Home Sweet Home...

It has been too, too long since last I blogged.  I seriously believe that I have been drowning in too many life issues, all of which seemed to be landing on me simultaneously.  Ultimately resulting in the arrid desert that was my creativity!!  A.K.A. - just a really stinky, blue funk!

Well - as I sit here in a bastian of San Francisco's skyscraper hotels, where the human traffic and din of conversations is overwhelming, to say the least, I felt my creative juices flowing.  Of all places, of all times, to get creative.  But, since I'm stuck here in the lobby, sitting at a suave, marble topped, crystal and flowered, communications sanctuary that is the, media 'desk' for Geeks, for the next 2 hours, how can I NOT Blog?!!

So, here it goes.  The theme?  Hotel rooms - what else? (no brainer)  This is my ode to the luxury, that is the home away from home, known to us lonely travelers as - The Great Hotel Room.  I've actually had the pleasure of residing in some pretty swanky places.  The Hilton SF is not too shabby, if you consider that it probably houses some 3000+ guest rooms.  OH EM GEE!!!!  Yep, I was staying in one of 3 towers - and as I told my husband on day one, "I sure wouldn't want to be here during an earthquake!"  Spoken like a true, ex-Californian.  And, no, I didn't Jinx myself.

I can honestly say that I love a good hotel room.  This visit, Eh, not so much - didn't really sleep too well - guess I was missing my snuggle partner.  So, enjoy the great room 'tour'.

This one it what I refer to as the "Wow - It's the HBO Bizzarro Room" room.

This is the "Isn't It A Pretty Green" room.

This is the "My Room Is An Entire House" room.

The "I'm So Sexy Austin Powers Yellow Mod Room" room

The "I Have a Tub In My Room" room.

The "Lotus White Bliss" room.

AND, last but not least...

the...

"OMG I Wish This Was MY Room!" room

Hope you had fun, I know I did.  Cheers!

Have A Seat!

I’ll explain the whole ‘chair’ thing in just a bit…

First off, our move. The new house – Wow! How exciting, what a blessing, totally loving it, for more reasons than I can list! But, definitely, hands down, such a blessing!!

Best of all - Joey finally has a ‘Man Cave’ that any man would envy – it is so totally him! NEW everything, just about! Officially dubbed Joey’s Grotto, HA!! All his beautiful F1 ‘car wall art’ is up, models, memorabilia… It’s really quite nice – almost museum in style. And, yeah – his space has the fireplace! No longer does he have to decide what to do with all his great stuff – BAMM! It goes in the Grotto.

Well, along with the new house is space – Wow! Space to stretch out it, relax in - really cool!

We have a nice small, second living room that is directly off of our main dining room, it’s a living room to me

because, well, it’s small but we could still probably fit a full size sofa in it. Our older living room set is in the main living room area, which is where the main entrance is. So, the smaller space is now referred to as the Sitting Room. THIS is my dilemma though, it’s such a nice space but it’s a bit empty. We’ve placed

a comfy sage green sofa chair, which is part of the newer set (now residing in Joey’s Grotto, downstairs). It’s such a pretty soft green and is Oh, SO comfy. But, there it sits, all alone. I have envisioned a lovely country French style chair (maybe even a pair) and a tea cart. It has great lighting from the sliding glass door that leads to our back deck.

It’s a great, intimate, sitting area. The perfect place to sit with friends (I hope someday to sit with my sisters) and enjoy tea!

That’s my plan – it’ll take a while. It’s a vision in my head, not yet materialized and will take time to find the perfect pieces. I love ALL these chairs, they’re amazing!! I’ve always loved the Louie XVI style, because the seats are deeper and wider, very comfy, I have to be able to pull my legs up and curl up.

Creating my new Sitting Room – a project, in process…

Happy decorating everyone!

Annual Holiday Ode to Le CupCake!

Every year I am just dazzled by the beautiful christmas cupcakes.  Absolutely NO need to wrack my own little 'worn out of it's mind' brain, trying to come up with something snazzy - I just go to the Web!

Wow, and YIPPEE!!  All the creativity in the world at my fingertips - all I do is copy, then, simply gobble up all the credit & praise for ALLLLL my hard work - LOL - well, I usually always admit to having nabbed the idea from someone else (Darn!)

So, enjoy the parade of YummyDom - and Diana, the Cake Cupcake (up at the top) is all for you!  You know you want to make this one, it's calling to you.... :)

Okay - these get my vote for the most 'elegant', love the raspberry and twig of fresh mint, Tre Lovely!

Thes get my vote for the most labor intensive.  Obviously, there was a lot of thought put into this one, and the outcome is really great & fun.  Extra Yummers because of the layered buttercream frosting!

And...the best for last, the beautiful and lovely winter white - so pretty!!

Cheers!

J.J.'s Merry Red Tree

Christmas red & white is what my son choose this year.  Just turned eleven, and he was actually very involved in putting the tree together. We had to do our tree this year in stages.  Recently moved into our new home, so not all my holiday boxes were where I thought they'd be, it was like a scavenger hunt.  What fun! (I jest!!).

His most fun part was "tossing the tinsel!!".  We were finally able to coax dad to join in, and J.J. was very glad to instruct him in the finer points of tinsel, "...don't just throw them in clumps, Daddy! you have to gently toss them, so they fall nicely!"  OMG - too funny - I let them go at it.  Later, J.J. had to comment, "Mommy, I went around and fixed some of Daddy's tinsel" (hee, hee).  That's my boy!

Well, she's all dressed in her Christmas red, and our new home is finally coming together, and looking in order and dressed for the holiday's.

From our family to yours, to my beautiful friends and my amazing, loving family (near & far)...

...Feliz Navidad!

Reason for the Season

As I drove home the other night, admiring ALL the beautifully lit homes in my neighborhood, they were amazing and colorful - so cheery!

I began feeling just a little irratated as I was reminded that we still hadn't put up our lights...then I happened along one house that spoke to me.

There is was, beautifully lit, very understated and elegant.  Simple white lights cascading all about, the trees were all lit with white lights as well and there on the front lawn was a beautiful sign.  It was crafted as if it was a large musical scroll, lit around the frame, on a pretty looking parchment type panel.  Musical notes were on the background and in pretty red script letters it read, "Jesus is the Reason for the Season...Let's Rejoice!"

I was instantly a bit humbled, as I thought about my tedious, inconsequential thoughts regarding our "lights".  It was suddenly apparent to me that my focus was totally askew! Obviously, I was focusing on the wrong "lights" and should be concentrating on He who is the Light of the world.

As I continued driving, I began thinking about where I would be without our Savior, and I was instantly overcome with such joy and gratitude that God loved us all so much and sent his son!

Blessings and Christmas cheer to all!

Autumn, Wonderous Fair

The colors of Autumn - one of my favorite season.  Halloween, can't wait to decorate... Thanksgiving, can't wait to cook.

8 Little 'Ol Months!!

Hard to believe that it's been eight months since I sat and visited my favorite blogs.  Since I stopped to smell the virtual roses that is the Garden of My Mind!!

Let's review, shall we?
1)   I turned 50

2)   My eldest turned 21
3)   I surprised the BeeGeebers out of my older sister, by completely SURPRISING her with my presence just after her birthday.  There I was, there she was, there we ALL were...it was a wet,

wheeping scene that everyone participated in.  Kleenex's all around!
4)   I found out that I was losing my job...
5)   I got ANOTHER job!
6)   I was indoctrinated into FB - Wow, who knew? What fun!!

7)   My youngest turned 11 (is there anything as fun filled as a household full of 11 year old boys, playing war games with an arsenal of Nerf weapons?  OMG!!! Dinner & a show, it was hysterical... INCOMING!!

8)   And, the best being saved for last... I'll be moving on, and into a new place...News to follow
...well, I could go on and on, and on.

Seriously though, I love being back. I guess what my absence teaches me is that life doesn't sit still for anyone!  I still love PINK.  I still love a great cup of English Earl Grey tea.  I still love my scones and jam, I still love tulips, roses, yard sales... and while the earth spins, and the day's whiz by... I am still me.
Ciao!

L' Amore Se Bon

Love is good.  It's all we need.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things... "...the greatest is LOVE".

Like many of you, I remember holding my infant sons in my arms and being overwhelmed with an instantaneous and all encompassing love.  A love so great, that kind of love that makes you break out in laughter, makes you smile uncontrollably, love that causes you to inhale because it takes your breath away.

I think our children teach us to love.  They smile their little smiles, they drool, they giggle, they snuggle.  They thrive and are nourished by our love & devotion.  They share and display it without hesitation and without pretension.  They are bold, unashamed and unafraid to display outward public displays of affection.

So, when does it change, or rather, what changes in us? I really try hard to remember what Paul said, "if I have faith enough to move mountains, but have not love, I have nothing".  Wow.  Big stuff!

Valentine's Day may represent the Day of Love, but for me is just a fun and frivolous way to celebrate a special day with my boys.  I love baking something neat and different, and I've always tried cooking a special dinner by incorporating "hearts" into the meal.  And since I'm mad about tea ANYWAYS, it's always safe to assume that I'm going to work a tea party into the weekend, somehow.

Another thing I love, because the artistry is so beautiful are old Victorian Valentines.

When I can find them I'll snatch them up, they are so lovely.  There is a little antique shop downtown that I couldn't wait to take my sister to, during her last visit.  Well, the shop owner makes the most incredible Gift Tags that easily pass as Valentine's.  I'm going to be sure to pay her a visit and check out her stock before VDay.   And of course - what women would pass up roses, so beautifully arranged?  Yep, I'll take it!

Here is a neat little, fun dinner time treat that is sure to please everyone, and they're SO simple!

2 Packaged Frozen Bake & Serve Dinner Rolls, thawed but still cold

INSTRUCTIONS

Roll each roll into a 4-inch drumstick shape (skinny on one end and fat on the other). Cut into the fat end about 1 1/2-inches. Place on a sprayed baking sheet pulling the cut pieces apart and laying them cut side down on the baking sheet to form the top of the heart. Slightly flatten heart shape. (The shape you originally create will fill out and distort while rising so defining characteristics should be emphasized.) Cover with sprayed plastic wrap and let rise until double. Remove wrap and bake at 350°F 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy your day of love - everyday!

The Reincarnated Life of a Teacup!

I recently broke one of my most cherished tea cups, I don't even know what cause it to break?  How many of us stack our teacups, one nestled inside the other.  They sit stacked there in a lovely leaning tower of china glory and never once have any of my little towers ever had a mishap.  Until now.  I gently placed one cup inside of another, gently, I mean I didn't toss the little lovely, haphazardly into the other.  I placed it, gently and it just cracked, it came apart - just like that.  Oh the sadness.  I haven't been bargain shopping for any teacups lately, I can't even remember the last time I bought a teacup (well, not for me anyway) and now, I've just lost one.  And it was one of my beauties, BUT Of course it was.  Not like I'd break one of  my "replaceables".  Ah well, enough of my whining, soon you be wanting cheese!

Originally I had thought that I might use it in some type of birdhouse creation, you know, buy a little wooden birdhouse and paint it white, then cover it with my little beautiful china pieces, but then I thought.  It would sit outside, or on my patio table and I'd never really see it.  Hmmm, think, think, think...

I happened across this lovely post from http://lavenderhillstudio.blogspot.com/ and it gave me the most wonderful idea of how to repurpose my little cup.  Here is a lovely photo of Lavender Hill Studio's Mosaic silver tray.  I'm hoping to get instructions on how to go about creating one of my own.

Okay - well, I hope that you'll all visit Penny at Lavender Hill Studio and look at her many beautiful and fantastic creations.  Here's another one.

Cheers!