If you have to swallow a mouthful, better to do it in the sea, than in the pool. Photo taken this morning, while swimming with our golden. "boire la tasse" 1. to swallow a mouthful, to swallow a lot of water (while swimming)2. to lose a lot of money, to go under Listen to Jean-Marc read the French translation to the sentence above Si on … Continue reading Boire la Tasse: Short story by the sea including funny French sayings
If you have ever been harmed by words, today's quote may help you. (Photo of me by Jean-Marc, more in today's lighthearted story.) "la lance" : spear The most destructive of weapons is not the spear or the siege cannon, which can wound a body and demolish a wall.The most terrible of all weapons is the word, which can ruin a life without leaving … Continue reading Porquerolles sea-hunting trip + My husband’s creative (and quirky) side
Yesterday we spent a relaxing day at one of the most prestigious vineyards in Provence: Chateau de Pibarnon. Listen to the previous sentence in French, just below, and don't miss the entire post and photos. First, today's word: "décontracté" relaxed, calm, serene Click the following link to listen to the French sentence (English version above) Hier nous avons passé une journée décontractée dans un des … Continue reading Décontracté at Chateau de Pibarnon: a visual report
Ignore the veggies for a moment and listen up: we're having a wine-tasting here at home on July 11th at 5 pm. Email jm.espinasse@gmail.com to reserve your seat. Hope to see you! Yesterday, Jean-Marc and I quietly celebrated 23 years of marriage (our civil union was in Marseilles, on July 4, 1994. Read the story and see the steamy picture.) If I had to do … Continue reading Meetup at our home + French Sloppy Joes (A Sicilian-inspired recipe)
Transats and parasols along the sandy beach in Cassis, France. That's Jean-Marc, in his Brazil maillot, to the left. Don't miss this entire post, with photos–click the link below. "un transat" deckchair, lounge chair, chaise longue, recliner Today's word also appears in the story "Gaver (What, The French Pig Out?)" Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the following French words including transat aloud … Continue reading Les transats (something you can rent on French beaches)…
Did you miss a post this month? Pas de souci. No worries! Here are all the words and stories from June, accompanied by recent photos from our area (St Cyr-sur-Mer). Click on the title links to access the posts and even more photos. This is a good post to share with a friend, who would like to learn French, as they will get a good … Continue reading Vocabulary Roundup – Listen to all the French words we learned in June
This weekend there were more than 30 of us seated at the table for our family reunion in Fuveau. Listen to the previous sentence, in French, below. "une cousinade" : family reunion Click here to listen to Jean-Marc read the next sentence in French Ce week-end nous étions une trentaine de personnes à table, lors de notre cousinade à Fuveau A DAY IN A … Continue reading You’ll love this term for “family reunion”!
Spectacular views from every window, a charming, private courtyard, comfortable spacious rooms, and air-conditioned bedrooms make Maison des Pèlerins very inviting all year round. View this rental property. Don't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. Ne mettez jamais rien de plus petit que votre coude dans votre oreille. Don't miss the rest of this post…and thanks for sharing it with a friend … Continue reading Bilingual post: Le Coton-tige + a French doctor’s thoughts on cleaning your ears
On Sunday, we took the long way to the beach, enjoying one of the many sentiers, or walking paths–this one fragrant with sweet-scented Scotch Broom! What with the perfumed air and feel of the sea's breeze, it was a sensual Father's Day morning–especially when my ears began to be tickled by a funny Southern French exclamation soon after we arrived at the beach. With that … Continue reading Oh, pétard! The things you hear (and see) when eavesdropping
The fishing village of Porticello, Sicily, where we had a memorable meal and celebration. "RACINES" : roots Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the following sentence. Click here RACINE La famille – Comme les branches d'un arbre, nous grandissons tous dans de différentes directions, mais nos racines ne font qu'un. Family – like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, but our roots are … Continue reading Racines: My father’s “cousins germains” or “first cousins”
