HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Just a Shout-out to everyone....

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!

Love and Kisses

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!

NOT THE LAST OF THE PHOTOS...BUT NEARLY!!!!

Bedroom

Library

Another Library Image

Morning Room

MORE CHRISTMAS PHOTOS...STILL NOT FINISHED!!!

Okay...I know...it's getting late. I told you it takes me forever to do anything. I still haven't tweeked the bedroom and I have more packages to wrap...but, I took these last night to add to this years Christmas photos and I thought I would share it with you.

Love and Kisses

JUST TONY AND ME

Tony and I have started a photo blog together. I got the idea from another blog I happened upon sometime ago, and thought it was a perfect project for us. Something the two of us can do together. So, if you get the time and want to check it out...

it's
Just Tony and Me

Love and Kisses

FLU HAS ME DOWN

Looks like we may have some snow for Christmas afterall!!! One can Hope!!!
I'm in bed with the flu, but I just had to post this great rainbow...if you look hard, you can see there is the hint of another one, behind the large one. What a great treat for Los Angeles!!!Love and Kisses

AS PROMISED!!!

This is a close up of the Love Birds, inside.


I promised a post featuring the birdcage, Orbelina decorated. Here is a photo of it shot at night, and one shot this morning. She did a fantastic job...

The birdcage was an Etsy find. I purchased it from http://www.etsy.com/shop/sunshinesgirls

Hope you like the birdcage...let me know...I love to read your comments.

Love and Kisses

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Today is Thanksgiving and as many do on this day...I am reflecting.

My heart swells with love and pride every time I think of having the privilege to be at the side of my hero, Jed Ufland. He is my everything. Still after 36 years, it is his name, in the night, I call when I am afraid; his smile that makes me soar to the sky with happiness; and his love that never fails me.

His courage, his wit, and his love is what has made me the person I am, and strive to be, everyday.

So, here's to you, my darling...and to many more Thanksgiving Days!!!

Love and Kisses

OMG...HE'S GROWING UP!!!!!

Here are some new Head Shots of Zack...He got them today, so I just had to share them...Love you Zack, keep up the good work.

ANNIVERSARY STORY

What started out to be a cool surprise for Jed, turned out to be a Comedy of Errors.

First off, Jed had to go into the office on Wednesday, so we postponed the celebration until Thursday. Okay, I can deal with that...no problem. After 37 years, what's one more day, right?

Jed and I hung out all day yesterday...watching old movies, reading and just talking but most of all, enjoying each other. It's funny, but still after all this time, I'd rather be with him than anyone. I guess that is really what love is all about. My surprise was coming later, anyway.

First, I need to give you the back story. We used to go to Trader Vic Restaurant all the time. We ordered nearly the whole menu and pigged out for hours...we just loved the place. Then, Merv Griffen died (he was the owner) and it started going downhill, it was eventually sold and then it really got bad. Anyway, it finally closed...we were heartbroken. Our Pig-out place was gone forever...or so we thought.

Last week while I was shopping for Christmas things downtown, I drove by it. IT WAS STILL HERE...just moved across the street from Staples Center. I was delighted...that was going to be my big surprise. I was going to drive up to the restaurant, get out, leave the car with the Valet and we were going to eat until we popped. After a 45 minute drive, (2.5 miles, I HATE LA TRAFFIC)it was NOT TO BE!!!! (another back-story...Jed walks with a cane, and I have a terrible bad back) THERE WAS NO VALET PARKING!!!! I called TV's from the car and they said we had to park 3 blocks away. We went to the parking garage and it was a $25.00 parking fee. Now, I don't mind (well, sort of) spending that (especially on our anniversary), but then to walk 3 blocks...we called and cancelled the reservation. NO WAY, am I going to pay $25.00 and then walk 3 long blocks.

What to do...I immediately went into panic mode, and thought of Jeds other favorite restaurant, The Palm. So I turned the car around and pressed on. After an hour and a half of driving, we arrived at the restaurant. Needless to say, my back was KILLING ME and I could hardly walk (of course, I forgot MY cane).

Jed ordered a Crab Cocktail and a Broiled Lobster...his meal was pretty good. I deviated from my usual Capri Salad and Veal Parmigiana and decided to order Calamari and Steamed lobster. The Calamari was rubbery and (and this would be funny, if it wasn't so pathetic) I had to ask for a steak knife for the Lobster.

On the way home, we just started laughing...I have always said, when things go wrong, you are making a memory...so we started listing all our memories of the evening....made us crack up.

Oh...and the clincher...Jed told me it was 36 years...not 37...really made my evening.

Love and Kisses

ZACK IS IN A COMMERCIAL!!!

Check out my Grandson,Zack, in his first commercial...

The Palisades

HOW COOL IS THAT!!!

Cute Kid...takes after his Grandmother...hee hee...

I'm so proud of you, Sweetheart, keep up the good work. I'm always in your corner.

Love and Kisses

MORE CHRISTMAS PEEKS

More to Come

Love and Kisses

MOTHERS BEST BACON ON THE PLANET!!!

I know...throw it in the Microwave...but...I just can't bring myself to stop cooking it the way Mother did. I feel very close to her, as I am standing there...turning each piece, checking for doneness. It's an act of love. Man, could she cook!!!

Anyway, this is how she did it.

First, start with Farmer Johns Bacon, or any Sugar Cured Bacon, and cook in bacon fat. She stored the fat in the fridge, and each time she used it, she would pour it up and store it. If ANYTHING other than bacon was cooked in the fat, she would throw it all away, and start over.

The more bacon fat, the better...she liked to cover the bacon...that way, it all cooked more evenly.

On Med-low heat fry the bacon until it is done. Now, here is one trick. Take out the bacon when it looks undercooked. You can always put it back, but once it is overcooked...it is too late. You can tell if it is done after it cools and it is crisp. Sometimes I put back just one corner...

Another trick...It really does the best job...drain on a brown paper bag...I use the inside of the grocery bag...just cut out a piece to fit your counter.

BE PATIENT...COOK IT SLOWLY, AND WAIT FOR THE KUDDOS!!!

Love and Kisses

MOTHERS SAYINGS

Perhaps because my Mother was Southern, or perhaps because she grew up in the depression, or perhaps, just because, my Mother had a saying for EVERYTHING.

The reason I bring this up is because, I am amazed at how many folks brag on these blogs (INCLUDING MYSELF, I MIGHT ADD)...I can hear my mother now..."I'd pat you on the back, but your arm's in the way"...and Mother, again you are right.

So to all of us braggers out there...HERE'S TO US...

One of MY favorite sayings, (and my Mother would turn over in her grave) is @#!$ &^% &*%^, I mean WHO CARES!!!

Love and Kisses

I WAS WONDERING...

I was wondering...someone recently referred to someone else as a "Dear Friend"...it got me to thinking...what a "Dear Friend" is to me, and then I wondered, what a "Dear Friend" is to you. So...just throwing it out there...What is a "Dear Friend" to you?

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS CHAOS!!

I can't wait until this is pretty again...maybe in a week!!
Everywhere we look...looks like a cyclone hit me...hee hee!!!


Thank God for Orbelina...She'll make it all better...Love her!!!

ANOTHER PHOTO!

Here is another photo of Christmas decorating...I am making red and white roses to go on the tree...all it is going to have on it are roses and little white lights...I love the look...very classic. I'll post a photo, of course, when it is all up. It is going just as slow as I thought it was going to be...so glad I started early.

Love and Kisses

CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR!!!

Well...I started decorating for Christmas yesterday. I started early because I am so slow and if I don't start now, things just won't get finished in time.

I have decided to skip Thanksgiving Decorations altogether, that way, I can really concentrate on The Big One...

Here are a few of the photos...I will take photos every chance I get and post them. At the end, I will do some before and after photos...just for fun.There are more than 30 boxes...this is just a few...


A view looking out on the balcony...we are putting lights out there this year!!!


My Beautiful and Sweet Orbelina...


Orbelina, again...making pretty, she is soooo funny!!!!


Who is that handsome guy...must be my Darling Ivan...


Boy, do I love him!!!!!

Love and Kisses

FOUND THESE ON TONYS FACEBOOK!!!

I found some photos of us on Tonys' (my son) Facebook page, so I swiped them, photo-shopped them, and I am posting them. This is the only one I have done, so far...will add more later. And of course, it is of my Jed Boy...love you Sweetheart!!!

HERE ARE SOME MORE

Me and my Angel, Josh...

Love and Kisses

WHITE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW!!!

This is my baby angel, Pixie...funny, considering Pixie means mischievous devil...come to think of it...she is more like a devil than an angel..but we love her, just the same. And besides, how can you get mad at anything this beautiful!!!!

Love and Kisses

ADDED TODAY TO THE FRENCH COUNTRY LOOK!!

I just uploaded a new item on my web-site The French Country Look...take a look.

Isn't that the cutest lamp...got it from Mechelle over at The Pink Daisy, about a thousand years ago. A friend just had to have it, so now it's in a favorite spot, in her home.

Love and Kisses

TRYING OUT NEW THINGS!

It took me all day to get this one photo today...I had one of those "Go Slow So You Won't Go Backward" days...

Anyway, I wanted to try a new setting on the blog, so I thought I would post my days work...

Love and Kisses

SUNDAY BRUNCH!!!

On the table for Sunday Brunch!

Fresh out of the oven!



Here is the recipe:

Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii
Baked Homestyle Eggs with Asparagus, Red Peppers and Chiles

10 each Eggs
1/2 C. All Purpose Flour
1 Tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Salt
2 C. (16 oz.) Cottage Cheese
4 C. (16 oz.) Jack Cheese, (shredded)
1/2 C. Butter, Melted and Cooled
4 oz. Green Chiles, (canned) Diced
1/2 C. Red Peppers, Diced
1/2 C. Asparagus, Diced

PROCEDURE:

Beat eggs until light and lemon colored.
Add Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Cottage Cheese, Jack Cheese, Butter, Red Peppers, and Asparagus.
Blend until smooth.
Stir in Chiles
Pour mixture into a well buttered 9 x 13" baking pan.
Bake in preheated 350 oven for about 35 minutes, or until top is browned and center appears firm

Please let me know what you think!!!

Love and Kisses

SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME SMILE!

When I walk into this room in the mornings and see this corner, something about the baskets, the wrought iron table and tole flowers make me smile every time.I thought I would share this little corner of my world with you.


Love and Kisses

WHAT IS WITH ME, ANYWAY?

Whenever I get scared, mad or just plain crazy, I go crazy.

So, now I have decided to change my studio COMPLETELY...

I am getting rid of almost everything in there and replacing it with happy, bright colorful things.

Going are the Soft Pinks and Jade Greens and in comes the Torquoise, Yellow and Reds.

So watch my website for lots of stuff that I never thought I was going to part with...cuz, I'm gonna!!!!

Love and Kisses

THE HEALTH BILL GOT THROUGH ANOTHER HURDLE!

The Senate Finance Committee has passed the Baucus Health Reform Bill...14-7.

Whether you are for it, or against it, it is going to change America. I, for one, pray it changes things for the better. My hope is, we get more good out of it than bad.

I realize I have no control over whether it is voted down, or passes. I can only choose to hope for the best, while preparing for the worst.

My prayer is that we get along, love one another and be tolerent of each other.

So, here is to us, The United States of America...right or wrong, she is my country and I stand behind her!!!

Love and Kisses

BORN-AGAIN TABLE!!!

Below are some photos of the Yellow Table...all done up.

I just love it!!! Now, I have to decide whether to keep it, or sell it. All my problems should be this hard.

Love and Kisses

OLD POEM

I was cleaning out a drawer today (I saw a show last night on Hourders...scared the bejingers out of me), and I ran across an old poem I wrote right after my father died, some 35 years ago.

It goes:

As a child, I was as free as a soft and gentle flower,
the sound of laughter was all around.

Now, I'm grown and all confused,
I feel the world with all it's cruelty.

Sometimes when my world turns cold,
I think of those ever so warm days.

Just thought I would share...now back to sorting.

Love and Kisses

WENT ANTIQUING WEDNESDAY!

Yep, that's right...I don't have enough. I purchased this BRIGHT Yellow wicker table. I hate the color, but the table is really cool. I'm in the process of painting it (white, of course) and I am going to have to decide then, whether to keep it, or sell it.

The really neat thing about it, besides that it's old and I love old wicker, is that the bottom "shelf" is really a very large tray. AND...is removable. How cool is that?

As soon as it is completed, I will take some photos. In the meantime, here is the ""Before" photo. Enjoy!!!


Love and Kisses

WHERE WAS I?

Just in case you noticed, I've been missing!!! Both of my computers were down for two days. Actually, it was the server, but that's just too long a story to go into tonight.

I didn't put a new "Weekly Sale" on this week, because I was still down this morning at 8:00.

But, as they say, "Alls well that ends..." so I'll be back on schedule next Monday. I'm already getting some more things to put on my websites, and I'll touch base with my Facebook Friends, in a few minutes.

Hope all is well with everyone.

Love and Kisses

NEW TO THE FRENCH COUNTRY LOOK!

I just added the coolest Anitque Bamboo Hall Tree to my Website, at The French Country Look

Just thought I would share...

Love and Kisses

I HAVE A BORING LIFE!!!

I always thought I was so cool...so interesting!!! Now, trying to figure out what to write about, I realize just what a boring life I have. Not that I'm complaining...more EXplaining!!!

What I find so neat in my life sounds mundane and ordinary when I write about it. Am I the only one in the world that feels like this? Does anyone else ever have times in their lives when nothing seems more than the day to day grind?

I hope I snap out of this pretty fast...because I have stuff to do...hee hee!!! Albeit, boring stuff, but stuff, none the less!!!

Love and Kisses

HAVE A SAFE AND GREAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

Just wanted to tell everyone to have a great weekend.

A bit late, but not TOO late, I am learning to take things slow and easy. I'm trying to remember, it's not what color your living room is that matters, but that you use it to LIVE in. It's not whether or not your couch ECHOS the drapes, but that your grandkids say "Thank You" because they heard you say it so often (now that's an echo, I can live with). Life is short and whether your house looks like a magazine or it has magazines all over it, its the journey that measures success.

Just a few Suzi-isms...

Love and Kisses

SAME OLD, SAME OLD!!!

Nothing new here, just wanted to let everyone know, we are still alive and kicking.

We decided to stay home and walk around with wet washclothes covering our mouths...It works pretty well, except it gets old very fast!!!!

I can hardly wait until this fire is out and the temps go back to cooling us off, instead of cooking us.

On a sad note, my 80 year old neighbor, Mrs. Gavin, passed away on Monday, and today is her funeral. I will miss her. She brought a ray of sunshine to all those who were lucky enough to know her.

Love and Kisses

MAN OH MAN...IS IT HOT!!!

One of the perks of living in an Hysterical (Oh, I mean HISTORICAL) building is the lack of AC. I must say that on all but a few days of the year...throwing the windows open for the cross breeze really cools thing off, especially on the 9th floor.

But this week, with the fires and the heat...it is horrible!!!! The temp. has been in triple digits and there is white ash floating all over the place. It can't be good for our lungs.

Jed and I are going to gather a few goodies and go to Santa Monica, sit in the park by the beach, and have a picnic. Maybe that will cool us down.

Love and Kisses

BACK IN TOWN!!!

Well, we returned home late yesterday afternoon. We had a great time in North Carolina playing poker with the grandsons and hanging out at my sons house.

I baked way to many chocolate chip cookies and ate way to much food, but what the heck...we were on vacation.

I haven't really looked at the photos, so as soon as I cull through the whole lot, I will post some good ones.

Jed and the rest of the gang went to a Minor League Baseball Game, (I stayed home, I was beat!!!) and then on another day, they went to the movies...again, I stayed home...that time to bake cookies..

We went to the Palm for dinner one night and we played lots of games and did lots of Chit Chatting. It was really nice to see everyone again. It has been too long.

We got a couple of good photos of Jed sleeping in the chair...AND NO...he is NOT getting a Lazy Boy...


Love and Kisses

HERE IT IS!

I seem to never stay out of the kitchen since I got it. So I just took a photo with dinner started. Oh well...what the heck!!!

JUST A NOTE!

I just thought I would let everyone who checks in here regarding my web-site that I am going to try and add a couple of new items this week, but I am not going to reach my goal. And I am going to be out of town next week so I can't add anything at all next week. So...my goal of 5 new things a week is, as they say, "Shot to Sh.." for the next couple of weeks. But I will pick the ball back up when I return.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know...what's up.

Love and Kisses

A NEW DAY AND A NEW WEEK

I know...I didn't post any photos of my new range...but first, I wanted to give you the back-story.

We have lived in the building for 27 years and the stove provided was, well, let's just say, a mess, to say the least. All the numbers had worn off the knobs, I couldn't get it clean anymore, but worse was, it never had a calibrator. So when I wanted to bake, I had to use a thermometer purchased at the market (never was accurate)to see when it got to the right temperature. The gaskets had worn away, so all the heat escaped. Anyway, you can see why I needed a new one.

Yes, I could have asked the building to provide me with another one that I would loathe, but Jed...Bless his heart...told me to go buy my dream range...so that is exactly what I did. I did keep the budget in mind (I know, not like me at all) and I found a stainless steel deluxe model from Sears...

We have been playing in the kitchen ever since it arrived. This week-end, we even made pancakes on the griddle.

SO...As soon as I tidy up the kitchen,wipe clean the stove top and make the kitchen presentable, I will post a photo.

Love and Kisses

TEA BAG HOLDER

I put this on my siteThe Cottage Look yesterday, and I just love this photo...just thought I would share it with you.

Love and Kisses

ANOTHER BABY DAY IS BORN!

Just thought I'd share this mornings' beautiful sky...

Los Angeles, 5:00 am

Love and Kisses

JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER AND MORE!!!

For those of you who care (and for those that don't), tomorrow is my day to change my "1/2 Off Item" on my site. As usual, I will post a link here. Also, don't forget, if you purchase the sale item, you get 15% off anything else on the site (as long as you purchase it at the same time). So, set your clock...8:00am pt, tomorrow!!!

Also, I wanted to tell you...I watch way too much HGTV, and rarely do I see anything I haven't seen 1000 times before...White walls, Beige Walls, Green Walls, Pink Walls.

Anyway, I was watching a new show this morning...Gosh, I can't remember which one...but another one about getting the house ready for sale...this time an English gal is the host...

Anyway, the kitchen was a breath of fresh air...Glass, Reverse Painted Subway Tiles (in a light aqua color)...over the entire wall space. And, of course, Stainless Steel Appliances, and a Granite Counter Top.

The topper was a Reproduction Tin Ceiling...and Contemporary
Fixtures..It was the prettiest kitchen I have seen in years..
I wanted to just step in and cook!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~
I just looked, and although I can't figure out which episode, the show was "The Unsellables".
~~~~~~~~~~
Catch it if you can...it is worth seeing.

Love and Kisses

MET MY GOAL!

Well, I met my goal this week...by the skin of my teeth, I might add. I posted 5 new items on my web-siteThe Cottage Look, when you get a minute...take a look.

Next week is kind of hectic so, I don't know how many items I will put on, but a goal, is a goal...so I am going to give it my best shot.

I have been a bit lazy lately regarding my web-site, and I think setting this goal is really going to light a fire under me...Plus, it's fun!!!

So, let me know what you think...I love to read your comments.

Love and Kisses

BOUND FOR NORTH CAROLINA

I just found out we are going to North Carolina to visit my Tony, Lisa and Zack and Josh. We leave Aug. 15th and return Aug. 22nd.

I can't wait to throw my arms around Zack and Josh...I have missed them sooooo much. I know they are really big now, but even if I have to stand on a ladder...THEY ARE GETTING THE BIGGEST HUG I CAN GIVE.

So...watch out boys...Grandmothers' on her way!!!!!

Love and Kisses

ONE DOWN...FOUR TO GO!!!

I just put one item up...(it took me all day!!!). I hope I get faster...maybe by Friday I will have it down pat.

Sorry Folks...this one is sold.

Love and Kisses