DEAR DEBBIE…

 Thank you very, very much!  You put a skip in my step that day. These lovelies arrived in my mailbox from dear friend Debbie of It’s All About Purple. Can’t say enough how delighted I was to open up your envelope to find...

this ever so cute card with its lovely sentiments inside, and...

a pretty coloring post card of prettiest flowers...

a Mary Engelbreit bookmark that's waiting for my next read...

and a sweet knitting basket which always reminds me of Debbie's awesome knitting projects.

No words are enough but thank you, I am blessed to know you.

Have a wonderful day Debbie and to everyone reading this today, I wish you the same.

 Hugs from Denise

ANN’S MAY CARD

It’s beautiful Ann and always a happy day when one pops into the letterbox.

Thank you so much!

You can visit Ann at Ann’s Snap Edit Scrap here. 

Wishing you and Everyone 

A Very Happy Day.

AN OLD TRIP TO PARIS IN 2014

I have been going through my old blog and found photos from a family group trip we took to France in the summer of 2014. We stayed in Paris for a few nights and then moved onto Normandy. 

 

This is a place I was drawn to, just down the road from our hotel. We passed by every day while we were in Paris. It is the Fontaine Saint-Michel at the Place Saint-Michel (1858 to1860). It depicts the Archangel Saint Michael slaying the dragon. You can click on all the links for more information. 

I took a quick shot of the Gendarmes making their rounds.

 The Notre Dame Cathedral and the River Seine.

 The two of us.

There are pedicab cycles for a tour around Paris, or you can rent your own electric bicycle.

One of the many restaurants we passed by where we had a meal. I can't remember much of it except that it was a crepe and I am sure it must have been delicious. 

It is a city I have always wanted to go back to but haven't made it yet. Life has slowed down for us quite a bit these days, but it's fun to look back at these photos.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a great day.

I HAVE A NEW PIECE OF ART ON ...

the bedroom wall. They are of three quilling cards my niece gave me when she was visiting a few weeks ago. She knows my love for birds, and she couldn't have given me a more perfect gift.

It's hard to see the workmanship of each one in these photos, but I can't pick a favorite. I love each one.

After she left (sad day that was), I took all three to the framing shop at Michaels and asked to put them all in one frame. There was a real nice lady who helped me. I told her basically what I was looking for. I asked for a none-too-fussy frame as I wanted to focus on each picture, not the frame. She showed me several, and the same with the matting. She picked out colors in the cards themselves, which made it easier for me to choose. There was an inner and an outer matting, a lighter green outside and the darker green inside. She suggested a 'raised sink' which would prevent the glass from pressing on the quilling and leave it untouched. One final thing I had in mind was to get a non-glare glass. 

After admiring my niece's card choices, this lady told me that she had a few quilling cards she had framed at her home, and we talked about those for a few minutes. I appreciated the fact that she didn't rush me through or try to persuade me to pick parts I didn't want and when I left, I felt comfortable with what I had chosen. It's been years since I had anything framed and it all worked out really well. Even the man Gregg spoke to when he picked it up and who showed him the finished piece, took a few moments to admire it and said, "Now this is really nice."

And we have something lovely on the wall that will remind us of the special time we all had together with our family. We surely did have a wonderful time with many good memories made. I will share more of them as time goes on.

Thanks for looking and 

I hope your days are sunny and warm. 

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - A THANK YOU TO…

 our dear blogging friend Ann, who sends many of us these wonderful cards. Always a pleasure to go to the mailbox and find one there.

The month seems to be flying by and I am late in doing this, but I didn't want June to appear before I thanked you for your latest card Ann.  Thank you so very much!

In case you haven't met Ann, her blog is Ann's Snap Edit Scrap. She not only does her handmade cards, but also makes a lot of other special projects that are always fun to see, and I mustn't forget to mention her sweet pup Gibbs. I have left a link on her blog name.

Thanks again Ann!

And thanks for looking everyone. 

May you day be a great one.

THANK YOU ANN

 Happy mail from Ann is a happy day indeed. Thank you so much my friend, I always appreciate seeing them in my mailbox.

I have mentioned this before, but this is my favorite comfy corner where I do all my reading and blogging, sip on a hot or cold drink, and watch the birds outside. The two figurines that are next to Ann's pretty card are gifts from my dear family. It's my happy place of treasures, where I can easily reach up for a book to leaf through, and now I have Ann's card to look at.

Thank you Ann! 

This is such a delightful tradition you started.

And thanks for dropping by everyone.

I hope your day is a great one.

ANN'S LATEST CARD

 

This popped into the mailbox a while ago. It is one of Ann's special Happy Mail Cards.  Many of you have received them as I have seen on your blogs. Ann is very generous and kind in spreading the joy.

I wanted to show you where I put it Ann. 

This is the shelf where I keep my special treasures. I can see it all the time when I am in my corner. It's where I do my blogging. I have a small nesting table to rest my laptop on. As I look up at your card while typing this, I am smiling.

If you go to this link you can see it on Ann's blog. She started this lovely tradition in August 2023.

Thank you so much, you are a dear friend!

MY APRIL CARD FROM ANN

 It is always a delightful happening when I pick up one of Ann's cards from the mailbox. I love the 3-D effect you've used.

Part of the enjoyment is opening up the card and reading these sweet sentiments.

We were talking the other day, saying that rabbits don't have to be put away for next Easter. I am going to keep my felt bunnies out for a while longer. I put them next to Ann's card in the spot right above where I do my blogging. Makes me smile every time I look up. Thanks again Ann! You spread so many smiles and happy thoughts around.

You can pop on over and say hi to Ann at Ann's Snap Edit Scrap here.

Thanks for looking everyone. Have a great day!

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - HERE IS ANN'S VALENTINE'S DAY CARD SHE SENT ME LAST WEEK

 

Today I wanted to share Ann's latest card she sent out.  I also wanted to show Ann where I placed Mr. Gnome.  He's among some of my treasured photos and nicknacks, slapdab in the center for all to see when they walk into our family room. 

Thank you Ann, for not only making these beautiful cards but for sending them via regular mail. It is so nice to go outside to the mailbox and find one of these inside. Puts a happy step into the day.  

Ann makes her crafted cards and other seasonal items, and she also makes the prettiest decorated cakes, plus more. You can see what I mean if you go to this link. Her blog is "Ann's Snap Edit Scrap".

Thanks again Ann! You really made my day!

Thanks for visiting everyone, and enjoy your Sunday, you too Ann. I hope you all have a great day and week ahead.

A LOVELY SURPRISE IN THE MAIL BOX

 A card arrived from Ann at Ann's Snap Edit Scrap a few days ago.  She creates the prettiest, most professional looking cards, and this latest one put another big smile on my face.  

Thank you so much Ann!  

I placed it on a favorite teddy, and it feels right at home.

It truly is a wonderful gift to get something like this in the letterbox.

SOMETHING SPECIAL POPPED INTO THE MAILBOX TODAY

This was waiting for me when I got home. 

Thank you so much Ann!A lovely treat indeed!Snail mail surprises should be recognized as the treasures they are...and photos do not do this pretty Halloween card justice.  It is in pride of place on the mantle.

Many of us know Ann for the kind-hearted, creative and talented lady she is.  If you haven't met her yet, you can visit and say hi at her website below. 

Ann's Snap Edit Scrap at this link.  

Thanks again Ann, you made my day!

Hugs,

Denise x

IF ALL THE ANIMALS...

 

Chief Seattle  (1786-1866)

I bought this card years ago with the idea of framing it.  Then I popped it into a box for 'must do' things, and forgot about it after it was stored in the basement.  I am rummaging through boxes now, trying to downsize and tidy up.  I found it again and am still thinking of framing it, with renewed enthusiasm.  It needs to be on a wall somewhere, put in a place where that quote can be read by others.  Chief Seattle was a very wise man, very wise indeed.  

You can read more of his words at this link.

Thanks for stopping by and may  

your day be a great one.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY...

and my son and daughter-in-law are coming over this afternoon.  They are bringing Thai Food and my daughter-in-law is making me a birthday cake.  I am always happy when I know they are coming over.   I am not one for big parties but having my darlings here is going to make this day extra special.

I am now 71 years and as mentioned in my profile on the right of this page (which I changed around just a little), age has never really bothered me. At this stage of my life I want to be kind to everyone, life is too short to do otherwise.  I am not perfect, no one is, and neither is life but if you approach it with kindness and a good attitude, you're going to see that it's going to be worth it.  Wise, I read that somewhere and it has always stayed with me.  It's why I like quotes so much, they speak to me.

I found an old photo album when tidying up the storage room yesterday, and brought it upstairs.  We enjoyed looking at our younger selves, and talked about each photo.  It was a great walk down memory lane.

For those of you who have a birthday on the same day as mine, or this week even, Happy Birthday! Today is your day, hug those special people in your life, enjoy the things you love doing, smile at everyone you meet and if they don't smile back, realize they may be going through a few things (life can be a rollercoaster for sure).  Lastly, laugh out loud when you are told those corny jokes!  I aim to do all of that.

I will be away from my computer for a couple of days, but here are a few cards for you that I found online.