Merci beaucoup for the sweet messages, encouragements, and support you left following the anniversary post. I am fired up for another 16 years of writing and will read your bonne continuations whenever I need a motivational pick-up! Fun fact: this post will take you 2 minutes and 38 seconds to read to the end. If you were to read it out loud, that would take … Continue reading Caviar d’Aubergine: An easy, delicious family recipe for you

 "Broody" is less useful to you than the French word for grumpy (unless you're a hen), so we'll feature the second term–in verb form–today. Two mini columns follow: the first is a response to Audrey, who lives near the Spanish border, and the second is an update on our moody poule. Today's Word: ronchonner      : to grumble, growl, grouse Voici des verbs similaires à ronchonner … Continue reading Grrr! Grumpy and grouchy and broody in French! (Plus a fiery recipe…)

Thank you for the wonderful profiles you are sending in, in celebration of this word journal's 15th birthday. It is a pleasure and a gift to read about you for a change, and your "bonne continuation" messages have given me an invigorating second wind! If you did not see your comment posted, scroll down to the end of the comments in the previous post and … Continue reading Broyer, Pilon + Mousse au Chocolat aux Epices – a spicy dessert to celebrate this word journal’s birthday

Along with most of the rest of France, j'ai chopé la crève. I wonder how? Did I catch a cold while crammed into a stairwell with other ferry passengers on our way home from The Island of Beauty? Or, as my dentist suggested during a three-part "crowning" series (ma première couronne! I've got one more appointment to go…), did I catch a draft during mi-saison–when … Continue reading La Crève and Chili Basta! Fast and Easy Chili recipe with a Provençal twist

The word brugnon is used when the pit sticks to the flesh, whereas the word nectarine is used when the pit is free. In English and in other languages, only the word nectarine exists, whether or not the pit sticks. Listen to the sentence in French, below. (photo: A brugnonier, or nectarine tree, at our former vineyard.) un brugnon     : nectarine Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read the French … Continue reading Brugnon…or nectarine? (A two word hint: sticky pits) + bee or wasp? And an easy recipe for fruit crumble

Goodbye Mas des Brun. Thank you for 5 wonderful years! FARNIENTE–from the Italian fare (to do) and niente (nothing). Farniente is a new word for me, and an old one when it comes to naming a home (Jean-Marc tells me many French people name their homes farniente). Help us find a name for our new place, submit your suggestion in the comments at the end … Continue reading Adieu Mas des Brun: Last dispatch from the vineyard & Ratatouille recipe!

Ignore the veggies for a moment and listen up: we're having a wine-tasting here at home on July 11th at 5 pm. Email jm.espinasse@gmail.com to reserve your seat. Hope to see you! Yesterday, Jean-Marc and I quietly celebrated 23 years of marriage (our civil union was in Marseilles, on July 4, 1994.  Read the story and see the steamy picture.) If I had to do … Continue reading Meetup at our home + French Sloppy Joes (A Sicilian-inspired recipe)