Sacrée Lili: OneTough Cat With a Tender Role

TODAY’S WORD: sacré(e): (adjective) — sacred, but also used ironically or affectionately as “darn,” “dear,” or even “that rascal of a…” PRONUNCIATION: [sah-cray] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Sacrée Lili! Elle râlait toujours, mais elle nous faisait sourire.Dear old Lili! She was always grumbling, but she made us smile. NOTE: You’ll often hear the French say sacré followed by someone’s name, like sacré Jean-Marc, as my mother-in-law used to … Continue reading Sacrée Lili: OneTough Cat With a Tender Role

Celebrate 30 Years: A Milestone Party in the Garden

TODAY’S WORD: la fête : the party, celebrationPRONUNCIATION: [la fet] French sentence: Il faut fêter ça—trente ans, ça se fête !English translation: This calls for a celebration—thirty years is something to celebrate! A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse“Can I throw a party at the house for my birthday?” Max asked, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. I flinched. Why here? Why not somewhere … Continue reading Celebrate 30 Years: A Milestone Party in the Garden

It’s Mother’s Day in France

Aujourd’hui c’est la fête des mères. The kids are away—Jackie in New York, Max in Spain (for an enterrement de vie de garçon. Can you guess what that is?). Thank you, Ana, for the thoughtful invitation to lunch, where I was in good company with two other moms (Annie, Ana’s grand-mère, and Catherine, Ana’s mom), two daughters (Ana and her sister Clémentine), and a small … Continue reading It’s Mother’s Day in France

A Cozy Sunday with Ana’s Family in France

Bonjour !You may have seen today’s story on social media during the week my blog was down. Since most readers missed that post, I’m sharing it again here—this time with a delightful bonus: a charming video taken on nearby L’Île Verte. I hope you’ll read to the end and enjoy this lovely glimpse of our local paradise. TODAY’S WORD: le déjeuner : lunchPRONUNCIATION: [luh day-zhuh-nay] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Nous avons … Continue reading A Cozy Sunday with Ana’s Family in France

Joyeux Anniversaire, Max!

Happy birthday, Max! Joyeux anniversaire, Max!You continue to light up our lives. You make us laugh, think, and sometimes cry. You are our family man, best hugger, peacemaker and you always get me with your shenanigans and verbal pranks. On est fan de toi, Mr. Son. And tonight we can’t wait to celebrate! Happy 30th! love, “Mr. Mom” Continue reading Joyeux Anniversaire, Max!

Welcome To Our New Website!

TODAY’S WORD: montgolfière (f) : hot-air balloonPRONUNCIATION: [mon-gol-FYAIR] Example:En imagination, je vous fais signe depuis une montgolfière, en route vers notre nouveau site web.In my imagination, I’m waving to you from a hot-air balloon, on the way to our new website. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi EspinasseThey say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and that bit of sagesse has served … Continue reading Welcome To Our New Website!

La Petite Virée: A Romantic Getaway in Saint Mandrier-sur-Mer

TODAY’S WORD: petite virée PRONUNCIATION: [puh-teet vee-ray] DEFINITION: A short, casual trip or outing, often for pleasure or adventure. Typically used to describe a spontaneous or relaxed excursion. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Before my family flew back to the States, while the house still buzzed with activity, Jean-Marc and I slipped away for an overnight escapade. My husband’s 58th birthday … Continue reading La Petite Virée: A Romantic Getaway in Saint Mandrier-sur-Mer

Par Avion: A Creative Solution to Postal Fees in France

Family time in La Ciotat: Nephew Payne, girlfriend Maddi, Jackie, Ana, Max, my sister Heidi and my niece Reagan. Don’t miss today’s story! MERCI!A heartfelt merci to those who have ordered a copy of A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE! Four weeks after publishing, over 500 books have found their way into readers’ hands. If you haven’t yet picked up a copy, please know that … Continue reading Par Avion: A Creative Solution to Postal Fees in France

Rainy Day

I’m sitting at the kitchen table, surrounded by packing tape, cardboard, and a giant felt-tip marker. A lingering boycott has led readers to ask if they can buy directly from me. I’m not exactly equipped for this change of plans, but thankfully, Jackie had a stack of large manila envelopes—so now I’m back in business! Outside my window, a light rain comes and goes, slowly … Continue reading Rainy Day

Temoignage: Why I don’t drink alcohol in France (or anywhere)

I once thought giving up alcohol would make dining out less enjoyable—how could I savor a meal without a glass of wine? But with so many delicious things to eat and to see, I don’t miss drinking. Just look at this charming pup and the inviting French menu. Life is full and vibrant on the other side. More in today’s story! TODAY’S WORD: LE TÉMOIGNAGE … Continue reading Temoignage: Why I don’t drink alcohol in France (or anywhere)