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…
Joyeux anniversaire!!! What a wonderful way to spend your special day!
Ok, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is definitely staying on our itinerary for our long-range plans to visit France next May. Thank you for the wonderful writing and photos – they always pull me into your lovely world! Merci beaucoup et j'aime les lunnettes de soleil!
Heather – Joyeux Anniversaire!
We're planning (long range!) a trip to France next May and L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is on the list of many wonderful destinations in Provence (along with Arles)! After seeing your photos, L'Isle will definitely stay on the itinerary. We visited there about 10 years ago and they had a great market in town – even though it wasn't the semi-annual Foire.
Your writing and photos always pull me into your wonderful world! Merci beaucoup! Judi
Bonjour, mon amie, Heather! I have been struggling with new computer things and couldn't figure out how to comment with a new 'reeder' program. Now…"I think i've got it!" Suffice to say that such an antique happening would be my BEST birthday treat! And your post just roped me in…i love it all but especially the red-French-books that I collect! Tres Grand! And your sunglasses? Ooh, La, La, tres retro et chic! Joyeux anniversaire (belatedly)!
xoxo, Chris
A belated happy birthday to you, Heather! Hope it was magical.
Love your sparklers 😉
Oh, how I'd adore one of those giant wall clocks!!
~ Clare x
A Bond girl?! Kabayoz, you are really too kind!
And of course it isn't a sacrilege to want them for "faire le deco"–trust me, that is what they were there for! And so lovely, all different colors of leather bindings. I hate to always sound like an old biddy but "they don't make things like they used to"…
Yay so good to hear from you my fellow Heather and fellow Leo! 🙂 Hope all is well…
From one Leo to another, Happy Birthday Heather! You look really cool like a Bond girl in those pair of hipster glasses.
The red bound books caught my eyes. Make me wish I'm fluent in French. I wonder if it's sacrilege to want them for decorative purposes? And who knows, having them may help to improve my French…:)