Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 4

Raplapla & A Visit to The Hairdresser's

[image error]Enjoy today's story about my appointment at the neighborhood salon as I get ready for an upcoming Mediterranean cruise with my dad and my two sisters. Leaving for a mini family reunion soon…See you in a few weeks! 

TODAY’S WORD: RAPLAPLA

  : flat, lifeless; tired-looking

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

This fall, my dog and I are in a competition to see who can lose the most hair. “I think you’re winning,” my hairdresser says, shaking more of my hair out of his hands.

“You should...

Voile: Uplifting Thoughts to Start The Day

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There's a sailing theme in today's essay as well as a nod to our 30th wedding anniversary. The term "voile" neatly captures both…so let’s begin!

TODAY'S WORD: VOILE

    : sail (la voile)

    : veil (le voile)

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

It’s the start of a new work week, and Jean-Marc, Ricci, and I have overslept. Perhaps Sunday’s long luncheon at our new table, along with all the fantastic desserts our guests brought, weighed us down so much that we couldn’t wake up on tim...

Rally vs. Râler & The Wisdom of Une Nuit Blanche

[image error]Photo taken at Le Couvent des Minimes last spring, during a road trip with my best friend, Susan--alias Rouge-Bleu. Perhaps I was dreaming of this ethereal place when something suddenly jolted me awake…

TODAY'S WORD: UNE NUIT BLANCHE

    : sleepless night; all-nighter

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

The first week of fall had me tossing and turning like a leaf spiraling from a tree. It began Saturday night when I woke with a start. But it wasn’t un cauchemar that jolted me awake. ...

Entertaining Angels & French for “Time to eat!”

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Une cabane in La Ciotat

Discover the earliest stories from this journal in Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love & Language in the South of France. It's the perfect read for anyone who loves heartwarming tales and French culture. Pick up a copy for yourself, or share the joy with a friend—and help us spread the love!

TODAY'S WORD: À table!

    : Time to eat!; Lunch (or Dinner) is served! 

A DAY IN A FRENCH Life by Kristi Espinasse

Ever since we lost our picnic table in a fire last...

Repose en Paix: Signs, Wonders, and a Smile from Above

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Today, we say goodbye to a longtime reader, Lou, who also helped with a few harvests in his ninth decade of life!

TODAY’S WORD: Repose en Paix

  : rest in peace

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

It is just after 6 a.m., and my husband is on his way out to harvest at a friend’s vineyard in Bandol. Ever since we sold our last domain, Jean-Marc has managed to keep his feet consistently in (or near) a bucket of grapes. I’m happy for him, and seeing the smile on his face as he kisses m...

Love, Épanouissement, and Ricci Turns Four

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Ricci totally ignores the words "marcher" and "nager" (walk and swim). Her favorite words are English: "cookie," "Grandma," and "Jackie." More about favorites in today's story. Thank you for reading and sharing this post with a dog lover.

TODAY’S WORD: l’épanouissement

   : blossoming/flourishing; fulfillment

Un chien trouve son épanouissement dans les petites joies du quotidien, tout comme nous trouvons le nôtre en partageant ces moments avec lui.



A dog finds its fulfillment in the s...

A Fleur de Peau, Le Cafard, and The Blues

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Look up! Surround yourself with color! (Two ways to combat the blues.) Picture of a "decorated" clothesline taken in Cassis.

TODAY’S WORD: à fleur de peau

    : hypersensitive    

    : on/under the surface of the skin

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

I woke up this morning with a tinge of the blues. In French, they call it le cafard, a condition I’m not too familiar with—anxiety being my usual companion—mais ça arrive. The elusive feeling came on suddenly and, like a drop of ...

l'Embarras du Choix: Surrender and "an embarrassment of choices"

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The heatwave, my book project, and spoiled for choice in today's update. A lot of ice cream to choose from = l'embarras du choix. Pictured in La Ciotat: one (of many) ice cream vendors in our seaside town.

TODAY’S WORD: L'Embarras du Choix



    : spoiled for choice



avoir l'embarras du choix (to have "the embarrassment of choice") = to be indecisive in a situation where multiple choices are presented.



The first posts in this blog are collected into one book Words in a French Life: Less...

A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE (Help Choose The Book Cover)

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HELP CHOOSE A BOOK COVER

I'm excited to share the cover designs for my upcoming book. Please take a close look and let me know which numbered cover you prefer: comment via this link. Thank you for your feedback and don't miss today's story, just below. (Cover designs by Monica at TLC Book Design)



Or go directly to the poll page, where you will see the book covers up close and you can vote.

TODAY'S WORD: GALÉRER

    : to struggle, have trouble



"Les galères font le galérien." --Vi...

Caregiver in French: Un Auxiliaire de Vie

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At Château la Tour de L'Evêque, in Pierrefeu du Var

TODAY'S WORD: UN AUXILIAIRE DE VIE

    : a caregiver

A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse

When I stop to think about it, July has been the most challenging month of this year so far. Though it began with excellent news (Mom’s insurance came through!) and the joy of our 30th wedding anniversary celebration for Jean-Marc and me, tensions were rising between mother and daughter here at our multi-generational home. It seemed the honeymo...