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Happy 27th Birthday, Sacha! (In French to say, Uncle, it is Ton. But just like some say Auntie for Aunt, Ton-Ton is for Ton.)    Baby Gabriel
 2019-06-17 21:25 UTC by
French la Vie
I asked if I could take him home. Need I say the answer? My friend Lizzie said that when a baby comes into one's life it is as if one is watching Baby TV 24/7 because you cannot take your eyes off of them. My new favorite show "Gabriel". I will be posting baby overload. I never want to leave.  ...Read the whole entry... »
Gabriel was born on June 15th in the morning. He weighed 9 pounds. Chelsea, Martin and the baby shared a beautiful natural birth and are somewhere deep in an enchanted land of love. 
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201675f8cac83970b-pi
- Wedding Planner and Gratitude xoxo
- The Broken Cup
 Overflowing Joy
2019-06-15 19:37 UTC by
French la Vie
So so much more to share. overflowing Joy. We are in that dream state between heaven and earth. The baby has arrived. Details will follow. Thank you for every thought, prayer, wish, dream, hope that you sent. Your love and friendship were felt. 
Baby??
2019-06-14 12:33 UTC by
French la Vie
Soon. Chelsea feels good and is happy. Anticipating with joy, not anxious nor worried. Such a special time to wake up wondering, « Is today the day? « Then being curious throughout the day and night with giddy excitement. I haven’t had this feeling since I was a child at Christmas. 
Divine Touch
2019-06-13 10:16 UTC by
French la Vie
The Mystery full ripe womb sacred treasure seen but unseen felt but not held visible but invisible sacred wonder loved and loved and loved now and forever (no sign we are happily waiting) 
Anticipation
2019-06-12 20:39 UTC by
French la Vie
waiting for the expected baby with anticipating joy. baby to be I see you wiggling tomorrow maybe? or next week's full moon? the kitchen clock tics Chelsea grows all is good in this moment of elevated dreams to come true. 
 
Those shining stars who get under our skin, who capture our hearts, who take us beyond what we ever knew about love. Those shining stars, those who we love, and love us in return. Have you ever known a love like that? Someone who is your star, who leads you? Starlight. 
Star... Read the whole entry... »
As I walked around Notre Dame in Paris I could not help but cry. It was shocking to see the damage even if the facade remains mostly intact. The Rose glass windows have miraculously survived, their supporting facades stand strikingly tall and seemingly alone. The windows around the ambulatory appeared to be missing what I... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- The Broken Cup
- Wedding Planner and Gratitude xoxo
- Flower Power
 Waiting for Baby
2019-06-08 06:50 UTC by
French la Vie
 Table Top Love
2019-06-07 20:57 UTC by
French la Vie
 
The game of life is an interest and challenging game one in which you never know how it will end, but you know it will. It can be played with a combination of feelings, ideas, goals, attitudes, thoughts... you can give it your all or give it very little, or somewhere in between. The outcome of how... Read the whole entry... »
The Invisible Door
2019-06-05 11:10 UTC by
French la Vie
Out of nowhere like the air that passes by something triggers a memory, a feeling, a thought that takes me to a place or an idea that I have or have not thought of before. A magic wonder, serendipity, an open door to discovering something deeper or new. The amazing occurrence of life's tidbits to wonder and awe or simply an aha... Read the whole entry... »
Going to the brocante is more than an addiction it is an admiration for the past, for the discoveries I learn and gather about France, French culture and history. A living museum a rare account of the way things were. Going to the brocante is... Read the whole entry... »
Tic Toc Waiting
2019-06-03 05:38 UTC by
French la Vie
Before I knew Chelsea and Martin were expecting a baby I had scheduled the French la Vie Journeys. The next one starts on the 25th of June, Chelsea’s due date is the 15th. Fingers crossed the baby is born around then and not born late... otherwise I might be leading the group through the maternity.  ...Read the whole entry... »
A French Riddle
2019-06-02 19:50 UTC by
French la Vie
A French Riddle engraved on a heart. What does it say? I was at the brocante in Paris when I added a photo of this heart to my Instagram stories. Someone wrote me an hour or so later saying they wanted to buy it. Retracing my steps was as hard as finding a needle in a haystack! Luck was on my side when I found it and asked the dealer what it... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- The Broken Cup
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e2017c353b1c45970b-pi
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e20133f5c595d9970b-pi
 This Year's Blooms
2019-06-01 18:14 UTC by
French la Vie
The roses Eden in my courtyard, lush wonders of a hundred petals. Beautiful though lacking perfume. This year there was an explosion of blossoms! 
Heading to Paris
2019-05-31 09:04 UTC by
French la Vie
My bag is packed. The bus arrives soon, then I will catch the train to Paris. The day has finally arrived, or I should say the next chapter, I am going to go wait in Paris for the baby to be born. Chelsea is not in labor yet, I am going ahead of time I do not want to miss the moment! This moment is around the corner how my... Read the whole entry... »
One never knows what one will find while antiquing, even if one has been to the same shop or fair over a million times and knows every nook and cranny with one's eyes closed. Though antiquing is a source of magic, wonders behind a painting, tucked within the pages of a book, stuffed in a pocket, hidden in a box under a bed...... Read the whole entry... »
Countdown to babyhood, the dumpling that will arrive any time in the next two weeks. I do not know how I feel as it seems a bit surreal that is until I see Chelsea's growing belly. Chelsea has been the model of pregnant women: Hasn't been sick at all, started her maternity leave, feels good and has only gained about 15 pounds.... Read the whole entry... »
On any day of the week all year long there is an open market somewhere in Provence. Local products are mostly sold, and rarely is anything sold that is not in season. Hence, this time of the year it is the beginning of the overflowing cornucopia. Homemade tomato soup click here.
 Cherry Jam to read more... Read the whole entry... »
My stay at ‘the house next door’ was perfect. The small but mighty home exudes instant calm as each room beckons…napping in the comfy queen size bedroom upstairs, soaking in the copper tub, whipping up flavor-filled food in the elegantly functional... Read the whole entry... »
What else can I say?
The last group of the French la Vie leaves tomorrow. And the next one starts at the end of June, I will be a grandmother by then. I still have places left for the June trip if you or someone you know would like to come. 
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- The Broken Cup
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201b8d10998e6970c-pi
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e20133f5c595d9970b-pi
 Live it Fully
2019-05-25 21:26 UTC by
French la Vie
"In this house we share we talk and talk about nothing Everything we are happy WE DREAM, WE PLAY we make errors and we forgive we listen WE COOK EAT DRINK We love to receive We say thank you we kick back and laugh We work we do chores we grow we become we read we argue we wonder we... Read the whole entry... »
Read the whole entry... »
My first couple has come to Provence to join me on a French la Vie Journey. We will be exploring places slowly, tasting our way through the countryside, of course antiquing and dipping into things that make us smile. Tomorrow we are going out to sea for the afternoon and later to have dinner in Marcel Pagnol's... Read the whole entry... »
 Dear French La Vie Readers, As you most likely know, Martin & I are expecting a baby very soon. We will give birth in Paris and stay here for a few weeks before heading down to the South of France, to our parent's homes for the summer. We are looking forward to being together as a family. We are... Read the whole entry... »
There is something about a baby... their baby smell, their little hands, their plump ruby lips, pinchable cheeks, silk ribbon tied wrists, their little bald heads... Babies I am sorry to say I could swallow them whole like a lump of sugar. Oh, and when they coo. When they smile in their... Read the whole entry... »
SuperHero
2019-05-19 20:41 UTC by
French la Vie
While sourcing furniture at Isle sur la Sorgue for our friends Gary and Ching for their new home in Cassis we ran into Superman. French Husband or Superman who is the real hero? I am going to say French Husband because I know it is true for me. Even if today at lunch when he ordered strawberry cheesecake a delicious one at that... Read the whole entry... »
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201b8d10998e6970c-pi
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201b8d10999ff970c-pi
- The Broken Cup
 Loved Child
2019-05-18 21:24 UTC by
French la Vie
I am already in love. We all are. To love without knowing. A baby. A Grandchild that is already deeply loved.
Martin's parents are first-time grandparents as well, they are in love already too. Giddy. Martin's mother knitted baby clothes, darling ones at that. She asked if I knew how to... Read the whole entry... »
The Last Lilacs
2019-05-17 21:57 UTC by
French la Vie
Walking around the countryside as Spring unfolds has allowed me to see nature's secrets. The barren branches, the buds bursting, the petals unfolding... I now know where the flowers bloom wildly, and where I can pick from the unattended fig and cherry trees. Yesterday I went to pick some lilacs.
... Read the whole entry... »
Chelsea came home for a few days as she is on maternity leave. There is something surreal to see my daughter full and ripe with a baby in her womb. I have felt the baby move, watched her belly roll around, have witnessed the glow of love in her eyes and yet a baby is hard to imagine, a living person, a reincarnation of family... Read the whole entry... »
Antiquing or the Brocante Bug as I have called it has been in my blood since I was a girl. The first thing I ever bought was a brown glass ink bottle, a small bone hand mirror, and a blue beaded 1920s clutch was when I was twelve years old with my own babysitting money. I left them in the States when I moved to France. At first romantic... Read the whole entry... »
My friend Jennifer came to help me with the two back to back French la Vie Journeys that I led. She was Godsent. A ball of energy. Funny no really funny. Swore like a truck driver or better yet worse than me. Drove like a French person which is a big plus, and I could go on an on with singing no shouting her praise. I forgot how much... Read the whole entry... »
Soon Chelsea will be a mother and Martin a father. Their baby is loved. Do you want to play a game?
Guess: The birth date? The sex of the baby? The name? The weight? Will the baby have a lot of hair or not. Chelsea was born after her due date: December 20th, 1989 ... Read the whole entry... »
Next year my daughter Chelsea will be celebrating Mother's Day differently as her baby will be in her arms. I will be a grandmother, and my mother a great grandmother. The wonder of giving birth, bring life, loving another, helping and watching a baby become their own person, it is an utter miracle, a masterpiece, a workout, a... Read the whole entry... »
What can I tell you about love? The way it begins, the way it the journey unfolds, it will take you. Love how it comes how we are often caught without knowing and if we do feel the arrow that pierces through our wall to our heart. 
... Read the whole entry... »
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- thefrenchmuse.com/blog
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201b8d0a0ea46970c-pi
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e20120a91914c0970b-pi
 
When is the best season to come to Provence? Anytime. Each season has its own unique beauty and bounty. These photos were taken in different seasons around where I live. 
'tween Winter and Spring. 
Autumn ... Read the whole entry... »
This is the church that Chelsea and Martin were married. ... Read the whole entry... »
French Letters
2019-05-09 08:10 UTC by
French la Vie
Vine and Flower
2019-05-08 08:11 UTC by
French la Vie
 Pretty in Provence
2019-05-07 08:28 UTC by
French la Vie
Read the whole entry... »
  - thefrenchmuse.com/blog
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201b8d10998e6970c-pi
- Memories of Scones Before I Ever Went to Ireland
- The Eve of a New Beginning
- willows95988.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451cb9a69e201a73d87ec60970d-pi
2019-05-04 20:20 UTC by
French la Vie
For the next few days, I will be posting photos with little text, as I have been these last few days as I need a little break. The French la Vie groups were amazing, and the next one is coming up in a few weeks, but in the meantime, I need to focus on my friend's apartment that I have been working on in... Read the whole entry... »
In My Garden
2019-05-03 21:35 UTC by
French la Vie
 French la Vie
2019-05-02 21:45 UTC by
French la Vie
The last two weeks of the French la Vie ended today. So many memorable stories, new friends Carol, Susan and Jane, good belly laughs, treasure hunting, pounds gained in more ways than the weight of antiques in boxes, miles spent in the car with snacks, part of the car flying off, Gloria and her cat expression, Jennifer's humor,... Read the whole entry... »
In France today is a public holiday which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement. On May 1st, 1561, King Charles IX of France received a Lily of the Valley (Muguets) as a lucky charm and thereafter decided to offer one each year to the ladies of the court. From the first year, I... Read the whole entry... »
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