cabanon

La Vie en Lomo. I used Picasa's free "lomo" filter on this snapshot of a favorite cabanon here in our neighborhood. Click on image to enlarge it.

cabanon (kah-bah-nohn)

    : a little cottage, or hut, or shed (for farmer's tools, for shelter)

Audio File: listen to Jean-Marc read these French words: Wav file or MP3

Qu'est-ce que c'est un cabanon? Voici nos cabanons favoris (cliquez sur ce lien)
What is a cabanon? Here are some of our favorite cabanons (click this link)  

 Pronounce It Perfectly in French - with exercises in sound discrimination and accurate sound creation. Order your copy here.

A Day in a French Life... by Kristin Espinasse

Steppin' Out

When Jean-Marc announced this morning that he had some livraisons à faire—in Nyons, Puymeras, and Faucon—I heard myself asking: "Mais... je peux aller avec toi?" Never mind the gray skies outside, a change of scene is always a bright thing!

But, in order to be two places at once (ici, publishing this edition--and là-bas, enjoying the drive with Chief Livreur), I'll need to offer you a re-run.

Not just any re-run. Here is the story of the magic-glittery Frenchwoman and the flour-faced Francophile. Don't miss this insightful slice-of-life (click here)--you will learn a lot more than the French definition for 'cashier'! (As a bonus I talked Jean-Marc into recording the vocabulary list for that story. Enjoy it and 'see you' on Monday!)

Amicalement,
Kristin
P.S. by the time I finished writing today's billet, I realized that a re-run was unnecessary. That said, I hope you'll still take a minute to read the other story. There won't be a cat fight scene in it, there won't even be un chat for that matter. Oh, find out for yourself!

Comments Corner
To comment on any item in this edition, please click here.

French Vocabulary

 une livraison = a delivery

à faire = to do

mais = but

je peux venir avec toi? = may I come with you?

ici = here

là-bas =there

le livreur (la livreuse) = deliveryman (deliverywoman)

amicalement = very kindly yours

un billet = post, note, short letter

un chat = cat

.

Braise there, in the background, sniffing the fleurs via this optical illusion. More tricks, here, in The Magician Post (featuring this very wine barrel before it--Ta-da!--became a flower pot!) Now to teach Smokey the Disappearing Tongue trick....

THE NEXT WINE-TASTING is scheduled for April 10th. Have a seat in one of those chairs (there, above Smokey's head) and let us pour you a glass of Domaine Rouge-Bleu.  Leave a message in the comments box if you can make it to Tuesday's meet-up (note: you don't have to like wine to meet with us... we've got plenty of spring water on tap! Come, sit down and enjoy a glass.)

 

From Chief Grape's USA Wine Tour. Margaret Bean and Jean-Marc at Corkscrew in Portland

• Follow these French language updates on Twitter
• Learn French in context: read Kristin's vocabulary-rich memoirs: Words in a French Life or Blossoming in Provence 

Thanks for forwarding this edition to a friend. 

Comments

[Julia]

I might as well just ask... how far are you all from Marseille? Thanks.

Enjoy your day out!

[Bruce in northwest Connecticut]

Hey, Kristin -

Thank you for the rerun. I loved the wine-tasting story -- especially the last line -- the first time around and again today.

I was familiar with the word "cagnotte," in the sense of "jackpot," because I like to watch game shows on French TV. But I hadn't realized it refers to the much more mundane "cash box" as well until reading that column.

(Also, I learned from my game shows that the term for winning the jackpot is "décrocher," which I had thought meant "answer the phone," but now realize means simply, "pick up.")

Anyway, I hope you're having a nice day out with your honey.

[Julie F in St. Louis, MO]

Vous avez un bon week-end and fêtes du Pâques.

[Cheryl in STL]

Joyeuse Pâques, Kristin! I love the photo and the lomo editing!

[Karen Stoeckley]

Kristin, we depart today for Paris and the drive down. Look forward to seeing you and Jean Marc on the 17th. I was wondering, in the southwest that "Hut" is called a Borie or am I wrong? See you soon. We are making it a wine day tour up to you from Alleins.
Karen

[mhwebb in NM, USA]

It's always a good thing to take advantage of the opportunity to spend time with your husband! I don't blame you!

Blessings, Mary

[Buffy]

Have a wonderful weekend getaway; you deserve it! I wish I could make another visit soon, but with Patrick transferring to a 4 yr college, I won't make there anytime soon :(. My overtime pay will go to the school. Through you and my normal reading of travel, I will at least be there in my dreams.

Take care and be safe

[Malou Cole]

Hi Kristi,
since I am back from California now, I would love to join you for the wine tasting next tuesday... and I am a wine lover too, no need to open the tap.
Have a great Easter week-end and a bientot!
Hug
Malou

[Rina Rao.]

Happy Easter and Bon Weekend,Kristin.
The previous one is a great write-up.
Take care.
Rina.

[Kristin Espinasse]

Yeah! Malou will make it on Tuesday. Cant wait to see our beloved Dirt Diva :-)

[Kristin Espinasse]

Thanks, Rina! Happy Easter weekend to all who are celebrating.

xoxo, K

[nancy v]

Hope you are having a great day, loved the "rerun" and Happy Easter. From Port Townsend, Wa.

[JULES GREER - PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO]

HI HONEY -

HOW WONDERFUL THAT MALOU WILL BE WITH YOU ON TUESDAY. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND HAPPY EASTER TO ALL.

XOXO

MOM

[Natalia]

Wonderful post,dear Kristin,from both the before and today. Wrapped my mornings in smiles (as always!!)
THANK YOU!
Blessed Easter holidays!
Love,
Natalia
XO

[Maggie Espinosa]

Bonjour Kristin!!

I continue to love receiving your French Word A Day. I've saved all the vocabulary words, which equals 37 pages! Yikes, I better start studying! I've ordered your book as well, but haven't had time to crack the binding, yet. Looking forward to delving into the pages.

I am going to Paris this summer to write a sequel to my book published two years ago titled THE PRIVILEGED POOCH; LUXURY TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. The new guide - THE PRIVILEGED POOCH IN PARIS!Do you have any recommendations on finding an apartment to rent for 7 weeks? My four-legged friend (Marcel) will be joining me in my research for the book, so I need a pet-friendly apartment. I've searched the Internet, but not being familiar with the city it's difficult to know if I'd be renteing in a good area. If you have nay friends who rent apartments, I'd love to get their information. Marcel & I plan to be in Paris August 1st through September 19th.

Thank you so much for any information! Have a Happy Easter!

Maggie Espinosa
Travel Journalist
Society of American Travel Writers
(619) 465-1021
[email protected]
www.travelwithmaggie.com

[Millie]

Juste un petit mot pour vous souhaiter, à toi Kristin et ta famille Esspinasse, un très bon weekend, rempli de friandises.
*** Joyeuses Pâques! ***

[Jan Hersh]

I repeat what Millie said avec un sourire et my best wishes pour toi.
Jan

[Michel]

Happy Easter. Where are you located? We are in Sablet just under the Dentelles de Montmirail. We also own a French Bistro in Northern California and we like to look for new wines to add to our wine list when we are in Sablet. I can't seem to find a link to information about your wine.

[Carolyn Dahm, Sharon, MA]

Dear Kristi,

Thanks for the old story and the new one. I remember laughing so hard while reading the old one and it was just as funny the second time around. I would have had the same thoughts as you!

I always try to accompany my husband Paul whenever he needs to do day trips for work for photo shoots, press checks, etc. I've been able to satisfy my eternal wanderlust...like you, I always enjoy a new adventure and a chance to visit new or familiar and well-loved places. I think we'd have a great time together. Are you by any chance a Sagittarian like me?

Joyeux Paques a toute la famille and God bless.
Love,
Carolyn

[Adrienne, Pendleton, Indiana]

Hello, Kristin!

My husband and I will be enjoying a few weeks in France for our 10th anniversary. We would love to stop by and meet you, and Chief Grape, if possible. We are tentatively going to be in Provence late May or early June. Please advise if this will be possible.

Merci beaucoup,
Adrienne

[Alison Johnston]

Dear Kristin!

Hope you had un joyeux Paque! Two brief questions for you:
I tried to email you but not sure you will have the time to read it.

If possible would you be interested in listing my petite house in Sauve "La maison des hirondelles" on your blog? Tell me how advertizing works with you. I want to rent it this summer and am not receiving many inquiries from the site: http://www.holiday-rental.location-et-vacances.com/rental-Languedoc-Roussillon-Sauve,20739001.html#planning

Also, second question. My book is progressing quickly and I wondered if you would read a portion of it and whether you would be interested in writing a short endorsement for me?

Spring is sprung here in Friday Harbor, le jardin est beau!
Je t'embrasse,
Alison