French la Vie

(photo via cutGuinea Pig by Guinea Dad)

My friend Erika told Yann, 

"You will be our guinea pig." 

Yann, with a perplexed look on his face, quipped,

"So, what's this about a Winnie Pig?"

Erika and I could not hold back our laughter, thinking he was teasing.

Then realized he was serious.

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The items we hold on to may not always be the most valuable, but they hold a special place in our hearts. I have my dad's old tee shirt, my children's baby teeth, a holy water font from my grandparents' bed, and Annie's beret... Each of these items is a thread in the fabric of our story, transporting me back in time.

I've got some decorative...

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"What they call you is one thing,

What you answer to is something else."

This part of a poem by Lucille Cliffton struck me—it went right on in and brought a moist feeling to my eyes. I know, I know, and I am rock-solid, certain you know, too, that it does not matter what labels others try to stick on you; ultimately, our own...

Leonie is an old French name that is regaining popularity. It means "Lioness." Our friend's son recently named their newborn daughter Leonie, and in France, the second syllable is more pronounced.

Jennifer is Jen NI fer

French Names all you need to Know

 

 

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First, I must say I collect seashells.

Secondly, my daughter's prenom-first name is, "CHELSEA." My Father-in-law, a man of very few words, let alone English ones, said to me at her birth: "Chelsea is, "Sea-Shell, backwards, non?"

The French pronounce CH as SH, my daughter's name, therefore, is pronounced, "Shel-sea".

When I was pregnant I...

I believed that somewhere, beyond my imagination, there existed a place where we were free to love and be loved in peace. Somewhere inside ourselves is a seed of eternal goodness, untarnished, vibrant, steadfast to the everlasting universe of love. Life cannot be this haunting darkness carving a path that leads to division. We...

The car windows are down, inviting nature to come inside.

My hair wildly dances in the wind every which way, tangling with the scent of pine, thyme, and hints of rosemary.  

Like guardians of the road to Cassis, the parasol pines gracefully sway, or are they waving to us?

The sun pours golden flames, giving ample reason for the...

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Speak to me in French without saying a word in French.

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The dates for next year are now set and open for booking:

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Railings are everywhere in France. Everywhere. They adorn everything—various sizes, intricate to plain Janes, straight-lace to curvy. Made of iron, they are made to last. I bet you could go to any part of France, Stand in one spot, pivot around, and you would find an iron railing. As I said, they are everywhere; look at these as if they...

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When my children were little, we had a magical, organic vegetable garden. We had tomatoes until December, green beans that made Jack-in-the-Bean-Stalk look like any Tom Dick or Harry kind of ordinary guy and spinach that made Popeye green with envy. Our garden was the talk of the neighborhood.

Our neighbor to the right asked the...

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Chelsea left home at 17 to go to University, and Sacha left home to have a gap year right after high school graduation. The house was uncomfortably quiet. The milk carton in the fridge was full, the toilet paper roll was intact, and the laundry basket- was empty. How strange the things were when they both were away... and they never were...

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Sort of

One is the constant taster-

And the other actually helps, and reads in between needed.

Be the one who stands up against the crowd

Be the voice that sings over hatred

Be the one who offers kindness when none is shared

Be the one who believes against the odds that love exists

Be the one who says to the underdog you matter to me,

And if you cannot be the one who stands up, and speaks the hard truth,...

The two pickles are staying with me (Yann is sailing with a friend) while Chelsea and Martin prepare to move from Paris to Provence. 

Our little town has sixteen fountains; most are from the 19th century. The water is from a natural spring, so the sixteen fountains were dry for the last few years...

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nine months

Ceasefire.

I posted daily on my Instagram stories from several young Palestinians and other Gazan journalists I have followed since October 7th. If you want to know more, maybe you are not seeing what is happening since outside reporters are not allowed by Israel into Gaza.

Mohammed and his family are living on their own...

My post did not go out yesterday.

a glitch.

weird.

A double take on Sunday x

more to come xx

Spending time with our friends Rodger and Arnelle feels like a prelude to what heaven must feel like.

Thank you, for the glorious weekend.

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And he said, “Why not?”

And I said, “It won’t be blonde but a copper color.”

And he said, “It’s just for fun.”

And I said, “Yeah, and it grows back.”

… 

Best is to explore and be open to ideas.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH

this beauty, calmness, abundance, simplicity…

until life can be for everyone everywhere.

C E A S E F I R E 

✨New Chapter✨

Here below let Chelsea tell you the news:

I’ve been very quiet on social media lately but a lot has been going on. And I can’t wait to share more with you. After 12 years of living in the heart of Paris, our Parisian chapter is coming to an end. I am feeling so many mixed emotions. I truly love...

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How to sing a love song:

1) Find a song you like. Listen to it and feel how it moves you, guides you, sets you on fire.

2) Practice singing. Everywhere you go and in the moments throughout your day. A love song needs to be heard it doesn't matter if it is out of tune, or not on the top ten list. It's your...

Living life on a pendulum signifies the three distinct points - one at each far end, and the middle point. Embracing life at the far ends of the pendulum creates a sense of black and white thinking, where things are viewed in extremes and absolutes. It's a perspective that lacks nuances and differences. Being in the middle of the pendulum embraces...

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we went to bed a wee bit late

morning came with seconds 

the fountains greeted us as chirpy as the hirondelles.

we are heading to the voting polls

a critical vote.

Deep in the Provençal countryside our friend Philippe had his annual summer party.

This view, rolling green, steady charm, Peter Mayle’s words in reality to see a video go on my Facebook.

French Party Scene

First, you do not arrive emptied handed, nor on the dot.

Thirty minutes later is assumed.

Mingling,...

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Learning about French history and culture through antiques is one of the reasons I love the brocante.

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Teresa and her daughter Abby. Abby asked me to plan a mini French la Vie day to surprise her mother since she knew she had read my blog for at least 15 years. It is always a pleasure...

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Nourishment for the soul, 

late in the afternoon, 

a cool breeze caresses while

standing in the garden,

toes wiggle in muddy silk, 

Sun-ray halos,

I bite into the fresh tomato

Juice runs down my chin, down my neck, between my breasts...

Summertime.

Tomato Soup

Saute two...

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Creative power is a mighty force when unleashed; one way or another, it has its way of igniting us, and the flame can set fire for others to do the same and discover their own creative force.

Those of you who know my friend Mo at Rêves D'argile know you cannot leave her studio empty-handed. And if you are invited to share a...

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When we repeatedly ask 'why,' we can delve deeper into a question. If we continue to ask, we can eventually get to the root of the issue and, from there, understand the source and the truth or be in awe of the mystery.

As a child, Sacha, like other curious children, would ask 'why' about almost everything. He wouldn't be satisfied with...

Rose d'amour

lisianthus or praire gentian

foxgloves galore

growing wild along the roadside.

canterbury bells

can you tell me what this flower is?

My friends in Ireland

Carrie and Ling Ling.

Notice the different styles of glasses and three hair colors?

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Silk-colored threads on wooden bobbins
Delightful summer splash at the brocante today.

Darling box. The appeal was the set of tiny drawers and the green patina.

Though the price wouldn't budge, I passed it by, swoosh, and someone bought it.

My friend Arnelle bought this painting. 

Pretty, but I prefer...

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Child’s play. Is the best way for children to learn 

 »Let us play. »

But, we adults try to teach or encourage with our ideas which are needed at times Though, it is so important to let children experience on their own when the environment is safe to do so.

To let them discover in their own way-

To allow them...

Lead with love.

Ceasefire. 

In the south of France, towns, villages, and the countryside are beautiful to see too experience. In Provence, you need a car and time to amble down the path of possibility. Provence cannot be rushed, it must be savored to get under your skin. Provence is an area that spreads out over hundreds of kilometers. 

If...

Do you see Yann on top of the scaffolding?

When you own a home, repairs, and renovations are often required. Our home was completely renovated years ago. The walls are made of stones and are three feet thick dating back four hundred years ago. 

Our house like other houses in our village adjacent to one another creating six feet of stones...

My father would say to me

when you fall in love with someone ask yourself-

“Is he worthy to be the father of my children?

Will he be a good father?”

Well…

He was and he is. 

Happy Father's Day

The last day in Ireland with my friend Carrie, I had one of the most delicious scones. We were at a café where the green hills rolled almost down into the sea. 
A perfect ending.

An enchanting evening unfolded at a friend's Irish home, where the air was alive with music's magic. We savored a delectable, home-cooked meal with the wonderfully creative souls, Carrie Chern Weiss, June Housden, and Stephen Housden.

Thank you cx

A peek at the immense beauty of Cork, Ireland’s coastline. The intensity of green and the rugged cliffs caressed by the sea.

Spending magical days in Cork Ireland, at my friend Carrie’s home. I might never leave x The Irish are very kind and friendly. Carrie is outgoing and never meets a stranger. She amazes me how she does that. She even stopped on the road to talk to the policeman who was controlling traffic! They talked as if they had known each other for years. It...

Roses are red, 

Violets are blue.

I asked Olivia, for the thirteenth time,

« What color is your lipstick? »

 »Blue! » she giggled.

 »Oh no, it is red. »

We went around and around, naming colors; they were always blue to Olivia until they were black.

She is two years old. Learning two languages.
Blue is Bleu,...

A brief visit before he heads to Cannes for some camera work.

Sacha lives in Seattle. I wished he lived closer. My mother  says,

”Now, you know how it feels to have a child live faraway.”

True. 

i tell myself if he is happy I am happy.

Thankful, for the afternoon spent talking and talking.

Little One in the park.

After school, Chelsea, the two little Pickles, and I went to a toy store—an absolutely lovely, take-you-back-in-time type of toy store. Before entering Chelsea, set the rules, "We are going in to buy an elastic because Vavie wants to teach you Chinese jump rope since you two were mesmerized by it today at the park; plus, we need to buy a...

I am on my way to Paris to see the little ones. Plus, Sacha is there too visiting his Italian Girlfriend who just finished her Masters in Museology in Paris.

Guess, what photos are going to be shown here?