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WELL-BEING

msmrw

POSTED: Mon, 05/18/2009 - 7:03pm

What Brought You To This Site?

For me, it was an article re: how French women don't date. Which led me to French women and food/eating, and to here.:)

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Mon, 05/21/2012 - 3:05pm To all my new-found friends in this community Wow! Despite my initial disappointment, and my ill-considered expression of it, I now have to say in all humility that in less than a week reading and enjoying your posts (some of them so truly inspiring, I pray I will never forget them!)I have learned an awful lot. To all of you who forgave so readily my ill-considered first post, and showed me welcoming kindness, interest and genuine friendship, what can I say? "Thank you all!!" seems hopelessly inadequate, yet please believe it comes from the depth of my heart. HOWEVER, and this is, for me, at least, the truly sad part of this post. I logged in this morning only to find that some of you were still hurting over my initial remarks, for which I have apologised (more than once). In fact, I was amazed to read that a regular here had stopped posting because of my presence in your midst. Clearly, I cannot and must not allow that to happen. If anybody has to stop posting, it must be ME rather than seasoned contributors. And so, sadly, this will be my last post. One final time, I offer my sincere apologies to anyone I have hurt or offended, and my warmest thanks to those wonderful posters who so generously engaged with me, and taught me more than just humility. It has been a privilege to meet you!! Bisous, and au revoir, from a sad (but hopefully wiser), Jenny xxx

Robbyn

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 11:15pm WOW JENNY.... A TRIP TO PARIS!!!! LUCKY YOU!!!! I DREAM OF GOING SOMEDAY!!!! UNTIL THEN, I'LL HAVE TO LIVE THRU YOU!!!! HAHA!!!! HAVE A SAFE TRIP AND PLEASE DO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT WHEN YOU GET BACK!!!! SAFE TRAVELS!!!! LUV, ROBBYN, XO, :)

coco1960

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 5:18am For Jenny..Enjoy your weekend Jenny your weekend sounds delightful. I would love to hear about the flea markets of Paris. I adore vintage clothing and jewelry ! Last weekend I purchased a wonderful book titled 'Wearing Vintage" by Catherine Bardey. Readable , Fun , and a great addition to my collection of style books ! Have a safe trip.

jracus

POSTED: Thu, 05/17/2012 - 1:03am paris weekend wow!! I envy your weekend!! A friend of mine and myself are planning a similar trip but when I'm not sure. We're only a 45 minute train journey to London which is nice but Paris, wow, to go any weekend, you're so lucky!!

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 1:56pm Thanks, I intend to! ....and will enjoy telling you about it when I get back! It's always great to make friends with another flea market lover! :-). Bisous, Jenny xx

Carlch64

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 1:57am A trip to France led me here! I have hopes of visiting Paris and several other regions of France in the late fall. I came across the blog, "Girls Guide to Paris" and somewhere in their maze, I discovered this inspiring site. And, I just found a pristine copy of "FWDGF" in a local used bookstore and have been hooked since. Does anyone know if Mireille's April 2012 interview in NY will be published on video here? I'm still new to navigating this site.

Vintage1944

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 8:02pm Welcome Carich64 I am so happy you joined us.This is a wonderful group.I certainly hope they publish her interview here.Please keep in touch.oxo Jean

Carlch64

POSTED: Thu, 05/17/2012 - 2:55am Thank you Jean -- from Christine (carlch64) This is truly an inspiring site and I appreciate the welcome. I am a believer in the FWDGF philosophy and very happy I came upon Mireille's book(s) a few months ago. She is truly an amazing role model and mentor for women of all ages. I love to cook and have already made several of her recipes (the caramelized chicken and vegetable pancake). In the meanwhile, here are couple of blogs (by guys) but very French in content. http://www.davidlebovitz.com http://www.ipreferparis.net

Vintage1944

POSTED: Thu, 05/17/2012 - 9:29am Good morning Christine I agree Mireille is a very positive role model and mentor.I will check out those Blogs you posted.Have you looked at http://www.frenchessence.com or http://www.frenchkissed.com ?Talk to you soon.oxo

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 2:46am What a happy coincidence....... ...cos, on a whim, I woke up this morning and decided to have a weekend in Paris, so booked my seat on the fast Geneva-Paris TGV. I'm looking forward to some retail therapy in my favourite Galleries Lafayette, a pampering at Guerlain on the Champs Elysée, a good haircut...and most of all people watching from a café terrace (weather permitting). I'd also like to visit the Orangerie to see more of Monet's toilles. So all in all, quite a busy weekend ahead. I'm beginning to get excited. The real icing on the cake will be if I can find some antique bed-linen to add to my collection in the flea market on Sunday. I have a passion for sleeping in crisp white linen sheets smelling of lavender. Bliss!!! But you mention "other regions of France". If you fancy a visit to my little corner, sandwiched between the Alps and the Jura mountains, let me know! I'll keep a welcome! Jenny, x

Carlch64

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 3:48am Happy Coincidednce Jenny, How lucky you are to be near Paris, an amazing city. I hope my Parisian trip becomes reality in October. A visit to the Galleries Lafayette (and its roof top), the Orangerie, D'Orsay, Notre Dame and other churches, browsing interesting boutiques and perhaps the ballet tops my "to see/do" list. Finding that perfect small, boutique hotel in a safe, but convenient area (6th arr), maybe near a bakery and grocery would be ideal. There are so many choices and still much planning. I enjoy your lovely, inspiring posts and I hope you find those lavender scented linens. I am assuming you live near the Swiss border (in heaven)!

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 1:48pm Your assumption is correct! Yep! I live in Ain (dep.01), minutes from the border. Was shopping in Genève this afternoon. Glorious day and the lake and the Jet d'eau were super. Spent ages sitting and watching them both. The lake was almost turquoise today, but fairly agitated cos we had a pesky north wind we call the bise. Didn't buy too much, cos I'm keeping some spendinmg money for another favourite city (!!), as you can imagine, BUT I did crack for an YSL little black dress (well, IK've got to have something for cocktails tomorrow night, huh??). Only prêt à porter YSL obviously, but I enjoy going to their Rive Gauche store in Geneva: it's the only boutique I know where the staff offer me a comfy sofa and great coffee! I love M&S, but somehow I don't come out of there feeling quite as pampered!! (though my purse does!! LOL!) DO try to come down to see me for a night. I get the feeling we'd have a high old time swapping anecdotes. Bisous, Jenny xx

kit

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 11:51pm Well Jenny... Like the others, I didn't know what to think when I read your original post except sad for all of us. And for you. I know that if you choose to come back to this site, you will find things to treasure, as we all do. As has been said, we are a sisterhood with the common thread of reading and falling in love with Mireille's work and teachings. For myself, travelling to France would be a dream but for now at least, financially unrealistic. So while I don't play at being French, I read French cookbooks(aah, Julia Child),try French dishes and wines, and try to adhere to the philosophy of eating as Mireille describes. There is of course more than food to "chew" on here. Support during life's fabulous and utterly devastating events. Friendship,comfort,caring and joy. Several women here have beautiful blogs and with all the stress in the world, coming here is like having a soothing cup of tea with a dear friend. We are here for each other and you are most welcome to join our circle.

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 2:32am For kit Thank you for putting this super web-site into its rightful context, as well as the warmth of your welcome. If you have read my follow-up posts, and replies to other warm-hearted and forgiving friends, you will see that I very soon revised my arrogant opinion. I truly look forward to posting from my corner of the world, and getting to know you all. Jenny, xx

KATHYH

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 6:01pm Jenny Wow ladies....we really are a passionate group and thanks Jenny for bringing that out of us. As you have seen we are a "kindred spirit" and we would enjoy another unique woman in our circle. We did all arrive here via Murielles book and have learned much from her about savoring all of life. We look forward to getting to know you better and your French perspective. Kathy

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Wed, 05/16/2012 - 2:21am Thank YOU, Kathy and Coco...... ....for your tolerance and forbearance, as well as for the warmth of your welcome. How wrong could I have been? I'll do my best to prove worthy of your confidence as I post from my little corner of la belle France! On a whim, I've decided to go to Paris for the weekend (tomorrrow is Ascension Day, so a holiday). I've just booked my TGV ticket: the fast bullet-train to the heart of Paris, so, who knows, I might have something a bit more interesting to relate when I return. As well as some retail therapy, a good haircut from Jacques Dessange, a facial at Guerlain, I hope the weather allows for my favourite Parisian activity: People watching from a café terrace!! A bientôt et mille Mercis to you both, Jenny x

coco1960

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 6:00pm My thoughts I read Jenny's post very early this am and must admit I did not know how to respond. I was very annoyed... I was feeling very protective of my French soul sisters and our little home ...I decided to let the dust settle before responding . So Jenny...welcome to our home...it gives shelter to funny , smart , chic ladies who are one of a kind...I hope you will spend time here...get to know us and when I say I (we ) look forward to getting to know you it is sincere...no head games here ! Welcome...MJ

Vintage1944

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 8:50am Kathy and Jasmine Well said and thank you.oxo

Kimberly

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 3:46pm Me too.... We are not just Americans and in fact we come from all over. We love the French lifestyle, culture, food and people. We would love to add friends who actually live in France. We love Mireille's books. What we have learned is that we all share a love of France, food, fashion, our gardens and many other things. I think we would all love to live in France.....at least I would. I follow blogs of expats living in France, I have French penpals, I try to make French food dishes often. You will not find a better group of ladies who, although miles apart, really love and care about one another. We are all ages, many nationalities, various backgrounds, who have found common ground through our website. We always welcome newcomers who share in the common joys of life. We would love to hear about your life. We welcome you.

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 5:13pm For Kimberly Thank you for your kind welcome. I'm not sure I deserve it after my outburst, for which I apologised as soon as I woke and realised what I had written. I have spent much of today playing "catch-up" on the various threads of this site, and have seen for myself the truth of what you have just written. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you in coming days, Kimberly. Once again, a huge "Thank You" for your kindness. Jenny, x

Marilyn

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 3:00pm Just adding To Jenny. Welcome to the site and if you stay I think you will find that we do not pretend to be French but together would like to add to our knowledge of French history, culture and life and whilst doing this we share the experiences of our own lives and cultures because we are not all from America. We are different nationalities and ages, have varying lifestyles and life experiences, but above all enjoy the company, albeit virtual, of other women that we would not have 'met' if we hadn't read Mireille's book.

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 5:06pm I agree Thank you, Marilyn. I did indeed realise I'd been unfair, as you may see from my remarks made earlier. Thank you for the warmth of your welcome, and your generous forbearance. I hope we can get together over coffee this Summer in beautiful Cumbria. Bonne Nuit, dors bien (or, in my own language, Oihdche mhath, Cadal math. :-))

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Mon, 05/14/2012 - 11:20pm What brought me to this site? A mistake, I fear! I came to this site believing that it was a website started by a Frenchwoman in order for both ex-pats and other French people (primarily women, perhaps) to share the highs and lows of living and working in this often maddening, yet very beautiful and diverse country. It seems I was badly mistaken. It is in fact just another American website for people who want to play at being French, but who seem to know woefully little about the history, language, or culture of France. Indeed, I even stumbled across a forum headed "Who all of you have been to France"!!! (Which isn't even grammatical English!) Rather a contrast with Vicki Archer's glorious French Essence, in which she shares the joys, and occasional woes, of living as an ex-pat in rural France, and her regular visits to the capital. She has embraced her country of adoption, as have I, and I hoped this would be a website that had similar aims. Sadly, it doesn't seem to be that way.

Vintage1944

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 8:54am Jenny I must say I went to sleep quite distressed by what you said.But I have read your apology this morning and am happy to move on.Please share your life in France with us.I was thinking recently ,that we have nobody in France on here and if you wish you could fill that role.The pros and cons of life in France.Jean

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 9:08am For Jean Oh, gosh, Jean!! I am so very sorry to have caused you distress. I WAS initially saddenned when I realised I had joined the "wrong" group (or so I thought!). But you and Kathy have both led me to rethink with your insightful posts. I've just posted to you on the 'Organic' thread. I see that I have a lot to learn from you, dear Jean, and will do my best to post my own experiences from la belle France, where I've spent most of my adult life. Deal?? :-) Jenny, x

KATHYH

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 6:25am Who we are This is a beautiful site full of rich and diverse women who celebrate life, its unfortunate that you were not able to see that. Kathy

Jenny la Guerla...

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 7:13am For Kathy Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post which was not meant to appear ungracious (though on re-reading it, I can see it certainly appears that way, for which I apologise sincerely!). Rather, it was intended as a reflection of my own mistaken idea about its aims. As I said, I was hoping for a site where ex-pats in France, from around the globe, were sharing their experiences: be they funny, frustrating, endearing, whatever. I am sure you truly ARE a wonderful, diverse group of people who celebrate life, as you say. Just not life here in France. The fault, if fault there be, was mine. Bonne chance, and happy posting!! And once again, "MERCI"! Jenny, x

jas

POSTED: Tue, 05/15/2012 - 7:06am bravo Kathy And to add to Kathy's comment, what I love about this site is an honoring of French wisdom (Mireielle is french) and timeless ways of pleasure and discipline...women and sharing...so instead of talking over shared neighborhood fences or canning food together we are using the forum of technology. However the heartfelt places are just the same. Women are wonderful. Thank you Mireielle for creating this forum!!!!

Robbyn

POSTED: Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:51am LUVED READING THE POST BELOW!!!! I know this post is old....but it's so true. and it makes me remember too, all the great advice in that book! This weekend I'm going t sit down with a candle lit and read it all over again! Sometimes i think we all need to do that! xo, :) p.s. sorry for the double posting! :)

Marilyn

POSTED: Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:57am So right You are so right Robbyn. I reread FWDGF on a regular basis and pick up n something new each time.

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