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Not a cougar! A “wife hen”! + James Dean in France!

The James Dean of France… and why I'm not a cougar–in today's post. Read on! maman poule (mah-mahn-pool)     : mother hen You can also say "une mère poule." Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc Download MP3 or Wav file Une maman poule c'est une femme qui couve trop–ou surprotège–ses enfants. Alors qu'est-ce que c'est une femme poule? Cette expression n'existe pas. Mais le personnage, oui! D'après mon … Continue reading Not a cougar! A “wife hen”! + James Dean in France!

Kristin Espinasse116 Comments
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One good reason to learn French!

One thing I love about studying French is the opportunity to improve my English! Just this morning I learned of another set of words I've been confounding all along.  Thank you, Charles, who responded to my post "Zipper Politics." Charles writes: You mention journalists having a heyday, but the correct expression is "field day." You were confusing heyday with field day. Merci encore, Charles! Considering … Continue reading One good reason to learn French!

Kristin Espinasse22 Comments
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Zipper politics in France (!)

Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise. You can't help but want to snap a picture of the sign when ambling through Shakepeare and Company in Paris. But did you know it's forbidden to take pictures inside the famous bookstore? Then again, the French are not known to behave in public. Case in point: France's president–who was spotted in the wee … Continue reading Zipper politics in France (!)

Kristin Espinasse94 Comments
garden, gardening

mangetout + the thrill of sowing seeds

Smokey and the Beanstalk… this snapshot reminds me of a favorite fairy tale. (Pictured: the near transparent "mangetout" bean that sprang up in December–alongside the wire fence of the dogs' pen.  I love the camera perspective. Had the lens been moved that much more we might have placed Smokey on a branch… and sent him on a celestial journey. To think that even a slight … Continue reading mangetout + the thrill of sowing seeds

Kristin Espinasse52 Comments
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How to say “little girl” (or small bottle) in French: une fillette + Maternal instinct

Some pictures from home, and, as Maurice Chevalier would say, thank heaven for little girls. une fillette (fee-ette)     : a little girl    : a cowardly man The term fillette also refers to a small bottle, especially in regards to wine. Audio File: listen to the French word fillette (file by Wikipedia): Improve your French pronunciation with  Exercises in French Phonetics A Day in a French … Continue reading How to say “little girl” (or small bottle) in French: une fillette + Maternal instinct

Kristin Espinasse106 Comments
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To peel or to pare or to shuck in French: éplucher + new video!

Welcome home! Lily the 4-month-old huntress tiger greets Smokey–who returned home safely after Monday's great escape. More in today's story column. éplucher (ay-ploo-shay)     1. to peel, to pare (fruits, vegetable); to shuck (remove corn husk)    2. to comb through (documents, files)   Listen: hear the French word éplucher:Audio File from Wikipedia: For more pronunciation help, check out the guide Exercises in French … Continue reading To peel or to pare or to shuck in French: éplucher + new video!

Kristin Espinasse72 Comments
French Christmas, Recette / Recipe

Recipe: bacon-wrapped prunes – Pruneaux au lard fumé + the French word “serviable” and a lesson worth learning!

  "Smokey's Temptation" La galette des rois was not planned. I'd gone to the supermarché for eggs–to mix in with three overripe bananas (for sweet bread). Only, when I pushed my cart into Carrefour I saw the traditional stuffed cakes. "When is the actual date for eating these?" I asked the pretty check-out lady. "Epiphany," she said. " "When's Epiphany?" I wondered. "Today," she said. "…I … Continue reading Recipe: bacon-wrapped prunes – Pruneaux au lard fumé + the French word “serviable” and a lesson worth learning!

Kristin Espinasse82 Comments
Book Publishing

Help pick the new book cover! + “Get to the point!” in French?

  Book cover designs by TLC Graphics. Click on the image to enlarge it. Bonne Année! Have a New Year's goal? Mine is to be more concise in my writing. I'll practice today by getting straight to the point (er… just after today's word and our sponsor's message!): aller droit au but (ah-lay-dwat-oh-bewt)     : to get straight to the point     Audio File: listen … Continue reading Help pick the new book cover! + “Get to the point!” in French?

Kristin Espinasse1,758 Comments
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A Deeply Meaningful French Word

Stripped of decorum, this old shed still offers shelter against the biting wind. Have you ever heard an old word as if for the first time? Your ears ring and you are seized by meaning–when a humble old mot causes a lump in your throat. mangeoire (mahn-zhwar) noun, feminine   1.  trough, manger (animals) ; feeding dish (birds)  2.  crèche (Christ child's crib)Audio File Hear today's French word and proverb: Download mp3 or Wav … Continue reading A Deeply Meaningful French Word

Kristin Espinasse100 Comments