Year: 2022

Celebrations, Christmas

Bon Bout D’An! Something French to wish others this time of year

A sunny view from the village of Auriol, where Jean-Marc and I had lunch Wednesday. In these southern French towns you'll hear a traditional Provençal end-of-the-year wish: Bon bout d'an! TODAY'S WORD: Bon bout d'an!     : Happy end of the year! EXAMPLE SENTENCE & AUDIO FILEListen to all the French words in today's story via the sound file below. Then scroll to the … Continue reading Bon Bout D’An! Something French to wish others this time of year

Kristin Espinasse40 Comments
Jean-Marc

Big News! A Change is Coming + se lancer dans l’inconnu

Jean-Marc, right, and friends at one of the wine shop's events. Read on for some big news regarding my husband. TODAY'S PHRASE: "se lancer dans l'inconnu"     : to strike out into the unknown EXAMPLE SENTENCE & AUDIO FILEListen to all the French words in today's story by clicking on the sound file below. Then scroll to the vocabulary section and check your comprehension. … Continue reading Big News! A Change is Coming + se lancer dans l’inconnu

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
How To's

What is “Sobriété Énergétique”? + How to warm up in winter (with la bouillotte)

Our town's tourist bureau produces a delightful series of travel posters. Here’s one for Christmas, spotted while Jackie and I enjoyed an evening stroll by the port. Notice the traditional wooden boat, or “pointu.” TODAY’S WORD: la bouillotte     : hot water bottle EXAMPLE SENTENCE & AUDIO:Avec le froid, la hausse du coût de l’énergie et la menace de coupures d’électricité,les gens s’équipent. La … Continue reading What is “Sobriété Énergétique”? + How to warm up in winter (with la bouillotte)

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Uncategorized

Bois, Kindling, or Tinder in French + A Fun and Free Activity while walking

Wooden boats all dressed up for the holidays. More about le bois in today's story. Enjoy French delicacies? Don't miss the sweet column at the end of the edition. If today's word is too easy for you, find some more advanced terms in the story below.  TODAY'S WORD: le bois     : wood AUDIO: Listen to all the French words in today's story by … Continue reading Bois, Kindling, or Tinder in French + A Fun and Free Activity while walking

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Village Dogs, Walking

Le Prénom + French Dog and Cat Names for your pet

In winter dogs are allowed on this sandy beach. Out strolling with Mom at sunset last night, we enjoyed seeing 5 cavorting canines–including Ruby the pit bull. She wanted to hop on that surfboard and glide up the coast with the help of a couple of giggling girls pulling the rope. Meet another local pooch in today’s story… TODAY’S WORD: “le prénom”     : first name … Continue reading Le Prénom + French Dog and Cat Names for your pet

Kristin Espinasse55 Comments
Uncategorized

Glou-glou! How to get out of cooking for Thanksgiving (hint: be a turkey)

Turkeys or dindes at Château Miraval, in 2005. "Glou-glou! Gobble-gobble!" turkeys say, in French and in English. More turkey talk, and some mischief, in today’s story. TODAY'S WORD: glouglou or glou-glou     : gobble-gobble    : glug-glug* (the sound of wine pouring out of a bottle) FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in this post. Then scroll down … Continue reading Glou-glou! How to get out of cooking for Thanksgiving (hint: be a turkey)

Kristin Espinasse50 Comments
Encouragement, Writing

The Vas-y Effect. You know this secret to happiness and success…

A random photo from Paris. You can never see enough hearts! Keep looking for them, and enjoy the following pick-me-up message. TODAY'S WORD:  "Vas-y!"     : go for it! FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce all 12 French terms in this post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Click here to listen to the French … Continue reading The Vas-y Effect. You know this secret to happiness and success…

Kristin Espinasse35 Comments
Eulogy, Plants, Smokey

Hommage: Adieu Mr. Farjon “The Plant Whisperer”

Robert Farjon leaving Domaine Rouge-Bleu, where my family once lived. The hollyhocks seem to be hugging his vintage Peugeot bicycle. Find out why plants love this dearly departed Frenchman in the following tribute.  TODAY'S WORD: amour-en-cage     : love in a cage Amour-en-cage is a synonym for Chinese lantern, or physalis. I loved the term the moment Robert Farjon shared it, and today it … Continue reading Hommage: Adieu Mr. Farjon “The Plant Whisperer”

Kristin Espinasse24 Comments
Jules, Smokey

Désinvolte: Mom’s new pet (and a message from Smokey?)

The sign on this quirky façade in Alsace reads Le Chat qui Pêche (“The Cat that Fishes”). Read on for a story about another smart cat…and don’t miss the photo at the end of this post. TODAY’S WORD: “désinvolte” : casual, nonchalant, detached, glib A FEW BLOOPERS…Today’s sound file, recorded by Jean-Marc, has a funny mistake. The good news is you will hear both the … Continue reading Désinvolte: Mom’s new pet (and a message from Smokey?)

Kristin Espinasse33 Comments
2005 Story Collection, Celebrations, Writing

Today is The Day! Something mammoth to celebrate!

Today's Expression: "dans la panade"     : in a jam (in a difficult situation) Other ways to say "in a jam": dans le pétrin, dans la mouise…but if you really want to speak like a native it's dans la merde! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Today is the day! Twenty years ago, on Sunday, October 28th, this French word journal … Continue reading Today is The Day! Something mammoth to celebrate!

Kristin Espinasse43 Comments