Full of French goodness...

I am still walking on air
but
we have to eat so
take a look at this fantastic
Tarte Tatin.

This creation took so much time.... 20 minutes.
God Bless Trader Joe's.
It did come from the South of France though.

I thought about making one but when I saw this
I knew it was not to be-hehe.


You know I love to read and if you haven't read these,
put them on your list.
Both have been out for a while
but I visit them often for recipes.

Susan Herrmann Loomis is one talented lady.
Visiting her cooking school in Normandy is
on my short list (o.k, maybe long list).
Doesn't that sound like a wonderful
way to spend a few days?

Thank you so much for your comments on
countdown to Baby 2010 ver. 4.0.
I think I will be floating until ver. 4.0 is released.
Thank you Jeff and Dorothy!

big hugs,
Barb

P.S. I am sending AZ warmth to those of you that are
dealing with all the snow and cold.

****Exciting News update****

This photo of the Eiffel Tower has nothing to do with the following
news update,
I just like it!

Remember a couple of posts ago I
mentioned 2010 would bring changes and be
exciting?

Read this and you'll know why.


"We have started the countdown

to the official release of

"New Baby 2010 Ver. 4.0,

and we should find out its

optional equipment "package" around April.

We have learned

quite a bit from the first 3 prototypes over the years,

and are confident that the new models

performance will be on par

with the previous releases."

JMH



Oh Yeah, I'm going to be a grandma again!
Jeff called right after Christmas to tell me and
I was (still am) over the moon.

You know how much I love my grans!
It is still early days but they decided
to share the news with everyone so...
when I read his news update I just had
to post it.

I will be around to visit
once I come back down to earth.

big hugs

What I learned from my son over the last 27 years

Happy Birthday J.W.
Today is my son's 27th birthday and this post is dedicated to him.

J.W,
I have learned many things from you over the years
and I thought I would share them here.

Many years ago, I was told you would not live to see this age.
Well, here you are.
I learned what man says is not necessarily true.
God is in control, not the doctors.

While you didn't hit the childhood milestones
when the doctor's thought you should,
you hit them when you hit them.
I learned to run my race from that.
It is not necessary to compete with others.

Run your race at your own pace.


I learned that it takes just as much energy to smile
as frown. As I look back, you are a smiler, and
what a charming smile you have.

You see people as people. Disabilities don't exist.
You accept people equally.
I have learned from you that all people really
are created equal.
I've learned to look through the eyes that God gave me.

I smile when I see this photo.

You gave your franc's to someone that was in need.
You kept a couple for yourself but shared what you had with someone else.
The gift was compassion and to share with those in need.


You have an incredible sense of humor.
This photo that was taken at Jeff and Dorothy's house when Jeff
was home in July says it all.

You were not well that day but carried on.
To look at this picture, you'd never know how ill you were.
A smile and a sense of humor can carry you through anything.

I am so proud of you and the young man you have become.

Happy birthday and may God bless you with many more.
We love you.

Thank you for teaching your mom so much.

What a year AND a winner

I don't know about you but I am happy to see the arrival of 2010.

2009 was a very interesting year for us.
If someone would have told me that my youngest son would be in the hospital for more than half of the year
AND
my oldest son would join the Army, be learning Indonesian
And
his entire family would be living in Monterey, WHEW
I would not have believed it.
O.K, I might have believed the hospital part.

Truth is stranger than fiction.
One thing I can say is, we have all
come through much stronger spiritually.
For that I am thankful.

2010 already promises to be a year of change and excitement.
I can't wait.

O.k. enough rambling.

This post brings me to the last giveaway from The French Elements
for 2009.
Whoo hoo!

This is what #91 (the Winner was chosen by grandchildren generator),
will receive.

This elegant (I think) white on cream embroidered pillow.
I love this damask flower.

The winner will also receive this Anti-Fatigue Gel Mask
by Chanel.
This is one of my favorite things.

So, #91 (aka Stephanie) come on down girl.
Your gifts will go out ASAP.

I really want to thank everyone that has followed my blog.
You are more appreciated than you know!

Now a shameless plug-hehe.
I have been busy adding items to my little shop.
I am an animal freak and have had so much fun making these pillows.

You already know how I feel about LOVE.
Second chances are amazing.

Since this is my last post of 2009,
I thought I would end with a fantastic youtube video.
Many years ago, we had the opportunity to go to Euro Disney.
The kids were in heaven.

While the name has changed, the magical feeling is still there.

Enjoy the show.

I pray that each of you has a spectacular New Year and may
God Bless us all.

Big hugs,

Barb

Fa la la fabulous.....

A few days before Christmas, hubby and I stopped in
old town Glendale for lunch.
My son lives close by so I spend quite a bit of time in the area.

I have to tell you that I must wander around with blinders on because
I never went into The Cottage Garden.
Well, we went in and I was in Heaven.
This shop is absolutely amazing.

Next year, you will probably see a picture looking something
like this in a magazine.
Well, not really like this. They have REAL photographers but you get the idea.

The Cottage Garden and The Cottage Garden 2,

will be featured in Sunset (one of my fav's).

This is Carol, the owner of both stores.
We started to chat about blogs.
Carol has a lovely blog you have to visit.

I asked if I could take some pictures and the following is just a sample of what I saw....

The picture below is of The Cottage Garden 2 which has clothing,
and all sorts of FABULOUS things.

Front porch.

I love what Carol did with this market cart.

I didn't get any pictures inside of The Cottage Garden2
because the memory card was full.

Now, I have a very good excuse to go back-hehe.

I am keeping my eyes wide open. If I have missed a treasure
trove like this, what else have I missed?

Note to self: pay attention and stay in the moment.

The reason for the season

I'm wishing that each of you has a Blessed Christmas.
Take time to remember the reason for the season.

A big Thank you for your support

I love my little prints.
A while ago, I did a post on prints that I have collected over
the years.


These came from France and they make me smile every time I see them.
Of course, they are all Santa and Eiffel Tower related.

Too cute for words.

Hubby is still under the weather.
Better but not 100%.
Thank you for your well wishes, I think they helped.

This photo was taken a few weeks ago at Hub's work
Christmas party.
What a couple-hehe.

I (WE)

want to thank everyone that has
purchased from The French Elements this past year.
The French Elements has evolved and I have too.
Thank you for embracing the change with me.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for choosing
TFE when there are so many choices out there.

The orders have shipped (last day USPS is Dec 20th).
1 to go.
Locals, you can still send an email and your goodies will
go right out via Barb's sled-hehe.

You know we support JDRF.
JDRF thanks you and we do too.
Every little bit helps. JDRF has been an important part
of our lives for years and I love
to give back to them.


I also want to thank my dear one. He has been
a boulder for me.
If I felt discouraged, he would pull me up by
my bootstraps.
He is a wonderful shipper and a schlepper extraordinaire.
Give him a list and he is off and running.
So, big thanks to you my love.

Now, that things have quieted down, I hope to be able to visit
all those blogs I have been missing.

Don't forget (I haven't), the December drawing for Friends
of The French Elements will be here soon.
Not quite sure when but before the end of December.

Happy Saturday!

Cough, Sniff, and a Christmas market in France

In the 6 years that hubby and I have been married,
he has only been sick twice. Lucky duck!

A couple of years ago, we were in Nice for Carnivale
and hubby got sick.
This had ugly all over it.
We were in Nice, it was Carnivale, and he was sicker than a dog.

We went to the local Pharmacy and hubby stayed outside
(he didn't want to get anyone sick).
I went in and tried to imitate his cough, etc.
The pharmacist had him come in and cough.

He smiled, and we left with a big bag full of medicine.
The next day, he was so much better that we went to the pharmacy
to thank the Pharmacist.

I was calling it the French miracle.
I've never seen anyone recover so quickly.

Right now, we could use that Pharmacist as hubby is not well at all.
I told him, I would be happy to fly over
and pick up a few things for him.

Of course, that is not happening so...
here we are.

While I take care of hubby, I thought you might enjoy
this video of a Christmas market in France.

I still think that maybe I should make a quick trip over
just to pick up a few things for him.

Enjoy the video.