Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 5
July 18, 2024
Postcard from Brittany
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Agapanthus flowers on the Island of Bréhat.
POSTCARD FROM BRITTANY
When we received an invitation for un mariage in Brittany, Jean-Marc planned a romantic escapade around this joyous event. We only had three days to vacation together, not counting travel time, but it was enough to mark the occasion of our 30th wedding anniversary. After careful research, my former fiancé put together an itinerary including two nights on the island of Bréhat, lunch above the beach in Saint-Sieuc (back on the ...
July 3, 2024
La Robe de Mariée: My Wedding Dress Conundrum
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Thirty years ago today, this snapshot from our mariage civil at La Bagatelle Town Hall in Marseille.
TODAY’S WORD: LA ROBE DE MARIÉE
: wedding dress
"I chose my wife as she chose her wedding dress; not for its shiny and delicate appearance but because it would withstand the test of time."
J'ai choisi ma femme comme elle a choisi sa robe de mariée ; pas pour son apparence brillante et délicate mais parce qu'elle résisterait au temps. --Michel Polnareff
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Esp...
June 27, 2024
"Mauviette": Getting Old is Not for Sissies
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Une abeille, un papillon, et une cigale. A bee, a butterfly, and a cicada. Street decorations above La Rue des Poilus in La Ciotat
Summer Reading: You might enjoy the book First French Essais, a collection of earlier episodes from this blog. The "essais" part is a play on words, which is explained in the chapter "Valorisant" about how I came to write this blog. Click here to read more.
TODAY'S WORD: LA MAUVIETTE
: sissy
Vieillir, c'est pas pour les mauviettes.
Aging is not for si...
June 19, 2024
LE BONHEUR: Mom Shares The Meaning of Happiness
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We've had unusual weather, lately, and local businesses have suffered from the lack of customers. But today is a perfect day to head outside. Update: At the time of this posting, it is pouring cats and dogs (il pleut des cordes)!
TODAY'S WORD: Le BONHEUR
: happiness
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Mom and I are lounging in the garden. It’s late afternoon, or la fin de l'apres-midi according to the language of Molière. All around us the birds, the trees, and the sweet-scented...
June 13, 2024
LA PIQURE: A Mystery That is Really Bugging Me
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C'est bientôt l'été. It's almost summertime! To stay cool we'll keep these volets closed and the ceiling fans spinning. Now to find a solution for summer pests, following a recent slew of piqûres... Read on, in today's word fest.
STRESS-FREE TAX FILING for Expats!
If I can do my expat taxes anyone can! I recently completed and filed my US Tax Return & FBAR electronically using simple, step-by-step software. Give it a try and be done with your 2023 tax return. Click here to begin.
TODAY'...
June 6, 2024
La Belle Dormant: Jules Returns Home & A Reason to Be Proud of France!
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Mom had a few rides in the ambulance these past few weeks. She loved every one of the drivers! Here she is with Sofiane, who stopped for a magnificent view of the Mediterranean. Merci!
EASY EXPAT TAX FILING
Here in France, I just completed and filed my US Tax Return electronically. I highly recommend Expatfile. Give it a try and be done, finally, with your 2023 tax return. (Income will not be taxed twice due to the tax treaty between France and the United States.) Click here for more inf...
May 30, 2024
Bonne Fête: Celebrating Moms Twice!
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Read about two inspiring women in today's story. One of them is my Mom, who sends sincere thanks for all the loving messages and prayers you sent her, following the previous post. Merci beaucoup! Read to the end for a full update and picture of Jules.
TODAY’S WORD: Bonne Fête Maman
: Happy Mother's Day, Mom
TODAY’S WORD: LE TRAVERSIN
: bolster (a long, log-shaped pillow)
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
Sunday morning, with ten minutes to spare before church, a...
May 23, 2024
Convoquer: Leap of Faith & Mom goes into the Hospital
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Missing Grandma Jules at this celebration for Max's 29th birthday in beautiful Cassis. An update on my mom in today's story. From left to right: Jean-Marc, Ana, Jackie (reflected in the mirror) Max, and me. (If this, or any photo in this post is not showing, click on the link or somewhere in the empty square to bring it up. My blog site is experiencing issues!)
TODAY'S WORD: CONVOQUER
: to summon, to call in, to convoke
: to be asked to attend
Are you an expat and need to file your...
May 16, 2024
Banderole & A Warm Welcome Home to Jean-Marc
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Look who's back! Jean-Marc has returned from New Zealand. Today, read about the sweet reunion while learning several new French words and phrases. Photo taken on Tongariro.
TODAY’S WORD: " LA BANDEROLE"
: banner
Are you an expat and need to file your US tax return? I am using Expatfile again this year to complete all tax forms quickly and easily and I highly recommend it. Click here.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
On the eve of American Mother’s Day (which differs from ...
May 8, 2024
Trouvaille: Surprise in the garden & a funny adage for not worrying what others think about you
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The garden of wonderments. Apart from the red valerian behind my dog, learn about the latest trouvaille or finding in our garden, and don't miss the colorful expression at the end (the funny French equivalent to "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me").
TODAY'S WORD: la trouvaille
: find, discovery, treasure
Are you an expat in France (or anywhere outside the US) and need to file your tax return?
Good news: you have an automatic extension through June 17....
