Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 70
January 2, 2015
faire du leche-vitrines
Lots of new vocabulary today, and part two of our story from the fashion capital of the world!
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TODAY'S WORD
faire du lèche-vitrines
: to go window shopping
AUDIO FILE: listen to Jean-Marc read the following example sentence
Download MP3 or Wav file
Dans la luxeuse Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Jackie et Kristi ont fait du lèche-vitrines.
In the luxurious Galleria Vittorio Eman...
December 30, 2014
bluffer + mother-daughter trip
Jackie in Milan, at the spectacular Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. More photos here.
Mas de Perdrix. A home in France that artists and writers love to rent. Work on your creative project in this inspiring environment.
TODAY'S WORD: bluffer (bluh-fay)
: to surprise, impress, astound someone
: to lie, pretend, fake something
être bluffé = to be bowled over, to be impressed, to be stunned
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jean-Marc:
Download...
December 23, 2014
Winner is announced! + faire monter la mayonnaise
As the end of the year approaches, I'm running out of steam... and so have devised a GIANT HEADLINES approach to this posting. (Photo taken yesterday, in Evanos, France.)
France and Monaco Rentals: short-term holiday rental properties throughout France. Click here for pictures.
TODAY'S WORD
"faire monter la mayonnaise" = to give more attention to a subject--to stir up interest. We will learn more about this word in a moment....
AUDIO FILE: Listen to Jackie read today's definition ...
December 19, 2014
Pin: A Provençale Christmas story
Just back from a doctor's appointment in Marseilles (Youpie! No need for elbow surgery--just a lot of kiné, or physiotherapy visits to repair my coude. Today's photos , and the following post, are from 2 years ago. Meantime, it is not too late to enter the drawing for a one week stay in this Provençal village home.
PEACE ON EARTH - LA PAIX SUR LA TERRE
The other day, while Smokey and I waited in the school parking lot for Jackie, kids filed past our car, occasionally stopping to point...
December 17, 2014
Gagner: Enter to win a one-week rental in Provence!
Enter to win a week's stay in this 17th century village house in Provence! See details, below. Your chances of winning are GREAT ! After all, this is not the French lottery. So far the average number of entries for these giveaways is 300, but this could change given today's prize! What will your chances be in this giveaway? A vous de tenter votre chance!
TODAY'S WORD:
gagner (gahn-yay)
: to win; to earn; to gain
gagnant-gagnant = win-win (situation)
gagner sa vi...
December 10, 2014
Tirer au sort + Prize giveaways
I would have never met GUS, had he not entered to win one of these blog contests. Proof that the best part of these giveaways is getting to know readers! (Pictured: wrapping for the antique key that Gus won. Click on the hyperlink in the first sentence to see Gus receiving it!)
TODAY'S WORD
tirer (teer-ay)
: to pull, to draw, to close...
Word etymology: Related to tear. Alternatively from a reduction of Old French martirier (to torture). -Wikipedia
...
December 8, 2014
appuyer + win this Amazon gift certificate!
Today's story begins in Mexico... and this is Mom, who taught me the example sentence in today's edition (see "audio file")...
Enter to win a $30 Amazon gift certificate when you answer the following question: Which part of this newsletter do you most enjoy: the word, the soundfile, the pictures or the story column? (Or maybe these giveaways?!) Click here to enter.
TODAY'S WORD:
appuyer (ah-pwee-yay) verb
1. to press; to lean, rest (against, on); to prop (up)
2. to rely on; to suppo...
December 5, 2014
luxer + win this French Country Diary
So good to be back! Celebrating with another giveaway! Enter to win the beloved, the exquisitely made French Country Diary. Simply answer this question: What are you celebrating this month? Click here to answer.
TODAY'S WORD:
luxer (loox-ay)
: to dislocate
Style & comfort in the beauty of the Provencal countryside. 4 bedrooms & a study with a sofa bed, each with ensuite (full) bath. Villa comfortably sleeps 7-9 adults.
AUDIO FILE:
Listen to today...
November 26, 2014
How to say "wise" in French?
Autumn and the sound, in the distance, of leaves crunching underfoot
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sagesse (saah zhess) noun, feminine
wisdom, (good) sense; discretion
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read these expressions:
faire preuve de sagesse = to be sensible
la sagesse populaire = popular (or traditional) wisdom
agir avec sagesse = to act wisely
la dent de sagesse = wisdom...
November 19, 2014
French for "To go beyond one's limits"
The painted sign reads: "To live well, love well, and let the others say what they will!" Pour bien vivre, bien aimer, et laisser dire
Mas de Perdrix. A home in France that artists and writers love to rent. Work on your creative project in this inspiring environment.
se sublimer (seuh-soo-blee-may)
: to transcend oneself, to go beyond one's limits
Audio File: listen to today's word in the following story, written and read aloud by Jean-Marc! ...
