Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 75
June 27, 2014
Mom goes missing - and What does "quiproquo" mean in French?
"Smokey and the Sunflower Stalk." The day Mom flew home our giant tournesol blossomed. But the joy Mom left in her wake turned into something else....
quiproquo (kee-proh-koh)
: mistaken identity
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following example sentence:
Download MP3orWav file
Un quiproquo est un malentendu qui fait prendre quelqu'un pour un autre ou une chose pour une autre.A quiproquo is a misunderstanding in which one person is mistaken for another or one thing for another.
June 24, 2014
To take off, to get off the ground. Can you say this in French?
Mom's wish before she took off this morning (it could be custom fit to speak to any one of us, no matter our hearts desires!). Read to the end and find out. (Photo of Jules admiring the poireaux, or leeks, which went to seed, beautifully.)
Mas la Monaque-Rent this beautifully restored 17-century farmhouse. Click here for more pictures.
décoller (day-ko-lay)
: to take off, to leave the ground (flight)
: to unstick, unglue, blast off
Dear Mom,
You look so happy in the above photo, but the truth i...
June 20, 2014
Desiderata poem in French and English: lifechanging words
Our 16-year-old set out, yesterday, on a 24-hr voyage. Alone, she flew from Nice to London, then London to Dallas, and on to Denver. Unsure of what to say to my daughter before she left, I slipped the following poem into her travel bag.Photo taken at the Vieux Port in Marseilles, on break from her internship at a couturier's.
Beautifully renovated and decorated home in the Luberon.4 bedrooms and a study with a sofa bed, each with ensuite (full) bath. This villa comfortably sleeps 7-9 adults.
(S...
June 17, 2014
Bilingual poem that will make you smile
This photo of my maman really makes me smile. The snapshot was taken in the little fishing village of Le Brusc, at Café Le Piadon. So much more to tell you, but my thoughts are dispersing as I spin around and around, unsure of how to spend this last week with Mom. You'll forgive me for posting a rerun? To make it up to you I'll share more photos at the end of this post!
Exclusive French made clothesnow available to purchase on-line.Thomas Hulston Collections.
The following poem is by Raoul Foll...
June 12, 2014
A trend in France this summer + photos of Ramatuelle
At beach restaurants like this one--and over at the old port in St. Tropez--everyone is asking for un rosé piscine. When June already feels like August, the "glass of rosé on ice" really hits the spot. But if you're like me, you might prefer "de l'eau gazeuse." To each his own,à chacun son goût! (If you are new to this blog, here is a picture of Jean-Marc and me. My husband does the sound files for this journal and I write the stories and photograph. Enjoy!)
"rosé piscine" (roh-zay pee-seen)
...
June 10, 2014
A food that garantees happiness, luck, health and offspring?
Happy, lucky, and healthy and we haven't even eaten an almond yet! Just goes to show the power of this fuzzy, favorite French fruit. Read on...
Mas la Monaque-Rent this beautifully restored 17-century farmhouse. Click here for more pictures.
une amande (ah-mahnd)
: almond
sugared almond = la dragée
almond paste = la frangipane
almond tree = un amandier
sweet/bitter almond = amande douce/amère
almond tartlet = une amandine
... and have you ever eaten a "Pithivier"? A pie made of puff pastry with almo...
June 5, 2014
to cradle in French + garden photo
Today is your story. Write on!
Tenir tendrement, bercer
: to cradle
AUDIO FILE: Jean-Marc recorded the example sentence, below, in lively Marseilles. Enjoy!Download MP3orWav
En regardant bien cette photo, on dirait que les fèves, les artichauts, et compagnie sont en train de tenir tendrement ma maman. Looking at this photo, you could say the favas, the artichokes, and the rest are cradling my mom.
Beautifully renovated and decorated home in the Luberon.4 bedrooms and a study wi...
June 3, 2014
en panne
Never stop receiving these words and photos (this one, with flax flowers, taken in the back yard)
Today's word reminds mewe need a Plan B!Recently I've learned that French Word-A-Day is not delivering to all subscribers. Rather than panic(changing mail carriers), I'll continue sending out these posts via Feedburner. But before we lose each other, please take a moment toconnect with me here, via Twitterwhere I may update you au cas où, or in the event....
panne (pan)
: breakdown, failure
tomber...
May 29, 2014
Shutterbug in French
All photos in today's post are by Cynthia Gillespie-Smith.
I once believed the French had a charming word for everything. Today's term is an exception--for there is no equivalent for "shutterbug" in the language of love! Instead, let's feature the English word and then we'll get our French fix in today's definition. (We'll also have a little fun with the pronunciation guide, just below :-)
shutterbug (shoo-tair-boog)
: un passionné de photographie
Audio File: I was counting on Jean-Marc to pron...
May 27, 2014
French for "from scratch"
Taken from The Wine Spectator magazine, the line just above, inspired today's expression...
from scratch
: àpartir de rien, de zéro
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following sentenceDownload MP3orWav file
Créer un vignoble à partir de rien, c'est pas commun aujourd'hui.
Starting an estate from scratch has become rare around here.
France and Monaco Rentals:short-term holiday rental properties throughout France.Click here for pictures.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE... by Kristin Espinasse
When our...
