Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Blogging Girl and the Brocante

Red French toile

Photograpy and text by: Corey Amaro

 

Guess where I have been?

I'll give you three guesses and the first two you can make up something silly, like you were swimming behind a row boat, or you went to BBQ restaurant and ate spare ribs.

I assume you know that if I didn't blog this morning, and waited until the evening it must have been for a very good reason.

How many people could say they blogged everyday no matter what? No matter if they had pink eye, or a loved one was saying goodbye, or fifty people were coming for dinner, or they were in a foreign country, or a cat peed in their house and it stunk so bad they could puke?

I assume not so many people are as driven by a dare, nor as dinging as I am about blogging… and that is a good thing. A really good thing. You might say, and say so correctly that I am obsessive about blogging everyday.

And why?

Because I like you. It is as simple as that, and a little bit because I like to talk.

 

 

French toile collage

A rare 1800s French cranberry and cream toile fragment. A scene at sea: woman rowing the boat in full going-meetin-clothes, men talking calmly amongst a rough sea, while under a glorious canopy angels hold a banner while women swim at sea begging for a break.

Where have I been… at the brocante. Honestly, wishing I could take everything home, and become Santa Claus.

What do you want for Christmas?

Comments

40 responses to “Blogging Girl and the Brocante”

  1. Jeanne

    Love and hugs
    Love you too.
    Love and kisses
    Jeanne

    Reply
  2. carol

    In addition to my two front teeth, peace throughout the world, people embracing others and placing their faults aside and that french fragment. Have a wonderful day Corey.

    Reply
  3. Michelle

    Just wanted to say hi and what a lovely blog you have 🙂 I’ve just returned from a weekend in Paris and had a fabulous time – especially at the market on Sunday.

    Reply
  4. Gina

    What do I want for Christmas, a daily blog from you, that is what I want.

    Reply
  5. Julie Loeschke

    I read you every day because I like you,too! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Kathie B.

    If these images were in blue and white, they could be like those on Portuguese azulejos (blue and white tiles). Or the “willow ware” heavy china my mother had when I was little (which I found ways to break, despite their alleged sturdiness, so she switched to MelMac!).

    Reply
  7. Jenny N

    Yeah, you are awesome like that. I actually now think some Cranberries and cream would be a quite nice unexpected dessert for the holiday season….thanks for the inspiration…always!

    Reply
  8. Merisi, Vienna

    I am rarely up for air these days (sooo much to study, the pace is outright frenetic, can’t wait for Christmas break), but I always look for you. I was getting a little worried today, I admit, and am so glad you were out there, brocanting! Makes me smile.
    Big hug,
    M.

    Reply
  9. marlis

    I read this blog because you have become real, and when real I need to know what’s going on in your life.. you know I like you right back!!!
    for Christmas, i want my youngest son home, but that won’t happen, maybe next year, maybe the year after that. Can I wish for a big dose of happiness for everyone?

    Reply
  10. kelleyn

    I would love a new lens for my camera.

    Reply
  11. Krista @ Blue Eyed Yonder

    I recently stumbled upon your blog. What a treasure! I enjoy seeing your everyday stories and brocante finds. My husband and I just returned from an anniversary trip in France and can’t wait to get back. We didn’t have any time to plunder on this trip, but we plan to go back and explore some more.
    You made me smile with your “going-meetin” comment. Those living in the southeastern US (DEEP in the South) have called our “fancy” clothes “Sunday-go-to-meetin” clothes for many years. Such a funny saying. Glad to see others use that expression as well.

    Reply
  12. Leslie

    The world has become so much smaller since computers..internet..cell phones…without those things just where would we all be…so many people we would have never met…bloggers…brocanters…enough said…for Christmas I wish for…..how about you Corey..what do you wish for?

    Reply
  13. Liz

    No more things…I just want time with family and friends over good food and drink.

    Reply
  14. Amy

    What do I want for Christmas – instead of giftd, I’d like people to donate to Heifer International in my name.
    To most people, a pond of ducks is nothing, but to people in other countries, a few ducks is a way for them to survive.

    Reply
  15. Debra P.

    I admit to being a wee worried this am as I brought my morning jo to greet you in cyber space. Glad you were out having fun . . . can’t wait to see what you got!
    As for blogging each and every day . . .I’m always amazed you never skip a day! Your posts lift my spirits, make me think, your writing is superb . . . absorbing your words makes me feel like I get to chat with a very special friend each and every morning . . .same time, same place.
    As far as Christmas, I really don’t want anything. I could say world peace . . .but, I’ll tell you what I really want. . . to come to France and go to the brocante with you!!! i know that really surprised you!! haha

    Reply
  16. Jo

    The most luxurious gift I could receive for Christmas would be enormous amounts of time with family and friends, and — should I have been a very, very good girl this year — a square of that amazing toile featured in your photos today. What a perfectly tongue-in-cheek scene! It would be fascinating to learn the story behind that particular print.

    Reply
  17. Stacy antonelle

    I want some really beautiful watercolor paper and a new soft covered leather journal… Ta sigh, I love Christmas!

    Reply
  18. Susan

    I wish for you to continue your daily blog and always have the brocante bug.

    Reply
  19. Laura

    Oh! As you said you’ve never missed a blog entry, I was getting worried! Glad you were out brocant-ing!

    Reply
  20. Jenna

    I don’t want a single thing that money could buy! I am happy. The fabric is gorgeous.

    Reply
  21. Bramble

    Peace on earth would be a very good place to start.

    Reply
  22. joanne nixon

    gorgeous fabric ! have a great day. i hope you celebrate thanksgiving even if it is an american holiday…you can have the best of both worlds…i enjoy reading your blog…everyday…thank you for sharing your wit and your life with us…..

    Reply
  23. LibbyWNZ

    What a fascinating story must behind the print on the Toile!! For Christmas our youngest daughter is coming home to New Zealand for 2 1/2 weeks – she married an American and lives in Oregon. We are all soooooo looking forward to being together but will still be missing one of our sons who also lives overseas. Christmas is such a wonderful time – I love it.

    Reply
  24. Marilyn Miller

    I had a beautiful gold toile silk dress many years ago. I would love to fit into a dress like that again and have that same dress. Of course I knew where you were.

    Reply
  25. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Whew….relieved to hear you were just out and about at the brocante and not sick! I read your blog each morning; can’t start the day without YOU 🙂 I know…you hear that from FR Husband everyday, as well…lol!!

    Reply
  26. Irina

    Oh, Corey, I probably can be on the top of the list of people who have the longest wish list in the world!
    and because my interests are so wide from sewing, knitting, embroidery, decorating, reading, treasure hunting and so on, so is my wish list. at the VERY moment on the top of my wish list is Rowan knitting magazine 48 with its so very beautiful Fair Isle projects that I can knit.

    Reply
  27. meppybn

    We like you too, Corey, – was afraid you were laid low with a nasty migraine. For Christmas I want a healthy husband and for my daughter to have her wish to be enciente.

    Reply
  28. heurebleu

    Lately I have been asking myself,’why blog’? Why do others do it? Why would I do it. And I have come up with a few answers, simply because I am looking for a reason to do it myself. My innate painfully shy streak makes me hesitant to reveal anything about myself. Yet when I do I get positive response. I invite and welcome anyone who can give me advice about why to do this blogging…and how and anything else that motivates you…it is fascinating to me and incredibly creative and brave…just wondering how to post my contact e-mail without being too obvious or vulnerable…can’t think of the way I want to describe that caution one must take to go viral….Corey you can surely advise me on this and I apologize if I seem naive. Cheers and blessings, HR
    My intention to blog is to share my experience and perspective without being preachy or arrogant.Obviously my self esteem is revealing itself here not to take away from this wonderful example of prose, poetry, & fact, perfectly mixed with fiction to the point where one questions the difference. Any advice is welcome…just ask Corey for my e-mail I guess. Humbly HR

    Reply
  29. jend’isère

    Blogging through the cranberry bogs with such fervor and might, how can we not like you?

    Reply
  30. Kiki

    …. for Christmas?! I am a wishless happy woman, so just some more or less regular blogging from you my lovely friend, would be just more than fine!!!!
    I could never start a blog because I am even always too late to read the ones I am subscribed to! But you have – together with a food blogger – my two top places!!!! I wish YOU an extra hour each day because you give us so much joy! So that you can use that extra hour for your loving family and friends!!!! I am quite happy with my lot!

    Reply
  31. Rhonda P.

    I want a shabby chippy chandelier for Christmas, for my studio. Fingers crossed.
    Sounds like you saw a lot of good finds at the brocante. You are so sweet to say you’d give your finds as presents and not keep them for yourself.

    Reply
  32. Mary Blanchard

    Thank you so much for your blog…I visit everyday even though I usually don’t have anything to say….
    I get to experience life in France even though I can’t be there….for this I thank you….you have a wonderful family…you are a beautiful person and the world would be a better place if we had more people like you…I hope you get your wish for Cristmas
    What do I wish for Christmas?
    …Love,Happiness & Laughter with my family
    Wishing you and everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
    Love to all
    Mary :o)

    Reply
  33. Lorelei

    For Christmas I would like to have a Santos so that I could tie ribbons to it’s waist and pin charms on the ribbons when I say my prayers. Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward men.

    Reply
  34. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    I wish for all to be enlightened with wisdom, to be kind to one another,
    and for the ones who cannot be enlightened, I wish for them an island of their own…
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  35. M

    ok, so it’s not Washington crossing the d
    Delaware, but it is lovely……
    m

    Reply
  36. Alison Murray Whittington

    I want my son’s first Christmas to be wonderful, even if he won’t remember it.
    And I want the Rosetta Stone for Spanish, because it’s been almost 20 years since I learned my second language. It’s time to learn a new one.

    Reply
  37. Brenda

    I want a traditional Christmas with a zany flare! haha…love your post this am, the toile just sends me. On Christmas day I’d like my entire family over without a need for anyone to rush off in a hurry! I want to see genuine sighs of delight when they open my just right gifts to them. I want to have picked out the best and most meaningful and practical gifts for everyone to cherish for a lifetime! I want laughter and love that lasts all year! God Bless you, Corey!

    Reply
  38. yarnthyme

    what do I want for Christmas? for my son’s ex to become a human being again, and agree that our grandchild, a beautiful blond blue eyed three year old boy, can come to stay and see his daddy.
    °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
    Hi Yarnthyme;
    Thinking of you, hoping forgiveness/healing comes bringing peace to all concern. xx

    Reply
  39. Sherry

    Corey, What do I want for Christmas? For you to be my Santa! You find the most glorious things at the Brocante! I love this toile! What a story it must tell… Happy weekend!
    Sherry

    Reply
  40. M

    Friends and olives : the right ingredients for a perfect day !
    I love this post !
    And your pictures make it even more special !!!
    Thank you !

    Reply

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