Tag: belle-mère

Cuisine, Culture, Dad and Marsha, Family Life, Heidi, Travel

Calin: A Hug in French, Family Reunions and My Break in the States

Some friendly characters encountered back in the Southwest, USA. BLOSSOMING IN PROVENCE BOOK REVIEW by PERFECTLY PROVENCE"The book’s chapters weave through the realities of being a mother, wife, and daughter living in an adopted country with different rules, cultural norms and language nuances." Read Carolyne Kauser-Abbott's review of Blossoming in Provence. TODAY'S FRENCH WORD: Un câlin     : a hug Rien ne vaut le … Continue reading Calin: A Hug in French, Family Reunions and My Break in the States

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Uncategorized

Stepmother or stepmom in French

I am bookending today's post with photos of my belle-mère, Marsha–in honor of the beautiful and inspiring woman my father married 20 years ago. I dropped off Dad and Marsha at Marseilles International airport today after an enriching, cozy and delicious visit (many great meals in la mijoteuse and many more by the sea, including here at La Plage du Bestouan in Cassis.).  la belle-mère … Continue reading Stepmother or stepmom in French

Kristin Espinasse32 Comments
Ma belle-mère, mother-in-law

mal barre = up the creek, in big trouble, screwed

When Paris looks a little like Provence. Note the subtle details: the outside-the-window cloth blinds, the "pigeon discourager" (can you see those sharp little pins on the window ledge?) the peek inside the stylish interior…  TODAY'S WORDmal barré (mal-baray) DEFINITONup the creek, in big trouble, screwed AUDIO FILE: listen to Jean-Marc read the French words below: Download MP3 or Wav file c'est mal barré = it's not looking … Continue reading mal barre = up the creek, in big trouble, screwed

Kristin Espinasse104 Comments
Courtship, mother-in-law

Oreiller (Or how to say “pillow” in French) + My Mother-in-Law teases me about my husband’s past love life

I couldn't find a picture to illustrate today's word (oreiller) so how about a snapshot of a favorite summertime libation? Also a great way to recycle these Domaine Rouge-Bleu wine bottles!   oreiller (oh-ray-yay) noun, masculine     : pillow prendre conseil de son oreiller = to sleep on it (re decision making)une taie d'oreiller = pillowcaseune bataille d'oreillers = pillow fight les confidences (f) sur … Continue reading Oreiller (Or how to say “pillow” in French) + My Mother-in-Law teases me about my husband’s past love life

Kristin Espinasse71 Comments
mother-in-law

How to say “life vest” in French: bouée de sauvetage

Decking the French halls in the town of Barcelonnette. bouée de sauvetage (booay deuh sove tazh) : lifebelt, lifeline, lifebuoy A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse I sit and I listen. I try to ignore the temptation to go upstairs and work on the computer. Email can wait. So can senseless surfing. This is where I need to be: facing my belle-mère, listening. … Continue reading How to say “life vest” in French: bouée de sauvetage

35 Comments
mother-in-law, Recette / Recipe

caviar d’aubergines

"Aubergines." An old door/former shop front in the town of Suze-la-Rousse. caviar d'aubergines (kah-vee-ahr doh-behr-zheen)     :  eggplant caviar . Audio file & Example Sentence: Download MP3 file or Download Wav "…profiter des bontés de cette généreuse saison des récoltes et courir acheter aussi des paniers d'aubergines et de courgettes, pour… ratatouille et … caviar d'aubergines." –from Le Soleil A Day in a French Life…by … Continue reading caviar d’aubergines

Kristin Espinasse27 Comments
Jules

beau-fils

***Book Fair near Bonnieux*** Please come and see me and my mom, Jules (pictured). We'll be in Roussillon (Luberon) this Sunday: she, in her colorful poncho, a just-swiped flower in her fedora… and I'll be the one who needs to loosen up a bit. Michel Thomas Speak French For Beginners: 10-CD Beginner's Program beau-fils (boh-feece) noun, masculine        : son-in-law synonym: "gendre" (more synonyms, a great … Continue reading beau-fils

Kristin Espinasse21 Comments