Tag: mother-in-law

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
Recette / Recipe

Un feuilleton: French for soap opera + recipe for Pumpkin-Ginger soup

My mother-in-law's French is so colorful and I love to listen to her stories — no matter how many times she repeats herself! Jean-Marc's mom, Michèle-France, has a great sense of humor and does not take herself too seriously, either. She is a real moulin-à -paroles, or chatterbox, but when my ears go numb I can always tell her to zip it!  and she won't … Continue reading Un feuilleton: French for soap opera + recipe for Pumpkin-Ginger soup

Kristin Espinasse68 Comments
mother-in-law

douze

Thank you for the encouraging feedback you sent in, following Monday's video! I learned so much from your comments and am reminded to just keep on keeping on! If you haven't yet, check out our Youtube channel–and look for the "subscribe" button! Today's picture was taken in the Queyras valley, near the French Hautes-Alpes. douze (dooz)     : twelve les douze apôtres = the twelve apostles … Continue reading douze

Kristin Espinasse31 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

chut!

Sicilian photos coming soon. For now, here's our twelve-headed tournesol (around twelve flowertêtes per plant)! And never miss a photo or French word: Sign up for FREE email delivery and receive this edition in your email box. chut (shoot) : shhh! Sound file and Example Sentence: Listen to my mother-in-law pronounce today's word: Download MP3 or Wav   Chut! Elle dort. Il ne faut pas la réveiller. … Continue reading chut!

60 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