You've seen this one before…but does one ever get tired of the sunrise in La Ciotat? Besides, who wants to see a picture of a poubelle… Today's Word: la poubelle     : garbage can, trash can, dust bin Increase your vocabulary with 2000 French phrases. Click here to order the book A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Sometime ago, when we … Continue reading La Poubelle (when your work goes POOF! into the galaxy’s garbage can)

A series of empêchements might have kept us from bumping into a stranger. Read on for part 2 of our story… Today's Word: ouistiti!     : Say cheese! A ouistiti is also a small creature, this one. A book on my nightstand, and a memoir I've had for a very long time that is even more meaningful to me now. I hope you will … Continue reading The Stranger, Part 2 (+ The Word the French say When Smiling for a Photo)

It is not enough to have good ideas, you have to act. If you need milk, do not sit on a stool in the middle of a field in the hope that a cow will pass by. -Curtis Grant (don't miss the French translation below) Today's word: un tabouret     : stool, footstool un tabouret de bar = bar stoolun tabouret de cuisine = … Continue reading Tabouret, fouet, penderie, bonnes idées – and a glimpse into the writing life

Today's crime story (or tale of your choice…) takes place here, at our local park in La Ciotat…. French Word of the Day: un juron     : swearword, curse word, cuss lâcher des jurons = to use strong languageun chapelet de jurons = a string of expletives U.S. Taxes for Worldly Americans–A fascinating topic if you're an expat or wish to become one. Click … Continue reading Cussing, swear word: You’ve heard of gros mot, but what’s a juron?

See those cacahuètes above the mushrooms and beside the lychees? More in the following story and lunch with Max and friends. Today's Word: la cacahuète     :  peanut Peanuts also go by the name arachide, though Jean-Marc tells me cacahuètes (also spelled cacahouètes, which means cacao de terre) are the more popular term. This cookbook, on my wishlist, is available in hardcover or on … Continue reading Compunction and cacahuètes + a handful of vocabulary…

Félicitations to our son Max! After working in Reims he will continue his internship with Lanson (champagne) in Paris, as part of his work-study year with Montpellier Business School. Before heading to the capital, he's having a big barbeque today with his friends. I'm in charge of salad and homemade oven fries… so, here's a story from a few years ago….   amour-propre (ah-more-prohpr)     … Continue reading Amour-Propre: Breakfast, Boundaries & A Blow to the Ego

A favorite day planner. Get a copy of French Country Diary and fill it with all the meaningful and exciting things you will do this year. Today's phrase: marquer le coup     : to mark the occasion, to celebrate A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse New Year's Day began with blue skies, birdsong (les gazouillis, as JM calls it), and an … Continue reading Marquer le coup (A hike, swim at Parc du Mugel) + Do what you want to do