The family hat. John bought it for Mom, in Mexico. Mom left it to me, in France. Marsha borrowed it in San Remo, and yesterday, while sitting out in the morning sun enjoying our coffee together, Dad asked: may I use your hat? une nappe (nap) : tablecloth, sheet (layer) la nappe phréatique = ground water, water tablela nappe de mazout = oil slickla … Continue reading What is a “nappe” in French?
My family and I stole away for a two-day séjour in Italy. C'était dépaysant, as the French say–or a nice "change of scenery".un séjour (say-joor) 1. stay 2. living room, family room bon séjour = have a nice stayune carte de séjour = a residence permitle titre de séjour = green cardle séjour linguistic = language study vacationla salle de séjour = … Continue reading sejour + how to say “a nice change of scenery” in French
A scooter in St. Tropez. Look closely at the sagging object my husband is carrying. Meet Mr. Sacks, Jean-Marc's lovable sidekick. The photos in the following story were taken over the years…. Today's Word: la sacoche (sah-kohsh) : handbag, saddlebag, purse, bag from the Italian saccoccia, or "little pocket" la sacoche en cuir = leather bagla sacoche d'écolier = school bagla sacoche à … Continue reading Sacoche – how to say satchel or briefcase (or “man purse”) in French
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
If you have not yet done so, you must read Robert Camuto's book "Palmento" (as Jean-Marc does, in the following story!). Read the rave reviews. Photo taken last week at the iCedri B&B in Sicily….
gourmandise (goor mahn deez) noun feminine
: a fondness for food
J'ai mangé par gourmandise et non pas par faim.
I ate for the fondness of food and not for hunger.
Audio File: Listen to today's word and example sentence: Download MP3 or WAV
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
I am sitting cater-corner from my husband, on the edge of the B&B bed. I have covered the hand-sewn lace bedcover with two small bath towels. I would not want to drop so much as une miette anywhere in Vittoria's chambre d'amis, prepared with such care and hospitality.
Outside, the camellias are in bloom and the fresh scent of citrus perfumes the air. Only in Sicily! It is wintertime but the flowers in southern Italy are blooming like well-nourished souls, which brings me back to my mission: le dîner.
As for the evening victuailles, it is each to his own or chacun pour soi tonight, especially since we have enjoyed a copious lunch, one that lingered on into the afternoon…. Jean-Marc, at the head of the bed, is reading, but that won't keep me from eating. I reach for the paper bag, wondering how to say "delicatessen" in Italian? I should have paid more attention to the names above the shopfronts but my eyes were trained on the colorful cauliflower (in purple!) and the plethora of prickly pear, or fichi d'India, that decorate the streets this time of year.
Currently all of my attention goes into opening this paper deli sack as quietly as possible. I try to be discreet because I can't bear it when my husband stops to watch me eat. He always has to make such a big deal about it, as do all of the French with their vocal voeux of "bon appétit!"
I stole away to Sicily last week… with him…
With Jean-Marc completely absorbed in his book, I reach into the noisy sack. I notice that my husband has bought two kinds of cheese, quelques artichoke hearts in olive oil, two typical bread rolls (one covered with toasted sesame), a box of bruschetta crackers, and two chocolate bars….
Continue reading “Gourmandise in French means “a fondness for food””
A magical hour in an ancient town: Ovada l'heure bleue (leuhr bleuh, listen to MP3 or wav) noun, feminine 1) the blue hour, the magic hour… crepuscule, twilight… the hour between daylight and night when the sky's luminosity draws artists out of their studios to see light's last glimmerings. 2) the hour (between 5 and 7) in which one meets their lover before returning home from … Continue reading l’heure bleue
dépayser (day-pay-ee-zay) verb 1. to disorientate, to disorient 2. to give a change of scenery to; to give a welcome change of surroundings to Also:dépaysant,e = exoticdépaysé = out of one's elementun dépaysement = a disorientation Expressions:sentir dépaysé = to feel like a fish out of water; to not feel at home Citation du Jour Les passions s'étiolent quand on les dépayse.Passions wilt when we … Continue reading dépayser
