Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Blogging the Key to the World

Friends blogging

 

A constant flow of friends, family and guests have poured through our house since my return from the States. It has been one conversation, activity and meal after another. Most of the time I do not know if I am coming or going: Rarely do I sit still, accept to blog, and then my fingers do the walking.

Since I was a baby, or at least six years old, it has been like this: A house full of people. My parent's home was Grand Central Station due to the fact that both my parents came from large families, and our home was the closet to town…. plus my mom baked up a wonderful storm, and my dad had a barn full of motor-bikes… but mainly because their hearts and arms were open.

 

Tour blogging

 

I love how all the people who have been here at the moment have gone with the flow. They didn't know each other, I barely knew them for that matter, and yet we have been taking it in stride, welcoming each other, saying goodbye to each other and welcoming new comers right and left.

Cindy, Jordan and Jackie (Jackie being the youngest (9) guest) are from Las Vegas, they did a house exchange with local friends of ours. Denise and Vlad are from Canada (They have a home in France too), and Ladelle from Manhattan Beach both who I met through blogging. Newlyweds: Chap and Ashely from Arkansas, Chap's mother Robin reads my blog. Natacha (the daughter of an old friend of mine), who I hadn't seen since she and Sacha painted each other with finger polish when they were four years old, is from Seattle….

Am I missing anyone?

 

French home with an American twist

 

Summer brings a flood of company, family, friends… the long evenings filled with the summer light, the scent of lavender, where Provence is at its best… it has been wonderful experience having our home open to a mix people of different ages, backgrounds, and expectations.

I have been the cook, the forgetful photographer, and the master of musical beds…

I must say I am starting to dream of sleep… But that must wait as their is a wedding to think about, antique dealer friends from Marburger  coming over, and Julie's baby to meet, that makes the idea of sleeping walking sound feasible.

Over all I think I have met nearly a hundred people (in person) since I started blogging in 2005.

 

 

Comments

33 responses to “Blogging the Key to the World”

  1. Mélanie Aussandon

    Blogging is the begining . it was the begining of our friendship . A reader asks you about a seidan chair box I had and whose you took the picture and you introduced me to the world of blogging . I hope to see you soon.
    Bisous

    Reply
  2. Aina

    More than 100 people? Wow, there are very many! I wish I was as fearless as you are, just as open and warm as well. Myself is too suspicious and cautious of me to take courage to meet so many strangers. I’ve met a few, and I was very happy of course. Do you remember that I sent you an e-mail last fall? When we went on holiday to France for the first time, and I needed someone to show me around in Provence? Unfortunately, you went to America, but I experienced a lot of wonderful on our trip anyway. But hopefully we get the opportunity to meet one day in the future. To go Brocante!
    I wish you more fantastic meetings, and a wonderful summer as well.
    Warm greeting, Aina

    Reply
  3. Paulita

    Your generosity is amazing. Thanks for sharing your home and your stories on your blog.

    Reply
  4. Bev

    I think it is wonderful to meet new friends! Life is never boring!

    Reply
  5. Penny

    Such a wonderful time that keeps rolling and rolling along, Corey. Your hospitality, both through the internet and inside your home are something to model, and that I will try to do. Enjoy – then get some rest.

    Reply
  6. Marilyn

    Isn’t it wonderful to meet people through blogging. People we would never met before. I can tell you love it. Worldwide friendships are so special.

    Reply
  7. Rhonda P.

    I, for one can say your blog changed my life. You inspired me to take better photos, start collecting again and that meant antiquing again. Even though some of it is online, I find the most interesting French items now.
    You, Corey, have taught us all so much. You have shown us your France, through your eyes. You make us laugh, you tease us with your finds, we adore you.
    If I ever make it to Provence, I hope to meet you, as well.

    Reply
  8. Brenda L. in TN.

    WOW! You’ve met 100 people since bloging? You are very courageous to let perfect strangers into your home…LOL! BUT since they follow you and LOVE the brocante how can any of them be bad? RIGHT? RIGHT!
    I wish I could come to Provence to meet you as well…

    Reply
  9. Monica

    Corey you need to take some time for yourself!

    Reply
  10. Beachy

    What a fruitful life you live! ENJOY!!! xo

    Reply
  11. Debra

    C, I have read many blogs over the years; yours is the only one that I want to read every single morning. Your gifts are many: writing, photography, passion, love, motherhood, friendship, . . .and, you share them everyday in such a fresh & meaningful way that most days your moral or focus stays with me for many hours. You touch so many through blogging . . .who’d have thunk????

    Reply
  12. Cathy

    I agree with all of the other bloggers, it’s a pleasure to read and see your life and where it’s taking you. I too look forward to meeting you one day in Provence or here in Long Beach. Keep up the good work. Merci!

    Reply
  13. patty g

    Thank you Corey for enriching our lives…those photos of your home are stunning and the black and white mom and babe on your wall so familiar.
    Hope some rest sneaks into your days as well-

    Reply
  14. Kathie B

    Corey and Yann, Farmboy Husband and I are happy to have been two of the hundred or so from your blogging community to have come to Provence and met you, and we hope to be able to return someday when we have more time to explore the region.
    By sheer coincidence, Wednesday evening Farmboy Husband was watching the classic 1971 movie “The French Connection” on TV (first time either of us had seen it in decades) — when, totally out of character for him, he suddenly hollered to me to come into the room right away, because he recognized that some of the early seaside scenes in France were filmed in the lovely town of Cassis on the Mediterranean — which we never would’ve known had Corey not taken us there this May. What a small world!

    Reply
  15. Stubblejumpin’ Gal (Kate)

    Your blog has made me feel like I know you well. I think,”If I ever go to France, it wouldn’t be right unless I visited Corey!”

    Reply
  16. Robin Williams

    Friends and family are the heart of the home. My son and his wife loved you, your friends and family and want to stay connected. They will be in touch when they return from their honeymoon, but suffice it to say, they will see you again….but not too soon. Again, thanks for your hospitality, and if you ever come to Arkansas, our door is open. Andy and I will show you where to hunt for “antiques” here in the Delta. Best regards, R

    Reply
  17. Vickie

    can I just say WOW ?!

    Reply
  18. Franca Bollo

    I am the Al Gore to your Bill Clinton. I read once that whereas Bill Clinton was invigorated by people Al Gore was depleted by them. I shouldn’t be surprised as Al and I were born on the same day. Just reading about your activity mentally exhausts. Give me a quite room and my navel and I am content.

    Reply
  19. Franca Bollo

    “Quiet” room, though quite a room might work, too.
    And, lest I sound like a misanthrope, I am only marveling at the differences. And, viva that!

    Reply
  20. Jacqueline

    You are so lucky to have so many people who love you! You lead such an exciting friends and family filled life. Like one of my professors in college, my French professor at that, said “You can sleep when you are dead” He always said that everytime I went to Europe with him. He didn’t want us to miss anything, we just drank another cup of coffee and pressed on, we didn’t miss a thing. I always talk about you to my friends like you are my friend, I tell them the many things you do and talk about in your blog. I hope someday when I go back to France to stop by and visit you too!

    Reply
  21. Jill Flory

    It’s so cool the way your home is open to everyone! Someday I hope to come see you and have you give me the tour of France!! And definitely the Brocante. And have you tell me how to pronounce brocante!!!!!

    Reply
  22. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Intended to make it over in May, but alas the funds got used for a new back patio cover, which is good because it really helps keep the house cooler in the summer. More practical use of funds than a trip to France and buying at the brocante ;-( Will plan again for May or Sept. 2012 😉

    Reply
  23. Tracey

    I like reading your posts and seeing the sort of life you live. It sounds very full and a little chaotic but in the lovely kind of way.
    I must admit it’s not the kind of thing I’d enjoy. Small doses of would be fun but not for the every day. All those people…
    My husband and I are homebody hermits, every second of the day seems precious and we are greedy with our time with each other and our various activities. We hardly ever have people over, like EVER. 🙂
    But it suits us, and it’s cool to live vicariously through other people’s lifestyles via the blogging world.
    Thanks for sharing. 😀

    Reply
  24. Jenny N

    Tho’ I certainly haven’t had the privilege of seeing you at your Provence home or meeting your dear FH, I can say I am so blessed to have met you in person. Happy to say that in person you are everything joyous, warm and loving that you seem on your blog and more. I am such a homebody that all of your doings and people coming and going are a marvel to me and make me feel so lazy…but I do see that the Lord heartily blessed you and your family with the gift of hopitality and it certainly shines. I do dearly hope one day to visit you in your beautiful Provence.

    Reply
  25. Emily McGriff

    Oh Corey, You have a huge heart and sweet, sweet nature. I know your tired but you’ve touched so many people with what you do. You made their trips to France so special they will sing your praises to their dying day. Wow, look at all the people you get to know. I’ve traveled to your region of France and early in my blog I contacted you and you were so inspiring and supportive as I started on my blog journey. I’m sure you don’t remember but I do. You are a sweet giving person and I love you and follow you and your adventures faithfully. Wish I were coming to South of France I would invite you to lunch…….Take care and hope you get rested up soon.
    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    Reply
  26. Jane Ann

    Truly amazing that you have met and been a hostess to so many! I think a measure of a person’s character is shown by how they treat others. It is no wonder that people are drawn to you and your family. You started the blog and the adventure, but obviously your dear FH was game for it. The only person you missed was me! I wish I could have been in Provence to meet you. Maybe some day, sigh. I agree with so many; I so look forward to your daily blog. I feel like it is an update from an old friend. May the Lord bless you and keep you well amidst this busy season.

    Reply
  27. Rochambeau

    Yes to all you say and if not for meeting you through Ulla, I would not have a blog~~

    Reply
  28. lila rostenberg

    Your blog and your open arms and heart are so uplifting! You write about just the kind of joy we need in our lives! Thank-you, Corey!

    Reply
  29. Michelle

    My friend’s wife just died. You lift my heart in its heaviest hours. Thank you

    Reply
  30. julie

    So sorry,Michele.

    Reply
  31. Marie-Noëlle

    Alike many of your readers, I could describe you with such words as authentic, sincere, humble, generous, witty,… etc … because you have brought a lot to many of us.
    I think your motto is “HOME AND HEART” (and the magical word “brocante” comes way way AFTER those 2)!
    You ‘re making the blog planet revolve differently !

    Reply
  32. Brenda, Walker, LA, USA

    In agreement with Marie-Noele, I think Corey has redefined blogging, of which I am new at and I totally lack the amount of traffic to my site!
    I am so sorry, Michelle, for your loss!
    Sleep will come, Corey, and you will have wonderful dreams left over from the visits of all that admire and trust you! You are very special!

    Reply
  33. Gracie

    I really envy your family. I can’t really complain about my life, I have my share of dear friends but I’d like to have room for all of them and free time from work to gather all together as you do.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

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

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions