Jackie

A Strange Coincidence, “soul-daughter”, and wonderment in French

Pictured: Jean-Marc, who does the sound files for this journal, and our daughter, Jackie, whom today's story is about ♥ (here, she is making "The Lady B" one of the drinks she mixed for Baccarat). Today's Word: émerveillement    : wonderment, amazement Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear all the French words in the following story. Then scroll down to the vocabulary list to … Continue reading A Strange Coincidence, “soul-daughter”, and wonderment in French

Kristin Espinasse28 Comments
Hens/Les Poules

“Regretfully” in French + to spin out of control + One of us moves out…

Which family member moved to the historic grounds of La Bastide Marin? Read on, in today's chronique and learn a dozen more useful French terms. Today's Word: à contrecoeur (or contre-coeur)     : regretfully, reluctantly, grudgingly Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear today's word + a dozen more vocabulary words. Next, scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your comprehension. Click here … Continue reading “Regretfully” in French + to spin out of control + One of us moves out…

Kristin Espinasse25 Comments
Uncategorized

Donation via bank transfer

A bank transfer via Zelle is the best way to send your donation as there are no transaction fees. Most online banks in the USA contain the Zelle® money transfer tab. Search for Zelle®, then use these simple steps:   1. For the recipient info, please use my Bank of America email ID: Kristin.Espinasse@gmail.com Include your email address so I may thank you personally. 2. Or … Continue reading Donation via bank transfer

Kristin Espinasse
French Expressions, Le Vin Sobre wine shop, Readers

Name your favorite drink + What does the French “bredouille” mean in English? (Hint: it doesn’t mean ‘tipsy’)

If you were to visit Jean-Marc's wine shop, what would you buy? Tell us your favorite wine, drink, or boisson in the comments section. It could make for a lively thread! Today's Word: bredouille     : empty-handed, unsuccessful Audio/Listening: Click the link below to hear today's word + a dozen more vocabulary words. Next, scroll down to the vocabulary list to check your comprehension. Sound File, … Continue reading Name your favorite drink + What does the French “bredouille” mean in English? (Hint: it doesn’t mean ‘tipsy’)

Kristin Espinasse52 Comments
Family Life, Le Vin Sobre wine shop

“Conciliabule” or how to say Pow Wow in French + Family dynamics: living with adult kids and Grandma

A new window, or "vitrine", at Jean-Marc's wine shop. It depicts the local coastline, including Cassis! Zut! There's a blooper, une gaffe, at the end of today's sound file. Listen for Jean-Marc, who tells me I've made two mistakes. Hear all the French vocabulary in today's story when you click on the link, below: Audio file, click here Conciliabule(kohn-see-lya-bewl): conventicle Conciliabule–what a cool word in … Continue reading “Conciliabule” or how to say Pow Wow in French + Family dynamics: living with adult kids and Grandma

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Jackie

Une Escroquerie: our daughter got scammed and is returning to France

Un Escroc, Escroquer, Une Escroquerie : a con (scammer), to cheat, a fraud L'ECOUTE: Practice your French Listening Skills. To hear the French in today's story, click below. Next, check your comprehension by viewing the vocabulary list (farther down). Listen to today's vocabulary in the following story. Click here A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Last Friday the 24th, after a day … Continue reading Une Escroquerie: our daughter got scammed and is returning to France

Kristin Espinasse80 Comments
Marriage

Celebrating today! + French for gentle, pleasant, sweet & Reader tips for a good relationship

Flying rice at our noces de mariage Today, Jean-Marc and I celebrate 27 years of marriage. Help us mark the occasion by sharing your best tip for relationships in the comments below. DOUX(doo)soft, sweet, gentle, pleasant, mellow Practice your French Listening Skills. Click to hear Jean-Marc read in French and English: Le mariage est comme le vin : doux, amer, intense, moelleux, acide ou plat. … Continue reading Celebrating today! + French for gentle, pleasant, sweet & Reader tips for a good relationship

Kristin Espinasse56 Comments
Grocery Store Encounters, Senior Citizens in France

A Beautiful Escape via the French word échapper belle

Today's story takes place in La Ciotat, not far from the beach.  ECHAPPER BELLE (ay-shap-ay bel)     : to have a close call, a lucky escape; to let off the hook L'ECOUTE: Practice your French Listening Skills. To hear the French in today's story, click below. Next, check your comprehension by viewing the vocabulary list (farther down). Listen to the vocabulary list, click here … Continue reading A Beautiful Escape via the French word échapper belle

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
Family Life

The Members of our Family + recipe reminder: “La Tarte Tomate”

"Take a new road each day," Mom says. Like that, I discovered this quaint, unfamiliar rue on my way to our little Baptist church here in La Ciotat. The vine-flanked ruelle was as peaceful as the photo, with neighbors chatting at a window sill and laundry fluttering in the breeze.  TODAY'S WORD: un défaut (day-fo)     : fault, flaw, shortcoming, vice la curiosité est … Continue reading The Members of our Family + recipe reminder: “La Tarte Tomate”

Kristin Espinasse125 Comments
Well-being/Wellness

A few recent photos, “the best days of our lives”, and a strange French word for hoarding

A grotte (La Grotte Saint-Marcel) we visited in Ardeche, on a recent getaway in a rented camping car. Last month I didn't have the guts to tell you that I had planned on taking the entire summer off from faithfully updating this French word journal. Instead, I promised, "I'll check in with you in June…" Let that be a lesson that putting off the inevitable … Continue reading A few recent photos, “the best days of our lives”, and a strange French word for hoarding

Kristin Espinasse60 Comments