Jackie and Ricci ordering tea and a Galette des Rois at Le Nageur café on the old port in La Ciotat. For more photos and to stay connected, follow me on Instagram @kristinespinasse TODAY'S WORD: INÉBRANLABLE : unshakeable, unflappable A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Hej! That's bonjour in Swedish. Twenty-five years ago, before taking the leap into writing, I worked at a vignoble in France owned by the Swedish State. Fanny, a young mother of two and the secretary there, made me feel welcome as I rejoined the workforce after my own little ones entered school. As sweet as Fanny was, she was firm, and her sense of humor softened any blows. Throughout the day workers would come to her with their urgent demands, but Fanny, with her long strawberry blond curls, was never ruffled. One day le caviste arrived, pounding his fists on her desk, having run out of corks. “Mes bouchons! Didn’t you order them? I NEED THEM NOW!” During such a meltdown, Fanny’s eyes would narrow as she chewed her gum thoughtfully. “Ne me fais pas un caca nerveux, Philippe!” she would answer calmly. There at my desk facing hers, I nearly spit... Continue reading

A story of old friends and the necklace that connects them--and all of us. TODAY'S WORD: LE COLLIER : necklace A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When our friends Charles and Martha arrived from Florida, they came bearing gifts: bottles of wine for Jean-Marc, Worcestershire Sauce and giant jars of beurre de cacahuète for the family, and a whimsical necklace for Jules. “Hopefully we’ll see her tomorrow …” our friends hinted. “Oh,” I stammered, “I hope so too!” I pictured my mom, next door, hiding beneath a pile of covers. Ever since she came to live with us, nearly seven years ago, she’s enjoyed the comfort and privacy of her little studio. Thinking of Mom’s quiet life now, it’s hard to believe how many challenges she’s faced in the past... At 16, living in Utah, she was kicked off the cheerleading team and out of school for getting pregnant. There followed divorce and years as a single mom (in which she briefly remarried in time to have me, in the Philippines). In Phoenix, where she brought us up, things didn’t slow down when Heidi and I flew the coop. Mom left her job at the ski shop... Continue reading

The world feels upside down when posting a giant ice cream cone in France while California faces devastating fires. Today’s story, written before reading the news, is shared with the hope of offering comfort. Life can feel completely out of our control, but we can keep faith and continue giving—however we’re led to give. TODAY’S WORD: Doux rêves : sweet dreams (noun) The verb form is faire de bons rêves (to have sweet dreams). A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse The last Sunday of the year, I took a twenty euro bill and set off early for church. Before leaving, I rummaged through a cupboard for un sac fourre-tout…intent on filling it with flowers from the weekend farmers market, where you can get a beautiful bouquet for under 20 euros. My sister Heidi had suggested the gift for Mom and I didn’t want to let her down. My husband often drives me and picks me up, which is as close to getting to church as he gets. But it’s not about being in church, it’s about serving others, something Jean-Marc enjoys, not that he’s always chipper about it.… As we motor past the beaches, heading to le... Continue reading

TODAY'S WORD: LA RECONNAISSANCE : acknowledgment, gratefulness A YEAR IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse And just like that, 2024 has come to an end. As they say here in Provence, Bon bout d’an!—happy end of the year. How quickly the months have gone by. Like the gentle breeze sweeping the neighborhood leaves across the seafront, le temps vole! But to where, exactly, does time fly? However boggling this vast endlessness, there’s comfort in knowing these moments live on forever, in our memories, in our stories, and even into the mysterious ever after. Looking back over the past four seasons, I’m filled with gratitude and émerveillement—not only for the unexpected people who came into our lives but for those who’ve been there all along, making every little adventure and its built-in lesson more precious, meaningful, and lasting. The year began with an intention to connect more deeply with the locals. I imagined myself frequenting cafés, supporting local establishments, and finding ways to weave more threads into the vibrant tapestry of life here in La Ciotat. But the universe had other plans. Instead of reaching out to others, it seemed others were sent to me, offering help in ways I... Continue reading

The following story is a reminder it's the thought that counts, so don't stress over gift-giving this season (easier said than done, I know...) TODAY'S PHRASE: C'est le geste qui compte [say-luh zhest kee kohnt] : it's the thought that counts A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Entering the studio on the side of our house, I find Mom bundled in bed, laptop propped on a pillow, watching the exciting réouverture de Notre-Dame in Paris. Organ music fills the room, and the iconic église, now rebuilt after the devastating fire five and a half years ago, sparkles brightly from Jules’s side. But no matter how glorious the event on the screen, Mom will shut it off to give her full attention to her visitor. Since our golden retriever Smokey passed away, and 20-year-old Lili the cat moved back to the neighbor’s (unwilling to share the yard with Ricci), Mom’s ever-present companion has become her laptop. Connected to the speaker Max gave her, for better sound, Jules’s computer has become her portal to limitless adventures. With a single click, she’s back with her neighborhood horses in a barrio in Mexico, tending stray dogs in Greece, or soaring over... Continue reading

Bonjour, Jean-Marc here—Kristi's husband, aka Chief Grape, and the guy behind those sound files you hear in this journal. From January 6 to March 20, 2025, I’ll be cycling the legendary Carretera Austral in Chile and making wine in Mendoza, Argentina. If you have friends or family in Santiago (Chile) or Mendoza (Argentina), I’d love any helpful connections to make this adventure even more special. I’ll send some trip photos to Kristi, who might sneak them into a post here while I'm away. Merci beaucoup for your help and à bientôt! Jean-Marc ([email protected]) A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse If I learned French from books and teachers, and if it was my French family and friends who grew and tended my vocabulary, would you believe it was a humble cake that taught me la Cène? The discovery came while I was leafing through l’Almanach Provençal, a treasure trove of Provençal traditions. I had just admired a sweetly decorated olive tree when my gaze landed on another ancient Christmas custom: la Pompe à l’Huile. My first encounter with this gâteau was years ago at Cousin Sabine’s. Married to Jean-Marc’s cousin François, Sabine often hosts Le Gros Souper at... Continue reading

Meet "Ollie," our olive tree, who will soon be dressed for Christmas with baubles, ribbons and warm white lights. Discover the story behind this unique Christmas tree in today's post. Voici "Ollie," notre olivier, qui sera bientôt paré pour Noël avec des boules, des rubans, et des lumières blanches chaudes. Découvrez l'histoire de cet arbre de Noël unique dans le billet d'aujourd'hui. L'ARBRE DE NOËL = Christmas tree (m) PRONUNCIATION: [lar-bruh duh no-el] EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Autrefois, l'arbre de Noël était souvent un olivier, avant que le sapin de Noël ne devienne plus populaire. (In the past, the Christmas tree was often an olive tree, before the fir tree became more popular.) A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse On our way to walk Ricci on the beach, I paused at our neighborhood library—an old, beat-up telephone booth with its own certain charm—to check out the latest arrivals. There, perched atop a heap of books, was a familiar cover: Almanach Provençal 2008. I’d bought a copy years ago for its delightful watercolors and snippets of French customs, and here it was again, like an old friend rediscovered. Entering the crowded cabine téléphonique, I picked up the book and opened... Continue reading

Le Bon Temps ("The Good Times")—the name of this local brasserie captures the spirit of why my son loves La Ciotat so much. Now, he's committing to a new home and a new chapter. In today's story, read about this exciting milestone. Below: a dreamy night view from Max and Ana's apartment. TODAY'S WORD: La Crémaillère : housewarming party; housewarming PRONUNCIATION: [kray-myeh-air] EXAMPLE SENTENCE: "Ce n’était qu’un coup de clé ce soir-là, la véritable crémaillère viendra plus tard." "It was just a key-turning celebration that evening; the real housewarming party would come later." A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse 1er Coup de Clé: On vous attend ce soir à 20 h pour notre premier coup de clé dans notre nouvel appartement. The WhatsApp message read: “First Turn of the Key: We’re expecting you tonight at 8 PM for our first turn of the key in our new apartment.” This was more than just an invitation—it was a milestone for Max and Ana. After several years together, this young couple had taken the next big step: buying a nest to call their own. For Jean-Marc and me, it was deeply moving to witness this commitment, a tangible sign... Continue reading

Beautiful, innocent Italy, where seemingly nothing could go wrong. Do you ever let down your guard when traveling to charming places? Read about our iffy airport transfer after midnight in today's update... Stay connected with me on Instagram or Facebook or LinkedIn. It’s a great way to keep in touch, especially when this blog takes a break or faces technical hiccups. I’d hate to lose contact with you! TODAY'S WORD: LOUCHE : suspicious, shady, sketchy PRONUNCIATION: [loosh] EXAMPLE SENTENCE Cette situation est vraiment louche, pensais-je en suivant le conducteur dans l'obscurité. (This situation is really shady, I thought as I followed the driver into the darkness.) A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Jean-Marc and I had been looking forward to celebrating our 30th anniversary for months. This belated trip to Italy, with its promise of rest, renewal, et de bons repas, seemed like the perfect way to mark the occasion. But as we landed in Bari just past midnight, the excitement was quickly replaced by a chill in the air and an unsettling obscurité. It was cold and dark as we stood at the airport taxi stand among a crowd of travelers. Just like with the French,... Continue reading

Today’s story unfolds here in La Ciotat, near this lush, green former agricultural estate, now the Parc du Domaine de la Tour... A Note About Your Subscription: From time to time, readers are automatically dropped from my mailing list by a system that flags inactive emails—this isn't something I control! To ensure you stay connected and don’t miss out on these weekly updates, please click on any link in this email. This simple action signals that you’re actively engaging with the newsletters. Plan B: So that we don't lose contact, follow me on Instagram or Facebook, and be alerted when a new story is posted. Thank you for reading! TODAY'S WORD: le/la kiné : physical therapist PRONUNCIATION: [kee-nay] EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Le kiné français avait deux assistants—tous deux étaient des chiens. The French physical therapist had two assistants—both were dogs. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse When my mobile phone rang, I picked up to hear a sunny voice on the other end. "Hey, Mom. Want to have lunch together at the port?" "Hi, Max! I would have loved to, but I have an appointment at la kiné! And hey, next time you go to St. Tropez, take... Continue reading

"Woman With the Purple Hair in L'isle-sur-la-Sorgue." Her yellow skirt, red-trimmed bag, black tights, and violet highlights--she makes me want to trade my trusty jeans for something electrifying. Indeed, on the eve of the Day of the Dead, this lady is alive! For me, her tenue speaks of creativity, freedom, sweetness, and determination. Notice, also, the jack-o'-lanterns streaming in the sky... Joyeuse Halloween! TODAY'S WORD: essayer : to try PRONUNCIATION: [eh-say-yay] EXAMPLE SENTENCE: Joyeux Halloween ! Aujourd’hui, je partage mes premiers essais d'écriture et mes efforts pour essayer encore. Happy Halloween! Today, I share my first writing attempts and my efforts to keep trying. A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Twenty-two years ago, on a crisp autumn morning, the scent of candy in the air, this blog was born. In the medieval village of Les Arcs-sur-Argens, preparations were underway for Halloween—a totally new concept in France at the time. A ghoulish parade was about to begin, with local children dressed as witches, ghosts, skeletons, and little devils, going door to door to collect bonbons from village merchants, while des citrouilles d'Halloween flickered on porches, illuminating the festive spirit. There in the municipal parking lot, amidst a crowd... Continue reading

Colorful buildings along the port of Cassis. Also, below, in the first six lines below, I am trying a new format for the word of the day. How do you like it? Do you have other suggestions for this weekly journal. Thanks for letting me know in the comments box. TODAY'S WORD: Laquelle, Lequel Pronunciation: [la-kell, le-kell] Meaning: Which one? Example Sentence: Je ne sais pas laquelle choisir. (I don’t know which one to choose.) A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Laquelle? That is the question of the day! With so many things happening each week, picking just one incident to write about can be a real casse-tête. Should I title this one Grand-mère Chérie and talk about the blessings of our aînés? Especially the French grandmother who warmed to Ricci and me while we were shopping for greens. Entering the maraîcher’s, the only other client in the tiny shop approached. “What a lovely dog!” she began. By the time our conversation was over, I knew exactly which champignons to buy (not those from Haute-Savoie—too gorged with liquid—wait another week, and the local chanterelles will be in stock). “Do you like Nougat?” my new friend continued. “They... Continue reading