it's that time....

 And I do believe that I am ready, set to go....yippee!  We have
a few more Christmas parties to attend, then on Christmas morning
we're driving up to No Cal to spend the holiday with my family -
I can't wait to see everyone - especially the little wee babies!
So here is wishing you a very Merry Christmas from my house to
yours - if you are traveling as we are may your travels be safe. Enjoy
every moment with your loved ones - eat, drink (responsibly), laugh,
cry, laugh some more, sing, dance and repeat several times.  As
one my fave saying goes " Live like you mean it, baby"

xxoo

(photos via here)

cool vintage trailer art....

In my quest, to enjoy this week and not rush around - I was relaxing at home and cruising around the internet this evening and found this really cool vintage trailer art.  It makes me want to curl up in a warm blanket with some hot apple cider and sing Christmas songs. If you have a spare moment sometime, check out the rest of the art on the Vintage Travel Trailer Art website - it's really cool!  

Have an awesome day!
xxoo

a little smile for you....

christmas lights in florence, italy..

Come join me and take a magical stroll

 thru the streets of Florence

These lights have actual live olive trees - aren't they fabulous!

The Ponte Vecchio 

Did you enjoy your the Firenze Light Festival?

Now this is the way to end an evening stroll
with a nice thick and rich cioccolata calda


Keep smiling!
xxoo


(photo via here)

quebec city at christmas time....

Quebec City has long been on my list of places to visit.  It looks like such a charming and wonderful city and the romantic in me would love to bundle up and stroll down the small streets

with my guy.  Of course we'd have to make several stops to warm up - perhaps some hot apple cider and a crepe or two.  Truth be told, in reality this California girl would probably be better off visiting there in the summertime as I haven't really been in super cold weather very much, but it's definitely fun to dream about and if I had a chance to go there during the holidays, I'd take it! 

Have a dreamy day, everyone!

xxoo

love.this.quote...

“Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect.”

As we approach the holiday season, this is a wonderful reminder to us all to remember the true gifts of the Christmas season. 

 

xxoo  

it's beginning to look alot like....

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.  Ours was very nice and delicious with great company, but boy oh boy was I tired afterwards.  I just knew I would sleep well that night and did I ever!  Being the insomniac that I am it was so needed.

I skipped the whole Black Friday shopping thing - instead I opted for a 15 minute drive out to a suburb, I am not super familiar with and walked around a lake, stopped in at a bookstore/cafe, had a fab cinnamon scone and cappuccino while sitting next to a window facing a gorgeous water fountain and doing some people watching and enjoying the Christmas decorations.  Love.love.love.

In my car, I have two Christmas CD's that I used to always start playing in October - much to the embarassment of my then high school daughter, as I had all of her friends in the car.....I sure miss those times!  But I so enjoy singing along to these songs while driving in the car!

My guy was out of town yesterday and today, so I puttered around the house doing a bit of  holiday decorating, I plan to be very low key this year in that department - simple is perfection for me. I enjoyed perusing Vicki Archer's French Essence and My French Life book's, watched a few movies, rearranged some pictures in my living room and kitchen and just enjoyed a low key, relaxing weekend while sipping on my baileys and coffee - yum!

Here's hoping this week bring lots of

good health, happiness and joy to us all!

xxoo

Psst: Check out Simone's blog The Bottom of the Ironing Basket's wellness and wellbeing posts for the month of November.  Loads of great ideas and inspiration.  I sent her some of my favorite quotes on this very subject.  Thanks Simone!

(photo via here)

a cool project....

I have been having the best time working on a Christmas project for someone in my household namely my travel companion and partner in life - so if you're lurking about Alex (which I don't think you are) turn away now or your surprise will be ruined!  haha...I have put the last 4 years of our vacations in hardcover bound books that I did on the Blurb.com website - so easy to do!  I am still working on my last one, but I am really pleased with how they turned out.  Excellent quality!  I always give Alex books for Christmas, so this will be a nice gift that he will truly enjoy looking at.  They are all my photos that I have taken (and although I am not a photographer) the photos definitely trigger all of our fabulous memories.  And the best part is they also have an IPad version of the book (and it's very inexpensive!) which I have given to myself, so I have copies of them too!  So if you'd like to make a quick gift for a loved one - I highly recommend this project!

Have a fabulous week!
xxoo

it's here, it's really here...

Well, almost!  Christmas is right around the corner and I am

tying up some loose ends and will be enjoying the next few days

with family and friends!  Wishing you all the Happiest, most joyful

Christmas ever!  For all of you traveling (and that will be me too on

Christmas morning) Safe Travels!  Thank you all for making

my year here in this blog world a pretty wonderful one, and

how I look forward to the coming year! 

Much love sent your way!

xxoo

"Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me"

(photo via here)

an extra spring in my step.

I just love them! They make me

walk with an extra spring in my step!

After a few years of some subtle hinting

I received these beauties from my

daughter. Thanks, Steff

I will wear them proudly

with a big smile on my face! :)

a christmas toast...:)

From my house to yours - here is wishing

you all a very Merry Christmas and

a happy and healthy New Year!

Safe Travels!

it's almost here!

Come on in

Warm yourself by the fire



Get comfy by the tree



Grab a glass of cheer


Christmas is almost here!



(photos via living etc)

It truly is a wonderful life...

It just isn't Christmas without watching this movie. I get

chills just seeing this. For every one of us that feels

our life doesn't matter - this movie proves us all wrong.

The smallest gestures can and have truly

changed the course of people's lives. We all matter,

we're in this together, so this weekend when we are

all scurrying about - be kind to strangers and loved ones,

share a smile and always remember that despite all

the hard times we go thru, this life we have

is truly a wonderful one!

Only one more week of holiday movies - take time

out of your busy days & enjoy some great classic movies!

Happy Weekend everyone!

Everyone of you has made a difference

in my life, and for that I am thankful

xxoo

to kick off the christmas movie season...

My favorite all time Christmas movie -

White Christmas

dedicated to my big sis, Gail!

This movie has always been a

part of my Christmas holiday

season and it brings

back wonderful memories

of my childhood holidays!