Tag: espinasse

inspiration, Smokey, Vlogging

Need encouragement? How to say “If at first you don’t succeed try try again”

Thank you for your encouraging feedback on the recent video I made with Smokey. But after trying and failing to make a follow up recording, I'm wondering if I should just stick to photography (today's pic taken on our Rhone river cruise) instead! In times like these, I find the following saying to be particularly reassuring:  dix fois sur le métier, remettre son ouvrage!    … Continue reading Need encouragement? How to say “If at first you don’t succeed try try again”

Kristin Espinasse41 Comments
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My Journey from Arizona to France

In 1993 I found myself back in the Arizona desert, having been deported there by one disillusioned Frenchman. Jean-Marc and I had tried to live together—lasting a full ten months—but all that sizzling chemistry that fueled us in the beginning eventually fizzled out, and our Franco-American romance was over. Jean-Marc's mind was set. To prove it, he bought me a one-way ticket back to Phoenix! Back … Continue reading My Journey from Arizona to France

Kristin Espinasse47 Comments
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raison

Only 5 years ago we were renovating a 350-year-old farmhouse and beginning to care for a vineyard in Sainte Cécile-les-Vignes. Then, last August 30th we moved… only to begin again! Our new home is already cozy—no major work to be done. Jean-Marc will begin planting his dream vines in 2013. Read on, in a letter from Ex Chief Grape.  (Photo taken in 2007, after realizing his first … Continue reading raison

Kristin Espinasse69 Comments
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French Listening Skills

Thanks to French Word-A-Day readers, we have a treasure trove of colorful ideas and tips on how to improve our French listening skills.  Merci beaucoup for your helpful responses after Rob wrote in with the following question: I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for a way for me to build my French listening skills? I am improving in being able to decipher written French, … Continue reading French Listening Skills

Kristin Espinasse2 Comments
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Skin cancer: nodular basal-cell carcinoma tumor on face + post-op photo forehead

A year ago, my son noticed a pimple on my forehead. It was true, there was a blemish that would not go away. You can just spot the growth in the photo (center of forehead, about an inch from my hairline). It was a waxy translucent bump that grew in diameter. I have darkened the following picture, so you can see the basal cell cancer tumor better: … Continue reading Skin cancer: nodular basal-cell carcinoma tumor on face + post-op photo forehead

Kristin Espinasse147 Comments
Cuisine, Health, Raw Food, Recette / Recipe

cru

"Raw Paws" – or the Society for Mutts that Don't Do Meat or Cooked Veggies. The group is only a fictional one–for Mr Smokey R. Dokey (pictured) won't be giving up his viande vittles any time soon. But, being the gentle cohabitant that he is, he respects certain members of his family that are experimenting with a new way of eating… read on.  cru (kroo) … Continue reading cru

Kristin Espinasse49 Comments
Following One's Dream, wine business

la veuve de la vendange

Photo of a modern cabanon with its carpet of white mustard flowers. Don't you just want to lose yourself in it? la veuve de la vendange (lah vuv deuh lah von danzh)     : crush widoww A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse I learned a new term last fall, while guiding yet another enthusiastic and brave bénévole out to the vine fields to help … Continue reading la veuve de la vendange

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