Monday, March 7, 2011

Blogapalooza in Provence

Have you ever had a pen pal? Like back when you were a kid and people actually wrote letters and put them in the mail? If so, you know what it's like to meet someone and like them based on shared stories without ever laying eyes on them. This is exactly what I felt about the fellow women bloggers I was lucky enough to meet this past Saturday. I felt like I'd met them long before through comments, jokes, support and the shared experience of being an English speaker living the good life in France.

There was Sara who followed her heart to Le Petit Village and makes us all laugh on a regular basis with stories of life in her tiny hilltop town, Kirsty whose beautiful creations are not limited to sewing but also include gorgeous kiddos and delicious banana muffins, Piglet who climbs out of windows, has a thing against pole dancing and is about to enter the magical world of MommyPiglethood!, Charley the published author of ghost stories (holla!) who is beyond cool, Tanya who met her husband online and now lives in one of the Nicest spots in France and B who I could sit and listen to tell stories for hours because she's so darn funny.

Meeting them in person was what I'd expected. And more. When you read each of their blogs you get a really good idea of who they are, how cool they are, how diverse they are and what it is about life in France that suits them all. It's the life part. Each of these women has a  joie de vivre and I'm delighted to have met them. Thanks ladies for a lovely afternoon and for living up to my expectations of your fabulousness with bells on!

I didn't take any photos because I was too busy yapping with Sara (my cyber soulmate) and Kirsty. I didn't even take any the next day when Kirsty opened her sun-filled garden to the five of us for a morning turned afternoon of chatting and laughing (grown-ups) and exploring, running and jumping on the trampoline (the kids). If we lived closer I know we could have spent the entire day together.

The only requirement for participating in Blogapalooza French Stylee was to write about it afterwards.
Here's Kirsty's.
The rest of you cheeky ladies must have been recovering from all the fun like me and taking your sweet time. I can't wait to read them all so post away....but please, no more group photos because I seem to be the least photogenic human on the planet. At least I hope that's it.

Bisous a tous!

15 comments:

  1. Perfect! You said everything so sweetly and took the words right out of my mouth! Don't know what to say about the day now... x

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  2. Just in time for tomorrow's awards thingy!

    I do have numerous questions but it's probably best if you see them all in one place tomorrow!

    All the best

    Keith

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  3. Aidan, this is a beautiful write-up of a fabulous day.

    I know EXACTLY what you mean about feeling like we know each other - and now, thanks to you, we do!

    Sara and I are on a bit of an Anne of Green Gables loop at the moment, so forgive the cheesy quote, but I think this sums up how I feel nicely:
    "Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world."

    Thank you, once again, for organising the get-together. When's the next one??? ;-)

    xxx B

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  4. I am envious! Can we have the next meeting in Florence, please?
    I understand what you mean about having a great time with these ladies: people living abroad and adapting to new habits, mentality etc. develop an openmindness (!) that is very attractive. Most of my close friends are foreigners living in Florence, with whom I laugh and generally feel more at ease than with the florentines...

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  5. What a lovely write up Aidan! And thanks for organizing the afternoon as well. D and I had a great time and it was amazing meeting you.

    I'm with Sara; I have no clue what to write now!

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  6. Pen pals describes it perfectly! It was just like that. I was hoping we would all have a good day, was so happy that it turned out to be great! Thanks so much for getting us all together, am already looking forward to the next one. K x x

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  7. Blandina,
    It was really fun and I wish you could have been there too. I don't think you'd have a difficult time convincing us to come to Florence....

    Ladies,
    You are all as great as I said and greater than I could ever say.
    I love the quote B, it's so perfect.

    Swimming in ma petite piscine cette l'ete! Can you say margarita machine?

    a xoxo

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  8. Keith,
    I hope to answer all your questions tomorrow. Next time it won't be girls aloud only.
    a x

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  9. So very well put Aidan, thanks again for a lovely day! I've just posted although the photo my Hubby took is blurry!!! I think I'm well hidden in it though but I do look a bit red!

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  10. Hi I just came over from Piglet in France blog .. I think you all had a super meet up .. I see that Keith .. A taste of Garlic has been on here too !! and it is award time!!

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  11. Ooops - I just posted my comment on the wrong post :-( As I said - that sounded fun...it must be great to meet fellow bloggers...:-)

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  12. oh man, you don't even know how sad I was to miss this! And now I'm being tortured more because each and every one of you is writing about it! Merde. I'm so glad you all had such a wonderful time. Let's start planning for another soon, d'accord?

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  13. Delana,
    You were missed. A lot. I would have loved for you to be there too and it felt weird to be in 'your' town and not have you with us.
    We'll plan another but you may have to travel to somewhere else beautiful.
    I hope you're having fun skiing, um, eating cheese.
    bisous,
    a

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  14. Anne,
    I am always amazed at how Keith can read all these blogs and then post witty comments and posts about them week after week. Thanks for coming over.

    Gigi,
    It was so great to meet each other. And if you read any of these women you already know how great they are.

    aidan x

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  15. Oh, jealousy! Sounds like it was a perfect day!

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It makes my day to read your comments. They're an answer to my floating words in blogland.