Remerciement + A gold medal from the French government!
Wednesday, December 02, 2020
I am delighted to share with you that I will be receiving a gold medal, La Médaille d’Or des Valeurs francophones, from the French government. This is a landmark in my near 20 years of blogging about the French language and culture. Sincere remerciements to Bernard Duhaime, president of La Renaissance Française, to the American Delegation, and to the French Committee for this nomination and award. And merci infiniment to you, Dear Reader, and to my family, for your support and ongoing encouragement over the years. This reward would not be possible without you! (photo of French Ambassador's Residence by APK via Wikipedia)
Today's word: le remerciement
: thanks, acknowledgment
Sound file: Listen to my husband, Jean-Marc, read in French and in English:
Médaille d'or des Valeurs francophones--Cette médaille distingue les personnes qui se dévouent au développement ou au resserrement des liens linguistiques et culturels entre la France et les pays ayant la langue française en partage.
Gold Medal for Francophone Values -- This medal distinguishes people who devote themselves to the development or strengthening of linguistic and cultural links between France and countries sharing the French language. -La Renaissance Française
More than an honor, this award is a second-wind, uplifting, and a motivation to continue to peaufiner or refine, polish, and improve this weekly French journal--and it will keep me on my toes for an eternity (this last word reflects the accidental stars in the photo, above).
A Message from Kristi: Ongoing support from readers like you keeps me writing and publishing this free language journal each week. If you find joy or value in these stories and would like to keep this site going, donating today will help so much. Thank you for being a part of this community and helping me to maintain this site and its newsletter.
Ways to contribute:
1.Zelle®, The best way to donate and there are no transaction fees. Zelle to [email protected]
2.Paypal or credit card
Or purchase my book for a friend and so help them discover this free weekly journal.
For more online reading: The Lost Gardens: A Story of Two Vineyards and a Sobriety
We are so proud of you Kristi ! This award is very much deserved.
Posted by: STEVE THOMPSON | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 12:50 PM
Wow, c'est formidable! Félicitations!!
Posted by: Martha S | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 12:50 PM
Felicitations! No one is more deserving, and I hope you can hear the cheers coming from Beverly MA to your ears!
Thanks for all you do!
Posted by: Tim Averill | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 12:51 PM
Yeah Kristi!! I love your blog and so proud of YOU!!
Posted by: Laurie Kinghorn | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 12:53 PM
WOW!!! What wonderful acknowledgment, Kristi! Je suis une américaine fière!
Posted by: Sally McBee | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 12:53 PM
i AM SO PROUD OF MY TALENTED - HARD WORKER - BEAUTIFUL WIFE
Posted by: Jean-Marc | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 12:58 PM
Congratulations Kristi! Well deserved!
Posted by: Ellen Hill | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:01 PM
Fantastique! And well deserved! Thank you for all you do.
Posted by: Betty Davis | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:03 PM
A wonderful feather in your cap. This is both something to celebrate and a new source of inspiration to keep going. Well done!
Posted by: Alice Farley | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:05 PM
Felicitations Kristi!!! Bien joué! Proud of you!
Posted by: VALERIE MCCAFFREY | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:09 PM
Congratulations! Having holiday in France your blog always takes me back! Had to cancel this past summer so I could only enjoy your blog and pictures.
Wear your medal with pride, you deserve it!
Posted by: Angela Ginty | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:11 PM
A wonderful recognition of years of hard work and delightful creativity.
Congratulations!
Posted by: susan | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:11 PM
Congratulations! How exciting for you and what an honor! I'm thrilled for you that your work is being recognized.
Posted by: GwenEllyn Anderson | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:13 PM
Wonderful!
Posted by: John hawke | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:16 PM
Bravo! Félicitations 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻!
Posted by: Ally Davis | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:22 PM
So proud of you Kristi of this accomplishment. Your blogging commitment has made you who you are and this recognition is well deserved. Hats off to you!
Posted by: Beth Bright | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:23 PM
Congratulations. Such a wonderful and well-deserved honor!
Posted by: Sharon Marchisello | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:29 PM
There could not be a more talented and deserving person! The appreciation for your uniqueness literally encircles the globe...
a beautiful accolade touching our collective hearts! Congratulations 🎉🎈❤️
Posted by: K.J. Laramie | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:30 PM
Felicitations et merci encore pour votre "blog," et les annees d'ecrivant. I know my French may be incorrect, but my good wishes are sincere. Thank you and congratulations!
Posted by: Valerie Porter | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:34 PM
Congratulations! What an amazing honor! I am so very grateful that I found your blog so many years ago and I have learned so much from you. Blessings!
Posted by: Jenine | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:35 PM
Massive congratulations, and so well deserved! Have enjoyed your blog since you're children (and mine!) were small. You have often cheered me with your photos and thoughts and I've even learned some French, too. You are indeed a treasure!
Bon continuation,
Lorraine
Posted by: Lorraine | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:41 PM
Wonderful!
Posted by: Lucie Thornton | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:42 PM
Mereveilleuse!
Posted by: Joie | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:45 PM
Kristi – congratulations! What a wonderful recognition.
Posted by: Sue J. | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:45 PM
Félicitations
Une reconnaissance bien méritée.
Merci pour des années d’information et de divertissement nous francophiles.
Posted by: Ronni Lester Ebbers | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:47 PM
oops, merveilleuse.....one too many e's....anyway Congrats!
Posted by: joie | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:48 PM
Félicitations! A fitting tribute to your indefatigable efforts in sharing the French language...and fantastic stories.
Posted by: Alexis Steinman | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:51 PM
Fantastique! It is wonderful that you are being recognized for bringing the language, culture and your personal experiences living in France to your readers. I know my appreciation of all of them have been influenced by you. If not for French Word a Day, I might never have traveled to the Haute Vaucluse and explored other parts of Provence. When in France I try out phrases I’ve learned from you and am encouraged to speak more French. Merci Kristi and congratulations.
Posted by: Suzanne | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:52 PM
Felicitations Kristi! Nous sommes vraiment fiere de toi ici au Quebec, Canada!!
Posted by: kelly shanahan | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:53 PM
Congratulations! We are so happy that you received this honor. It is an honor that you deserve.
Posted by: Joanne Alice Gazarek | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:54 PM
Bravo!! Quel honneur! C'est toujours avec une grande joie de voir un email dans ma boite a messages de Kristi....so so proud of you,your are so talented,you are a wonderful human being.
Posted by: Line M. | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:55 PM
I’m so happy for you Kristi! A well-deserved honor ⚜️
https://youtu.be/s9hG7gZFmKA
Posted by: Teri McDowell | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 01:56 PM
A lot of congrats !!!
You deserve that medal, really.
And if I don't answer very often (...!) your posts, I do follow them, believe me !
Elisabeth (Salernes - 83)
Posted by: Elisabeth Chapoutot | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:00 PM
What a fantastic reward for your years of work/labor of love. Congratulations!
Posted by: Barbara | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:01 PM
Félicitations!! An honor well-deserved! I share the excitement I feel from you and your family all the over here in Texas! Je t’embrasse mon amie 😷
Posted by: Lorinda | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:03 PM
Félicitations ma chère Kristi. You so deserve this. I don’t comment often but I enjoy every single written word and the person behind those words. You are a genuine soul. Enjoy this honor and let it always remind you of your true giftedness.
Posted by: Brenda Pfeil | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:03 PM
Congratulations, Kristi! You are so deserving of this honor. Sharing your life experience has been very inspirational. Please continue your blog and your books.
Posted by: Geraldine Ventura | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:13 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Lin George | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:13 PM
Congratulations Kristi !
Very, very well deserved !
Thank you for you,
Laurence
Posted by: Laurence S | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:20 PM
Congratulations, Kristi
Your stories are always so well written and engaging. We enjoy hearing about your friends and your community and your love of France shines through your words.
Thank you for including us all in your journeys.
Posted by: Hedy Holmberg | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:23 PM
Félicitations, Kristin! Such an honor to be bestowed on you!! Your readers are proud of you, as surely as is your family. It's an enormous accomplishment for an American in France to be so recognized. Dieu te bénisse.
Posted by: Susie | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:28 PM
Congratulations! What an honor and encouragement.
Merci beaucoup for plugging away everyday as you do.
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Posted by: Claudine MGV | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:35 PM
Congratulations, Kristi. Well done.
Posted by: Dr Nicholas Keegan | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:36 PM
Felicitations! A wonderful award and recognition of all that you’ve done and continue to do, in promoting the learning of la langue francaise in such a warm and personable account of votre vie quotidienne!!
Posted by: Judi Miller | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:39 PM
Félicitations, Kristi!
Posted by: Ophelia Paine | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:40 PM
Congratulations! So well deserved.
Posted by: Lynn Rush | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:41 PM
Bravo! Great honor, great job you do, and you are appreciated by so many Francophiles! Keep up the chronicles of French living , especially in this time of Covid, which is a major upheaval in our world today. Thank you!
Posted by: Norma Plomwan | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:42 PM
Oh Kristi, you must feel so honored! You make the French language and culture so real and accessible. Vive la France, vive la République!
Posted by: Tracy Hart | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:43 PM
Congratulations Kristi !
What wonderful news and so deserving!
Sending big hugs from across the pond.
Posted by: Nina Tasi | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:44 PM
Chapeau!
Posted by: Henry Lambert | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:50 PM
I am so happy for you. You most certainly deserve it. Hug yourself!
Posted by: Maryann New York | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:50 PM
Félicitations!!!
Posted by: Kathryn | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:55 PM
Félicitations chère Kristi ❤️ I am so happy for you!
Je t’embrasse très fort ! 😘😘😘😘
Posted by: Cindy McDonald | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 02:59 PM
Kristi - Thank you for all you've done to bring us French Word-of-the-day for so many years! It is absolutely delightful to see your efforts recognized so wonderfully. Congratulations! I love all of your posts and especially find I return to thinking about those that touch on life's more thorny issues. Thank you and congratulations, again!
Posted by: Anita | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:00 PM
How lovely ! Congratulations to you! You are a beautiful blessing and I’ve learned so much from you!💜🙇♀️💜
Posted by: Linda | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:07 PM
Quel honneur! Félicitations, Kristi!
Posted by: Jan D. Goodloe | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:08 PM
... et de penser que nous, fidèles lecteurs de Kristi, avons joué un petit rôle dans cet honneur! Merveilleux!
Posted by: andrew Kleeger | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:09 PM
Congratulations!! And so well deserved!!
Posted by: jean b palmer | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:12 PM
Congratulations! Well deserved !
Posted by: Annie | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:13 PM
Félicitations!! J'ai des larmes aux yeux! Je suis hyper fier de toi. Bien mérité!!!!
Bisous
Posted by: Heather at Lost in Arles | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:15 PM
Congratulations 🎉🎈🎊! So happy for you, Kristi, and while it is no longer ‘Giving Tuesday’, I still want to donate ( watch for $25) to your wonderful blog!! I think I’ve been reading close to when you first started!
Cheers- nancy in AZ
Posted by: Nancy Milburn | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:16 PM
Félicitations ! Well-deserved recognition for your wonderful, inspiring work about your family and life in France. Wishing you continued success.
Posted by: Susan Stafford | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:16 PM
Wonderful! I have so appreciated not only your words, but your heart in everything you have written!
Posted by: Phyllis | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:24 PM
So proud and happy for you. A bright event in the crazy year of 2020!!!!
Posted by: Meiling Newman | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:24 PM
Bravo, Kristi. Congratulations on your well-deserved honour. You educate and make us smile!
Posted by: Julia Hamel | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:29 PM
Félicitations !
Posted by: June | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:38 PM
Congratulations, Kristi. What an honor for you. You really do such great work.
Posted by: Megan | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:39 PM
Congratulations! What satisfaction this must being you! So happy for you!
Dana
Posted by: [email protected] | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:39 PM
Thank you for your love of words.All who read your blog and books gain so much pleasure from them. Congratulations!
Posted by: Susan Hodgson | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:43 PM
Congratulations Kristi!!! Well deserved and as you say, a breath of fresh air during these more than challenging times. Thank you again for the wonderful reads over the years.
Colombe
Posted by: Colombe McCarthy | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:43 PM
Congratulations! What a wonderful and special honor to you and your lovely family.
Posted by: Sandee | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:45 PM
How delightful!
This makes me very happy.
Accidental stars? They are very intentional stars, meant to regale you!
Congratulations. This is so well-deserved.
Posted by: Leslie NYC | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:52 PM
Et voilà! KE, continuez, s’il vous plaît!
Posted by: Paige Kelly Hendricks | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 03:52 PM
Wow! Congratulations on the best kind of honor - an award that celebrates you for your role in bringing people together. As you can see, we, your readers, your phantom friends, are delighted for you. Such a proud moment for you and your family. Do post photos of your ceremony next year!
Posted by: Ellen A. | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:08 PM
Félicitations !
Well earned.
Posted by: Sarah LaBelle | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:11 PM
Wow wow wow! Félicitations, and it is SO well deserved! The medal looks quite impressive, and I hope some sort of title comes along with it, it only seems appropriate. Baroness of Blogging? Contessa of Creativity? Reine of Writing? There must be some serious celebrating going on at your household!
Posted by: Lynn at Southern Fried French | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:20 PM
Congratulations, you deserve it! So excited.
Posted by: Karen cafarella | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:21 PM
Congratulations! Wonderful! I have been following your posts for the past dozen years, and I’ve enjoyed them immensely. Your candor and thoughtfulness, recipes and adventures are delightful, as are the photos. Thank you for all that you have shared and taught your readers.
Posted by: Linda Mallace | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:24 PM
Bien fait! Félicitations, Kristi.
Posted by: Beth | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:25 PM
Félicitations, Kristi. Your announcement has made me cry. You so well deserve it for your perseverance and expertise. I couldn't be happier for you.
Love, Roseann
Posted by: Roseann Milano | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:43 PM
Oh-la-la.
Kristi, this is such a wonderful acknowledgement of your people skills, your writing skills, and your choosing to stay 100% in life in France. Hats off to you and your family. I am so happy about this!
Muriel (from Orange, France)
Posted by: Muriel | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:43 PM
Brava and félicitations! This is very well deserved! I think we are all pleased to see this award!
Posted by: Cheryl in STL | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:45 PM
FABULOUS and well deserved, Kristi!Congratulations, and here's to many more years of good writing!
Posted by: Suzanne Codi | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:47 PM
Many, many congratulations Kristi - so well deserved. xx
Posted by: Petrina | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:49 PM
Our dear Kristi,
There absolutely is not a more deserving person to receive this honor!
Your words and your blog never fail to brighten our days, and give us the inspiration to find joy and hope in our own lives.
Thank you from our hearts.
And! CONGRATULATIONS!!
Love
Natalia xo
Posted by: Natalia | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:53 PM
Congratulations Kristi! I'm so happy for you and very well deserved!
Posted by: Eileen deCamp | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:54 PM
Congratulations--like so many, we are all grateful for the loving blog, the French phrases in context, and the insights into living a French life. You are such a deserving winner.
Posted by: Sharon | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:55 PM
Félicitations, Kristi! What a wonderful, and well-deserved honor! I always look forward to your blogs, after many years, and so happy to know you - through your stories, and the few times we’ve met.
Posted by: Judy Feldman | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 04:55 PM
An honour richly deserved.
Although now back in the U K your words are a vicarious reminder of our Gallic years........
Posted by: Laird Peter of Dunans | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:00 PM
Mille Félicitations (I hope that is correct) it iOS well deserved. Being from the US you have a great perspective on French life and culture. Your excellent writing style brings this home to us Americans. Thank you very much for your work. Jean Marc, your mother and your children must be very proud.
Posted by: Anne Umphrey | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:03 PM
Wonderful news! So glad you received this honor! Great job!
Posted by: Patricia | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:04 PM
Toutes mes félicitations! C'est magnifique!
(Ironique, n'est-ce pas, que la lettre est en anglais?!)
Bon travail!
Posted by: Sandee Brogan | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:16 PM
Felicitations!! A well-deserved recognition of your dedication and hard work!
Posted by: robert | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:20 PM
Good for you! Well deserved!
Posted by: Joan L. | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:22 PM
Congratulations - this is the best day of 2020. I am so happy for you. So so happy for you! Hugs
Posted by: Nancy | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:22 PM
How absolutely appropriate--and well deserved. Congratulation, Kristi!
Posted by: Larry Mason | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:27 PM
Congratulations!! Well deserved!
Posted by: An Scott | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:27 PM
Congratulations,Kristi! This is a well-deserved honor! So glad you are inspired to keep writing- we need your wonderful writing!
Posted by: Shelly Gorman | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:35 PM
Have been here from the beginning. Congratulations! A well deserved acknowledgement of the gift you bring to everyone, everywhere.
Posted by: Sherry Frank | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:36 PM
Awesome! You ROCK! Big huge hugs from the South of Oregon. Taking you out when I come visit!
Posted by: Audrey | Wednesday, December 02, 2020 at 05:38 PM