Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 10
August 24, 2023
Soyons fous! A Mother-Daughter Trip to La Côte d’Azur
Villefranche-sur-Mer, where Jackie and I spent three days last week.TODAY'S EXPRESSION: SOYONS FOUS
let's be crazy" or "let's be wild".
Soyons fous is a playful and light-hearted expression that encapsulates the idea of taking risks, having fun, and embracing the unexpected. It's a reminder that life is short and should be lived with enthusiasm and a willingness to explore new horizons.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Pour la cinquième fois, ever since our first trip together...
August 16, 2023
A Funny Nickname for “Dog” in French
In French, the term "patate” is sometimes used to describe an animal that is very cute and has a very endearing character. Dogs and cats are known for their sweetness and affectionate side, and that is why they are often nicknamed "potato." (French translation below)
TODAY'S WORD: “la patate”
: potato
Enfin, le terme « patate » est parfois utilisé pour décrire un animal qui est très mignon et qui a un caractère très attachant. Les chiens et les chats sont connus pour leur douceur et leur ...
August 10, 2023
Renverser: Treasure at the bottom of Tante G’s Well
A basket of "boules" beside the door of this old stone cabanon. On most family get-togethers, a game of pétanque follows the meal.
TODAY’S WORD: RENVERSER
: to knock over, to spill
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
“Down The Hatch: A Vintage Bottle of Champagne A Deep Well = A Lost Treasure”
On Friday we left the seaside and drove 45 minutes north to the countryside of Fuveau, where Jean-Marc’s aunt lives in a cozy stone house beside an ancient puits. As most of our extended ...
August 2, 2023
France's Equivalent of Craigslist + Cool expression for negotiating the price
There are no cookers for sale in this friperie, but I know where you can find a smokin' deal on a secondhand barbecue. Read on and learn a lot of new French words.
TODAY'S WORD: "marchander"
: to haggle, bargain, and negotiate the price
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Remember our cool outdoor cooker--the "brasero"--I told you about in the previous post? My husband just sold it secondhand via Leboncoin (France's version of Craigslist). Both parties--our in-house Cordon-Bleu a...
July 26, 2023
Cordon-Bleu: From Winemaker to Top Chef
Our garden this July is so dry. But the tomatoes Jean-Marc grew from seed are flourishing. There are hardly any on the vines because we are eating them all the time.
A LITTLE FAVOR FOR THOSE READING...
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TODAY’S WORD: Le Cordon-Bleu
: A whizz in the kit...
July 19, 2023
Polyglotte: Is learning a second language risky? (A French woman's warning)
"Salvataggio"--looking at the foreign word in this picture, can you grasp its meaning? It reminds me of "salvation" and, though I don't speak Italian, my guess is this is a rescue craft. Read on for more thoughts about words and language learning. (Photo of Jean-Marc on the shore of Lake Garda, in Northern Italy.)
TODAY'S WORD: POLYGLOTTE (m,f)
: polyglot, multilingual, someone who speaks more than one language
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
"Bilingualism = Risky Business?"
...
July 13, 2023
Baroudeur: A hair-raising adventure in the Italian Alps
That’s Jean-Marc on his way up to the Dolomites. More colorful photos at the end of this post!
Book News: My friend and fellow "winemaker's wife" has just published her first book "Rosé Sunsets." You'll find Rachel Pommier's book at the top of my book list, here at the blog. Félicitations, Rachel! You inspire me!
TODAY'S WORD: "BAROUDER"
: adventurer, trailblazer
Today's story is dedicated to my husband and my Mom--both adventurers, trailblazers, and true baroudeurs!
A DAY IN A FRENCH LI...
July 5, 2023
Postcard from Italy
Bonjour from Italy!
We are on a feverish 7-day foray through Italy. Our adventure began in Grasse, France, where we rented a camping car and began our gradual climb to the Dolomites. I had a strange tingle in my throat the night of our departure and by day 3 on the road the flu had its “grippe” on me! But Jean-Marc’s sense of adventure has kept me gripping the passenger seat of our camper, forgetting my aches and pains. I’ll tell you more in next week’s post. For now, hello from Parma… on the ...
June 29, 2023
A Hidden Beach in Cassis, Freedom & Laughter = Eclats de rire!
Following Jean-Marc's wine tour... lunch with Elizabeth’s family and friends at a hidden beach in Cassis. Left to right: Katie, Olivia, Victor, Kristi, Lily, Elizabeth, and Jean-Marc.
For today's story, I asked Chatgpt to summarize the English text in one French word. Here's the response I got: "A word in French that summarizes your story could be "Éclat" which means "Radiance" or "Sparkle." It represents the vibrant and joyful atmosphere depicted in the narrative." Thanks, Chatgpt! And for a...
June 22, 2023
"Ebloui": Star-struck in St. Tropez at Club 55 with Roger Federer
Cushioned matelas and grassy paillotes on the beach at Club 55 in Ramatuelle near St. Tropez
TODAY'S WORD: EBLOUI (ay-bloo-ee)
: star-struck, dazzled
The following news headline is from Tennisworld.fr. (English translation by Chatgpt)
Elena Rybakina, éblouie en voyant Roger Federer pour la première fois. Elena Rybakina a admis qu'elle était en état de choc lorsqu'elle a vu le grand Roger Federer pour la première fois en personne. Elena Rybakina, dazzled upon seeing Roger Federer for the ...
