FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

Today's expression: à ne pas manquer

    : not to be missed, a must-see, do not miss


Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the following example sentence, in French

Click here to hear the sound file for "a ne pas manquer"
A ne pas manquer ce soir (le Jeudi 29 Mars) à partir de 18H30 au Vin Sobre Obélisque de Mazargues....Dégustation exceptionnelle de deux Grands Crus de Provence qui sont le Château de Pïbarnon et le Château de Roquefort représentés par leurs propriétaires respectifs Eric de Saint Victor et Raymond de Villeneuve

Not to be missed this evening (Thursday, March 29th) from 6:30 pm at Vin Sobre (wine shop) at the Obélisque of Mazargues...An exceptional wine tasting of two vintaged Provence wines: Chateau de Pibarnon and Château de Roquefort, represented by their respective owners Eric de Saint Victor and Raymond de Villeneuve.


A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE

    by Kristi Espinasse

This photo below is saturated with whimsy. From the message on the ardoise...to the photo bomber on the right--and not to miss the smiling Frenchman in the center--this scene radiates la joie de vivre. So I'm making it my birthday greeting to my husband, who turns 51 today--like the famous boisson by Pernod Ricard.

Jean-Marc won't be drinking pastis. He is gearing up for a special wine-tasting featuring two characters he admires in the world of wine: Eric de Saint Victor et Raymond de Villeneuve (click on their names for some colorful scenes...which brings us back to the image below and my wish for mon mari on his special day:

Jean-Marc, May you forever be surrounded by terrific copains, may you trek to your heart's content, and may you feel, each and every day, the love and support of your family.  And one more thing I almost forgot: though you didn't inherit the same DIY gene as your sister, the furniture-maker, or your brother, the builder--ça fait rien!--may you never resist that creative spark within you--whether it propels you to build a quirky mop-spear--or a blood, sweat and tears vineyard. 

J-o-y-e-u-x  A-n-n-i-v-e-r-s-a-i-r-e, Chief Grape!



INVITATION: If you, dear reader, are within a one-hour radius of Marseilles--tonight's wine-tasting event is à ne pas manquer--not to be missed. Jean-Marc and I would love to see you! Here's the address, see you at 6:30!

Le Vin Sobre Mazargues
Cave à Vins et épicerie fine à Marseille
2, av. Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny
13009 Marseille - France 
Tél. 04 91 30 68 35

FRENCH VOCABULARY
à ne pas manquer = not to be missed
une ardoise = slate board, black board
la joie de vivre = love of life, zest for life
la boisson= drink
le pastis = anis-flavored French liqueur
mon mari = my husband
le copain (la copine) = friend
ça fait rien (ça ne fait rien) = that doesn't matter, no biggie 
joyeux anniversaire = happy birthday

The following picture was taken outside Allez Hops! -- our friend Dan's beer shop in Nice