Bring it on!

I don't know about you but I am pretty happy to start
another new year.
2010 has been a bittersweet year.
One of loss and new life.

I am grateful to see another year come and go.
That means I'm here, on earth, hehe!
I'm excited to see what 2011 has in store for us.

I know this year has been a difficult year for many.
I am hoping that 2011 will be overflowing with blessings.

Have a marvelous New year.
The ladies have several more days until they drive
back to Monterey (BIG sigh).

Happy New Year from all of us.

big hugs,

P.S. It snowed here yesterday! Whoo hoo!

All the way from France and Elizabeth

A while ago, I won the most fabulous giveaway.

It was in honor of Elizabeth's 600th post.
600 posts - quite an accomplishment.

Elizabeth was one of my first blog friends way back
in the day.
In fact, her blog was one of the first that I put on my sidebar.

If you haven't visited her blog, you are missing out on something quite special.
She is kind, talented, has a wonderful heart, and is someone I call a friend.
I hope to meet her someday (don't worry dear Elizabeth, I'll give you advance warning-hehe)


Here is the collection of goodies that I received.
You know I love anything French.
The card shows the headdress of the local ladies.

The lavender sachet was made by Elizabeth
and smells heavenly.
I love the fabric and the verse on the bag.

Every time we went to France, I would buy a calender.
The kids knew we wouldn't leave until I found the right one.
This is one that I would have picked.
Perfect!

Shower mitts are a favorite.
Don't you think these are sweet with the little bird?
Love them.

Thank you so much Elizabeth.
Please give hubby another big hug from me.
I'm so glad I won!
Is that selfish?


The kids will be in town for another week.
WHOO HOO!

If I don't visit, I have a very good reason.
My priorities are in order.
Look at those precious faces (not mine, but I do look very happy).

Have a wonderful week!

Huge Hugs!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

The reason for the season.

From our family to yours, wishing you a Christmas filled
with love, blessings, and joy.

I would like to thank each of you that follow, stop by,
and encourage me to keep on blogging.
You have all been a blessing in my life and for
that I am thankful.

I am loving my time with the fab four.
(fab 7 counting hubby, Dorothy, and J.W.).

Jayde, Hailey, and Annika, have always brought joy, laughter and love
to my heart.

Miss Andrea Jeanne has added much in a very short period.
These fab 4 ROCK!

The Christmas spirit is evident on Sulu.
Jeff sent this photo of local children singing Christmas carols to the troops.

May God bless our military and keep them safe
while they are so far from home.

Merry, merry Christmas.

Big hugs!

Preparing for the BEST job ever!

Thank goodness the decorations are up and we are ready

for Christmas.

While all of you have been on my mind, I've

been busy preparing for the best JOB ever.

GRANDMA!

In a few days, Dorothy and the ladies will be

arriving.

I am so excited. I haven't met Andrea yet and I can't

wait to cradle that bundle of love in my arms.

The girls have grown by leaps and bounds.

I am counting the hours-hehe.
Seriously, I am.

I am looking forward to spending precious time

with my loved ones.

I only wish that Jeff could be here too.
Maybe next year.

Annika has become quite the artist.

This is a picture she drew for daddy.

Amazing for a 4 year old. I really sound like a grandma now.

Dorothy sent me this photo of Annika's kitchen.

She loves to cook.

I know I will have plenty of help in my kitchen.

What a Blessed Christmas this will be.

XOXO.

P.S. I hope to make my way around blogland soon.
I miss visiting.

150 minutes, 32 seconds

Time, precious time.

150 minutes, 32 seconds .

It doesn't sound like much time but I have to tell you

that it was time well spent.

I was sitting down with a cup of coffee

this morning when the phone rang.

It was JEFF calling from the Philippines.

There is a 14 hour (I think) time difference

so it was very early Tuesday morning for him.

We had the nicest chat.

It was the best way to start the week.

This Army mom is still floating.

Now, if they could only do something about

the wonky internet service so I could see him.

I'm not complaining, a phone call is a marvelous gift.

Happy Monday!

joyeaux anniversaire hubby

Well, I know you were a beautiful baby ( look at those chubby legs-hehe).

And hubby, you grew into a wonderful man.
I am so thankful to have you in my life.
You have made me a better person
and brought me much joy!

I love the little things you do.
The other day I discovered
a message
that you left for me on a chalkboard silver platter.
How sweet is this?

Happy birthday my love.
May we celebrate many more birthdays together.
I LOVE YOU!

* A Chic Provence Design Tour *

While wrapping up goodies to ship off,
I am thinking about EASTER 2011.
I know we are waiting for Christmas
BUT
dreaming of France is something I do well-hehe.
Can't you just imagine sitting at this "oh so French"
cafe sipping a cafe au lait?

Oh, I can!

Imagine a picture perfect setting and you
can be part of the picture.

My friend Kit from Chic Provence is
leading the most magnificent design tour
to l'Isle sur la Sorgue in
the South of France.
She is a sweetie and you would have so much FUN.

The itinerary will make your heart beat just a little faster.

If you are a lover of fine food, antiques,
photography,
and all things french, you need to visit Kit.

Oh, did I mention you'll be staying in a restored 18th century villa?

I think this would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Please, check it out. You'll be so glad you did.

O.k, back to work for me.

big hugs
xoxo

P.S. ALAS, I will not be going on this journey-big sigh.

Calling mom

O.k, you know where this is going.

As I was in the kitchen, (cooking my little heart out-hehe)

the phone rang and hubby answered it.

It was JEFF calling to wish us

a Happy Thanksgiving and just to chat.

We talked for an hour!

He sounded great! While they didn't have a traditional
(or even close to it)

Thanksgiving dinner, it sounded like they had

a good, if interesting meal.

This call will have to hold me over for a while.
I am still doing the happy dance.
YAY!


Since it officially is the "season",

I wanted to let you know that I am participating
with other Shabby Cottage Shop members
in a special sale.

Each is a little different and you can visit to check the shops out.

The French Elements is offering a 20% discount on

all purchases through Nov.30th.

Gift wrap with a French twist is available as well.

The coupon code is GIVETHANKS.

And, thanks I am giving.

Hubby, J.W, and I had a lovely Thanksgiving.
I hope yours was just as terrific.

Huge hugs.

Happy Thanksgiving

I am hoping that each of you has a

Thanksgiving that is overflowing with

Love,

Laughter,

and Thanks.

Big hugs,
Barb

A little update and a happy repeat

We know Christmas is right around the corner.

I can't believe how this year has flown by.
I say that every year but 2010
really seems to have had
super sonic wings.

In order for goodies to be received in time
for Christmas giving, The French Elements
cut off date for USPS Priority mail
is Dec. 18th.

If I had a sleigh, I could extend it (but then
I would be taking away from The Post office).

Many of you have seen the video below.
I just love it so it is making a repeat
performance on my blog.

Enjoy and happy Monday.

Giving Thanks

Lynn is hosting the first "give thanks" blog
party and I am so excited to be able to participate.
What a wonderful theme.

I know I have so much to be thankful for.

The collage above represents the 4 seasons
and it reminds me of my dad.

When I was growing up,
he always said "every season is a reason to give thanks".
To be honest with you, initially it went right over my head-hehe.
I understood summer- no school.

As I grew older, I understood completely.
With each passing season, we do have a reason to give thanks.
We have grown and changed just like the seasons. Hopefully
we have made a little difference in this world.


My dad also said to live with a thankful heart
regardless of the situation.
He said to me, "you will have difficult times and that is
when you especially need to live with a thankful heart.
It will make all the difference".

My dad was right (he is smiling down at me).

I am thankful to have good friends both
in the blogging community and close at hand.

I am blessed to have a wonderful family.

I am so thankful for the men and women
that are serving in the military.
I will continue to applaud you (especially Jeff-hehe)!

Lynn, THANK YOU for this opportunity to give thanks.
I hope this will become a yearly event.

big hugs and thanks to each of you that
have made my life richer.

XOXO,
Barb

Our sweet Tommy

Earlier this morning, our sweet Tommy
passed on.

He filled our lives with joy and laughter and love for 7 short years.
His sweet face made everyone smile.
While our hearts are very heavy,
we know he is charming the Angels.
We love you Tommy!

A Heartfelt Thank you...

to all of the Veterans

that paved the way.

You made sacrifices that are still being felt today.

Every man and every woman that have stepped

up and put your lives on hold so we can continue

to live in freedom,

May God Bless you and protect you.

We look up to you.

Future generations will call you

their heroes.

Jeff, I salute you.

You are my "special" soldier

and my hero.

You and your comrades are in our thoughts

and prayers daily.

May God continue to Bless you.

I am so proud of you and glad that

you followed your dream.

From one extreme to the other

It is a bit foggy around here.
The weather is amazing,
the health- not so good.
Both J.W. and Tommy are under the weather.

Before blogging, I would never have thought about
sharing this online.
It is kind of funny how blogging makes me feel
like I need to put it out there.
I'm sure someone has done a study on that-hehe.

I am praying that both start to feel better soon.
Christmas is right around the corner

and

it

looks

like

DOROTHY AND THE LADIES

may be headed to AZ for Christmas break.
I am beyond excited!
That would be the best present ever.

So, this mom will be busy taking care of
son and dog.
Praying both will make a very speedy recovery.

Shine on

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:105

Hoping your week is full of light
and joy.

Big hugs
XOXO

Officially...

Thank goodness this is not my full time job!

From our home to yours

Wishing you the most

Boo-ti-ful

Halloween,

with more treats than tricks.


XOXO

P.S. This is what we REALLY look like

A French treasure just waiting for you to visit

I have been in love with this restaurant for the past 34 years

AND

it is for sale.

I found that out by accident. A friend is going to Park City and I was
telling her about my all time favorite place to visit in Sandy, Utah.
The name is La Caille and it is drop dead gorgeous.

Back in the day (as a Clinique Regional Education Manager),
I visited SLC on a regular basis.
The highlight was always a trip to La Caille.
The French chateau, the 22 acres of sheer beauty, the peacocks, the food!

I pulled up La Caille on google so I could give her the address.
It really is listed for sale.

If you have the time, take a look at the photo's.
I promise you will be inspired.
This place is magical.
I hope that someone comes along that wants to preserve
it.
It is truly a treasure.

big hugs,

Barb

P.S. There will be dining room photo's coming.
It is not perfect but neither am I-hehe.

According to SOME, I have lost my mind

Just because I decided to do a little painting
("on a perfectly fine china cabinet"),

some special people in my life think I have lost my mind.
This really was not the best time to be starting this little
project but if you wait for the right time, you'll never do it.
The way I look at it, the china needed to be washed anyway.
If my little project turns out, you'll see it.
If not, you can always drive by and pick it up in the trash-hehe.

Fingers crossed!

Just so precious!

When I saw this on the news,

I knew I had to do a quick post before heading out.

How precious is this?

This photo got me thinking

By this time, I think everyone is kind of sick
of hearing about Jeff-hehe.
I know he is not the only one in the Military
BUT
he is my son and I am so proud of him.
Still in shock that he is doing what he is doing!

In the background, you can see the pictures that his girls
have drawn to make his hut a little bit more like home.
I can't draw a lick but I can make a mean pillow.
Yes, I am making pillows to send.

The pillow above is for Jeff but now I need to add
some for the other branches of the Military.
I have my work cut out for me.

When I found out that Jeff would be in Jolo , I needed
to do some research.
This is some serious stuff.
If you have the time, please read the entire article.
You'll never think of the Philippines in the same way.

On a prettier note, new items have been added
to my little shop.
Staying busy and that is a good thing.

Have a Blessed weekend and don't forget to say
a little prayer for the men and women that allow
us to do what we love.

Big hugs!

A super typhoon- OH MY!

When Jeff left for his assignment,

the weather never entered my mind.

Well, earlier this week it did.

Watch this video and you'll know what I am talking about.

When I turned on the TV and saw that a super typhoon

was headed his way.....my stomach just sank.

We have been through a microburst that

did major damage to our house years ago (in AZ of all places),

but we were in the states and I think that made it so much easier.

I was on pins and needles until I found out he and his buddies

were fine.

They are still experiencing some nasty weather but all is good.

This Army mom is a very happy camper.

More gray hairs have been added-hehe.

By the time this year is over, I will probably be all gray!

That is o.k, as long as he is safe.

Yay GOD!

Swiss is a state of mind too!

AP PHOTOYou know I love anything French! Switzerland
does
hold a special place in my heart though.

When I saw this story I knew I had to do a quick post.

The photo above is a catering table located in the world's
largest tunnel.
It has been in the works for years and
of course is under the Swiss Alps.
I won't go into detail but the story is interesting.

AP PHOTOO.K, I smiled when I saw this photo.
A miner is holding the Patron Saint of Miners-
Saint Barbara!

I may have to find one of those-hehe.

Have a weekend full of joy.
I am headed out for a long day but hope to visit
all of you dear ones this weekend.

BIG HUGS!

One Word...

MIRACLE

(PHOTO BY HUGO INFANTE/ CHILEAN GOVERNMENT VIA AP)

LOVE doesn't make the world go round

"Love doesn't make the world go round.
Love makes the ride worthwhile".

Franklin P. JonesToday is our 7th wedding anniversary

and I have to tell you, it has been quite the ride.

As many of you know, I was very ill when we got married.
Jeff played matchmaker (still saving up for the finder's fee-hehe).

We have been through the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
I wouldn't change a thing.

At times we felt like we were on an Olympic bobsled course

hanging on for dear life.

Enough said!

I am so fortunate to have this wonderful
man in my life.

He is a source of strength when I am not so strong.
He loves unconditionally.
He loves my sons as if they were his own.
I have truly been blessed and I know it!

This photo was taken last night at his company party.

I can say for sure that LOVE makes the ride worthwhile.

Honey, I love you so much.

Here is to another 7 years (bumps and all).