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Along the back roads through Provence, I am lucky enough that friends I have met through the brocante over these last thirty years invite my groups to come and see their homes. To go beyond the facade by entering into the soulful homes offers such thoughtful generosity into the culture and life of the French. Even if you... Read the whole entry... »
The first of the season, French la Vie's latest group started out yesterday for a week, to be followed by a second group. Gloria, Barbara, Jennifer and I had such fun! Easter week is full of brocantes in villages throughout Provence, this first group wanted to focus on textiles as they are crafters and artists who teach classes on... Read the whole entry... »
Yesterday I wanted to share about Yann's marathon which was on Sunday but the fire at Notre Dame consumed my every thought, and the marathon trailed far behind in what I wanted to post on my blog. Though today I saw a connection that seemed to bring a moment of stillness in the sadness of what has happened. Chelsea... Read the whole entry... »
 Notre Dame
 2019-04-14 21:16 UTC by
French la Vie
Utter sadness, beyond scope, a tragic loss. Notre Dame survived hundreds of year, touched millions, was a beckon of faith. More than any other monument Notre Dame is the one I had visited the most. Countless Masses and prayers, visits with nearly everyone I ever knew who came to Paris with me. I wish... Read the whole entry... »
Marathon Man
2019-04-14 21:05 UTC by
French la Vie
He did it! 24 miles 42 KM. He said it felt great until it didn't, the last four miles he could not feel his legs. But he is ready to do it again. I posted videos of the day on my Instagram stories and on Facebook. Such a highly charged day! I will tell more, but we left the marathon and took a train back home as I have a
... Read the whole entry... »
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 Yann is running the marathon in Paris tomorrow (Sunday). If you would like to cheer him, on and follow his progress you can do so by downloading the app Schneider, then you will need to look up his name Yann Rolland-Benis. He starts at 9:00 in the morning (Midnight in... Read the whole entry... »
Should he shave his mustache? His beard? I said no so loud I am sure he heard me in Seattle.  
Today was the day my dad was born. Repost from 2008 ------------ My dad's shop was a milking barn but when I was fourteen he stopped dairy farming and went into motorcycles. He kept farming rice, and went riding on the weekends. My dad had many different motorcycles, his... Read the whole entry... »
On top of the table at the brocante two dogs, not one, but two dogs sat on top of boxes of old postcards. The brocante dealer tried to reassure me, "They're not mean, just playful." "Lucky for me," I tried to smile, "I do not need any more postcards." 
Brocante with dogs. Is... Read the whole entry... »
I am often asked about France, it makes sense given that I live here and write a blog about it. When I travel to a new place I like to have a few facts about the place in my pocket too. A good restaurant, a must see or do sort of thing, where to stay... a few starting bits so that I have a foot on the ground when I arrive.
... Read the whole entry... »
Mini Tarte Tatins
2019-04-08 12:59 UTC by
French la Vie
Tarte Tatin is one of my favorite French desserts, it is a classic down to earth recipe when it comes to the array of French desserts, it is not the Marie Antoinette of pastries, instead, it is a French Country type that I can imagine having at a long farm table by an open fire. The other day I had every intention to make a Tarte... Read the whole entry... »
The TGV (high-speed train) from Marseille to Paris and visa versa takes three hours it is significantly faster than driving by car or by flying. I returned home tonight after spending a few days in Paris visiting my dear friend Laura from Colorado and then this weekend with Chelsea. Delightful.
... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- I am Eighty
- news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/04/140401-april-fools-day-pranks-jokes-nation-culture
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Paris is a wonderland this Spring as the pink blooming trees are wearing nature's crown jewel. Against the greyish white buildings, the pink is intensified.
The light in Paris, mixed with the stark stone facades and the blooming trees is... Read the whole entry... »
“A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”George Elliot
Yesterday evening I came to Paris... Read the whole entry... »
Love as you know has no limits, and where takes us is on a journey to wholeness. I am on the train to Paris... it is such a beautiful day, and as the train whizzes through the countryside spring is there waving its hands. 
The Holy No
2019-04-03 20:34 UTC by
French la Vie
Tomorrow I am going to Paris to see a friend I have not seen since I was pregnant with Chelsea. Laura was one of my closest friends in the monastery. Laura left around the time that I did- she married, had children, a career, a beautiful life... and tomorrow we will remember and share our stories of then, in between and now. I can hardly wait to see... Read the whole entry... »
On April 1st the French give each other chocolate fish called: "Friture." The tradition has it that on the 1st of April children try to stick a homemade paper fish onto people’s backs without the person knowing it, then run away yelling, ‘Poisson d’Avril’ (April's Fish), which is like saying, "April... Read the whole entry... »
Glued on the stone columns along the arcade in Carpentras was the reproduction portraits from Louis Rama who earlier in the year had an exposition of portraits he created of WWI. Louis Rama called the exposition "Our Faces 1914" their memories. The exhibition was of portraits of soldiers curated from... Read the whole entry... »
All one Needs
2019-03-31 21:12 UTC by
French la Vie
All one needs is love, well actually to love and be loved. Thank you, Mom and Dad (even though you are not here physically) for the love, you showed me and for the love, I saw you share so freely with others. Love what a difference it makes. x 
- I am Eighty
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
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- booshay.blogspot.com
 
I look forward to checking in with u every day because life in France has the appearance of something more. I still can figure out if this is true. So my question is a request to have you add small ideas of change that you have learned in France and from your mom. France has a long rich deep history which weaves... Read the whole entry... »
Where do you store everything you buy at the brocantes to be sold later? In my house, in our place in Paris, in my studio, under my bed, in my closets, in the garage, between the sheets, under pillows, stacked on the bookshelves, on the chairs who needs to sit? Stacked in the corner, on the top on my head.
... Read the whole entry... »
Do you like to garden? Or to design gardens? I like to pick flowers in the gardens. I like to sit in beautiful gardens. I admire my mom's garden. I do not mind gardening but it is not something I think to do instead I do it out of necessity. I like to take photos of gardens. Do I like to design gardens? Not as much as I like... Read the whole entry... »
Do the French have a specific retirement age? Will you and Yann ever formally "retire"?
"In France, the general rule is that you must retire at age 67 and you can retire from age 62, as long as you have worked 41 years. According to a 2008-law, which was strongly opposed by the Left, you are now permitted to... Read the whole entry... »
It has been nearly 14 years that I have been blogging, sometimes with gusto, sometimes with a peek, usually with a photo. Do you have any questions for me? I will answer them in tomorrow's post.  
I love when tulips end like this. Reminds me that every stage is beautiful, has something to offer.  
Chelsea and Martin (who live and work in Paris) came "home" for a long weekend. Their first stop was a local second-hand store where they bought a few pieces for the new apartment. Nothing puts a fire under one to get a move on like an upcoming baby. Nesting is a real thing, and it was in full gear this weekend. Luckily we live fifteen... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/2013/08/lunch-in-cotignac.html
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Violets. The bravest little flower dares to bloom before spring announces itself Receives a white winter coat and a heavy tiara of raindrop diamonds, Blooming purple with a note of glee. Here I am, such a tender little flower reminding me of faithfulness against the odds, courage with grace. What is your... Read the whole entry... »
The little things I have collected that have no real value on their own, due to a chip, crack or a tear instead of throwing the defaulted bits and pieces away, or disregarding them to a chest of drawers never to be seen again instead I have collected these fragments in apothecary jars. Creating, "scrapbooks or "scrap jars". ... Read the whole entry... »
Heavenly soles at the Louvre. After all these years of living in France, the Louvre never ceases to amaze me. If I lived in the Louvre I would feel the same way it is a feast for the eyes. 
Whenever I go to the Lourve I like to focus on one thing and take photos of just... Read the whole entry... »
 1800s Spode DemiTasse Found at the Avignon International Fair over twenty years ago. A setting for eight. Plates, saucers, demitasses, teacups, creamer and sugar bowl to match. While carrying them back to the cupboard I tripped. Five demitasses danced to dust. ... We hold... Read the whole entry... »
Singing the song of my memories, it is a beautiful gift to have. Petal after petal Sharing memories especially with those who need to hear how their lives have touched mine. Thank you for reading my blog, for your ever generous response, for the many gifts you have given me by your words, friendship, prayer, and good thoughts. I am lucky to know... Read the whole entry... »
A little over a week ago Yann ran a semi-marathon in Paris, he will run the marathon in Paris on April 14th. He started training in January with Chelsea as his coach. They are a good team those two. Yann is an obedient student who would never disappoint his daughter and Chelsea is a strong, constant,... Read the whole entry... »
Chelsea was six weeks old when French Husband came home with a pair of tickets for a Chanel fashion show. A friend from work had given him the tickets since he couldn't go. 
Coco Channel photo source Chanel. My excitement was instantly tamed when French Husband... Read the whole entry... »
 - Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
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 ...Read the whole entry... » Provence!
2019-03-16 22:15 UTC by
French la Vie
Ten reasons why to visit Provence, though do you really need any? No need for words... let your eyes tell you why: 
One 
Two 
Three 
Four
 Five 
Six 
Seven ... Read the whole entry... »
The Route de Crete laces along the edge of the cliff along the sea between Cassis and La Ciotat. The view is breathtaking, giving you the sense of flying, as you wind along the tight turns with intense views of the sea far below.
Sheer.
Profound. ... Read the whole entry... »
Scone Memories
2019-03-14 21:10 UTC by
French la Vie
A Throw Back to 2009... Since I am travelling to Ireland today I thought I would repost something 'Irish'... Scones! School holidays are happening as I type. French Husband and Sacha went skiing. Chelsea came home with more books, binders, and notepads than laundry. She has finals and nothing else matters more than intense studies... Read the whole entry... »
How funny that out of thousands of things at a brocante fair a charm that size of my fingernail could grab my attention. This green daisy or Margurite in French has two parts, a cover that turns around a stationary part the has words written on each petal. The finely printed words I could not read when I bought it, but I took a chance that it... Read the whole entry... »
Walking along a street I saw an older woman sitting by a window. If it hadn't been for the brown worn shutters, and the white sheer curtain that framed her face... I would not have seen the small shadow of a person peering out. 
Aiming my lens at the second floor I hoped to capture the stillness of the... Read the whole entry... »
"Large blossom branches like this against a blue sky were one of Van Gogh’s favorite subjects. Almond trees flower early in the spring making them a symbol of new life. Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890), Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, February 1890" VanGogh Museum
... Read the whole entry... »
If you are looking for a place to stay in Paris, a place that feels like home, that is comfortably stuffed with enough history, beauty, and antiques that you might prefer to cozy on up and never leave instead of visiting my sites: Paris Apartment 
Provence ... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
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Here are some photos that I have in my mind's eye for the Cassis Home The light, also the type of molding for a bedhead... 
A black iron-trimmed shower with a shelf and stool built in.
This will be... Read the whole entry... »
The renovation in Cassis continues. Rene and his team have been tackling the project with gusto even with the setbacks that come with additions and surprises that are found when renovating a century old property. One addition was to change the window casings which are white plastic ones known as PVC to aluminum tinted charcoal... Read the whole entry... »
It All Matters
2019-03-05 21:18 UTC by
French la Vie
All those little things that say something that words fail to or actions deny. All those little things that let us know that the moment is right, that we are on to something good, that it is okay, that we will be alright. The way the morning light reaches into our bed, the way the hot water runs down our bodies, the way... Read the whole entry... »
Come Dance with Me
2019-03-04 22:26 UTC by
French la Vie
The first dance I ever went to my mom chaperoned. I was okay with that because at thirteen what mattered was that I got to go to the dance. Before arriving at the dance my mom told me, "Whoever asks you to dance say yes. It takes courage to ask someone to dance and you are here to dance. When the music starts if no one has... Read the whole entry... »
Oh, that girl and her funny faces. When I was pregnant French Husband asked me if I could not make funny faces as he did not want our children to make them... I laughed, "Really you think I can just stop?" and added, "Too late now." Chelsea makes faces and French Husband has gotten over it. Going on six months. My only... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- willows95988.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/06/21/thejump_2.jpg
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 ...Read the whole entry... » A Way to Pray
2019-03-02 21:21 UTC by
French la Vie
Putting my hand's palm to palm, I opened them to form a cup. I prayed, imagining my prayer taking form into my cupped hands. I imagined, God's hand, loving hands, underneath my own, When every word of mine, no longer had a name, when only silence stood between my heart and hands, when my prayer(s) sat heavy in my hands-- I opened... Read the whole entry... »
 Over ten years ago when Chelsea graduated from high school we asked her what she wanted to mark the occasion, what gift would she prefer... Chelsea's... Read the whole entry... »
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