Stories Collected While Living in France
My Mother often said, "Use your pretty things, don’t hide them away for safe keeping! You know life is too short and one day when you’re dead, and your pretty things have collected enough dust to bury you, your children will go through your closets, set up a garage sale and sale your treasures for 10 cents each!"
*19th century plate and silver spoon, bought a whole service at a French flea market for $10. I wonder if the person who had stored these things away is looking down on me?
I can’t believe you ate, this morning and by yourself, this stawberry tarte … hope the second one will still be in the basket when I come home for lunch ! You’re such a “gourmande !”
Corey Resonds: ;)!!
Ha ha ha your french husband has really made me lauging out loud here in the office with his comment LOL
Well Corey I think your mum was absolutely right and the person who owned these things would surely be very happy to see you using them again!
How gorgeous of your man to write you a note on your blog ! You are one lucky girl Corey…not just for the sweet husband but for having strawberry tartes for breakfast. Hugs
oh corey. almost a part of the thought i wrote about today. my actions of purging lately. unfortunately, not many treasures that i’ve been able to find here. but his mother’s old china and crystal glasses have been saved. and her old silver as well.
but exactly my thoughts when at flea markets. did those people ever think that their treasures, photographs, written letters would one day be “forgotten”, or were they simply meant to be found by us?
at least to be in the hands of those that cherish.
and the words you write… those are true treasures each and every day.
angela
There’s a TV show here about 2 ex burglars who test the safety of a person’s home. While the home owner watches on at a different location, one of the burglars breaks into the home and steals whatever he thinks is valuable. It’s to show how vulnerable their homes are when people think they’re so safe.
A woman watched this happening and at the end of the show, the burglar brings back the items and she told him how much everything was worth. In total he “stole” about $150,000 worth of possessions. He said that he would’ve sold it on the street for about $45,000.
Ever since I saw that show, I used whatever I had hidden away for “safe keeping”.
I put too much value on the idea of my possession and not enough on its function. Why not get use out of beautiful things. If it ever gets destroyed without having ever used, you are left with no happy memories. But if it gets destroyed while using it, you guessed it, you will be left with the gift of some good memories.
Dear French Husband,
Yes, we women at quelle age, do this … hee hee hee.
Dear Corey,
the person is looking down on you and smiling…
I couldn’t agree more. I use my “fancy” collection of vintage dishes at every meal. I love what your mom said, that was priceless.
a.
Yes, that is what your mother says. “Use your pretty things.” Funny, when you think of a “collection”, do you think of something that is just to look at? Not so true… Now we are thinking outside the box! Enjoy Life! Live it!
I think your mother and my mother went to the same school! They are absolutely right..what are we waiting for……..everyday is a special day and deserves to be celebrated with our best………..
Corey, you set such an amazing example for us all! Life is indeed too short to not live daily in luxury and sweet indulgences!
(Would love to see the plate pattern closer some time…)
Always enter your home through the front door. Why save the front door just for guests. The entry and living rooms are the nicest rooms in the house…they should welcome you home at the end of the day!
yes i’m sure our mothers came out of the same mold. robin
We covet things that we collect so much that they stop being useful, and start being almost like sculpture.
As a new wife, of about 7 months, my mother-in-law (dirty word, I know!) came to visit and couldn’t believe we were going to eat dinner on the “Good” China, a set we received as a gift for our wedding from CRATE & BARREL! What is the stigma having a meal on a nice dish? Why do our every day lives not deserve a little beauty. If you take the time to create a lovely meal, why must you eat is on a junky plate unless there is company over?
I think it is a depression era mentality that has led some people down the path of preserving things to put up appearances. I understand this, but hope that the future generations live with their things, and not just to covet them!
Lucky for us flea market addicts that some peoples things do get sold for 10 cents. Just so long as we enjoy we enjoy what we have, while we have it. It is very important to make sure we have a little bit of beauty in our everyday!
Plus, you cant have a breakfast as wonderful as a strawberry tarte on a scratched up dish from Ikea! That deserves a silver spoon and 19th century plate! A little luxury everyday! Thats a good life!
Yes, by all means USE the beautiful things! Can I have that last tart I see hiding in the background? 😉
I love to use the special items every day also… I especially love to mix and match
sets and eras.
Ah such good advise. I must remember that!
What a wise mother!
HA! thanks mom, i needed that!
why is it that we don’t think we are special enough to use special things everyday? we all need to learn to pamper our souls each and every day.
for sure, pretty things become still more pretty when lively used !
I do it with clothes too!
Imagine!
I save things – don’t wear them…WHY?
tomorrow? I am going to wear the very fancy sweater with the pearls embroidery on it!
What a beautiful philosophy–not just for things, but for talents and thoughts and loves, too!
I missed you yesterday! How can I possibly go through a day without a word and gorgeous photo from my friend in France? It’s going to be rough!
l
what beauty you find. it seems to just come looking for you.
I so loved this post* it is so true* I use my grannies china everyday and am glad for it;o) as always your journal is so beautiful it draws me in everyday for a visit!
Yes, I try to live by the very same principle. It’s no good keeping things always for a special occassion… Wonderful posting.
take care, gracia
as my dear friend from srilanka said today…my husband tells me everyday, you are waiting for the cotton to ripen and ripen…and one fine day it will float away and be gone forever, with nothing left…..how fitting for this story….i love your blog…lk ludwig led me here….minnie
That is too true. My mother is guilty of that, hiding her stuff away in boxes and cupboards, never using them but once a year.
Every day should be special occasion day!
Lesley
Corey,
I loved your lastest blog about using your good stuff. My flow blue I thought was only for looking at until the day Britton was getting down my flow blue water pitcher and dropped it into a million pieces. Brent broke a bowl that was on a shelf on the wall, and Eric let a plater fall off the shelf and broke. Know what,,,, it is just our good stuff collecting dust ,,,before I was sick I would have came unglued, now I am happy I got to use it.
Thanks for entertaining me everyday on your blog, and Maureen, what nice things she has written. I am just greatful to wake up everymorning. I went to the neruologist yesterday, he said what ever I am doing keep doing it, he will see my in six months. Britton is typing this and needs to go make a pie.
Love,
shelley
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