Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 62
December 2, 2015
Paris Climate Talks & how to "glaner" before Global Warming
PROVENCE VILLA FOR RENT With this unique combination of ancient architecture and modern amenities, the Mas de la Perdrix is cozy enough for a couple’s romantic getaway, yet spacious enough for a family reunion, friends’ get together, or couples’ retreat.
TODAY'S WORD:
glaner (glah-nay) verb
to pick, to gather, to glean
BONJOUR... The United Nations Climate Change Conference is well underway now in Paris. Do you think it is too late to make a difference vi...
November 27, 2015
Faire de son mieux - to do one's best
France's own 007 and his sleek getaway car. Oh, if getting away from our villains were that easy! Read on....
TODAY'S WORD: faire de son mieux
: to do one's best
ECOUTEZ/LISTEN hear Jean-Marc pronounce today's phrase
Download MP3 or Download Wav file
Faire de son mieux. On peut toujours faire de son mieux.
To do one's best. One can always do his best.
WHERE TO RENT IN FRANCE? Special thanks to our longtime sponsors--Marilyn, David, and Marian...
November 24, 2015
Meme pas peur - the French phrase you've seen all over the media this week
Screenshot from the online magazine Elle.fr - sent to me by Antonia, who discovered the French Word-A-Day blog after googling the même pas peur expression.
MEME PAS PEUR = NOT AFRAID
Recently, my word journal received a surge of activity after people all around the world began to google the French expression même pas peur. The popular French expression, featured here in January of 2013, means You don't scare me at all!
You can learn more about the "Not afraid!"...
November 20, 2015
Impermeable + sang-froid in French
More behind the trenchcoat our daughter made, in today's story.
TODAY'S WORD : imperméable
: raincoat
: weatherproof, impervious (adj)
ECOUTEZ/LISTEN: hear Jean-Marc pronounce these French words:
MP3 file or Wav File
Imperméable. Nous sommes très fiers de Jackie pour la réalisation de son imperméable.
Raincoat. We are very proud of Jackie for completing her raincoat.
WHERE TO RENT IN FRANCE? Special thanks to our longtime spo...
November 14, 2015
A Short Letter from France
Dear Friends,
Following the attack in Paris last night, so many people are speechless. I don't know what to say, either, and so I will share a story and hope it comforts you as it did me.
Each of us will react in his or her own way in the face of terror. Don't let anybody tell you how you *should* feel. And be careful not to model your feelings after another's. Some of us are outraged. Others stunned. Still others are desensitized given so many years of sensational...
November 11, 2015
Armistice or Veterans Day & France's Wartime vegetable
In front of Smokey: just-harvested jerusalem artichokes. More about these meaningful root vegetables in today's story.
TODAY'S WORD: le topinambour
: jerusalem artichoke, sunchoke
ECOUTER/LISTEN - hear Jean-Marc pronounce the example sentence, with topinambour, below: Download MP3 or Download Wav file
Sa diffusion en Europe se développe rapidement grâce à sa culture facile, sa rusticité et sa forte multiplication végétative, même dans des sols pa...
November 6, 2015
Lovers Quarrel and Accidental Revenge, in French
Several olive trees have now been moved to make way for our 2016 vine planting. My husband and I don't agree on the uprooting of some of these trees, so this has been a rough week! How ironic to squabble over an olive tree when its very branches symbolize la paix. Read about prise de bec, in today's story column.
TODAY'S EXPRESSION: la vengeance est douce
: revenge is sweet
ECOUTEZ/LISTEN
Hear Jean-Marc pronounce today's phrase. (Update: I have been working on these s...
November 2, 2015
Immobilier, My Sister Heidi and Word of Mouth in French
Following his bike accident, Jean-Marc got his staples out Saturday and was out inspecting the fields around our home for our 2016 vine-planting. More photos you may have missed, at Instagram.
TODAY'S WORD: immobilier
: property, real estate
ECOUTEZ/LISTEN - Hear Jean-Marc pronounce today's word and this example sentence. Download wav file or press the mp3 button:
My belle-soeur, Heidi, est une expert dans l'immobilier dans le Colorado. Si vo...
October 27, 2015
Pesto in Bed. A delicious--and alluring--recipe!
You are all invited to our winetasting on Thursday, October 29th! Email jm.espinasse@gmail.com to confirm. So far there are two signups, so it should be relaxed and cozy--just like this window scene where Smokey and I are busy making delicious parsley pesto. Read on for the easy recipe!
TODAY'S WORD: Le Pistou
: pesto
WHERE TO RENT IN FRANCE? Special thanks to our longtime sponsors--Marilyn, David, and Marianne--who have been a great support to my newslette...
October 23, 2015
French Toilet Paper and other disasters
I wanted everything to be perfect when Tess and the artists arrived. But when I went to check my appearance in the mirror, after greeting my guests, there was pink toilet paper stuck to my eyelashes!! Read on.
TODAY'S WORD:
le papier toilette
: toilet paper
ECOUTEZ/LISTEN - hear Jean-Marc pronounce today's word: click here or here:
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE...
by Kristin Espinasse
I am feeling pulled in every direction on this, a beautiful...
