I snapped this photo in Rochegude, while running early to a luncheon.* Those sunny shutters remind me of our hostesse's character. More about le repas in today's story column. *(By the way, while it is most-often French words that bestill a Francophile's heart, have you ever let yourself linger over the word "luncheon"? It is quite delightful in its own right, n'est pas?) * * … Continue reading dejouper
Flowers and a bicycle help rendre hommage to Polly Platt–who loved to ride. Your help is needed in paying tribute this beloved author and speaker. Share your stories about Polly: your favorite anecdotes from her helpful books, a favorite tip that you learned from one of her articles, or a chance encounter that you shared with one of our favorite Francophiles. hommage (oh-mazh) noun, masculine … Continue reading hommage
Three things about this photo… share what you see in the comments box, in French or in English. The snow is melting here in Provence (update: *was* melting…), now if the fingers would thaw too–in time to finish this edition! (The heater in our house has gone awol–or awry? Aië aië aië!) Today's word: rebord (reuh-bohr) noun, masculine : rim; edge; border; ledge : … Continue reading rebord
Photo taken at Chateau de la Begude, in Rousset (near Aix-en-Provence). tel quel, telle quelle (tel kel) expression : just as it is Sound file: hear the French words "tel quel": Download Wav or MP3 A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse "Telle Quelle" (Just As She Is) I am reading the label on a jar of hazelnut confit. The instructions say to spread … Continue reading tel quel
How much is that doggy oie in the window? Photo © Kristin Espinasse taken in or near Buisson (Vaucluse)… Which do you find more charming in the photo above: those curvy curtainettes, those bucolic beads, the patched up window pane, or that oisive oie–or gazing goose–in the window upstairs? Or maybe it's the whimsical frieze above the door? Or simply, shutters? Share your thoughts in the … Continue reading oie
Our colorful, wine-making village of Sainte Cécile-Les-Vignes: a scenic place to ride your bike, with no-hassle parking. livre d'or (leev-ruh-door) noun, masculine : "golden book", guestbook, visitors' book I hope you'll sign my livre d'or — this would make me so happy! You might include your name, location, a few–or many–things about yourself, and how you happened upon this word-of-the-day website…. and why not … Continue reading livre d’or
The closest thing to a sleigh that I could find in my photo album. Photo taken in the Piedmont. Bestseller in French language instruction: SmartFrench empreinte de pas (soundfile follows…) noun, feminine : footprint Audio File: Listen to my daughter, Jackie, pronounce the French word for footprint: Download Une empreinte de pas . Download Une empreinte de pas A Day in a French … Continue reading empreinte de pied
Our friend, témoin, avocat, son's parrain, and more, in today's story. (The cute guy is Matthieu, my husband's godson). avocat (avo-kah) noun 1. avocado 2. lawyer, barrister, counsel The feminine of avocat is "avocate" Do you have a funny, language-learning (or other) story about an avocado/avocat or lawyer/légume? Wait a minute; an avocado is a fruit… Never mind, share your fruity, law-abiding story with us … Continue reading avocat
The woman across the table from me has hair the color of steeped red tea. Her thick, curly locks are gathered at the nape of her neck and loosely tied. Her name is Ouahida (pronounced why-dah) and she tells me her prénom* means “unique” in Tunisian. Ouahida and I are drinking Earl Grey at an Irish pub in the French Alps, but soon we will … Continue reading Ouahida
I don't know why I want "straight" to always be the rule when, in fact, I often admire what is off-center. Read on, in today's story column. règle (regl) noun, feminine : rule, ruler; rule (of conduct, grammar); (règles = menstruation) Audio File: listen to today's word and hear Jean-Marc read a passage (that is: (a list of rules) from today's story Download WAV or … Continue reading regle
