Enter to win a copy of the book Hidden in Paris. Answer the following question:Have you ever won something? Click here to answer. topinambour (toh-pee-nam-boor)     : jerusalem artichoke, sun choke, helianthus tuberosus Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wav file Pendant la guerre, manger des topinambours a permis d'éviter la famine.During the war, eating jerusalem artichokes helped avoid famine.   A DAY IN A FRENCH … Continue reading The French word topinambour–it saved French lives during WW2

Enter to win this French holiday CD (pictured below) Simply tell me a favorite song of yours here in the comments. My mother-in-law might say "something by Elvis or Gainsbourg." That's her, right, in Nyons. Look at those trusty shoes she is wearing–the last thing I packed for her before the firemen whisked her away, yesterday! Read on. tomber (tohm-bay)     : to fall … Continue reading The French word “tomber,” the cops, and my mother-in-law

To enter to win today's book–a copy of Flirting with French–tell me your favorite thing to eat. Click here to enter. Today's delicious fish caper begins somewhere near the sea in La Madrague, east of La Ciotat…. but before we begin, a question for those who have had difficulty viewing these emailed posts: how are things looking today? Thanks for reporting any formatting issues to … Continue reading The French word “sous-vide” + Win “Flirting with French”

Un oubli? No, I did not forget today's photo! I need to leave out pictures, this one time, in an attempt to solve a mystery: "The Vertical Letters Mystery"…. After reports by readers about text "running down the page"–instead of across it–we are trying to pinpoint the issue. You can help by reporting any formatting glitches to support@feedblitz.com (The photo-filled newsletter will be back next week. … Continue reading How to say ‘forgetful’ in French + today’s giveaway

Apparently the vine leaves are changing up north, but in our area of Bandol the zinnias and the cosmos and one or two hollyhocks are still in bloom. And can you believe one little sunflower just blossomed, here on the eve of November…. marcotter (mar-koh-tay)     : (of plants, especially strawberries) to layer–or when plants develop airborn roots, then skip across the garden, replanting … Continue reading Winner announced + the French word “marcotter”

Sharing for an abundant future. This post is for my belle-mère, Marsha, who recently welcomed a dear and cherished grandson, "Christian," born trisomique (Down's Syndrome). Today we ask ourselves how to say "special needs person" in French? Meantime, here is a related word, learned recently while gardening with a group of special needs students in France: minutieux (minutieuse)     : careful, meticulous, fastidious Soundfile: Listen to … Continue reading How to say “special needs person” in French?

Exercising restraint after posting a recent slew of dog photos. Enjoy some flowering melisse (lemon balm) and this stone cabanon instead. (More about dogs in today's column…) Breizh (pronunciation uncertain. Here we say BREZ)     : in the Breton language, Breizh means "Brittany" Breizh, le nom breton de la Bretagne, vient lui d'un ancien Brittia. (Wikipedia)Breizh, the Breton name for Brittany, comes from the ancient "Brittia". A … Continue reading Breizh is a name and a place and a dog in France