Category: Heidi

Childhood Memories, Forgiveness, Health, Health care, Heidi, Jules, Motherhood, Senior Citizens in France

Avoir du Cran (To be brave in French) + Mom and I get in a little fight & end up at the circus

The curtain is now opening on today's pièce: a feisty (and sentimental) mother-daughter story. My mom loved these circus curtains, seen on a recent walk together. Jules sewed our dresses when my sister and I were little, and these rideaux remind me of our visits to the fabric store.   TODAY’S WORD: "Avoir du cran"     :  to have guts, grit, to be brave A … Continue reading Avoir du Cran (To be brave in French) + Mom and I get in a little fight & end up at the circus

Kristin Espinasse37 Comments
Cuisine, Culture, Dad and Marsha, Family Life, Heidi, Travel

Calin: A Hug in French, Family Reunions and My Break in the States

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

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Dad and Marsha, Family Life, Heidi, Jackie

Faute de Frappe: Funny Surprise After My Dad Hits the Wrong Button

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

Kristin Espinasse16 Comments
Cassis, Heidi

“Smala” & Family Visit to Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles

Kristi Espinasse shares her joyful experiences with her American family visiting Cassis, France, for the first time. Their week has been filled with activities like beach outings, farmers market trips, and cliff diving. They explored several picturesque locations, including Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, while enjoying the cultural differences. A highlight was a family gathering at Vieux Port, where despite language barriers, the reunion was a success. As Kristi reflects on the importance of family time, she embraces the concept of “smala,” meaning big family. She cherishes these moments together, even as she contemplates obligations at home that prevent further travels. Continue reading “Smala” & Family Visit to Cassis, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles

Kristin Espinasse27 Comments
Culture, Heidi

Say “Pink Flamingo” in French + Reverse culture shock

Sunflowers–and come see the exotic pink bird in our garden… at the next wine tasting here at Mas des Brun, August 6th. We hope to see you! Contact jm.espinasse@gmail.com for details. le flamant rose (flamahn rowz)     : pink flamingo Audio File: listen to today's word and example sentence, read by Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wave file Flamant Rose. En Camargues, les flamants roses sont des espèces … Continue reading Say “Pink Flamingo” in French + Reverse culture shock

Kristin Espinasse208 Comments
Heidi

how to cheer someone up in French

We weathered the storm in Phoenix. More, in today's letter. (Pictured, my niece "Ray-Ray".) remonter le moral     : to lift one's spirits, to cheer somebody up Audio File: listen to the following words: Download MP3 or Wav file A Phoenix, je suis allée rendre visite à ma soeur pour lui remonter le moral. I went to Phoenix to visit my sister and cheer her up. A Day … Continue reading how to cheer someone up in French

Kristin Espinasse100 Comments
Culture, Heidi, Hospitality, Insects

How to say “cleaning frenzy” in French! + photo vocabulary!

Gone fishing! I'll see you in a week, when the next post goes out. Meantime, keep up your French vocabulary by visiting the French word archives. Thanks for reading and for sharing our language journal with friends and family. See you soon–with more photos and stories from a French life! Bisous, Kristin  la frénésie de ménage (fray-nay-zee deuh may-nazh)     : cleaning frenzy  … and … Continue reading How to say “cleaning frenzy” in French! + photo vocabulary!

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
Birthdays, Heidi, Mailboxes

mailbox in French + mailbox photos!

One of the dumbest things about moving to France is leaving your sister behind. Today, mine celebrates a birthday and I won't be there to take her picture as she blows out her candles. But with any luck she'll have received the funny postcard I sent which brings me to the theme of today's missive: mailboxes! la boîte à lettres (bwat-ah-letr)     : mailbox, … Continue reading mailbox in French + mailbox photos!

Kristin Espinasse138 Comments
Heidi

La soeur – sister in French

My beautiful sister, and Mom's first-born, Heidi (right). Our mom, Jules, painted the quail and my mother-in-law, Michèle-France, gave me the owl (next to the rosary and the purse). Voilà… just another family photo. Do you sniff homesickness?  127 Things to do in Paris! Thanks for continuing to share your excellent tips on where to go and what to see in France's most beloved city. Click … Continue reading La soeur – sister in French

Kristin Espinasse66 Comments
Heidi, Memoir

Chapter 1: Positano, Italy – Summer 2002

Postitano, Italy. Photo by Annwvyn. Chapter 1: Positano, Italy – Summer 2002 We must bear with ourselves with patience and without flattery. — Fenelon I am sitting on the floor of a luxury hotel room, tossing potato chips across the parquet tiles to my 9-month-old nephew, Payne.  My sister and her husband are out for an early dinner, and I have offered to babysit. With a … Continue reading Chapter 1: Positano, Italy – Summer 2002

Kristin Espinasse206 Comments