This amazing thing called blogging has introduced me to a world of kindness from strangers, friendships worldwide, matchmaking, job opportunities, travel adventures and more. It is unbelievably wonderful how generous you have been to me.
Because of this generosity I have experienced time and time again, and because of the many gifts of friendship I have received (Bluffton, Ireland, L.A., Hong Kong, Marburger, Mexico to name a few...) I offered several readers of Tongue in Cheek room and board in our home for one week.
Last Tuesday French Husband went to the airport to pick up the first winner of our giveaway: David and Teresa from Oklahoma.
We haven't stopped since they touched ground.
Today we went to visit some friends of ours (that we also met years ago through blogging), Vlad and Denise from Canada, who have a lovely home in Cotignac.
Denise made lunch for Yann and I, Thierry, and our new friends.
Denise's brocante Provencal table.
Teresa and Dave have never been to Europe. I am so happy to give them a taste of Provence: Rosemary, thyme, lavender, olives, pastis...
They will stay with us for a week, and then they are off to Paris for a few days.
The brocante is tomorrow and Teresa is salivating, a shared passion this brocante thing.
Teresa and her husband love art, music, laughter... they brought Yann a handmade wooden flute that Dave made!
I want to meet everyone who reads my blog.
Today was lovely, watching new and old friends connecting and sharing the day with interest and caring for one another. Heaven is certainly like this.
A true paradise of happiness.
It was wonderful, more than I can say, to see Thierry, one of our dearest and oldest friend in France, share the day with us.
Thierry sang. Denise sang and sang. Dave sang.
Yann played the flute.
Teresa, Vlad and I we clapped.
Happy playing a hand made wooden flute:
Friendship is a gift.
I so agree that heaven will be like this!
Posted by: Bev S. | 21 September 2013 at 12:10 AM
That sounds so wonderful! I'm sure Teresa and Dave are having the time of their lives. You and Yann are generous, inviting and giving! Your goodness is shines through everyone you meet.
Posted by: Becky F | 21 September 2013 at 12:15 AM
What a beautiful day you all had! xxoo
Posted by: Cathi | 21 September 2013 at 12:26 AM
What a fairy-tale experience! I am living vicariously!
Posted by: Karen Carson | 21 September 2013 at 12:42 AM
Fabulous!
Posted by: Carol | 21 September 2013 at 01:32 AM
SO fun, Corey! I will come visit you one day!! :)
Posted by: Lauren Slavin | 21 September 2013 at 01:42 AM
Fabulous!
Posted by: Pat | 21 September 2013 at 02:02 AM
Corey, love the picture of Thierry and Yann.
We thought of you today. Went shopping at West Elm, across the street from Kings Road Cafe, so we stopped in for a latte and wondered how you are doing.
Posted by: Diogenes | 21 September 2013 at 02:25 AM
How beautiful....travels of the heart!!
Posted by: Cathy | 21 September 2013 at 02:31 AM
I don't know why but this post made me cry.... I believe it is the pure love ... dare I say innocence of this day shown and shared ...yes HEAVEN on earth-the picture of Thierry made my spirit soar-happiness to all good luck at the brocante happy buying!
Posted by: g | 21 September 2013 at 02:42 AM
That is so cool! I want to come!!!
Posted by: Debe | 21 September 2013 at 03:11 AM
Yann looks made to play that flute! Nothing can beat a hand made gift! The energy is passed from the maker to the receiver.
Posted by: Patti Lloyd | 21 September 2013 at 03:11 AM
What a a wonderful experience for all of you! Thank you for giving us a peek into your week together. :)
Posted by: Star | 21 September 2013 at 03:28 AM
What songs did you all sing? English or French ones, or some of each? Popular, traditional? Inquiring minds want to know!
Posted by: Kathie B | 21 September 2013 at 03:40 AM
Wonderful - what a pleasure to share in the fun from afar - thank you!
Posted by: Debbie | 21 September 2013 at 03:55 AM
Hi Corey, just want to say again how much I love your blog. And if I remember right you once referred to FH as the pied piper and so am thinking that the flute was a perfect gift for him!!
Posted by: Judy | 21 September 2013 at 05:25 AM
really, very lovely , and truly spoken. thank you for sharing the beauty of love for one another. xo jody / florida
Posted by: jody | 21 September 2013 at 05:37 AM
How lucky to win a week with you. I know they will have memories to last forever. Miss you and miss France.
Posted by: Sharon Penney-Morrison | 21 September 2013 at 05:41 AM
I like how your husband's awesome hair even looks lavender. :)
Posted by: tammyCA | 21 September 2013 at 08:19 AM
This sounds like a lot of fun!
It is always a great pleasure to meet blogging friends in "real life". I wish you a wonderful time together.
Posted by: stadtgarten | 21 September 2013 at 08:27 AM
A great welcoming gateway to Europe via your lovely home for your guests - looks like everyone enjoyed the week!
Posted by: 24/7 in France | 21 September 2013 at 08:41 AM
You gave an absolute perfect description of heaven :)
Posted by: labergerebasque | 21 September 2013 at 09:27 AM
Happy bunch !!!
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 21 September 2013 at 09:30 AM
Joy!
Posted by: Claire | 21 September 2013 at 09:37 AM
These are the things that make life so special. What a very special day. How I would have loved this day with you.
Posted by: Marilyn | 21 September 2013 at 10:00 AM
The black & white picture of Thierry and Yann needs to be framed in a antique frame from the brocante no less. Sounds like a perfect week!!!!!
Posted by: Sarah Webb | 21 September 2013 at 01:47 PM
Is that maybe a handmade Native American flute? Becky also from Oklahoma
Posted by: Becky | 21 September 2013 at 01:56 PM
What an awesome giveaway gift, and what fun to meet people from all over doing this. And what new friendships will be forged! Great post
Posted by: jeanne stone | 21 September 2013 at 02:35 PM
WOW...WOW...WOW!
Look what YOU have done!Special day and that flute is something!
Posted by: La Contessa | 21 September 2013 at 03:07 PM
What pure and utter beauty, and gulps of happiness!
Corey, you are a convener of magic!!
And speaking of getting to know all your readers, my best friend from grade 7, who I have stayed in touch with all these years, has Tongue in Cheek on her very short blog roll list. Funny, that we both come here, unbeknownst to each other!
Posted by: monika | 21 September 2013 at 03:08 PM
BEAUTIFUL!
Posted by: Lynne | 21 September 2013 at 03:33 PM
I love your comment that this must be how heaven is. I hope so. And, I hope we do get to meet one day, maybe, you will do an east coast tour!? Oui?
It's just amazing that you have brought such a wonderful group together. Your blog is an incredible gift you give each day.
Posted by: debra | 21 September 2013 at 04:01 PM
Oh how I want to be there!
Posted by: pmj | 21 September 2013 at 04:52 PM
You are a conduit to friendship and bliss!! ♥
Posted by: Lisa Swifka | 21 September 2013 at 04:56 PM
Absolutely beautiful, Corey.
Posted by: Iowa Julie | 21 September 2013 at 07:43 PM
What a wonderful blog - thank you. Good friends are just wonderful. Lyn
Posted by: Lyn | 23 September 2013 at 12:43 AM
Teresa is a friend of mine that I met at an art event in Manhattan Beach last spring. How lucky for you all to meet each other. I've been reading your blog for some time now and what a lively surprise to discover that we have a friend in common!
Thanks for sharing your stories from Provence. It's my dream destination!
Christine Barker
www.ScarletCalliope.com
Posted by: Christine Barker | 24 September 2013 at 01:27 AM
Yes, Becky it is a Native American Flute that Dave made.
Posted by: Teresa Young | 03 October 2013 at 03:59 AM