Tongue in Cheek

our home is ready to welcome our guests

the roses are fading too soon

tbe light in the dining room won’t click on

our fridge is full of French fresh 

and the champagne is chillin’

beds are made scented with lavender

our visits are planned

the van is ready

my head is hitting the pillow and will wake to the start of a wonderful...

Yesterday we spent the day with our friends Laurie-Annya and Ian. A wonderful day just hanging out in Cassis the time went by happily as we recharged our batteries, danced on the square, went out on the blue sea, and watched fireworks light up the sky.

Thank you for the photo Laurie-Annya!

When I was a teenager I found box of baby girl clothes tucked away in the hallway closet. I asked my mother who they belong to but before she could respond I already knew the answer. Those baby clothes had been tucked away since I was a baby. As the oldest and only daughter my mother kept those clothes assuming her next baby might be a...

The countdown to the French la Vie brocante adventure starts on Tuesday! Hasn't it been a long time coming? 

Four women will arrive ready for the hunt, when they leave another four arrive.

I told them to pack light. That this isn't a fashion show so bring as little as possible.

I have been getting things in order: The bedrooms,...

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The other day I wrote about being so immersed in looking through boxes in an attic

that I didn't even react when a rat fell on my shoulder. Recalling that moment now causes me to shudder 

and honestly want to vomit. I have a serious addiction to old things. 

Judy, a longtime reader of French la Vie sent me an email...

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I love when people send me photos of what they have created or used the old paper that I have sold or given to them.

"Corey, 

Well, after years of having those wonderful French papers you gave me, I FINALLY found a “card” pattern (most cards aren’t 10 1/2 inches X 14 inches!)

I like them well enough to use...

I wonder how my mother is?

How does she do it?

How does she not complain or at least feel sad about how her life has changed.

But no.

 Recalling her daily ritual those little ordinary things that she did.

Such as picking a small bouquet from her garden for her kitchen window.

Baking cookies and pies.

Feeding her...

 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 in the shower,

While threading the needle to sew Sacha's worn jeans I asked Annie if she had any tender memories of living during World War II? If there was any light in that dark passage. Anything that reminded her of beauty when life around them was so unfair and off-balance.

Annie kept her eye on the thread...

Up in an attic, secrets are told tucked away in boxes, stuffed in baskets, locked in safe boxes,

buried in forgotten letters, or left aside without thought by someone who never came back.

I enjoy going through things in attics, not so much the dust, nor the little creatures that pop up without saying hi.

There is usually a...

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Thank you, AtlasVintage Carole, for the photo. 

Three years ago, this photo was taken on the last French la Vie.

Then Covid turned everything upside down.

Last week I teamed up with Red Shed Tours leading a group of 12 women around

Provence and the brocantes.

Back in the saddle feels better than ever.

The next group arrives on May 24....

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This morning we got up early and

drove three hours to a brocante dealer’s home where stacks and stacks of boxes greeted us.

Paper, paintings, textiles, and things that made me giddy.

It was a mother lode of happiness.

Hours later, we pack the car and returned home three hours later.

One...

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 This is the season to enjoy! When our courtyard is in bloom I just want to stay put and savor it.

Soon, as in days or maybe even now

this Little One is going to crawl and when she does

she will be called, ’” Go Go Baby ".

Repost from 2009

When the roses start to bloom I think of Annie.

I was up on a ladder, in my garden, trimming a rose bush when my friend Annie came over to visit. Looking up at me, then the rose bush she said, "How I wish I were up on that ladder! What a pleasure it would be to aid spring!"

 "Annie!" I greeted her, "I...

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My sister-in-law Diane, Me, my brother Mark,

my youngest brother Zane, my sister-in-law Shelley, and my brother Mat with one T.

Standing proudly around my mom.

xxx

Last November, after the Thanksgiving meal, Sacha took some photos of us.

The first Thanksgiving without my brother Marty. His family celebrated at their home...

OMG!!! Look how my beautiful, fun-loving cousins cheer on my mom! Angels disguised as flappers will have my mom dancing! Thank you, Cousins Lynette Carroll, Donna Bassetti, and Barbara Leach ❤️❤️❤️
And everyone who visits my mom. 

One of the very first French words I learned when I came to France was, "Zut".

Simply, because Yann's mom said it often enough. The way she said it, and when she would say it,

I figured it had to be a polite sort of replacement for a bad word.

And since I swear (such a bad habit of mine) I thought maybe I could say, "zut" instead of the...

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Nearly eighteen years ago I started this blog... every day some little note is added.

I grew up in a small rural town called Willows

My journey included a million first cousins, four brothers, studying depth psychology, praying, cooking, and doing retreat work on CJ Jung while living in a Benedictine monastery in New Mexico.

I hiked...

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Memories of our plane ride to California came rolling in as we took the three hour plus TGV from Marseille to Paris.
We went back with Chelsea and the little ones as Yann had a meeting in Paris and we could help Chelsea with the children.

Three adults two children.

We all took naps except Gabriel and Papioca.

 

...

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How I love when you my readers share

what you do with things you have bought from me.

I received this message today:

Hi Corey-

I just wanted to share a couple pictures of a wreath I bought from you several years ago. I saved it for my granddaughter Josette’s First Communion. I did embellish it a bit and she loved it! Thank you for...

Funny how it happens

age comes

all at once over years 

here we are

the same but with added patina and texture.

Over the last several days I have been with Red Shed Tours guiding them around and through Provence, the brocantes, and private addresses that I have up my sleeve.

We have all sorts of weather but that did not dampen our spirits nor our adventures. Luckily, I can pull many places out of my hat when it rained and the...

make a wish

one for each seed

send it forth with your breath

one for others

one for the world

one for you.

Teaming up with Red Shed Tours

fun at every pit stop and turn.

will be sharing more when I have time to share.

Thank you Valerie and Michele for giving me this fun loving opportunity x

now, when are you going to join me?

never  holds back 

Thank you so much for your loving messages and prayers.

xxx

The Sweetness is six months old.

Papioca

(A photo taken on Easter with my niece Patti)

My mother is all about doing the best she can without complaining. Her faith is where she stands in anything that comes her way. Oh and she is the boss.

The fractured pelvis is only on one side. My mother isn’t in pain if she stays still, she can sit. The doctor said she can go to rehab so...

My mother fell and fractured her pelvis.

She also had four stitches above her eye.

And a raccoon got into her chicken pen and killed one of her ladies (as she calls them).

That bothered my mom the most.

Her chicken!

And that she has to be very still for a long while.

We are not certain what the path to healing will be or look like.

...

Gabriel said to his mother that he wanted to see the Easter bunny. Chelsea told him that the Easter bunny was very shy and afraid and that he like to come for the children are asleep.

Gabriel responded, “ I am very sweet. The Easter bunny doesn’t need to be afraid of me. »

In France, when the church bells ring on Easter morning they...

Symbolism of faith.

Yann drives me to the brocantes 

everywhere

anywhere

early mornings until late in the evenings 

AND 

Carries my finds, my purchases to the car-

heavy

light

fragile

bizarre and fluffy.

My hunk of burning brocante love he is

Soon after Gabriel was born a beautiful handmade gift arrived.

Every single detail was created with perfection. The cards, the stationary, the

book with photos circled with lace and sweetness, a darling elephant... a

package of beauty, love, generosity and creativity.

Manuela Buisset created this treasure for...

photos from Chelsea.

The place.

1800s

France

a blue velvet chair

The fitting

a change of clothes 

from the Provençal countryside attire

to a blue silk smocked dress with a fine transparent trim.

 Who?

A young girl

sitting by flowers from the garden.

First Day:

Gabriel had a fever and slept most of the time.

Didn't eat.

Second Day:

Gabriel had a dry cough, less fever, and still wasn't eating.

The third day:

Still not eating, no fever, and a dry cough.

Nevertheless, he was playing and seemed happier today.

Except, Chelsea has a...

At last, my lost suitcase was found and returned to me.

8 days later.

🧳

—-

The correct pronunciation for Papillote is:

Pap - pee- Yacht

🍬

—-

War crimes?

War is a crime.

🕊

—-

My friend Gina is here. I haven’t seen her since 2019!

😊

—-

Gabriel has Covid. Thankfully...

Papillote is a French Christmas candy as popular as candy canes in the States. Though it doesn't look anything like a candy cane it is made of chocolate. You might think it is a bit odd that I am writing about a Christmas candy during Easter ... Though you will see my story doesn't have anything to do with Christmas except the...

Thank you Dixie for posting this!

It made me feel that I am not alone and crazy.

Do any of you relate to any or all of these?

My mother has a terrific memory. Utterly amazing. While I was at home she would give me a look that seemed to say,

”Again?”

Honestly, her memory and focus are rock solid.

Maybe sitting outside everyday without...

Thank you Dixie for posting this!

It made me feel that I am not alone and crazy.

Do any of you relate to any or all of these?

My mother has a terrific memory. Utterly amazing. While I was at home she would give me a look that seemed to say,

”Again?”

Honestly, her memory and focus are rock solid.

Maybe sitting outside everyday without...

Poetry is not a luxury

Thank you, Nikki, for sharing part your family’s story.

Each of us has something to pass forward, to share, to give …

I read this above the other day on Instagram. Mirroring. Most of us do not know we are doing this for one another. We go about our days unaware of the true extent our impact can have on...

So after running around, and around the park

following Speed Racer on his pushbike.

I asked if he would like to lay down in the patch of daisies? Instantly, and quite surprisingly, he got off his pushbike and walked over

to the wild patch of daisies.

In my mind’s eye, I imagined he would take off his jacket, and his pink helmet while...