Pony Rides and Rambling 12/4/2013

I invite you to visit my pinterest to see all the beautiful rooms, gardens and eye candy I put on there. I now have 12,870 images and 10,030 followers. It really is quite delightful to visit there. I have absolutely nothing to gain by pinning or doing it, just the love of seeing gorgeous images and to dream. I just love looking at beautiful things as I'm very visual.
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As Alexandra Stoddard once stated in a pamphlet, "No one should deprive themselves of the joy of color because color choices, unlike most choices, aren't a matter of money. You are free to select the colors that put a smile on your face and edit out the rest. Living with refreshing, life-enhancing colors in your room, in the clothes you wear as well as the paraphernalia in your handbag and and the accessories on your desk can do wonders to your spirit. Color to me is one of the gifts of grace that is ours to select and a tool to help us live beautifully."
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My sweet little 3 1/2 year old great granddaughter is now doing something I taught her. When she meets someone, she is to shake their hand and say, "I'm dazzled to meet you." She picked that up real fast and people are astounded how well-mannered she is. That is NOT to say she's perfect because that little chick is a pip, trust me! She also was treated to a very nice surprise from a friend of mine who lives in Mt. Home, Idaho. She arranged for Caroline and Juliette (1 year old great granddaughter) to have a ride in a pony cart last week. Caroline loved it! She was in a cart that held 3 people and then she got to actually ride the pony. She had the most excited expression on her face and talked about it all night. When we got home Caroline told her mother: "I had a great adventure tonight, mummy."

A sweet red bathroom. It looks tiny but still has space for a cupboard. See what you can do with small spaces? They don't have to be ugly and frumpy. They can definitely be gorgeous.

I don't think there's anything more enticing than ice cream with cherries or strawberries on top. I remember years ago eating them at our local drug store in Norfolk, VA. and having a Coke with it. Those were definitely th' days: drug stores with counters for shakes and even sandwiches.

I just loved this entrance with the curving of the door, the mailbox right outside and a bench to sit on. Gorgeous.

Snow coming soon. I can't wait. I wish it would snow a lot this season. I love snow and it gives me an excuse to stay home and be a slug!

Cute potting room. Maybe it's part greenhouse also. Just look at all those vegetables.

You do know I love sparkly bottles, right? Well, this owner has outdone herself. Beautiful!

Love the lace garment with ribbon/fabric flowers decked across a French wicker chair.

One of many colorful buildings in a foreign country. Looks to be like Italy or France.

A stunning dining room.

And a stunning kitchen. I love a white kitchen. Have you seen the new ranges/ovens that you can put in 3 big cookie sheets? I just saw one the other day in Sunset magazine and lusted for a bit. Just a bit though. Because if I had it I'd have to cook/bake more and that ain't happening!

I could live with this little beauty, but at the moment I'm very happy with the little footstools I've made over with duck cloth. Plus I saved a lot of money doing what I did.

Hold me back!!!! I love chocolate on chocolate on chocolate.

This is one of the styles of furniture I love. Isn't it gorgeous?

This looks like it's cordoned off so I'm guessing it's a display somewhere. But it is beautiful and I'd love having it in my home.

Now, I have to admit that this little beauty and this setting would definitely entice me to go camping. I shan't mention it to Love Bunny or he just might try to go out and find one so I'll camp with him again. But this is a beautiful dinner setting for a trailer.

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A Few Thoughts and My Heroes 11/11/13

Okay, another reminder of my Pinterest page, where there are over 12,500 images, beautiful images, and over 9,800 followers viewing them. I have nothing to gain on telling you this, just your pleasure at seeing all the photos I've collected in one spot for you to see. I promise you will not be disappointed. Plus I'll never be able to post them all on my blog, just too many. So go over there and enjoy all the eye candy you could possibly want to see.
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We went out to dinner a few nights ago, planning on joining another couple but they never showed up. We ate and then left, no problem. But the waitress was very chatty. She was also adorable and cute and hubby mentioned it to me before I said it to him. He then said, "But not as cute as you." Saved his backside BIG TIME! :-) But it got me thinking about how the waiters and waitresses chat us up all the time. Sure, it's very nice of them and they're probably told to be very friendly, but I truly don't need it. I'm just fine being with my hubby chatting away or with friends chatting. I don't need it. Not that I'm opposed to it but I have absolutely eaten in top notch restaurants and for the most part, wait people are to leave the diners alone. Be there but be unseen while taking care of the diner. I like that much better as hubby will tend to chat right back and keep it going. He can't shut up! He's just a gregarious guy and more so if it's a cute chick. Sigh.
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One of the most profound things ever said to me, and it was my hubby that said it, was: Not everyone thinks like you do. I was rocked to the bottom of my core. Truly. I didn't know what to say it shocked me so badly. Of course I thought everyone thought like I did. Good was good and bad was bad; evil was bad, etc. I've since realized he was absolutely correct. Nothing brings it home like politics.
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It's starting to get cool here in Idaho and they're forecasting possible snow in a few days. We'll see. I love this state. However, we know a man named Wrangler, one named Colt. Can you tell I live in Cowboy Country? :-) Love it here.
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We're pretty humorous in this family and the other day I was putting on makeup and pulled all the stuff I needed from the cabinet to the countertop and told hubs this is what I needed to be beautiful. He picked it all up, put it back on the shelves and shook his head as he was brushing his teeth. The point being that I was beautiful without makeup. He's a killer, I tell ya. Won some brownie points but it isn't true no matter what he says. I proceeded to tell him he can't be treated to a gorgeous beauty everyday, that being the days I go makeup-free. ;-) Gotta love a man who can lie that well.
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A few weeks ago, I sent hubby to WM to buy some shredded sharp cheese for tacos. He called me on his cell phone saying he was having a problem finding it. I walked him through it. Sigh. He's lost without me. ;-) Then he asked if I wanted one or two bags. I said to get one bag as I was hesitant on his "choices" of something.—he rarely gets it right. So he said he'd get three. I said no, just get one. He said he'd get one. He came home with two bags. Sigh. But how in the world did we exist before cell phones?
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I haven't been blogging as much as I used to because I'm very focused on other things right now. I'll probably never blog like I once did but I try to do it at least once or twice a week. So keep watching and you'll see new posts. Promise.
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This is one of our heroes returning and the story a man on the airplane wrote about it:

What you’re looking at is Delta Flight 2255 after it landed in LA earlier this week from Atlanta.
It was an ordinary flight in every way except one.
One board was the body of a fallen soldier in the cargo hold.
None of the passengers had any idea until the pilot made the announcement about 45 minutes before the plane landed.
“The plane went quiet as he explained that there was a military escort on-board and asked that everyone remain seated for a couple of minutes so the soldiers could get off first.”
“He also warned us not to be alarmed if we see fire trucks since Los Angeles greets their fallen military with a water canon salute.”
One of the passengers on board was a man who calls himself Johnny Jet: The Travel Insider. And all these quotes are from the blog that he wrote about what it was like being on the flight.
“A few minutes after touchdown, we did indeed have a water canon salute. The water glistening on the windowpanes looked like tears.”
After the plane pulled into the gate, a military officer came onto the plan and spoke to the passengers.
He said:
“It is a sworn oath to bring home, to the family, the fallen. Today you all did that, you are all escorts, escorts of the heart.”
He then thanked everyone and walked off the plane.
Can you imagine being on a plane and witnessing something as powerful and emotional as this?
“Everyone was silent and no one got up, not even that person from the back row who pretends he doesn’t [understand] English so he can be first off the plane. I’m sure most had meteor-sized lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes like I did.”
And it got even more emotional once the passengers finally did get off the plane.
“There was a large number of passengers, who are normally in a hurry to get home or make a connection, standing by the window to witness something truly moving.“
“To see the Honor Guard and family waiting patiently, while LAX baggage handlers and a military loadmaster removed the flag covered casket first from the cargo hold, was humbling to say the least.”
“ I’m not sure if it was the fallen soldier’s mother or wife who I watched slowly walk up to the coffin while a few other family members, wrapped in blankets, stood near with a dozen or so of the Honor Guards standing in salute.”
“As soon as I saw her reach out to put her hand on her baby’s casket, I walked away.”
“This ordinary flight became extraordinary and is one that I will never forget.”
“Thank you to all the military who protect our beautiful country and let us live the lives we are able to lead. Without you we would be nothing.”

I couldn’t have said it any better. 

[I agree with that writer wholeheartedly!]

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 And one more video about our returning heroes. If this doesn't reduce you to tears, nothing will and there's no hope for ya! This makes everything look insignificant in comparison.

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Truly I do love all-white rooms. And this one is gorgeous with its pop of pink. "POP"? Where did that word come from? I find myself using it much more than I ever did and am finding it a bit trite. And I love this room with its ruffles and roses. But I need color and my favorite color is pink. I can't imagine not having colors I love all around me.

A cheery little kitchen and dining area. Very, very cute!

If only I could have a porch or patio that wasn't so dusty, it might look a bit like this. Hey, an idea just struck me!!! Why not use a canvas drop cloth over some lawn furniture? That might work to keep the dust from our farmers' fields around here from covering the seats and I could pull it off and wash it quite often. I think I'll try that.

My great-granddaughter loves the books of Fancy Nancy. I just bought her one about FN's delectable cupcakes. Who can refuse cupcakes? If you had this in your hand right now, I'd probably mug ya and run! Dieting is never fun.

I love the Cath Kidston and Green Gate kitchen ware. Those 2 designers are the most fantastic I've ever seen for beautiful kitchen items.

I don't know where this bread box came from but it is the most darling one I've ever seen.

This would be a joy to have as a craft/sewing room. It would be just the right size for me.

More darling kitchen ware. Does anyone know what kind this is? I'd love to know. It's probably antique but I've never seen it and I'm pretty old!

Looks like a party going on here but I love the curtains especially. I have them hung on 2 entrances in my home. One on the living room going into the dining room and one on the arch going into our family room. I love them softening archways.

One of the most darling little girl's rooms I've ever seen. It's just stunning with that headboard.

I actually like this style of sofa a lot, especially with that fabric and pillow.

I also have a love of birdcages no matter how big or small.

Now this is camping or glamping as it's called now. I wouldn't mind camping so much if I had this to look at when out in the wilds of Idaho!

I also adore beautiful pink and roses china. This to me is stunning.

Who in the world wouldn't love a room like this with all that sun shining through all those wonderful windows?

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Linking up with Pink Saturday.

The English Language

Okay, grammar check again. You know by now how OCD I am about the use of our language today by younger people—and some older people also. Just a tip for success to log into your brain if you can remember this. Lots of blogs or even news stories written by professionals today are saying this: "him/her and me"  like to hang out together. That's atrocious language and shows your ignorance. It's "he/she and I" like to hang out together, not him and me. And always put the pronouns he or she before I. Teach this to others as the word needs to get around. And don't let them tell you that's the way everybody talks! Ask them if they want to remain ignorant all their lives and have themselves defined by how incorrectly they speak. And why don't our teachers correct them in class? A small fraction of time being embarrassed with save them a lifetime of embarrassment and possibly success in their future endeavors.
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Why oh why do men, and now some women, turn their ball caps around and wear them backwards? The visor was invented to keep the sun out of your eyes and to tip your hat to ladies. Have you ever seen a league ball player wear it backwards? No, they know what a cap is for. My hubby always takes it off indoors at restaurants and even when going up to the church to do some catching up on the computer, not especially in stores.
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Things I've seen around the blogs lately:

Boo Hoo Whore embroidery? What the heck is that embroidered on a pillow?

Dream all you want, there are no unicorns or fairies. I'm a bit sick of seeing posts of people idolizing species that do NOT exist, especially when the fairies are pretty much naked. ;-)

Bloggers who talk about intimate, private things on their blogs. Keep it to yourself! It's disgusting and lurid to those of us who wince when we first see it. Private means not discussing it with others. Get it?
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A beautiful small cottage with the lush grounds we associate with cottages.

Purple is one of my favorite colors. It's a great accent for pink and I do have some in my living room.

Is that a fan in the garden? I've never thought of bringing a fan outside but it's a great idea.

An amusing little vignette.

Jewels on pillows? Oh, yes! Beautiful.

I adore this kitchen even though I'd want something a little newer.

My favorite color of blue for clothes.

Now we're talkin' when I saw this kitchen. Beautiful!

Pink oreos? Why not? Loving pink like I do, I'd buy them if they still tasted like chocolate. ;-)

Lovin' this red kitchen. Pink and red and yellow would be my dream kitchen.

Yeah, yeah, here's hoping our clematis will look like this someday.

Beautiful for seashore or beach decor.

Now we're talking beauty!! Love this pink in the kitchen.

Perfect weathered old bench in a park.

Never enough roses in a house in my opinion, even if on a cake. ;-)

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Tidbit:

When Orson Welles won the Best Screenplay Oscar for his classic Citizen Kane in 1941, it wasn't a popular choice. The audience booed.

Potential Oscar winners were told to keep acceptance speeches to 45 seconds after Greer Garson's 1942 speech clocked in at five minutes and 30 seconds.

In 1979 Oscar-wining actress Shirley MacLaine used the podium to cheer up her sibling Warren Beatty, who lost out for Heaven Can Wait. "I want to use this opportunity to say how proud I am of my little brother. Just imagine what you could accomplish if you tried celibacy?" He was not amused.
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Opposites Certainly Do Attract

Just a reminder: 
For those of you who don't know or realize it, I have a Pinterest page with well over 11,000 images. All "eye candy" you would love to see. I post daily or at least very often there. Go visit it. I really don't like tooting my own horn but I will here: In just 6 short months, there are 7,500 followers there, so you know the images are beautiful. Your choice. But if I were you, I wouldn't miss them. ;-)
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Stymies me: 
Why don't I have any tattoos? For the same reason you don't put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari. I see the most beautiful young women, and young men for that matter, who have gorgeous skin—youthful, glowing, smooth, vibrant—and just want to cry. I couldn't put something on my skin that diminishes the skin I was born with.
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Men who leave 10 minutes early to go 1/2 block but wait until 8 minutes to the hour to go 1 and 1/2 miles to pick up a companion to go back the 1 and 1/2 miles to visit another person. Sigh. You know this happened in this household, right?
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The train wreck that recently happened in Spain was caused by the engineer being on his cell phone. Now that hundreds of people are dead because of that, maybe he'll be a bit more careful. Hmmmmm? Sickens me, because I've very nearly been hit by women talking on their cells while driving.
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My hubby and I are both fairly smart, but we're smart in different things. He can talk to someone for hours about different trains, but he can't concentrate on another language enough to learn it. I, on the other hand, know not a thing about trains but I can whip him savagely in learning languages. I'm more of the arts and he's more of the sciences. But as I've said before, we are different in so many ways. Once a man told us while we were together that we were nothing alike. We looked at each other and smiled because we've been married over 52 years. I almost said to the man, "It must be the sex." If I had, I have no doubt he would have been flustered. He's a man that wouldn't say much and would probably blush. But we've made it this far and I expect we'll go out of this world together and spend the rest of eternity together. Opposites can very well do great together with a commitment to love each other to the end of time and beyond and we do.

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A beautiful window. Too bad it has to have iron bars on it. Looks to be in another country though. Actually, I think the bars add interest to the window.

Tulips and narcissus.

Just a simple, beautiful basket of fading roses.

Oh, yum! I love chocolate and coconut together. I'm such a sucker for sweets.

A very cute and open kitchen. Love that look.

Gorgeous camellia.

A sweet vignette in a house. Living here would be relaxing I think.

More gorgeous pillows to drool over. Love these.

A homeowner who loves to sew cute pincushions to look like cookies.

Another relaxing area in a backyard.

I wish I had a space for a couple of these eggs. I'd make them in a minute. They are so cute. Maybe I'll make a few to put in a bowl somewhere in this house.

I saw this and thought it was delightful. How cute it is to place pretty flowerpots on a short ladder like that!

A charming blue and red bedroom.

I'm lovin' this colorful small kitchen and dining room in my favorite colors, pink and red.

And another crafter put her talents to good use. Adorable.

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Tidbits:

Sean "P. Diddy" Combs had his first job at age two when he modeled in an ad for Baskin-Robbins ice cream shops.

Steve Martin once worked at Disneyland selling maps and guidebooks.

Billy Bob Thornton once spent eighteen month working in a Los Angeles pizza parlor. He was so good he work his way up to assistant manager.
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Linking up with Pink Saturday, French Country Cottage,