Month: August 2025

Jackie

From the Family Nest to the US Open 🎾

SPONTANEOUS FRENCH I recently started a WhatsApp channel & would love it if you followed it for some of my spontaneous updates on French and France culture, language, and news: Join the French Word-A-Day Channel on WhatsApp (Once there, be sure to tap the bell (upper right corner) to activate notification) TODAY’S WORD: cocon familial : family cocoon / home nestPRONUNCIATION: [koh-kohn fah-mee-ahl] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:J’ai quittĂ© le cocon familial pour … Continue reading From the Family Nest to the US Open 🎾

Kristin Espinasse55 Comments
Interview

A Live interview & A New Channel on WhatsApp (and Ricci turns 5!)

Bonjour, A spur-of-the-moment message to make you aware of this Thursday’s online interview. I’m delighted to invite you to an upcoming France Today Live event where I’ll be in conversation with Sophie Gardner-Roberts. If you’re not already a subscriber, France Today is offering you a free 30-day trial. Simply sign up for the trial, then register for the event using the links below: I look forward to seeing … Continue reading A Live interview & A New Channel on WhatsApp (and Ricci turns 5!)

Kristin Espinasse10 Comments
Uncategorized

Brunch! Experience the Charm of Café Lo in La Ciotat

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse J’ai le cafard. â€śI have the cockroach.” It’s a funny French way of saying “I have the blues.” Not that the blues are funny at all. Thankfully, like the clouds outside my window today, they pass on by with time. Le cafard came over me yesterday, three days before my daughter’s impending departure. At the mall, my belle-sĹ“ur, … Continue reading Brunch! Experience the Charm of CafĂ© Lo in La Ciotat

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Uncategorized

When Mom Met Dad: A Love Story from Provence

Ricci went to the vet’s this morning for her first dĂ©tartrage. Jackie came with me for moral support, as I was nervous about our little shepherd going under anesthesia. When the vet’s assistant asked, â€śIs there anything else you would like to signaler?” Jackie surprised us with a confident Oui. I turned to listen as she informed the assistant that our little toutou had gained weight—the industrial scale read 13.5 … Continue reading When Mom Met Dad: A Love Story from Provence

Kristin Espinasse41 Comments
Guests & Hosting, Jackie, Uncategorized

Pigiste? Meet Our Writer-in-Training

TODAY’S WORD: pigiste : freelance journalistPRONUNCIATION: [pee-zheest] EXAMPLE & DEFINITION:Le pigiste est un journaliste indĂ©pendant qui est payĂ© par article, reportage ou photo. Il s’agit souvent d’un dĂ©butant… ou, dans notre cas, d’une Ă©crivaine en herbe : Jackie ! A pigiste is a freelance journalist who is paid per article, report, or photo. Often it’s someone just starting out… or in our case, a budding writer: Jackie! A DAY … Continue reading Pigiste? Meet Our Writer-in-Training

Kristin Espinasse29 Comments