NEVER GIVE UP

I recently ran across this quote: "....the only real failure is to never try." --Paula Deen. I'm sure there are many others who have said the same in some way or another. I just happen to run across it from Paula today. I think it's worth hearing over and over again.

Hugs--duchess

BLESSINGS

A friend of mine works for a hospice company. She loves the work, although it is quite difficult dealing with the end of life so often. She reminds her facebook friends daily to know we are blessed and to take advantage of each day we are given. Her message really touched me today. I want to share it with you:

"My prayers are with the two deaths I accompanied this weekend--one a baby and one an elderly man. Reach out to those around you who are suffering and let them know you care! Never let a day go by that you do not make relationships right. Time passes too quickly and you don't want to live with regret."--Dianne

I so appreciate her messages. She reminds me daily to embrace my blessings and make the most of every day (which she does). We all need a reminder every now and then.

Hugs--
*duchess*

NEW YEAR, NEW DREAMS

I have been encouraged to put together a "vision board" this year. I've never done one before, but I think it will help me focus my thoughts. As a "creative" type, my mind is always going with new ideas but sometimes they never happen. :( That makes me sad. I'm assured that if I put thoughts on 'the board' it will help me make them happen.

I have been cutting away getting ideas on the board. I'm really, really excited to make it happen!

I've been horrible at blogging lately. I think that needs to go on my board--blog more often or something like that....

*duchess*

Drew Barrymore released her first directorial debut this weekend. I didn't see it this weekend due to the never ending flu feeling here at my house. I woke up today to not so good reviews on her behalf which was disappointing. I, for one, will always support Drew no matter what the critics say. I love her enthusiasm and love of life. It's contagious.

We are coming into the 'Oscar' season, meaning the Oscar worthy films will be out soon. This summer was slow to say the least. Are there any companies out there making good films? We can't even depend on the well knowns anymore. I look forward to the coming months. Surely something will be worth watching. Until then, I'll remember the Emmys red carpet with a smile on my face.

POOL TRICKS

I'm not sure why, but ever since we introduced our dog Lily to the pool, she loves taking a swim on the back of whoever will let her ride. She'll just lay her head on your head and bark until you start moving. Sounds silly, I know, but she loves it. You'll occasionally find her swimming or wading through the pool by herself if no one else will join her. She was a stray my son brought home over the summer. He couldn't stand looking at her sad eyes. She's a pit bull mix and a real sweetheart. We couldn't let her go once she came home that day.

*duchess*

SOMETHING NEW?

I've been away from Blogging for so long now....I'm feeling guilty. Then I started thinking about WHY I wasn't using the blog to share thoughts, etc. So...for my birthday, I treated myself to a new look. Do you like the new design? I still have lots of work to do to finish tidying up, but it's close. The designer I hired did a fabulous job. It was quite easy and painless.

Then I started thinking I might just be bored with the subject matter. Not that I'm bored with movies but that the movies being released lately have been really boring. I felt like I was writing the same thing over and over---boring, slow, etc. Where are all the creative geniuses that are supposedly flooding Hollywood? Or is it their producers and movie houses that are taking away their creative license? Who knows...

Blogs I read are mostly about Moms sharing their everyday happenings, women sharing their life experiences, and of course (because I'm an Interior Designer), I always browse the blogs related to interiors. I'll continue to browse these for sure...but what of my own blog?

I'm thinking my blog may need a bit of tweaking in many areas. I'll try to be better about posting, but give me some time to think and re-create what I want to share.

*duchess*

GIFT

This gorgeous flower kept me company while I was on the terrace in Montreal. The owner of the B&B grew them in various places on property and then placed them at the breakfast table for his guests to enjoy.

p.s. I was testing the photo option import program. I love the size and clarity of this photo!

CALIFORNIA

I’m back from my trip to California. L*O*V*E that state! The weather actually felt cold to a Texan like me. I know. You can giggle. I packed shorts and short sleeved shirts, but only wore my blue jeans, long sleeves and kept my jacket close by. By week’s end I was adjusting to the 70 degrees, but then it was time to leave. Luckily, we have another trip to California planned this month. I can’t wait to get back!

Here’s a picture of my new friends, D&M and Jake the Wonder Dog, strolling along Seal Beach after a great breakfast at The Rivers End café.

CALIFORNIA BOUND

I’ll be traveling to the Long Beach, CA area this summer. I’m going with a friend (or should I say invited myself/tagging along) to celebrate her sister’s birthday. I love California any time of year because the weather is typically awesome, especially in comparison to the 90 degrees we’re getting here in Texas this week---and it’s not even summer! Ughhh.

Anyway, I would love to hear any ideas you might have of things to do and places to see while we’re out there. I’m particularly interested in farmers markets, one of a kind events (I heard about the balloon and wine festival in Temecula), flea markets, great beach shops….you know, ‘local flavor’ type shops and ideas. Any junk gypsies out there?

I’ll be without hubby and boys, so anything is possible. I won’t have to listen to the ‘this is boring’ comments from the teenagers….you know what I mean?!

Last time I went away with a friend I lost my passport and was stranded in Mexico. Pray for me that doesn’t happen this time!!

*duchess*

A FABULOUS BREAK

Kooza is headed to Circus camp again this summer. Have I mentioned that already? I’ve been making a few arrangements to stay in Montreal this July. All the planning has brought back memories of last year when I spent a week there just relaxing and enjoying a great, low-key vacation destination. (That's Kooza hanging in the photo.)

One afternoon as I was eating pizza at a local outdoor café, I couldn’t help but notice the ‘cigarette break’ a young girl was taking across the street through a second story window. As I saw her and peeked a little further into the room she was coming from, I couldn’t help thinking there was something artsy and wonderful that she was a part of. I couldn’t quite figure out what they were doing. I saw a photographer and lots of photo lights flashing but I just couldn’t put my finger on it.

A Mom doesn’t get too many breaks you know. So….with summer fast approaching, I’m dreaming of Montreal and enjoying the great cool summer weather there.

*duchess*

DUCHESS RETURN

We finally fixed the computer issue, or I should say Pops finally fixed the computer issue. I feel like I’m way behind in telling my story. I have lots to update on the blog. Most importantly, I have 5 film reviews I need to write!! I can’t promise I’ll finish all of them…

The exciting news is that this week the DVD releases are going to be great with more to come later this month. That could potentially put me further behind in writing reviews—if I’m watching instead of writing.

I can’t decide where to start….I’m just going to start writing and see what comes up first.

p.s. I guess by now everyone knows that FB changed their minds about trying out their new policy. I'm glad they're listening.

NO COMPUTER, NO FUN

I was doing SO well keeping up with my posts...and then...the internet connection went wrong. We're still in the middle of computer glitches. I'll post regularly as soon as I can. I may have to visit the local coffee shop for a 'hot spot' connection. Issues!

NEW INTERNET LAW??

I’m watching ‘The View’ this morning. They are talking about the new Facebook ‘terms’ in which Facebook takes every right from each of their members who have an account with them—now and forever more (even when you remove your page). ‘The View’ ladies said Facebook now has the right to use your photos, words, ANYTHING you post belongs to them. As in, it’s their property to do with whatever they wish…sell, use for their purposes, reproduce, etc.

I’ve been reading blogs where ladies are upset their work is being copied, infringed upon, etc. However, in this instance, you are basically GIVING FB everything you post. It’s in the legal fine print. So even if your friend posts a picture of you (you don’t post it yourself) it belongs to FB. If you post a poem, it belongs to FB if they so choose….on and on…

The scary thing is: As of their posting, Facebook is creating their own internet law, and enforcing it to each of their members—who by the way, are most likely under the age of 18. Parents beware!! Especially if they are planning on running for political office, or planning any sort of media related profession.

Is it better for them to tell us they own everything, or is it better to post and take your chances of someone taking your posted items without permission? Either way, legal proceedings to protect your rights will be costly.

I’ll say this—When you are deciding what to post, keep the cherished items close to your heart. Otherwise, you may lose them to someone you don’t know.

Duchess note: I haven’t personally read the new terms. I only heard what ‘The View’ read from the documents they had printed for the segment this morning. If you have more information, please share! I will modify my post accordingly.

LOVE DAY!

Happy Valentine's Day.

This is a photo I took in front of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts last summer while I was visiting the unique city. I saw the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit while I was there. Great fashion!

There's something I love about the shape of hearts. It makes me smile.

Celebrate love today!

*duchess*

GLOOMY DAY

We’re experiencing quite a fog here in Texas this morning. It’s burned off a bit, but still gloomy. Funny thing is, I’m feeling a little gloomy myself. I have a heavy heart today. Yes, the day before Valentine’s Day. There are many reasons for the gloomy feeling which perhaps I’ll post about another time, but most heavy on my heart is that my mother-in-law just called from the nursing home. She is terribly lonely. I hate that she is feeling this way--for weeks now. She is practically bed ridden due to her Parkinson’s Disease. She hates being trapped in her body. I could go on, but being that this blog belongs to the world, I shouldn’t.

Pray for those feeling lonely this Valentine’s Day!

*duchess*

DREAMING OF SPAIN

I’ve committed to volunteering at the boys school today. We sell Otis Spunkmeyer cookies at lunch time for the Athletic Association. I’ll be at the school, smelling chocolate, and *DREAMING* of Spain….

These are photos of Antoni Gaudi's fabulous architecture in Barcelona. Truly amazing!

Have an awesome day!

*Duchess*

AVOCADO BLISS

One of my complete and absolute favorite things this time of year – and almost year around here in Texas – is AVOCADO! The price has gone down drastically and I’ve been eating avocado at nearly every meal. I don’t even need a meal: alone and salted is fine for me. Avocado is a fruit (not a vegetable)—did you know that?

Facts: Avocados are thought to have originated in Mexico, though their exact genesis is unknown. Like corn, figs, sugar cane and other ancient crops, the avocado is a cultigen: a species domesticated so long ago (around 7,000 years in the case of avocados) and that has undergone such dramatic changes that its wild ancestor cannot be determined. Whatever the original source, most agree that cultivated avocados originate from three different regions: Mexico, Guatemala, and West India. The rich fruits were first introduced to California in the late 1800s and have steadily grown in popularity.

Health: The avocado is free of cholesterol and sodium. It only contains 5 grams fat in 30 grams avocado. This type of fat is a monounsaturated fat, known as "good fat". Avocado is the fruit that contains the most dietetic fiber, it has 60% more potassium than a medium banana.
(Information Courtesy of Healthy Eating)

Avocado has unquestionably been on my ‘must have’ list these days.

*Duchess*

SHOP NAKED

“Shop NAKED & Save” Hmmm. This shop sign definitely caught my eye! I was in small town Texas with Kooza for his Tumbling and Trampoline competition and this shop was next door to the gym…. I have to say—it brought a smile to my face. Won't people do anything to save a little money these days?!? Don’t worry--The shop was actually an unfinished pine furniture store. They also had great waxed and painted pine furniture plus some great Texan art and accessories. You never know what you'll see in small town Texas. Hee.

ELLEN PRIZE

One day, as I was eating lunch, blogging and reading blogs, the Ellen DeGeneres show was on TV. (So that makes 4 things I was doing at one time. Crazy.) I like watching her shows during my ‘lunch hour’ here at home and I especially love watching during her 12 Days of Christmas giveaway—always wishing I had tickets to those!! Watching the show these days is luxury because it only happens when I’m not working. Well, I must have thought “Day 5” was really fabulous because I decided to sign up for her website internet giveaway. I’m happy to say today---I WON!!

I won the Tourneau watch they were giving away that day! I was shocked when I got the call…“This is ___ from the Ellen DeGeneres Show.” What? Did you say Ellen DeGenerous? (Get it?) Yippeeee. I love winning things! What fun. Yay Me!

All of us deserve to win a prize every now and then. Don’t you think? They say it’s the little things that make us happy. I happen to agree.

p.s. About 3 years ago, on a whim, I registered for tickets to her show knowing we were making a trip to San Diego. I figured it would fall in my category of ‘things I’ve never done before.’ Well, I got lucky then too and actually got a seat in the studio (on the aisle to watch Ellen dance by)—long story I’ll have to tell later. I'm sharing this story because I wanted to let you know Ellen is really a beautiful woman. Her blue eyes are stunning. TV doesn’t do her justice….

HISTORIC DAY

It has been quite a day for the United States. The work of equality has begun, but is certainly not finished.... I loved the part of the inaugural prayer that said no matter what color our skin, no matter what religion...."we are united by our commitment to freedom." Freedom is what rings for me today.