Remember that river cruise that my best friend Susan (a.k.a. "Rouge-Bleu") and I went on last month? I have some very good news to share with you: Jean-Marc and I will be hosting the next one along the Seine—and we would be happy if could join us! I'm going to let Susan tell you all about it here. Susan writes: Since coming back from France … Continue reading Join Kristin & Jean-Marc on a Seine/Normandy River Cruise!
No matter how hard I try, I can't make today's image match today's word. Picture taken at Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris. une lèvre (levr) : lip du bout des lèvres = half-heartedly Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc pronouce today's word, the expression, and this sentence: Download MP3 or Wav file Elle a des lèvres expressives. She has expressive lips. A Day in a French Life… … Continue reading Lèvre: lip in French, new video (recipe demo with Smokey)
Hats outside a shopfront in Paris, to go along with today's quote bonheur pour les yeux : eye-candy Audio File: (check back later for Jean-Marc's recording. Meantime, help! I need your assistance translating today's example sentence. Click here to leave your translation.) Le bonheur des yeux lui ferait-il raccrocher son cœur comme le chapeau du porte-manteau ? (Philippe Rousseau, L'Or des ecrins) Recent Interviews: Listen … Continue reading charming way to say “eye-candy” in French
Recently, in Paris. claquer (klah-kay) : to slam Audio File: Hear Jean-Marc pronounce the following sentence: Download Souler or listen to the Wav file Ils n'arrêtent pas de claquer les portes et de hurler. Ça me soûle! They don't stop slamming the doors and shouting. It's driving … Continue reading claquer
Some romantic curtains (spotted in Nyons) to go along with our "Romancier" story, by guest blogger Janet Skeslien Charles. romancier (ro man see ay) noun : a novelist Keep up your French with Bien Dire (magazine subscription). A 52-page magazine to improve your French that you'll enjoy reading! Full of interesting articles on France and French culture, Bien-dire helps you understand what it is to be … Continue reading romancier
Les juillettistes, or July vacationers, make their way south to the sea… read on. le décalage horaire (day ka lazh oh rhair) : time difference, time change related terms: le syndrome du décalage horaire = jetlagle fuseau horaire = time zone Audio file: listen Download MP3 or Download Wav A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse "Le Décalage Horaire" The autoroute du soleil is flanked with sunflowers and … Continue reading How to say “time change” in French
Shelter on a rainy day. Read on, in today's story. vadrouiller (vah-drouih-ay) to roam, wander, trail along Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc Download Wav or MP3 Vadrouiller. J'ai vadrouillé toute la journée à Paris, en attendant mon train. To roam. I roamed all day in Paris, waiting for my train. I Heart Paris Shopper: made of recycled material. A percentage of sales will support the … Continue reading vadrouiller
At L'éléphant du Nil (Marais, Metro St. Paul) I want to write wildly, tattooing words beneath the skin of sensibility until they tickle and touch. Reading / Book-signingI have told you about my amazing writing teacher, Sheila Kohler… and now some good news for those of you in Kansas… Sheila will be in Wichita, for a reading on July 7th at Watermark Books (7 p.m.). Do not miss … Continue reading sieste
Kristi reflects on the challenges of writing a short story for class, humorously sharing struggles with procrastination and inspiration. Amid distractions, a compelling narrative unexpectedly presents itself, prompting her to abandon previous drafts. Embracing the unpredictability of writing, the piece explores the joy of storytelling and personal experiences. Continue reading The Joys of Writing: My Creative Process
Shakespeare and Company: an historic expat bookstore in Paris. Still soaring from the high of speaking at the American Library… I marched right into Shakespeare & Co. (before Fear had a chance to bully me and lie to me again…) and offered up my new public speaking services… To get this new gig–I acted as if–as if I had the confidence and composure of a … Continue reading une idée fausse
