Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 58
July 22, 2016
Retourner sa veste? Would we be safer in Mexico? State of Emergency in France
Jean-Marc with friends who came to visit, yesterday. That is little Céline and Raphael, and Laurence (wearing the hat. Her father was best friends with Jean-Marc's father.)
TODAY'S WORD: retourner sa veste
: to change sides (politically, etc), to go over to the other side
ECOUTER- Listen to Jean-Marc read the following French words:
Download Sound File
Changer de camp ou d'opinion par intérêt et non en vertu de principes moraux, afin de saisir une occasion ou d'échapper à une menace.
To...
July 16, 2016
Nice: Words to those who are saddened. Parler. Talk.
I was listening to my car radio, as a French psychiatrist spoke about trauma. He mentioned three groups of victims.
The first are those directly affected (physically injured) by the event.
The second are those who witnessed the event.
The third are those who are aware of the event: you and I.
I don't know anyone personally who was in the attack in Nice. A friend of my daughter's lost her aunt. Typing those words brings a swift physical reaction, tears shooting to the surface of this vessel....
July 14, 2016
Temoignage + Do you remember finding a Gideons in the hotel dresser? In France?
Maybe it is because I am a leftie (une gauchère), or because I do things backwards (reading magazines)... but the marketeer in me thinks the back of Diane's book is most enticing! Satisfy your curiosity by viewing the front cover, here.
Eight Months in Provence, A Junior Year Abroad 30 Years Late. It is never too late to fulfill a dream. CLICK HERE to order the book
TODAY'S WORD: le témoignange
: witness, testimony
: evidence, account, record
FRENCH PRONUNCIATION
= Listen to Jean-Ma...
July 6, 2016
French Word-A-Day: Rondelle + Recipe everyone's asking for! My Mother-in-Law's Summer Pizza!
Michèle-France's Pizza d'Ete. Summer Pizza.
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TODAY'S WORD: une rondelle
: slice
Note: rondelle, in this sense, is used for slices of tomato, zucchini, lemon, sausage etc. Careful not to ask for a rondelle de pizza! Instead, ask for une part de pizza.
ECOUTEZ...
June 30, 2016
French Word-A-Day: Brevet + Max's exciting news!
Attempting to pose for a family photo. See the final result at the end of this post!
Today's Word: un brevet
: diploma, school certificate
: patent
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ECOUTEZ: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentence in French
Download MP3 or DownloadWav
Le brevet. Notre fils, Max, a eu son bts! Le brevet de tech...
June 23, 2016
French Word-A-Day: Gourde + summer camp in France
Photo taken this morning, while out on a walk with Dad and Smokey (can you find him in this photo?) My family leaves soon. We are busy making memories. Speaking of les souvenirs, here is a story from 2006, when our son, Max, was eleven years old and on his way to camp....
une gourde (goord) noun, feminine
1. gourd, flask, canteen
2. simple (mind), maladroit
3. Haitian currency (the Haitian gourde)
gourd, gourde (adjective): dull, numb (cold); dopey, clumsy
On appelle familièrement gour...
June 17, 2016
Joie de Vivre + A must-visit beach in La Ciotat, close to Paradise!
My dad and Marsha arrived late Tuesday night--despite the national strikes! I am taking the next two weeks off to enjoy every minute with family. Today's post was written during their last visit in September of 2014. Photo taken at Le Parc du Mugel in La Ciotat, where today's story takes place.
If you would like to rent in France, consider my long-time blog sponsors:
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T...
June 9, 2016
Pouponner: How Do YOU care for your guests? (And vice versa). Send tips!
A homemade tart by my mother-in-law offers a loving touch. I want my American family to feel cared for--pouponné!--when they stay with me this month. Tell us what makes you most comfortable when you are a guest in someone's home. Conversely, tell us ways you try to be a good guest. Click HERE to comment.
TODAY'S WORD: POUPONNER
: to dote, to look after
I have so many family members arriving next week--that a rental home will be needed! If you would like to rent in France, consider my lo...
June 2, 2016
Baguette? How I Come up With the Word of the Day
Miss Bossy Boots in my kitchen. We're a good team! Next winetasting is June 10th at 3pm. You are all invited.
TODAY'S FRENCH PHRASE: mener à la baguette
: to boss, to boss around, to rule with a rod of iron
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ECOUTER--Hear these French words spoken by Jean-Marc:
Download MP3 fileorWav file
Penda...
May 26, 2016
Throwing A Hissy Fit during French strikes--for Lunch at Chateau de Pibarnon with Eric de Saint Victor!
Doing much much better around here.Many thanks for the warmth, understanding and support you have sent. Picture of Jean-Marc and me taken two days ago, at Chateau de Pibarnon. Photos by Phyllis Adatto.
Today's French Phrase: HISSY FIT
: un caprice
ECOUTEZ: Listen to Jean-Marc pronounce these French words: Download MP3orWav
Caprice. Phyllis a fait un caprice afin que Tim accepte de venir dans le sud malgré les grèves et les pénuries de carburant.
Hissy Fit. Phyllis threw a hissy fit so...
