Christmas in June Giveaway

Six months from now, we will be very busy getting ready for the Holidays. Before we know it, it will be Christmas.
So, to celebrate the half year count, I am giving away the following products:

Almost Sinful Walnut Scrub

Truly Decadent Shea Butter Body Creme

Luxe Riviera Shower Gel

The scent is Truffle Delight. I love chocolate!

The giveaway will end on the evening of June 9th (Monday).

My lovely granddaughter Jayde will chose the winner.

Please leave a comment and you will be entered. Yayyyyy!!!!!

Great Reads for the Francophile

I have always loved to read. Period.
One of the gifts I give to myself is the time to read.
These are two of my favorites.

On Rue Tatin (Living and Cooking in a French Town) by Susan Loomis is delightful. As is Tarte Tatin (More of La Belle Vie on rue Tatin). Both books are filled with wonderful recipes created by Susan. One day I would love to attend her cooking school. To put it in a nutshell, she combines building a family with building a business in France.




Trail of Crumbs (Hunger, Love, and the Search For Home) by Kim Sunee is a memoir.
Kim was left on a bench in a marketplace as a young child. Later adopted by a family from New Orleans, she ends up living in France. This book depicts her search for self. As Kim finds peace in cooking, there are some wonderful recipes included in her book.

These books would make a great summer read.

Powerful Prayers

Just a quick post to say that my son is doing much better.

He was released from the hospital (he is not a good patient) for home care.
We are waiting on the results from a few tests but overall he is much better.

God is merciful and the miracles I see always amaze me.

Thank you to those that prayed. Prayer is very powerful.

A time for Prayer

My son went into the hospital yesterday with some serious complications from Type1 diabetes.
Several years ago the Doctor said he probably would not make it to 28. He is 25.
I don't believe in numbers but I do believe in the power of prayer.

As you go through the day, please say a prayer. It is very much appreciated.

The Enthusiastic Clicker in Monaco

Hubby


The Monaco Grand Prix was today. The winner was Lewis Hamilton, a young Briton (23).
While I have never attended the race (when I win the lottery perhaps), I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to visit several times. Regardless of the time of year, it really is a very beautiful spot.

I love to take photo's and while the quality is not always the best, the enthusiasm is always there. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

My Memorial Day Hero

My Dad was a man of few words with a very big heart.
I never heard him say anything unkind about anyone. His philosophy was "to speak no ill". What a wonderful role model. He was quick to help anyone without wondering what's in it for me.

My dad was a veteran of world war 2. Because of the sacrifices he and his generation made, we are able to enjoy the life we enjoy. My dad was an entrepreneur.
Looking back now, I can see how hard he worked to build his business. He never complained and always looked forward to see what the next day would bring.

He passed away on Memorial Day 3 years ago.

While we are enjoying the long weekend, remember to
give thanks for what all our servicemen and women have given us. Without their sacrifices, the world would be a very different place.

A lovely Break

Walkway to the casino
Love these ceilings

Very comfy room


Sand bottom pool
One of the pools
Lovely walkway
Small Vineyard
East Tower overlooking the pool
The front of The Green Valley Ranch Resort

Scion United Event

We are back home after spending a wonderful weekend at The Green Valley Ranch Resort.
The hotel was marvelous (pictures to follow on the next post).
The only glitch was the fact that I "locked" myself out of my laptop. I don't use it often and it definitely showed!

Many thanks to Toyota/Scion for a great weekend.

We were told the commercial should start airing in August. Yayyy!

On the road.....again

I've never been much of a car person.
A car is a car is a car (exception being the Smart car which I have loved for years). Several years ago my husband started talking about Scions. I took a look online and thought it was interesting. None were available in Az at the time so we couldn't go to a dealership to take a closer look.
As luck would have it, we had to go to CA for a car event and I spent some "quality time" with several Scions.
Since my car was on it's last legs, I decided to get a Scion. My husband was thrilled.

To personalize "my car" he had Ghost flames painted on the front end. Not too obvious, I could live with this. After the paint job, I got revved at by teens. Interesting for a grandma. Little things started being done over time. It was lowered and finally airbags were installed. At that point, I turned the car over to DH and got a car that no one would want to modify.

Tomorrow we are on our way to NV with "the star". It was selected to be a part of an upcoming Scion ad campaign along with quite a few other Scions. Toyota/Scion is taking care of the arrangements and it should be a lot of fun. Who would have thought that I would be spending time at a lovely resort thanks to my old car. Thank you DH and Toyota/Scion for a wonderful new experience.

Cannes Man

I saw on the news this morning that the Cannes Film Festival has begun. While I've never been in Cannes during the film festival, I've been fortunate to visit there several times. It really is lovely, crowded but lovely.

This is a picture of what I call "Cannes Man". While walking along La Croisette we saw what looked like a statue. Once we were almost in front of it, the gentleman started to play his music box. He never blinked, never changed his position. Only the arms moved. He was a daily fixture that we marveled over.
Very creative, very disciplined.

Cannes Man, if you are still there, enjoy the parade of people passing by.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of us!

As I've had the honor of being a mother since 1979, this is my 29th Mother's Day. I treasure the cards that I have collected over the years.
It is a lovely way to look back at the past.



I hope everyone has a blessed Mother's day.

European Markets

I love markets!

The top photo was taken at a market in the south of France.

The bottom photo was taken in Luzern, Switzerland (my favorite place). The white specks are snowflakes.

Words from Grandma

Happy birthday Jayde.
My darling grandaughter is now 8.
Where has the time gone?


I thought I'd share a few things that I think are important for getting through life as it goes by so quickly.

Be impeccable with your word. Your word goes along with you in life. Stay honest, stay true.

Know who you are. Listen to that small voice inside. That small voice inside is your guide. Listen to it carefully.

Don't lose your joy. Your joy is inside of you. There may come a time when someone tries to take your joy away. Since your joy is inside, it can never be stolen.

When tough times come your way, keep your faith. It will get you through.
Know that you are loved and you are special.

Keep singing your song.

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration that is definitely celebrated here in AZ to the max.

Initially I thought it was Mexican Independence day but that is actually celebrated on September 16th.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates the date in 1862 when the Mexican army defeated the French army. A year later however, the French did occupy Mexico and ruled for a few years. The French were defeated and "kicked out" in 1867.

The celebration includes parades, food, drink, and fun.

So in the true spirit of the southwest, have a fabulous Cinco de Mayo.

Within Sight?

If you have visited The French Elements website, you have seen the category Sharing with others.

My youngest son (25) has multiple health problems including Type1 diabetes. He was diagnosed with it at the age of 9. I must admit, when he was hospitalized and the Doctor gave us the diagnosis, I didn't realize the magnitude of this disease. Blindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, stroke, are just a few of the complications that
are associated with Type1 diabetes. My son has been experiencing some of the complications for several years.
When I look back at what my life was like when I was 25, the difference is day and night.

JDRF is working non stop to find a cure. They are truly a great organization.
While November is known as National Diabetes Month, Diabetes is 12 months , 365 days a year.

A cure is within sight, I just pray that it is in time.

In a land far away

This morning I had on the Today show to watch where in the world is Matt Lauer. Matt was in the Netherlands. I promptly sat down and watched the entire segment.

Many years ago I was an exchange student in Epe, Holland. I always had the travel bug but this experience really was magical. I fell in love with Europe and ended up living there a few years later.

While the photo is a bit fuzzy, the memories are clear. This is the house I lived in with my dutch family. Just as lovely as I remembered it.

I am so grateful for that experience.

Coming Soon?

I am so excited about this!

Hint: You use it in the shower. It feels great and smells marvelous.

Next step- labels (takes a little more time).

I feel a giveaway coming on......

Mother's Day is right around the corner. Don't forget the Coupon code
momrules.

And the winner is.....

The winner is Lace from Mi.
Come on down girl!

This was so much fun. As a first time participant it was a lovely experience.
I can't wait until July!

For those that visited, thank you so much. I really enjoyed visiting other blogs and have bookmarked many of them. Please stop by often. You never know when I'll decide to give something away just because.

Again, many thanks to everyone that visited.

The Carnival is finally here

Third time is a charm! My previous posts have vanished.

I am so excited about The Bloggy Giveaway Carnival

Please leave a comment (one only) and you will be entered to win some amazing products. They include Truly Decadent Shea Butter Body Creme and Almost Sinful Walnut Scrub in Yuzu, Goats milk soap and Olive oil soap in ginger papaya and a sample of Luxe Riviera Shower Gel in Cabernet Sauvignon.

This is open to those in the U.S.

The carnival will end on the evening of April 25th. The winner will be chosen randomly on April 27th. I will notify you by email.

There are so many amazing blogs, I encourage you to visit them all.
Please check out Yummy things and Cupcake Dreams. Marilyn Rocks.

Merci for visiting.

Easy Vinaigrette

There is nothing better than a salad with a great vinaigrette. O.k, there are a few things that are better (chocolate, cake, cookies) .

For those times when you are eating healthy, try this easy vinaigrette. It will transport you to a French bistro.


Easy Vinaigrette

1 clove garlic
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup EVOO

Chop the garlic and place in a small bowl.
Add salt and pepper (I like sea salt) to the garlic.
Stir in the mustard and vinegar.
Then slowly drizzle the olive oil into the mixture.
Keep stirring as you add the oil.

Voila