Alps, French Destinations

Serre Chevalier + How to say “flat rate” when searching for $ deals in France

Ambition is the downfall of man. (L'Ambition est la perte de l'homme). A message on a lazy sundial in Serre Chevalier.  un forfait (for-fay)     : flat rate, package deal,  un forfait week-end = weekend package (price)un forfait mensuel = monthly subscriptionun forfait boisson = drinks includedun forfait de ski = ski pass Audio File and Example Sentence: Download MP3 or WAV Jean-Marc a trouvé un forfait … Continue reading Serre Chevalier + How to say “flat rate” when searching for $ deals in France

Kristin Espinasse58 Comments
Marriage

How to say “stomach ache” in French

When Jean-Marc came to Phoenix to woo me we exchanged gifts. For me, a Provençale skirt 3 sizes too small. (Does my face look as pinched as my waist? At least he looks relaxed.) Twenty-four years later and we still miss the mark–but so far we keep trying to understand each other. (Photo from the forthcoming book "First French Essais." Out next month!) avoir mal … Continue reading How to say “stomach ache” in French

Kristin Espinasse54 Comments
tourism

c’est le monde à l’envers + Malta!

An unexpected twist on our romantic Valentine's getaway… to Malta. Read on in today's story column. c’est le monde à l’envers    :  the world's gone crazy (or: it's an upside-down world) Audio File: click the following links to hear today's word and definition Download MP3 or Wav L'expression "c'est le monde à l'envers" c'est quand les choses sont dans le contraire de ce qu’on attend. (from Wikipedia) … Continue reading c’est le monde à l’envers + Malta!

Kristin Espinasse102 Comments
Uncategorized

Coup de Foudre + French students seek host families in USA or England

How to say VROOOM! in French? If the topic today were onomatopoeia, then we'd surely have that one nailed by the end of this post. But there are two other pressing matters to figure out today: 1) How to say "Be my Valentine" in French? and 2) Who, in the States or in England, can host my French friend's 17-year-old? And/or can anyone recommend a fun … Continue reading Coup de Foudre + French students seek host families in USA or England

Kristin Espinasse152 Comments
Uncategorized

cafe litteraire

In the café littéraire meet-ups of yesteryear, old establishments like this may have welcomed book lovers. un café littéraire : Download MP3 or Wav Un café littéraire est un lieu de réunion où l'on parle de littérature, échange des idées, écoute des extraits de livres lus par des comédiens, assiste à des spectacles érudits tout en dégustant un café, ou autre boisson. A café littéraire is a meet-up … Continue reading cafe litteraire

Kristin Espinasse80 Comments
Paris

bibliotheque + American Library in Paris & Ann Mah and Patricia Wells!

Authors and journalists Patricia Wells and Ann Mah are as down-to-earth as dandelions–something these culinary divas could appreciate–sauteed with lardons fumés (and a glass of Mas des Brun rosé bien sûr!)  la bibliothèque (bih-blee-oh-tek)     : library Confession: I still mix up the terms bibliothèque and librairie, but une librairie–no matter how misleading name–is still a book store as we noted here. Audio File & Example Sentence: Will … Continue reading bibliotheque + American Library in Paris & Ann Mah and Patricia Wells!

Kristin Espinasse58 Comments
Uncategorized

Our former vineyard now also a B&B

Our former vineyard is now a B&B. Would you like a room with a view? Read on! chambre d'hôte (shahmbrh-dote)     : B&B Audio File – (includes an extra term for you: "à titre onéreux"). Listen to the following sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file Les chambres d'hôtes sont des chambres meublées situées chez l'habitant en vue d'accueillir des touristes, à titre onéreux, pour une ou plusieurs nuitées, … Continue reading Our former vineyard now also a B&B

Kristin Espinasse32 Comments
Uncategorized

Champagne party & Kristi’s book signing in Paris + mystery man

I realize most of you can't drop everything and jet over to Paris, but if you happen to be there already I would love to meet you! Feb 6th at 6:30 For more info RSVP at rmkatsaros@yahoo.com   Now about that mystery man mentioned in today's title. I need your help to tell his story! So please read today's column and let me know how I may … Continue reading Champagne party & Kristi’s book signing in Paris + mystery man

Kristin Espinasse162 Comments
French Workplace, garden, gardening

Paris meet-up! + “Ticket Restaurant”: an idea worth spreading?

Looking in our kitchen window, Smokey says, "Ever seen those signs in French restaurants: "Nous acceptons les Tickets Restaurant?" "Yes, Smokey dear, I've seen those stickers in the window–but you don't need a ticket to eat at this greasy spoon! Now take a seat and I'll be right out with your Croquettes du Jour!" (Photo taken after Friday's storm, which took down our bougainvillea. But it was … Continue reading Paris meet-up! + “Ticket Restaurant”: an idea worth spreading?

Kristin Espinasse88 Comments
Expressions, Flowers, Meet-Ups

Winetasting invitation! + “Allez, zou!”

  If flowers could talk (and who says they can't) then these are shouting ALLEZ ZOU! After oggling this sunshiny plant forever–and owning it, for a time–I broke down and ordered the Helianthus grosseserratus or "sawtooth sunflower" seeds. If you, like me, believe your garden or balcony or windowbox cannot live without this jumble of happiness, then order some seeds like I just did! And now … Continue reading Winetasting invitation! + “Allez, zou!”

Kristin Espinasse54 Comments