Packages From France

Just in time to help me celebrate Paris in July sponsored byThyme for Tea and Bookbath, Corey from Tongue in Cheek  sent me a package because I won a contest on her blog.
This morning, the mailbox was propped open and I opened the lid to see what was blocking it. There I found a brown paper package with a return address from France. I knew immediately what it was and squealed in anticipation.
Packages are a delight. Packages from France, what joy!

This is the vintage white night dress that Corey gave away on her blog. It was this post: What to Wear on a Summer's Day

When I opened the envelope, I felt the thick, soft white fabric in my hands and breathed in the clean smell. I pulled it from the envelope and watched the long swathe of white cotton undulating.

Here was the nightdress I dreamed about 20 years ago when I prepared to give birth to my first baby, Grace. I pictured myself propped in the hospital bed, unbuttoning tiny mother-of-pearl buttons to lift her to my breast, her face pressed against the thick cotton. But my friends who had given birth before me, pooh-poohed the idea. Births were full of blood and gore, not white cotton nightdresses they said. And so now, 20 years later, comes a vintage, white nightdress. My babies are long grown, but my dreams remain.

Thank you, Corey, for the beautiful nightdress and for sharing your stories on your blog.

Corey is an American from northern California who married a handsome Frenchman and raised two beautiful children who are now exploring the world as well. She weaves intriguing tales about living in Provence and also takes marvelous photos -- not to mention the fact that she sometimes has fabulous giveaways. Corey's passions are her family, travel, and the brocante, which is what the French call a flea market only it's full of really old, cool things, like early 1900s nightdresses, dishes and glassware and monogrammed linens.