Bonjour les Amis et les Amies! I'm back from a wonderful meet-up with my father and sisters. While this column will resume in one week, I wanted to check in briefly and see how everyone is doing. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the hurricane in Florida and beyond. Please stay safe. In moments like these, we often feel a mixture of … Continue reading Return from Vacation & Dépaysement
Enjoy today's story about my appointment at the neighborhood salon as I get ready for an upcoming Mediterranean cruise with my dad and my two sisters. Leaving for a mini family reunion soon…See you in a few weeks! TODAY’S WORD: RAPLAPLA : flat, lifeless; tired-looking A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse This fall, my dog and I are in a competition … Continue reading Raplapla & A Visit to The Hairdresser’s
There's a sailing theme in today's essay as well as a nod to our 30th wedding anniversary. The term "voile" neatly captures both…so let’s begin! TODAY'S WORD: VOILE : sail (la voile) : veil (le voile) A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It’s the start of a new work week, and Jean-Marc, Ricci, and I have overslept. Perhaps Sunday’s … Continue reading Voile: Uplifting Thoughts to Start The Day
Photo taken at Le Couvent des Minimes last spring, during a road trip with my best friend, Susan–alias Rouge-Bleu. Perhaps I was dreaming of this ethereal place when something suddenly jolted me awake… TODAY'S WORD: UNE NUIT BLANCHE : sleepless night; all-nighter A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse The first week of fall had me tossing and turning like a … Continue reading Rally vs. Râler & The Wisdom of Une Nuit Blanche
Une cabane in La Ciotat Discover the earliest stories from this journal in Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love & Language in the South of France. It's the perfect read for anyone who loves heartwarming tales and French culture. Pick up a copy for yourself, or share the joy with a friend—and help us spread the love! TODAY'S WORD: À table! … Continue reading Entertaining Angels & French for “Time to eat!”
Today, we say goodbye to a longtime reader, Lou, who also helped with a few harvests in his ninth decade of life! TODAY’S WORD: Repose en Paix : rest in peace A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It is just after 6 a.m., and my husband is on his way out to harvest at a friend’s vineyard in Bandol. Ever since … Continue reading Repose en Paix: Signs, Wonders, and a Smile from Above
Ricci totally ignores the words "marcher" and "nager" (walk and swim). Her favorite words are English: "cookie," "Grandma," and "Jackie." More about favorites in today's story. Thank you for reading and sharing this post with a dog lover. TODAY’S WORD: l’épanouissement : blossoming/flourishing; fulfillment Un chien trouve son épanouissement dans les petites joies du quotidien, tout comme nous trouvons le nôtre en partageant ces … Continue reading Love, Épanouissement, and Ricci Turns Four
Look up! Surround yourself with color! (Two ways to combat the blues.) Picture of a "decorated" clothesline taken in Cassis. TODAY’S WORD: à fleur de peau : hypersensitive : on/under the surface of the skin A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse I woke up this morning with a tinge of the blues. In French, they call it … Continue reading A Fleur de Peau, Le Cafard, and The Blues
The heatwave, my book project, and spoiled for choice in today's update. A lot of ice cream to choose from = l'embarras du choix. Pictured in La Ciotat: one (of many) ice cream vendors in our seaside town. TODAY’S WORD: L'Embarras du Choix : spoiled for choice avoir l'embarras du choix (to have "the embarrassment of choice") = to be indecisive in a … Continue reading l’Embarras du Choix: Surrender and “an embarrassment of choices”
HELP CHOOSE A BOOK COVERI'm excited to share the cover designs for my upcoming book. Please take a close look and let me know which numbered cover you prefer: comment via this link. Thank you for your feedback and don't miss today's story, just below. (Cover designs by Monica at TLC Book Design) Or go directly to the poll page, where you will see the … Continue reading A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE (Help Choose The Book Cover)
