The sign on the back of the old truck says "(ride) in complete security…with Michelin tires". And in today's column, an oldie but goody from the archives–beefed up with extra vocabulary. Please share this post with someone who would like to learn French.  Today's word: "caoutchouc"     : rubber  Audio File: Listen to french word for rubber, via the following sentence L’essence sans plomb 98 est … Continue reading Sans plomb, essence, caoutchouc, and a gas station story on French nonchalance

There was just one eensy-weensy–tout rikiki–detail that would prevent a documentary film crew from interviewing an American about her French vineyard life: we no longer live on a vineyard. This logistical pépin was quickly patched up (filming will take place elsewhere…) only for another oops-a-daisy to arise: "Parlons-en," the journalist began, "de vin." Normally, at this point, I would've thrust my trusty side-kick, Chief Grape, in front … Continue reading Tout rikiki, fastoche, and the unexpected French word for “good luck” + my would-be 15 seconds of fame

We return home to France in two days. Here is a vocabulary-packed story from 2014. Bye for now…and wish us bon voyage! une fillette (fee-ette)     : a little girl Audio File: listen to the French word fillette (file by Wikipedia): Improve your French pronunciation with  Exercises in French Phonetics A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE     by Kristin Espinasse Waiting at the bus stop in Bandol, warm … Continue reading Fillette: A look back in time

More about this controversial shirt in today's story :-)  Today's Word: un entretien d'embauche     : à job interview    A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE     by Kristi Espinasse  Our recently-turned 21-year-old just arrived here in Colorado–where she will be trying out "this American life" for the next 6 months (until June 26th, the date at which her billet aller-retour delivers her back to … Continue reading A job interview in French…

Announcing one more meetup in Denver! Hope to see some of you on October 4th, from 5-7 pm at the Alliance Française.  une béquille (beh-kee)     : crutch, stand; kickstand (bike) Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronounce the following expressions: Download MP3 or Wav file Elle marche avec des béquilles. She walks with crutches.mettre une moto, un vélo sur sa béquille = to put a motorbike or … Continue reading How to say “crutches” in French…

Cabanon and field of fennel near the town of Orange. se donner de la peine pour faire quelque chose      : to go to a lot of trouble to do something Click here to listen to the following sentence in French Il s'est donné beaucoup de peine pour réussir. He went to a lot of trouble to succeed.    A DAY IN A FRENCH … Continue reading Se donner de la peine pour faire quelque chose

Thanks to The Vineyard Wine Shop for this photo montage. Today's tasting is from 3-6p.m. 261 Fillmore Street, Denver, CO 80206. Tel : 303 355 8324 We look forward to seeing you there!   Today's word: un atterrissage    : touchdown, landing   A DAY IN AN AMERICAN LIFE  La Ciotat to Denver On est atterri ! We made it to my sister's in Denver and, after a … Continue reading Atterrissage: Made it to The Mile-High City! Winetastng today

Come see Jean-Marc and me! We'll be in Denver next week, for a wine tasting of Provence and Chateauneuf du Pape wines that Chief Grape exports to Colorado. This event will take place September 13th from 3 to 6 PM at The Vineyard Wine Shop, 261 Fillmore Street, Denver, CO 80206. Tel : 303 355 8324 We look forward to seeing you there! Today's Word: se … Continue reading Se pointer: to show up