Bubbles in Barcelona: Enjoy the story of our father-daughters’ Mediterranean reunion in today's entry “Papa Chéri.” TODAY’S WORD: PAPA CHÉRISweet Dad, Darling Dad A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse It’s 4:15 a.m., and I’ve just hugged my sister, Heidi, goodbye. She is on her way home to Denver. In another three hours, it will be time to send off our other sister, … Continue reading Papa Chéri: Our Father-Daughters’ Reunion at Sea
Some friendly characters encountered back in the Southwest, USA. BLOSSOMING IN PROVENCE BOOK REVIEW by PERFECTLY PROVENCE"The book’s chapters weave through the realities of being a mother, wife, and daughter living in an adopted country with different rules, cultural norms and language nuances." Read Carolyne Kauser-Abbott's review of Blossoming in Provence. TODAY'S FRENCH WORD: Un câlin : a hug Rien ne vaut le … Continue reading Calin: A Hug in French, Family Reunions and My Break in the States
By the time the leaves turn gold in Lyon, we'll be meeting up with part of my American family. Read about our virtual meetup in today's story, and pick up a host of new French words. TODAY’S WORD: UNE FAUTE DE FRAPPE : typing error, : error made when hitting the wrong button A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi … Continue reading Faute de Frappe: Funny Surprise After My Dad Hits the Wrong Button
Stone stairs leading down to the beach in Rayol-Candadel-sur-Mer Que nenni? If you think today's expression has anything to do with the following travelogue…que nenni! (Not at all!) It's just an expression that jumped off the page as I sat reading an article on sardines, recently, chez le coiffeur. Speaking of fish, we ate a lot of this when Dad and Marsha visited. We also discovered magnificent … Continue reading Que nenni! A fun, useful new expression + a must-see beach along the French mediterranean!
My dad and Marsha arrived late Tuesday night–despite the national strikes! I am taking the next two weeks off to enjoy every minute with family. Today's post was written during their last visit in September of 2014. Photo taken at Le Parc du Mugel in La Ciotat, where today's story takes place. TODAY'S WORD: joie de vivre (jwah-deuh-vee-vruh) : love of life ECOUTEZ: … Continue reading Joie de Vivre + A must-visit beach in La Ciotat, close to Paradise!
Last winetasting in September is on the 28th at 5pm. We would love to see you so don't be shy–nobody here bites! Email jm.espinasse@gmail.com to reserve your seat on the front patio. mimi (me-me) : cute, sweet, nice pretty –from the word mignon. Mimi, in casual talk, means "kiss" (un mimi sur la joue = a kiss on the cheek). And in childspeak mimi … Continue reading Favorite French Words & next winetasting!
No picture of a crock pot to illustrate today's word. How about a windowsill, which is sort of in theme with the corresponding story (the first sentence anyway). P.S. This snapshot was taken in Ménerbes. une mijoteuse (me-zho-teuz) : slow cooker Also: crockpot, crock pot, or cocotte Audio file / Example Sentence: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentence (he's recorded it for … Continue reading Un mijoteuse: a must-have for cool weather comfort!
Forward this post to a French friend. Today's edition, on fudge, is a reverse-dictionary entry: instead of translating a French word, we'll begin with English. This is dedicated to all of our French readers–so happy to know you're reading. You keep me on my toes! (photo of a sweets shop taken in Paris) fudge (n) (fuhzh) : espèce de caramel mou (a kind … Continue reading Fudging in French… + dessert recipe
The family hat. John bought it for Mom, in Mexico. Mom left it to me, in France. Marsha borrowed it in San Remo, and yesterday, while sitting out in the morning sun enjoying our coffee together, Dad asked: may I use your hat? une nappe (nap) : tablecloth, sheet (layer) la nappe phréatique = ground water, water tablela nappe de mazout = oil slickla … Continue reading What is a “nappe” in French?
My family and I stole away for a two-day séjour in Italy. C'était dépaysant, as the French say–or a nice "change of scenery".un séjour (say-joor) 1. stay 2. living room, family room bon séjour = have a nice stayune carte de séjour = a residence permitle titre de séjour = green cardle séjour linguistic = language study vacationla salle de séjour = … Continue reading sejour + how to say “a nice change of scenery” in French
