Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 31

Ragout: Simple recipe for Provencal stew + kitesurfing in Giens peninsula, near Hyérès

For those reading our autobiography, The Lost Gardens, see the update at the end of this post. If you have purchased our book-in-progress and lost your passwords to access the chapters, leave a message in the box at the end of this post. 

The beauty of an online book-in-progress is all that can be included in it! I've just added the first photo album to our memoir, and will continue to enhance the story with images. To purchase The Lost Gardens, click here and scroll to the end of the page...

Hérisser: from a prickly critter...to a verb to help describe an emotion we all felt last week

Ten days ago, my husband and I launched a book and then everything went up in flames--here on the homefront and there, inside Notre Dame. As emotions billowed up all around, we stepped back, stepped away, and then finally stepped up to the plate again. The next installment of our book is up, and we are going to take things chapter by chapter, dealing with the emotions as they surface (unexpectedly, as they did last week). Meantime, everyone who has ever loved Notre Dame, will have experienc...

Se livrer: Jean-Marc and I are writing a book!

Jean-Marc and I are finally telling the story of why we packed up and left our beloved vineyard. Our co-authored memoir is titled The Lost Gardens and the first chapter is online now. This book-in-progress can be purchased via the link at the end of this post. Thank you and please wish us bonne chance.

Today's Word: se livrer

    : to surrender, to give oneself up to, be engaged

THE LOST GARDENS: a memoir by Jean-Marc and Kristi Espinasse

In August of 2017 my family and I said adieu to o...

Avec le plus grand soin: Meet Arnaud Chevalier

For those wishing to travel to France and to be guided by a most endearing host, I share with you first a message from my friend Tessa Baker, of Paint Provence with Tess:

With my May and June trips now full I thought I might remind you that I still have three places on my July 6th - 13th trip in the Charente. A perfect place to visit and paint in early July with chateaux, lakes, rolling hills, beautiful villages and one of the best markets in Angouleme with its huge river flowing through th...

Glaner: In Memory of Agnes Varda (30 May 1928 – 29 March 2019)

GLANER MEANS 'TO GLEAN'
by Kristi Espinasse

In the dramatic opening scene of her memoir The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls is riding in the back of a New York taxi, wondering whether she has overdressed for the party to which she is headed, when she sees something that knocks the wind right out of her Park Avenue sails.

Out there on the curbside, an older woman wearing rags is rooting through a dumpster. On closer look, the garbage picker is Jeannette's own mother! 

As I read the page-turne...

The slammer (prison) in French. Don't miss today's 'Taule' story.

Very sorry for today's hasty letter. I'm in a hurry as I need to be in Paris by 9 a.m. for three days of community service. The authorities contacted us after the herdsman I wrote about filed a complaint. Turns out we are being prosecuted--not for misrepresentation but for empoisonnement! That punk rock shepherd I profiled in January is now claiming his herd suffered gastro-entérite--or le gastro--after grazing in our mustard pasture. (Jean-Marc had sown la moutarde as a cover crop or soil am...

Drifting in French....(the vocabulary is in the story)

Dear Jean-Marc,

Ha, you thought your birthday was over...but just one more thing before minuit: a letter of thanks.

Last night you said you had a surprise for me....

"But tomorrow is your birthday...."  

"Be ready by 9:30!" You countered, and though I tried I could not get you to cough up so much as a hint as to what kind of activity we'd be doing on your special day. Anything from lunch at a friend's vineyard to a glorious walk in your beloved calanques--was this a sea urchin month? I still...

My French Garden and retirement?

Today's words: prendre sa retraite

   : to retire

*.  *.  *

"You work too hard," my mom says. "You should retire."

Who? Me? Work too much? How could writing one or two posts a week make one a workaholic? Un bourreau de travail ?

*.  *.  *

Today marks three weeks away from my desk and it is beginning to show me something about the creative process:

Writing is 20 or 30 or 40 percent of the effort...

The other 60 or 70 or 80 percent is the "steam engine" behind the story: it is the words and se...

Je vais m'allonger...

Jean-Marc and I at The Bookworm of Edwards, with Hedy and Mark who surprised us. 

*.  *.  *

"Je vais m'allonger." As soon as my daughter said it, I knew it was the perfect phrase to share with you today.

Je vais m'allonger = I'm just going to lie down for a bit

This journal is on a little break, doctor's orders (actually it was my Mom who suggested some time off. And guess what? I'm listening to her)...so I'll keep today's entry short and sweet....

Je vais m'allonger, Jackie said, when she r...

Avoir un creux... Hitchcock's Blanket in France & Helping Tessa pack

My family and I hope to see many of you at the March 10th booksigning and winetasting in Colorado! More info at The Bookworm of Edwards. Click here.

Good news! Those interested in Jean-Marc's latest (American) wine "Ephemera" will now find a list of addresses for where to buy it here, at the end of this post.

Today's Expression: Avoir un creux

    : to be a little hungry, peckish

Try 2001 French and English idioms and some more useful expressions. Order here.

 

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kris...