Je ne dois pas tarder, Jean-Marc said while we finished up our coffee in bed. It was a gentle reminder he needed to get going. He had grapes to press! But his words also assured me he had a moment for our morning meditation–the 5-minute reading for couples we’ve been doing for years. But this morning, for those few precious moments, I had another idea… … Continue reading Jean-Marc meets Dolly: A Tribute from France to an American Angel

LE TOUILLAGE — French pronunciation: [too-yahzh] Le touillage = stirring or mixing; here, stirring the fermenting wine in the vat. Example sentence:Je suis chargée du touillage du vin chaque matin.I’m in charge of stirring the wine each morning. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Assistant winemaker may be a stretch. But while Jean-Marc is away in the Alps this week, Max and I have been … Continue reading Backyard Wine: The Whole Family Gets Roped into Jean-Marc’s “Garage” Vintage

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse This week I opened my mailbox to find the latest issue of France Today. Inside was an article I’d written about the Canadair—that cheery red-and-yellow airplane that skims the Mediterranean, scoops up thousands of liters of seawater, then races off to battle wildfires.  When I turned in the story a couple of months ago, I remember … Continue reading We are OK, but France is on fire.

Today’s Word: ça m’amuse : I find it amusing Pronunciation: (sa ma-MUZ) Example Sentence:Au lieu de râler, je choisis de voir la situation autrement en me disant : “Ça m’amuse.”Instead of grumbling, I choose to see the situation differently by telling myself, “Ça m’amuse.” A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse The day began at 5 a.m. when Jean-Marc slipped quietly out of … Continue reading A French expression that will change your mind

TODAY’S WORD: LE TRAC le trac = stage fright; performance anxiety; the nervous flutter before an important event Example sentence: Avant l’arrivée de mes invités, j’ai toujours le trac.Before my guests arrive, I always get the jitters. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse July brings visitors. I love them, but my nervous system doesn’t. My mind begins to spin imagining every future … Continue reading “Le Trac” and Hosting: Do you know the feeling?

Today’s French Word: le répit (luh ray-PEE) Definition: respite; a welcome pause from the demands of everyday life. Example sentence: Cette promenade au bord de la mer nous a offert un précieux répit. This walk by the sea offered us a precious respite. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Ever since that first cruise with my dad and sisters two years ago, … Continue reading A Good Rest (I think I want to retire on a cruise ship)

I wish I could remember all of the fascinating words and French phrases from our recent périple, but I was a little in the clouds. This was partly owing to the location—a perched village in the Var—and partly to the lovely people: our friends from New Zealand and the châtelain with whom we’d soon share a picnic.… Continue reading A Hilltop Village, A Tent, and Good Wine & Company