My Grama's Soul

It is Springtime in AZ.....the most beautiful time here; if you can actually say we have a spring because it goes from being beautiful to HOT! Anyway, March and April are THE TIME to be in AZ if you can.  We seem to have a lot of people visiting this time of year and moi is no exception . Time to get busy: Fluffing up the house...... Doing laundry  Cooking and baking...... Maybe a pie or maybe a cake!!! Making meals......no time for creativity....... MUST put flowers in their room... And REMEMBER TO.... And the most important thing.....take time to enjoy them while visiting on the porch!!! Lesson to be learned here:  Don't get so exhausted fluffing up your nest....that you have no time to truly enjoy your visitors.  It's the people who count..not the stuff!!! See you in a little while dear friends, Blessings, Jo         Photos courtesy of Flickr

  A few years ago I was able to go to France on a small cruise ship that sailed down the Seine. On that trip we stopped at various artists colonies and homes along the way.  This is our stop at Monet's Giverny. We did this trip in March if my memory serves me and it was a little cool for that time of year; thus the blossoms were not as magnificent as in years past (or so we were told)! Looks pretty magnificent to me!!!! In the background, you can see Monet's home where he lived with his family.  It was a two story house, and as I recall, the rooms were modest in size.  I'm not sure why we don't have any photos of the inside; perhaps we were not allowed to take any.  I just can't remember. Here is a photo taken from a second story window.  Can you imagine looking down on all this lush greenery everyday? The famous water lilies that he must have painted a hundred times or more. And of course, the famous bridge that we see in his wonderful paintings.

I know, some of you may be thinking what is SHE thinking with that riot of color going on!! What can I say, I like a LOT OF COLOR! This is my sweet little studio, library, TV room where I go when I want to go to my own private fairyland. I belong to a book club; so you will often find me in here reading a book or two.  I also love decorating mags and books so I have stacks of those! You might wonder where in the world does she do any art or crafting? Right here dear friends!  Now I don't do nearly as much as many of you fabulously creative ladies out there, but I do my share when the spirit moves me. Behind the curtain is my little cubbyhole for creativity. It isn't much......but it is ALL MINE!  My dog Sophie and I spend quite a few evenings on the sofa, reading or watching TV in my special fairyland!! Now if you want to see a really fab studio...hop on over to 52l Lakestreet and see what Sandy  has done! Blessings dear friends, Jo 

Hello everyone........I know half the country is freezing and under snow at the moment. I came from Kansas..so I know what those winters can be like! Thought you might like a few peaks at flowers that are blooming here..they don't last very long because when summer hits they go quickly. I hope these pictures bring a flutter to your heart and a smile to your face; because when it hits ll5* they are all deader than a doornail!! LOL Here is wishing everyone a good day! Blessings, Jo      

I know many of you out there, LOVE all things French; as I do.  My name is French My mother's name was Jacqueline, which is French; and her maiden name was Maupin (pronounced Mawpawn in French with the nasal element on the last syllable). I come from a line of French Huguenots that immigrated to America in the 1600's. That is another story for another time!! Alas, the reasoning behind my love of the French and all things BEAUTIFUL! These are just a few of the pictures we took on our trip to Paris and France a few years ago.   I thought you might enjoy them! Ceilings in the palace.  (Don't know who the guy is!!) :) Headboard of the Royal Bedroom. Marie's bedroom. Ok......enough for today.  More to come...so stay tuned!! Have a beautiful day dear friends, Jo P.S. Can you imagine being the cleaning crew there?? LOL

 and has been chosen by my own personal random number generator...... (Wow -- that is one old looking hand, isn't it?)  Anyway to the point. Out of 74 entries: CC at  "Lace and Ribbon Roses" Thank you to all of you who participated.  I wish everyone could of won a prize; but alas my crafting abilities are not that evolved as of yet!!  :):):) CC...please let me know how I can contact you so I can get these little gifts out to you. Blessings to you all dear friends, Jo

 I'm not sure whether I was to post about what I made or what I received in this Valentine Swap.  So........Yesterday I posted about what I received and today I will post about the few little things I made for sweet Meg.  I am not nearly as crafty as she is, but each thing was lovingly made and thought about when included in her package. I made a hand made card and included some  beautiful store bought ones as well. Thrown into the mix was this great butterfly that I think she clipped on a mirror.  I found this little chow mein box at Michael's an filled it with note pads and little heart candle holders. I also included some divine soaps and wrapped them all up in paper with hearts attached, of course. And finally, the box.  This is a small box I made for Meg to store little treasures in if she so desires.  This was my first attempt at doing a swap and I had a ball.  It was especially fun making a few things for a new friend. Blessings to you, P.S. please excuse s

today..of all days I'm feeling a little lonely and lost.  I know tomorrow is Valentine's day and I certainly have that special Valentine in my life but for some reason I have a little case of the blues. Don't get me wrong: I'm extremely appreciative of all that God has given me and then some.  But....I still have a few little loose ends to tie up and I think that is what has laid me low. It is time that I focused on the things I can change and let go of the things I can't. As we all know, that is easier said than done. Anyway, sorry for this blue post on this sweetest of days; the day before Valentines Day.  This, too, shall pass. Here's wishing each and everyone of you a wonderful and loving Valentine's Day.