quelqu’un

I am turning over today's post to my husband, Jean-Marc, who has written a commentary in French (with an English translation) on Sunday's French presidential election. (Photos from yesterday's walk in Calanque de Port-Miou, Cassis. For more photos, follow here on Instagram.) TODAY'S WORD: Laisser le champ libre à quelqu'un         : to leave the field free for someone (to step in…) Try Mastering French … Continue reading Commentary on French presidential election. Emmanuel Macron. Laisser le champ libre à quelqu’un