Autumn Cornucopia*

How is your week?

Saw the cutest movie... Put it on your list! How does she do it? It brought back memories of when I had my business! You really take on a lot and wear so many hats, there is no "ME" time at all....

I like to decorate for autumn before I get in to Halloween, It seems these days we rush right into it.. I like to enjoy each season!

Here in So. Ca until the weather gets a little crisp its hard to know the difference between summer and autumn. This year we are having cooler days with a lot of fog, so it feels like autumn.

Here is a photo of my front door from last autumn. All of the flowers and twigs came from around the house. I haven't decorated my door yet, I will wait till I get back from my midwest trip, I will get inspired there, The doors will be adorned everywhere! I will be taking my camera!

Happy White Wednesday*

xo,

me

Welcome Autumn*

Happy First day of Autumn*

It sure feels like it with the cool layer of fog that has rolled in here in So. Ca.

I love Autumn..

I am planning a trip to the midwest, Illinois and Wisconsin. The foliage will be turning and I'll get to wear boots and cozy sweaters and pea coats and all my favorite fall plaids! I'm super excited a special young women is waiting for my visit.... my dearest niece Phoebe... I can't wait! I haven't been in a couple years so I am soo excited to be planning this trip, it means a lot to me! I have a lot of juggling to do with my schedule and my own family, but I never worry it always works out!

So let's get out our plaids,flannels and get cozy, light a fire and make a hot apple pie! The drink!

Hope your Autumn will be beautiful*

xo,

me

Gate Fabrication is spot on!

Hope your having a fantastic week! It sure is flying by... I have been soooo busy.

I love to see progress in all stages, Here is what we saw on our gates today.

Our final approval.. I was thrilled, they got it! I think they are going to be Beautiful*** I love them raw but not sensible... Next week will be the trial fit to get everything screwed and notched before the galvanizing process. I can't wait to try them on!!

We had our first autumn fire last night, I love the crisp evenings.

Oh guess what, there was a rattle snake near the pool last night! Un... believable, I had just walked in the area then my husband and when my youngest walked by he started yelling "What's that sound, sure enough it was a rattler!

Well, that's country living for you!

Good night dears*

xo

me

Frame of the Gate*

I hope your weekend is going to be great! I am in Frame Love right now...

We have been using a temporary construction gate on our driveway entrance since we fenced the property a few years ago.

It hasn't been fun to have to get out of the car and manually unlock and open and close the gates every time you pass through coming and going several times a day!!

We have been dreaming about our gates for years. {Well I have}

Finally we have designed them and they are in process. Here is a picture of the frame so far. It is a mock up and we are loving it.

I have been emailing France for weeks and everywhere for the findings for it.

What a process! It is a lot of work, I guess I could just buy one from a catalog or let the gate people design it but I can't do that!

This is my one chance to design it and get it right!

I'm looking forward to seeing our design become gates.

I get Sooo excited about these things!

My design tip: Educate yourself on the process and make sure your choice complements the architectural style. Don't buy something just because it was a good deal.

Have a beautiful day!

xo,

me

On bended knee...

Today as we all remember where we were... I remember just staring at the TV and trying to digest every word. My youngest son was two and still sleeping my oldest son was eleven. I was thinking...how do I explain to them the reality of what is happening without scaring them. It was tough, we just prayed for the families and stayed silent. I didn't have any answers to offer them.

Today as we were driving home from Yuma, Az I saw flags everywhere.. There was a farmer who had them on all the irrigation posts .. Seemed like a mile. As we approached the stadium area where the Chargers were staring their home opener we were listening to the radio announcements and saw the planes fly over us on the freeway as they left the stadium.

They said 67,000 people in the stands were given flags and were all waving them. How beautiful.

I think we all were on bended knee today in remembrance and respect.

We will never forget.

God Bless America*

xo,

me

Who turned off the lights?

Last night I tried to write this post but my 3-g was out of charge and I couldn't post it!

San Diego and all of so cal including the Oc were out of power, all the way to some areas of Phoenix.

I was sitting in the dark with candles upstairs with the french doors open, hoping for a breeze!

The air was sooo still.

I could see the whole city of Encinitas down to La Jolla and it was dark and eerie.

We made it through fine, it was so romantic with the candles everywhere! Our house smelled so good from the scented candles! My son in AZ was also out of power at college. I was worried about the heat there for him. It was good to hear his voice on the phone, he said he was fine and that Yuma was lit up like 4th of July with all the generators.

Have a great day and thankful for the electric.

Kids are happy they got the day off from school!

xo,

me

Cocktail Hour poolside*

What a beautiful summer day it was here in So Cal... I have a special guest here tonight, my cousin Mary! We made dinner together and celebrated my birthday. She brought a custom Kimtini cocktail!

What is it you ask... Well it is named in honor of my cousin Mary's sweet friend Kim.

My cousin was visiting Kim and when she left to come here she sent a batch with her.

The recipe is simply fresh squeezed lemon, premium russian vodka, a little sugar to taste and a crushed fresh sprig of mint. We used fresh chocolate mint from my herb garden and it was pretty and delicious.

We chilled the glasses and rimmed them with sugar for an extra sweet sip!

So there you have it, a Kimtini!!

Have a great start of the week....If you want to try this cocktail poolside or just in the back yard you will love it!

Cheers to Kim and all of you!

xo,

me

Lovin my Birthday morning*

This morning I woke up to the sun rising, I looked at the time it was 6:12 am and streaming in my bedroom window.

I thought to myself what a beautiful morning. I began thinking it's my birthday Yeah**

I started reflecting on all my birthday's and how they began from the moment I woke up.. I remember my mom always kissing me and saying Happy Birthday BOO BOO, that was my nick name she called me... My dad used to sing It's a beautiful morning, so sweet {though he used to sing that about every morning}!!! I miss them dearly and wish I could hear those voices...

I always remember beautiful days, I don't recall it ever raining on my Birthday.

August is the best month ever! It is my favorite..

I got up and made Nespresso in my new little pixie, It is going to be a beautiful day!

Happy Birthday to all of you who share my day. Please let me know if it's your birthday too.

We're Virgos!

A pic from my modeling archives*

Have a Beautiful day*

xo,

me

Our Wedding Anniversary*

Today we our celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary!

It was a beautiful day and everything was exactly as I had dreamed! I designed my dress and planned every detail and it was so worth it and that's just what I love to do I could never let anyone else plan our day that wouldn't be me at all!!

It is hard to believe that it was that long ago.

I have my king Daddy home from the hospital last night. He is doing pretty well. A long first week but he is recovering from his surgery well.

I will be glad next year when we will be able to dance with me on our 25th!

We are spending the day just being together and am thankful he's home here with me.

Here are a few pics from our wedding. If you want to see more you can visit my posts from August 2010 where I shared alot last year.

Have a beautiful day filled with love*

xo,

me

Legs, Knees Pretty Please!

This week has been very busy and the topic around my house is LEGS,KNEES & PRETTY PLEASE!

Whats up you ask? Well...trying to be that everything gal, my little pop-warner football player has to make weight so working him out and dieting to be 100 lbs for sat....,my oldest college QB is having his preseason scrimmages and sadly I can't be there and the king Daddy ex player is in the hospital! Oh and trying to work,take care of the dog, house and well you know everything No complaints here..I have it all under control!!

We sometimes hear the line... he didn't have a leg to stand on,wow did that happen this week...

After years of pain and discomfort from playing sports it was time for my husband who had been contemplating surgery to go for it. He had total knee replacement surgery on both knees on monday afternoon. It was a long surgery but the doctor said he was in bad need of the surgery, and didn't know how he made it so long with the shape they were in. His doctor said he expects him to recover well from this and be out of pain. I asked pretty please return him home to us able to do what he loves.

The worst is over and I'm grateful he did both. Why do it twice, get it over with and move on.

It really makes you appreciate how important our legs and knees are. They support us for life and they also support us psychologically. When our legs are strong they move us in directions that are productive and self sufficient.

I love that he will be strong and will get up and down without pain and take walks on the beach and of course up and down the ladder with a beam on one shoulder. I'll have a sweet icetea ready and a kiss to thank him!

The pic is my legs in advertisement from my modeling archives!

Have a beautiful day and remember how grateful we are for strong healthy legs and knees...

xo,

me

My Favorite Sea Legend "Jacques Cousteau"

This is a world record post for me so bare with me... my funny little story I thought y'all might like!

My son was talking about a series on TV called Shark week .

So I began thinking of a pretty awesome Modeling campaign I did for The Cousteau Society and Us Divers.

The day started by taking a small boat with a makeup person, stylist and myself out of off Long Beach Harbor to this Huge vessel. We were lifted up to this boat and were greeted by Jean-Michel Cousteau, Jacques son and Dominic his lead diver.

Jacques was supposed to be there they though he would be meeting us by a small boat too. They had just received a telegram on the boat that he was in France and had an emergency to tend to.

Our location was Catalina Island , It was a beautiful winter day {Jan} The water was so calm and clear. The campaign was for Us Divers I had to get into this shark tank and be lowered into the water about to my knees! Yeah... Scary! The rest of the shoot was on the boat and on land another day. The boat was on it's maiden voyage. It was just built for Jacques in France.

After the shoot Jean-Michel and Dominic asked me if I have ever dove. I said no.. Oh,will suit you up and we would love to take you on your first dive!!! I stood there and was so excited, guess what I said... No Thank you. I was terrified because I didn't know any of them and I thought to myself what if something happens...They kept trying to persuade me and said we aren't going to let anything happen to you!

Can you believe I was such a chicken!!!

Anyway they dove down and got sea urchins and pulled a knife out and just ate it in the water! Of course I politely said No Thank you to that too.. I'll wait for dinner, I said!

On they way back the staff and chef prepared a fabulous dinner and we all sat together around this long table in the dining galley and I couldn't stop thinking about{my Dad} and how cute everything was. The china had their monogram on them and the stemware were etched... You know I wanted to ask for a place setting sooo bad!!!

I regret not asking for a plate!

They gave me a t-shirt to change into and I wore it at dinner.. LOVED LOVE LOVED it. I almost wore it out... now I don't wear it anymore because I want to save it just for the memory!

Sooo when I told my fiance {FYI this didn't go over well...} and my parents about the shoot and that they wanted to give me my first diving lesson and I said No Thank You they couldn't believe it.. I tried to explain to my Fiance that if he was there I would of... He said to me.. HONEY, you were with the most experienced divers in the world, It doesn't get any better than that... He was so right. Yikes I surely missed an opportunity of a lifetime!.

Enjoy the snapshots from my camera taken from the shoot. Jean-Michel has the grey beard a beautiful man and so much like his father. Dominic in the water with his sea urchin snack!

A little bio on My Favorite Sea Legend*

French born Jacques Cousteau was the explorer of the Worlds Oceans.

He dubbed it as "The Blue Continent". He was a story teller, movie maker, underwater marine ecologist and scientific observer. He was fascinated with and explored shipwrecks, he made his first underwater film entitled "Shipwrecks". During his trips he filmed movies. All of which he won academy awards for.

He later in his career, saw the result of nuclear waste being dumped into our bodies of water and he carried out many public campaigns against it.

In his name, the Cousteau Society was founded,which would work to protect marine life.

Jacques was awarded the UN environmental prize and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ronald Reagan. Also known for his and his inventions, the aqua-lung underwater breathing machine,underwater camera gear that was then bought by Nikon.

My dad loved him, we watched all his explorations and I wished my dad could of been with me on my amazing booking! He talked about it for years and he asked me to describe the ship and the details of my day over and over!

Thankful for the my personal and awesome memory... I have so much respect for Jacques Cousteau and his team for what they have contributed to the world.

He shared with us his experiences through his documentaries and his work.

Let's keep his legacy alive...and keep our waters and earth clean*

xo,

me

P.S. I still get teased about not accepting the lesson !!!!

Summer evenings at home*

The other night we sat out on our terrace and enjoyed the beautiful hot air balloons that quietly glided over our house. I love that! It is so pretty to see.

Earlier that day I found a new love...

It is a local place called Baker & Olive* Infused Basalmic, Olive oils wines and handmade breads.

Oh my goodness! Right up my cooking alley. So we bought some and that's what we prepared for dinner.

Handmade bread, some delicious cheeses for pairing with oils and basalmic and a salad. A few fresh tomatoes from the garden... It was like we were in Napa!

A perfect summer evening poolside.

I hope your enjoying the summer evenings!

Have fun it's the best month of summer*

xo,

me

* Happy August Wishes *

August 1st... Can you believe it is already here!

This is my FAVORITE month. Why?

Well.. Here are my *6* reasons why I adore August!

*1st... it is my Birthday month*

*2nd... because it's my Anniversary month*

*3rd... it's summer vacation month*

*4th... it feels like the HEART of summer*

*5th... so many delicious fruits are in season, watermelon, strawberries, peaches etc.*

*6th...beautiful roses, going barefoot, shorts, alfresco dining, warm beaches and lakes & everyone seems so HAPPY*

Thoughts of PINK my favorite colour are so00 on my mind in August!

{Take a look at from last August it was a whole month of pink down to my pink wedding gown! Hope you get a chance to look back at my blog from August 2010}

Here are a couple pics of my Pink eden roses, this is my favorite Rose... I think!

I will be sharing PINK every August, I started this last year It was so fun..

Happy first day of August!

It is a beautiful morning here in So. Cal.

xo,

me

Fare well Boyz of Summer*

Awe.. I have been on the baseball circuit with my 12 year old. We had our hopes to go on but we lost the last game. It was tied in the 6th inning so we went to extra innings and the other team scored back to back home run hits!

However they set a record!! The ENLL (Encinitas National Little League) went farther than any Encinitas team in history of the league!! It was a proud run for these BOYz oF SUMMER*

These boyz will have this little league Summer All Star memory F_O_R_E_V_E_R.

{from our favorite movie... "SANDLOT"

And so will the parents and friends!

Thank you for the emails and all who came out locally to support our team!

Here is one last time with my son *CADE* on the mound! Click arrow to watch video.

The boys only had one day off during this, so now it's full speed into summer for the families and boyz....

Happy Friday* I'll be back posting regularly now!

xo,

me

ENLL All Stars *W*

Howdy do!

So busy lately I haven't had a chance to blog about anything!!

So heres the scoop...

I finished my clients house that I was working on and it's sooo darling,a fabulous home. {To view this listing...on the right of my blog, is my Coldwell Banker Previews picture. Click my Real Estate photo and it will take you to it, follow the prompts,the virtual tour is there too}.

My son is on the 12 year old Baseball ALL STAR team and we have been so busy with practices everyday and winning our last tournament!

My son had the mound for the start of a game and it was so exciting to see him up there... He was thrilled to contribute to a WIN for his team!

We just won section 6 and It is the furthest ENLL has ever gotten in the history of ENLL.. So the coaches,players,parents and community are super proud of these young ball players.

So I decided to share a few pics of my son on the mound and his number is #22 game hat.

This afternoon we travel to Fountain Valley, Ca {about a hour away} for the start of the next series!

Keep your fingers crossed! I've got mine crossed for a *W* tonight!

I hope your summer is fun and filled with the things you enjoy!

P.S. Thanks for the good wishes for my son's team you have sent. I have shared them with him..

Also I received a few asking me was I ok because I haven't been posting very much!

AWE... I am great just haven't had the time with baseball, my house, working etc. etc.!!

I will get back on track cause I soooo enjoy and love my blog and yours too!!

xo,

Me

Just right**

Hi everyone,

Hope your week is going fantastic.

I finally got the sconses for my oldest sons bedroom. I know I have been patiently waiting right, I just couldn't find what I wanted. When I spotted these lights I thought perfect!! I'll get them them ordered!!! Guess what, I just got them, 6 months later....

I knew they would be just right and they certainly were what I hoped for.

I'm sure my son will be thinking.. Oh cool, mom finally got something over that metal plate on the wall!

I can't wait to show you a house that I will be starting on tomorrow. Tonight I have my car loaded with beautiful flowers that we will be using.

My design tip* don't be impatient for items when you're doing a project. It will be more work to find it and it and well worth the wait.

Sweet dreams...

xo,

me

Some Happy Little League CHAMPS*

OUR youngest son is on the 12 year old little ENLL League All Star team. He is very excited to be a part of a great group of players. The team has been playing consistently very well!

We have played 7 games and won all 7. Yesterday... they had a big game and it was a *W*

Our team won the District #31 Championship!

So cute... The boys were on the local San Diego sports news and we {Players and Families} all gathered around on two TVs at the coaches house to see the interview! Today this team photo with the banner was in the paper!

It is so fun to see them play and have so much fun as teammates and friends.

There are parties and then there are parties and then some more parties! A fabulous group of parents and all so proud of our ENLL Little Leaguers!

So today is a day off from the coach and on tuesday it's back to Baseball business.

Here are some pics of the CHAMPS! A Chocolate Celebration Cake course... you have to celebrate with a cake so my husband and I stopped off on the way to the celebration party to get this one for everyone!

Happy Monday!

xo,

Me

Summer poolside!

Yesterday I came home slipped my dress and heels off and got right into my uniform white t and shorts!

It has been so nice here in So.Cal. feels like summer, a tad humid though...

I made passion fruit sun tea when I left this morning, so It was ready to serve. I always rim the glass with Raw sugar for that extra sweetness! {that's the southern girl in me}!

The house was quiet so I sat out by the pool with my sweet ice tea in my favorite Ralph Lauren glass, some cold watermelon with chocolate mint from my garden!

I felt like it was summer! Rarely do I ever sit down to relax, I am always going but it was sure nice! Maybe I will try it again!!!!

Hope your weekend will be Fabulous and you get a moment like this.

xo,

me

I pledge Allegiance...

I'm so proud and honored to say those words,it gives me chills every time.

Almost always the beautiful song "America the Beautiful" brings a tear...

I love love love the symbols, the flags, red white and blue decorations and the patriotism everywhere!

What so fantastic is.. I notice a lot more humble hearts and humanity on this day too!

I hope your day was filled with all of these!

Recognizing that our Freedom came at a cost. All the men and women who gave their lives for us to be able to celebrate our freedom everyday day as a country.

It is truly the utmost honor to be an American*

We celebrated at my sons 12 year All star Little league game for the last three days where our team had their 3rd WIN in a row! We enjoyed the day with all the families of the players.

It was when they took their hats off for the pledge of Allegiance... yep I got chills and a tear this time!!

After the game the coach had the team and families over to their home for swimming and we celebrated my son's friend Patrick's 12th birthday! He was so sweet as the whole team and families sang "Happy Birthday" as his mom brought a cake out with of course the coolest red white and blue and stars theme on it!! 4th of July.. what a cool birthday.

Here are some pics of my little All Star when he was younger!

Blessings!

xo,

me

picture #2 my little story!

You see the little red spot on my sons cheek? About 8 weeks after birth I noticed a couple red marks on his face and head. The doctor told me they were hemangioma s.

This one on his cheek had the perfect shape of a heart!

My mom said it was because he was kissed by an Angel!

After several laser treatments and time it is almost disappeared..

He use to point to the spot and ask What is this mommy? I used to tell him An angel kiss!!

I did a post back around Valentines day about the heart shaped rocks he always searches for at the beach for me.

Hearts.... He stole mine!!