Kristin Espinasse's Blog, page 79
March 5, 2014
loufoque meaning + first poppies + chapter translation!
If a poppy can bloom on the first of March, can a couple of errant cats appear after 6 days away? Photo taken in our field of olive trees. The flowers may have bloomed as early as the end of February!
France and Monaco Rentals:short-term holiday rental properties throughout France.Click here for pictures.
loufoque (loo-fohk)
madcap, zany, nutty
wild, bizarre
Audio File: Listen to today's word and terms:Download MP3orWav
une aventure loufoque = madcap adventure
un chat loufoque = crazy cat
une histoir...
March 1, 2014
Ways to say you are hurting (French expressions)
My son and his friend Anto helped come up with this list ofWays to say you are hurting,but often the look on one's face is enough to convey the message of tristesse, or sadness. (Photo taken in the back yard, where our cats love to play.)
Les differentes expressions pour exprimer la souffrance:
je suis triste = I am sad
ça ne va pas du tout = things aren't going well at all
ce n'est pas la forme = not feeling so great
je déprime = I'm depressed
je ne me sens pas bien = I don't feel well
Audio File:...
February 27, 2014
Serre Chevalier + How to say "flat rate" when searching for $ deals in France
Ambition is the downfall of man. (L'Ambition est la perte de l'homme). A message on a lazy sundial in Serre Chevalier.
un forfait (for-fay)
: flat rate, package deal,
un forfait week-end = weekend package (price)
un forfait mensuel = monthly subscription
un forfait boisson = drinks included
un forfait de ski = ski pass
Audio File and Example Sentence:
Download MP3orWAV
Jean-Marc a trouvé un forfait hotel pour les vacances d'hiver.
Jean-Marc found a hotel package for winter vacation.
February 21, 2014
stomach ache in French
When Jean-Marc came to Phoenix to woo me we exchanged gifts. For me, a Provençale skirt 3 sizes too small. (Does my face look as pinched as my waist? At least he looks relaxed.) Twenty-four years later and we still miss the mark--but so far we keep trying to understand each other. (Photo from the forthcoming book "First French Essais." Out next month!)
Style & comfort in the beauty of the Provencal countryside.4 bedrooms & a study with a sofa bed, each with ensuite (full) bath. Villa comfortab...
February 18, 2014
c’est le monde à l’envers + Malta!
An unexpected twist on our romantic Valentine's getaway... to Malta. Read on in today's story column.
c’est le monde à l’envers
: the world's gone crazy (or: it's an upside-down world)
Audio File: click the following links to hear today's word and definitionDownload MP3orWav
L'expression "c'est le monde à l'envers" c'est quand les choses sont dans le contraire de ce qu’on attend.
(from Wikipedia) The expression c'est le monde à l'enversmeans that things are different than expected.
February 13, 2014
Coup de Foudre + French students seek host families in USA or England
How to say VROOOM! in French? If the topic today wereonomatopoeia, then we'd surely have that one nailed by the end of this post. But there are two other pressing matters to figure out today:
1) How to say "Be my Valentine" in French? and
2) Who, in the States or in England, can host my French friend's 17-year-old? And/or can anyone recommend a fun USA camp for 16- or 17-year-olds? (Is 16 or 17 too old for camp?). Skip to the end of this letter and let me know!
Coup de Foudre (koo-deuh-foo-drh)...
February 11, 2014
cafe litteraire
In the café littéraire meet-ups of yesteryear, old establishments like this may have welcomed book lovers.
un café littéraire :Download MP3orWav
Un café littéraire est un lieu de réunion où l'on parle de littérature, échange des idées, écoute des extraits de livres lus par des comédiens, assiste à des spectacles érudits tout en dégustant un café, ou autre boisson. A café littéraire is a meetup place where one talks about litterature, exchanges ideas, listens to book excerpts read by performers,...
February 8, 2014
bibliotheque + American Library in Paris & Ann Mah and Patricia Wells!
Authors and journalistsPatricia Wells and Ann Mah are as down-to-earth as dandelions--something these culinary divas could appreciate--sauteed with lardons fumés (and a glass of Mas des Brunrosébien sûr!)
la bibliothèque (bih-blee-oh-tek)
: library
Confession: I still mix up the terms bibliothèque and librairie, but une librairie--no matter how misleading name--is still a book store as we notedhere.
Audio File & Example Sentence: Will try to update--as soon as Jean-Marc finished his vineyard ch...
February 4, 2014
Our former vineyard now also a B&B
Our former vineyard is now a B&B. Would you like a room with a view? Read on!
chambre d'hôte (shahmbrh-dote)
: B&B
Audio File - (includesan extra term for you: "à titre onéreux"). Listen to the following sentence:Download MP3orWav file
Les chambres d'hôtes sont des chambres meublées situées chez l'habitant en vue d'accueillir des touristes, à titre onéreux, pour une ou plusieurs nuitées, assorties de prestations.
B&Bs are furnished rooms situated at the homeowner's with the aim of welcoming tour...
January 31, 2014
Champagne party & Kristi's book signing in Paris + mystery man
I realize most of you can't drop everything and jet over to Paris, but if you happen to be there already I would love to meet you! Feb 6th at 6:30 For more info RSVP at rmkatsaros@yahoo.com
Now about that mystery manmentioned in today's title. I need your help to tell his story! So please read today's column and let me know how I may improve it!
First, today's word. Forgive the simplicity and obviousness of it, but often what is easy on the eye is exquisitely complex inside.
une plante (plahnt)...
