Uncategorized

Terroir, French for “somewhereness” & that magnetic pull we feel towards France

Those wildflower seeds loved the terroir in Sainte Cécile, where we lived for a time.  TODAY'S WORD: "terroir"   : soil, region; "somewhereness"FRENCH SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French comprehension. Listen closely to the vocabulary list A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse You … Continue reading Terroir, French for “somewhereness” & that magnetic pull we feel towards France

Kristin Espinasse34 Comments
Uncategorized

Dépanner & How a safety pin can outwit pickpockets

Pictured: a muguet stand here in La Ciotat. I hope you all had a relaxing premier mai, or Labor Day, and that the month is going well. On May 12th, at 6 p.m., Jean-Marc and our son Max are having a special wine-tasting for organic and natural wines. If you are in the area of La Ciotat they would love to see you. Click here … Continue reading Dépanner & How a safety pin can outwit pickpockets

Kristin Espinasse44 Comments
Birds, Wildlife

A Happy Ending + “To Fly Away” in French

One dove, Betty (pictured beside Mama), remained in our care until Sunday…when she successfully took flight. Read on for an update on her brother, Rusty, and his trick on local tourists 🙂 Your edits to this post are helpful, appreciated, and incorporated as soon as possible. Merci. TODAY'S FRENCH WORD: "s'envoler"     : to take flight, to fly away, to fly off SOUND FILE: Click … Continue reading A Happy Ending + “To Fly Away” in French

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments
Accidents, Birds, Jules, Wildlife

Les oisillons: baby birds fall into our yard + caring for injured and baby chicks

These baby doves were discovered in our garden one week ago. Don't miss the story, below. See any mistakes in today's post? Your edits are helpful and appreciated. Merci d'avance. TODAY’S FRENCH WORD: un oisillon  : baby bird, chick SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then scroll down to the vocabulary section to check your French … Continue reading Les oisillons: baby birds fall into our yard + caring for injured and baby chicks

Kristin Espinasse23 Comments
Cassis, Food and Drink, Max

Slang in French for “to have a bite to eat” & La Loco (a delicious Italian restaurant in Cassis)

A sympathique place to eat in Cassis. That's Max's pal, Antoine, and a couple of furry customers trying to get into "La Loco"–an Italian Restaurant facing the train station 1.9 miles above the Cassidian Port.FRENCH EXPRESSION: “casser la dalle”     : to have a bite to eat (slang) SOUND FILE: Click the link to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then … Continue reading Slang in French for “to have a bite to eat” & La Loco (a delicious Italian restaurant in Cassis)

Kristin Espinasse35 Comments
Jackie, Sports

What are “les patins à roulettes”? + Embarrassment is the Thief of Joy

Colorful, vintage "quad" roller skates. Je les adore! How about you? And do you rollerskate? Also, if today's word doesn't interest you, there are a dozen more useful terms to discover in the story below. FRENCH WORD OF THE DAY: les patins à roulettes      : roller skates  FRENCH AUDIO: Click the link below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's post. Then … Continue reading What are “les patins à roulettes”? + Embarrassment is the Thief of Joy

Kristin Espinasse20 Comments
April Fool's Day, Bureaucracy

La Cotisation: How much money I earn blogging $$ + a retirement pension for Americans in France?

“La Boucherie” in Pélissanne—Notice the lettering on this shopfront (can you translate the French?). I love typography and have always loved language even if I am still capable of butchering French. In today’s story, you’ll understand why…  For our True Crime readers: The Butcher of Paris  I've not read the book (read at your own risk) but the title goes along with today's story 🙂 … Continue reading La Cotisation: How much money I earn blogging $$ + a retirement pension for Americans in France?

Kristin Espinasse84 Comments
Smokey

The French Word “Renifler” & Getting my Husband and My Dog to Speak the Same Language

This post begins and ends with pictures of (or around) our city's historic Cinéma Lumière. Corrections to this journal are helpful and appreciated.  Today's Word: renifler     : to sniff, smell, snuffle French Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear Jean-Marc pronounce the French words in today's story. Then scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your French comprehension. Click here for MP3 … Continue reading The French Word “Renifler” & Getting my Husband and My Dog to Speak the Same Language

Kristin Espinasse25 Comments
Jackie

Un Coup de Pouce: a helping hand from our daughter

Jean-Marc, in Briançon. The words on the wall read: L'alpiniste est un homme qui conduit son corps là où, un jour, ses yeux ont regardé… " The mountaineer is a man who leads his body to where, one day, his eyes have looked. –Gaston Rébuffat Today's Expression: Un Coup de Pouce     : a helping hand, a boost, a leg up French Audio/Listening: Click … Continue reading Un Coup de Pouce: a helping hand from our daughter

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters, Smokey

French for “fighter, warrior, survivor” + Fate, Love, and Dogs: Our golden retriever is “un battant”

These are our dog’s parents. That’s “Sam” on the left and Breizh, right. They lived life to the fullest and are over the rainbow bridge now. We hope to keep their son, Smokey, on this side of that colorful arc-en-ciel for as long as possible. Read on, in today’s post. Today's Word: un battant     : fighter, warrior, survivor French Audio/Listening: Click the following link … Continue reading French for “fighter, warrior, survivor” + Fate, Love, and Dogs: Our golden retriever is “un battant”

Kristin Espinasse66 Comments