Category: Marriage

Marriage

To have the munchies, in French + We have a party, I learn a few more lessons…

Photo (by Pascale Gauthier) of our wedding anniversary dinner, here at home. AVOIR LES CROCS     : to have the munchies (a sudden desire to snack) A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse The following story was written in 2014… On Friday night 45 of our closest friends came over for a sit-down dinner to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Jean-Marc and … Continue reading To have the munchies, in French + We have a party, I learn a few more lessons…

Kristin Espinasse128 Comments
Marriage

How to say “stomach ache” in French

When Jean-Marc came to Phoenix to woo me we exchanged gifts. For me, a Provençale skirt 3 sizes too small. (Does my face look as pinched as my waist? At least he looks relaxed.) Twenty-four years later and we still miss the mark–but so far we keep trying to understand each other. (Photo from the forthcoming book "First French Essais." Out next month!) avoir mal … Continue reading How to say “stomach ache” in French

Kristin Espinasse54 Comments
Italy, Marriage

tenir la route

I still can't believe this hunka hunka burning love (as one of my endearing readers calls Jean-Marc), yes I couldn't believe it then and now, 23-years later… I still can't believe he loves me. Happy anniversary, Baby. We celebrated our 19-year- wedding anniversary (the date we exchanged religious vows), on Sept 24th. Jean-Marc is reading "Mastering the Art of French Eating," by Ann Mah. Highly … Continue reading tenir la route

Kristin Espinasse126 Comments
Courtship, Marriage, Marseilles

le mariage civil + noce + the French are softies when it comes to weddings

"The Kiss". Jean-Marc and I celebrated our 19th anniversary with a hike along the sea and a swim at this calanque, in St. Cyr-sur-Mer. la noce (nohce)     : wedding, nuptials faire la noce = to live it upla nuit de noce = wedding nightle voyage de noces = honeymoon A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse Stopping Traffic Memories are like … Continue reading le mariage civil + noce + the French are softies when it comes to weddings

Kristin Espinasse104 Comments
Marriage

se chamailler

Who could argue with a man in a dress? Not when he's repairing the front door! P.S. Would anyone like to explain just what kind of robe this is? There's a specific word for it–can you guess it? Comments welcome here, in the coin commentaires.  Your comments on GMOs or genetically modified food were fascinating and educational. Thank you so much for taking the time … Continue reading se chamailler

Kristin Espinasse66 Comments
Jules, Marriage

casse-tete

Jean-Marc's latest pastime. Read on in today's story column. un casse-tête (kass tet)     : jigsaw puzzle, brainteaser    : difficult problem, headache  Note: un casse-tête is a synonym for puzzle. The French more often call a puzzle "un puzzle" or "un jeu de patience". Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read today's word and the following example sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file Les premiers puzzles se … Continue reading casse-tete

Kristin Espinasse40 Comments
Grignan, Marriage

sang-froid

The Christmas decorations are still up in the town of Grignan. Have you taken down your holiday decor? Click here to comment.  le sang-froid     : calm, equanimity, imperturbability Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc (I am told my husband has a beautiful voice! Don't miss it): Download MP3 or Wav file Lors de situations conflictuelles, çela aide pas mal de garder son sang-froid!During situations which involve conflict, it … Continue reading sang-froid

Kristin Espinasse66 Comments
Legal Issues, Marriage

epousailles

Betrothed bikes in Orange, France. épousailles (ay poo zeye) noun, feminine, plural     : nuptials, wedding Paris-based novelist Janet Skeslien Charles is back with us today to talk about "le Oui" or the "I Do" of a union of two…. Le Mariage by Janet Skeslien Charles In my novel Moonlight in Odessa, Daria, a young Ukrainian who longs for a better life marries Tristan, an American … Continue reading epousailles

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