Happy Birthday

My Favorite Flowers

Come and join me for a Celebration...

Tomorrow, I will reach a milestone in my life.  I will turn 60. I don't feel 60 except maybe for the little aches and pains that come and go and I could feel worse but exercising everyday for an hour and 20 minutes (except for Sunday) wards off or at least holds things at bay.

Come and Join Me for A Sweet

And A Cafe Latte

In reflecting on my personal achievements during this time span, I find it wouldn't  have been possible for me to have achieved what I have without first having to face disappointments and failures.  It is through these faces that I have learned perhaps one of what I view will be one of the most important and valuable lessons in my life.  I have learned not to have unreasonable expectations of people and situations.

Elevating situations and people above their capabilities can only cause disappointment.  After all, we are all human and flawed.  No one is perfect (another realization) and to think that people can live up to what your expectations are is not only unfair to them but can be a cause of disappointment to you.  Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed.  This has been the hardest lesson for me personally but once you realize this, life becomes easier and those words "Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed" becomes your mantra.

I think the results of this lesson brings with it real maturity, acceptance and the realization that you cannot change people or situations to suit yourself. Having said this, if I had a bucket list this would have been the first thing on my list that I would have wanted to accomplish over anything else. Reaching this milestone makes me feel like I have achieved one of my toughest lesson and for me that is a great reason for a celebration!

And I would be remiss if I did not wish everyone who will be celebrating birthdays throughout the coming year "Happy Birthday"!

New Additions to My Etsy Shop

I've just added two new items to my shop.

A Lovely Toile Sachet

This sachet is filled with Grosso Lavender, which is longer lasting because of the extra oil infused in each bud.

The Reverse Side in a black/ivory ticking

Hemp twine wrapped on one sachet and a lovely antique Mother of Pearl Button w/hemp twine 

French Inspired red/ivory sachet done in a more rustic, faded and worn look.  The reverse side in a solid ivory with red accents.

The reverse side.

You can find them in my Etsy Store (Here).

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A Favorite Picture

This is my favorite picture.  Isabella thinks this picture is of her when she was little...And I don't have the heart to tell her it isn't her. It hangs in my dining room in front of my table and when we move it is always this picture that speaks to my heart when I open the box it was packed in.  There is a bit of a gasp and I hear myself say, "There is something so innocent and sweet about a little French girl who blows you a kiss".

I would imagine everyone has one picture or portrait that speaks to them.  Do you have a favorite picture?  If so, what is it that draws you to it?

The Finished Product

Take a peek at the finished results of my kitchen chairs and table base....

A front view

A side view

A another side view

Another front view

This concludes my kitchen re-do project with Annie Sloan's paint and wax.  I will say this, after waiting overnight to buff the wax, the sheen on the chairs and base is gorgeous.  I've never seen anything so pretty. I am very pleased with how this project turned out and if you are up to the challenge (and it is a challenge ) it is well worth it.  My only suggestion would be to start off on something smaller like one chair instead of a complete set.  LOL

Whats the verdict?

3rd Installment of Chair Re-do

After spending the past week and weekend painting the chairs and the base of my table I finally finished with the Annie Sloan Paris Grey.  I started this morning putting on the second coat of Old White but was not impressed with how it was looking.  (Lucky for me I had only painted a lower rung before deciding I didn't like it.)  So, I decided to sand the Paris Grey (by hand) on all the chairs and base and it was more to my liking.  It is very shabby/grey.  Because the chairs already had a under coat of an Old white to begin with, that is the white you see peeking out beneath the grey.

This is before I started applying the clear wax.

This is after one coat of clear wax and no buffing yet.  I wanted to let it sit until tomorrow to harden before I buffed it out.

All of the chairs and base have been waxed and will be buffed tomorrow.  I will show pictures after I have buffed and put the chairs seats and tabletop back
on.

This has been a learning experience for me not to mention a very time consuming one...A fairly large project for a first attempt but considering everything, I am pleased with the outcome.

I know there are some of you who aren't into a worn/faded look but for me I am satisfied with the outcome.  Could I have don't better? Probably, but I am always my own worst critic.  What do you think of them so far?

The Versatile Blogger Award

Gosh, I am thrilled and excited to have been given The Versatile Blogger Award by Mandy of The Project Queen which you can visit (Here).

A big thank you for giving me this award!  Now, in order to accept this award I have to:

1.  Thank the person who awarded me the award.  Thank you Mandy!

2.  List seven things about myself that you all may not know.

3.  Award 15 other bloggers with this award.

Okkk, the seven things about me you may not know is.

1.  I have been married for 41 years to the same wonderful man.  The same man
    that ran across a parking lot at a hangout we all frequented and tripped
    over a barrel, ripped the knee of his pants just to get our attention.
2.  In one week I will turn 60 years old!!!  (Now, I'm telling all my secrets)
3.  I am a hugh fan of Matt Damon.
4.  I am a grandmother to 3 grandchildren, a boy and two girls.
5.  I am a francophile and love anything that has to do with France or Europe.
6.  I was born and raised in Indiana (Now, how did I get to Texas?)
7.  I am always on a diet.  HA HA

I would like to award the following 15 bloggers this award:

1. Demie at Paraphernalia  http://demieblogg.blogspot.com/
2.  Susan at The View From Over Here http://theviewfromheresusan.blogspot.com/
3.  Maureen at Eclectic Revisited http://eclecticrevisited.wordpress.com/
4.  Genie at Paris and Beyond http://parisandbeyond-genie.blogspot.com/
5.  Cindy at Illuminations http://illuminationbycindy.blogspot.com/
6.  Pat at The Occasional Pat http://theoccasionalpat.blogspot.com/
7.  Fifi at Fifi Flowers http://www.fififlowers.com/
8.  Franka at Meine Dinge http://meinedinge.blogspot.com/
9.  Lucia at Shabby-Look http://shabby-look.blogspot.com/
10. Rosemary at Villabarnes http://villabarnes.blogspot.com/
11. Celia at High Heeled Life http://attitudeivlife.blogspot.com/
12. Mona at Providence LTD Design http://providenceltddesign.com/
13. Miss Rubio at Velvet Moss http://velvetmoss.blogspot.com/
14. Esme at Chocolate and Croissants http://chocolateandcroissants.blogspot.com/
15.  Nina at Paisley and Ink http://paisleyandink.blogspot.com/

A big congratulations to the new recipients of the Versatile Blogger Awards.  These are all wonderful sites.  Be sure and tell them Kris of la reportiste sent you!