This week I’m sharing a draft of the introduction to A Year in a French Life: Volume 3. As Jackie and I continue shaping the manuscript, I thought it would be fun to invite you behind the scenes. Also, Joyeux Anniversaire to Max, who recently turned 31! (Video follows). “À PROPOS“ At the time of this writing, we are nearly halfway through the manuscript for … Continue reading A Year in a French Life: Memoir Writing Insights
For this coming Sunday: Happy Mother’s Day to all mamans, whether here in our homes or forever in our hearts. TODAY’S WORD: la tendresse: tenderness, affection PRONUNCIATION: [lah tahn-dress] EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Il y avait tant de tendresse dans le regard de ma mère que tout semblait soudain plus léger. There was such tenderness in my mother’s gaze that everything suddenly felt lighter. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE … Continue reading La Tendresse: Love and Care for Mother’s Day
TODAY’S WORD: revenir : to come back PRONUNCIATION: ruh-vuh-neer On revient en juillet pour entendre les cigales.We’ll come back in July to hear the cicadas. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It’s Jackie’s turn to write, but as she and Vinny are en route to the airport—on their way back to New York—I’ll step in with a brief summary of the week. Let’s call … Continue reading Six Days Together in La Ciotat: A Sample Itinerary
TODAY’S WORD: “la cousinade” : a family gathering of cousins and extended relatives, often spanning several generations EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Depuis plus de trente ans, nous participons à la cousinade en Provence.For more than thirty years, we’ve taken part in this family reunion in Provence. Taxes? Même pas peur! Not even scared! If you’re living abroad and tackling your 2025 impôts, try ExpatFile. It’s straightforward, efficient, and costs … Continue reading The Mailbox in the Tree: a Metaphor about Belonging
A few weeks ago, Jackie and Vin had a run in with some nonchalant thieves. Don’t miss the story. What a relief—I’ve filed my taxes! If you’re living in France or anywhere abroad and tackling your 2025 impôts, I’ve had a good experience with ExpatFile. It’s straightforward, efficient, and costs significantly less than many alternatives—and they’re currently offering a $40 discount. You can visit ExpatFile … Continue reading A crowded house, a bold thief, and our new roommate, Surly
This week my mind is busy with a few to-dos: write today’s story for the blog and get started on taxes! For those of you living abroad and beginning your taxes, I’ve had a good experience with ExpatFile. It’s straightforward, efficient, and costs significantly less than many alternatives. Visit ExpatFile for more info. Now, onto today’s chapter. Enjoy! TODAY’S WORD: le pigeonnier : dovecote, pigeon … Continue reading Rayol-Canadel: A Postcard Perfect Destination You’ll Want to Write Home About
TODAY’S WORD: tout doux : gently; easy now; softly PRONUNCIATION: [too doo] TOUT DOUX, LE LOUP by Jacqueline Espinasse I wanted to follow up on my two-week “cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne” challenge. Well… c’était pas trop la bonne. The Great Gatsby wasn’t so great after two chapters. So, while walking through Prospect Park, I called my mom—my guru, and the only person I trust … Continue reading Tout Doux: How to be Gentle to Others and Oneself
HOMMAGE On Friday, near midnight, Frédéric Chollet passed away after a long illness. I learned the news in a message sent from South Africa: “Fred est parti.” Fred… he was the one who picked me up at the Marseille airport when I moved to France. I’ll never forget stepping off the plane in my cowboy boots, fresh from the Arizona desert—a sharp contrast to Fred’s … Continue reading Goodbye Fred: On Love, Chocolate, and Immortality
TODAY’S WORD: le chamboulement : upheaval / disruptionPRONUNCIATION: [luh shahn-boo-luh-mahn]EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Ce chamboulement a commencé avec le vent, mais il a fini par atteindre jusqu’à nos lettres.This upheaval began with the wind, but it eventually reached even our letters. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Le Monde à l’Envers Opening my bedroom shutters, I hold on to the dusty ledge, half afraid I’ll be carried … Continue reading No Letters to America? New Tariffs Disrupt French Mail
Dear Readers, Our book is ready! After a last-minute hurdle getting this bébé up onto the bookshelf, ça y est — a beautiful paperback edition, brimming with full page photos, is now available for purchase. This is the second volume in the series A Year in a French Life—a lively chronicle of language, family life, and love in France and beyond. Thanks to the wonders … Continue reading Ça y est! Our New Book Has Arrived
