Donation by Check

Thank you for your desire to support this journal with a cash or check donation. Your gift is truly appreciated! Note: USA or French checks are good (I’m sorry I cannot accept Canadian checks at this time.) To send a check, please contact me by email for my mailing address: Kristin.espinasse@gmail.com      *    *    *  Grateful for these notes and support from … Continue reading Donation by Check

Relationship tip? Keep ’em guessing! Deviner is the word of the day

For our 25-year marriage anniversary, I reserved a surprise for Kristi. Guess where we are going to go… (Listen to Jean-Marc read his sentence in French, below.) Today's word: deviner     : to guess    : to figure out    : to surmise Click here to listen to the following sentence in FrenchPour notre 25ème anniversaire de mariage, j'ai reservé une surprise à Kristi. … Continue reading Relationship tip? Keep ’em guessing! Deviner is the word of the day

On s’aimera toute la vie

Chapter 8 of our vineyard memoir has been posted. Below, I am including an excerpt from the end of that chapter, which includes these charming illustrations. I leave you with today's phrase and wishes for a lovely weekend! Today's phrase: On s'aimera toute la vie     : we will love each other all our lives A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse … Continue reading On s’aimera toute la vie

Two Milestones: News about Jean-Marc and Jackie

Photo of our family in Le Vin Sobre wine shop–a project Jean-Marc has been working on all summer. The doors officially opened, here in La Ciotat, on Friday. (left to right: Jackie, Jean-Marc, Max, and Kristi.) Today's word: vieille canaille     : old scoundrel Click here to listen to the following sentenceBonjour, c'est Jean Marc. Je vous invite à venir visiter ma cave à … Continue reading Two Milestones: News about Jean-Marc and Jackie

Freedom & Fer: L’homme est né libre et partout il est dans les fers.

Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains. Don't miss the translation, below. Today's Word: le fer     : iron    : shoe, horseshoe    : rail les fers = chains Click here to listen to the following sentence L’homme est né libre et partout il est dans les fers.  –Jean-Jacques Rousseau A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE    by Kristi Espinasse … Continue reading Freedom & Fer: L’homme est né libre et partout il est dans les fers.

Un coup de bol + ras le bol and recipe for “le pain en cocotte” (dutch oven bread)

photo by Cynthia Gillespie-Smith A SPECIAL WELCOME to students who have just signed on to this journal. It is an honor to have you with us! This blog began in the South of France in 2002 when our children were 5 and 7, and I worked at a  Swedish-owned winery while my husband sold Italian wine bottling machines. (I am American and he is French.) … Continue reading Un coup de bol + ras le bol and recipe for “le pain en cocotte” (dutch oven bread)