tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43205931831589790332024-03-20T02:37:39.801-07:00Villa MaireEvery ladies home is her castle.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-65609628589995454222011-10-25T06:11:00.000-07:002011-10-25T06:37:12.900-07:00God SendsWe had the sweetest yorkie named Lucy. She passed away several years ago very suddenly. We were<br />
heartbroken, especially my husband. I used to call her his girlfriend, she loved him so. <br />
After much thought, I got a little Westie that we named Winston...he is my spunky little guy. But my husband<br />
just missed his dog. I wanted to get him a yorkie but the cost at this time held me back.<br />
I met a young lady who needed to find a home for her yorkie and so we now have Preston in our lives.<br />
Hub's named him ! <br />
He has all the sweetness and devotion of our Lucy. Thank you God for caring and sending him to us !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-38372012336444085452011-06-20T19:00:00.000-07:002011-06-20T19:00:10.902-07:00Working on the LandscapingFor several years now, I have had a vision of a front window box filled with red, white and blue flowers<br />
for the 4th of July. It took awhile to convince my husband about the window box but its in.....<br />
Our flower beds in the front of the house left a lot to be desired, we tried different things but were always <br />
not too happy with the results and then we would start over....my husband came up with the idea that we <br />
needed another tree, I had hoped for a Japanese Maple but in our climate, it wouldnt make it so we got<br />
a flowering plum which I do like. <br />
Next came more Martha Washington Geraniums and more Hydrandga's . Today got my Red Geraniums,<br />
White Alyssum and a blue flower....cannot wait to see it all come together !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-65737168399164976342011-05-16T13:05:00.000-07:002011-05-16T13:13:22.039-07:00~FAMILY GATHERING~<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLplWCPe7m6aZqN96ljU3Zb43Wn9uxDAKnkf9SFbZkbCJfjDtMg_sVzZNC3APde9HN9u0bkjSjoGFdI4VgszGh0IUiGtUZiDKSB-NqerLR5upF2CRXrzZ-BwceRIAkDF3uN6KNaMJCXI/s1600/paul.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBLplWCPe7m6aZqN96ljU3Zb43Wn9uxDAKnkf9SFbZkbCJfjDtMg_sVzZNC3APde9HN9u0bkjSjoGFdI4VgszGh0IUiGtUZiDKSB-NqerLR5upF2CRXrzZ-BwceRIAkDF3uN6KNaMJCXI/s320/paul.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607408573421722050" /></a><br />This is my son, Paul, and his sweet wife, Alana. They now have two little children and live far from us. I am practicing how to get photo's on my blog...so this is a learning experience. <br /><br />Now I know there is a new way to download them on blogger...so..that is next. <br />One day I hope to be up to speed on here...any short cuts anyone! :)<br />Love,<br />MaryVilla Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-39292007271353251272011-05-14T06:20:00.000-07:002011-05-14T06:27:06.945-07:00What this blogging is all about......I was talking with my dear friend Mona this week about blogging. Although I love to<br />read other's blogs and learn so much from such creative ladies, I really didnt feel<br />I had much to contribute. My talents are truly few and far between. I do however love<br />keeping a home, even the cleaning part on my day's off ! As Susan Branch calls it<br />"cutifying" my home, just the little touches that make it warm. I love to cook , but<br />have taken on the challenge of cooking more healthy, after all, what good be better than a home grown tomato ! So it's the simple pleasures of homekeeping that I hope<br />to blog and photo.<br />Have a happy weekend !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-81372906533571434012011-04-04T08:10:00.000-07:002011-04-04T08:18:20.830-07:00Springtime Gardening PlansOur weather in California is finialy warming up after a very rainy winter. As soon<br />as the warm weather is here, my attention turns to our yard which is a work in progress. The progress has been much slower than I would like .I try to focus on what we have accomplished as well as my To Do list. We have an area in our front flower beds that was so empty, I was at a loss as to where to start when the Hub's<br />suggested some trees. It was a great idea to build around. We get so much hot sun in<br />our climate that shade trees are a welcome relief. Yesterday we bought a flowering plum tree and last year put in a Camphor tree. We also planted Martha Washington Geraniums which are doing great, think we need more of them ! Now if I can get a few<br />more flowers and fill in and we are on our way. Pictures to come soon ~Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-9354584503921766382011-03-22T19:33:00.000-07:002011-05-16T13:26:24.151-07:00Happy First Birthday Aila !<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG33Z2CmDK1WtPJKtP5zRpHyPx4Q06GjqAGNtV3asee5oo77f-cFhw6aqKdmk7W4mwyVDwGyVMhjqn6blQ6iKYfhyphenhyphenQ_aI4MH00sAj3NF-rdR7KZVduZUNHUas10M01lfa8rq7X3LxSnA0/s1600/DSC02055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 96px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG33Z2CmDK1WtPJKtP5zRpHyPx4Q06GjqAGNtV3asee5oo77f-cFhw6aqKdmk7W4mwyVDwGyVMhjqn6blQ6iKYfhyphenhyphenQ_aI4MH00sAj3NF-rdR7KZVduZUNHUas10M01lfa8rq7X3LxSnA0/s320/DSC02055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607412866005687906" /></a><br />Grandma's baby girl!Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-35818975486593713172011-03-22T06:58:00.000-07:002011-03-22T07:01:01.469-07:00Back from illness......After writing Dont Waste a Day, got very sick unexpectedly.....slowly but surely <br />getting better. Makes me thankful that I have not had a lot of sickness and pain in<br />my life, it sure is tough just to get through a day when there is so much pain.<br />Thank you God, for your healing mercies.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-6452416267215386962011-02-04T07:04:00.000-08:002011-02-04T07:09:54.297-08:00Don't Waste a DayMy family is here visiting. Most of the time we are here , just us chickens, my hubby<br />and I. Certainly not what I planned but they have good lives and their own lives.<br />When I think of that I am very grateful and happy that they do. After all, we really<br />do make our own way in this world.<br /><br />It reminds me to not waste a single minute wishing for what is not to be. To make the<br />most of the life that God has given me and to be content in all things.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-72673250414622210482011-01-01T05:42:00.000-08:002011-01-01T05:51:23.458-08:00Happy New Year !Here is hoping that this new year will bring good things for all of us. It has been<br />a tough year for many. My work reminds me daily of the struggles. Even though resolutions are hard to keep, I have reflected on resolutions I had last year that I<br />actually was able to keep and it keeps me pushing forward.<br />The priority this year is to grow in knowledge of God and apply His wisdom in my life. Because of this priority it is pushing me to deal with the areas of my life, I<br />would like to improve on. You ladies who blog are a true source of inspiration to me.<br />I love my home too, work takes me away much of the time but in my time, I am choosing<br />to spend it in ways that will affect the quality of my family's lives. I am grateful<br />for the opportunity to grow...Blessings in this New Year !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-214111926983215692010-12-19T05:53:00.000-08:002010-12-19T05:56:10.618-08:00Are the Holidays almost here ?Well, this holiday has gone by in one big rush....not enough time....hubby and I have<br />been working way too much. Thankfully, today will be our day to get some holiday shopping done! Most likely with everyone else....he truly hates crowds and I am not far behind him....so we will do our best to get things wrapped up. <br /><br />Merry Christmas to every one.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-78581604744980502942010-11-18T06:08:00.000-08:002010-11-18T06:11:23.788-08:00Seattle Visit November 2010My sister moved to Bainbridge Island Washington last year. I have wanted to visit her<br />ever since and this month, finially made it there ! She lives in a beautiful spot of<br />paradise. It was such a fun time seeing all the local sites. <br />We miss the seasons here in Southern California and it was so wonderful to experience<br />a true "fall".Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-43081018163816088062010-09-27T09:31:00.000-07:002010-09-27T09:34:51.762-07:00Nice Fall Morning.....Woke way too early this morning for a day off and then fell back asleep. This morning<br />made a fall favorite muffin, zuchinni nut.....I first tried them at Starbucks and was<br />so disappointed when I stopped in and they were no longer available.<br />Found a wonderful recipe on line and have been making them myself ever since.....<br />my addition is to toast the walnuts with a little butter and a little sugar before putting them on top.....really good !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-79667573834383335262010-08-31T06:25:00.000-07:002010-08-31T06:30:10.209-07:00Time at Home, What a treat !It is back to work Tuesday this morning...had a nice day yesterday just getting things done around the house, the usual, laundry and cleaning up....<br />Have been looking at the Pillsbury site for easy recipes and made a Chicken Alfredo<br />Parmesean Pie....it was easy and the hub's liked it !<br />Also made Chicken Cashew Salad for lunches this week....we are having our last days<br />of summer here, good to have some ready made things in the refrigerator.....<br />Looking forward to the fall.....have my little fall items out already.....even though<br />we do not get much of a "fall" here, I live in hope....someday !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-51149872679885952682010-06-07T14:15:00.000-07:002010-06-07T14:17:56.430-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CyS40fPwbU7rN2Zxk5CxBzcnJQiMHxYj517SQASv6AnQAu5bhcJ6WtVJliuHz3KrToHroPpawSLu72fEMO_sorh_l4IPsLkVaIjnccAH4JuH8SOo7vRal04xoR_NWKvu3GaZ9OLaI2A/s1600/iminaboat%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CyS40fPwbU7rN2Zxk5CxBzcnJQiMHxYj517SQASv6AnQAu5bhcJ6WtVJliuHz3KrToHroPpawSLu72fEMO_sorh_l4IPsLkVaIjnccAH4JuH8SOo7vRal04xoR_NWKvu3GaZ9OLaI2A/s320/iminaboat%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480143961933210674" /></a>Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-73865390056841815442010-06-02T06:23:00.000-07:002010-06-02T06:39:43.665-07:00If you could plan your dream home, what would it be like ?I read recently on another blog that question....if money were no object, what features in a house would you choose ? Interesting question.....<br />At this stage in my life, almost retirement age, I would choose a classic bungalow<br />with two bedrooms and a bath upstairs for guests and then the main living quarters all downstairs.<br />I love the front porches, they are so inviting and remind me of my Grandparents bungalow. I would love wood floors throughout and classic black and white tile in the<br />baths. Two are just fine.<br />My kitchen would have an antique O'Keefe and Merrit stove where I could cook to my <br />hearts content. A butler's pantry could store my food and all of my bakeware collection. I love to bake special cakes for loved ones ! <br />My bedrooms would be spare and easy to clean. I love the old classic Chenille bedspreads with quilts folded at the bottom for afternoon naps ! <br />Some other favorite things are the old glass door knobs that were in my Grandmother's<br />home.<br />I love to do laundry and currently have the sweetest laundry room. White cabinets and<br />green glass knobs. The only thing I would add is a large sink to be able to bathe<br />my dog....that would be just great !<br />For colors of walls I love the classic Restoration Hardware greens, beiges, blues<br />and buttercream. Nice, soft soothing colors.<br />If I lived in a four season area, my one little luxury would be a four season room<br />to be able to enjoy the outside, in.....<br />The landscape would be old classic flowers and roses.....lots and lots of Jackson &<br />Perkins and David Austin English....Hydrandga's, Heliotrope, Cathedrial Bells, Zinnias. <br />A raised bed for fresh vegetables and herbs......<br />It is nice to know that my wishes are not for something grand and actually attainable.Happiness to me would be to appreciate something old and bring it to life.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-47968094834916957042010-05-31T13:34:00.000-07:002010-05-31T13:34:54.287-07:00gammer's pics<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/X7olEBT1f6AUp6RY7HnOTg?feat=blogger" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em"><img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1gsJmD7EmAM/TAJ1tFxmPsI/AAAAAAAAAZg/igOdouakUp8/s512/DSC01359.JPG"></a>Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-33888389746164357522010-05-31T05:37:00.000-07:002010-05-31T05:37:49.875-07:00gammer's pics<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-tw3319mqfjulHNEcTywyQ?feat=blogger" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em"><img border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1gsJmD7EmAM/TAJ1kW2RRLI/AAAAAAAAAY4/ZubO93bw3dY/s512/DSC01368.JPG"></a>Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-5571712001222694682010-05-17T05:25:00.000-07:002010-05-17T05:30:54.173-07:00A Special BlessingWe have a special blessing, a new Granddaughter ! Aila Elisabeth was born on March 23rd. She will join her three older brother's who all think she is very special. <br />What a surprise to see her dark curly hair ! A surprise till we saw her Daddy's baby<br />pictures ! She is the image of him ! Amazing ! I am so blessed to be the Grandmother<br />of six Grandchildren who are all so dear. Each one of them has their own personalities and are so loving. Thank you Lord for each and every blessing we have !Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-68409696221607616222009-09-29T06:46:00.000-07:002009-09-29T06:50:05.409-07:00Thank Heaven for Little GirlsMy sweet Daughter Amy, the mother of three little boys just found out today that she<br />is having a girl. Nobody is more surprised than her. I am so thankful that she will<br />have the pleasure of a daughter. We are thankful for all of our children and know<br />that each one is God's, brought here to do His will. So very thankful for this special gift from above.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-48382602874070350212009-09-17T06:52:00.000-07:002009-09-17T06:59:22.932-07:00Julie and Julia Movie ***Three StarsMy friend Mona and I went to see the movie Julie and Julia. What a treat !<br />The movie was just lovely from beginning to end ! I recommend it very much.<br />So much is true I believe for us all right now, going through stressful times.<br />Both of the ladies found themselves through cooking.<br />I too find cooking "therapy" from the stresses of life. One of my favorite things<br />to do on my day off is to cook a delicious dinner.<br />If you get a chance, you who love to cook will love this movie.Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320593183158979033.post-28500101633818523492009-09-10T20:54:00.000-07:002009-09-10T21:02:57.366-07:00Remembering 9/11I do not think a year will ever go by that I will not remember the events of 9/11. It has changed<br />all of our lives forever. Today, I want to remember America at it's best in the worst of times.<br />I am discouraged by the events that are taking place in our government right now. Our founding<br />father's would not believe the changes that are taking place in front of our eyes.<br />Yet in spite of all that is happening, I remember the courage of individual citizens who risked their lives, doing their jobs to protect their fellow Americans.<br />They will never be forgotten, always remembered. The true American hero's. God Bless Them<br />All .Villa Mairehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18443141449308962777noreply@blogger.com1