Sunday, March 22, 2009

French Finery

How exciting to see the mail carrier trotting up my driveway with a parcel in hand recently. Even more thrilling was seeing foreign stamps and knowing it had flown across the pond!
I had prior notice from the kind and generous sender so knew something French was on its way from Brittany. I was definitely not ready for such a delightful and beautiful gift.

I've being enjoying interesting posts by blog friend Elizabethd at French Village Life for some time. Being fellow Westcountry (she Cornwall, me Devon) natives who both live in adopted countries, we now lead different lives but still hold our English roots close to our hearts. I love learning about her life in a lovely village in Brittany, and her visits to the coastal towns of Northern France. When I wrote a post about bringing back hand written letters some time back, we started writing, enjoying the thought of our notes winging back and forth across the pond.


My new farm style table now has this grey linen serviette holder with a beautiful M monogrammed in the center. It's perfect alongside the French dough bowl.


Elizabethd included the prettiest paper serviettes with grey hearts and the beautiful card depicts a woman in traditional Breton costume on the coast of Brittany.


This gift was a wonderful surprise from this growing friendship. As Elizabethd followed my French style dining room makeover, her kind words were enough when she said I had done a good job..........a beautiful accessory for the room was the icing on the cake!

Thank you so much dear friend. Some day soon I hope to return to France and visit Brittany and Northern France and meet up with you in your lovely village...........cup of English tea or glass of French wine, whatever, it will be enjoyed in your company that's for certain.

17 comments:

  1. That is very beautiful. Grey is perfect so I'm sure she has been watching your progress. How nice of her and also nice that you are handwriting mail to each other.
    Nancy

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  2. This is so pretty Mary and the giver is such a sweet person. She is so very thoughtful. I know this is a perfect match for your new dining room.

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  3. What a beautiful and thoughtful gift!! I just know it looks perfect in your room!

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  4. It was my pleasure! I just happened to be in the right shop at the right moment....saw it and thought of your dining room!

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  5. Dear Mary, I so enjoyed your post ... what a lovely gift from so far away. I am off to 'visit' your kind friend now.
    (do you read french essence blog?)

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  6. What a kind friend you have in Elizabethd. I truly hope you meet up soon. Her gift is lovely.

    xoxo
    Jane

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  7. How lovely! It's so wonderful to form friendships like that, especially when living in different countries. It puts you in touch with places so far away. I hope you get the opportunity to meet in person! ~Lori

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  8. Mary... take me with you when you go! Beautiful treasures from France...

    I got a treasure from France this week too... lovely rusty tin baking cups... a future windchime I'm thinking...

    beautiful post Mary... come visit soon. Dixie

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  9. What a beautiful gift Mary! It looks great in your dining room. Chairs are looking amazing! You've done a wonderful job with them! Much love, Vanessa ps. I had an awesome time with you this Saturday and I'm thankful for all those lovely things. They have the perfect place here in my home.

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  10. What a kind gift:) The treasures are lovely!

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  11. Isn't it wonderful how treasures shared filled both hearts with joy?

    They are beautiful, just as are the giver and receiver.

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  12. The unexpected are often the most loved of all gifts - what a thoughtful thing to do - you two must share a common thread of graciousness and of course, GREAT taste :-)

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  13. Mary this is beautiful. The perfect piece for your "new" dining room.

    I'm having a 300th post giveaway. I hope you can stop by the Back Porch and sign up.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  14. Mary what a lovely gift, I love all your travels

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  15. That is a lovely gift for your newly decorated room! Isn't it wonderful receiving little packages from far away friends! Very special.

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  16. So pretty Mary!!
    You are a lucky girl!
    Rosemary

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  17. Dear Mary, what a perfectly lovely gift from Elizabeth. Beautiful and a perfect addition for your new look. I can see why you girls have kindred souls. I also have a feeling for MI. where I was born. When I visit there I always must visit the farmhouse and think of happy days there.

    I am sad I have missed your posts Mary. It just makes sense. Giving up blogging, even for a break, is very hard to do. Things happen in our day to day life that we just want to share.

    Hugs and love...Jeanne

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