French Learning

A Note From Kristi (and a link to the full text for today’s story)

Hello Dear Readers, Very sorry for this extra email in your inbox. Did you notice something unusual in my recent newsletter? Things got a little scrambled in my previous email. A technical glitch created question marks throughout the story text (in the emailed version, only). Please use this link to see the full version. I put a lot into today’s story. I hope you’ll take … Continue reading A Note From Kristi (and a link to the full text for today’s story)

Kristin Espinasse8 Comments
French Learning

Love is…

TODAY’S WORD: se soutenir : to support each otherPRONUNCIATION: [suh soo-TEH-neer] Nous nous soutenons, même quand il est loin.We support each other, even when he’s far away. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When the fire alarm suddenly sounded in our house, my husband was not here to silence it. Its piercing scream sent a slew of gros mots flying out of my mouth … Continue reading Love is…

Kristin Espinasse10 Comments
French Learning

Welcoming My Brother to Brooklyn from France + Street Food

Bonjour, new readers—welcome! I’m Kristi, and I began this French word journal in October 2002, when my kids (two are pictured above) were 5 and 7. Today, my youngest is helping carry on the family journal. Enjoy Jackie’s update, and I’ll be back in a week with news from the south coast of France. Une vague de froid By Jacqueline Espinasse December 27th, Mom, Dad, … Continue reading Welcoming My Brother to Brooklyn from France + Street Food

Kristin Espinasse26 Comments
French Learning

Un Bel Apprentissage: A Beautiful Learning Experience

TODAY’S WORD: apprentissage : learning; apprenticeshipPRONUNCIATION: ah-prahn-tee-sahj A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse  The first thing I did when Jean-Marc and Jackie left for the airport was to hurry to her room. Our little American shepherd followed, to sniff out anything my daughter might’ve left behind.  Ricci’s nose swept the floor like one of those metal detectors used by treasure hunters here on the … Continue reading Un Bel Apprentissage: A Beautiful Learning Experience

Kristin Espinasse15 Comments
Uncategorized

Étincelle: A Quiet Spark of Faith

“ETINCELLE” This last chapter is the chance to end the year on a meaningful note. Je ne veux pas le rater.  Yet I sit at the dining room table, facing the blank screen, listening for inspiration as the rain falls outside. “Il pleut, Bergère !” Jean-Marc sings. Behind me, my husband is tinkering in the kitchen: pots and pans meet like noisy tambourines as he … Continue reading Étincelle: A Quiet Spark of Faith

Kristin Espinasse43 Comments
Uncategorized

Des Histoires de Noël: Christmas in New York

Des histoires de Noël I had promised myself the evening before that I would attend church. But on Sunday morning, I found myself hesitant about going, as always. This time, though, it felt extra daunting because it was the annual Christmas pageant. I thought a pageant was un défilé. I associated it with glamour, because of the beauty pageants I grew up watching on television in … Continue reading Des Histoires de Noël: Christmas in New York

Jacqueline Espinasse15 Comments
Jackie, Uncategorized

Repartir à Zéro: A French Lesson in Beginning Again

TODAY’S WORD: REPARTIR À ZÉRO : to start over, to begin againPRONUNCIATION: [reh-par-teer ah zeh-ro] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:Elle a tout quitté pour repartir à zéro.She left everything behind to start over. For your holiday gift-giving, pensez à mon livre — a little Provence under the tree. Order here. Repartir à Zéro “Any plans for Christmas?” is the question I got asked at least 20 times this week. Exactly a … Continue reading Repartir à Zéro: A French Lesson in Beginning Again

Jacqueline Espinasse16 Comments
Uncategorized

Confiance: How to say trust in French (a book update)

TODAY’S WORD: la confiance : trust; confidencePRONUNCIATION: [lah kon-fee-ahns] EXAMPLE SENTENCE:La confiance se construit pas à pas, quand on accepte de s’appuyer sur les autres.Trust is built little by little, when we allow ourselves to lean on others. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Written during the final weeks of preparing this book. Today I’m sweating my way through a spontaneous challenge: … Continue reading Confiance: How to say trust in French (a book update)

Kristin Espinasse11 Comments
Aging, Jules, Thanksgiving

How to Say Caregiver in French (and in the Cosmos)

TODAY’S WORD: l’aidant(e) : caregiver PRONUNCIATION: [lay-dahn(t)] A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Two weeks ago, Mom moved into the house—into Max’s old room. She immediately loved the firmness of the mattress, the cozy space, and the way the wooden shutters blocked out all the light—perfect for nap time. She packed only her toothbrush, in her pocket, and, for the fortnight that … Continue reading How to Say Caregiver in French (and in the Cosmos)

Kristin Espinasse19 Comments
Jackie

Prise de Bec: A Little French Fight in Manhattan

Today’s the day! Or should I say, tonight’s the night? Depending on where you are in the world, my live webinar with The Alliance Française begins at: 1pm PT / 2pm MT / 3pm CT / 4pm ET. Here in France, it will be 10 p.m., and I’m looking forward to speaking with you—live from my kitchen table. Your presence means a lot to me. … Continue reading Prise de Bec: A Little French Fight in Manhattan

Kristin Espinasse10 Comments