A little bit of Europe on my porch!

Guess what I'm a Winner...you can kinda say I'm Winning!! Okay one of my favorite bloggers-Lisa Roy at
a designer obsessed with pretty things, beautiful spaces, interesting places and ....handbags! 
She is a Canadian and lives part of her time in Ireland, makes the most beautiful handbags, phone case and E readers in her etsy shop! She has amazing taste and an eye for design plus we share the same love for shoes. Well a week ago she had a give away from Ramsign beautiful Porcelain Enamel signs. I fell in love with these while traveling in Europe.

Pictures from Here and Here

I won! I'm the winner....I'm Winning! ( okay I promise to never say that again!)

I'm excited to have a little taste of Europe on my rural New York home. 

Stop by Lisa's and give her some love and check out Ramsign and you too can have a little taste of Europe on your home. 

Last day!!

Day 30 of my 30 Day Blog Challenge- A picture (s)

Wow I made it thirty days of blogging! It was a challenge but much easier when the topic is provided than actually coming up with it on your own...now that is the real challenge!

Today's topic is a picture...I'm getting ready to spring clean and decorate for Easter. So today I'm posting a few pictures from last Easter in Germany. One thing I loved about how they decorated in Germany was the Easter tree's we did one outside and inside on our house plant. I found beautiful hand painted eggs during our time their and I can't wait to decorate with them again. I hope they survived the move!

 These are hanging from our dining room light.

 I had to put these up high, Sophie would try to attack them.

I bought these at the Department store in Bremen when the Grandson of the Steiff family was there for a special signing. I had a very odd but memorable conversation with him. 

Egg cozy very popular there, isn't he cute!

to all my PEEPS thanks for hanging in with me during these last thirty days!

Here is the Challenge in case anyone is up to it or needs to get their blog mojo back! 

Day 1-Introduce, recent picture, 15 interesting facts

Day 2-Meaning behind your blog name

Day 3-Your first love

Day 4-Your parents

Day 5-Your siblings

Day 6-A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 7-Favorite movies

Day 8-A place you've traveled to

Day 9-A picture of your friends

Day 10-Something you're afraid of

Day 11-Favorite TV shows

Day 12-What you believe

Day 13-Goals

Day 14-A picture you love

Day 15-Bible verse

Day 16-Dream house

Day 17-Something you're looking forward to

Day 18-Something you regret

Day 19-Something you miss

Day 20-Nicknames

Day 21-Picture of yourself

Day 22-Favorite city

Day 23-Favorite vacation

Day 24-Something you've learned

Day 25-Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs

Day 26-Picture of your family

Day 27-Pets

Day 28-Something that stresses you out

Day 29-3 Wishes

Day 30-a picture

Thanks Somer for letting me in on your Challenge! 

Wishes

Day 29 of my 30 Day Blog Challenge- 3 WISHES


Three world wishes.....


End war
Cure all cancers
End poverty 


Three personal wishes.....in case in Genie shows up this morning giving me 3 extra wishes!


Lose weight
Full head of hair
Find a job I love Win the Lotto!


Happy Tuesday all thanks for all the Birthday wishes...She had a great day!

My baby's Birthday!!

Day 28 of 20 Day Blog Challenge- Something that stresses you out

Today is my baby's Birthday so we interrupt this blog challenge to bring you a 

special Happy 17!!!

Sophie ❤

Day 27 of 30 Day Blog Challenge-Pets

Sophie was given to Katelyn for her 12th Birthday after many years of begging for a dog. Katelyn says Sophie has been re-gifted to me, because she likes me best and really wants very little to do with her. Sophie is a 5 year old Wire Fox Terrier....she's my girl...I mean my other girl! She follows me everywhere....I move she moves! Sophie is the laziest dog...she eats and sleeps! She naps from her naps! When she plays she plays hard and than naps even harder! Loves going bye bye, looking out the window for her boyfriends..Duncan and Cooper! She loves working out which consist of a short time playing with toy and napping in our workout room. All you have to say is you want to workout and she grabs a toy and waits by the basement door!Sophie is a rock star every where we go, her little happy self just demands to be said hello to and petted.

Family ❤

Day 26 of 30 day Blog Challenge(omg...I'm almost done)- Picture of your family

Happy Saturday!

Music

Day 25 of 30 day Blog Challenge- Put your Ipod on shuffle, the first 10 songs

1. What are words- Chris Medina

2. U Smile- Justin Bieber

3. Hero- Enrique Iglesias
4. Till the world ends-Brittany Spears
5. Turn on the Radio- Reba McEntire
6. Rolling in the Deep- Adele
7. On the Floor-Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

8. S & M - Rihanna
9. Hello World- Lady Antebellum
10.If I die young-The Band Perry

My itunes is Katelyn's itunes we share, but we do like the same music mostly! She is my tech support...updates iphone, ipod and in turn I pay her in itunes gift cards....which means we have all the Glee songs and a lot of people I've never heard of! Lots of different genres. Enjoy!

Lessons

Day 24 of 30 Blog Challenge- Something you've learned

I never thought I'd make it to Day 24! This is not my favorite topic so far of Challenge...I've been thinking about it for days wondering what have I learned lately?!

ummmm......

Well Spring is here but that doesn't mean HERE !

Never remove your snow scraper from your car before May and that goes with the extra hat and gloves.

A broken snow blower and a hubby out of town equals a back breaking day of shoveling!

Enjoying the sight and smells of Flowers always make a snowy day seem hopeful.

And a second cup of hot coffee sometimes does the trick...it's the get go you need!

Have a wonderful Thursday!! 

Day 23 of 30 Day Blog Challenge- Favorite vacation

I have lots of favorite vacations taken over my life time, but one I have been thinking about is from the Summer of 2006. My parents rented a beach house at the Jersey shore- LBI Long Beach Island.
All 27 of us for one week...12 adults and 15 kids! It was a perfect location and an amazing house with a killer porch. The reason it's on my mind is because they rented the same house and we are all gathering again this summer. I can hardly wait. It's getting harder and harder to get together as the kids get older and busier. So this may be the last time we are together in one spot for awhile.

The show Jersey Shore ruined the Jersey Shore.....where we go it's not like the show! Though beyond mini golf and Bay Village I'm not sure what happens! I'm looking forward to lazy days on the beach, cocktails and appetizers on the porch.....card games, BBQ and trips to get a scoop of Ice Cream and lots of family fun.

REALLY...

Really Mother Nature.....Really! 

My Morning view....and it's still coming down!

I have blisters from doing yard work on Sunday....now I have to shovel snow!

Back to Sorels and black puffy coat.....ballet flats and capris will have to wait!

Happy Wednesday!

Favorite City

Day 22 of 30 day Blog Challenge- My favorite city

My favorite European city is Florence, Italy

I love the history, art, churches, shopping, food and wine!

My favorite US city is NYC

I love the excitement, architecture, parks, foods and the shopping!

How about you, what's your favorite city?

Me

Day 21 of my 30 day Blog Challenge-Picture of yourself

 This is from this weekend up at the Falls- needed my sun glasses it was so bright!

But usually in pictures my eyes never look open so this is a typical picture of me! 

  Me and my sister Beth in Utah from last month, love this picture because my eyes are open but hello huge head compared to hers! 

Another picture with eyes open...if I really concentrate they stay open....for the record I really hate my picture being taken! I don't photo well! And that is why I had to quit my modeling career before it even started!! 

Happy Monday!

Day 20 of my 30 day Blog Challenge-Nickname

My given name is Kathleen, some people still call me that but mostly I go by Kathy. Some people call me Kath and now some people call me Frau. My hubby sometimes calls me sweetie or honey. I guess I really don't have a nickname that isn't related to my name. 

When I hear other people referred by their nicknames and it's no where near their actual name I always wonder how they got that name. I worked years ago with a guy that went by Cricker his real name was Christopher I guess his sibling couldn't say that so that's how the nickname came about. Still to this day as a 40 year old he is Cricker! 

My daughter's name is Katelyn we call her that plus Kate, Katie, K. My hubby sometimes calls her Katdog don't ask me why....I don't think she likes it. Sophie has a few nicknames given by him too...SophieD, SD, and sometimes Flea (not because she has them...not sure why either)!

His name is Craig, he doesn't really get a nickname or like them. Just Craig not Greg lots of people call him that by mistake! 

How about you, any nicknames and fun reasons how or why? 

Happy Sunday!

ZZzzzzz

Day 19 of my 30 day Blog Challenge-Something you miss

Sleep

Everyday like clock work I wake up at 5:57. I'm the type of person once I'm awake there is no going back to sleep. I usually lay there and fume that I'm awake and after 5 minutes I cave and just get up. It's not a bad thing when I was working but now when I can sleep in it just sucks! The weekends are no different. I don't think I have slept in since this little one showed up on the scene 5 plus years ago.....

If I don't get up ASAP and take her out and get her breakfast in a timely manner. Lets just say she sleeps with Katelyn and will sit there and stare at her or nudge her. Everybody knows you don't wake a baby teenager before her time or it could be a scary day. 

Okay can't really complain too much I get the first cup of fresh coffee and enjoy the peace and quiet of the house, it's kinda nice.

Today is OUR anniversary...Happy Anniversary to my best friend the love of my life!

Happy Saturday and have a wonderful weekend all! 

Regret

Day 18 of my 30 day Blog Challenge- Something you regret....

This is a stuff one I've been thinking about it all week...feels kinda like a confessional!
All I could think of was things like....the second glass of wine, piece of candy or chocolate I had! I guess I try not to have regrets because what can you do it's done. What ever you said, ate, drank, posted, did, wore or didn't do...it's out there and worrying about it doesn't change it. So I guess I have no regrets in life as of today! Now tomorrow maybe another day!

Have a wonderful weekend....it's our 23rd. Wedding Anniversary tomorrow! I keep saying it's MY anniversary and my Hubby corrects me to it's ours....oops! I regret to say sometimes it's all about me!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!

Day 17 of 30 day Blog Challenge- Something you are looking forward to...

I have to say I'm most looking forward to Spring. I can't wait to see what pops up in our flower beds. We moved into our house in July so most everything was pretty over grown. We tore out a lot but I see life starting to pop up amongst the dirt and left over snow. 
I can't wait to get out and plant and make this garden our own.

I can't wait to hang out with Sophie on our back porch and watch the green grass grow.

Happy St. Patty's Day I hope your day is full of the luck of the Irish and lots of Green Beer! 

Dreaming...

Day 16 of my 30 day Blog Challenge-Dream House (s)

If I'm gonna dream might as well have a few right!

Dreaming of a mountain home in Park City,Utah

Love this style of home maybe somewhere in California

Oh any everybody needs a Farm house/Country home with a long driveway and neighbors miles away!

I would love to live in any of these homes but all I can think is I hope they come with a maid service. There is no way I could keep up on that large of a house and gardens! I love my house now and don't really dream of the some day if's, maybe 20 years ago these would be dreams. 

My hubby and I would love to have a small place in Utah and rent a place for a year in every city or country we love. Experience living in NYC for a year then move on to San Francisco or possibly Rome, Italy or Paris!

What are your dreams?

Happy Wednesday!!

Day 15 of 30 Blog Challenge- Bible Verse

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

❤

Day 14 of my 30 Blog Challenge-A picture I love ❤

I love these two pictures of my daughter, Katelyn.

First she took on her Mac in the Photo Booth.

Second I took...I love her in Red!

Day 13 of 30 day Blog Challenge-Goals

MY goal is to finish this challenge.....thought I'd only make it to day 15, I was ready to throw in the towel today. I don't really like talking about goals, not sure why. So besides finishing this challenge my goals are to lose weight  and find a part time job...okay maybe it will sound better if I say live a healthier lifestyle and find purpose through attaining a part time job! 

Today my goal is to pray for the people of Japan, possibly clean my house ....maybe take some pictures...not be bummed it's starting to snow again!

Happy Sunday all! 

What I believe

Day 12 of Blog Challenge- What you believe? 

I believe every day is a gift....

I believe in what I posted for my New Years Resolution:

Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.


My niece posted this on Face Book and I've seen it many times before and I believe it ......


Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, let go of what you can't change.
Kiss slowly, forgive quickly, play hard, take chances,give everything,and have no  regrets.
Life is too short to be anything but HAPPY! 


 Have a Happy and Relaxing Weekend!

TV and 500th Post!

Day 11 of Blog Challenge- Favorite TV Shows

I have a few so bare with me....

My favorite Family...that show just makes me laugh every time!

Glee yes I'm a GLEEK!! Love this show and it's cast!

Love Reality TV too....American Idol this year...love the judges and the final picks. I don't have a favorite yet! So excited for DWTS to start...Kristie Alley she will be entertaining and colorful I'm sure!

Favorite crime show hands down- Criminal Minds love it!

Favorite cable show Shameless with William H. Macy it's cable not really for kids!

It's entertaining and edgy.

And of coarse who doesn't love HGTV! Doesn't matter the show there is always something on entertaining and informative! 

Okay yes I like TV.....making up for the last two years with only German TV! 

This is my 500th post I can't believe it....thanks for stopping by and visiting me!

Please pray for everyone's safety in Japan!

Spiders.....Yikes!

Day 10 of Blog Challenge-Something you are afraid of?

SPIDERS

Image from HERE

All spiders freak me out.....but I'm especially afraid of the spider you may eat while sleeping. Have you ever heard you eat so many spiders a year in your sleep? Supposedly it's myth and almost impossible to do. Last week I woke up at 1:30 am gagging, I ran to the bathroom gagging and threw up! Sorry TMI and gross! My first thought was holy shit I ate a spider .....! I didn't see a spider amongst everything! Still not convinced I didn't eat a spider I imagine it clinging to the side of my throat as my dinner came up.

So there you have it Spiders are number one on afraid of what list....oh there's a list and it's long!

Friends

Day Nine of Blog Challenge- Picture of Friends

I ❤ Rome

Day 8 of Blog Challenge ~ Is a place you've traveled to....

One of my favorite trips we went on while living in Germany was our Italy trip. We spent ten days in Italy between Rome and Florence. I could go there over and over again.

I ❤ it for the history 

I ❤ it for the Art

I ❤ it for the culture

I ❤ it for the beauty

I ❤ it for the Gelato 

I ❤ it for the Food

I ❤ it for the Wine

and I ❤ it for the wishes made for returning some day!