Tag: French

Recette / Recipe

Recipe + Hospitality + gardons les choses simples (one pot meal in the Land of 5 Courses)

Bringing in the New Year at a party in Marseilles. Thank you Christine and Thierry, for your wonderful hospitality! TODAY'S WORD: avoir hâte de         : to look forward to EXAMPLE SENTENCE: En 2017, nous avons hâte de passer de bons moments avec notre famille et nos amis.In 2017 we are looking forward to spending good times with our family and friends. ECOUTEZ – Hear … Continue reading Recipe + Hospitality + gardons les choses simples (one pot meal in the Land of 5 Courses)

Kristin Espinasse25 Comments
Recette / Recipe

Tarte Tomate : that seasonal French recipe you love and have been asking for!

I know this tomato picture is crooked. Just tilt your head and carry on. A good recipe awaits you! TODAY'S WORD: cocher (ko-shay) verb   : to check off, to tick (off); to score cocher la bonne réponse = to check the correct answer A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse (Note: The following story was written in the fall of 2007.) The … Continue reading Tarte Tomate : that seasonal French recipe you love and have been asking for!

Kristin Espinasse32 Comments
Uncategorized

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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Amicalement + Farewell & How To Say Goodbye in French

In case I did not say a proper goodbye, before leaving to see my family in Mexico, I offer you now dozens of au revoirs to make up for it! The next post will go out around March 10th. Miss you already! TODAY'S WORD quitter (kee-tay) verb  1. to leave, to quit  2. to give up, vacate, forsake  3. to exit FRENCH PRONUNCIATION Hear Jean-Marc pronounce … Continue reading Amicalement + Farewell & How To Say Goodbye in French

Kristin Espinasse38 Comments
Recette / Recipe

Marianne’s Easy Lasagna & favorite French phrase

We returned home last night from our family ski vacation to find poppies blossoming along the railroad tracks in our village. Bonjour Printemps! Are you here to stay? TODAY'S EXPRESSION     "Ça ne mange pas de pain" = it doesn't cost a thing * literally, "It doesn't eat bread". I heard Jean-Marc say this while we were on our family vacation this week. Since, … Continue reading Marianne’s Easy Lasagna & favorite French phrase

Kristin Espinasse38 Comments
Travel

Devoiler: The Secret My Husband Kept from me

Smokey's Excellent Vacation - We just returned from the Ile d'Oléron with all four–make that five!–members of our family. From a nightly game of Yam (Yahtzee) to regular forays to the ocean, we had a restful and memorable time together. See all the pictures right here. (And did you spot Mr. Sacks in the photo above?) MILLE MERCISThank you for your thoughful responses to the previous story, … Continue reading Devoiler: The Secret My Husband Kept from me

Kristin Espinasse35 Comments
Uncategorized

Mois & May in France: two things to know

Friday is May 1st. Be prepared by reading about the Muguet tradition : Click here or here. And many thanks to the writer Mary Ellen Gallagher, whose thoughtful notes and research inspired today's post.  le mois (mwah)     : month ça fait des mois = it's been monthsarrondir ses fins de mois = to supplement one's incometous les trente-six du mois = rarely, once in a blue moon … Continue reading Mois & May in France: two things to know

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Easter

How to say Rabbit or Bunny + Easter in France

"Where's my chocolate bone?" Smokey, a day or two after Easter. I post pictures daily at Instagram. Follow me, here, to see what's next… le lapin     : rabbit, bunny Improve your French pronunciation with Exercises in French phonetics. Click here.  AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc read this list of lapin terms and the example sentence which follows: Download MP3 or Download Lapin le coup du lapin = whiplashle … Continue reading How to say Rabbit or Bunny + Easter in France

Kristin Espinasse42 Comments
Uncategorized

“Dodo” and things that go bump in the night!

Smokey, a  kid at heart, about to prance beside a carpet of anemones. Today’s word is part of a very useful list of French baby talk. See it here (including a recording of each word). dodo (doh-doh)     :  beddy-bye, night-night France and Monaco Rentals: short-term holiday rental properties throughout France. Click here for pictures. AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc: Download MP3 or Wav Fais dodo, ‘Colas mon petit frère…Go to … Continue reading “Dodo” and things that go bump in the night!

Kristin Espinasse30 Comments
Uncategorized

Etat des lieux + homeless in Aix-en-Provence

The handy-dandy serpillière, or French floor rag. If you have ever rented a place in France, you know the frenetic tidying up that takes place before you hand back the keys and hope to recuperer la caution or get back your deposit check! TODAY'S WORDétat des lieux (eh-tah-day-lyuh)     : an inventory or a walk-through to assess the condition of a property  AUDIO FILE: … Continue reading Etat des lieux + homeless in Aix-en-Provence

Kristin Espinasse40 Comments