Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

On Top of the Table

Dinnertable

Largeribbontiedintobow Tabletop

Emptysilverspoon Img_4001

Setting the table, placing the silverware alongside the plate, I imagine those who will sit around the table and dine. Hoping their stories will easily unfold like napkins, and that their laughter will be tossed about like a green salad. I smile anticipating secrets that will be swallowed whole and digested later. (A dinner is a mixture of hot and cold, tender morsels, bites to chew, and just the right amount of sweet and spicy.)

Photos: My favorite things to collect: mix and match table-top French antiques. Who came to dinner? Just family…Yann, Chelsea, Sacha and I. Everyday is a reason to bring out the best.

Our dinner table last night. The pregnant space waiting to nourish.

Comments

40 responses to “On Top of the Table”

  1. Jeanne

    Celebrate life each and every day.
    Holiday each and every day!
    Blessings!
    Beautiful treasures my lovely friend.
    Love you
    Jeanne

    Reply
  2. susan

    what a beautiful place to gather for dinner.

    Reply
  3. wishes heros

    Oh! I would love to seat on that table as well 🙂 it is so great!

    Reply
  4. Shannon

    Do you set the table like this everyday?
    I love the look!

    Reply
  5. Britt-Arnhild

    An every day feast for those most important to you.
    I love to make feasts out of everydays, to di it “SPECIAL” when we are “just the family”.
    Now I would love to hear more about the menue 🙂

    Reply
  6. constance

    You’re an inspiration Corey!
    Thanks for the links. Loved ‘um.

    Reply
  7. Gypsy Purple–Chamara

    Today I applaud again…one of your best ever!!!!
    Oh Corey…you`ve painted in my heart with such lovely words….and a great lesson

    Reply
  8. Penny

    Gosh, I wouldn’t even worry about eating — just sitting at a lovely table like that would be enough!

    Reply
  9. AnnieElf

    Celebrating family life each day in such a beautiful way Corey, I aspire to just a touch of this and I would feel I had succeeded

    Reply
  10. Star

    The best occasions are no occasion at all. I’m sure it’s good to be home.
    (And I realize, looking at the picture of Sacha on your sidebar, how much he has grown and is becoming a young man when compared to the pictures from your visit with Annie.)

    Reply
  11. martina

    What a gorgeous table! Mom recently gave me Nana’s sterling flatware which I always loved. I’m using it every day and it makes even Special K with strawberries taste well, special!

    Reply
  12. stephanie s

    yes! i would love to come, but you would have to excuse my weeping with joy, overcome by such a beautiful table… i can just imagine that wood fired pizza and a glass of wine when i finally was finished with all my tears…

    Reply
  13. Merisi

    A beautiful mind sets a beautiful table, I love this.
    I would frame the two photos with the glasses and silver, if they were mine. I can see them with large mats, an open invitation, luring the viewer in, ever closer, inviting him the contemplate the pleasures that await him, sitting at your table.
    *bling*
    Merisi, awaking from a beautiful dream ;-), thanks to you!

    Reply
  14. Christe’

    oh to be a guest at your table,
    Simply lovely, Corey.

    Reply
  15. Colette

    They say that the family that eats together stays together. I believe in family dinners, and I also believe in using our beautiful things in our everyday life. xox

    Reply
  16. Linda

    My table doesn’t even look that nice when I have company. I need to start looking for some different things at brocantes-that is obvious.

    Reply
  17. cruststation

    I wish you got the dining room (it was the luck of the draw), you do table settings so well. Celebrate daily life, everyday is worth bringing out the best China for.

    Reply
  18. Paris Parfait

    A lovely table, Corey! We use our nice things for most meals (dinners, but not lunches). After all, what’s the point of having beautiful things if they’re not used?

    Reply
  19. stephanie

    Must be a special occasion to be home! Always wonderful to travel, especially I am sure to spend time with your lovely family but ALWAYS sweet to return home.
    AND thank you for the link to Davis Studio…I love her work!

    Reply
  20. Di Overton

    I always love to see your table settings. Have you ever thought of being a stylist?

    Reply
  21. tut-tut

    We should endeavor to treat our families as special guests now and again. It reminds us to be grateful for who we are and what we have. Beautiful things you have, Corey! And a beautiful family to match.

    Reply
  22. la vie en rose

    a table like that has a way of making all its diners feel extra special.

    Reply
  23. Amber

    Oh! I LOVE that. How wonderful and true. What a good thing to remember.
    🙂

    Reply
  24. sheila

    Bravo. So many of us save the finery for guests. Who better to enjoy it with than our immediate family. The simplest food then becomes a banquet. AND sometimes it is not what we eat, but with whom we eat that determines the occasion.
    BTW..I love the Appenzell napkins,,yummy..!

    Reply
  25. nel

    You create such vivid pictures in my mind of laughter and stories shared around the intimacy of a family dinner…just lovely.

    Reply
  26. robin

    ok…so when I am coming for dinner? I promise I’ll bring the good wine!!!

    Reply
  27. Kristen Robisnon

    Simply divine, full of charm and a loving invitation to enjoy.
    XO
    Kristen

    Reply
  28. Beachy

    You’ve just helped me turn a new leaf… I don’t need to save “the best” for guests — my beloved family is so deserving!

    Reply
  29. Pauline Clarke

    I love that every day is a day to bring out the best. Just think of the wonderful memories of home you are making for your children!

    Reply
  30. Teresa Sheeley

    What beautiful things you have Corey! I always love to peek at your collectibles. Thanks for sharing.
    Teresa

    Reply
  31. Veronica TM

    i love this post because i too enjoy setting a nice table. it is the ritual and the anticipation of the meal with people you love that makes it so special {the nice missmatched antiques help too}.

    Reply
  32. naturegirl

    A lovely set table with so much charm! Oh yes I agree bring it all out and enjoy all that we have even if it’s just natureboy and I..candlelight too!

    Reply
  33. AJ

    Gorgeous! Absolutely beautiful linen! And you are right Corey. No point in having beautiful tableware if you can’t fully enjoy it!

    Reply
  34. [a}

    elegant!

    Reply
  35. shabbyinthecity

    Corey~I wish you could have heard me when each picture revealed itself…’mmmm’, ‘Mmmm!’
    And lastly…’she’s gonna say the only company is her own family!’ then…’Awwww!’

    Reply
  36. darlene

    Those are beautiful linens!

    Reply
  37. Heather

    I adore a beautifully set dinner table! Corey you have such wonderful taste!!

    Reply
  38. Linda Harre

    Corey……I got my pilots license many years ago after going through a divorce! I needed to do something just for ME! It is wonderful and really pretty safe! There isn’t much traffic up there:)
    I don’t fly anymore, but it did take away my fear of flying commercial! Good Luck!

    Reply
  39. wendy

    Hi Corey, I lOVED this post with its wonderful sentiment and images! I think I’ll share it soon on one of the my blogs, if you don’t mind, its moved something and its just irresistible…
    Blessed Weekend : ) Wendy

    Reply
  40. Anastasia

    so very beautiful Corey…celebrating everyday is a wonderful thing!!
    can I come join you all for dinner?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions