Licking my Lips

French style mirror

 

We arrived in Rennes after a six hour train ride. It usually takes twelve hours by car. As soon as we walked into my Belle-Mere's (mother-in-law in French, which means: Beautiful Mother.) home lunch was ready, she is organized like that.

We had a light lunch on the train, but that did not prevent us from being polite… we sat down to homemade split pea soup, sauteed shrimps with herbs, rice, salad, a cheese course, baguette and baked apples.

When my Belle Mere wasn't looking I filled my cheeks with air, pierced my lips tight, crossed my eyes and kicked French Husband's leg under the table.

Thankfully, I brought elastic waist bands and baggy dresses.

 

Looking in the mirror

 

As you can see my Belle Mere lives in a French antique shop. Not really, but it seems that way. I could easily stuff myself silly with her beautiful things.

 

 

Armoire door

The armoire, oh that armoire, it is a treasure chest. Setting the table is the greatest pleasure, each object has a story. Stories too feed the soul.

I told French Husband and his nephew (who came to dinner last night) that we were going to play a guessing game, whoever knew the stories behind each objects in the armoire would win the object as a prize. They thought I was serious until they looked at my Belle Mere who without even moving a muscle, uttering a word, or wrinkling her nose told them it wasn't so.

Burst my bubble.

I know I would win.

 

Setting

After lunch and before tea French Husband helped his mom with some paperwork.

I eyed the armoire.

I licked my lips.

I felt at home and went searching for Queen – a – men.

 

________

 

If you had to pick one thing from an armoire full of treasures what would you pick?

 



Comments

45 responses to “Licking my Lips”

  1. The mirrors! Oh, those mirrors. Please, Corey, could I have the mirrors?

  2. lace, lace,lace

  3. Something that has been embroidered. When you hold it in your hand you should feel the history of its maker.

  4. The perfect grapefruit spoon.
    jackie
    bliss farm antique

  5. OOoooooh, Belle Mere’s house is GORGEOUS! I’d like the chandelier, please. Thank you!

  6. I’d pick the key with it’s gorgeous chain. I love the last picture, you can almost imagine what it would have looked like when your husband came home from school to study and his mother is laying out a little snack!

  7. Linens, linens, linens!! Love the tall ceiling and the color/texture of the walls in the large room. Hopefully you can take more interior pictures without being too intrusive. Yummy!

  8. I am swooning over the chairs from some reason. The chandlier comes in a *very* close second. Lovely …

  9. Oh I would pick anything with wings! My goodness I can’t even imagine getting to visit or even live in such GORGEOUS surroundings. I think it would make me feel tres elegant. Stuff your sweet cheeks Corey with wild abandon and enjoy!! ~Lili

  10. Oh, I’m selfish. I would want the entire armoire. I know I would love the pieces inside; the lace and needlepoint and I would imagine all the stories they would tell me. I love linens and I love to use them, feel them, enjoy them.

  11. The key!
    (I can hear my kids scream, “You are so not funny, mom!”)
    May you have a blissfully happy time at your beautiful mother’s home!
    Biiiiig hug,
    M.
    (Finals all the way to the end of the month, but this morning, for the first time in months, I felt as if it might be manageable – let’s see! Back to work!)

  12. *giggles*
    My eyes fell on Jenny’s comment.
    Oh well, the key’s gone then.
    (Still, girl, you put me in a good mood – people around me appreciate that, merci, bellissima!)

  13. Brenda L from TN

    Belle Mere’s home is BEAUTIFUL!!!!
    I would love to have the mirrors,the furniture,the pictures on the walls, the chandelier, the armoire…and EVERYTHING in it!!!…especially the handmade lace and needlepoint…FH was a lucky little boy to live in such a wonderful and beautiful home…

  14. A little silver cup. I have two of Grandma’s handmade lace tablecloths and like Ellen said, I do feel the history of their maker when I hold them.

  15. The treasure I would pick is your way with words and photographs. (I believe that only counts as one, so it will be!)
    Allison
    Atticmag

  16. Stephanie M

    The linens especially the smaller table cloths to use over another larger table cloth for a layered look and then I would find and love the smaller silver serving pieces. I would find a way to use them for something other than what they are intended and have the most beautiful time of my life. If I had the time I would look at absolutely everything in the armoire and touch and feel between my fingers and wonder where the items came from and how often they have been used and what types of table settings there have been through the years and then put it all back for the next time.

  17. Mariana Branco

    everything 😀

  18. I would choose the baby spoons! Or the key with the tassle…

  19. your FH’s ponytail for my darling Hero Husband…. LOL….
    I’ve got everything I need and everything else I fancy I don’t need but would more gladly hoard…. like the ‘lustre’, one of the many beautiful mirrors, or anything at all…. :))))))
    Lovely post – love your ways with words and also your way of yielding the camera – always a sure smile-on-my-face-putter…. (oh my gosh, I need to learn English!!!!)

  20. annette richmond

    What a great place your mother in law has. It looks like a B&B it’s so pretty. Something that was hand made for the stories it could tell. The way you talk in your blog makes me feel like I am there and we are just havin a conversation.

  21. Old photographs if they were in there and the linens if they weren’t. Would love to see a photo of the inside!

  22. Linens!! and any toile print dishes, or fabric.

  23. Fabulous beyond I adore the armoir also!!!
    Corey, If you bring me a mini Eiffel Tower I will pay you for it!! Starting a collection!!
    Also, I have a Great New Giveaway from Blydesign! Come and enter!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  24. Washed-to-the-point-of-buttery-softness antique French linens embroidered with an “A.”
    Those, and the Fire King Jadeite Ball Pitcher being sold on ebay for $3250.00. (yes, that’s the correct number of zeroes)

  25. Linens! There’s nothing prettier to dress a table. Oh, except maybe silver. Yes, silver. Oh, and crystal, definitely, for some shimmer. Oh, all right, I’ll take a little of each. Isn’t this a buffet?

  26. Assuming Belle Mère is a nice lady, I’d pick HER over any “stuff”!

  27. I think I can’t choose, so I would take the entire armoire and its beautiful contents. hehe.
    Such a dreamy world you live in, Corey. The peeks of your MIL’s home took my breath away. I dub thee, Queen of the beautiful life.
    xo Isa

  28. Oh! This one is easy! I purchased a lovely marriage armoire. The most expensive piece of furniture I have ever owned, unless a car is considered furniture!
    The lock did not work correctly and before I could have it repaired, my beautiful former stray cat, Frannie, had taken up residence in the armoire!
    She is such a timid soul, and the other cats frighten her so! I let her stay, of course. We call the armoire “Narnia” and we make up stories about Frannie’s adventures!
    I placed two silver bowls for food and water on the bottom shelf, next to her feather pillow. She comes out occasionally to rest on the windowsill nearest to the armoire.
    The upper shelves are filled with lovely fabric, waiting to be transformed into curtains and bedding, but Frannie, by far, is the greatest treasure the armoire holds!

  29. What to choose, what to choose, what to choose! I would choose to just stand there in total bliss, drinking in the beauty of it all. I would lovingly fantasize of the celebrations that the contents made special and if I were really quiet a bit of laughter still floating on the wind would creep into my ear.
    Last Saturday my husband and I went to Gatherings in Willows to drop off a goody from me to you!

  30. Your mother-in-law has some beautiful things. I love, love, love the mirrors. There are so many antiques I admire, I could not narrow my favorites down to one thing.
    Shirley

  31. Monogrammed pillow cases with an “A”

  32. I’ll pass on taking anything from the armoire as long as I can see more photos of this lovely home.

  33. Oh I would choose lace, crocheted lace.

  34. Oh I am sure that this choice is being said so many times still mine would be the one with the longest and most interesting family story behind it. The one with sizzle and taste and so much pizaz (sp)! HISTORY!That would be me!!
    Lorretta with 2 rr’s from nh

  35. Her home looks beautiful–love the colors and warmth.

  36. Hi Corey… As you know I read your posts nightly and can’t get enough. We just started our own blog and would love to get your advice (when you get a moment). Your opinion, your tips, posting advice, timing, getting readers, etc would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you,
    Sara
    Also, John and I haven’t continued with our discussion on coming to Europe this summer but I’ll keep you informed. (by the way, we went to Suzhou and it was our favorite place on our quick but detailed 10 day tour. I hope you get to visit!)

  37. Corey, please, can you show more of your mother-in-law home, PLEASE.
    Her table setting, for sure, is gorgeous too.

  38. Nice ranch! Those mirrors, that chandelier. Gorgeous. And the armoire, ça fait rêver en effet. I think I’d choose an old plate or glass because I love those things that survive despite their fragility. Bon séjour en Bretagne to you & FH.

  39. PS–I really like that kilim, too. It’s very much like the smaller one in my living room.

  40. Judy B. – Texas

    Definitely vintage linen sheets…if those are taken, then antique plates (they don’t have to match).
    Andrea – Frannie is lucky to have you as her Mom…you take very good care of her and to give her the armoire as a safe “home” is totally unselfish.
    Corey, looking forward to your Rennes’ posts.

  41. Nancy from Mass

    What to pick, what to pick…hmmm, I would pick a tablecloth. A white tablecloth. something simple that I could throw on the table any day and make it magical.

  42. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I like Andrea’s story about her armoire becoming Frannie the fraidy-cat’s classy residence (complete with silver dishes!)
    Would la Belle-Mere let you take her photo? I’d like to see what FH’s mother (and father) look like.

  43. the smallest thing. i love the smallest things that tend to get overlooked. and can have incredible stories behind them.
    what a house!

  44. Corey,
    Please give use novices a photograpy lesson. I have a good camera, but my pictures don’t look anything like yours, please give some tips!
    Jacqueline

  45. Right now I am having love affair with light frenchie aqua blues with a palette of creams to vintage browns! The french books arrived from you and fit right into that! Thanks so much! I love antique linens as well…I bet her armoire has a few! Brenda, Louisiana, Kindred Hearts Antiques and Gifts

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