Remember the story (click here) about Tessa and our walk throught the deserted town of Séguret? Here's that tea shop with the Christmas decorations still hanging. Remember the name for those little half-curtains? Les brise-bise. Aren't they sweet? Here's another picture, a little less lacy.
Good news! Chief Grape will be in OAKLAND, CA on March 21st! Check out some of the other cities he is visiting, click here.
LE COLIS (ko-lee)
: packet, package
.
A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse
Le Remerciement de Gus
(Gus's Thank-you Note)
I received a very kind remerciement from Gus Elison, who won the key in the "French Antique Giveaway". I thought you might enjoy the photos that Gus sent, and the captions that go along with them. Enjoy!
Gus writes:
From France to Jacksonville… The key has arrived!….
LIKE A FIRST VALENTINE, THE PACKAGE ARRIVED ON 5 MARCH.
THE KEY IS GRAND. THE MOST THOUGHTFUL THING WAS THE WAY IT WAS ENCLOSED.
TRUE GENTEELNESS AND IMAGINATION WITH THE OLD PAGES AND THE DELICATED BLUE RIBBON WAS THE FINAL TOUCH. YOUR INNER BEAUTY SHINES THROUGH.
THE "KEY", PAULETTE AND GUS. A REAL FRENCH BEAUTY RAISED ON A FARM DURING THE GERMAN OCCUPATION. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR VISIT TO SEE FAMILY AND FRANCE.
I WILL TREASURE THE KEY AND YOUR PERSONAL ATTENTION ALL THE DAYS I HAVE LEFT. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR GIFT OF FRENCH WORD A DAY.
Kristin: Life's rough isn't it, Smokey?
Smokey: Walways me! Walways me!
Mama Braise: Son, what are you talking about?
Smokey: Life is rough. Walways me, walways me!
Mama Braise: Son, we need to work on your grammar! The expression is "Woe is me", and not Walways me!"
Smokey: Wow is me! Wow is me! I like it, Mom!
Mama Braise: Oh, Woe is we!
Kristin: …or would that be "Woe is us"?
(Braise and Smokey look suspicious and clueless, respectively)
Kristin: Just sayin'…
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Could you send me Gus and his wife through the post? I want them to be my grandparents. Man, if only there were more people like Gus in the world. Bless his cotton socks.
Gus est tres beau! A better winner de la cle could not have been found! Just seeing his smiling, open face makes me want to know him, and his “French Beauty.” Gus, have a wonder vacation in France – you’re a dear!
I love when connections like this happen!
There must be a french saying for this!!
xoedie
I love Gus!! What a wonderful soul who gets such enjoyment out of life!!
I giggled when I read Fleur’s comment, “Bless his cotton socks!” Bless everybody connected with this event. Thank you, Gus and Paulette and whoever took photos of you, for taking and sending the photos to share with all of us.
About the half curtains – I attended an estate sale where they were selling sets of lace curtains in bundles for less than $10 each. I bought two bundles, washed the curtains to remove the dust of the years, and made some repairs. I hung them between rooms where there are no doors and over parts of bookcases. I don’t know if they make the house look French, but they certainly soften the lines of our petite maison way out West. Merci beaucoup because your photos of all those windows in France inspired me, Kristin!
Blessings, Mary
Soooooooooooooooo lovely to see the key in it’s new home with such lovely people.
Merci, Gus for taking the time to photograph the arrival of votre colis! The same care that Kristin spent sending the key to you. I hope you have a wonderful trip to France with many hours visiting with your family. You and Paulette look very happy indeed! I will be visiting the Luberon in September (and dropping by to visit with Kristi and Jean-Marc). For now, I dream of that trip from my home in Monroe Township, New Jersey.
A post that touched this heart in Naperville, Illinois.
DARLING GUS,
YOU ARE AN AMAZING GUY – YOU HAVE ENTERED INTO ALL OF OUR LIVES BECAUSE YOU WROTE THE WORDS THAT TOUCHED MY HEART WHEN YOU ENTERED KRISTI’S CONTEST…JUST AS YOU HAVE GONE ON TO TOUCH EVERYONE HERE IN THE COMMENTS BOX WITH YOUR WITH YOUR PURE HEART AND LOVE OF LIFE.
THANKS FOR INTRODUCING US TO YOUR ‘BEAUTIFUL PAULETTE, NO WONDER YOU ARE SUCH A HAPPY FELLOW.
I IMAGINE I WON’T BE THE ONLY ONE RUNNING DOWN TO THE POST OFFICE TODAY TO SEND YOU A POST CARD FROM MY FAR-AWAY NEST IN THE JUNGLE OF PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO.
I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH KRISTI’S CARE IN WRAPPING UP YOUR BEAUTIFUL KEY – I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN IF YOU HADN’T TAKEN THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR PRECIOUS PHOTO’S WITH US. THANKS FOR SHARING THIS SPECIAL MOMENT OF CONNECTION WITH ME…YOU HAVE MADE MY DAY VERY HAPPY.
XOXO
JULES
Dear Gus and Paulette,
How wonderful for you to receive your package before your trip back to France. And how beautifully wrapped.
Thank you for sharing it with us, and such a proud looking couple you two are!
I wish you a safe, blessed, fun filled trip from Cynthia, in Vero Beach, Fl.
Such a heartwarming story! Truly Gus, Paulette and Kristin are Good Will ambassadors of the very nicest sort for our Human Race. Thank you for reminding us how caring people can be.
How very beautiful and touching! Barbara – Birmingham, Al
If not me,then I am glad it is you.Love Joan
How wonderful this whole story was and Gus you look so happy. Kristin is truly French now with the presentation of this gift. The French are masters of presentation in food, and in gifts. One only has to stand in a line to purchase something in a French shop to know that they do not hurry, and take the time to wrap the simpliest of things so that the wrapping is often more beautiful than the gift inside!!!!
Enjoy France, it is truly a lovely country.
You couldn’t have picked a better winner!!
I just looked back at the photos and noticed the French flag behing them!! Wonderful
Thank you for these delightful notes! I am so thankful to my mom, JULES, for picking Gus. She sure knows how to pick em!
Beautiful pictures that tell a story with or without words. If Gus doesn’t scrapbook now is the time for him to start. Lovely.
There must be a beautiful story of how Gus and Paulette met. Their picture in front of the French flag makes for a curiosity and also very heart touching.Your stories are wonderful Kristin. Though I don’t often comment I’m a faithful reader and admirer.Matilda of Superstition Mt.AZ
I don’t know what started the contest but am so glad that Gus won. I clicked on my “French….” email and saw this beautiful man who you touched so deeply. How lovely!
Thanks to Gus, Paulette, and Kristin for letting us share the happy moments sparked by the arrival of le colis. We were all winners in this contest.
Bettye in Florida-like St. Louis
There’s little I can add to the previous comments–all very well stated–except my own appreciation of the warmth and caring always on display in FWAD. From Jules for her appreciation of Gus’ entry, on to Kristen for the painstaking wrapping, then to Gus for the photos. As one reader mentioned, inquiring minds want to know more about Gus and Paulette. How did you meet? Tell us your story, please! Thanks for this entry, Kristin. What a great way to start the day!
Dear Gus and Paulette,
Thank you so very much for sharing the receipt of your gift with us! From the appearance of the package in your mailbox to the lovely photo of the two of you holding the antique key with its sweet blue ribbon, you have allowed us to share your moment of joy! Merci!
You appear to be very much in love and I imagine you are best friends, as well. It warms my heart to see such love and congratulations to the two of you for your lifelong commitment to each other.
Enjoy your trip to France and with family! I wish you safe travels, much joy and laughter and precious memories as you go. Bon voyage!
Sending you blessings, joy and love from Marcola, Oregon!
Gus, with your winning smile, you deserved to win.
mimi taylor aka, cigalechanta in Cambridge, Ma.
a lovely little moment in someone’s day that carried itself to others upon reading.
Thank you for sharing!
Gus, please come visit our Alliance Francaise chapter in Jacksonville. We are meeting for lunch Wednesday, March 14, at
1 p.m. at JJ’s Bistro on Gate Parkway. We do this the second Wednesday of the month. Please come and bring Paulette. We would so like to meet you both and see the key. There are natives of France there as well as we Americans who are francophiles/francophones.
What a happy couple! They will be able to share the ‘joie de vivre’ the obviously have together in France! What a fun time for them and thank you Kristin for once again bringing such a special happiness into someone’s life…as you bring it into ours with your wonderful tales of life in France… a devoted reader and all time Francophile.. Judi in Tallahassee…
Gus looks like a little boy on Christmas with that smile holding his key.What a great story and so glad it brought so much joy to someone who appreciated it so.!! It makes not winning it myself way ok now. 😉 What a sweet couple too.I hope my husband and I get as many years together as these 2 must have.We’re working on it,and its 30 yrs in May,so far,for us. 🙂 I love seeing that people make it even further,yet are still in love too.Its inspiring.Just like this whole story has been.Thanks!
Mechelle in Neuilly-sur-Seine <3
great pictures Gus! meilleurs voeux!
Gus lives in Jacksonville. I could have crossed path with him and Paulette. I was there, visiting with friend, il y a quelques mois.
Gus, c’est un très bel homme! He’s also so gracious and caring by taking photos to share with us, from mail box to the unwrapping to reveal the care thoughtful Kristin had also taken in presenting the prize to him. Wise Jules, you’ve made a wonderful choice.
Paulette et Gus, vous êtes beaux ensemble. your story must have been une belle histoire d’amour! Share it with us, s’il vous plaît!
What a lovely story. Thank you Gus, Paulette & Kristin for sharing!
Great photo’s of the happy couple, I enjoy very much Kristin’s stories, I will be visiting Agde in Languedoc in the summer, and am trying to pick up a few french phrases from the “French Word a Day”. Thanks Val in Jacksonville, Florida
Gus, did you ever think that your engaging photos would have such an impact on all of us in the “comments corner”? Thank you for being so thoughtful…..my thanks to Kristin and Jules,too. Best wishes for all.
Gus,
I’m so glad that you received the key!
You look like a person who is full of joy and kindness.
Have a wonderful day!
What great photos! Gus, you’re the best, and I hope you and your wife have a wonderful visit to France! Betty from Amherst,Ma
How sweet! What an adorable couple, so happy for them,
have a beautiful trip to France!!
Lorna from Portland, Or.
Could not be more endearing!
What a great way for the key to end its journey…..sympa…..I hope it is happy in it’s new home so far away from its origin…..well done Gus
Many THANKS to Gus, Paulette and Kristi, for this most heart warming and touching post! I just adore these photos revealing Gus’s happiness and love of life. Yes, Jules sure knows how to pick a winner! Thank you for brightening my week!
Love the tea shop photo too. I just read Friday’s scary story. I do hope Braise is healing nicely and staying home!
May we all find reason to reach out so kindly and to smile so brightly as Gus this week!
God bless Gus and Paulette! What a wonderful couple!
What a beautiful story!
And God bless our dear Kristin (and her family,bien sur) for sharing this with us.
What a fortunate family FWAD readers are!
Is there any better way to begin a week than this??
THANK YOU!!! XO
Kristin:
Tres charmant!
I was hoping you put a photo of Gus on your
blog.
Loved seeing the pictures of la clef and packaging as well as sweet story from Gus and photos of him and his wife.
Edie from Savannah
What a touching story! What a sweet, sweet man who was clearly touched by your gift. And it WAS packaged perfectly, in French paper and with a ribbon! I think you’ve made a friend for life, Kristen ~ p.s. I always love your posts and have gotten my two sisters to subscribe – I live in Woodbridge, Va (for your dad!) Joy
Writing from Boston, but originally from Oakland! I can’t believe we’ll miss Chief Grape in our stomping grounds of Northern California!!! Bless you, Gus & Paulette! And of course, Kristin!
How beautiful! This is so sweet, it made my day.
Another wonderful story from Kristin. Blessings to Gus & Paulette.
What wonderful pictures. Thank you Gus for sharing your delight with us. You and your beautiful wife have an amazing time in France.
xoxo
Krisin, look what your giving heart has created .. the “discovery” of that beautiful spirit named Gus is no accident. BRAVO, KRISTIN, BRAVO!
Gus, you made my day! How delightful to see you and your wife. I live in Florida also and share this love of France and Kristin’s wonderful way of giving us glimpses into French life and big doses of love for her friends on the web. I hope that key opens the trip to France.
Coconut Grove, Florida
Hi there, Gus! It was so nice to meet you today, and have a face to put with the name! Thank you for sending the photos in to FWAD, AND, Kristi, thanks so much for sharing them!
We need more GOOD NEWS stories like this one. Thanks to Kristin, Gus and Paulette for your beautiful, positive story and bringing the sun to a rainy day in Milwaukee, WI. Merci beaucoup!