Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Collected Thoughts

Porcelain_faces_skates

Things we collect.  The smallest things.  Bits and pieces, from here and there.

Locket_and_gun

Things we collect that we attach meaning to, find pretty,  or odd, that seem to say something to us.

Lockets

Like people, places,  ideas,  words….

Chain_pin

That stick to us, hold on to us… sometimes rewarding us with wonderful memories, and yet other times causing us to feel feelings that confuse us,  allowing us to search for the reason.

communion bracelt

Small gestures speak volumes. 

Words that can lift up or pin us down.

Silver_red_shoe

What small word or gesture speaks to you? 

Img_1906

I love watching my little nieces and nephews play.  I love seeing their small movements.

Img_1919

I love being with my Aunts and watching their love pour freely.

Img_1925

I love the details of a party planned with care and attention.

Img_2001

Gentleness and humor

song and dance

life and living

the beauty and the beast

the stirrings of the heart

and the unknown reasons

that make our souls sing.

photos: Bits and pieces of vintage collections, and photos of my family too. The angels are my Godmother’s paintings.

Comments

50 responses to “Collected Thoughts”

  1. marita

    oh dear corey, there are so many small objects that come along with such great thoughts… to me thousands of images of days gone by in happyness, cherishing them like unmeasurable treasures to my heart!
    your objects are so lovely and i’m sure carrying your very own images and thoughts.
    are you not coming to eb’s ball?? awaiting you there!!

    Reply
  2. Jeanne

    How lovely is all that you share.
    I love those angels and rosaries.
    I love you

    Reply
  3. Marie-Noëlle

    various gestures among which:
    _ a child playing with an old person
    _ fingers delicately embroidering some stiff and raw fabrics
    – a 17-year old boy (whom I know quite well)kissing his mother goodbye and adding “have nice dreams” as if he were still 3 or 5.
    words
    young and old
    delicate and raw
    difference and tolerance
    simple words that we use daily such as:
    bonjour, bonsoir (good morning, good night)
    s’il te plaît, merci (please, thank you)
    this post of yours is beautiful!

    Reply
  4. Daisy Cottage

    Just beautiful – every photo, every thought, every word.
    xo,
    Kim

    Reply
  5. Beverly

    What lovely collectoins, Corey, and amazingly worded truths to go with them.
    My favorite memory that I’m collecting now…conversations with my three year old nephew. His take on the world is so cute! And I know that he’ll grow up way too fast!

    Reply
  6. Darla

    Tiny little objects, bit memories. I have a charm bracelet started over 50 years ago, long filled with such things.
    Darla

    Reply
  7. Mélanie

    Can I borrow you one of your pin for the bloglandia party ? ..Finally I decided to go there …

    Reply
  8. tut-tut

    Small things do speak to us; I wear my French communion medal around my neck every day!

    Reply
  9. carole

    Bonjour Corey:
    You lift us up.
    Such delightful photographs.
    Your Godmother painted those Angels? I am in love with them. They take me back in time to Botticelli. Your Aunt pouring from the green glass pitcher is awesome. I love your love of family!!!
    Charmed
    carole

    Reply
  10. Mary

    Corey thanks so much for your note – oh yes treasure hunting with you in the South would be awesome – I would need to hire a ship to get it all back across the pond, LOL!!
    Your eye sees such wonders of this world – even these, the tiny jewels we sometimes take for granted. Again, thanks for sharing the beauty in your life and making us grateful for ours.
    Tiny things, family things – lovely.

    Reply
  11. Cre8Tiva

    love anything in miniature…what fun things you have…blessings, rebecca

    Reply
  12. rochambeau

    It’s actually the small things that mean the most.
    Thinking of you.

    Reply
  13. Betty @ She’s Sew Pretty

    You are so gifted to say with so few words what my heart feels. Thank you Corey! As fpr the angels…oh my…I still envy you your godmother.

    Reply
  14. Valerie

    HI!
    I love the trinkets in this story and was wondering if any of them were for sale? I make bespoke jewellery and am always in need of replenishing my stock! Please let me know!
    Thanks!
    Valerie
    P.S. I read your blog religiously!

    Reply
  15. stephanie

    Such a tender, mindful post…as always, and…thank you for the dance under that French moon!

    Reply
  16. Lynda

    Those angel’s are beautiful! What a wonderful talented godmother you have! Your words as always are an inspiration. ~ hugs, Lynda

    Reply
  17. Dee

    Beautiful thoughts…beautiful collections…beautiful photos.
    Have a blessed day, Corey!

    Reply
  18. Frenchgardenhouse

    I love all the small details, children’s smiles, their pudgy hands, the way my grandmama would pour out tea or hold me….these are the trinkets that I really cherish in my heart.
    Lidy

    Reply
  19. The Fairy Godmother

    Corey will you be dancing with my Fairy Violette at the Bloglandia Ball?

    Reply
  20. susanna

    I so like how you surround yourself every day with beauty and love, Corey. You are living a rich life.

    Reply
  21. tinker

    Many of the smallest things are the most beautiful…your posts touch my heart, Corey. Thank you. xox

    Reply
  22. Merisi’s Vienna

    Corey,
    your treasures and your words are meant to be in a book. Truly beautiful. I have a hard time selecting a few of the things I dearly love: I do love my family, life in general, my friends (my angels, as I call them, I feel so blessed), I love books, music, the arts, the goodness in people, a sense of humor, cooking for and hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for family and expat friends from back home who, wonderful coincidences, now live in Vienna, too (seven or eight now, depending on how you count them). *stop* Thanks for making me hold still a moment and think of all these wonderful blessings.

    Reply
  23. Sally

    I recently found the cookie jar we had on the counter when I was little. My mother had it made in the fifties by a local ceramic artist and it was one of her favorite things. And certainly a favorite of mine, since it held yummy homemade goodness inside of it.
    I cannot tell you how I grinned and cried when I found it in a cupboard at my dad’s house. I brought it home and gave it a bath and put it in my curio cabinet and it gives me a smile and tugs at my heart each day. Miss you mom!
    Oh! Your godmothers angels are so very lovely!

    Reply
  24. Tina (travelingmama)

    You have a wonderful outlook on life. I love how you SEE so much around you!

    Reply
  25. Donna O.

    Your collection of words always touch me!The best thing that touches me is to see the ease of a sincere laugh. The way the head gets thrown back and the nod that follows. Instant connection and I add it to my collection. You are there! In fact, all the Wonderland ladies!

    Reply
  26. Amber

    Beautiful.
    Did you know I collect rosaries? These are lovely. And I make them when I bead, sometimes. I always mean to make you one, but I haven’t beaded in sooo long…
    🙂

    Reply
  27. Amy

    vintage lovlies and the stories they hold…. 🙂

    Reply
  28. Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

    Beautiful Corey. You’re such an amazing writer & photographer. How I do wish I could be more like you! Thank you…….Amanda.
    http://jacarandacottage.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  29. Rosemary

    Corey,
    You write so well. Your pictures say a thousand words. I wish I were as talented as you are.
    Have a wonderful day!
    Rosemary

    Reply
  30. FleurDeCherisier

    oh wow…i adore these little items that make life so beautiful…a wonderful collection…perfect

    Reply
  31. pinar

    I collect moments..
    enjoy to think over and over..
    about my moments..
    they were beutiful the photos as always..
    loves and kisses corey..
    from Istanbul

    Reply
  32. Marlene

    Wonderful post as usual. I was especially drawn to the brilliant red rosary. How beautiful. I have never seen one in such a brilliant color. I forwarded today’s post to my childhood friend in need of prayer at this time. Thanks for your wonderful images and thoughts!

    Reply
  33. Marlene

    Wonderful post as usual. I was especially drawn to the brilliant red rosary. How beautiful. I have never seen one in such a brilliant color. I forwarded today’s post to my childhood friend in need of prayer at this time. Thanks for your wonderful images and thoughts!

    Reply
  34. Pauline

    no small thing that you share these small things with us and so beautifully, words and photos and bits of affection dotted all through. Thanks, TICA

    Reply
  35. maddie

    I collect warm moments as well:)
    also prayer beads – which started with my first
    rosary and now i collect buddhist prayer beads and tasbeeh –
    and buttons – i love buttons – and sheet music –
    and butterfly things:)
    lovely photos – you should write a book!

    Reply
  36. A Fanciful Twist

    Every bit and piece of your family you share creates the most wonderful bundle of souls, all tied toether with angel thresda of gold… It is no wonder that you are so wonderful (what I feel seeping through the screen of course…) Oh, I collect everything, from treasures to thoughts, to colds sometimes… They all jump on my imaginary winged gypsy wagon… xxo

    Reply
  37. Liz Ness

    Love your photos and the post is so lyrical (you are such a great writer/photographer)!

    Reply
  38. nel

    Your Godmother’s angels are beautiful…Nel

    Reply
  39. Leigh

    Beautiful pictures and post!

    Reply
  40. Anastasia

    what lovely thoughts Corey!
    beautiful pictures as always…you made me miss my 3 aunts, they are all overseas in Cyprus…

    Reply
  41. Karin

    I have many tiny things tucked away that represent a memory of time spent with my family or friends. I shall have to get them out again and relive those moments once more.
    Thank you for your beautiful post.

    Reply
  42. Elaine L.

    I collect soil and small bits of nature (stones, leaves, etc.) from the places I have visited. Who knows where these small memories will go when I am gone. Perhaps I shall have them cremated with me when I leave this earthly dimension.
    ~elaine~

    Reply
  43. Gillian @ Indigo Blue

    I love all of your thoughts, collections and musings here. You put a lot of thinking into your life, don’t you?
    xo
    Blue

    Reply
  44. Hasmin

    Love little treasures…Corey, in the first photo, is it also a bracelet, like the fifth one? That red beaded rosary is calling out to me! 🙂

    Reply
  45. Pinkie Denise

    Corey I enjoyed all your lovely pictures and
    the words, they are so beautiful and touching.
    It made my day!

    Reply
  46. Leau

    Oh Corey, I love each and every little thing on this post. You have the touch girl, the touch! (heart) leau

    Reply
  47. cruststation

    You are surrounded by such beautiful things, whether collected or in the people around you. People who enjoys life fully and share every moment with an abundance of love.

    Reply
  48. Sandy

    Hi Corey,
    Oh, how I’ve missed coming by for your beautiful words about simple things. Lovely post and gorgeous photos.
    Have an outstanding weekend.
    Blessings,
    Sandy
    PS Oh how I wish I could speak FRENCH. Didn’t pay attention in High School French like I should have.

    Reply
  49. tlchang

    Pretties! Pretties!
    Attention to the small things makes the largest difference, don’t you think?

    Reply
  50. Marilyn

    Your blog is a wonderful rest for my mind and gives me great joy. Today I was looking at Romantic Homes and saw some of your small and beautiful things. What a joy!
    Thanks so much for sharing your beauty and humor.
    Marilyn
    The Marmalady

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions