Je T'aime
Monday, February 14, 2011
An "amour" of a dilapidated door, I love you, and a tickle war in today's Valentine's edition. And don't miss photos from our AZ French meet-up!
je t'aime (zheuh tem)
: I love you
A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse
Je t'aime is something I've been hearing a lot of lately -- in English. My niece, Reagan, and my nephew, Payne, are fond of saying it to me!
"I love you Aunt Kristi!" they'll call out at the most unexpected times of the day and their declaration never fails to swoop up my heart and carry it off like an exhilarating wave.
"Je vous aime aussi" "I love you, too" I assure my niece and mynephew. And just in case assurance isn't enough... I fall down and brace myself for another guerre de guilis-guilis, or tickle war!
After the guilis-guilis guerre I warn them: it is time to calm down! My command, hélas, leads not to retreat, and so I am forced to use the "school 'marmy' method": recital. I will recite a list so long that even Sleep herself cannot resist one great Y-A-W-N.
Because it is Valentine's Day, tonight's list will be in theme:
"French Terms of Endearment". Would you like to read along with us? ... and learn how to say things like Sweetie Pie, My Little Duck, My Dear, and more? Then click here and read on!
This is my niece "Rea-Rea". I am really going to miss her!
Here's Payne, just back from soccer and with battle bruises to prove it. That's Winston, beside him.
Happy Valentines Day to all and be sure to try out today's expression on someone!
Le Coin Commentaires
Have a correction or a comment to make. Click here to leave a message and thanks in advance!
We had a fun hike with fellow Francophiles in Phoenix (say that ten times fast!)...
Meet Herm, who helped organize the recent French Word meet-up! More photos to come in the next edition... on Wednesday or Thursday. Check back!
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Hi Honey - I knew you would be up at 6 a.m. posting away...I love you.
XOXO
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 01:53 PM
It looks like you had a good turn out for the hike. Can't wait to see the photos ... love Arizona in the winter.
Posted by: Suzanne, Monroe Township, NJ | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 02:03 PM
How are you possibly going to fit all you have forgotten or want to do in this last day in the desert? Make hay while the sun shines and squeeze out every last moment. There is always time to make up for lost sleep on the flight home! Enjoy your day !
Posted by: Sandy maberly | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 04:20 PM
Always great to hear "I love you" in any language! I've posted some visual love photos from Paris to celebrate the day. Have a great end to your Phoenix visit!
Posted by: Sion @ paris (im)perfect | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 07:10 PM
♥ YOU, too, Kristin and your blog. Happy ♥ Day!
Posted by: Judy Bell | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 07:11 PM
do you pronounce the s in guilis-guilis? what is the literal meaning?
The photos are great! Isn't it a blessing to be with family and friends.
Maria
Posted by: Maria Cochrane | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Sending blessing to you on Valentine's Day.
Posted by: mary | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 07:54 PM
Salut Kristin,
Thanks for sharing your time with us; the meet-up was super! Hey, even the resident coyote pack howled their approval.
Enjoy your remaining vacation time and have a safe trip home.
Bonne Saint Valentin à l'charmantes dames de FWAD
À bientôt
Posted by: Herm in Phoenix, AZ | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 08:08 PM
What a great group you had in Phoenix. The rest of us will be expecting meet-ups, too, now!
Posted by: Bill in St. Paul | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 08:11 PM
I'm so jealous! Come to Tucson!
Posted by: Roseann | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 08:33 PM
Kristi,
The last photo of you and Herm reminds me of exactly how you looked when you were about 15 years old. It must be the crisp desert air, you are just the same.
Please give your Dad and Marsha a big hug from me.
XOXO
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 08:53 PM
"Guilis-guilis" makes you giggle just to say it!
Posted by: Jennifer in OR | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Bon Jour de Saint Valentin! Thank you so much for sharing photos of your adorable family and the rendez-vous in Phoenix. Looks like a fun time was had by all. Sending love your way from sunny (finally!) SW KS.
Posted by: Candy in SW KS | Monday, February 14, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Happy Valentine's Day Kristi.
Sending you lots of love from New York.
Have a safe flight home.
Posted by: Candice | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 12:02 AM
I've really enjoyed the posts from your vacation visiting family! Have a happy Valentine's Day and a safe trip home to your family!
Posted by: Lisa@ Tarte du Jour | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 12:36 AM
Happy Valentine's Day, Kristin! Thanks for all the great pictures, words, and thoughts during your travels. Have a good and safe trip back home. I know your family must be missing you there!
Posted by: Julie Schorr | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 01:00 AM
LOL...Kristin so glad you are enjoying a great holiday away amongst your wonderful family and far flung friends...love the holiday snaps!
Posted by: Gretel | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 01:01 AM
Now, does "Je t'aime" also mean "I like you"? In either case, "Je t'aime, Kristin" and thank you for always bringing us the daily gift of words from your heart.
Posted by: Karen W (Towson, Maryland) | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 04:30 AM
My goodness, Payne looks like Max!
Posted by: Carolyn | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 04:43 AM
thank you so much for your help, it's nice to learn with you, thank you again
Posted by: mona | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 09:14 AM
I love your pictures it's very nice i love it so much and happy valentine day to all of them.
and i wish to them always happy.
Posted by: mona | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 09:20 AM
A day late, but still sending love and hugs to you Kristin and much appreciation for your words, photos and the Great Big Circle that has evolved at FWaD. Glad to hear there's sun in KS, Candy. Bisous from a sunny, climbing-into-60's-today, Roanoke.
Posted by: Pat Cargill | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 02:34 PM
Bonjour from Sky Harbour airport. Just wanted to say "big thanks" for all of the lovely comments on these US/Mexico posts!
Special thanks to my Dad and his wife, Marsha, for driving out from CA to see Heidi and me and the kiddies (my niece, "Reagy" and my nephew, Payne. (I'll try to post a photo soon).
And because I know Mom will log on first thing this morning: THANKS MOM! I LOVE YOU!
Sandy, not sure you are reading, but thank you for making it possible for me to travel all the way to Mexico -- and back -- without having to put a second mortgage on the farm!
Finally, and not least, mille mercis to my beautiful sister, Heidi, for some wonderful sister time together.
Wishing everyone a happy Tuesday and I look forward to posting from Provence very soon.
Je vous aime!
Kristin
P.S.: Karen: to say "I like you" I believe "je vous aime bien -- or je t'aime bien" will do the trick :-)
Posted by: Kristin Espinasse | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Hi Kristi - you must be at Phoenix Airport -
I hope you can keep me posted on this flight
back to France.
xoxo
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 03:38 PM
Love is in the air. What a treasure you are dear Kristi! The photo of you and Herm reminds me of you when we met over 20 years ago...pure loveliness!
XOXO! Safe travels and welcome home, sweet home!
Posted by: Stacy, Applegate, Oregon | Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Safe Flight Kristi, such a joy to spend time with you in Phoenix. xoxo
Posted by: Karen from Phoenix, AZ | Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 02:31 AM
Kristi Darling,
John woke me up a few minutes ago and said he had made coffee...time to get up, turn on that computer and see if our Kristi has arrived back into the arms of her beautiful France.
Of course I know Kristi like the back of my hand, the first thing she will do is check for any new comments here at FWaD. Someone here in the comments box wrote FWaD instead of FWAD, I liked their idea so now I am copying - I thought it gave a little more definition. Yes, I am rambling, I won't settle down until I know Kristi is safely home.
XOXO
MOM
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 01:56 PM
YES - IT WORKED.
I just received an email from Kristi confirming that I had caught her in the 'comments box' - she is busy uploading photo's for todays post. Isn't that cute, she is happily back at her desk working away on a story for all of us. We are all blessed by Kristi's commitment to entertain us with her words.
XOXO
JULES
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 02:56 PM
Kristi Darling,
I am now onto my third cup of coffee, anxiously awaiting your phone call...I know the longer I hang out here typing the faster you will make that call.
I must apologize to NEWFOREST for bastardizing her wonderful contribution to Kristi's blog when she came up with "Le Coin Commentaries" - I make a promise to NEWFOREST to always honor her with the proper acknowledgement in the future. Kristi and I have missed NEWFOREST'S presence and are hoping she will return now Kristi is home.
Stacy I am so happy that you could see the innocence brought forth in the photo of "Kristi and Herm", I think at that moment in photo history Kristi had indeed returned to her earlier years of finding treasures as she played in the desert behind our home. Herm you have definitely sparked a cord in Kristi's life, we are so happy you found Kristi on FWaD.
Yesterday when I was walking Breezy around the Marina I started to cry - her absence in my life really hit me...I guess I had been in denile (sp?) for the past five days. I am absolutely heartbroken that we cannot live within ten minutes of each other as we did when I lived in Les Arcs seven years ago. We used to meet after the kids had departed for school for a one hour hike around the mountain above the village. We would laugh and talk about her blog and reminisce over 'Le Coin Commentaries '...so many beautiful memories...Kristi standing on the winding road above me as I blissfully ran into the peach orchard to sample their summer freshness...all the time hearing her reprimand to halt (is the French word "arrett" (sp?).
I imagine my phone will be ringing soon...
XOXO
JULES
Posted by: Jules Greer | Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 03:43 PM
Kristin,
Merci beaucoup pour les mots deux on Valentine's Day! What a fun treat! So enjoy all your posts.
Becky/Fayetteville, NY
Posted by: Becky Gardner | Saturday, February 19, 2011 at 12:57 AM