Blogging Friends Happy in France

   Corey amaro france, french lifestyle

My dear friend, Alice's mother Cheryl is staying with us for three weeks. I met Cheryl when we were in the monastery together in New Mexico. We were in our early twenties. Cheryl was from Australia, we became steadfast friends.

(More about how I met Cheryl and her daughter Alice, click here to follow this link.)

 

 

Arches in France

 

In the last few months I have met so many of you I could fill my blog full of stories, cherished moments and good laughs. Though most the time, I forget to take a photo because I am caught in the moment of excitment, and only afterwards kick myself,

Ding Dong.

Three women out of the blue have come up to me and said,

"Hello Corey!"

All three times I have asked, "Do I know you?" in which they have replied, "No, I know you from reading your blog." Each time that has happened I have thought,

"Thank goodness I thought I was losing it."

Gael is from Australia, I met her in Paris. After she said hello we had a hot chocolate together I invited her to come and stay with us in Provence. I introduced her to Thierry. Long story short I might be a match maker again.

Bells ringing, hearts singing, and a gentleness towards Thierry as he follows his heart.

Natulka I met in Avignon at an antique fair. Natalka is from Canada. While at the fair we spotted Keira Knightley, Keira's husband and mother. Natulka is an international antique dealer, and has a vacation home that she rents out in Uzes (if your interested let me know and I will send you her email.) We shared lunch, stories and hopefully will meet up soon again.

 

Catherine is French but lives in Seattle. When she came up to me she was with her beautiful mother. We talked in English and French. We had similar stories and shared much in the little time we had together.

 

As Chelsea has said in meeting many of you (who have stayed in our apartment in Paris and in Provence) "Mom, your blogger friends are the most genuine kindhearted people in the world."

It is true.

Thank you for your generous friendship throughout these years…

 

 Blogging friends

Rebecca

 

Blogging friendsRebecca

 

I had the enormous pleasure of meeting Rebecca! Those of you who read my blog and comment section know that Rebecca writes often and says things with a twist of humor. I put her in the category with: Diogenes, Franca Bolla and my brother Mat. After meeting her I was certain she would fit in the same happy boat if need be with Diogenes, Franca Bolla and my brother Mat. When Rebecca and her husband came over to our house one of the first thing she said was: "Oh this is like a storybook come alive… there's the fountain, there's the wallpaper, there's the bathroom…" I sill laugh thinking of that.

 

By the way Rebecca is really tall, compared to me.

 

Blogging friends

 

 

We saw Julia and her partner again! I can not have enough of them. Julia makes me laugh out loud! 

Do you remember when we met Julia crabbing on the May river?

 

 

Blogging friends

 

We met Rachel and her husband in Aix. They invited us to dine with them. Rachel is a card maker extraordinaire!!! If ever she starts to sell them I will let you know. Rachel has lovingly sent Annie her hand made cards through out the year. Annie loves them so much.

 

 

Blogging friends

Last year I offered a giveaway on my blog to five readers on my blog to come and stay with us for a week. We meet Teresa and Dave, and guess what they are coming back for two weeks this September! 

Eileen was another winner that day. Eileen came with her two friends, Renate and Susan. We had a lovely time together, the three of them were childhood friends. I enjoyed their company so much so that they promised to come back and stay with us next year.

 

 

Blogging friends

 

 

Carrie I met through blogging when she came to Marseille. Within the same hour she invited me to come stay with her in Ireland. I took her up on that offered and stayed with her for two weeks. This year she came and stayed with us.

We also met Merisi and later Lieselotte in Austria.

I best stop because there are so many of you I have met this year that if I keep going it is going to take hours to read.

 

Blogging friends

I wish I had taken photos of each and everyone of you that I have met through blogging and throughout the years! Please if and when I meet you REMIND me to take a photo of us together.

A rough calculation I have met nearly 300 people who read my blog.

This year alone probably fifty or so already.

 

Have I met you? How did you find my blog?

 

Thank you!

Thank you!

Thank you!



Comments

47 responses to “Blogging Friends Happy in France”

  1. I have not met you, but I have known about you for years. Occasionally I would stop by. Your blog is one of a kind. As one writer/blogger to another, just keep writing.
    Brenda

  2. We have not met but I have been reading about your life in France for about 5 years. It lights up my already wonderful days.
    My husband and I just returned from France and may be returning next year. He is taking some classes in paragliding in the Savoie region where the flying is spectacular.
    I am a jeweler and once bought some Limoges charms from you. I have made molds of them and cast them in silver. The make the most charming additions to some of the pieces I have done like the tiny fly on the branch of a pair of earrings.
    I always look forward to your cheerful upbeat observations of your life and all that happens around.
    Thank you

  3. I first stumbled apron your blog nearly 4 years ago when searching for something French. I’ve since been right through your archives and read all that you have written and drooled over every photograph you’ve taken. I’ve so enjoyed armchair travel through you and your blog and hearing about your life and thoughts. I feel as though I known you and your family for years; it must be quite strange for you to have us all know about you but you knowing very little about some of your readers.
    As you know I am one of the lucky winners of your competition to come and stay with you in Provence. I missed you when I was in Provence 18 months ago but in 9 months time 5 of us are heading to Britain, Italy and France for 8 weeks and will finally meet you for a stay in July.
    I’m so excited to finally see you face to face I can not wait!
    Long may you continue to blog.

  4. I love reading these stories!
    I don’t suppose you will be back in Willows in September? We will be in the SF area for a week.

  5. Shelley Noble

    So heartwarming to know that you have such wonderful readers, Corey. And that Chelsea feels warmly about them after getting to meet. It isn’t silly, this blog world connection, is it. It is as she says genuine.
    I know for myself you’ve been an enrichment and blessing to my life just by being yourself on the blog. I was lucky enough to meet you in the flesh on a trip out this way you made to lecture regarding art and blogging. We went for tea with my husband who also adores you after knowing you.
    I wasn’t quite well then and I’ll always remember you bidding me to heal as we drove away after dropping you back at your hotel. It was so earnest a prayer and so direct that I returned to its memory many times in my imagination.
    And I’m feeling much much better, so thankfully.
    Good thoughts to all.

  6. I met you at the Marburger Farm Antique Show in Texas several years ago. I was already a fan of your blog and enjoyed meeting you and French Husband. My daughter, two sisters and I love to visit Paris and hope to see you there some day, as well.

  7. I did meet you (I’m squealing, can you hear me???!) When I laid eyes on you, the first thing I did was give you a giant American hug and screech “You’re REAL!” We proceeded to have fun-I got to interview you for my blog. It was wonderful. I remember walking through your neighborhood past some older gentlemen playing petanque, you took me shopping (and told me if I spilled the beans on the name of the store you’d have to kill me…I’ve never spilled the beans:) and we went to visit the incomparable artist Pascale Palun. I heard you speak French for the first time with her-you are so modest about your language skills (and FH is totally whacko not to speak to you in French-you are THAT good.) In fact, Pascale said that your French was amazing too. AND-I got kissed by a Frenchman (who also made me lunch.) Please thank you husband for the kiss (I’ve not washed my cheek since that day) He is a darn good cook. I hope to return, and of course the door at 417 Tremont is always open to you!

  8. Rebecca, Franca Bolla and Mat…that’s good company! It’s great to see these pictures of people you’ve met over the years.
    You know you have an open invitation to come visit us in LA. I loved the day we got to spend with you; I think of it every time we go to Kings Road Cafe (the best coffee in CA). By the way, I’ve gone more modern with the look of things…you’ll be surprised, lol. ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Figuratively met Corey while researching accounts of Holy Ghost festas to quote on one of my websites — I emailed her, she graciously gave permission — then later in a talk I was preparing for a conference in Paris. Farmboy Husband and I literally met Corey, Yann and (fleetingly) Chelsea during a weekend jaunt via TGV (bullet train) down to Marseille and back.
    Checking through our Provence photos from that trip just now, I find plenty of Corey with Farmboy Husband or me — but somehow Yann, that sly boots(!), managed to elude our lenses. I can promise you we won’t let THAT happen next time!

  10. I was a lucky winner of three days in the gorgeous Paris apt. and discovered it is even more beautiful than imagined. I first found your blog over 8 years ago while searching for Paris antique markets and shops and your blog was one of the first to pop up in my search. I’ve been reading your blog religiously ever since. I feel as if I “know” your blog followers as well. In May I had the good fortune of meeting you and Yann in Cassis along the beautiful waterfront for dinner. I felt like I needed to pinch myself that I was eating dinner with you both in such an unbelievable beautiful setting. My husband arrived the next evening and we had a wonderful time enjoying your apartment and Paris neighborhood. We had coffee/drinks at the metro bar a few times and during the World Cup a photo of fans watching the World Cup from that bar appeared in our newspaper! Please come visit Boston and we’ll go to Brimfield.

  11. what FUN, no we have not met in personโ€ฆ.that would be a dream come true for meโ€ฆโ€ฆ!!!โ€ฆโ€ฆ.xo

  12. Janet with Eiffel

    I found you completely by accident while looking
    for French furnishings on line a few years ago.
    I read your blog everyday, first thing of a morning.
    In my heart, I know you, you are my BFF, I adore you.
    The walks in the forest, shopping trips, cafes,
    sightseeing, I love it all with you.
    Thanks for taking me along on your beautiful journey.

  13. I have coffee with you every morning. It feels like we have met! Your writing is inspirational and funny. I particularly enjoy the glimpses of life in France. It is on my bucket list to visit Provence and maybe, just maybe, your Paris apartment. That would be a dream.

  14. Sharon Morrison

    Yes, yes we have met!!! We have shopped the brocante, shopped in a funky favorite store you love, ate pizza in a park while Yann took a nap on a park bench using a very old pillow, you had just bought, to lay his head on.
    You did take pictures of the five Kansas girls from the USA. Sadly, we lost one of the five last Nov. to Leukemia.
    You took pictures of our butts and posted them. Thank you.

  15. Wow Corey, I fully understand if you don’t have time for that glass of wine next month!!!

  16. Catherine Lehmann-Reide

    Corey, I am back in Seattle. It was absolutely wonderful to bump into you in Aix en Provence. My Mom lives in Crevoux,on the other side of Vars where your family goes skiing. I am grateful for the stories you share , your sincere heart shines through them,people are bound to show theirs in return.
    Merci encore,
    Catherine

  17. I am indeed fortunate to be one of the ones to meet you in Aix, and see you again when you were home in Willows. You have a gift for making a heart connection that I will always hold dear until we meet again. It is so lovely to follow your blog, made much more real by meeting you and Chelsea as well.

  18. Rosemary Wilmot

    Brilliant,it is not long until we come to Provence Corey, we are leaving to drive down in one week and it looks like you may have Cheryl with you too.
    I will email you the details now. As we leave the UK one week today and arrive on the 23rd August to Lourmarin.
    Not long – Am so looking forward to meeting you XX

  19. I SOOOOO desire to meet you one day!!! I hope to one day say, “Corey! Take a picture! Take a picture!” And you and I can both pull out our picture guns (because by that time they will have changed the technology to make it like the Matrix but with cameras) and shoot (pun intended) some photos of us at the prettiest bridge in all of Paris. Then I will bike back and see you the next day, as you matchmake me up with a Frenchman. (Because at that time I will still be single waiting for my French-charming). Hooray! I can’t wait. ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ˜‰

  20. RebeccaNYC

    I have no idea how I found your blog, it was years ago and I have read it every day since! We have not met, but we are like ships passing in the night. Someday we will be in the same place at the same time, and of course I will recognize you immediately! I don’t know how you have time for so many guests, you must have a revolving door. Such generosity of spirit is probably why I am drawn to your blog in the first place!
    (and I love that you have played match maker again! how wonderful!)

  21. ChicagoSheila

    Yes, we have met ! I wanted to redecorate my kitchen in a French country way and a friend of mine told me to check out your blog…5 years ago? 6 years ago ? When my family made a trip to France, you and your dear French Husband came to Marseilles and we had drinks !! My kids still tease me about this because I have always warned them to not go out and meet people they “meet” through the internet…

  22. Your hand of friendship takes hold of our hearts, Corey, and here is the proof. No, we haven’t met YET, but Chelsea and I have and I love her. My next trip to France will definitely include Corey and Yann – for sure.
    I have been following your blog for over 5 years. My friend, Coco, shared you with me back then, explaining that she has tea with you every day and that reading your blog was like having a chocolate with her tea. How kind of Coco to offer chocolates to me! (Yes, you are like a chocolate!).
    My husband and I were fortunate to be guests at the apartment in June of this year – it was heaven. Now we can’t wait to return to France and see Provence.

  23. OH, YES YOU have met me in your PARISIAN APARTMENT!WE dined together, slept together(sort of )and you pointed me in the direction of STUFF!I did not have enough time with you………but I will be back in your Life hopefully soon!
    This POST is GREAT…………..just GREAT…….I found you through a friend from SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.YEARS AGO!!!!!
    XOXOX

  24. No, thank you for each and every day you post. I remember years ago, probably 8 ? – I started researching France & Paris way before that big birthday hoping to celebrate there. I read blogs etc. & nothing really hit me or felt authentic. Then, I read Lonely Planets guide to France & they recommended your blog. I have followed you since. Did not make the trip on my big day, but finally made it a few years ago secretly hoping I would run in to you on the streets in Paris. lol Your posts prepared me well, and I felt quite comfortable during my visit. Still hoping to come back again, to see the south soon. Corey, I so hope to meet you one day!
    Thank you. Thank you. Also, Thank you for your inspiring words during my husband’s illness – it meant so much.

  25. I have met 4 bloggers and they are all very sweet people which I think all bloggers are sweet and very talented and enjoy life to the fullest
    Of course if I could travel over seas more that would be nice also

  26. An artist/teacher named Ulla, in Northern California, had a blog and she wrote about visiting you and your mom at your mom’s wonderful home. I must have clicked on the link and have read your blog faithfully ever since.
    I am pleased to hear that you are matchmaking again and if this is the Thierry who is FH’s business partner, I am ecstatic for the great news! If you are talking about your other friend Thierry, I am also happy for them both.
    I never thought I would be returning to France after visiting 30 years ago, but I am coming in late September. I hope I will meet you.

  27. Janet with Eiffel

    I have commented once already today,
    but after reading comments that came
    before and after mine, I feel compelled
    to add another “two cents worth”.
    Lately I have been quite sad and
    even depressed over my own life challenges
    and the horrible things going on all
    over this world just now.
    Your blog and the comments left by
    your many readers and friends,
    filled with so very much love
    and compassion, calms me each day.
    Still……Most of us have never even met
    you in person
    So……..my question is.
    If love, compassion, understanding
    and friendship is so easy for us
    to find………
    What is wrong with the rest of the world????
    I am so grateful for your
    tiny spot on the web, it gives me some hope.

  28. No, we have not met in person. I wish I could remember exactly how I found your blog. I think I clicked on a comment on another blog. I only know that once I found you, I read all your archives and have followed every day since (about 8 years?). I comment occasionally, and you responded a couple of times with sweet and appreciative emails when I shared something encouraging during your father’s illness. Four summers ago, we sent our two kids to Europe to celebrate college graduations (we originally planned to accompany them, but when we couldn’t afford all 4 of us, we sent them instead). I so wanted them to go visit you in Provence, but they felt uncomfortable for me to reach out an ask if they could meet you. A blog connection didn’t seem tangible enough for them. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m still hoping that hubby and I will make it to Europe one day, and then we can stop by and meet you ourselves! Hubby doesn’t read your blog, but I tell him about you and French Husband and Chelsea and Sacha, so he “knows” you, too! He especially loves the daredevil antics of FH and your reactions to them (which is similar to how we interact). Thanks for sharing your life with all of us for all of these years!

  29. Cory, What a wonderful blog today and what fun to read all of the ways people have “met” you. I was introduced to your blog years ago by my daughter and look forward to my coffee break with you every week-day (catching up with the week-end on Monday). In turn I have introduced your blog to several others including my sister-in-law who is very much a kindred spirit with you. (her blog – stories from a small village – Life in rural New Hampshire). I was even blessed to win one of your guessing games! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us all. What fun it is to follow your adventures!

  30. Our visit with you this past June was most definitely the highlight of our trip to Provence! It was truly a special day. Susan, Renate, and I are looking forward to our next visit!

  31. Laurie SF

    Pausing to notice the details in life. You have opened my eyes, and my heart..
    Thank you, thank you.
    It was through two little birds talking that I discovered your blog (your mother, talking to mine)

  32. We have not met, but I spend many days a week with you via your blog. We have also had a near miss in Paris and I applied to Clara’s post seeking an aupair. A dear friend of mine sent me your blog years ago and it’s one of my favorite reads. I hope to meet you soon as I am planning to be in the Provence region this fall. ๐Ÿ™‚

  33. Kristi Espiniasse sent me to your blog close to the time you started it and I’ve read it daily ever since. I’ve bought items from your store (thank you!) and we’ve emailed and talked by phone. You have been of immense encouragement through tough times. Other friends are amazed that I have a friend who lives in France, has a Paris apartment, an online shop(they have benefitted from my purchases) and writes so beautifully. A trip to visit France again is on the bucket list. In the meantime, I hope you come visit me in Seattle soon. I’d like to meet Catherine too.

  34. It is always a JOY to meet those that we know through blogging. We had a near miss with you when we came to Provence, as you were in Texas. But we enjoyed our time in the sweet apartment in Apt. Driving through Willows I have met your mother and Holly. So close, yet so far. How I dream of coming back to France once more, but so many places to see and so many people yet to meet. How wonderful you have met so many just this year.

  35. We have not met in person, but I hope to one day. I feel like we have met, though! I have read your blog every day for years. I can’t even remember how I found it. Maybe through someone’s knitting blog. Anyway, I am so glad I did!!! I have shared it with friends and now I know of at least three friends who read it and we feel as if we know you! Yours is the only one I continue to read – every day. Thank you for continuing to write your beautiful blog.

  36. You attract the most genuine, kindhearted blogger friends because that’s the way you are.

  37. Janet, I wonder the same thing.

  38. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    I was thinking of you just the other day, wishing we lived near each other since we hit it off so nicely.
    I was reading this post with a smile, remembering meeting you. Scrolled down a little and there was a photo, I thought, of your back as you looked out a window. I thought, hey, Corey has her hair up with a hair-stabber like I got in Cotignac! Scrolled down a tad more and read the caption “Rebecca.” OH! It’s me. (I’m a ding dong too.) Not really familiar with what I look like my backside I suppose.
    If your bloggers are generous and kindhearted, my friend, it’s because you set the tone. I love checking in with you and all your pals. xoxR
    PS. And boy oh boy will you ever be able to travel with free lodging everywhere, whenever you and Yann come to the States and beyond! Good move.

  39. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    PPSS. Let me know if Franca Bollo, Diogenes, and Mat ever plan to come visit you. I’ll come too. We’ll have a party!

  40. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    1. I just proposed that we all rendezvous at Corey’s but LA is just a little bit closer.
    2. Need to see photos of the new decor pls. Somehow…

  41. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    Funny cause I was trying to get a candid shot of Yann and my husband standing a distance away; French Husband spotted my camera and immediately perked up into a pose.

  42. I have not met you but I feel like I know you after so many years reading your blog. A couple of years ago I stopped and found your mother’s antique store in Willows. She and I had a lovely visit, talking about your Dad, who she had recently lost…we both shed a few tears. And we talked about the doings of the grandchildren She is every bit the loving, warm woman that you describe. And she has a great laugh! I found your blog when Typepad featured it many years ago. Thank you for sharing your life and family. I know one day we will meet.

  43. We haven’t met and I can’t remember how I found your blog years ago..either through one of your articles in a magazine or a link on another vintage related blog. I was taken with your heartfelt writing and your perspective living in France. I once saw a picture of you in a Somerset magazine and said, “hey, there’s Corey!” ๐Ÿ™‚ You and your loving family (and friends) are such a ray of sunshine and it’s so wonderful that you are able to meet in person so many you’ve touched through your blog.

  44. I’m catching up on my blogs and just read this. I have tears in my eyes. It truly was one of the happiest days in our life coming to France and meeting you and Yann in person, seeing your home, being in France…living the experience. You are in our conversations weekly. We love you and the joy you brought into our hearts. You are wonderful souls. So generous and giving of yourself and showing the world how beautiful France truly is. We are blessed to be coming again.

  45. Ariane C.

    While I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you in person, I feel I know you through your blog, which I’ve been reading for so long that I don’t know how many years it’s been. As a photographer, too, I love seeing all of your friends. And as a writer, I love reading about your family, travels and love in France. And I was lucky enough to win one of your contests a few years back and I received a beautiful plate painted with pink and blue flowers in a gold vase. The plate is displayed in my kitchen, so I can enjoy looking at it every day. It’s wonderful that you’ve had the opportunity to meet so many nice people through your blog and touch so many lives.

  46. Ariane C.

    Ok… my brain works faster than my fingers typing, I love seeing all of your photos, is what I meant to say. lol

  47. Hi Corey, I met you last year in Paris the day before the big leak in the apt. We had a cup of coffee across the street and we visited those spooky “caves” downstairs. I brought you maple syrup and for Yann a BMW motorcycle t-shirt. I have not gotten back over this year but I am thinking about coming over in the spring. We will see. And next time, I will definitely bring Yann some new riding apparel!!!

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