Good morning Bloglandia!
I had a wonderful day yesterday. Two of the sweetest, lovable, and well mannered Shih tzu's came to my home via a neighbor that was trying to find their owner. She was unable to keep them until the owner showed up because dhe has a huge family pet dog. So we said sure we will watch the in the mean time. Well, I put them in my sweet convertible VW and we drove through our community of Spring Valley Lake here in Victorville, CA. They loved riding around in the fresh air : )
They got to do a sleep over. Of course, we fed them and made sure they had plenty of fresh water to drink. We made lots of community friends as I drove around our little village asking if they looked familiar as I knocked on doors and asked people about the two little girls : ) 

This is Miss Daisy above.

This is Miss Sparky.

They were fantastic over night guests : )

This morning at 7:00am I put them in the back seat of my little car below:

We were on our way to go buy some doggie treats and more food. As we were driving up the hill a young man asked me if I had seen his two beloved Shih tzu's and I said they are in the back seat. He was thrilled so I told him lead the way and we would follow him to their home. It was only 2 blocks away. Miss Daisy was happy to climb into his arms. Miss Sparky sat right next to me and did not want to get out : ) 

Well, it was a fun adventure and I miss them already.

Have a wonderful day!

Peace

Carole

                                   Which of these little stars will become the next face of GapKids and babyGap?

                                       Actually the above photographs are of my almost 3 year old granddaughter.
        Her mom, my youngest daughter, has entered her into Gaps casting call contest for their as campaign for 2013. 
The link to see all of the entrants is: http://rage.promo.eprize.com/castingcall2012/:b=firefox3/
My wonderful granddaughter's name is Malaika; so if you have time cast a vote for her. Voting begins on May 21, 2012.
How wonderful to be a grandma : )
Peace. Carole

My BF David's mom Maxine, who was a vibrant 94 years old, passed on to heaven December 30, 2011. My younger brother, Bruce, passed unexpectedly on March 7, 2012. My dear darling mom passed on to heaven on March 21, 2012. The lilac bushes were in full bloom outside my childhood home and the air brought so many vivid childhood memories back. My mom was an ardent gardener; hydrangeas, lilac bushes, and her beloved rose bushes and her abundant vegetable gardens. My older sister Betty has lovingly cared for the gardens since my mom was unable to do so in her later years. I remember driving up to visit my mom last year and Betty was in the garden, looking like an English garden lady with her gloves, straw sun bonnet on, and a trowel in her hand. So, I feel very fortunate to have had my 63rd birthday on March 14, 2012. I hold onto so many small memories which give me joy and at the same time sadness. I cry for her going because she gave me so much and I know she knew how much I appreciated her kindnesses to me, even when I did not deserve them. I am alive in a world full of life, can smell the earth after the rain, see the wind, hear the vibrancy in others voices, and wake up ready to see and live a new day.
Peace...Carole

Good Morning 1 year late : )

     Good Morning Everyone:

Wow, it is going to be interesting coming back to Bloglandia after an absence of more than one year.

Much has transpired with me; surgeries, moved to the high desert (the heat is killing me), I am enjoying a studio inside of a garage (I actually have half the garage for my arts and crafts : ), I get to cook for my best friend's 94 year old mom and it is fun since I love to cook and she says she loves to eat the food : ). 

My youngest granddaughter turned 2 on July 29th and she is the best!!!

She is wearing her tutu I made her for her special day. What a joy she is for me : )

My youngest daughter, Malaika holding her daughter (my 4th grandchild), Malaika II, on her 2nd birthday. Malaika's friend, Jeri, is a fantasy face painter at Universal City Walk in North Hollywood and she painted Mimi's face. I love her artistic abilities and patience with children!!! 

I am the proverbial happy and proud grandma/mam ma/granny whatever name you want to put on it : )

Well, my friends, thank you for coming by and I will be back : )

Peace

Carole

In the Catskills, Comfort in a Gingerbread House

Hi Everyone:

Please click on the link and read about the most adorable cottage!!!

In the Catskills, Comfort in a Gingerbread House

This is the owner, Sandy and her Maltese.

She also has an adorable blog!!!

Here are more photographs, in the form of a slide show, from the New York Times article.

Sandra Foster turned a Catskills hunting cabin into the romantic Victorian cottage she had always wanted.

I was reading the New York Times article and a few paragraphs from the end 

I read the name, Beth Neumann, 

{her Tattered Chic blog is inspiring}

a fellow blogger whom I have been following forever because she is so nice and creative!!! 

So I am excited to read the article that has Beth's name in it and that we can all see this beautiful oasis 

 

Sandy created for herself.

 

It is so ethereal!!! 

She probably has little dainty faeries watching out for her too!!!

Have a wonderfully wistful weekend!!!

peace

carole

Life is becoming what it is going to be : )

I am listing in my Etsy shop,  

a Bohemian Market. 

(when you have a moment please visit)

Offered to anyone who mentions they are a Follower of this blog, 

a fellow Blogger and/or read this post; a 20% discount will be given

to you. Please mention in a "convo" or an e-mail so it can be deducted.

Shipping will remain the same.

Mary Rose from IsabellasCloset blog creates

the most wonderful and beautiful banners and buttons on this blog:Playing With Graphics. She re-vamped my blog and my Etsy shop to reflect a new, fresher me. Spring goes into summer and with that comes renewal, rebirth and transformation. I did NOT think I was a lavender/purple person; seems I can do it : ) I cook every day. I love to cook for all 3 meals.

This range free chicken breasts baked with freshly squeezed lemon juice,  Himalayan pink salt, oregano, thyme, garlic cloves, cumin, thinly sliced baby onions and 1 organic sliced carrot.  

 Another view

This a view of thinly sliced zucchini, onions, turmeric (good for inflammation; particularly arthritis) which I use in most dishes. Love the color and the flavor!!! This was incorporated into 2 soft scrambled eggs for breakfast.

 Another view

 Take a look at this organic Valencia orange baked chicken:

This dish was started being sauted in the skillet with extra virgin 1st cold pressed olive oil from Spain. It is a favorite.

These 2 photos are after it was taken out of the oven and put in the refrigerator to be eaten today : )

 My dishes consist of black, white and black/white checks and black/white polka dots and some florals. 

I hope you have enjoyed what I created.

 Spices are wonderful; garlic, Cumin, Turmeric, oregano (Italian and Mexican), Sal Del Mar smoked sea salt Matiz Mediterraneo (from Spain), very rarely is white table salt or black pepper used. 

I use lots of fresh, very finely chopped Jalapeno peppers. 

It is so delicious and very healthful for you.

I love Lavender but do not have any right now : ( 

What are your favorite spices?

Do you bake? Can? Make jams? 
Do you listen to music or whistle while you are in the kitchen?

Have any lavender food recipes you would like to share?

The other thing I do every day is drink a couple of cups Ginger root tea because it is another natural inflammation fighter and I require all the assistance I can get. I boil water in my tea pot (love to hear the whistle), cut a piece of the Ginger root, dice it into little pieces, pour the boiling water on them and let it steep. I never use sugar or  amber Agave nectar (from a cactus plant) in my teas or coffee. Have wonderfully aromatic, savory or sweet, day!!!

peace

carole

Good Morning Everyone

Good Morning Everyone

I am having the privilege of baby sitting the Lil Ms. M this day : )

 She is in on my, yes unmade bed, sleeping.

I truly become absorbed in her whenever she is around : )

Her Mom and Auntie (2 of my grown daughters) had to go to Brawley this morning and brought her by so we could spend time together. Lucky me. It is on it's way Darla : )

I am unable to do too much of anything when she is here as she is a whirlwind of energy.

I am taking her to the post office as I have a package to mail out today to a friend.

I knew she was coming so I prepared the package last night. 

Ms. M thinks she is suppose to be on the computer keyboard and I let her : )

Tomorrow is my day for surgery; the bladder (yuk).

I go in this evening and the surgery is 1st thing in the morning.

When MiMi wakes up we are going to have soft scrambled eggs for breakfast. 

Cage free Vegan ones; my oldest daughter is very healthful minded.

We want to pass it on to the baby.

 She just woke up so off to make breakfast : )
Have wonderfully delightful and happy day!!!
peace
carole

Good Day!!!

Good Morning to Everyone!!!

I would like to thank of you who took the time to leave me well wishes while I have been gone. Thank you sincerely!!!

Mary, thank you for taking the initiative to update my blog.
Thank you!!!

I am kind of back : )

Still dealing with health issues and glad to be able too.

Today and yesterday my daughter,  let me have Lil Miss M over and I am so thrilled.

She is, at 10 months a handful, and giving me a run for my money : )

Here she is on my unmade bed in the tutu I made her months ago.

Please notice the Bali silver ankle bracelet. She wears it all of the time.

She is crawling on the kitchen floor actually on the aqua rag rug my daughter gave me.

Okay, she is taking everything out of her diaper bag and throwing it on the floor; and I let her : ) 

I am the Grandma : )

She is walking and it is fun. My oldest daughter and I took her to the Long Beach Whole Foods Market and she had a blast. She has learned how to do the Prom Queen wave and the venue was perfect for her : )

She is delightful, happy and a joy to have around.
Before I ramble on, I had the most  pleasant experience Wednesday.
A lady bought some items out of my etsy shop.
I was so excited when I saw it was our friend Marylou!!!
Her blog is:
Marylou's Thoughts & Other Critical Matter :)
She has the most wonderful vintage/shabby/French/fou fou creations in her shop.
Stop by and see her when you want eye candy;  hers are functioning pieces that you CANNOT do without!!!

I am scheduled for my (ugh) bladder surgery on Friday June 11th. A good thing for me physically yet my Dear Friend Amy
has invited me to meet with her and some other ladies in Temecula and I will be unable to get the proverbial hug, kiss and the opportunity to take photographs with her due to the scheduled above surgery : ( 
Please click on the link above and read all about her upcoming trip to Southern California.
I am gearing up to see my wonderful neuro surgeon on June 9th and we will discuss the prognosis of the 3rd and hopefully last spine surgery I will need.The one where he will insert a metal rod and screws in my spine and hopefully the muscles and nerves will grow on and around it giving my spine the stability it really needs.
Then I "found" the nicest, positive and wonderful blog.
Her name is Lori Bei.
Please click the link and give her a holler. Just so sweet.
I have a real sincere "thing" for positive, sincere and uplifting human beings.
It keeps me on track.
I need it more than not : )
I am listing in my etsy shop and anyone interested is certainly welcome to stop by.
a Bohemian Market
Anyone that comes by and sees something they like can e-mail me {abohemianmarket@yahoo.com} or "convo" me through etsy and mention you read about it on my blog and I will gladly give you a 
20% discount on any merchandise you choose to buy. Mentioning it to me first will allow me to adjust the listing so 20% discount will be reflected when you buy instead of having to refund your money. 
Shipping will remain the same.
I have to learn how to put the etsy badge on this blog. 
Some things fail me : )
Take care and much happiness to all.
Peace
carole