Life

While I would like to be on a break that includes

gazing up at the clock tower on the Musegg Wall in Luzern....

this is not happening.

Some things have come up so posting will be on

vacation.

Hopefully I'll be seeing you sooner than later.

big hugs
XOXO

Love his work and the message

Timothy R. Botts is a MASTER calligrapher and artist.
Needless to say, I adore his work.
With Easter right around the corner,
I thought you might like to see a snippet of his work.
They tug on my heartstrings, that is for sure.

images from timbotts.com


While I enjoy my neutrals, I could fill my house with all
of these colorful creations.
Couldn't you?

To see more of his amazing work, you can visit here.
P.S. Happy St. Patrick's day

There is beauty all around us

Even at first glance, if something doesn't look

beautiful, take a second look.

There is beauty all around us.

Have a Blessed Sunday.

Re-post #2- You know how much I love the Netherlands

This post is from April 2009.
I thought I would re-post
about one of my favorite experiences.

I hope you enjoy it.

A little under the weather so..

I'm re-posting.
Yesterday, I did a stint in the ER (I'll be just fine)
and as a result, I think I will be doing some re-posting this week.
Saving that energy-hehe.

I thought you might like to see a post from last March.
Love these diffusers and they are so easy to make.
In fact, they are still going strong a year later.
I hope you will give them a try.

If you haven't entered The French Elements giveaway,
there is still time. Just click on the button on the sidebar
for more info.

Have a wonderful day.

A surprise for us and a surprise for you (TFE Giveaway)

When we were in Colorado last week,
we received a great gift. A lovely surprise that
means the world to both of us.

Mom H. knew that I love old photo's, ephemera, etc.
This is just a sampling of what we were able to bring home.

Many of the photo's, hubs had never seen.
I don't have many photo's of myself as a child and I think
that could be why I have been "a crazy clicker",
always taking pictures of my boys and grans.
A legacy to pass on (or so I think).

I love this photo that ran in the Denver paper.
Mom and her BFF (Kathryn came to the funeral).
Two bathing beauties!

How sweet is this?
Autographed by Pee Wee King.
Mom H. had a piano and as a kid I took lessons.
I hadn't played in years and tried it out.
What a hoot! Not pretty but it had been decades.

What wonderful family treasures to bring home.
I love surprises.

Now one for you......

You know I love giveaways.
Last year I started doing a monthly giveaway
for followers.

Well, it is a new year and a new day.
In the past, I have given away TFE pillows, Chanel goodies,
Items brought back from France.

To be honest with you, I'm not sure what this giveaway will be
BUT
it will be full of French goodness and love.

If you want to enter, please leave a comment.
If you already follow this blog, you will be automatically entered but you
can still leave a comment for a second entry.

If you start following this blog, you'll get another entry.
If you want to put this little button on your blog, let me know
and you'll get another entry.

Everyone is eligible.

Viva la giveaways!

New goodies and a commercial you'll love

A new pillow added to my shop.
Love the fabric chock full of all things French.

Right now, pillows are on their way to Belgium.
My first custom order to Europe.
I'm so excited!

Bamboo floor mat,

an adorable set of crown magnets,

glass trays to hold trinkets,

for vignettes,

or whatever you choose.

Shabby, French, vintage inspired trays.

These and more can be found here.

Every time I see this commercial it just makes me laugh.
Enjoy!
I hope you have a weekend filled with laughter, love, and sunshine.

What do these pictures have to do with France?

A hula skirt? Absolutely Nothing.

O.k, maybe in the South of France.

This is not looking very French like to me
BUT
more like Hawaii.

Certainly not a French logo.
Jeff has received his orders and after his 2 month
period in Texas, (provided the military doesn't change things up)
my dear family will be moving to HAWAII.


I'm still digesting the fact that Jeff is in the Army.
I know, I'm slow-hehe.

Dorothy will not be able to move right away because she'll be too
far along in her pregnancy.
So Dorothy and the ladies and NewBaby2010. ver.4.0
will be moving as soon as
her Doctor will allow.

What a year this has been.

So, while I always dream of a "little chateau" in France.
Rural or grand....

I have a feeling that a little beach shack
may be closer to what is in my future.
I'll just Frenchify it.

Viva la Frenchified beach shack!

Back home and a BIG birthday

This post is to celebrate life.
Today Jeff turns 31.
I can't believe how fast the years have flown by.

I love this school photo.
Jeff was 6.
As I look at this photo, I can see Jayde and Hailey at this age.

The teen years. A time of learning and growing for both of us.
Enough said-hehe.

The photo above was taken at Fort Jackson.
The Ladies had sent this T-shirt to daddy for Father's day.

This photo was taken over Valentine's weekend when Jeff was
on leave.

Jeff, I want you to know that I have always been proud of you.
I have watched you grow from a precious little boy into an
amazing man.

I am in awe of your dedication to your family and to this country.
You are brave beyond belief.
May God continue to Bless you with his favor and grace.
Your mama loves you very much.
******************************************P.S. The funeral for Ray's mom was beautiful.
We flew home yesterday.
Yes, I did the Eulogy and God provided the words.
What a privilege I was given.
Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you

I wanted to do a quick post to thank you so
much for your comments
and emails and even a couple of phone calls.

This week has taken us on a wild ride of emotions.
From high with the kids, to LOW.

We have been busy making arrangements.
The funeral is next week in Colorado (this gives everyone time to plan their flights).
I have been asked to give the eulogy.
I don't have a clue what to say but I know
the words will come.

Orders placed this week will go out as scheduled.
Orders placed next week will ship out at the beginning of the following week.

Again, hubby and I are very touched by your kindness.

A new Angel watching over us

In my earlier post, I had mentioned that my mother-in law
could use a little prayer.
She passed on this evening and is now one of Gods Angels.

She was an extraordinary lady.
She was a single mom years before you really heard that term.
She worked 3 jobs at times, to keep a roof over her family's head
and food on the table.
She was selfless.

She raised 3 children and buried her youngest son when
he was in his early 20's.
She LIVED, and made this world a better place.
I am so fortunate to have had her in my life
for the last seven years.

Heaven has a new Angel watching over us.
God Bless you. We love you and we
know we will see you again.

Happy Valentine's Day- A little Swiss eye candy

Wednesday was Laduree,
today is Teuscher.

When I lived in Switzerland, this was
my chocolate of choice.
O.k, it wasn't always in my budget
but
when I would splurge....
this was it.

Doesn't it just make your mouth water?
Or is it just me?

They have the cutest character boxes
to put your chocolates in.
Adorable!

images from Teuscher

Best of all, they even have chocolates for diabetics.
These are delicious.
My son can vouch for that.

If you would like to see more Swiss eye candy,
click here.

The kids are on their way so this very happy
lady is signing off.

Have a wonderful weekend filled with hearts and love.
I know mine will be very special.

A little French eye candy

image from Laduree

A girl can dream, can't she?

image from Laduree


These treats from Laduree shout Valentines Day in a big French way.

While we will be spending Valentines Day here in rainy/sunny AZ,
I can dream about Laduree goodies.

If you want to dream along with me, click here.
This version is calorie free.

Enjoy.

Waiting patiently

You can go ahead and ignore this early morning photo of me.
In fact you should ignore it, but OH what a background.
A couple of years ago at this time, we were patiently
waiting for Carnavale in Nice.

A lovely place to wait if you must wait.

Waiting for the bleachers to fill up.
Waiting for French fun at its best.

But right now, we are waiting for Jeff, Dorothy and the ladies to arrive later this week.
Even Tommy is patiently waiting.
I can honestly say that I am more excited about seeing my
Soldier son and family
than I was seeing Carnavale in Nice.
I guess that makes me a true Grandma-hehe!

While I have been waiting, some changes
have been made to The French Elements website.
It has truly been "Frenchified"
by Victoria.

I'm so excited about it.
She is lovely to work with.
She even fixed my blog.
Notice the yucky brown has been replaced with
the beautiful blue sidebars.
I've been trying to get that done for months.

What do you think?
Am I Frenchified now?