French la Vie

Wallpaper Adventure Number 10000000000000000 (Maybe minus a bunch of zeros)

A rainy day, more or less the entire day,

gave me permission to stay indoors and dive into a long-awaited project giving it chance to become.

I had two more walls to wallpaper .

Those of you who have been reading this blog as long as I have been writing it know I have a thing

for patchwork wallpapering.

Yes, I had a sturdy ladder! I fell off once, shattered my wrist, and am still paying the price. 

Yes, I copied all the old papers I wanted to use.

Because twice (Yes, because I am a slow learner.),

I glued original antique papers that later I found out were worth several hundred euros so

now when I look at them I see Euros glued to the wall.

Oh, and I stopped before midnight.

 

Tomorrow it should be completed.

My phone is covered in glue, my arms feel like they are going to fall off and I might have glued bits of scraps to the floor.

A good healthy distraction.

And any of you, my husband included who think that this is the last wall 

I will wallpaper... well I know you know that is simply not true.

 

XXX

 

 

 

 

The Queen of Hearts

Dear Mom,

Witty, generous, faithful, constant ... soft heart but strong.

Breakfast, lunch, a "treat" at four, and dinner was made with a homemade dessert,

Our home was full of your creative touches and flowers from the garden were on the table,

There were a variety of homemade cookies in the bottomless cookie jar

our sheets were washed, then hung to dry outside, ironed, and placed back on our beds weekly,

We had our Sunday best and arrived fifteen minutes early to morning mass,

You raised us with tangible love and a sense of right and wrong,

We learned to jitterbug in the kitchen,

You played games with us and taught us the importance of team spirit plus gave us the drive to win,

yet we never managed to cheat at cards as well as you.

Happy Mother's Day Mom 

xxx

To Be Well in Our Lives

Slipping Down the Rabbit Hole Gawking at Antiques Online

 

Ecole FRANCAISE de la fin du XVIIIe siècle

 

It started with a painting of flowers that I missed during an auction as my bid was too low.

Determine to find another I searched for flower paintings that took me down a rabbit hole of discovery, astoundment, and drove me to own one.

Understandably my bid was too low but I gained knowledge which made the outcome a little less disappointing.

 

 

Peruvian Mary with Child

 

Of course, once down the rabbit hole distraction arrive. Type in flowers and other things pop up with flowers...

Oh no.

It is hard to stay focused when you are an antique addict and the brocante bug bites and there have been so few brocantes since covid.

I need a fix.

Fix anything with flowers made me drool.

 

 

Fortunée Florentine Courtois enfant en chemise

 

And then babies with fruit appeared.

AI knows me too well.

 

 

 

Then angels and this one had a fish.

At this point, I started to look at my ceiling wondering how could I hang paintings on them?

Seriously, I am bad but not that bad.

None of these I bought but boy did I want to buy them all.

 

 

 

Peacocks? Do I like peacocks? Should I look up peacocks...

 

 

 

I bought this one there is a pair.

It has a tulip, the tulip is the flower that sets other flower paintings apart for me.

The 18th century tulip.

Smack me I am gone.

 

 

 

 

 

Paper? Oh yes, paper. I adore old paper, with a king you said? Knock me over take all that I have.

Rabbit hole you are one wicked ride.

Is this too much?

Non.

 

 

 

Oh no... portraits with flowers and tulips.

Gulp.

 

 

 

 

NIII letter, plume, and wax seal and case....

I watched this auction and literally thought if I had a million dollars would I really spend it all in one afternoon at the auction

as some people do? This went for several thousand.

Wow.

 

Ecole italienne du XVIIIe siècle Bouquet de fleurs dans un vase godronné

 

 

 

That tulip, that butterfly...

 

 

Ambrosius Breugel- tableau (h:p) 'nature morte avec fleurs et nautile'

 

Can you imagine waking up tuning into an auction and spending millions just like that, just like I buy pasta

without thought of how much did I just spend today?

Dining like this?

 

 

Antoinette Cécile Hortense HAUDEBOURG dit HAUDEBOURG LESCOT (Paris 1784 - 1845)

 

Me... coming out of the rabbit hole with a wreath of ivy.

Looking around at the flowers blooming freely with the help of sun and rain.

Blooming, 

all for us to enjoy, and touch, and smell and smile.

 

(None of these photos are mine. They are from various auctions. 

Found while slipping down the rabbit hole of the internet.)

 

Life is Good

Cassis

 

 

Chelsea is four months along, at first she didn't feel so good but the second trimester is proving easier.

Gabriel kisses her tummy with tenderness, and baby kisses bring such sweetness.

We are over the moon and back with excitement good news is welcomed anytime, and especially this year.

I only wish my mother could see Gabriel more often and be here to witness the birth. Unfortunately, that is one of

the disadvantages of my living in another country. Separation of celebrations.

What good news have you this year?

 

Cassis

 

Soon France will not be in a lockdown... it feels odd and joyous mixed with

doubt and hope.

I have had my first vaccine, without a hitch, and the second one is on the 17th.

Since September I have had a cold / the flu more than ever before ... I think at least five times!

I took the covid test each time, but it was always negative. I had a blood test too, to be sure I never had it.

 

My friend Ching’s bouquet in Mo’s pottery.

 

Finally, after the longest greyest winter and the beginning of spring, I think we have passed the threshold to softer weather.

Our flowers are blooming and survived a downpour last weekend, even the irises braved through it!

 

 

 

These two beauties

my mom and niece Kate (sophomore in high school).

Kate won four awards at the FFA

Future Farmers of America ceremony.

Photo was taken by her Mom Diane.

 

 

 

My mom with her youngest grandchild Warren at his baseball game

where he is the pitcher and third baseman. The photo was taken by

his sister Molly.

Some Very Very Good News

Can you guess? Such very good news. 
Guess when this new little Sugar Bun is due.

Pink or Blue it does not matter.

 

Gabriel’s Passion

Gabriel loves boats.

Since they live near the Saint Martin canal in Paris

they walk there after his daycare to

 »see » the boats.

Has a childhood passion stayed with you into your adulthood?

 

 

 

 

 

First Poppies

Flower Language

You two bloomed 

gracefully

even when the sky turned grey

and the spring day was as cold as February 

fear did not overshadow you.

I hear you guiding my steps.

 

 

Coquette, The Miniature Portrait I call Piglet

 

This is Piglet.

 

 

With her grey curls, which was a thing back then, because she is not that old.

Her eyebrows are so hip now. How did she know?

A seductive echelle, blue-ribbon untied, what was she thinking

I doubt it was about chocolate.

And one gold loop, not two, trying to be a modern girl without a pearl earring.

I tell you this portrait has a story.

Coquette!

------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is Barbara (Frank is her husband and they love France. I have had the pleasure of meeting them.)

in her university days. Guess the year? When I was a kid I was dreamy about the fluffy feather collar that graduates

wore for their portrait.

 

 

I (Chris) wanted to share with you a small 10-bead rosary that my husband found on our street when we lived in Hudson, Ohio years ago. 

He was walking and looked down and saw this. It looked quite old and special. At the time there was no Facebook or neighborhood app to post a photo, so I took a photo and made copies, and put it in all the mailboxes on our street.  No one ever claimed it.  Later, I was shopping for a new medal of the Virgin Mary for my husband at a religious store, and I told the clerk the story.  She said maybe no one claimed it because it was intended for us!  It has remained special to me ever since.  I even carried it in my pocket when we spent our time in Lacoste France while my husband taught there for a quarter at SCAD's campus. 

Enjoy!

Chris Ulichney

 

 

 

 

Terri shared, 

"My favorite picture is of myself and my sweetheart in Hawaii sitting on a couch. 

Best we ever looked!  Ha!  Over 30 yrs. ago!  At least I can remember when we were young."

 

 

 

Frank's photo memory (Barbara's husband)

 

My favorite picture of myself now sits in my daughter’s house.

It is me at the age of three in front of our house in a Detroit suburb. I am holding a toy steam locomotive that my father made by soldering together tin cans of various sizes. I am looking at the loco with a look that is both amazed and incredibly contented and delighted. It is entirely possible that I have never been so amazed, contented and delighted since. What is also amazing about the photo is the fact that my daughter’s son, my grandson, looks just like me in that picture when he was three. Whenever I visit my daughter’s house and see that picture that same amazed, contented and delighted feeling sweeps through me, and for an instant, I am three again.

 

BTW I am delighted that the miniature that you named Frank has hair.

 

Frank

 

 

 

 

Cy's response,

 

"Dear Corey, LOVED your portrait post!! I have two favorite photos lately, one is of me just after finishing chemo, no hair but looking quite happy! Second is my dear nephew and his young daughter, Wes, and Adeline. And finally, I didn't see my name, so.... save me a glass of wine in your garden in June

when I get back from a sabbatical in... VENICE!

I leave here on Sunday. One month in Venice!

Can you tell I'm excited?? Ciao!! Cyxx

 

(Lucky have a wonderful time!)

 

 

 

 

Jackie's portrait memory;

"One of my very favorite photos is of my son Luke. We adopted him in China.

From a grim orphanage. When I picked him up his face was crisscrossed with scars and at 6 years old he weighed only 28 pounds

(the average 2-year-old in America weighs 28 pounds.)

He was suspicious, quiet, and wary of everyone and everything when we picked him up.

He didn't make a peep.

 

Within about 6 months, with nothing more than good food and a bit of love (he was given the freedom to be a child)

he was transformed (like a chrysalis into a butterfly) into this dynamic little adventurer:

We titled this photo "Aquaboy!"

His superhero "mask" is a pair of swim goggles, his cape a pink baby blanket, and his sword a paper umbrella."

 

 

Judy tried to identify herself in the portraits above she thought she was the one on the bottom on the far left.

NOPE, you are the couple in the first couple from the bottom in the middle... with Bill.

Please tell everyone your MUST BE A MOVIE love story.

 

------

 

"Well, I have two actually, if that is ok...one is of my lovely Dad as a wee toddler, sitting on his father's knee looking sweet and chubby...the other of my Mum sitting on her own holding a little soft toy....my Mum was adopted as her mother got pregnant when unmarried and had to give up her lovely baby...a heart-wrenching thing that it seems she never recovered from...my mother did not meet her, finding out who she was a few short years after her mother had passed away...she compensated for her life being difficult by adopting three babies herself, my three siblings...six of us all together..those photos are on my stairs...both my parents passed away, my Dad just a couple of years ago. I say Hi to them each time I go past the stairs! I love all the miniatures by the way, so many amazing faces, and goodness know so many stories behind each that would be wonderful to explore! Cheers from Jennifer"

 

-----

 

 

"Hello Corey ~

Here is one of my favorite photos of my Francophile daughter, Emily Janine.  

A stylish redhead from Arizona…  

captured while waiting in line to enter Sainte-Chapelle for an evening concert."

 

Kelley

-----

 

The giveaway of two portraits go to

randomly picked:

Heather 

and

Judy McGowan

 

Thank you for sharing your portrait memories. I got teary over many of them. 

Love is here

gentle and strong, 

hold on.

 

 

 

 

What Caught Your Eye Today?

 

The painter captures the moment.

Giving a glimpse of the story that unfolds before his eyes.

The small details set up the atmosphere,

a book with a page being turned,

an empty china teacup,

an apple that sits near the fold line of a crisp white linen tablecloth.

 

Tomorrow I will give two little portraits away and tell the story of Piglet.

If you haven't already please leave a comment or send me an email to be part of the giveaway.

 

What small detail caught your eye today?

Mine was a grasshopper chomping away at the zucchini plant in our courtyard.

Miniature Antique Portrait That I Have Renamed After My Readers and a Giveaway

Miniature portraits catch my attention as much as everything else that is old does.

I have a Brocante Bug badly as you know.

The miniature portrait that I am mostly attracted to are the ones that

aren't raving beauties but have a certain unusual charm. Unique in their oddness. My appeal is not to find the glass slipper.

But realness, a look that strikes my curiosity, Who were they?

Miniature portraits were often commissioned so that they could be

given to a loved one to carry in their breast pocket, as we do now with photos on our cell phones. These miniature portraits

were painted on a very thin piece of ivory. Yes, ivory.

They are expensive but that doesn't stop me from looking and asking the price.

Anything under 60 euros is a deal. As I am on the hunt all the time my goal is to pay as little as possible and to like it tremulously which happens as often as I take a selfie. I have one miniature portrait that I bought for 5 euros about 25 years ago.

I call her Piglet. I know that is terrible, terrible, terrible ... 

Online there are thousands of miniature portraits so today I am going to share a few and name them.

Please do not take offense, especially if I do not name all of you. This is just for fun and to share some that I find lovely in their uniqueness.

 

 

Martine

 

 

Alan

 

 

Becky

 

 

Tara

 

 

Diogenes

 

 

Frank

 

 

 

The backside of the frames, the old way of securing portraits was like the above image

a circular, thinly cut triangle forms that were easily manipulated,

and yet held the portrait firmly.

 

 

Jilly

 

 

Jackie

 

 

Ed

 

 

Seriously! Show off. Dang is this cool.

 

 

Momof 5

 

Kathie B

 

 

Penni

 

 

How were they made?

 

A portrait on ivory takes about sixteen hours to create...

 

"Portraits were especially likely to be painted when a family member was going to be absent for significant periods, whether a husband or son going to war or emigrating, or a daughter getting married.

The first miniaturists used watercolor to paint on stretched vellum, or (especially in England) on playing cards trimmed to the shape required. During the second half of the 17th century, vitreous enamel painted on copper became increasingly popular, especially in France. In the 18th century, miniatures were painted with watercolor on ivory, which had now become relatively cheap. As small in size as 40 mm × 30 mm, portrait miniatures were often fitted into lockets, inside watch-covers, or pieces of jewelry so that they could be carried on the person. Others were framed with stands or hung on a wall or fitted into snuff box covers." Wiki listed below.

Leslie

 

 

Lil

 

Denise, Marilyn, Teddee, Anna, and Susan Z.

 

 

Texas Francophile, Diane my Cousin, Fat Rabbit, PJT, Chico Sue, Leau, Jennifer,

Barbara, Melly, Debra, Nancy, Carol, Julie, Linda, Judy, and Sue.

-----

Dreamy wall! Considering a miniature portrait on average cost a couple of hundred euros

this cost a couple of chunky wallets.

 

Rebecca NYC

 

 

 

Shelley Noble

 

Can you imagine wearing this, the comments you would receive, and the constant 

sharing who they are and their names?

This is Denise from Canada, and Cathleen from the States, and Patrizia from Italy, and Kambria from Mexico...

 

 

 

Mardog, my childhood friend, has a winery hence the red shawl.

 

 

Another showoff 

 

More about miniature portraits

This is just too good! I would love to know who collected them and the stories behind them.

 

 

Anna 

 

For my animal-loving friends...

 

 

 

VERY RARE 18TH CENTURY FRENCH MINIATURE FULL PORTRAIT AS METAMORPHOSE

Lot Number: 

101

3" (8 cm.) h. painting. An oval oil painting on copper depicting young a full-length portrait of a young lady with well-rendered costume and accessories, framed in an embossed oval case. Along with the painting are 13 mica overlays with hand-painted details of various costumes which, when placed over the oil painting, transform the young girl into various people, both men, and women, in a variety of detailed costumes, thus being an early "paper doll". In overall fair/good condition with wear to leather case, flaking on mica painting. France, mid-1700s, known as "metamorphoses", the overlay paintings became a popular fad for the aristocracy during this time, with various sets believed to represent important historical events or intrigues; they are extremely rare to find, and this example, depicting a full-length portrait figure is especially rare.

 

5000 Euros

 

Gulp. 

 

 

 

Laurie-Annya and Ian.

 

(click on photo for the references to buy it...)

 

 

 

Ching

 

 

 

 

 

G

 

 

John

 

 

Jeanne

 

 

 

I have two portraits to giveaway...

Send me an email or a comment with a few lines about your favorite photo of yourself or someone you love.

In a few days, I will pick two of you and send you a portrait.

And show you Piglet.

 

 

 

 

Have you had enough?

If I didn't mention your name you can come to France and bop me on the head.

Or have a glass of wine in the garden with me your choice.

French Auctions ... Antiques I Have Seen

 

 

 

A porcelaine gilded and painted needle case. Why? Because needlework was an art, and the wealthy had beautiful objects to hold their tools.

Sort of like who has the latest iPhone, or designer purse, or what car do you drive.

Show and tell still exist is some circles.

 

Some of the things I hear when talking to others about the beautiful objects found or seen are:

 

"I wasn't born in the right era?"

or

 

"We could never create such beautiful things now."

 

and

 

"When did they find the time to do it?"

 

We know the answers don't we? 

 

 

 

 

Speaking of what car do you drive...

Take a look at this 1700s saddle

I would say it was a Rolls Royce in its day no?

 

 

My brothers and I had hotwheels.

They use to tie my mice, yes I had mice, on to their hotwheel cars and watch them fly into the air from the ramp.

That is probably why the mice had to find a way to break free from the cage my father made for them.

They were so cute.

They would have loved to live in their great great great ... grandparent's era.

 

 

 

 

A palanquin.

Imagine the scene, the clothing, instant movie in my mind.

 

Several of these were up for sale at a French auction the other day.

 

How I wanted one.

I don't know why. 

I could have put it over the toilet.

Gasp.

But think how cool and how often it would be used.

Yann looked at me like I was losing it.

Pun intended.

 

...and you thought I was seriously going to talk about antiques?

I could but this is more fun.

 

 

 

 

A rare and historical piece of Alencon lace belonging to Marie Antoinette

It sold for over 10000 euros.

 

Do you want to see more from the French Auctions?

 

If you want to buy at the auctions you can. 

Usually, the price you see is a low estimation at least that is what I have witnessed over and over again.

Maybe it is a blind leader pulling you in, "Oh that is a great price!" But actually when the item comes up

it goes much higher. Remember to you have the auctionner cost to add, packing and posting.

The auctions are a learning tool for me, like going to the museum.

 

Everything anything precious, rustic, curious, historical...

tools, paintings, textiles, books, military, toys...

Beats watching Netflix.

Couch surfing the "haute gamme" brocante .

While drooling on my keyboard

 

 

 

 

Antique Glass Top Candy Boxes

 

These charming 1800s glass top hand-painted scene boxes were for chocolates;

They are made out of "carton" hardbound paper with golden paper lace strips to add richness to the paper form.

These were on sale at an auction that I watched online which has become my new binge-watching addiction.

 

 

They sold for over 200 euros each.

That is some sweet chocolate in those once filled boxes.

 

 

Sure beats the wrapping of chocolate these days.

Do you think someone will binge watch an auction 

of candy wrappers?

 Almond Joy 200 Euros going once, going twice, SOLD .

 

 

 

 

 

I rarely wee these at the brocantes, though when I do they are 

still out of my price range. They are sought after.

 

 

Auction

here is one for sale.

If you buy it put my name inside for safekeeping.

 

 

 

 

Which is your favorite?

And

What is your favorite candy?

Did you ever save lollipop wrappers?

 

 

To see more look here on pinterest.

 

French 19th Century Eglomise Bonbon Boxes

without candy

but still deliciously delightful!

Nearly May... The French la VIe

The French la Vie...

that beautiful gathering of friends from blogging who loved coming

to France, digging in the brocantes, meeting people, sharing stories, tasting Provence

in big juicy gulps and delicate sips.

I postponed the 2020 gatherings, hoping that 2021 would be promising.

Though after much thought and listening to others I decided that 

 even if we have our vaccines it will take time for France to feel like France again.

When we travel we want to dive in, soak it in, be carefree as the wind and not have to second guess

about covid, germs, what if, am I safe, do I have my mask, does that cough mean something...

So now I am looking at Spring 2022. Some of you have already mentioned 2022 as your hope

to come to France. I have your reservations from 2020 leaning in for 2022.

For those of you who reserved a place in 2019/2020 please write me if you have any questions.

Regarding new reservations, I prefer to wait until October before opening up the French la Vie register for 2022.

Fingers crossed.

 

 

 

Wish They Could Stay With Us Forever

Walking with an Iris

Since the lockdown Gabriel and family have spent most their time with us. I am happiest when I am with this Baby Love.

Today we walked along the path picking flowers and smelling rosemary, thyme and marjolaine.

Baby Love picked an iris for his maman slowly as we reached home all the petals were gone except one.

What the Future Holds

 

 

Little one

What can I promise you true?

What can I leave behind that will light your path?

Will your tomorrows be as beautiful as the ones we have shared with you?

Little one

this glorious life

this unknown path that we follow

this love that binds us

What will the future hold?

 

If anything I hope I can instill in you this:

Grab those reins, with confidence & give it your best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

 

 

Breakfast Croissant

 

 

Slippers wearing slippers outside.

Wisteria petal ground.

His other grandmother's scarf.

Likes to stand while eating breakfast.

Croissant from the baker down the road.

Happy sunny day.

My Grandmother Name by Gabriel

 

Today Gabriel called me by a name and continued to say my new name over and over.

Each time he would say my name I would respond,

 »I E loves Gabriel. »

Eventually I E will become Vavie.

Yann’s name so far is « BaBa »

which will become Grand PaPa.

Unless of course we just let it go and adopt these names.

I E

ok. 

When I Traveled to Morocco the First Time

                           

                           

                            

                                    

 Marrakesh, Morocco...

An ancient harem,

light danced like many scarves across the threshold

I could hear the bells on their feet and smelled the perfume in their hair,

my imagination swirled me to another time.

The first time I went to Morocco was with my cousin Julie.

I wish I could be near her now but since I cannot travel

my spirit is with her

Brave on Julie!

 

Daily Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking...

one step in front of the other

begging my thoughts to fall like seeds to the ground

how they hang on and turn over,

and intertwine with one another

until at last with yet another step,

the waterfall takes them.

My steps breath

The littlest flowers look up at me 

"I see you"

and bend down with ease.

 

 

Marie-Antoinette Clothing

 

 

On auction today there was this...

a textile fragment which was a piece of Marie-Antoinette's clothing.

Seriously why does this sort of thing grab my attention?

The trip it takes me on...

 

First thought: OMG I want it.

Second thought: Yeah at 1200 Euros beginning bid

I do not think that is going to be a realistic option.

Third thought: Dang to think most likely someone is going to bid 5000 euros and take it home.

Fourth thought: 5000 euros can feed a lot of people or at least this should go to a museum.

and on and on my mind wanders from wanting, to reasoning, to listening, to wondering ... 

to settle on being happy that I am able to see these things.

 

What object/thing do you take a fancy to regardless if it is reasonable?

Update Pam

Pam’s husband Rick has sent me daily messages regarding his lovely wife Pam.

I am happy to say there is good news!

Pam is recovering she is breathing and eating on her own!

The days ahead will be filled with hope and thanksgiving and

regaining her strength and mobility.

Whew!

Thank you for your everything.

Good news feels so divine.

 

 

Quiet Fireworks

 

 

 

excerpt from Johnny Sun's book 

Goodbye Again

 

 

 

Daily Walk Foraged Flowers

 

Walking every day of the year allows me to see the transformation

brought on by each season,

also where flowers grow outside the boundaries of properties.  

Clipper in the pocket off I go

hello, lilacs, rosemary, almond blossoms...

 

 

 

Do any of you know the name of the pink beaded flower branch? It is a tree blossom.

 

Superpowers

 

At the moment and maybe for a while longer

I will be posting quotes that speak to me and or a sweet photo as I take a step back to let myself

catch up with what has happened and what is happening.

Haven’t we all at one time or another needed time to just say okay here I am

and let it just sit in our lap while we hold on to it, 

Thank you for your comments, your thoughts, your miracles shared

and sadness expressed.

My heart has thought of many of you especially Alan, Jill, Tom, Antonette, Pam, Ellen, Wanda, G, and so many more. 

 

 

Love Intentionally

 

 

My Cousin Julie

 

Yesterday, I received again devastating news about my cousin Julie, Sacha's Buddhamere.

If I wasn't so sad I would have had time to feel downright mad at the God I call Love.

I know Love has no bounds and that God can take my anger with a grain of salt.

Some hit pillows I have a good go at God, it helps to be able to dump it somewhere and not be judged but restored.

My cousin suffered several subarachnoid hemorrhages. The outlook wasn't promising she was incubated. The thought was

to prepare for the worse. 

Then a miracle.

My cousin sat up! Was breathing on her own, recognized people, could speak, moved her limbs... ate a yogurt.

The doctor declared,

« It is a miracle! » 

and that is not usually what doctors say unless they mean it.

Yesterday morning I was devastated, stunned but by late last night a complete change to Julie’s story.
I spoke with her I said,

»You are an f-ing miracle! » she laughed a weak laugh, "Yeah," she said. then I added, « You are like Jesus reincarnated! » 

Life is one big adventure we’re wonders never cease.

Yesterday was my father’s birthday. 

May this incredible joy continue bringing my cousin Julie healing,

wholeness, and strength!

And may it bring you to hope in what you are longing for.

 

The last conversation I had with her was a day or two ago and she said, she was looking for adventure...

 

Julie has a big adventure ahead of her, I pray it goes as well as this moment appears.

I pray it is one long beautiful rich miracle ride,

I pray that I might see her again so I can hit her, and then hug her for a long time.

 

Thank you again and again for the love you bring and the kindness you afford me.

It has been an emotionally overloaded year ...

so dear God, slow it down, let's have some boring

uneventful, twiddle my thumbs, and plenty of time to be with Gabriel.

 

 

 

 

Miracles Happen

Miracles Happen

and when they do

there is a joyous elation of life, love, and a boost to faith.

Whether the miracle is big or small

and for however long 

 

Loving Kindness

 

My mother always said, "When someone dies everyone is very present to the loved ones for the first few weeks, which is good and needed. But do not forget in six months, or even a year after that those who have lost someone still need loving attention, maybe even more so as the weeks turn into months as life goes on for those who haven't suffered, but those who have suffered, suffer long after."

 

Sometimes it is difficult to know what to say, or how to say it, or if it should be said...

 

 

 

No words are needed to show love.

nor to be loving-kindness.

 

 

Wherever we are there is something to share.

 

 

 

 

 

To be present to silence.

 

 

 

 

A gentle smile.

 

 

 

Tears are okay.

 

 

 

 

Tears make room

 

 

 

 

Gentle bloom.

 

 

 

 

Petal by petal,

rain or shine.

 

 

 

 

 

Standing alone if need be.

 

 

 

 

Adding light to the darkness.

 

 

 

Side by side.

 

 

 

 

Gentleness.

 

 

 

 

Togetherness.

 

 

 

A place to exhale.

 

 

 

 

An open invitation to be there.

Plant Love and Share it as Much as You Can

 

Thank you for all your loving attention and kindness.

Haven't we all had a complicated ongoing year plus, and for some it has been terribly hard.

Thank you for your love sent to Pam, she is in need of every ounce of healing.

 

With Cynthia's passing so many memories have been stirred up. I hope to share some as time goes on.

 

As Annie said, "It takes courage to grow old." I see more and more what she meant by that.

 

 

 

 

Please Send Your Loving Healing Everything to My Friend Pam

 

Pam a longtime reader of my blog who has become a friend of mine

is in the hospital with pneumonia and is intubated.

Her husband Rick has asked me to pray and I am asking you to join with me to

ask for healing grace and gentleness to surround her. 

 

 

 

Paris 1989 (repost from 2006)

 

Once upon a time and one time only,

did French Husband help deliver a wedding cake for our dear American friend Cynthia, who had an American bakery in Paris.

Cynthia who introduced chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cheesecake, bear claws, and muffins to the Parisians back in 1988, decided to try her hand with wedding cakes, à la Américain style. French wedding cakes are little cream puffs stacked like a Christmas tree...

Not at all the same thing.

The first order came, the cake was baked, decorated, and ready to go.

Cynthia delivered her cookies, brownies, and other baked goods with a bicyclette that had an over-sized-basket-like-thing attached to the back.

I called it the "coffin-on-wheels"... imagine riding that thing in Paris.

 

There was no way that this wedding cake could ride in the back... alone... safely. 

Cynthia called a taxi.

The taxi driver looked at the cake and shook his head, "Pas possible!"

The wedding bells were ringing, the three-tier wedding cake with its fresh cream frosting had to be delivered.

The cake was the size of America.

"How am I going to get this wedding cake to the reception?" fretted Cynthia who hopelessly looked at me

who had her own little America, an eight-month bun in the oven.

 

French Husband, who would do anything for 10 grams of chocolate, accepted the deal:

Two dozen brownies - if he would sit in the back of the coffin-on wheels,

while another guy peddled clear across Paris to deliver the wedding cake.   

 

Imagine the bride and groom's surprise when they saw their wedding cake arrive,

barely in one piece, straddled between the legs of a Frenchman.

Oh la la.

--------------------------

In loving, sweet, funny memories of my dear friend Cynthia who died today.

Oh Cynthia! What memories you gave us when we first arrived in Paris. I smile through the tears just recalling them!

Godspeed dear sweet baker! 

Turkey story (Cynthia was one of our friends who took home Turkey. She wanted the turkey and could not bake it in her shop ovens as she was baking pecan and pumpkin pies for the Americans in Paris that Thanksgiving.

 

Cynthia's cheesecake

 

All that Love

(Quote from Instagram. The antique santon belongs to Dorlis a wonderful artist and curator of beautiful things. The crown of thorns was made by my friend Philippe. The two of them had a stunning exposition for Holy Week.)

 

 

When Things Take on New Meaning

Not a Happy Bunny

Where the Children Sleep

 

 

All Text and Photos by Mangus Wennam 2016

 

 

 

“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.

 

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

 

 

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”

 

 

Photo and Text Magnus Wennman

 Mahdi, 1½, in Horgos, Serbia

 

Mahdi is 1½ years old. He has only experienced war and flight. He sleeps deeply despite the hundreds of refugees climbing around him. They are protesting against not being able to travel further through Hungary. On the other side of the border, hundreds of police are standing. They have orders from the prime minister, Viktor Orban, to protect the border at all costs. The situation is becoming more desperate, and the day after the photo is taken, the police use tear gas and water cannons on the refugees.

 

Photo and Text Magnus Wennman

 

 

Fatima, 9, in Norberg, Sweden

Every night Fatima dreams that she’s falling from a ship. Together with her mother, Malaki, and her two siblings Fatima fled from the city of Idlib when the Syrian national army senselessly slaughtered civilians in the city. After two years in a refugee camp in Lebanon, the situation became unbearable and they made it to Libya, where they boarded an overcrowded boat. On the deck of the boat, a very pregnant woman gave birth to her baby after 12 hours in the scorching sun. The baby was a stillbirth and was thrown overboard. Fatima saw everything. When the refugee’s boat started to take on the water they were picked up by the Italian coast guard.

 

 

 

Since 2011, more than 4 million Syrians have been forced from their homes in the face of the ongoing war in the country. Roughly half of them are children.

 

Photo and text Magnus Wennman

 

Swedish photographer and twice-winner of the World Press Photo awards Magnus Wennman has been photographing Syrian refugees in refugee camps across the Middle East and on journeys across Europe as they flee a conflict that shows no signs of stopping. His photo project Where the Children Sleep captures the suffering that hundreds of thousands of children caught in bloody war have been subjected to. 

 

 

Photo and text Magnus Wennman

 

 

Fara, 2, loves soccer. Her dad tries to make balls for her by crumpling up anything he can find, but they don’t last long. Every night he says goodnight to Fara and her big sister Tisam, 9, in the hope that tomorrow will bring them a proper ball to play with. All other dreams seem to be beyond his reach,

but he is not giving up on this one...

 

Magnus Wennam: Where the Children Sleep 2016

Good Friday

There is a beginning to every end.

There is light in darkness.

There is forgiveness

and suffering.

Prayer doesn’t always bring you what you want

nor what you need.

it is okay to doubt, to be mad and

not want to hear someone tell you how to be better.

 

Food for Thought

 

What are some of your reflections after this year living with Covid?

(photo and text via my friend Rachel Baker’s Instagram.)

I have various covid reflections rambling around in me but what strikes me most is the daily conversation about this subject the actual living through it each step and wondering will it ever end if we do not help the less fortunate receive a vaccine?

 

Nursery School

 

Gabriel's daycare was short-lived.

He started last week. Since September I had been going to and from Paris every week to watch him.

I was sad to give up my role but happy too to have my days back at home.

And happy that he could play with other children, which he hasn't been able to most of his little life.

 

Tonight France goes into deeper lockdown. All schools will close down for one month.

Daycare included (there are far more restrictions put into place but mainly we

have been semi-lockdown since October.

Martin, Chelsea, and Gabriel arrive tonight to stay with us.

As they both have been working from home 

for over a year due to Covid. 

 

The silver lining: I have my babysitting role back!

Spring with a toddler makes for happier days.

Brocante takes the back burner.

 

 

What is Perfection?

 

 

 

What is perfection?

What is loved-

What is created for someone-

and cherished-

even when it is worn true.

what is perfection?

a loaf of bread, a lily and contentment in the simple things that nourish us and bring beauty.

 

 

Simplicity

 When you have only two pennies left in the world,

buy a loaf of bread with one,

and a lily with the other.

 

~Chinese Proverb

(thank you Jeanne for sharing this quote with me)

 

Live it Well

 

I see trees of green
Red roses too
I see them bloom
For me and for you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow
So pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces
Of people going by

I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying
"I love you"

I hear babies cry
I watch them grow
They'll learn much more
Then I'll ever know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.

 

Louis Armstrong

 

The Challenge of Being Fortunate

                                 

 

I am fortunate.

I have a good life.

I have a family who loves me, food to eat, a roof over my head. I am healthy and in no pain.

I have running water, more than enough to water the flowers in my garden and easily it turns hot.

I am safe, bombs are not falling from the sky.

Decisions are easy, what should I make for dinner? They are easy to ask too: "Would you like sugar in your coffee?"

I have time to blog. I have a computer and two hands.

When I had ovarian cancer, I was still fortunate I lived.

There was medicine readily available.

I had a soft bed, a toilet to throw up in and someone to hold my hand.

I had more prayers offered for me than all the prayers ever said at Notre Dame.

Chelsea who was three at the time told me, "...there are angels dancing above your head"

I had faith to believe her.

The hardest question to answer:

Why me?

Why am I generously fortunate while most of the world suffers beyond belief?

The biggest challenge is to live the gift of life, every day as lovingly as possible.

Is that too hard to do?

To pick up my harp, and play knowing others cannot?

What will I do today to share my fortune?

 

Standing Amongst the Roses

 

 

 

I remember the day like it was yesterday, though it was over twenty years ago.

I went up the hill to visit my friend Annie.

She invited me, saying to come mid-morning to help her pick the roses.

 

 

 

 

Annie was an American by birth.

Soon after she was born her parents returned to their homeland in Greece.

A few years later, Turkey invaded the part of Greece where they lived.

Her parents and three sisters barely escaped death.

Annie tells the story, of their leaving everything behind, except her mother's sewing machine and the family's icon.

They sailed across the sea to another part of Greece.

Years later they moved to France, Annie was a young girl.

 

 

 

 

The first time I heard "her story" was on the day I went up the hill, to help her pick the roses, to make rose jam.

As she recounted the details of her amazing voyage to France, I cut the old roses from the rosebush that her mother had planted years ago.

In telling her story her eyes often got that glazed look of a person who reliving the moment in their mind's eye.

Her story melted over me like honey, and I am sure the swarm of bees flying around grew confused.

That day roses seemed to bloom with each word out of Annie's mouth. 

 

 

                                                             

 

 

Annie's story took me far away from what I was doing. Absent-mindedly, I started to clip the tiny rosebuds that had barely opened,

(instead of the mature roses which were the ones needed for the jam,) and slipped them under my blouse and into my bra.

The coolness of the rosebuds tingled against my skin.

Clipping a few more, Annie stopped in mid-sentence, pointed her clipper at my blouse, then asked me what I was doing with the rosebuds.

Her sweet smile told me she was curious.

 

 

                                                          

 

 

I told her how I had loved a young man years ago before I met my French Husband.

I told her of my love for John and how he had died. But before her feelings could carry her towards the sadness I had shared,

I clipped a rosebud and said, "Often John would bring me rosebuds, and slip them into my bra. He said that way I would feel his love for me throughout the day. That the scent of the tiny rosebuds would bloom from the warmth of my skin, that I would breathe in their perfumed notes,

and at the end of the day, when I took off my clothes, the tiny rosebuds would fall at my feet."

I held the tiny rosebud, Annie saw my eyes glaze over.

 

Spontaneously, Annie pulled the neckline of her blouse down, leaned over, and asked me to put some rosebuds in her bra too.

At that moment time stood still.

An intimacy that was far deeper than the rose's roots that laid beneath us.

We looked at each other: She with her bosom ripe with age, and me with a rosebud in hand.

I planted the seed of our friendship within her bra, close to her heart.

We giggled like young girls do when feeling something sensual transpire between them.

We stood in her garden and blushed rose.

 

 

Where Love Finds a Way

 

When you cannot be together 

because your countries are in lockdown to each other

and your hearts are longing.

 

Love finds a way.

 

 

Paradise found.

The Lollipop Lesson

The Little Squirt pointed to the canister on his parent's dresser that held phone-chargers, plugs, a hair clip or two, some receipts, and a few lollipops.

"Gabriel, I don't think the lollipop is the answer."

You see the handlebar to his pushbike was up too high and I could not lower it no matter how hard I tried. When I told him I couldn't budge it he pointed to the canister on his parent's dresser then in his nonverbal but highly effective way I knew he was telling me the lollipop was the answer to our woe.

Now I know Chelsea and Martin do not give sugary things to Gabriel as most things in their kitchen are non sweeten. I texted Chelsea, "Gabriel is telling me that the lollipops in the canister are meant as a tool for his pushbike? Please advise? Or am I missing something?"

Chelsea responded, "Hi Mom, yeah we used the lollipop stick to push the button on the bottom as it jams."

Gabriel looked at me as I put my phone down, "Aren't you a clever, observant little Squirt! You are right the lollipop is a tool."

I gave him the lollipop and he proceeded to show me where the minuscule button was that I needed to push.

Children believe what they see ... a lollipop is a tool.

 

 

Quiet Paris

Paris and several other regions went into a stricter lockdown

than what all of France has been experiencing since October.

Parts of Palais Royal where Gabriel and I go to hang out were completely closed off.

Nevertheless, we had a good time. 

Now that the weather is nice the parks are packed.

Everyone wears a mask.

 

 

 

All restaurants, bars, and cafes have been closed since October

and will be into April and maybe longer.

I just heard bars will open in July.

I might start drinking by then.

It will be a welcome relief to go into a bar have a juice and then use the toilet.

When everything is closed going out can be a stretch without a place to sit, have a breather and use the loo.

 

 

 

Rue de Rivoli is blocked off to most vehicles...

only bicyclists and pedestrians can use it freely.

And babies in strollers.

So weird and wonderful seeing Paris this empty 

during the middle of the day.

 

The museums are closed. 

The Louvre is desserted.

Though Paris is hauntingly beautiful 

Give Love Daily

 

my friend Pam sent this to me. It says a lot about living with grief and not holding back about living and loving.

Live love abundantly.