Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Morning Rituals

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Photographs and text by: Corey Amaro

 

Church bells ringing.

Drinking a glass of water.

The aroma of freshly baked baguettes.

Cafe au lait bowls that are set out the night before ready for breakfast.

The kettle whistling.

 

 

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White towels and a steamed up bathroom mirror.

Van Clef perfume on my wrists.

Fluffed up pillows, making the bed.

A kiss on each cheek to those at home.

 

 

Looking out the window judging the weather.

Wrapping a scarf around my neck.

The neighbor's cat daily stroll through our courtyard.

My bare feet touching the cold tiled floor.

Turning on the computer thinking about a blog post.

The hum of the washing machine.

 

 

What are some of your morning rituals?

 

 

Comments

39 responses to “Morning Rituals”

  1. Paula

    My morning ritual Corey is a cup of fresh coffee and logging onto my computer to read your wonderful blog and find out what tales you have to tell for the day. I am looking forward to another year of your amazing blog. xx

    Reply
  2. Jenna

    Drinking tea while petting my cat and reading the news. Morning rituals are comforting, aren’t they?

    Reply
  3. Gina

    4:00 a.m. coffee in bed. Talking about the day and the day before and anything else that comes into our heads.
    Dogs have been outside, keeping fingers crossed that they come right back and not chase a deer or a fox.
    Husband goes swimming at the college pool, I check the computer to see what’s new; looking forward to what my amazing blogging friends have posted.
    Then sit in my corner studio and paint for a little while.
    Love your morning rituals, Corey. Especially the perfume on your wrist, the kiss on each cheek and the fluffed up pillows. That is why your blog is one of my most favorite.
    Wish we had church bells ringing in our little town.

    Reply
  4. Jackie

    Check emails on my laptop-in bed, fluffed pillows propping me up, 2 dogs (one curled in my lap and the other snuggled at my side,) while sipping my coffee “americana” (extra extra light, no sugar and usually hazelnut flavored.) From email I move on to Tongue in Cheek, checking out what’s new (or old:) in the South of France or in Willows, Ca. Some days, you’ve not posted yet, but I wait…and by the end of the “Today” show, you’ve posted. Then I check my own blog-which means work…and I get to it, starting my day.
    In a nutshell, I spend every morning with a with a good friend I’ve never met. So 21st century!
    jackie
    bliss farm antiques

    Reply
  5. Jeanne

    We always get up very early. I thank God for another brand new day with brand new beginnings and all of our blessings.
    My husband has made the coffee and then on to get my latte at Starbucks.
    Fabulous ways to start our days.
    How truly blessed we are indeed.
    The Moment I wake up before I put on my makeup
    I say a little prayer for you…………….
    Dionne Warwick Song
    Love you♪♪

    Reply
  6. Patricia~Louise

    I wake up at six am.Do morning prostrations. Feed the cats and dog. Meditation practice at 7. Breakfast consisting of fruit, occassionally bread and a or a crepe. Tea.
    Straighten the house
    Settle down to write.

    Reply
  7. Julie Loeschke

    Up at 5:30. Take my little dogs outdoors,and if the sky is clear,I look at the stars. In the winter I see if I can find the “Seven Sisters”. But to find them,I first have to find my old friend,Orion. Then back to the house for a sip of coffee,and then to my Rosary. Sweet start to the day.

    Reply
  8. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    I swear our cocker spaniel knows how to tell time! She’s up at 5:30am (sleeps on our bed, of course) and just stares at us until we get up. Mr. CCC pulls on his clothes to take her out for her walk while I snooze till they return. Then up to let the kittens out of the utility room; clean out their litter boxes (lovely aroma each morning…that’ll wake you up!). A morning hug from Mr. CCC. Finally, my first cup of coffee while I log onto my laptop to check emails and read YOUR blog. Daily rituals are the basics of life!

    Reply
  9. jeni

    This morning I wake to quiet house, everyone sedate with the full feeling of Christmas day. I turn on the kettle, warm the lait bowls preparing for my cafe au lait. The whistle lets my sleepy husband know I’m up. He is home for the holidays, otherwise he would be gone at 5:30 am. He turned om my computer and began to browse. I brought the coffee over, and asked what was up. He looked up and said “do you want your computer”? I shrugged, “YES, it’s all part my morning ritual”. The first thing while sipping my coffee, I look to see whats up with Tongue and Cheek. So he scooted over and I clicked open your post, and the title ‘Morning Rituals’. We both smiled. Thanks for bringing a smile each and every day!
    We wish you all the best in the new year.

    Reply
  10. Chris Wittmann

    Up at 7 because I know our stray feral barn cats (Linoleum and Rustoleum) will be coming out of the upstairs barn loft for a meal, waiting in the freezing cold under our car…..then I feed our house kitties, then I put the coffee on while hubby is still upstairs in the warm bed under the feather comforter. I put on the radio for the weather (no snow yet, but it’s coming tonight), load the woodstove, and settle in my comfy chair with one of the best books my husband could’ve bought me for Christmas…the photographic History of the Battle of the Bulge (which my dad was at).

    Reply
  11. ellen cassilly

    Snug in bed with my sweetie, shower and meditate together, oatmeal on the stove, chop apples, walnuts and dates for the oatmeal, enjoy the trees. A lovely morning.

    Reply
  12. yvonne

    Corey, You wrote so beautifully that I felt I was there. I do teh same here.
    Wishing you a great New Year.
    yvonne

    Reply
  13. Marie-Noëlle

    My bowl of black coffee first.
    Then I feed the animals.
    THEN anything can happen, I don’t mind !!!

    Reply
  14. Joanie

    Up early, first thoughts of thankfulness for a new day, prayer for family and friends. Put on coffee and dress warmly for the walk to the barn to feed the horses and barn cat and clean stallss. Back in the house, coffee done, log onto computer, throw a load of laundry in the washer. Shower, dress for work, coffee mug in hand…out the door by 7:15. Praise for the morning during my commute, prayers for the day ahead. And so it begins, another day, routine and anticipation of what lies ahead.

    Reply
  15. cynthia wolff

    A tiny prayer for the miracle of a new day.
    stroke cats as i get up.
    weigh in…
    Cappicino machine switched on.
    cats fed
    steaming mug…morning paper.

    Reply
  16. Rhonda P.

    Wake up, hit the floor, the man is always up before me. Grab robe, it is finally cool here in the desert. Slip on slippers, let my 4 pound Sophie out of my studio, she sleeps in there, walk downstairs and make strong coffee. Eyes barely open, say good morning to my sweeties. Grab coffee cup and turn on laptop to check your blog and emails.
    Every single morning.

    Reply
  17. Kathie B.

    Before I get out of bed I listen for a while to National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” just to make sure the world is still there. I also need my first cup of tea (strong, with sweetener and milk), desperately! First think I check on my computer is email (sorry, Corey!), because there are almost always some that have arrived overnight from the West Coast (after I went to bed) and the Azores (before I got up), owing to the differences in time zones. Then I work some puzzles online to clear the cobwebs out of my brain, so I can start translating — Ken-Ken are my favorites:
    http://www.nytimes.com/ref/crosswords/kenken.html
    http://www.kenken.com/playnow.html (the 9×9’s a real brain-buster!)

    Reply
  18. Kathie B.

    Should read, “First thing…” More caffeine, s’il vous plait!

    Reply
  19. Candace

    My cat wakes me each morning. I feed him first, make coffee. Then I write in my journal in my studio. Love that. I love the quiet in the room. And then I go to your blog (that is if I can beat my hubby to the computer!!!).

    Reply
  20. suesue

    Shuffle to the back door and let out the dog or dogs depending on whose home. Go fix a cup of coffee with cream and sugar. Go back to let the dog(s) in and give them their treat and medicine. Snuggle down on the couch with the newspaper and computer and read blogs if my connection lets me. If Rach and Georgia are home we change the channel to cartoons when she wakes up and I snuggle with her. We get dressed and play whatever she wants. After all, she the boss when she’s here. Absolutely perfect!

    Reply
  21. Karen@PasGrand-Chose

    Oh dear, reading all these comments makes me realise I have no morning rituals on ordinary working days other than: rush rush rush to get ready for work and make my train on time. How depressing it sounds compared to yours! Now I think my new year’s resolution should be to get up an hour earlier so I can develop some pleasant morning rituals… 🙂

    Reply
  22. Paula S In New Mexico

    Why, reading your blog of course !!

    Reply
  23. Ann

    My morning ritual: get up, shower, dress for work, walk downstairs to kitchen, make tea and set up tray with tea and something sweet. Take tray to living room, then read scripture for about 10-15 min., pray for family, for my day. Then DH joins me for a few minutes, then off to work. If I skip my prayer time because I’m rushed, my day seems to be off somehow.
    During Christmas time, add one step to turn tree lights on in LR. My day is complete if I follow my daily morning ritual.

    Reply
  24. pattyg

    A few minutes of focused relaxed breathing with gratitude. Tea and a hug.

    Reply
  25. Nance

    I live 5 min from a bakery in Atlanta that makes chocolate croissants the same as in France…identical !
    I go early, before 8, so the croissants are still warm…and after the first bite…I feel like I am still in France..and who wouldn’t want to start the day with that joy.

    Reply
  26. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    First thing when feet hit the floor..let 2 dogs, and 3 cats in or out, which ever the need is. Make coffee, let animals in or out, go back to bedroom and put slippers on, go back and get coffee even before it is finished perking, go to my soft leather chair in the living room in front of the big windows, read my devotional for that day, pray for my friends and family, write in my journal, then go into my studio and start reading my favorite blogs.
    It is the same every morning and that is the only thing in my life that is organized!! The rest of the day is fair game to anything that comes up.

    Reply
  27. Marilyn

    Checking emails and to see what Corey has written for us today. Feed the cat, make tea, sit with tea and the newspaper.

    Reply
  28. Delphine Payne

    Up at 6 a.m.
    Let dog out
    Get medication
    Let dog in
    Make green tea
    Shift dog from my chair to her chair in craft room
    Embroider for an hour
    Listen to the silence
    Read Corey’s blog and look at needlework on the internet.
    Breathe happy sigh.

    Reply
  29. Miss Robyn

    thankyou, I needed this.. having a post Christmas blah day.. missing my only son more than ever..
    my morning ritual begins with pampering my body with oils and other lovely things.. then freshly made vegetable juice. xo

    Reply
  30. Jo

    Up early every morning to stretch with the sunrise. Afterward, a shower, then a strong double espresso. Next, I put on my game face and blot my lipstick…then rush out the door to catch the 7:25 bus downtown. Check for emails from the kids (2 in Europe & 2 in the US) on my B-Berry, read my e-news and favorite blogs, then I’m fully charged and ready to meet the day.

    Reply
  31. LaurieSF

    Wash face, brush teeth, pull hair into ponytail. Slip into my running shoes. Kiss husband good-bye and kick start the day with a seven mile run.

    Reply
  32. Amy Arnaz

    Deciding which kitty to feed first? Or should the little doggie eat first? They are all so verbal and anxious in the morning. ~ Amy

    Reply
  33. AmyKortuem

    Merry Christmas, Corey! I hope yours was delightful.
    My morning rituals are rather desperate and rushed: Hitting the snooze button as many times as possible. Slapping lotion on every part of my body I can reach. Spritzing Chanel No.5 on my neck and wrists. Pulling on tights and tall boots and one of my warm sweater dresses. Hitting the auto start on the car to warm it up. Feeding Sam, then feeding Harry, then feeding Belle. Throwing some lunch in my lunch bag. Grabbing my computer and purse and down coat and gloves and mittens. Off to work.
    Glamorous, huh?

    Reply
  34. Merisi, Vienna

    All I can think of in the early dawn is brewing a pot of Early Grey tea, then slowly sipping that first cup, holding it between both hands, enjoying the warmth emanating from it while looking out the window at the treetops and searching the sky for early birds, feeling myself turn slowly human.

    Reply
  35. Susan

    Morning rituals:
    Walk the Dog and praying (I’m a great multi-tasker)
    Coffee
    Checking emails and facebook in case my daughters (or a friend) has emailed. Living in Zurich means that a lot of folks write during the night
    Reading blogs!S

    Reply
  36. Liz

    Make sure pipes aren’t frozen. Hit bathroom. Shovel ash from woodstove. Build Fire. Make coffee. Pull on fleece drawstring pants and corduroy jacket. Let cats out. Stand on porch, breathe in cold mountain air and sip hot coffee. Let cats in. Feed cats. Make bed. Sweep floor. Put on Van Morrison’s “MoonDance”. Sit in cushy chair with second cup of coffee and check email, news, favorite blogs online with TV news or weather channel on, turned down low.

    Reply
  37. Jillayne

    The first thing I do on rising is to look at the lake, to see the colour of the water, whether or not the sun is hining on it; I love to see the mood of it first. Then I go to another room and look at the mountains, for the same reasons. It’s a funny little thing, and the rooms are side by side but the view is different. I’m sure if someone watched me doing it they would think it the oddest thing but it’s my thing, every day.

    Reply
  38. Marie

    That is a nice morning. I don’t really have rituals but I wake up at about 7 am every morning.

    Reply
  39. Anne Teal

    Wow! You described your tea ritual so well! I also love a cup of green tea in the morning at my desk, or at home. It starts my day off right, and gets me going. Sometimes I eat a sweet with the tea.
    I have wanted to start a morning tea or coffee group for people who want to
    meet, and talk in the morning! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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