Recette / Recipe

Fastoche Loaf–you must make this savory bread (via this cool hack for the favorite French yogurt cake!)

You must make a cake salé! It is everything from a casual main course to a late-night snack in bed (extra good warmed–just like the sheets this time of year)…. Today's word: le cake salé     : loaf, savory cake Audio File & Example Sentence: click hereLe mot « cake » s'est étendu à un gâteau salé… fait avec des légumes, des olives, du jambon, etc. … Continue reading Fastoche Loaf–you must make this savory bread (via this cool hack for the favorite French yogurt cake!)

Kristin Espinasse36 Comments
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Do you miss the vineyard? + A handful of French vocabulary

Looking back. Photo by my Mom. A question I am sometimes asked is: Do you miss the vineyard? The answer is often the same: I don't look back. (One exception is when I am going through the blog archives, and come across a lively story like today's….) le sanglier (sahn glee ay)     : boar, wild pig A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin … Continue reading Do you miss the vineyard? + A handful of French vocabulary

Kristin Espinasse18 Comments
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From the French Alps to the Colorado Rockies: Notre fille s’installe

In books: Finding Gilbert, A Promise Fulfilled: Diane Covington-Carter grew up haunted by her father’s stories of his time in France during World War II and the orphan boy, Gilbert, who he tried to adopt and bring home. Fifty years after the war, can she possibly find Gilbert to tell him that her father never forgot him? Order the book. Today's word: appartenir     … Continue reading From the French Alps to the Colorado Rockies: Notre fille s’installe

Kristin Espinasse33 Comments
Firemen

Rebelote. Another burglar? When the sonnette rings after dark and you are all alone….

Eight Months in Provence, A Junior Year Abroad, 30 Years LateFor thirty years, Diane Covington-Carter dreamed of living in France and immersing herself in the country and language that spoke to her heart and soul. At age fifty, when she set off to fulfill that yearning, she learned that a long-cherished dream can become even more powerful from the waiting. Order the book. Today's Word: … Continue reading Rebelote. Another burglar? When the sonnette rings after dark and you are all alone….

Kristin Espinasse13 Comments
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How to say Raincoat (or Mackintosh) in French + update on our daughter!

The following was written days after the November 13, 2015 attack in Paris. Thank you for reading and sharing this journal with a friend. Today's Word: imperméable     : raincoat, mackintosh, mac    : weatherproof, impervious (adj) Imperméable. Nous sommes très fiers de Jackie pour la réalisation de son imperméable.Raincoat. We are very proud of Jackie for completing her raincoat.(Hear the example sentence: MP3 file) A … Continue reading How to say Raincoat (or Mackintosh) in French + update on our daughter!

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments
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La Voie Douce–the gentle path here in La Ciotat

Mom took my picture in a patch of winter lavender, found along La Voie Douce, or Gentle Path–a wonderful place to walk, ride your bike (or trottinette) here in La Ciotat. More about our walk, below. Today's word:  la voie       : path, way How colorful my daily walks have become since dragging Mom along with me! Even if she never wants to go: Honey, … Continue reading La Voie Douce–the gentle path here in La Ciotat

Kristin Espinasse42 Comments
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To be lazy in French & Why we should go to bed when the sun sets

Hibernation is life sleeping inside of us. L'hibernation, c'est la vie qui sommeille en soi. –Claude-may Waia Némia Today's word: paresser        : to be lazy    : lounging, loafing Click here to listen to the French sentence, above Lately, I've noticed that when the sun goes down I'm ready to get in bed. But I wonder if 6 o'clock in the evening isn't an … Continue reading To be lazy in French & Why we should go to bed when the sun sets

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
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Tu te moques de moi? Why I don’t knit anymore….

I hope you'll enjoy the following re-run or repost or revisit (ah, better word!)–it is the chance to see a story that would otherwise be lost to the spiraling depths of this blog's archives (do you ever go there?). Thanks for reading (or re-reading). Today's Expression: se moquer de quelqu'un     : to poke fun at somebody, to tease, to pull somebody's leg Audio … Continue reading Tu te moques de moi? Why I don’t knit anymore….

Kristin Espinasse14 Comments
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Voir un film en VO, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Freddie Mercury’s new fan

Because I forgot to mention, in my essay below, what it was that most moved me about the biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, I'll say it now: Freddie Mercury refused to let anyone, whether a close family member or a hot-in-pursuit suitor, define him. With his bold example he won my heart. Today's Expression: voir un film en VO (version originale)     : to see a … Continue reading Voir un film en VO, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Freddie Mercury’s new fan

Kristin Espinasse35 Comments
Writing

They hopped the fence: how our ideas (and our chickens) take off

"Writing is for the birds!" Photo taken here in La Ciotat this morning, when things were peaceful…. Today's Word: les guillemets   : quotation mark I set out to tell you a story about fugitive hens (no worries, they're back) when every possible distraction known to man or bird befell me. Welcome to a typical beginning to each and every writing session. If I am … Continue reading They hopped the fence: how our ideas (and our chickens) take off

Kristin Espinasse25 Comments