Year: 2018

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Bon bout d’an! + What is an adult? (Surprising answer by one of France’s most famous philosophers)

For this last post of the year, my mind is a scramble–une bousculade. As with the beginning of any essay, there are so many possible directions in which to set out. This is when a writer must hone in on a subject or, at the very least, un thème. Because everything is bubbling up inside of me in a good and sunny way, it can't … Continue reading Bon bout d’an! + What is an adult? (Surprising answer by one of France’s most famous philosophers)

Kristin Espinasse50 Comments
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51 ans comme le pastis! + Come paint in Provence!

The flyer above is for my dear friend Tess's art getaways here in France. Click on the banner above and put this experience on your bucket list for 2019! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Eh bien, I didn't mean to take a week off of writing this journal. I had planned to touch base with you on Christmas Eve, with a … Continue reading 51 ans comme le pastis! + Come paint in Provence!

Kristin Espinasse37 Comments
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Entertain friends with this delicious French synonym + Mieux vaut tard que jamais!

The crust or trottoir on my favorite pizza at Chez Henri.  TODAY'S WORD: le trottoir     : sidewalk, pavement, curb    : slang for the outer crust (or le rebord) on a pizza, tart, or quicheListen to Jean-Marc Download Trottoir En France et en Suisse, par métaphore, le trottoir est aussi le nom communément donné au bord d'une tarte ou d'une pizza.In France and Switzerland, … Continue reading Entertain friends with this delicious French synonym + Mieux vaut tard que jamais!

Kristin Espinasse9 Comments
Alps, Brain, Courage

Ces bottes sont faites pour marcher (These boots are made for…)

Village home in Saint-Chaffrey, Southern French Alps Today's word: la botte     : boot    : bundle (sticks)    : bunch (radishes) Click here to listen to the following sentence in FrenchEh bien, ces bottes sont faites pour marcher et c'est exactement ce qu'elles vont faire. –Nancy SinatraThese boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do.  A DAY IN A FRENCH … Continue reading Ces bottes sont faites pour marcher (These boots are made for…)

Kristin Espinasse37 Comments
Recette / Recipe

Fastoche Loaf–you must make this savory bread (via this cool hack for the favorite French yogurt cake!)

You must make a cake salé! It is everything from a casual main course to a late-night snack in bed (extra good warmed–just like the sheets this time of year)…. Today's word: le cake salé     : loaf, savory cake Audio File & Example Sentence: click hereLe mot « cake » s'est étendu à un gâteau salé… fait avec des légumes, des olives, du jambon, etc. … Continue reading Fastoche Loaf–you must make this savory bread (via this cool hack for the favorite French yogurt cake!)

Kristin Espinasse36 Comments
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Do you miss the vineyard? + A handful of French vocabulary

Looking back. Photo by my Mom. A question I am sometimes asked is: Do you miss the vineyard? The answer is often the same: I don't look back. (One exception is when I am going through the blog archives, and come across a lively story like today's….) le sanglier (sahn glee ay)     : boar, wild pig A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin … Continue reading Do you miss the vineyard? + A handful of French vocabulary

Kristin Espinasse18 Comments
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From the French Alps to the Colorado Rockies: Notre fille s’installe

In books: Finding Gilbert, A Promise Fulfilled: Diane Covington-Carter grew up haunted by her father’s stories of his time in France during World War II and the orphan boy, Gilbert, who he tried to adopt and bring home. Fifty years after the war, can she possibly find Gilbert to tell him that her father never forgot him? Order the book. Today's word: appartenir     … Continue reading From the French Alps to the Colorado Rockies: Notre fille s’installe

Kristin Espinasse33 Comments
Firemen

Rebelote. Another burglar? When the sonnette rings after dark and you are all alone….

Eight Months in Provence, A Junior Year Abroad, 30 Years LateFor thirty years, Diane Covington-Carter dreamed of living in France and immersing herself in the country and language that spoke to her heart and soul. At age fifty, when she set off to fulfill that yearning, she learned that a long-cherished dream can become even more powerful from the waiting. Order the book. Today's Word: … Continue reading Rebelote. Another burglar? When the sonnette rings after dark and you are all alone….

Kristin Espinasse13 Comments
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How to say Raincoat (or Mackintosh) in French + update on our daughter!

The following was written days after the November 13, 2015 attack in Paris. Thank you for reading and sharing this journal with a friend. Today's Word: imperméable     : raincoat, mackintosh, mac    : weatherproof, impervious (adj) Imperméable. Nous sommes très fiers de Jackie pour la réalisation de son imperméable.Raincoat. We are very proud of Jackie for completing her raincoat.(Hear the example sentence: MP3 file) A … Continue reading How to say Raincoat (or Mackintosh) in French + update on our daughter!

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments
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La Voie Douce–the gentle path here in La Ciotat

Mom took my picture in a patch of winter lavender, found along La Voie Douce, or Gentle Path–a wonderful place to walk, ride your bike (or trottinette) here in La Ciotat. More about our walk, below. Today's word:  la voie       : path, way How colorful my daily walks have become since dragging Mom along with me! Even if she never wants to go: Honey, … Continue reading La Voie Douce–the gentle path here in La Ciotat

Kristin Espinasse42 Comments