Pony Rides and Rambling 12/4/2013

I invite you to visit my pinterest to see all the beautiful rooms, gardens and eye candy I put on there. I now have 12,870 images and 10,030 followers. It really is quite delightful to visit there. I have absolutely nothing to gain by pinning or doing it, just the love of seeing gorgeous images and to dream. I just love looking at beautiful things as I'm very visual.
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As Alexandra Stoddard once stated in a pamphlet, "No one should deprive themselves of the joy of color because color choices, unlike most choices, aren't a matter of money. You are free to select the colors that put a smile on your face and edit out the rest. Living with refreshing, life-enhancing colors in your room, in the clothes you wear as well as the paraphernalia in your handbag and and the accessories on your desk can do wonders to your spirit. Color to me is one of the gifts of grace that is ours to select and a tool to help us live beautifully."
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My sweet little 3 1/2 year old great granddaughter is now doing something I taught her. When she meets someone, she is to shake their hand and say, "I'm dazzled to meet you." She picked that up real fast and people are astounded how well-mannered she is. That is NOT to say she's perfect because that little chick is a pip, trust me! She also was treated to a very nice surprise from a friend of mine who lives in Mt. Home, Idaho. She arranged for Caroline and Juliette (1 year old great granddaughter) to have a ride in a pony cart last week. Caroline loved it! She was in a cart that held 3 people and then she got to actually ride the pony. She had the most excited expression on her face and talked about it all night. When we got home Caroline told her mother: "I had a great adventure tonight, mummy."

A sweet red bathroom. It looks tiny but still has space for a cupboard. See what you can do with small spaces? They don't have to be ugly and frumpy. They can definitely be gorgeous.

I don't think there's anything more enticing than ice cream with cherries or strawberries on top. I remember years ago eating them at our local drug store in Norfolk, VA. and having a Coke with it. Those were definitely th' days: drug stores with counters for shakes and even sandwiches.

I just loved this entrance with the curving of the door, the mailbox right outside and a bench to sit on. Gorgeous.

Snow coming soon. I can't wait. I wish it would snow a lot this season. I love snow and it gives me an excuse to stay home and be a slug!

Cute potting room. Maybe it's part greenhouse also. Just look at all those vegetables.

You do know I love sparkly bottles, right? Well, this owner has outdone herself. Beautiful!

Love the lace garment with ribbon/fabric flowers decked across a French wicker chair.

One of many colorful buildings in a foreign country. Looks to be like Italy or France.

A stunning dining room.

And a stunning kitchen. I love a white kitchen. Have you seen the new ranges/ovens that you can put in 3 big cookie sheets? I just saw one the other day in Sunset magazine and lusted for a bit. Just a bit though. Because if I had it I'd have to cook/bake more and that ain't happening!

I could live with this little beauty, but at the moment I'm very happy with the little footstools I've made over with duck cloth. Plus I saved a lot of money doing what I did.

Hold me back!!!! I love chocolate on chocolate on chocolate.

This is one of the styles of furniture I love. Isn't it gorgeous?

This looks like it's cordoned off so I'm guessing it's a display somewhere. But it is beautiful and I'd love having it in my home.

Now, I have to admit that this little beauty and this setting would definitely entice me to go camping. I shan't mention it to Love Bunny or he just might try to go out and find one so I'll camp with him again. But this is a beautiful dinner setting for a trailer.

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A Few Thoughts and My Heroes 11/11/13

Okay, another reminder of my Pinterest page, where there are over 12,500 images, beautiful images, and over 9,800 followers viewing them. I have nothing to gain on telling you this, just your pleasure at seeing all the photos I've collected in one spot for you to see. I promise you will not be disappointed. Plus I'll never be able to post them all on my blog, just too many. So go over there and enjoy all the eye candy you could possibly want to see.
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We went out to dinner a few nights ago, planning on joining another couple but they never showed up. We ate and then left, no problem. But the waitress was very chatty. She was also adorable and cute and hubby mentioned it to me before I said it to him. He then said, "But not as cute as you." Saved his backside BIG TIME! :-) But it got me thinking about how the waiters and waitresses chat us up all the time. Sure, it's very nice of them and they're probably told to be very friendly, but I truly don't need it. I'm just fine being with my hubby chatting away or with friends chatting. I don't need it. Not that I'm opposed to it but I have absolutely eaten in top notch restaurants and for the most part, wait people are to leave the diners alone. Be there but be unseen while taking care of the diner. I like that much better as hubby will tend to chat right back and keep it going. He can't shut up! He's just a gregarious guy and more so if it's a cute chick. Sigh.
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One of the most profound things ever said to me, and it was my hubby that said it, was: Not everyone thinks like you do. I was rocked to the bottom of my core. Truly. I didn't know what to say it shocked me so badly. Of course I thought everyone thought like I did. Good was good and bad was bad; evil was bad, etc. I've since realized he was absolutely correct. Nothing brings it home like politics.
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It's starting to get cool here in Idaho and they're forecasting possible snow in a few days. We'll see. I love this state. However, we know a man named Wrangler, one named Colt. Can you tell I live in Cowboy Country? :-) Love it here.
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We're pretty humorous in this family and the other day I was putting on makeup and pulled all the stuff I needed from the cabinet to the countertop and told hubs this is what I needed to be beautiful. He picked it all up, put it back on the shelves and shook his head as he was brushing his teeth. The point being that I was beautiful without makeup. He's a killer, I tell ya. Won some brownie points but it isn't true no matter what he says. I proceeded to tell him he can't be treated to a gorgeous beauty everyday, that being the days I go makeup-free. ;-) Gotta love a man who can lie that well.
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A few weeks ago, I sent hubby to WM to buy some shredded sharp cheese for tacos. He called me on his cell phone saying he was having a problem finding it. I walked him through it. Sigh. He's lost without me. ;-) Then he asked if I wanted one or two bags. I said to get one bag as I was hesitant on his "choices" of something.—he rarely gets it right. So he said he'd get three. I said no, just get one. He said he'd get one. He came home with two bags. Sigh. But how in the world did we exist before cell phones?
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I haven't been blogging as much as I used to because I'm very focused on other things right now. I'll probably never blog like I once did but I try to do it at least once or twice a week. So keep watching and you'll see new posts. Promise.
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This is one of our heroes returning and the story a man on the airplane wrote about it:

What you’re looking at is Delta Flight 2255 after it landed in LA earlier this week from Atlanta.
It was an ordinary flight in every way except one.
One board was the body of a fallen soldier in the cargo hold.
None of the passengers had any idea until the pilot made the announcement about 45 minutes before the plane landed.
“The plane went quiet as he explained that there was a military escort on-board and asked that everyone remain seated for a couple of minutes so the soldiers could get off first.”
“He also warned us not to be alarmed if we see fire trucks since Los Angeles greets their fallen military with a water canon salute.”
One of the passengers on board was a man who calls himself Johnny Jet: The Travel Insider. And all these quotes are from the blog that he wrote about what it was like being on the flight.
“A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water canon salute. The water glistening on the windowpanes looked like tears.”
After the plane pulled into the gate, a military officer came onto the plan and spoke to the passengers.
He said:
“It is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen. Today you all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.”
He then thanked everyone and walked off the plane.
Can you imagine being on a plane and witnessing something as powerful and emotional as this?
“Everyone was silent and no one got up, not even that person from the back row who pretends he doesn’t [understand] English so he can be first off the plane. I’m sure most had meteor-sized lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes like I did.”
And it got even more emotional once the passengers finally did get off the plane.
“There was a large number of passengers, who are normally in a hurry to get home or make a connection, standing by the window to witness something truly moving.“
“To see the Honor Guard and family waiting patiently, while LAX baggage handlers and a military loadmaster removed the flag covered casket first from the cargo hold, was humbling to say the least.”
“ I’m not sure if it was the fallen soldier’s mother or wife who I watched slowly walk up to the coffin while a few other family members, wrapped in blankets, stood near with a dozen or so of the Honor Guards standing in salute.”
“As soon as I saw her reach out to put her hand on her baby’s casket, I walked away.”
“This ordinary flight became extraordinary and is one that I will never forget.”
“Thank you to all the military who protect our beautiful country and let us live the lives we are able to lead. Without you we would be nothing.”

I couldn’t have said it any better. 

[I agree with that writer wholeheartedly!]

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 And one more video about our returning heroes. If this doesn't reduce you to tears, nothing will and there's no hope for ya! This makes everything look insignificant in comparison.

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Truly I do love all-white rooms. And this one is gorgeous with its pop of pink. "POP"? Where did that word come from? I find myself using it much more than I ever did and am finding it a bit trite. And I love this room with its ruffles and roses. But I need color and my favorite color is pink. I can't imagine not having colors I love all around me.

A cheery little kitchen and dining area. Very, very cute!

If only I could have a porch or patio that wasn't so dusty, it might look a bit like this. Hey, an idea just struck me!!! Why not use a canvas drop cloth over some lawn furniture? That might work to keep the dust from our farmers' fields around here from covering the seats and I could pull it off and wash it quite often. I think I'll try that.

My great-granddaughter loves the books of Fancy Nancy. I just bought her one about FN's delectable cupcakes. Who can refuse cupcakes? If you had this in your hand right now, I'd probably mug ya and run! Dieting is never fun.

I love the Cath Kidston and Green Gate kitchen ware. Those 2 designers are the most fantastic I've ever seen for beautiful kitchen items.

I don't know where this bread box came from but it is the most darling one I've ever seen.

This would be a joy to have as a craft/sewing room. It would be just the right size for me.

More darling kitchen ware. Does anyone know what kind this is? I'd love to know. It's probably antique but I've never seen it and I'm pretty old!

Looks like a party going on here but I love the curtains especially. I have them hung on 2 entrances in my home. One on the living room going into the dining room and one on the arch going into our family room. I love them softening archways.

One of the most darling little girl's rooms I've ever seen. It's just stunning with that headboard.

I actually like this style of sofa a lot, especially with that fabric and pillow.

I also have a love of birdcages no matter how big or small.

Now this is camping or glamping as it's called now. I wouldn't mind camping so much if I had this to look at when out in the wilds of Idaho!

I also adore beautiful pink and roses china. This to me is stunning.

Who in the world wouldn't love a room like this with all that sun shining through all those wonderful windows?

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Linking up with Pink Saturday.

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Living Rooms

Lately, while viewing average American homes, I realized the living rooms are small. Our living room is. I'd like a little larger room but it is what it is and since this is our retirement home and we're in our 70s, it fits this season of our lives just fine . We spend most of our time in the family room, but we have guests in the living room mostly. While it's just fine for us, I wonder about the people with very large living rooms. Do they keep it for just show?

Reading one of Alexandra Stoddard's book many years ago, she said most people decorate only the public places in a home and that accounts for about five percent of a house, living room. They tend to not decorate the private areas. Why? We spend most of our time in the private places. I want my whole house to be beautiful...well, as beautiful as I can make it on a limited budget. Our house suits us just fine. How about you?
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A lovely Victorian home.

Love the pink in this room and also the 2 kinds of drapes on a window like I have on my living room window.

A pretty vintage chair done over in beautiful fabric. Love the pink inside those cups.

A feast for the eyes and tummy. Looks beautiful and delicious.

An old chandelier dripping with glittery crystals.

One of the best shots of a rose I've ever seen.

A little bit boho gypsy here.

I think having a church made over into a home would be one of the most fantastic things to do ever. I wouldn't want to do the work, but sure would like living in it.

An organized closet is the sign of a demented woman. Trust me!

Cute cans papered in gorgeous red, pink and flowers.

Yes, I love it because of the pink walls.

Beautiful entrance to an old home.

I've always loved the look of a bathroom like this.

This would be a wonderful room to live in. Lots of light. Pretty views. A stove for warmth on cold days. Love furniture in white slipcovers.

If I had to camp, this would be my ideal camper. Lots of windows, pillows and flowers. A bunting. But then I'd have to camp and we all know how I feel about going off into the wilds of Idaho. NO!

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Tidbit:

 In ancient Greece, an adulterous male was sometimes punished by the removal of his lower hair and the insertion of a large radish into another body part. (You know what I mean, but I refuse to be vulgar.)
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More Memories Of San Diego

Just in case you've missed my Pinterest page, you might want to go there and see over 8,100 photos posted there, just click here. And also, I'm only posting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from now on unless something extraordinary comes up. I'm leaving weekends free.
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Our granddaughter, her hubby and their 2 girls have been here for eleven days and we have loved having them here. Do I even need to say how tired this ol' lady is having 2 great-granddaughters in the house? One is 3 1/2 months old, one is almost 3 years old. Caroline is a pistol and keeps us hopping.

She also loves perfume!

When she saw the perfume she had to smell every single bottle. Her favorite is Cabriole, which is close to her name so we call it Caroline. She runs around with bottles in her hands most of the time. Hubs was afraid it would spill but I've tightened the caps and tried to retrieve them when she was loosing interest in them and put them back.

Then the other day I caught her in there. She had moved the chair in our bedroom over to my dresser and got up. A few days later, we went in there and she wanted to see the perfumes—on a wicker tray—and I told her she'd seen them enough. Well, that little chick got the little pink ladder I had sitting in my bedroom over to the dresser and climbed up it herself. I cannot believe her problem-solving skills! This will serve her well later in life. She's really, really smart, but we all think that of our progeny. Right? This kid is something else though. You tell her something and she does NOT forget. We've had to hide things from her because of that.

Then there was the melt-down at Michaels. She loves craft stores. But she cheated herself out of some craft items by melting down so we had to leave the basket of items behind while we took her home to bed. Then she saw Target and told her mummy to go to Target. We asked her why and she replied, "Just trust me. Go to Target, mummy." We didn't! 

They're leaving tomorrow so we're going out to Jack in the Box tonight for salads or whatever they want. I love those kids!
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We lived in a house on West Mountain View Drive in San Diego during the mid-1960s and loved it there. The family across the street was also a Marine family we knew. I introduced them to baked beans and they introduced me to...well, let me explain.

We were going to have a BBQ one weekend and I said I'd bring the baked beans. This family was Hawaiian so she said they'd bring teriyaki chicken. It was absolutely fantastic and that's how I make it to this day. Chicken marinated for hours in soy sauce, ginger and garlic. Then put it on the grill. That's it. Better than any bottled sauce ever.

She said her kids didn't like baked beans. I made them anyway thinking they can at least try them if they want. They did and loved them. I had to give her my recipe for baked beans then.

Then one day while my kids were playing with hers I sat and talked with her in the kitchen while she was making something for their dinner. As she prepared it, she gave me a piece to eat. It was fishy tuna fish with some vegetables and rice wrapped in seaweed. I gagged. Luckily, I had a napkin to wipe my face and surreptitiously wiped my mouth and discarded the food into the napkin. I thought it was horrible but I'd never say that to someone. I then excused myself to go home and throw it out. Quite embarrassing actually. I love fish but this was very fishy-tasting tuna. I can't stand it if it has a strong fish taste. That's why I'm not eager to taste something from someone's kitchen anymore. I just say no, thanks, I'm not hungry and let it go at that.

This couple had 4 kids and she became pregnant with her 5th. When I asked her what she was naming it, she said, "Zelda, because it's our last one." I thought she was kidding; she wasn't. ;-) Lovely family.
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Love this little living room. Just cozy enough for me.

One of the most darling wreaths I've ever seen created! Oh my.

One of my ideal patios to have.

Who makes these gorgeous cookies? Stunning bows, roses and flowers.

Sigh...

These can't be real cupcakes. How did they make the pearl centers?!

I'd consider this one of my favorite kitchen tables.

A darling handbag.

Frilly pink gloves.

Gypsy, BoHo or Magnolia Pearl? Beautiful!

Another adorable kitchen...for people who like to cook. Not me!

I've done a similar thing to my entry into the family room, but I'm thinking of doing it to the living room into the dining area now. It just needs something more.

Another gorgeous living room I love.

Just too cute for words.

I thought you'd like to see this picture frame. Isn't it cute and unique?

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It would take a jumbo jet about 120 million years to fly across the Milky Way galaxy.
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Linking up with NMH Open House Party.

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