Expectations. Oh la, that word! It just keeps back and pinching me, hard. I feel like I am on a loop of learning that particular lesson over and over again.
Last year at this time, I wrote about how birthdays have always been a very big occasion in our family, as in blow-up balloon size. But at the time I had the deeply quieting realization that I was exactly where I needed to be and nothing could améliorer such a simply perfect day. And yet, two weeks ago the wheels started turning, “Where should we go? What should we do?” and most importantly “What should we eat?” I plotted and planned and all for naught. For on Saturday, everything went utterly awry and by accident, only when I had let everything go did I see an ad announcing that it was the first day of the Foire Internationale at L’Isle Sur La Sorgue, one of the largest antique fairs in the South of France! Interestingly enough, our last visit there was also a last minute decision, on Christmas Eve.
As Remi often says, “Life is always right.” We had an absolutely wonderful time.
Dreaming can be the best gift of all.
And while we were tempted by much, certainly both the starburst mirror and the elegantly drawn sanguine, again the unexpected won the day. We came across a stand run by a charming woman selling vintage sunglasses. A true collectioneuse, she knew the origins of everything that she had, all while taking the steps to replace worn lenses and dig out lots of glasses that had never been worn such as my sparklers below. Remi bought me two pairs, a wonderful gift that will be put to good use in my daily strolls here in sunny Provence. A silly goose I may be from time to time but that doesn’t prevent me from being a stylish one…
Thank you again to all of you that left wonderful Birthday wishes and emails! And so I step in to another year with hopes of learning more, appreciating all that I have and loving with an open heart…
Hello Heather
A very Happy Belated Birthday. Your day away was perfect and you captured it so bautifully.
I love the sunglsses and that your manicure compliments is also fitting.
Wishing you a year of goodness and joy
Helen xx
Birthday wishes to you and thank you for such inspiring photos – I just love what's on offer! have a lovely day F x
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I wish I had realized it earlier! I love the sunglasses! Isle-sur-la-Sorgue was our last stop when we went to France on our first buying trip for my shop…it was truly amazing! I would love to be there now! Glad you had a wonderful weekend!
Happy birthday Heather! After I read your last post, I realized that we are the same age (quelle coincidence!) Anyways, we were stuck in traffic in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in July. There certainly were lots of interesting things to look at while we waited it out. Couldn't bring anything back of course (darn small suitcase!)
An antique fair! That sounds like a perfect, spontaneous way to celebrate your birthday! Those coffee grinders are very cool, and the patina to old wood with its variations and markings is sublime.
The photos are gorgeous, love the shades, but I'm curious what might have been behind those doors marked Fabrique Chaussures. Then again, you might have guessed as much.
Wuh? It was your birthday? Happy Birthday!! I too think birthdays should be announced, celebrated and plans should be made. Preferably with friends, family and a big meal with a big cake. I loved your flea market photos. No doubt about it, French junk is different from other junk.
I would say that that stand is where my lost sunglasses probably ended up (see today's post that includes a thank you to you), but they weren't nearly as stylish as your pair.
Drool-worthy photographs. A twin to your excellent camera should arrive here tomorrow. But, I know the quality of these photos is largely due to your ever-expanding photographic skill.
So glad you had a good birthday. But, please tell us. What did you eat?!!!
Oh Heather, Happy, Happy Birthday, just missed it, sorry!!! Mine is next week, so we are both Lions – brrh…..
Alors – all my best wishes and many, many happy returns!
Amicalement, karin
Happy belated birthday, Heather! Loved seeing all these photos, but my favorite is the last one: J'aime les chi-chi cha-cha's! Good choice 🙂 Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)