Tag: family

Culture, Health, Travel

Il devait en être ainsi: Meant to be (predestined) in French: A Chance Encounter with some Ceyrestens

The sign reads "change of ownership". Today's story takes place in a town nearby: Ceyreste. FYI: The inhabitants are called "Ceyrestens" for men and "Ceyrestennes" for women. Are you an expat in France (or anywhere outside the US) and need to file your taxes?Good news: you have an automatic extension through June 17. I am using Expatfile again this year to complete mine quickly and … Continue reading Il devait en être ainsi: Meant to be (predestined) in French: A Chance Encounter with some Ceyrestens

Kristin Espinasse23 Comments
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
Bilingual Story

Engagement is a “faux ami” + Welcoming a Pet into the Family & Responsibility

"Adopt Don't Shop"… is that even debatable? And yet the decision between adopting from a shelter or choosing a puppy from a breeder isn't always straightforward. Read Jean-Marc's essay about our current dog dilemma, and we welcome your thoughts and experiences in the comments. (Picture taken at one of the animal rescue centers we visited this month). Today's word is a faux-ami or false cognate … Continue reading Engagement is a “faux ami” + Welcoming a Pet into the Family & Responsibility

Kristin Espinasse27 Comments
Jackie

Un Coup de Pouce: a helping hand from our daughter

Jean-Marc, in Briançon. The words on the wall read: L'alpiniste est un homme qui conduit son corps là où, un jour, ses yeux ont regardé… " The mountaineer is a man who leads his body to where, one day, his eyes have looked. –Gaston Rébuffat Today's Expression: Un Coup de Pouce     : a helping hand, a boost, a leg up French Audio/Listening: Click … Continue reading Un Coup de Pouce: a helping hand from our daughter

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
Family Life, Le Vin Sobre wine shop

“Conciliabule” or how to say Pow Wow in French + Family dynamics: living with adult kids and Grandma

A new window, or "vitrine", at Jean-Marc's wine shop. It depicts the local coastline, including Cassis! Zut! There's a blooper, une gaffe, at the end of today's sound file. Listen for Jean-Marc, who tells me I've made two mistakes. Hear all the French vocabulary in today's story when you click on the link, below: Audio file, click here Conciliabule(kohn-see-lya-bewl): conventicle Conciliabule–what a cool word in … Continue reading “Conciliabule” or how to say Pow Wow in French + Family dynamics: living with adult kids and Grandma

Kristin Espinasse31 Comments
Jules

When an expat’s expat parent comes to live with daughter in France: After 25 years in Mexico, Mom is moving in!

Au revoir Mexique. Our Mom is about to begin a new chapter in France! On ne s'ennuie jamais     : never a dull moment Click here to listen to on ne s'ennuie jamais A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFEA blow to her wings, not to her spirit! by Kristi Espinasse My mom has been an expat in Mexico for 25 years (the same amount of time I've … Continue reading When an expat’s expat parent comes to live with daughter in France: After 25 years in Mexico, Mom is moving in!

Kristin Espinasse65 Comments
Video: Kristin

billingual video of Jean-Marc + un pointu

If you are not seeing the video, with Jean-Marc and the Provençal boats, then click here to enjoy the clip at the blog. Sign up to our YouTube channel to learn when new videos are uploaded. Click here.  un pointu (pwan-too)     : a little Provençal fishing boat A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse Last night I hurried around the house, turning on the … Continue reading billingual video of Jean-Marc + un pointu

Kristin Espinasse30 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

20 Comments
Easter, How To's

smala

  My husband tells me that today's word is a little too argot… and not something he uses very often. But Jean-Marc is from Marseilles… and I'm betting people in Paris would pucker up in pleasure at pronouncing today's term, which is a synonym for "tribe" or "clan" or "posse" or even "bercail". It is especially in theme with today's story about my kindly kin. … Continue reading smala

Kristin Espinasse37 Comments