Merry, Merry, Merry

Hoping that your Christmas wishes come true.

My wish for each of you is lots of love, happiness, and good health.

Each one of you is a blessing to me. I am thankful that I have had the 

honor of getting to know you all better. Although I may be scarce

around my blog, I hold each of you in my heart.

May you have a truly Merry Christmas.

Hugs and so much love.

XOXO

So much to be thankful for

 

This time of year brings so many emotions to mind.

I have so much to be thankful for.

This has been an interesting year. A year of many highs and many lows.

A year of adventures that were pleasant surprises. A year of good

health and "not so good" health. A year of contrasts, like every year.

I know I started the year out with good intentions (blogging). Each year the number really 

fluctuates. 2008- 126 posts, 2009- 104 posts, 2010- 117 posts,

AND 2011- 44 posts including this one. My oh my!

Even though I don't blog like I used to, I still adore each of you.

I pray that your Thanksgiving is blessed with good friends, family, and love.

May God bless our military (army son and family, this means you especially)

while they continue to serve this great country. Can't go into detail.......

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you and may God continue to bless each of us.

Big hugs

Looking forward to a blessed week

 

Isn't this lovely? Still pinching myself....

I hope I haven't confused my blog?  I know I don't post

like I did but I still Post when I can. After receiving emails telling me that

I still had comments off, I tried to change that. We will see if it worked.

I think I like the old blogger better. I know, I know...

Have a blessed week and I'll see you later.

XOXO and hugs.

Back home

What a view......

I am still pinching myself.  Hubby and I went to Spain and I can tell

you that it was quite the adventure.

This is the view from our balcony. Gotta love the Med!

The weather was delightful (for most of the trip).

I took so many photos that my fingers cramped up.

That's a good thing-hehe.

So much to see..and do...and eat!

 Isn't he cute? 

I just had to include this photo. Hubby looks right at home.

We found many treasures but I think I 

may have to hang on to them for awhile.

The chandy above was not for sale but I

couldn't resist taking a photo.

Isn't it lovely?

I am beyond tired (the 9 hour time difference is not my friend) so

I will sign off now.

See you soon. after some sleep.

Big hugs!

He said

and she said YES!

Getting ready to leave for a little adventure.

Perhaps some treasure hunting will be involved.

I am turning off comments to avoid the inevitable spam.

Stay well and see you later.

  Big hugs

photo from google, text from me.

I know the photo looks like the two of us-hehe.

Almost October

I don't know about you but I am so glad that September is almost behind us.

Tough month......Enough said.

Autumn has always been a favorite season. A season of change- temperature,

fashion, home decor, food, and so much more.

The temperature is more summer like than fall like here. 103 today. 

Much too hot to bake that pumpkin pie we have been craving.

If I had baked it, you would be looking at a photo of a pie instead

of pumpkins.

Several years ago, I shared this recipe for a sugar free pumpkin pie.

I have been making this for years now as J.W has Type 1 diabetes.

He adores it and I do too.

It is so easy to make. Perfect for someone that has dietary restrictions.

***The Most Fabulous Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie***

1. 16 ounce can of solid pack pumpkin (or use your own pumpkin)
2. 2 large eggs
3.  dry brown sugar substitute to equal 1/2 cup brown sugar
4. 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. 2-3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
6. 12-ounce can evaporated skim milk
7. 1/2 cup Bisquick

Combine all the ingredients in your mixer and mix at medium speed until smooth.
Pour into your 9" pie pan that has been sprayed or greased with butter.
Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until your knife comes out clean from the center of the pie.
Cool on a wire rack (DUH-hehe)

Simple but good.

Happy October. Can you believe it has been a month since my last post?

Big hugs

They got it all wrong

Back in the day, one of my favorite songs was by Three Dog Night.

Does anyone remember them?

Loved them, loved the song. I was always singing it (off key I might add).

I'm sure I drove people to tears.

The song was about a very lonely number.

The loneliest number that you'll ever do. Even Google confirmed that it is the 

loneliest number and we know Google is never wrong.

I asked hubby to pick a number between 1 and 70.

He picked number 1. SURPRISE!

Jane that is you. Not the horse of course.

Jane has had lots of celebrating going on recently. A beautiful wedding celebration in fact.

When you have a chance Jane, please send me an email with the address you want your

goodies to go to. Also the email that you would like Belle Inspiration to be sent to.

Again, many thanks to Mimi and Robyn for making The French Elements

4 year online celebration a little bit sweeter.

To everyone that entered or just stopped by, THANK YOU.

I am looking forward to many more years (GOD willing).

I am not done with the number 1.  Look who turns 1 tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRECIOUS GIRL!

Can you believe that Newbaby2010 ver.4.0 will be 1?

 I am pinching myself. This year has flown by.

I am so thankful that Jeff finally got to meet her and can't wait until the 6 of

them can be together as a family. I love this photo of Andrea Jeanne. I think

she looks like the Gerber baby. Those lashes and lips..... ooh la la.

Well, I am chained to the machine today. Seriously.... Once I come up

for air, I will visit. I see you all rolling your eyes-lol.

Big hugs

R and B's Excellent Adventure

Guess who took this photo?  No, it was not soldier son or any of the grans.

It was the man in the photo below.

This is the former pilot of Airforce1. How cool is that?

I think he is quite handy with a camera.

O.k., let me back up and tell you about R and B's Excellent Adventure.

My hubby works for one of the kindest, most generous people you could ever 

meet. He has grown his company over the last 50 years and still closes on Sunday.

That in itself is remarkable. He thinks about his employees and what they

would like. How different is that?

  He decided to send several groups on day trips. Our group wanted to go to Santa Barbara.

 AMAZING! (WARNING- MANY PHOTO'S).

 These gentlemen were in charge of Airforce1 for President Clinton and Bush (both).

Mr B. hired them after they left that gig.

The gentleman on the left is the co-pilot. Hubby got to ask them about 911 since

they were flying that day. They talked about how surreal it was and what is 

was like having fighter planes surrounding you. Goosebumps.

These photo's remind me of the Richard Scarry books I used to go

through with the boys when they were toddlers. This is the hangar

with several cars waiting to roll. Look at that floor! I could put my makeup

on in the reflection. Just like at home-hehe.

 This plane was not used but I didn't want it to feel left out so I took a photo.

Some of hubby's friends were on this baby. I think we were in 

the best of hands with the former pilot and co-pilot of Airforce1

flying our plane.

I liked tracking our progress. I didn't know there were Chocolate Mountains.

When we landed in Santa Barbara, this was waiting to take us into town.

This is the coolest jeep I have ever been in. If you saw Hell's Kitchen the other

night, you saw this jeep with their logo over it.

We toured around Santa Barbara and Montecito.

This man was awesome. Brought back those hippy days......

Peace dude.

I thought this pedal car would be perfect for home BUT I would have

to power it.  Much too hot to pedal.

Many sailboats. A regatta was happening later in the day.

This is like a Richard Scarry transportation post.

Remember that little Kardashian wedding? Folks waiting across the street

from the hotel where the bridal party and guests were supposed to be getting ready.

Don't know, really was not following it.

I could move back in a heartbeat...maybe someday.

All good things have to come to an end.

So back to Az.

Backing up the first plane. The gentleman standing at the left was the pilot for

this plane.

I still don't see how they could fit all 3 in there.

Our co-pilot (in the red shirt) was hysterical.

 After we landed he said "yes, we cheated death one more time".

I think you would need a great sense of humor with that job.

Well, that's all folks.

I hope you enjoyed our excellent adventure.

If you haven't entered the giveaway, don't be shy.

Hugs!

Fairy tale coming soon

Hubby and I had a wonderful adventure yesterday.

Details and pics to follow.

Have a blessed Sunday.

Big hugs

MAKE SOME NOISE....

because it is giveaway time at THE FRENCH ELEMENTS.

I know, it has been a while since my last giveaway.

This time, I have 2 special ladies that are contributing some goodies too!

Double YAY.

First of all, the pillow pictured above.

 Laundered burlap in all of its glory. I adore clocks and this one is a favorite.

The embroidery is black. Simple.

Facebook friends, you will remember the tea towels I used to cover

these chairs. I bought all the towels I could find. I had so many emails about 

them I decided to add 2 to the giveaway.

In addition to the 2 french inspired tea towels, you will find

a collection of 5 BB (uh huh, that one) brushes.

I love my brushes and I know you will love these too.

What a difference a good brush makes.

Now, let's say you don't wear makeup or don't like makeup brushes.

well, you could use them with this.

Robyn from Robyn Story Designs Is donating a can of Annie Sloan

Chalk paint in Paris Grey. Doesn't

it sound fabulous? Yay Robyn. Thank you so much.

Many of you know Mimi from the Bonjour Romance blog.

Mimi is one talented lady and has put together a truly magical e magazine,

Belle Inspiration. Mimi is donating an issue to the lucky winner.

Yay Mimi and thank you so much.

I am so grateful that The French Elements is celebrating 4 official years in business

(since I got that business license-hehe).

It actually is older than soldier son and he is 32.  

I appreciate every single customer and every one of you that stop by.

O.k. we need some rules. It is very easy to enter.

1. Leave a comment here letting me know you are interested.

1entry

2. Visit The French Elements facebook page and click "like"

Come back and let me know..

2 entries.

3. Share with your friends. Come back and let me know.

3 entries.

The giveaway ends August 28th, sometime in the evening.

The winner will be announced the next day. YAY.

I am so excited about this. 4 years is a milestone in more ways than one.

  Now go enter-hehe.

CONTEST ENDED IN 2011!

12 Years

On August 6th, Jeff and Dorothy celebrate 12 years of wedded bliss.

I know this is early but I wanted to make sure I posted (or re-posted in this case).

I was reading through a post from 2008 and I decided to re-post since

it is true, mom is not always right.

So much has happened since that post.

Jeff in the Army, the addition of newbaby2010ver4.0 (Andrea Jeanne),

deployment, moving to Hawaii, the list goes on....and on.

To read the 2008 post, click here.

Jeff and Dorothy, I love you both more than words can say.

You and your precious family have brought so much love and life to us.

Again, I am SO GLAD YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TO MOM.

Happy Anniversary. 

I pray you are blessed with many more.

YAY!

He is no longer here.

Still SCREAMING with joy.

Soldier son is now back in Hawaii.

The happy dancing has been going on all day and

will continue tonight.

Thank you God!

XOXO

The beginning

Once upon a time, MANY YEARS ago......

there was a young lady that was enchanted with all things European.

After spending time in the Netherlands as an exchange student she decided

to come home, pack up and move to Luzern. Shortly after arrival, she became engaged

to a nice dutch lad.  Aawwww (it didn't work out forever though).

The young lady did fall deeply in love with a wonderful way of life.

Walking most places, being satisfied with the smallest of  things, and the MARKETS.

The markets inspired her to try to make bath and body products.

AND. SHE. DID. FOR. YEARS.

Even after accepting a position with Clinique as a Regional Education Manager she

still made her products. She called her line THE FRENCH ELEMENTS and 

friends were given products whether they wanted them or not.

She started to get requests. After her long career ended, she thought "this is it".

An "aha" moment.

Things fell in to place.

She  worked on packaging. Still love it. It had that Provence thing

going for it-hehe.

Cute huh?

She decided to open an online shop. The look changed over time (and that was a good thing).

She loved the product, loved the shop, but something had changed.

After all those years, the PASSION WAS GONE and she believes in passion.

While still whipping up products, she started to work on other projects and 

that brings you up to date.

I am so happy to have found my passion for a second time.

Hubby, that includes you also, if you are reading this-hehe.

I know I have been scarce in blogland.

 I will attempt to ignite that passion again.

love and hugs to each of you.