Sweet Award

Sweet!

I got an award from Dreaming In Pink With Roses. She is a doll. Love her blog... check her out!

I will be passing this on to others when I have time...

Now the rules state I'm to list 10 things about me, but I talk about myself ad-nauseam, so I will list 10 things I love...

1. The Lord, prayer, Bible study class

2. My family and friends

My friends and I at our annual Christmas party.

3. Paris, London

4. Blogging, Facebook, meeting all of you even, if it's only online

5, The beach, the sand, the sun

6. Pearls

7. Audrey

8. Jeans and a black tee

9. My wedding day weight

10. People that are honest, real and transparent

And drumroll, #11, last but not least, is my husband Scott. He did something for me today that I can't even type (I'm not that transparent) because it was so lame that I wouldn't do it for myself.

Ever let the grip of fear take over, and then feel like a fool?

That was me today... Then I sent him quite a few text messages thanking him for being SO sweet and understanding (ok... the look on my face kinda gave him no choice) and he sent me a text message back...

"Please stop texting me, someone has to make a living around here... I'm working!"

How DOES he put up with me???

He should be getting the award!

Lost in Lameville~

Teri

I'm supposed to be blogging about one more movie, and my guest bath, but my camera is on the blink...actually it just needs charging, but can't find the right wire :()

The Christmas Chainsaw Massacre

Every time I tell you what my next post will be about, something more urgent seems to come up. I STILL need to blog about my bathroom, Le Whif, more Paris purses, many more funny Parisian experiences...the list goes on and on...

But in the spirit of many of you recently taking down Christmas decorations, I thought of a "funny" I just had to share!

My husband will basically, do anything I ask him (within reason). In fact, when I ask him to do something, I better be ready, because he might start the something in 10 minutes. Once years ago, I mentioned how our front doors would look really good painted a dark red. Mind you, this was a PASSING thought. I mentioned it, and went off to the grocery store.

As I was driving down our street to come home, maybe 30 minutes later, I could see a cloud of dust out by the mailbox. As I got closer, I heard a very loud sound. Guess what??? It was the sound of an electric sander! He was in the process of sanding the front doors! I hadn't even picked out a color or anything... it was just a thought!!!! I'm happy to say, we grabbed some paint at Home Depot that night, and the doors turned out perfect!

So... about taking down Christmas. We had this pre-lit artificial tree, and by the second year, lights started going out, and the top wouldn't screw in straight anymore, and was always leaning. How we hated that tree. Scott kept threatening to get rid of it, but year after year, I hung on to that blasted thing.

One particular year, we had that one in the living room, and bought a huge live tree for the family room. It was so beautiful. We wanted the kids to know that some trees have a scent, unlike the palm trees in the yard.

The live tree...

Again... he kept telling me that artificial tree had to go. The day we were taking stuff down, I noticed him dragging that tree out the front door.

I knew it was time.

But then... I heard a loud noise! I went to investigate, and there he was with his gas-powered CHAINSAW, cutting that tree to pieces, wires and all, so it would fit in the back of the car to go to the dumpster.

THEN, he drug the live tree out front, and began sawing it apart (he was on a roll)... when he came back in, he saw the millions of tree needles that had fallen throughout the house. Next thing I know, he opens both front doors, gets the LEAF BLOWER, brings it inside, and blew every needle outside. It was really funny...

We like to call it "The Christmas Chainsaw Massacre."

And yes... the neighbors were staring!

~Teri~

P.S. Oh, and this year he pulled his back out trying to haul our new GIANT artificial tree up the stairs to the attic closet... he really hates Christmas :) LOL.

Movies To Die For

I watched some really fantastic movies over the holidays, and I feel it my duty to pass a recommendation or two on to my friends...

First of all, I must recommend Netflix. If you are like me, there is SO nothing on TV, ever... I could do without it. However, I do like to watch TV late at night, or when no one is home, and my choice is always a movie from Netflix, or something I Tivo'ed. BTW, both of these things are awe~some!

Let's go way back first... a few Sundays ago, I was getting ready for church, and Scott was sitting in the den watching TV. He found himself on TCM, and watched the first 15 minutes of an OLD movie that really intrigued him. Before we went out the door, he had me hit record, and we finished it when we got home. The name of the movie was "The Enchanted Cottage"... 1945. It has Robert Young and Dorothy McGuire in it, and it's the story of two people who fall in love, and only see the beauty in each other, even though one is considered homely, and the other was disfigured in the war. Netflix doesn't have it yet, b/c it isn't out on DVD (only VHS) but I just had to tell you to be on the lookout for TCM to show it again...it's so sweet.

Another movie I came across (TCM again) was a 1957 movie starring Gregory Peck and Lauren Bacall. It's called "Designing Woman" and it is adorable, and her clothes and apartment... to die for! Netflix has it... get it!

My son has a way of buying people exactly what they would love for Christmas. I mentioned an all time favorite of mine, and low and behold, I opened it Christmas morning. It was the movie, "A Summer Place" (1959) with Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. It's the tragedy of what happens when you marry one person, when you are in love with someone else. I know there's the unwed pregnancy, but I think the other storyline is the real killer.

Oh... let's go way back again to another TCM movie I found... it's called "Brief Encounter" 1946, starring Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. It's another sleeper...so good! Two people accidentally meet in a train station, fall in love... and well, I won't spoil it. It's available on Netflix.

There are a few French movies I love...

most of you have seen them all, but here I go anyway...

My Best Friend (2007, subtitles, has a real twist at the end)

Amelie (2001, subtitles, great cinematography)

Marie Antoinette (2006, eye candy, cool music, Versailles, clothes, need I say more?)

La Vie en Rose (2007, subtitles, sad...horrible... but you must see this if only to witness the transformation they do to the beautiful Marion Cotillard)

Avenue Montaigne (2007, subtitles, really interesting movie, makes you think... I loved it)

I can't say my French picks might not have a bad word or two...and strangeness... just a warning... they are French afterall :). There were a few films I left out because I had to turn them off...too risque...case in point~Paris Je T'aime. Everyone of these are available on Netflix, and no, I'm not affiliated with Netflix at all, I just love the system and ease.

Hope you enjoy some of these on long, cold, winter nights. Cozy up with someone you love, and have a ball.

Teri

P.S. Don't mention the subtitle thing to husbands or boyfriends...they'll find out soon enough, and by the time you two are ensconced on the couch, with blankets, pj's, wine/coffee... it's too late!

Next post... I will focus only on one must-see, and my guest bathroom...they are related... got your attention yet???

French Girls Go Shopping

A few weeks ago, I gave you all a fashion update straight from the street of Paris.

There were a few trends I mentioned...

Jeans, jeans, jeans

Leather jackets

Giant leather purses

Here's a picture of our French exchange student and her friends going shopping not long ago. I don't know if they are in Paris, Marseilles, or somewhere else.

They are right on trend!

Makes me want to go out and buy a giant purse!

~Teri~

(Don't miss my previous post)

Pardon This Interruption Please...

Ok... so... (have you ever noticed how I like to start my blog off like we are in the middle of a conversation?)...

I was sitting in church Sunday, and as I do every year this time of year, I was thinking about the past, present, and future. What did I accomplish this year? Where did I fail? Where do I want to improve next year?

I was thinking these things during the singing, and all of the sudden, I heard the words to a simple praise song, that I had heard a thousand times, but the words touched me in a new way.

Here they are:

He knows my name...

He knows my every thought...

He sees each tear that falls...

and He hears me when I call.

I began thinking how over the past few months, I've had my own agenda, my own thoughts, my own plans. Oh, sure, I prayed... but I realized in my heart, that for sometime now, these prayers were thrown up, without too much thought, so I could get on with MY plans.

Wow... how's that for honesty?

I asked you to pardon this interruption of all things Parisian... I even added these words to my blog banner, "...and other random thoughts" so I could occasionally blog about other things...

But these are not random thoughts, they hit my like a ton of bricks. Even though I've been busy, busy, busy, He is STILL there, He still knows my name, my every thought, He sees my happiness and my tears...

and He cares!

So as I thought about who's birthday we just celebrated, I thought about my relationship with Him... it's lacking right now...

He didn't move, I did.

So really without saying it, I guess you know my goals for 2010. They are to keep

the main thing the main thing.

I know this post is different... thanks for sticking with me. For some reason, I felt someone, somewhere, might need to hear this as much as I did.

I leave 2009 with this one final thought..

How precious are your thoughts about me O God!

They are innumerable!

I can't even count them;

they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up in the morning,

you are still with me!

Psalm 139:17-18

Here's to a fantastic and exciting 2010!

Teri

Merry Christmas

It's a beautiful day in the MY neighborhood..

...and in the neighborhood down the road.

Before...

After...

Have a Very Merry Christmas!

Each and every one of you are a blessing to my life...

thank you.

See you all in the New Year!

Love,

Teri

Frosty and Leila

Having a granddaughter is ultra fun, especially one as cute as mine... ha ha.

This year she has decided to become obsessed with snowmen. None of us know where this came from. Her poppy (Scott) decided it would be great fun to take her to Build-A-Bear, for a special treat... here are the pics...

Arriving...

Choosing the heart...

Putting the heart in...

Giving Frosty his bath...

The birth certificate...

Christmas is so fun as seen through a child's eyes.

"He was made of snow, but the children know, how he came to life one day..."

"My new friend..."

He will have to live on magic and love, because it was 84 degrees the day he came to life!

Teri

My French Christmas Tree

The other day I showed you my family room, with all the cutsie Christmas stuff for the family.

My other side, is reflected in my living room/entry way. Eventually, I will phase out a lot of the "cute" and move into my more European phase... at least my version of it...

My oldest and dearest friend sent me this ornament, and that was the inspiration for the whole tree.

Table top live tree.

The tree is in the room no one sits in, except me, and that's only when I play the piano.

A very special blog friend sent me this card. I will cherish it always.

Sticker from The Beautiful Life.

Entry table with a scarf I bought in Paris in Sept.

Thought you might like to see my cross wall.

So there you have it.

Hope your shopping is going well.

Teri

A Moment of Panic

Last month, I volunteered to have my writing group over for a Christmas brunch, the first week of December. I did this on purpose... I work best under pressure, and I knew it would FORCE me to get my house decorated early.

Have you ever heard the expression..."It seemed like a good idea at the time?" Well, two days before the brunch, I spent all day decorating a small live Christmas tree for my entry, and a small entry side table. I spent so much time doing that, I neglected to do all the other rooms, and the table.

The next day around 10am I was in a complete panic. Stuff was everywhere! The big tree in the family room sat naked, the table bare, and the Christmas village looked like it had been through a tornado. I was in complete overwhelm. So... what do I do when I'm in overwhelm?? I call one of two people... my first go to person is Scott... but he was at work. So, I called my mom. Within 30 minutes she came over, and we got moving. Sometimes, when someone else comes in, things just start going smoothly, especially when that someone is ultra talented in all she does. So in a matter of about 3 hours, we decorated the tree, got the table set, fixed the village, and even recovered a footstool!

Here are a few scenes. I only wish I had a before shot to show you...

The table...

The big tree... it looks a little crooked here... :)

Mom pulled this together in about 5 minutes, with found objects.

Mom also put the ribbon on the candle and the frame... what a special touch!

Before

After

(BTW, this is an old footstool my sister-in-law gave me, and it just sat for years because it was so ugly. You vintage girls inspired me. When I have time, I will trim it and embellish it somehow... still thinking...)

The brunch went really well, and we all had a great time.

So, thanks mom... I will be calling again...

Teri

P.S. Still waiting to download more Disney pics.

Busy Week and Weekend!

Have had no time to blog... how you all have time this time of year blows my mind.

We've been at Disney all weekend. They've done the most incredible thing with Cinderella's castle (incase you didn't know, Cinderella is a French fairytale).

Here's a sneak peek. More in my next post.

Remember, "A dream is a wish your heart makes..."

Blessings,

Teri

The Best Gift...

Christmas is a time of giving, and receiving.

Three years ago I received a gift... and my life changed. Completely, totally, and I hope permanently.

I received my passion.

Oh, I had passion for my family, and for God, and I in no means want to minimize those, but this was different...

It was a passion just for me... well, actually for me and my better half.

Paris gave me passion...

Only in a place of passion, is something like this created...

so full of emotion...

feeling...

Only in a place of passion, do you turn, and see this..

In Paris I received my passion...

passion for a place,

a way of life,

a way of thinking... thinking that told me there was more out there in the world than right here where I live...

My life gained texture, wonder, romance, awe, inspiration. I am willing to do things I would've never done before, all because I visited a place...

Here are a few things I've done over the past 3 years, that I would have NEVER done without open eyes to see the possibility to live more fully, to take chances, to get out of my rut... a rut I had carefully constructed myself, a rut I thought I was most happy in...

Until... Paris...

*I was the lead in a play for charity. I always secretly dreamed of being an actress, but never pursued it. You know what? When it was over, even though I was glad I did it because it stretched me, I realized I do not ever really want to do that again.

Funny, huh?

*I started writing. I took a writing class. I started this blog! I can promise you, no way would I have had anything to say, or the nerve to say it, a few years ago.

I did the book writing challenge. Without Versailles, and all the mystery and glamour of that place, and falling in love with Marie Antoinette, along with the city of Paris,

I would have never, ever had the imagination to do that.

*I took French lessons with a group of complete strangers.

*We welcomed a 14 year old French girl, Clara into our home for 3 weeks. That was so unlike us. We don't even like to have company!

*We visited Clara's family in Marseille, knowing they didn't even speak English! What a night... what an experience.

*I've turned corners, not knowing where I was going.

*Gone down deserted, lonely streets and alleys, unafraid.

*Walked alone (without Scott) in Paris at night at 11pm, thrilled by the exhilaration of knowing I would never do that in America.

*I got on trains without the proper ticket. Would I be thrown off? Get in trouble? Who knew? I just stuck my nose in a book, and hoped for the best. My heart beat wildly, but sometimes, when you have no choice, you just have to go with the flow.

*I went in buildings, restaurants, cafes etc. having no idea what the deal was, how the food was, or how we would be treated.

*I jumped turnstiles, when there were no other options.

*I learned to put on a scowl and argue with Frenchmen...ok, so it did me no good, but still, I did it! I stood up for myself.

*I tried snails... I love snails... enough said.

So my favorite gift I ever received did not come wrapped in a package at Christmas. It was given to me quite unawares, when I didn't even see it coming.

Only once in my life did a place that was man-made,

overwhelm me,

bring me to tears.

Only once have I sat in awe...

felt the passion of others...

felt the passion of creativity and artistry...

seen what can be created when there is time, no rush, no deadline...

Never have I felt so small, yet so full...

So Paris, I applaud you for preserving your past, for keeping your passion for beauty, for understanding that you can change and evolve...without removing all remnants of the past. An old building isn't torn down, it's recreated into something else. A palace that no longer houses royal residents, isn't mowed down for something new, it becomes home to some of the greatest works of art ever created. The residents of your apartment buildings change with each new generation, but the mystery and emotion in the air, never goes away.

So for me, I just want to say,

Merci Paris...Merci Beaucoup

Shopping In Paris

If I could go Christmas Shopping, anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?

Seriously, do I even need to tell you?

Of course it would be Paris...

We always visit Paris in the fall (cheapest airfare). Our first trip was in mid-October, and the weather was fabulous! Really balmy and warm in the day, cool at night. We thought this was normal for Paris. The following year, we went in November...what difference would 2 weeks make? A LOT. We froze!! We found out later, that particular Oct. was unseasonable warm, and my guess is, the following Nov. was unseasonably cold. I will tell you, the cold in Paris is damp and when the wind blows down those streets, it chills you to the bone. Cappuccino for 6€ plus tip became the order of the day. That is when we decided we couldn't live in Paris year round. Our thin FL blood will not take it.

We spent lots of time in museums. We even visited Victor Hugo's house, just to get in out of the cold! We also did a lot of window shopping. I'm not a shopper (buyer) but I am really glad we went in this store to get warm!

I think we are in Galleries Lafayette, across from the Opera House.

Here... take a look...

\

Had to try the Chanel...it's my favorite...

It was so festive and beautiful... and okay, due to the extreme temperatures, I bought 2 casual coats. One was bought out of necessity, and the other, well, it was just too cute!

Great Memories!

Teri

Just for fun... Here is my new desktop picture for the holidays.

I ordered this from Tracy Porter, and I can't wait for it to arrive.

It's on her website, under gifts, if you are interested.

She also does a radio show at 3pm EST on Wednesdays, and she's a hoot. There are also awesome videos on her website. She has really inspired me. Just today, I made a wreath, completely out of found objects.

Gotta love that!

~Teri~