Thank you Tattingchic and Sherry from Edie Marie's Attic

Miss Tattingchic from sunny California, gave me this incredible award before I took my little break. I really don't think I am a super commenter. In fact most of the time, I think my posts are kind of boring-hehe. I truly appreciate this award Miss Tattingchic and you have inspired me to keep moving forward. Thank you soooo much! Her blog is amazing and you will learn something in every post (you'll laught also). She is a lot of fun. In case you didn't know, she is the Queen of tatting.







I have been talking about the fact that there is no Fall here in the Valley of the sun.
Who needs Fall when I won it!!! Sherry from Edie Marie's Attic had a super duper giveaway and I was one of the lucky recipients. Isn't this a beautiful cup and saucer? I just LOVE it!
Sherry also is one of my bookmarked blogs. Her blog is an inspiring, fun read too.

Today is her hubby's Birthday so please swing by and wish Wes a happy one.

Again, thank you so much my friends. You ladies ROCK!

Celebrating life with a little giveaway

I am happy to say that I had some time to smell the flowers. The battery was recharged a bit and definitely was tested. It is nice to be back blogging again.

To celebrate life and my 100+ post, I have a French inspired giveaway.

The rules could not be easier, just leave a comment to be entered into the drawing.


You have lots of time to enter. The drawing will end on the evening of October 4th (Saturday).

There are 3 goodies. I was fortunate to receive 2 Chanel Anti-Fatigue Gel Masks. One for me and one to share so I thought I would share with my blogging friends. This is one of my favorite things. I know mentally I feel less tired when I use it and that is what it is all about!

The print is one that I got in Cannes. It is of Le Suquet and the port. I think it is such a peaceful print.

Last but not least, a set of 16 note cards featuring a vintage Paris and New york scene.

I am off to a birthday celebration but will be catching up this week with all my blogging friends.
I want each of you to know how special you are to me. When I started blogging I didn't know what to expect and this journey has been incredible thanks to all of you.

Have a truly blessed weekend.

Taking a little time

I am taking a couple of days to just smell the flowers and recharge the battery.

Be back soon!

PLEASE, WATCH THIS SHORT VIDEO

Two posts in one day! Please take a moment and view this video. It affects all of us.

It takes about 1 minute or so for the story to load but I promise it is well worth the wait.
Once the commercial is over the story regarding the FDA Globalization Act comes on.
You will be able to see where business is heading (not just for me either) and how it affects all of us.

This now is my 101st post. Yay Barb

MHR Friday

If it is Friday, it must be My Husband Rocks! Katy Lin came up with this idea a while ago and I think it is pure genius. With so much negativity in the world it is a nice change of pace.

Next month, it will be our 5th anniversary. Yayyy!

When our friendship started to get serious, I thought how great it would have been to have spent my entire adulthood with this man. What I know now, is that everything I experienced ( both good and not so good) made me into the right person for this man.

We have had an interesting journey to say the least. I am so glad he came into my life when he was supposed to. When you least expect it.......

Honey, if you are reading this at work- "I love you more better"- hehe.

I don't have a problem with Wine but...

I do have a problem with wine bottles!
I LOVE THEM!

Friends, family, even the manager of a local restaurant (thank you Isidro) have been saving bottles for me.

Here's the story... last year I started making collages on various bottles (wine, tequila). I have quite a few vintage photo's and thought I might make something with them. Throughout the years I have hung onto bits and pieces of memorabilia and have added to the collection via Antique stores and most recently Etsy.

Working on "my projects" is my kind of relaxation. My days are filled with work (thank you God) and spending time with my youngest son. He lives 45 minutes away so there is quite a lot of "road time".
Driving back home one day was when the "wine bottle" idea came rolling into my mind. I have repurposed for years-hehe.

I started making the collages for family and friends. I have been fortunate to have some orders come in so I thought I would put a few on Etsy (their temporary house).

If you have a chance, please check them out. I value your opinion.

A Big Thank you and soon a giveaway

Thank you ladies and gentleman for your comments. I appreciate your support! You all rock!

To tell you the truth, I was kind of blind sighted the other day. I usually check my emails first thing in the morning. When I pulled them up, there was a very mean spirited email that obviously was disturbing. What is sad is the fact that the person spent time finding the email address and firing off a nasty email. How sad.
Not a good way to start the day for either one of us. My day was going to be a long one and certainly not a fun filled day. That is when I decided to post very quickly before heading out. I think this picture that was taken in Paris shows that you can be very different but still get along just fine.

I have been the lucky recipient of the "I love your blog" award from Cielo. If you have not visited her blog, you are in for a treat. It is beautiful visually and spiritually. She was one of my first blogging friends and a true sweetheart. Her writing is incredible! Thank you my friend.

NanaTrish has tagged me with sharing 6 quirks. I just love her blog. Her spirit is lovely, her blog is inspiring and she is a lot of fun! Thank you my friend.

Here goes...... 1. I always state what is on my mind (tactfully I hope, most of the time).

2. I am not a "car girl" but I love the BBC show "Top Gear" which is a car show.

3. I sing loudly along with the radio in my car. I'm sure I may scare people!

4. As a child, I had to keep my food separated on my plate.

5. I start the day by being thankful for another day on earth.

6. I give it my best shot to be positive every day.

Instead of passing this on to a certain number of people, I am passing this on to any one that would like to play along. I guess #7 is that I don't always play by the rules-hehe!

I am getting close to my 100th post. Unbelievable! I never thought I would have anything to talk about. Stay tuned for a French themed giveaway.

God bless all of you that have suffered damage in the storm. The pictures are just heartbreaking. You have a whole community praying for you.

I am slowly making my way around to visit blogs. This has been a crazy week and another one is coming up.

Have a beautiful Sunday.

Sorry if you were offended....

When I started my blog, I thought I would tie it into my business. Well, that lasted a very short
time. I found a great community and the blog took a different turn. I recently heard from
someone who finds my prayer requests, etc. offensive. If I have a request, I certainly ask for it.

If I feel the need to post about a family in crisis, I am going to post about it.

Today would have been a my husband rocks post but it is not. Prayer rocks!

For those of you living in Ike's path, I am offering up prayer and a whole lot of other bloggers are
too.

I have learned over the years you can't please everyone. I am not trying to please everyone. I
will continue to ask for prayer when needed. I will continue to be myself. If that is offensive,
then it is offensive.

I hope all of you that read this, have a wonderful, blessed weekend.

Stay safe.

hugs,
Barb

Prayer and giving

I think every blogger around the world is aware of the horrific accident involving the Nielson family.

Our blogging community is a great one for praying and helping. As is our state. There have been benefits, fund raisers and much more around town and throughout the country. I have put the donation button on the sidebar of my blog. It goes directly to the paypal account that has been set up in their name.

If there is a silver lining, Maricopa County Hospital has one of the best burn units in the United States. God Bless The entire Nielson family.


To read more, please click here. Christian, Stephanie, and their beautiful children can feel the strength of our prayers and our love. If you are able, please click on the sidebar button.

Those of you that are in Ike's path, your blogging pals are holding you up in prayer as well.

Still summer here

First, for those in the storm's path, your blogging friends are praying for you and will continue to do so. May you be kept safe in His arms.

Summer is still here in AZ with temperatures around 107. The kids are enjoying it but I am ready for a little coolness. The picture above is Jayde's first jump off the diving board. Very exciting for her.


Miss Hailey jumping too.


Jayde loves to have her picture taken. I wonder what she will be when she grows up?


A little walk back in time now. This is my youngest granddaughter Annika at 1 day old.


Grandma and her sweet pea.




Last summer with her first birthday cake. What a fun mess!
Annika today at 2 years old. She loves the water.

Grandchildren are true blessings.


I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

A port in the storm. MHR's a day early

The sweet Katy Lin started My Husband Rocks several months ago and I try to participate often. It's fun and it definitely is something positive since there is so much negative talk in this world. O.k, I am getting off the soapbox to bring you this weeks episode of my husband rocks! It is a day early but tomorrow is a very hectic day.


Love has no limits, no bounds. A lot of you already know that my husband knew my children before I had even met him. Although my children are grown, my youngest is still very much a child. My husband knew from the first time he met him. He treated him no differently than he did my oldest son. Once I was introduced into the picture (my oldest son played match maker) I saw that he saw my son as no different from any one else. How refreshing is that? He did not judge (trust me, I've seen a lot of that over the years), he accepted his limitations and health problems as being very normal. Not a problem.

He knew the road would be bumpy, o.k., beyond bumpy at times but he still wanted to be a part of our lives.


I was very used to taking care of everything myself. It is wonderful to have a partner that has learned over the years what is important in life. He is my port in the storm and I am very proud to call him my husband.

Does he rock? You betcha he does.

The countdown and Bebe's back in town

This is one of my favorite pictures of the Eiffel Tower.
It was taken on a COLD, wet day but I was happy to be in that cold, wet weather. Actually, I love France in any weather. I realized earlier today that my 100th post is coming up soon. Yayyyy! I will be having a giveaway and of course it will be French related. It might not be what you think though. Tease, tease.


One of my favorite bloggers is back. Bebe of Bebe's Peaches and Dreams. If you haven't visited her (she was MIA for a while) you need to run over right now. Her blog is so much fun and Bebe is a sweetheart. She was one of my first blogging friends. Bebe gave me the "I love your blog" award and I am passing it on to those that visit. Please, help yourself to the image on the sidebar. It really is coming from my heart. I appreciate each visitor and every comment. Thank you so much Miss Bebe.
Welcome back!