Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Blogger Comes to Visit, Quilting Tour and Shaking President Hollande’s Hand

French antique textiles, Fabric

Photograph of French Antique textiles by Corey Amaro

Several months ago Jeanne M. asked me if I would be interested talking to a group of women about living in France, and share my stories about the brocante. Without a moment of doubt I said yes. Jeanne M. organizes groups of twenty to come over to France. Their common interest is that they are quilters. 

I reminded Jeanne M. that I do not quilt, or sew, nor darn, knit, cut fabric or thread a needle.

Though my Grandmother made a quilt for each of her grandchildren, which there are about fifty of us. The quilt my grandmother made me is made of wool coat scraps, she gave it to me when I came to France.

 

French antique grain sacks, linen

 

Also several months ago I gave several one week stays, to several blog readers of mine, to come stay in my home. The first couple arrives tomorrow. Which also happens to be the day that I am to give a talk at a local restaurant to Jeanne M.'s quliting group.

Several months ago I had no idea we would still be working on our apartment renovation in Paris.

French Husband and I come home a few days ago. 

Sacha made sushi.

Chelsea shook hands with President Hollande.

Our friend Thierry is improving steadily.

Annie is well.

My brother Mathew still doesn't dig the brocante.

Four of my cousins celebrate a birthday today: Sacha's Budda Mere Julie, Rhonda, Natalie and Thea… and possibly a few more.

Why am I telling you all this? Blame it on blogging.

 

French antique textiles, red ticking

Actually, I should be cleaning my house, or ironing the sheets, or preparing tomorrow's talk, or setting up the apartment, or telling you about Sushi and about the hand shake…

Instead I am enjoying this moment to write to you about my next adventure.

Do you quilt?

Do you eat Sushi?

Have you ever shook hands with a President of a country before?

 

Comments

46 responses to “Blogger Comes to Visit, Quilting Tour and Shaking President Hollande’s Hand”

  1. Jeannie

    I am drooling over the fabrics, that’s what I am doing! LOL! I have always sewn. I learned from my grandmother when I was very young. I love the tactile quality of fabric. In fact, I am a tactile person – wood, marble, clay, rocks……I just like to pet everything. I am so glad Thierry is well. He has been on my mind. Take care and I look forward to the details of the handshake and sushi. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Bev S.

    Corey, you’ve done this before! Just share about what you look for at the brocante, what inspires you, etc. I’ve tried quilting but it is not my “thing.” It makes me nervous. And no, I’ve never shaken hands with a president.

    Reply
  3. martina

    Don’t like to sew, love sushi. Haven’t shaken the hand of a head of state, but did meet and shake Mickey Rooney’s hand once. Does that count?
    That is wonderful news about Thierry, hope he continues to get better and better.

    Reply
  4. jody

    i do not quilt, but have wanted to in the past. no to sushi, i am a vegan. no to shaking a presidents hand.
    but my next sewing project is gorgeous tea towels for friends, i eat healthy, and i will probably never shake a presidents hand. i wish i was there every day! have lots of fun with everyone you very wonderful lady! thank you for updating us on family and Thierry and Annie.xo jody/fl

    Reply
  5. ann

    Yes I quilt, and hand sew (have done since a child, I NEED to do it) also patchwork, paper crafts and more – anything to keep the housework at bay! I have enough fabric to last through many lifetimes, no idea what to do with it all. I have enjoyed buying it at patchwork and quilting shops, at night I sew while Hubs watches TV, I listen to the programmes.
    Wish I could listen to your talk and meet the Quilters.

    Reply
  6. Suzanna

    it is nice to hear your friend is improving as Love cures & our loving support does wonders for our souls ~ I love quilts yet have not tried it…and could camp out at a brocante ~ LoL….XO

    Reply
  7. Momof5

    Yes, yes and yes (Nelson Mandela )

    Reply
  8. Ana

    I sew dolls from vintage fabrics, so I love to see the fabrics here. I have done some quilting. Do not eat sushi. Never shaken a presidents hand. Wish I could be there for the talk. Would love to come and visit you. One day maybe.

    Reply
  9. carol

    Never had sushi, never shook hands with the President of a country, but I have quilted and I do sew. (although I never finished my quilt!).
    I am so happy that everyone is doing well.
    You iron sheets??? 😛

    Reply
  10. Joan

    I don’t quilt but I make frayed flannel “tummy time” blankets for new babies. I am working on one for grandchild #2 who is due in December. #1 arrived this June and is named Juniper!
    I am thrilled to hear of Thierry’s good progress.
    Joan

    Reply
  11. Ardis

    I am a quilting fool. All types of quilting. I love the fabrics and sewing notions that you sometimes have in your “store. ” Do handwork constantly – embroidery, knitting, needlepoint, appliqué. Love sushi – some of it is vegan – but it is hard to find where I live (southern Oregon.) No hand shaking but lots of celebrity sighting in Southern California where we lived. So good to hear positive comments about your friends. Would love to visit Paris and southern France someday. You make it sounds like a dream world. Keep blogging! love

    Reply
  12. Linda Sullivan

    Your love of life is beautiful.

    Reply
  13. Rhonda

    I sew but do not quilt and when I say I sew it has been a later in life learning experience. I think I have the sewing gift for small projects. I couldn’t make a piece of clothing, that is for sure.
    Happy to hear everyone is well and then some. Cannot wait to scroll down to see the apartment progress.
    I cleaned our home all day Saturday and now I’m so tired and got nothing else done, so I know how you feel. Blogging is truly more important. xo Rhonda

    Reply
  14. Cynthia Rieth

    I have quilted for close to 20 years and love it, my son shook hands with Bill Clinton many years ago and I HATE sushi, lololol!

    Reply
  15. LauraInSeattle

    I do not quilt, but LOVE LOVE LOVE that red/white Toile de Jouy above!!! I want one!
    I cannot believe how busy you are yet you open your door with such joy. You are one inspirational woman!

    Reply
  16. Debra

    No, no, & no, but I do clean the house & iron the sheets. Would love to be at that restaurant as you give your talk . . . Can you take us along? Maybe, tape a little bit, perhaps a webinar? Enjoy, and thanks for the updates!

    Reply
  17. Toni

    Quilt yes! love the fabrics you show! Sushi – sure! Presidential handshake, sadly no.
    Have fun!

    Reply
  18. g

    in short no no and no-but I love quilts and am waiting for my 10 year old niece to (hopefully) make me one…SHE SHOWS REAL PROMISE with the needle and thread-good luck with talk and quests you make it all look so easy THANK YOU for the update on everyone most appreciated. bonne chance corey!

    Reply
  19. Sharon Morrison

    Yes, I am a quilter…no, I do not care for Sushi.
    I have not shook the hand of a President…but I have held my newborn great grandson in my arms and sang a lullaby to him.

    Reply
  20. Patti Lloyd

    oh, how I’m envious of the couple who is arriving to stay with you…will live vicariously through them!

    Reply
  21. Betty K

    President Eisenhower picked me out of a crowd when I was young and said “Hi, little girl.” He did not say hi directly to anyone else. My family wondered why he picked me. I think it was because I was the only one jumping up and down and waving my arms. He did not shake my hand, and I do not quilt or eat sushi.

    Reply
  22. Irina

    Beautiful fabric!
    It is nice to know that Annie is doing good. Please give her a hug for me. Also wishing Thierry a full recovery and many happy days ahead 🙂

    Reply
  23. Diogenes

    Um, why clean the house when you can blog and make people around the world smile?
    I love sushi. And sashimi.
    While I have never shaken the hand of a president, I did get a personal phone call from a former world leader on Sunday. It’s a long, long story…

    Reply
  24. Eve / My Little French Shop

    I crochet and sew (only by hand for now because my machine has not made it over to France yet from our move) and former President Clinton hugged me.
    He and his daughter came to thank us after 9/11 I volunteered from start to finish (about 6 months every day) in NYC to cook and feed the official and unofficial clean up crew that went through the rubble.
    I was so shy I hid in the kitchen, he came in and pulled me out and hugged me to say thanks… some things feel like yesterday – and that is one of them.
    Why am I telling you this? Ha ha … it is just like chatting with a friend here on your cozy blog.
    PS since coming over here 4 years ago to Europe England and now France I have not have had Sushi … I miss it so!
    Much Love,
    Eve
    http://www.082010.com

    Reply
  25. jend’isère

    Never quilted but a patchwork of world leaders have crossed my path. I was too busy focusing my camera on Diana to shake her hand, but perhaps she interpreted that as a curtsy? Love sushi and maki smothered in wasabi and Ginger, but hold the soy sauce.

    Reply
  26. Robin

    Just keep the lights low, no one will notice the dust bunnies – I doubt your guests will be thinking about anything besides enjoying their visit with you. How fortunate for them!. I needlepoint instead of quilt, LOVE sushi and I have been fortunate enough to shake 2 US President’s hands: President Carter and Presdent Clinton. I doubt I would get the chance but I would love to kiss the hand (ring) of Pope Francis.

    Reply
  27. Robin

    We love long, long stories – do tell…

    Reply
  28. Aimee

    I knit, I sew, I cross stitch. If ever I were to quilt I would take all the pieces of fabric I have bought from you and sew them into a story. Standing in the Oval Office I shook hands with President Clinton…but I like Eve’s encounter best of all 🙂

    Reply
  29. Dd

    I wish I was on my way over to the apt.! Can’t wait to see the pics. Impressed Sacha can make sushi. Do tell us more.
    Dd

    Reply
  30. Di

    I do not quilt. My mother, however, made watercolor quilts. They are exquisite. I have her cut pieces now, so I dream.
    Enjoy your company. Do you ever record these talks, Corey? Would love to hear your voice!
    Di

    Reply
  31. Jenny M

    Yes, I love to quilt. I have lots of fabric hidden in cupboards and drawers, then one day my husband opened the doors to my ‘stash’, and made the comment, “so that is where all our superannuation funds have been spent!” And I love sushi. No, I haven’t shaken hands with a president.

    Reply
  32. La Contessa

    SO< are you saying the little FRENCH apartment is done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Or are you going back to finish it off after the guests have departed? I made a quilt once in grammer school with a girlfriend who's Mother sewed.Now, I have forgotten the other questions...........No President in my LIFE but MY MOther has a photo with Ronald Reagan at his RANCH........My Aunt was his neighbor! Enjoy your HOME time then get back on track and show us the APARTMENT PLEASE!Perhaps, your waiting for the GRAND CHANDELIER to be done? All so exciting! XXX

    Reply
  33. Christine

    What an utterly pleasant way to start my day. Such a lovely post!

    Reply
  34. Peggy Braswell

    no to quilting + good news for all your buddies + good luck on your talk + adore sushi + no to a handshake.xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

    Reply
  35. Janet with Eiffel

    I waved at President Eisenhower and he waved back.
    I cut class to go see him, so I was thrilled!
    I eat sushi often as possible.
    I do sew stuff from time to time,
    but don’t really enjoy it.
    About house cleaning……My home is always
    neat and tidy and clean. (dust is not dirty)
    it just happens ????
    However, I do tell visitors, “If you see dust
    or cat hair, it is just part of the decor.”

    Reply
  36. Franca Bollo

    Franca would love to plant one on Barry O.

    Reply
  37. Rosemary

    I make quilts, and have been since the late 70’s. I used to make traditional bed quilts, but now mostly I make art quilts, particularly photo transfer quilts. I have made one for each of my three sisters, with pictures of their families. I made a photo victorian ‘crazy’ quilt in silks and satin with embroidery and embellishments for my parents 50th anniversary. I am not a fan of sushi and sadly I have never had the opportunity to shake the hand of a president.
    Love your blog and I would love to visit the brocantes in France!

    Reply
  38. Franca Bollo

    And, please tell Franca the ironing sheets comment was made tongue in cheek.

    Reply
  39. Christine LeFever

    I had no idea that anyone ironed sheets anymore. Hmm….

    Reply
  40. Gail Marie

    You love antique textiles, so of course you will fit in with the quilters. Can’t wait to hear more about Chelsea’s hand shake and why. Sacha a sushi chef? Incredible!

    Reply
  41. Charlotte

    I saw the Royal Family including Kate in her beautiful dress on her wedding day in front of Westminster Abbey, does that count?!

    Reply
  42. Bette Lee

    Corey – I am late with this – just drove right by your beloved Willows on our way to the Bay Area- yes I love to quilt and have been since the 1970’s when I was a mere child… I have shaken hands with Ronald Reagan, Ted Kennedy and Gary Hart(near Presidents…and shook the hand of Hillary Clinton, who I hope will be our first woman President! Love,love, love your blog – what a grand group of friends you have…we should have a reunion – in France of course…
    Bette Lee in Red Bluff, CA

    Reply
  43. JudyO

    My mother made alphabet quilts for my son and daughter when they were little. I just got them out to give my grandchildren. I love sushi. I have shaken hands with Presidents Nixon, Kennedy, Johnson, Clinton and Obama. Always a thrill. Yesterday you asked about tours. We have taken several Rick Steves tours abroad. We do our own thing for a few days before and after the tour. A perfect combination for us. So glad your friend is doing better. Missed the post with winners of stay at your Paris apartment. Was my name on it? lol😊

    Reply
  44. Brenda, Walker, LA

    those textiles are so wonderful!

    Reply
  45. BONNIE BUCKINGHAM

    Your quilt from your grandmother is made with wool from coats. Is there anything on the backing? You may never get to this to answer but would you show more of the quilt too. I am fascinated by her resourcefulness and I am sure it is beautiful. A dear friend made a woolen scarf from plaids using a yoyo maker. It is gorgeous.

    Reply
  46. Marilyn

    Love sushi!
    Love quilts!
    Have done a little quilting in the past.

    Reply

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