Tag: Bandol

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Décontracté at Chateau de Pibarnon: a visual report

Yesterday we spent a relaxing day at one of the most prestigious vineyards in Provence: Chateau de Pibarnon. Listen to the previous sentence in French, just below, and don't miss the entire post and photos. First, today's word: "décontracté" relaxed, calm, serene Click the following link to listen to the French sentence (English version above) Hier nous avons passé une journée décontractée dans un des … Continue reading Décontracté at Chateau de Pibarnon: a visual report

Kristin Espinasse17 Comments
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Stationner + we surprise our daughter at her new job

Stationner was word of the day on November 11th, 2005. You can listen to a then 8-year-old Jackie in the soundfile for that post. Jackie is now 19 and finishing up her academic year in Aix-en-Provence, where we found her a studette in le centre ville. She returned for Easter break, to have her dents de sagesse removed and to begin her summer job in … Continue reading Stationner + we surprise our daughter at her new job

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments
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Boulot: Guess who found a job in Bandol?

The port of Bandol where our story takes place, among the old wooden fishing boats, or “les pointus”…. TODAY’S WORD: boulot         1.  job, work 2.  chubby, plump metro, boulot, dodo = the daily grind, all work and no play EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Hear Jean-Marc read the following sentence in French Notre fille, Jackie, a trouvé un boulot en tant que “runner.” Le runneur est un … Continue reading Boulot: Guess who found a job in Bandol?

Kristin Espinasse17 Comments
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Cinquante: Jean-Marc’s birthday and special guests

Jean-Marc turned the big five-oh! Here he is in his childhood stomping grounds: the calanque of Sormiou. You are seeing a nice view into Marseilles, from this angle. In the very background you can almost make out Notre-Dame de la Guard. TODAY'S WORD: Cinquante         : Fifty Il a cinquante ans = He's 50 EXAMPLE SENTENCE & Sound File Click here and listen to our son, Max, … Continue reading Cinquante: Jean-Marc’s birthday and special guests

Kristin Espinasse40 Comments
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Bilingual Story: Tondre, Domaine Tempier, and Tant Pis

Sheep grazing in the vineyard of Domaine Tempier beneath the village of la Cadière d'Azur – a most charming village near us. Reserve a room for Valentines or any time of year. Click here. TODAY'S WORD: Tondre         : to mow, to cut, to shave, to shear 1 Minute video : learn to say "monsieur" correctly. By Dave over at http://www.fluentfrench.com  BIILINGUAL LETTER by Jean-Marc … Continue reading Bilingual Story: Tondre, Domaine Tempier, and Tant Pis

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
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French strikes–and Lunch at Chateau de Pibarnon with Eric De Saint Victor!

Doing much much better around here. Many thanks for the warmth, understanding and support you have sent. Picture of Jean-Marc and me taken two days ago, at Chateau de Pibarnon. Photos by Phyllis Adatto. Today's French Phrase: HISSY FIT     : un caprice ECOUTEZ: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words: Download MP3 or  Wav Caprice. Phyllis a fait un caprice afin que Tim accepte de venir … Continue reading French strikes–and Lunch at Chateau de Pibarnon with Eric De Saint Victor!

Kristin Espinasse49 Comments
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A fun French word for pizza, tart, or quiche crust + Mieux vaut tard que jamais

Benches along a trottoir in Collioures, France. Photo taken 11 years ago, when Jean-Marc and I celebrated our 11th anniversary, while dreaming of owning a vineyard one day.  TODAY'S WORD: le trottoir     : sidewalk, pavement, curb    : slang for the outer crust (or le rebord) on a pizza, tart, or quicheListen to Jean-Marc Download Trottoir En France et en Suisse, par métaphore, le … Continue reading A fun French word for pizza, tart, or quiche crust + Mieux vaut tard que jamais

Kristin Espinasse29 Comments
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Tirer sa reverence & Jean-Marc’s quiet tribute

Jean-Marc, watering 5,600 baby vines by hand. When I posted this picture on my Facebook, Jeanne Asakura wrote: Such a peaceful scene. There’s a reverence about it as well. Jeanne, your words couldn’t be more true. Read on in today’s story… Tirer sa révérence     : to go, to pass away     Beautifully renovated and decorated home in the Luberon. 4 bedrooms and a study … Continue reading Tirer sa reverence & Jean-Marc’s quiet tribute

Kristin Espinasse55 Comments
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s’embrouiller

Look for the hearts in today's post, dedicated to someone who easily found them, everywhere she looked. Please read my tribute to Melanie Olsen, in the post réconfort. Click here, if you missed it. s'embrouiller (sawm-brooey-ay)     : to get confused, to get into a muddle I learned, recently, that s'embrouiller has yet another meaning: to enter into a tangle, or an argument, with … Continue reading s’embrouiller

Kristin Espinasse58 Comments
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How to say “a small matter” or “something trifle” in French

Earlier this week, on Facebook, I posted Snoopy's message (even if I didn't believe a word of it): Chaque fois que tu trouves de l'humour dans une situation difficile, tu gagnes. une broutille (broo-tee)     a trifle, a small matter, a little thing, nothing Audio File: Listen to Max Download MP3 or Wav file  Ils se sont disputés pour une broutille. They got in a fight over … Continue reading How to say “a small matter” or “something trifle” in French

Kristin Espinasse284 Comments