Beverly Cottage

Le Nouveau Salle de Bain ~

2012-01-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

The other day as I was sprucing myself up in the 'powder room', and decided I needed a new look for the little room so often visited ~ I try to keep my home decorated in a pleasing visual, so as one enters the cottage, they feel relaxed and have a tranquil enjoyable visit~I decided to bring some 'French influence' into the 'powder room'~ I added one of my photographs of the Eiffel Tower in all her splendor on the wall complementing the charcol birdbath drawing my daughter in law made for me for Christmas ~ I added a fleur de lis hook I found on a walk one day and hung a sweet little black pocketbook with a little bling upon it~I love my blush towels that accent the walls, but decided that a contrast of black towels would help in bringing a 'POP' to the whole ambience, but there was still a little something missing ~ I thought hard trying to figure out what was missing and decided I needed a small bench on which I could place extra folded towels on and disply them as if in a garden setting~I knew the perfect item for the space~ The problem is that it is such a tiny space~ I knew just what it needed ~ A metal french embellished garden seat~ Finding one would be the problem~ I set out to look for the said item, trying to find what I had drawn up in my mind~One could not be found, but searching was fun and I finally came up with an alternative choice~In Escondido,California, there is a great place called Urban Barn~ A warehouse stocked and staged full of wonderful Shabby Chic and Vintage as well as French Influenced items ~As I wandered around I came upon a sweet cream colored child's garden chair~ Would it work in my small space? Would it accomidate the folded towels? Would it create the feeling I was trying to acheive~Absolutely!Now that is is sitting so sweetly in it's spot, I wonder if I should paint it black, or leave it in it's lovely soft cream color~What do you think? I welcome your comments~

There's More Than Meets The Eye Here~

2012-01-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

Hello all ~
Happy 2012!!
I will be focusing more on Beverly Cottage this 2012~ But did you know that there is more for you on my travels and photography? It can be found on my link to Bella Italia and Dreams of Far Away~
http://www.bellaitaliaanddreamsoffaraway.blogspot.com/
Here I have bloged the travels of my husband,Steve and I as we started our first travels and life in Tunisia in 1973~
We receintly returned from a trip to Europe which is posted there of 5 countries along with photographs.
If you join Bella Itallia as a follower I will enter you in a drawing for a photograph of your choice.

I do love to hear from you. I do so enjoy your comments ~

A New Season of Bullfrogs and Butterflys~

2011-11-26T21:42:00.000-08:00

The year has passed by extremely slow and has been tesiously emotional.

At the end of our visit in Tennessee, our lives were quickly changed into the life of adults having to take care of their elderly parent and seeing to the welfare and needs of our father.

This past six months has been dedicated to his move and relocation to our town and the tedious
job of liquidating of the home and items that made memories in my husband's life.

It has been an extremely emotional time as we face a new season in our lives, only reminding us that our lives too, are rapidly changing.
I chose not to post thru this time as what could be said that could express the emotions felt and decisions that needed to be made ~

Life does go on through difficulties, and we all must at some time face the realization that we will be responsible for the loved ones who once so lovingly took careful care of us.

This only brings to mind that we are to indeed getting older ourselves and have become mature adults~

It now is near the end of the year, situations are still presenting themselves day by day, yet we are setteling in and becoming more familiar with senior living and the daily routine for our father. It is not often an easy road ~

The grand children have been our breath of fresh air, and keep our life busy with the wonder in discovering of life. When they come for their weekly visit there is always something new experienced or discovered ~

This week we were out watching Steve working on his latest project, building a side fence.

My Grand daughter noticed a Monarch Butterfly resting on the picket fence.

"Grammie, look at this butterfly"! The butterfly flitted around Her head and seemed to stay nearby. We followed it around, it did not go far and we put our hands up hopeing that it would land on our hands.

The butterfly did not land on our hand but lit on the geranium bush, where we gently urged it on her finger!

The butterfly continued to allow us to hold it and investigate it's beauty for about twenty minutes, where after we set it on the plant again and left it.

How precious that the Lord allowed us the opportunity to meet this beautiful creature!

The kids named the butterfly Theresa. ~

Yesterday we were walking around the yard and we saw a butterfly perched in the old oak tree in the back. ~

"Theresa"! My grand daughter yelled out! We said our hellos and walked on.

Two of My Favorites For Summer~

2011-08-10T21:24:00.001-07:00

Summer is quickly passing and the garden is full of bountiful veggies and fruits. The cherry tomatoes are sweet as candy. Mr McGregor is busy out in the garden harvesting. I am being kept busy trying to come up with new recipes! HAPPY SUMMER DAYS!!

Summer of 2011~

2011-06-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

Summer Once Again~ Stories of Summer

2011-06-10T16:40:00.000-07:00

How is it that the time fleets past so swiftly~
It was just spring as we planned and traveled to Tennessee to enjoy it's beauty and visit my son and his wife as he graduated from L.M.U. with his Master's Degree.
While there I connected with newly made friends from past visits and enjoyed their company.
I was able to visit with a new friend who coached me in using the 'manual' button instead of my auto on my camera and was greatly inspired by her talent.
My other new friend and I have being "Navy brats" in common, and both lived in Hawaii, as well as share the love of quilting. It is always so much fun to get together with these inspiring women and rub elbows.

I have recently started reading a Ray Bradbury book, Dandelion Wine, for a summer Book Club. The book is set in 1928 and in a mid-west town during summer.~

I have been remembering summer's past in my life, spent around the United States...
First, early years in California, running barefoot through the day on the sidewalks, walking to the five-and-dime for trinkets. Sitting on the curb, waiting for the tinkle of the ice cream trucks song, calling for us to come running for something cold and its tasty sweetness.

Then mid years in Connecticut, Playing kick-the-can through dusk, in the cul-de-sac, walking down the back dirt path to Mohegan Park to watch the fishermen tossing their lines into the pond. The first taste of pistachio ice cream and rainbow sherbet on ice cream runs with my mom. Art classes at N.F.A., the smell of the old wood floored buildings and their creaking as young students walked the halls. Playing out in the woods beyond the yard, looking for Indian artifacts, taking picnic lunches on long day hikes going out alone, looking for crystal outcroppings, but never finding any. Making fantasy towns in the back lot, using imaginations, and cannot forget playing with Barbie and the endless hours of setting up house and dressing her. The simpleness of youth and a life full of adventure and outlook far beyond the horizon.
Older summer's in Virginia as a teen, walking to the drug store for a cherry-coke at the soda fountain, Smelling for the first time Yardley's English Lavender and and English Leather, spending the day cutting paper dolls and drawing and making my own. Writing stories, visiting friends in Rhode Island, learning to make potato salad for the 4th of July....
How many memories of our past do we keep locked inside and forgotten about. The way the air smelled of new mown lawn, a street being resealed with asphalt, or the smell of tar on a roof? Have we shared any of these memories with our children who are quickly growing towards mid-age?

Yesterday, I tried to relay a story to my 4 1/2 year old granddaughter," When Grammie was a little girl , just like you, her daddy and mommy took her and her sisters,to the drive-in -movie. That is a movie that you go to and sit in your car outside and watch the movie on a big screen.
That movie was 'The Wizard of Oz'. When we got tired, we would crawl up in the back window to go to sleep. The others would sleep across the back seat and on the floor with the hump in the middle, then daddy would pick us up and carry us into bed. Ahhh... those were the days!

Can any of the kids fathom that we were once 'little'. I try to share pictures of when their mommy was little and their age, and pictures of me... but I'm not too sure that they can get the concept.~

In another chapter of my summer book, an elderly lady, Mrs. Bently deals with issues of relating to the youngsters in her neighborhood, as they run through the weeks of summer, as if each hour has a year to spend, and also dealing with her 'collections' of memories in her life. The gathering of memorabilia has kept her days ordered throughout her life, and now all she has is piles of junk stacked throughout her home.~
I am feeling that my life is parallelling this as I have a looming abyss that drowns me each time I enter. One day I straighten and then the next it is back in a mess once again.

My father's home has become a collection of memories~ So many interesting collections, yet there are no stories to tell about them, or where these collections came from and who they belonged to...

I long to hear the stories, and now that the storytellers no longer remember.

~The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring, Tra~la~

2011-04-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

We Are Amongst the Spring Blossom At Beverly Cottage~

2011-04-27T20:56:00.001-07:00

~Welcome to the garden at Beverly Cottage~
We are in full bloom here and the birdsong fills the air at dawn awaking us to the beauty of nature, surrounding us~
This morning I poured my cup of coffee and stepped outside to sit in the amphitheatre of the garden to enjoy the symphony of music sung by my feathered sweets. It was amazingly awesome as they twittered,tweeted,trilled and did their best to attract and announce that they were there and owned the property they were perching near.
~What a wonderful way to start the day~ Splendour~
The morning mist kissed the petals of the blossoms blooming in the garden, and as I stepped through to the flower beds~
I met each flower with great expectation as to the loveliness it was going to provide.
I delighted in the vibrant color and am learning to love flowers that I never had time for.
The musty fragrance of the geranium which has always been a turn off to me, now causes me to turn my head in amazement at the beautiful shades and hues they provide.
These flowers as easily plucked and stuck into the dirt and they grow abundantly!
The Nasturtium, that has been a favorite and vintage flower in the garden, provides darling fairy umbrella leaves that capture the dew drops. The orange and yellow trailing flowers grace the garden wall and frame the beauty of the front yard, welcoming visitors.
The ever faithful lavender provides a lovely backdrop to the back garden along the picket fence. The Fourth of July rose that climbs the arbor and welcomes you into the back garden is filled with buds and blooms, and showers the garden with fallen petals. This is where you can find my darling granddaughter as she collects the fresh fallen petals for her special facials.
This is our nature haven, where I am so pleased to hear the birdsong and discover in delight a new bird and look forward to the return of the Monarch butterfly.
The eggs are being nested and the soft squeak of the hatch lings calling out to their mommies and daddies to place food into their beaks fills the air and I know without a doubt~ that it is spring at Beverly Cottage!

~ Mr and Missus Wren Setting Up House ~

2011-03-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

~ Bird Song of Spring in the Air ~

2011-03-29T21:35:00.000-07:00

As of late~ we have had more of our share of rain in Southern California. I have worried about my sweet daffodils being battered around by the harsh wind and torrential, constant downfall of rain as storm after storm hits our coast and garden. Rain and Mother nature do have their benefits though~ as the water gives birth to the flower and ground cover with beautiful budding blooms and new ladybugs hatching.~ As Spring approaches, another creation of God's is the beautiful mating song of the bird in the garden at Beverly Cottage. As I listen to my garden song every morning, I can recognise the different songs and identify some as I have come to know them, and to whom they belong. Every year there seems to be a new visitor in the garden here at Beverly Cottage. I look to catch a quick glimpse of my elusive Oriole, trying to coax him to stop and visit my hummingbird feeders, but only see him fly by infrequently. We noticed the Bluebird family choose our neighborhood as eating grounds and nesting spot 10 years ago, and love to see them join the other native birds in the birdbath splashing~ A flock of Cedar waxwings like to frequent the empty branches across the street from the Cottage and they have a lovely smooth appearance. Last year the early chortling of as new visitor had us in a quandary trying to spot him and identify what type he was. It was a Cassin's Kingbird. This week, after a strong rain, I heard the singing of a new friend and looked out into our screened patio to find a bird had found its way in. I hastened to open the door to help it exit and share it's adventure of being "locked up" in a humans outside room and freed by the larger than life, up close person and lived to tell about it. When I turned around to see where it had flitted to, it had disappeared upon it's own. hummm.... I am a collector of abandoned bird nests~ As I looked around, I noticed that things seemed askew and that the wind from the storm couldn't have possibly blown a bird nest carefully placed in a container on to the ground. I went about tidying up and thought no more of it until the next day when my little friend was singing his beautiful song, broadcasting that there was free nesting material on my screened patio! After discussing the "new song" of the unidentifiable bird, we set out to find and identify him. Each time we heard the song we searched and looked. We also looked in the bird book and thought that it might be a wren.~ Well yesterday while my husband was gardening, he spotted the bird singing on our Plumeria bush near the trash bin area on the side of the house. Watching, he saw that he and the missus were setting up home in the terracotta sun face placed on the side of the house! There in the open mouth of the sun was evidence of a nest being built. I set the camera up on the tripod and waited in the arbor to see them working diligently before it was time to lay their eggs.~ They are House wrens.~ Enjoy the pictures~ ~May I suggest you sit outside or take a walk and listen to the bird song. ~It is lovely~

Japan's 8.9 Earthquake and Tsunami A Wake Up Call to be Prepared!

2011-03-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

Last night as I was turning the television off to retire for the night, I was startled as I switched to the local news to see a Tsunami sweeping over the Japan landscape carrying with it everything in it's path. I was instantly awake and glued to the set as I tried to find out the earthquake's epicenter as years ago I was a teacher/coordinator for Japanese students and have several I still am close to.
It was unbelievable to watch entire villages swept inland. Where did all the heavy aircraft disappear to at the airport?
My heart goes out to this nation as they recover from this extreme shock. it has only just begun.
Thank God that my girls and their families all live in the southern part of the Islands, and no one I know of as of yet, has been effected.

This brought to mind that we live near an active fault line, the San Andreas fault, and there is the impending "BIG ONE" hanging over our heads here in the San Diego/Los Angeles area that not only could level our buildings and even cause tsunami waves to hit our shores and to break off the state of California at the Arizona state line, just snap it right off! (Hence the statement California will fall into the sea!)

This past weekend we experienced massive high wind gusts throughout the night beginning at 12:00am and continuing through the early morning, in the Anza Borrego desert, 72 mile an hour gusts, experienced while we were trying to sleep in a fifth wheel, hoping that out stabilizers would hold us, and praying that we wouldn't tip over or blow off our blocks!!
I had in the back of my mind...what if.. an earthquake were to happen while we were out here?

A friend who camps with us was returning this week to give a disaster preparedness class, and as we talked we were suggesting items that you could not do without and might need to add to such a kit to keep for emergency.

This really hits home and sounds the alarm for us to be prepared.
As we watch the movement of the earth throughout the world, earthquakes are hitting and devastating our global communities. Our hearts go out to our global neighbours as we know that it would impact us the same.
Say a prayer for our friends in this time of great loss, not only here, but New Zealand and China, and by all means, it is a warning call for us to be prepared!

~A Valentine ~ For You!

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~Will You Be My Valentine?~

2011-02-10T17:13:00.000-08:00

February is the month of love~
When one thinks of the month of February, red, pink and heart shapes come to mind.
I remember the art project of making Valentine's "mail boxes" for the handfuls of little envelopes with sweet messages from classmates and friends.~

As the years have sifted by, I still like to remember my dear friends with a little valentine of sorts to let them know how special they are in my heart. ~ I hold each friendship dear, as growing up in a Military family, we moved frequently, and close friends were few.~

This week I hosted a luncheon for friends who are in a doll club with me. I decided since we were to have lunch, that I would treat them to a special Valentine celebration. Our theme after all ,was Valentine's Day, why not do it up properly.~

This year we made a special Valentine for one of the club members, and then drew names.
I think that we enjoyed ourselves brilliantly and the weather was appropriate for a fete' on the screened porch. It was a lovely day.~

I hope that you will make your Valentine's Day a special one with friends that you hold dear to your heart.
~After all, that is what it is all about~

Please Join Me For A Cup Of Tea And A Chat~

2011-02-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

2011-02-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

~Beautiful Spring Days Visit Us Here At Beverly Cottage~

2011-02-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

It's a lovely day here at Beverly Cottage~

I would like to invite you in for a tour of the Cottage and for a cup of tea.
The screened deck awaits us and I invite you to sit awhile and chat and relax as I set the kettle on the stove.
Valentine's day is coming and this is my gift to you~

I thank you for your visits, frequent or few, and love to hear your comments, in fact I thrill when I see you have been here.

If you are in the area, you are always certainly welcome, and the door to Beverly Cottage will always be opened for you and a pot of steeped tea poured into one of my sweet china cups~

I will serve fresh lemon curd, picked from one of the trees in the garden, on toast or scone and we can have a chat about what is new in your life, or what your plans are for the week~
Just give me a call to set up a little visit, or leave me a comment so that I know that you have stopped by for a while~

~Emerald Carpeted Room~

2011-02-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

~Emerald Carpets~

2011-02-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

I've Chosen Emerald Green Carpets For My New Room

2011-01-31T14:33:00.000-08:00

Welcome~
The weather here has been magnificent the past few days, warm and balmy. We have to be reminded to put a coat on if we will be out past sunset, as the evenings cool down quite a bit.
I have been enjoying my outdoor room by reading in the sunshine and discovering the wonders of nature's beauty~
It invited me into my newly emerald carpeted room Saturday. I stepped barefooted onto the soft spring shoots of ground cover, recently produced by showers of rain that have been coming our way, more often than of past years, and into the room nature has given us, with my camera ready to record the greatness that has been going on through this winter.
The flowers are trying their best to use the nourishment of this rain to bring Spring our way soon.
The arbor even has presented a rose or two, promising that it will burst forth with glory soon with more sunny weather.
The citrus trees are laden with abundant fruit. The lemon has already given of her fruit for me to make batches of fresh Lemon Curd for future tea parties at Beverly Cottage this Spring.
The lime ,tangerine and orange as well~
The orange tree bid me under it's umbrella of branches and verdant leaves to view it's orange orbs hanging from limb, waiting for a few more weeks sweetness. I felt as a child and wanted to lay under it's shade and gaze up waiting for a bird to land and sing it's sweet song ,and smell the sweetness of the orange blossoms promising next year's crop.
The bees are busy doing their work as well~ pollinating and gathering from the pink and purple lavender along the picket fence.
The vegetable garden has been turned and awaits it's time to burst forth with seeds of delicious bounty~ But that is for yet another post~
Yes, I am enjoying my new emerald green carpets here at Beverly Cottage~

California Dreamin' on Such a Winter's Day

2011-01-17T08:29:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a magnificent day.The weather was a dreamy warm one, which we haven't had in quite a while. The warm weather invited and drew us out to enjoy its splendour.
We decided to take the local Sprinter to the ocean which is an easy 15 minute drive, but made an afternoon of it by using public transportation.
Having lived here in Southern California for 37 years, we become complacent in having the beach at our bare toes and tend to stay in our comfortable back yard and home and pass the day away. Not today!
We left, camera in hand and pedometer set, to take a lovely walk along the strand and out on the Oceanside Pier.
The smell of hot dogs cooking on the open grill was delicious and reminded me of days gone by as a child, when these were one of my favorites. There is nothing more tasty than a hot dog cooked on an open fire outside.
The waves were calm and rather small, but the moisture in the air caused the sky to be a dreamy pale blue and the clouds appeared to be almost a creamy pink.
I watched as the seagulls dodged and swept past.
We walked and watched as the waves lapped the shore and the sun splayed it's golden light upon the sand as a golden mantel.
How beautiful a day and how blessed to be able to enjoy it outside after the rain and dreary cold snap we have experienced these past few weeks.
Out on the pier we were able to watch the surfers from a birds eye view. It is amazing that outside the surf there is a peaceful quietness as the swells gently bob the riders over them.
As we ended our day we were treated to the most beautiful sunset.
You never know what the sunset display will be, and sadly we were on the Sprinter as it set, I wish that I had stayed to capture it properly at the shoreline.
There will indeed be another time for this.~m

Pssst! Want to Know a Secret ????

2011-01-13T14:23:00.001-08:00

Pssst! Want to know a secret???
A trip is being planned in our minds as I write this!
We are thinking of an extended time away to see what we can discover out there....
Where will it be? When will we be embarking on thei wonderful get away?
It is just an immagination in our minds at the moment.
Have you any suggestions for us? Favorite get away places in far off Countries?
Let me know and I will investigate further your suggestions!
I am so excited!!!~m

Memories of Christmas Past Brought Present~

2010-12-17T19:19:00.001-08:00

As the years slip past I look at Christmas through memories of Christmases past. As I gather the decorations that have been stashed for the year, and ramble through the carefully wrapped and packaged boxes of wreaths and garlands and Nutcrackers, I spot those items that spark heartfelt memories of Christmases past.

I come from a Military family who moved frequently, memories of first Christmases bring thoughts of standing in front of the cookie cutter 1950's home, dressed in my fancy Christmas finest,squinting, trying to keep from blinking as the operator of the brownie instamatic tried to get their best shot to capture the memory for the future.

In First grade the teacher thought of a clever item for the class to make and take.
A "Sputnik". The first Satalite to be put into space that year. We proudly made ours by spray painting a jack ball silver and sticking toothpicks into it then pouring every young childs fantasy, silver glitter all over to make it sparkle!
This little trinket lasted way past my years of living at home and even through having my own little ones bringing their own treasures to adorn the tree.
Until one day I sadly discovered my father had cleansed the boxes of adorns for the tree and alas my dear sputnik had seen it's last holiday. I was broken hearted.

Other Christmas memories are of driving madly across the country to relocate to Conneticut, 4 children in the back of a Country Squire Station Wagon. Our Christmas was in a Motel and Santa came bringing a Mr. Machine for my little brother and Chatty Cathy's for my sisters. I got a much desired transistor radio with earphones
and used it as we buzzed from town to towntrying to locate the nearest radio signal.

In years reciently past I have had the opportunity of learning to make small Feather trees. Quite an endevour, and a challenge. My desire is to make one, but not this year. This year I decided to make tinsel trees and adorn them with vintage orniments to compliment them. They have the flavor of the 1950's and are a delight!

I found a design that caught my eye in a magazine and set out to create it. I found a darling two tiered antique table at a sale on the side of the road for $5.00 and brought it home and added trim around the edge of the table. Bought snow cotton to place on the top of the two tiers placed my tinsel tree in the center and Vola!
I especially like the little antique clip on birds that I found on e-bay! Enjoy~

And the Winner IS.....

2010-11-14T16:51:00.000-08:00

After a month of posting and waiting... The winner is....
rucamping!!!
Becky, you may choose your picture from the post of 10 choices.
Email me @ mklicka@sbcglobal and let me know which picture you would like. :)~M

~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN ~

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Three Little Pumpkins Sittin On A Fence~

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IMG_7884
Originally uploaded by Ladygirl

Fall brings to mind a change of weather, cooler temperatures, and of course ,pumpkins! Pumpkins to carve, to decorate, and to make pies with!
Last week we joined the grandkids to Bates Nut Farm to pick out pumpkins. This was the first year we accompanied the kids, and although it was rather damp and misty, we had a fun time.
What do you think about these three "Little Pumpkins"?
I think that they are aweful sweet!

~ Fall Color And A Trip To The Graveyard ~

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A Little Bit of Fall Color~

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Having grown up in a Navy family, I have had the privilege of living back East, as well as on the West Coast and Hawaii.
Having experienced these vastly different climates and all that they offer, I have had a taste of the color madness that goes on at this time of year in colder climates.
Southern California where I live has it's own fantastic charm, and although we have a shortness of true trees,(we like to think that palm trees suffice),when September rolls around we tend to think that there is a change in the air and a coming change of seasons.

Having experienced the actual four seasons that display themselves back East,I have an earnest urging to experience the color change of Autumn, to ramble down trails in wooded areas where Mother Nature displays her best works of art. The colors are captivating, and enchanting!

Every fall I long to capture the beauty that I fondly remember from my youth.

This week I traveled to Tennessee for a visit with my son and his wife,to take in the color and emblazon it in my brain and capture it on my camera.

When do the leaves decide it is time to change color? What is the "Peak" time of color?
When One is longing to witness this phenomenon, it is extremely important to know this.It is not an easy task, so One has to be approximate and hope that Mother Nature co-operates.

When One lives amongst the four seasons, it just happens and you experience them on a daily basis as they pass by, but when One has only a brief period of time, it is imperative to hit it on the button, and I think that I have!

The leaves are turning, and the color is quite beautiful. I want to pull the car over to the side of the road and capture the mere beauty of the sun sparkling through the colorful display on the back country roads. Mostly oranges and yellows, but also a smattering of magenta red. This is day one and I can hardly wait to witness what is yet ahead!

I somehow am drawn to the cemetery or graveyard where the ancient headstones are markers, memories of lives gone past here. I stand and try to decipher the etched engravings of words worn by the weather,but still faintly readable. How many people drive by this spot and do not stop or even remember this person who made a difference once so long ago? I snap a picture. It will now be recorded in my heart forever, for I was meant to wander by today, this year, to look and wonder and remember this which I chose to look upon. For if I had not looked upon that most beautifully colored tree, I might not have realised there were memories of lives past
reposing there, someone planted that tree as a most lovely gift, then and for now.

~A Time To Play Dress Up~

2010-10-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Back to work, and what a better way to celebrate by "dressing up".
I love to help Sweet Pea choose a pretty dress.
I had such fun taking Baby Sweetheart's picture and trying to capture her smile!
We had glitter all over from the "Fairy Wings"!

~Dress Up With Sweet Pea and Baby Sweetheart~

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Baby Sweetheart~

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~Sisters~

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Photo Giveaway~ Blog Followers

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I have posted 10 photos for the giveaway.
I am looking forward to hearing from you out there!
I know that I have been abscent due to computer glitches.
But I will not leave you for to long.
In order to be placed in the giveaway you must post,and why not post on the picture that is your favorite!!
Invite your friends also to become a follower and have them choose their favorite! Oh, and why not tell me how you found my BLOG!!
I am looking forward to hearing from you!

The drawing will be on November 14.

Photo #10 Eze, France~

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Photo #9 Eze, France~

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Choice #8 Saint Remy de Provence~

2010-10-21T09:34:00.000-07:00

Photo #7, Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

2010-10-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

Photo Choice #6~Giverny B&B,France

2010-10-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

Photo #5~ In the Garden, Limetz, France

2010-10-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

Photo #4~ Limetz, France

2010-10-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Choice #3~ Venice, Italy

2010-10-16T07:57:00.000-07:00

Photo Choice #2~Eze, France

2010-10-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

Photo choice #1~ Vernazza, Italy

2010-10-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

31 Followers!

2010-10-14T22:10:00.000-07:00

In checking out my blog tonight, I see I now have 31 followers!!
This is quite exciting to me. I am constantly trying to think of ways to increase the number of people that drop by and are followers. I am also inquisitive how some of you came to find me?
I am going to ask any of you who wish to be enrolled in a giveaway to post a comment and tell me how you found this blog, tell a friend to drop by and post a comment also and they will be entered to recieve a photograph of their choice which I will post along the way.
The deadline for this giveaway is November 14.
Let the fun begin!

2010-10-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

Is it Already October? Time to Start Decking The Halls!!

2010-10-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

WOW!
Summer came and went in a whoosh!
I must say that it was a wonderful Summer. For the first time in 9 years I had all my children together. We had a fantastic time, we went to the beach together and made sand castles, burried Ethan up to his chest in sand, jumped in the waves and enjoyed life.
The weather here this summer was quite unusually overcast and cold, but that didn't stop us from enjoying each day.
The garden we put in was bountiful and we ate the most delicious tomatoes,zucchini beets, carrots, radish and onions. Steve even played Mr. Mc Gregor and brought me a baby bunny that he found hiding under a tomato plant. It must have been frightened to death and had a story to tell when his mom came to collect him! Steve put him back under the plant where he had found him. We still can't figure how he got there, The rabbits never ate or destroyed any of the produce.
I gathered peaches and made three batches of jam also.

I am back into the babysitting routine now that mom is back to work and brother is in Kindergarten. My designated day is Friday. Big sister accompanies baby Paige.
Last week we had Fairy dress up day and boy were the Fairy Princesses darling!
I think that I had the most fun!
My PC has been in the shop for 6 1/2 weeks!! This being the reason for the delay in my posts.
I'm happy to be back!
I would love to know that you have stopped by for a visit.
Please leave a comment to let me know you stopped by!

There is Nothing Better Than family~

2010-08-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

This Summer we had a family reunion here at Beverly Cottage.
July, our son and his lovely wife joined the California branch for a two week summer fest.
They have been re-located in the Knoxville,Tenn. area for a little over 5 years now. We try to get back there and they have managed to come West a few times over the years, it sure feels great when all the chicks are in the nest.
My firstborn surprised us and joined in the fun mid weeks. It is always so special when he comes for a visit,and I am indeed blessed everytime we are together.
I had given him up for adoption 42 years ago. We have been reunited 17 years now. He is the age now, that I was when we were reunited. This is deep, I know, but it is also so profound that we are where we are. I am finally completely happy with our relationship, and secure in our love for each other.
It had been 9 years since all the children had been together with us, so this past month has been a complete blessing to have been given my heart's desire.
We were able to beachcomb,dine,BBQ,visit and play together. There is now total satisfaction in my heart having had them all here.
Our latest member of the family, baby Paige, is growing and interacting. She is smiling and cooing... I think that she recognizes her Grammie. I sang "I'm a Little Tea Pot" to her the other day and she told me that was her favorite song. We shall have tea at Beverly cottage as soon as she can sit.<3
I will add photos soon!xxx

What do the letters say?

2010-08-25T15:52:00.001-07:00

What do the letters say?
Originally uploaded by Shane Bonham

This is an older video of my Grand Daughter Tegan at close to 2 years old. I had forgotten all about it until stumbling across it just the other day. She is simply drling and so dear, and I must add, prettty darn good at her letter sounds!!

~Sleeping Beauty~

2010-07-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Paige Emmaline Celebrating Our Birthday~

2010-06-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

Miss Paige Emmaline Requests The honour Of Your Presence....

2010-06-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

June 23 has always been my day of celebration.
This year I celebrated a monumental birthday, with a little help from my friends and the gift of a very special Grand daughter, it has been the most wonderful day I have ever experienced!!

Because of her expected arrival near the end of the month, plans for celebrating had to be re-arranged. Social events basically were put on hold, or moved to earlier in the month so that I could be available for my sweet daughter and the grand kids, and in case the baby came early.

There was talk of the possibility of her being induced on my birthday, however, my daughter really wanted to wait for the baby to come on her own.

We received the telephone call early Wednesday morning at 4:30a.m. alerting us that today, my birthday, was the day this sweet child would be born.
We arrived at the hospital shortly after 6:00 and Paige Emmaline arrived at 8:33.
She is our third Grandchild. Each one of them very dear to my heart. The sweetest is that we will always share this day and it will always be a special bond between us.

As I held her in my arms tonight I marveled at the handiwork of our Almighty God and thank Him for sending her to us to care for and teach. There will be wonderful times ahead that we will experience and share, and I am so excited to see this little girl explore and discover life!
And I will be there alongside her all the way!!<3

Joni Mitchell - Carey (with lyrics)

2010-06-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

~ Carey Get Out Your Cane ~

2010-06-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

37 years ago today, my Honey and I made a vow to Love, Honor and Cherish each other.
Looking back upon these years that have managed to shuffle by like cards in a deck, I see the events of our lives being systematically stacked together, one upon another.
We have enjoyed each other,given,taken and loved. Our secret? Honoring who we are and liking and respecting one another.We have learned this through the leading and our walk with the Lord.
Today, after meeting with others at Prayer Point and Coffee at McDonalds, we took our brisk walk along the sea wall.
I brought along my bathing suit and tan lotion and we headed down to the beach to get some sand between our toes.
The salt air carries promises of a great summer here, if I will commit to visiting.
We are basically alone here this morning. There are some early vacationers that stroll along the water break. CAUTION!!! SUNSCREEN REQUIRED!!! Cover your freshly buzzed head!
I long to linger and be sun drenched, walk into town barefooted,sporting that bohemian skirt, for a fish taco and some salsa.
Carey, get out your cane and I'll put on my finest silver~
Reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. Where is that album anyway? I must search for it on Amazon!
My birthday fast approaching, the world at my command, my beach combing honey at my side, I must gather my belongings and climb up the bank to "Walter" my ever faithful '67 V.W.! Ban the Bars!!!

~ SUMMER IS SOON TO ARRIVE AND NEW BEGINNINGS TO COME~

2010-05-28T22:56:00.000-07:00

In a few days, the month of June will be opening the door to beautiful Summer weather and new beginnings for me.
~You see~ June is MY month~ I was born in the month of June and the day my Darling and I wed is in this month.
This year I am celebrating a monumental Birthday with much excitement, as I am to share My month with a new little gift from Heaven. God is delivering the sweetest of gifts to us, a new Grandaughter.
It is with much anticipation and excitement we await the arrival. What bettter gift could a Grandmere' ask for than another darling "Princess" to dote upon!
This does help me to ease into another decade, but truth be told I still feel about 40!
These Blessings of Grandchildren are a laurel about my neck, a gift from the Most High God.
I Praise Him and thank Him for the opportunity to share my wisdom, joy, and humor with these little people who will one day be Grandparents themselves!

Meeting Delphine and Maurine~

2010-05-20T20:10:00.000-07:00

Yummy Pasta Dinner~

2010-05-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Maurine Flipping The Crepe~

2010-05-20T20:06:00.001-07:00

Ummmm, Crepes!

2010-05-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Our Girls On Stage~

2010-05-20T20:04:00.000-07:00

Our New Daughters

2010-05-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

The USS Midway

2010-05-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

The Girls With Their Pinatas~

2010-05-20T19:56:00.000-07:00

On Their Way To Yuma

2010-05-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

Up, Up, With People, You Meet Them Where Ever You Go....

2010-05-20T19:26:00.000-07:00

Just receintly we were privilaged to host some foriegn students from Belgium who are part of the group, Up With People. They are touring the Phillippines, United States and Mexico for a 6 month tour.
We hosted two lovely young ladies, Maurine and Delphine.
They were very sweet girls and we had a lovely time, enjoying our evenings at dinner and a Sunday outing to San Diego and dinner at La Pinata in Old Town.
The girls made us a fantastic pasta dinner and crepes for desert one night.

They preformed with the 90 member cast at the Moonlight Amphitheater. What a fantastically talentedd bunch of kids!!
And, I have to say, our two girls were the *Stars*.

We had no idea how quickly the week would go by, and when Monday morning arrived, We did not want to part. They are now part of our family and in our hearts forever.

~MAY DAYS AT BEVERLY COTTAGE~

2010-05-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

Spring has definitely arrived with her lovely paint brush touching the barren plants with colorful blooming buds. Color touches the ground painting a carpet of soft greens, inviting the spring bunnies to romp about and chomp the tender chamomile. This morning we spied a gray bunnie and a black rabbit visiting.
Soon we will have the new nest of babies playing about the back yard. It is so cute when they play and hop straight up into the air!

The birds are nesting. A flock of Cedar Waxwing flew into the yard and visited the bird bath the other day. We just happened to be standing at the window to witness this. The Bluebirds are gracing the yard and birdsong is a float through the air.
We have had a mixed bag of weather. More rain this year than most urges the plants to burst forth and surprise us with the beauty it offers, showing us God's gift of
beauty in nature.
I love spring and all that it offers. It is a gift of new beginnings, and a gateway to summer and outdoor living activities!

~MAY DAYS~

2010-05-10T11:33:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:28:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:27:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:25:00.001-07:00

2010-05-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:23:00.000-07:00

2010-05-10T11:05:00.001-07:00

Sur la Table

2010-05-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Chapeau's

2010-05-08T15:12:00.000-07:00

Chapeau's

2010-05-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Seine And Notre Dame

2010-05-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame

2010-05-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame

2010-05-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

Inside The Louvre

2010-05-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

The Most Popular Girl In The Crowd

2010-05-08T15:00:00.000-07:00

What Can Possibly Top the Eiffel Tower?

2010-05-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

In all my excitement I failed to tell you that we dined at the top.
Yes, Steve treated me to my alltime best dinner with a exquisite view!
While strolling down the Champs Elysees, we ducked into the local supermarket, Monoprix and bought our dinner, a sandwich and soda and cookies for dessert!
While up at the top, we dined al fresco against the fence which protected us from slipping over the edge! Is that a thoughtful husband or what! He treats me the BEST!
This is the same man who has touched a Michaelangelo!!
We were so wise in touring the Tower the night before as it rained for the rest of our stay in Paris.
Coffee and a brioche and then off to the Louvre. We headed straight to the Mona Lisa for the best view. Even so, I was bummed because with the camera I was using the telephoto lense did not have a stabalizer!
We cruised around and viewed the marvelous art and enjoyed the morning.
On to the Orsay Museum. What a beautiful day for touring the museums!
We sat in the gallery among the Cezans, Van Goghs, Monets, and Degas. How incredible
to sit among the great artist, inspired by nature and light created by experiment and able to capture and inspire us!We were allowed to walk right up to these masterpieces and take photos of them.
Notre-Dam Cathedral was awesome.The Latin Quarter would be my next pick for a place to stay, as there was so much happening there. Lots of quick restaurants and cute artsy shops.
We walked and Metroed Paris and saw the sights with our umbrellas opened, and sang in the rain.
With our deadline to return home on the horizon, we conquered our must see's and must do's.
We then visited the Orangerie Museum, where I excitedly anticipated viewing the magnificent Monet panels of the Water Lilies, painted in Giverny. I immediately fell in love surounded by these colorful monoliths, smile gracing my face, I was in heaven, having sat at the pond and claiming it as my own.
As you walk into the viewing area made especially for these paintings, the first room is a completely white oval room. Room number 2 you are embraced by four incredable large scaled paintings of the gardens displaying the changes of the water and lilypads and reflections of the light on the water. I was enthralled!
Just as I thought that that was it, I walked into the next room and there were more paintings. These reflected the willow trees on the water and seasons. The colors aquamarine,peach,pink,yellow ochre,greens,aqua,sky blue.You could reach out and touch them, pick a lily! Oh, but of course, one wouldn't!

It is hard to believe that it has been 6 months ago. This incredibally wonderful time away with my friends, and sweetheart is etched on my heart and is gently floating into the archives of my mind.
Looking forward to 2011, and what it has to offer in new traveling experiences!!
Delicieux!

Montmartre

2010-05-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

2010-05-06T23:07:00.000-07:00

Montmartre

2010-05-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

Pointe De La Concorde

2010-05-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

A View From The Top!

2010-05-06T22:55:00.000-07:00

Glorious!

2010-05-06T22:52:00.000-07:00

In All Her Splendor~

2010-05-06T22:50:00.000-07:00

The Arc De Triomphe

2010-05-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

Metro Stop Just Below Our Hotel

2010-05-06T22:45:00.000-07:00