How Are You? And Good-Bye... For Now...

For Robert Burgoyne~

I know he'd frown at me, but I loved him, We loved him...
Our Kind Friend...

"Oh that's right, you like that French stuff "

"Oh you went to France, that's nice, what did you do?"

Oh, I've got something for you~

Oh, that's great you're getting that for him for his birthday
I'll hide it here for you until his birthday~


Oh , I've got a gift for you - friendship...


Not boasting all the things I've done in this world,
All the places I've traveled in My Lifetime...

All the children I've mentored... No mention of that...

Gave Without Ever Wanting Anything Back~
Never A Word...

~Gave~

~ Gave Smiles to Our Child and Pets ~

Death is only a larger kind of going abroad
-Samuel Butler

(He'd giggle, under his breath, not let you know...)

Robert & Speedy ~ We Love You!

Oh, those are some big waves and smell that salt air!

xoxo, Tracie

Tell Someone This Weekend

Tell Someone This Weekend...
Tell Them They're Special (even if it's a tiny place in your heart!)

Open that old door - creeeek, I can hear it...

Hear the door opening?

Share a cup of cafe or tea
and "never mind" the cafe or tea stains...

And cherish each moment this person shares in your life~
be it something they did recently to make you feel special,
or, perhaps
something that still lingers ~ precious in your memory...

Happy weekend - Truly enjoy each moment...

~And if nothing else (and this is so special too~
give your pooch or kittie a hug from Zeke, that works so well!)


A poem is never finished, only abandoned
une poesie n'est jamais terminee, seulement abandonnee



xoxo, Tracie

You Make My Day ~ Thank You!

Life is a Cabaret ~
Whoops, I mean Merry-go-Round!


Siobhan at Vintage Mosaic Boutique passed this on to me,
and I am so pleased to call her
a creative influence, kind soul - AND - friend
... from the beginning...

I'm a little behind on things in my life, but will get a round to it when

the time falls into place... so finally, here I go, passing it along!

I want to share the first places and special people I love to visit
each morning before I walk with my beloved pooch, Zeke!
They make my day special getting up and around
AND ALWAYS
have something special to share~

YOU MAKE MY DAY!

Suzy - Wild Rose Cottage (Kindred Meg Ryan Spirit and so, so much more!)

LeAnn - Pink Icing on the Cake (My shopping buddy in MY DREAMS)
-and why didn't the rest of us think of that name for our blog?

Cielo, The House in the Roses (Inspirational, Loving, Poetic, Beautiful Soul)

Rachel - A Romantic Porch (Always a Post to Think About and...
Kind, Kind, Kind ~ Randy Travis says "hey"!)

Sarah - Gypsy Mermaid (Always a kick with a get up and go attitude
and "look at my art" which is beautiful by the way!)

Coll - Coll's Garden (She makes me laugh and she shares
"our" actor love - Alan Rickman - and we don't like spiders much!)

Lisa and Alfie- of The Pickled Hutch (I love Lisa and her shop, but
Zeke loves Alfie ~ Lisa and Alfie always have kind things
to say... maybe we'll make it down there this weekend - I hope so!

...And, Siobhan you so made my day when you passed this on to me.

xoxo, Tracie

Heavenly Long Weekend ~ Come On In!

No Need to Knock...

Our lovely weekend (L-O-N-G weekend ~ the best kind!)
I've missed you all - but Shayne had a great birthday
and thank you for ALL the sweet comments, friends!

~So this is what was happening around our cottage this weekend...

NOTHING...

Come on in to My Petite Maison~
it's very well loved, friendly kitties, friendly puppy,
friendly neighbors around the back with always a story
to tell, that never get old~ enchanting - feels good,
like the old days ~ so blessed to be here~

Don't you think an eight pound cat
would be wondering if a 170 pound dog
may roll on her?
OK - she makes the rules...

Outside, or inside - she doesn't care - she makes the rules,
that's why she adopted all of us, wow - seven years ago now.

A tinsey bit of the garden feel~

And this is for LeAnn*~
So this is a little teaser to where we went
shopping over the birthday weekend~

Oh yes, I purchased something special...

*And LeAnn ~ Not the item below (The Madonna ~ I wish , I wish!)


We had to make a side trip, because our other favorite
shop was just a little too far, since there were teens
hanging out at our cottage - yes, let's not wander too far!
This is Naomi's shop, a sweet friend~
Always walks me out to the car with a friendly hug, after three
hours of talking...

xoxo, Tracie

Happy, Happy Birthday Baby~ March 24th

Happy Birthday, Shayne!
(and okay, it's me - I didn't set my camera setting properly),
or maybe after Prosecco and a glass of Forth we were seeing
just this way ~ you get the idea. We were having fun
at OUR favorite restaurant, Cena Luna ~ yum!

Quarantieme amour heureux d'anniversaire de ma vie!

He gave ME four dozen roses!

Zeke's not impressed, but his birthday is next month~

And now we're heading to Petaluma to my friend, Michelle's store
where I'm hoping to find something really nice
for the love of my life!
...And visit his favorite pub in the States...
Finbar Devine's~

For Shayne,
May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.
May your heart be as light as a song.
May each day bring you bright happy hours,
That stay with you all year long.
For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way -
Good health, good luck, and happiness
For today and every day.

Love, Tracie

Easter~

Easter Blessings to You
From My Family to You and Yours~

I think this vintage postcard from my dear friend's store
says more than I possibly could.

xoxo, Tracie

We're Out... And About

We're out for the next few days~
Gee, I'm going to miss visiting with everyone
and seeing what each of you is up to!


If you don't mind...

Please water my plants, check the lights,
Of course, feed Zeke, Giles, Buttercup
and if you see any antiques that I absolutely
"have to have" will you pick them up?
I swear I'll make it right with you
(as my Grandma used to say).

I have a wonderful collection of antique books (a little dusty)
...tons of magazines and decorating books,
so please make yourself at home. I even think there
may be some lovely french cheese and a baguette or two
and a few apples in the basket - I'm sure Zeke will share~

Put up your feet and enjoy house sitting for me, won't you?
I feel so much better, just knowing you're watching over it all~

Don't forget the vanilla candles, Zeke likes sleeping
by candle light and feel free to light a fire if it's cold
Just be cozy, dear friend...

We'll be back in time for Easter!

xoxo~Tracie

Time Flies

Happy Friday!

Woke up this morning to a blanket of white fluffy fog
and little rain drops...
So pretty right outside our back window

Look at the beautiful white blossoms~
It all seems to match!

We're expecting rain today and tomorrow
so we'll be "nesting". Think I'll make soup
Potato Cheese Soup with fresh dill - yum
My husband's making fresh bread
I'm sure the lemon tartlets are on our little bakers list!

What are you doing this weekend?
Are you "nesting" or moving around?
And if you're nesting ~ What are you making?

No treasure hunting this weekend
on the agenda, but that can change
...at a moment's notice! Hmm....?

Happy Friday (again!) and Happy, Happy Weekend!

The fog comes on little cat feet.
It sits looking over harbor and city
on silent haunches and then moves on.

-Carl Sandburg

Also, if you want to see a charming video
of Robin's (yes, another one!) go HERE
She and John are setting up for Marburger Farm
and it's so, so cute - I want that couch!

xoxo, Tracie

We're Off - We'll be Back Friday!

But for now, please go see Sarah at Gypsy Mermaid
before Friday, she's having a giveaway in
honor of her birthday. What a sweet thing to do!

Just click the picture and it will take you to her magical site!

Ta, ta ~ Talk to you tomorrow!

xoxo, Tracie

Everything's Coming Up Roses

Happy Wednesday!

We're Away for the Day - If you Wish for Just a Moment...
Beautiful Music and the Arts ... Please Visit Fete et Fleur Here
I am blessed to call Nancy, my Dear Friend...
Means the World to Our Family.

~ AND ~

From Yesterday...
~ It's ALMOST Spring!

I just had the idea to post my arrangement of white roses tonight -
Too bad it's not a full moon~ they'd look lovely.

I ran outside with camera in hand but it's a little too dark on the porch
and I'm not using my flash - or porch light!

Hopefully, before all my appointments tomorrow morning,
I'll run out gleefully and take a picture since it's almost Spring!

I decided I'm going to start enjoying some of my
cut flower arrangements on my outside potting table.
This way you see them coming up the walk
and can enjoy them from inside the house looking out
to the green, green grass of home!

For now, here's a picture of the roses I did not get a chance to arrange.

Actually, I think they look quite lovely all clustered together
in the French Flower Mart Holder - it's huge and I don't mind
saying what a treasure it was to find. I will take a full picture
of this too - why do these ideas come to me at 10:45 at night
when I have much to do the next day?

Family asleep, inspiration awake!

My favorite flower is the rose and it's always been
white roses that hold a special place in my heart.

The White Rose:
Purity, Innocence, Silence, Secrecy, Reverence,
Humility, Youthfulness,
"I am worthy of you"
and Heavenly

What is your favorite flower and what meaning does it hold to you?


Happy almost Spring in all your favorite colors!

We're off for a while - see you Friday~ just in time
for the fun weekend!

xoxo, Tracie

Happy Monday, Happy Week~
I've got a couple things going on already!

Thank You Dona!

Next - I've been tagged by Cathy, Whom I Think the World of (and more). So here goes~ Some things weird, some things random and this is so easy for me - only seven?

I am supposed to pass this on, but I'm hoping some of my blogger friends will want to play along and take the tag on themselves. If you take the tag, please take the award as well, that's a true blogger friend! If not, you've just learned some things you may not want to know about me. Yes, this is my form of bribery! If you're tagged, you deserve something in return!

Here goes:

I LOVE anchovies. Anchovy toast, anchovy mayonnaise, anchovies plain - every which way prepared. When we went to Italy, practically all I ate was anchovy pizza, if they had anchovy gelato, I would have tried it (seriously). I don't think I cared much about anything there but anchovies (okay, I'm kidding a little on that one).

My Great-Grandmother, Maude R. McClintock gave me "my" wedding and engagement rings. She gave the rings to me when I was 13 for safe keeping (yep, actually handed them to me with attitude, she still had the original box and so do I) She was married when she was 13.

I so love this - thank you, Grams.

I don't watch the endings to movies that end sadly (after the first viewing). And I'm really afraid to know if they went back to England in A Year in Provence. I have never seen the end.... and please, I do not want to know unless they stayed... Maybe it was watching Old Yeller once. My husband used to ask, do you want to see what happens? He stopped a long time ago - maybe he's secretly watched it on his own, or better yet - read the book?

I have had the same best friend since the beginning of time, practically.... It's been over 25 years. If I ever hit the big time, she's going to sign a book deal, do a made for TV movie for Lifetime (playing herself) and I've given her permission to appear on Oprah and the E True Hollywood Story and spill her guts! And dear Jeannette is French, which makes it so much more fun for me to go treasure hunting in my favorite place on Earth.

My favorite day is Friday the 13th. This is my lucky day. I wish there was a Friday, the 13th every month. I do not believe in superstition, obviously. My daughter was born on Friday the 13th as was my Aunt, Pearl, my Grandfather's Sister and my Grandmother, Phyllis. My birthday is 13 days before my Dad's. My Grandma's birthday - May 13, 1913 - I was in labor for 13 hours.... Hmm, This one could go one for quite a while (believe me, I have more!). My daughter and I celebrate Friday, the 13th and always do something that means something to us. We're not into the slasher movies though (want to make that clear!).

Okay, you all think I only have eyes for Alan Rickman? (and my husband, of course!). Zeke my beloved dog was named after Peter Horton's character on Brimstone (Ezekiel). There's much more to this as you know.

I have had a dog in my life since I was seven. Thank goodness and none of them the same breed. Every cat I have had has adopted me (yes actually come to my house) and I rescued the last three pooches, (and my Dad adopted the first) - so important!

By the way, the last three dogs I adopted were purebred dogs. Please look into canine rescue. They all so want to be loved and it's so rewarding to give love and be given it in return with no strings, just wags. In case you're wondering - German Shepard, Maltese and of course, in Zeke's case, Great Pyrenees. Whoops, the first one was a peek-a-poo. I think they're now a "designer dog", used to be called a mutt in my childhood years - my what a sweetie, my Happy.

Happy Monday and Happy Week
And thank you Dona for being such a Blogging Friend with no strings attached!

xoxo, Tracie

All Good Things...

Of course, Fridays!

Flea Market Finds~

Lots of Fluff (in the storeroom)~

Happy Reading~

And... Sleeping In!

May your weekend be...

All Good Things!

xoxo, Tracie

My How Time Flies

Time sure has been getting away from me this week
I've been scurrying about this week trying to get all things done ~
But, I've finally come to peace with...
Is Not Possible!

I am going to go with this. Allow myself time with my
precious family and savor each moment~

Here is a wonderful find from this weekend - this header kept catching my eye while
we were talking to one of the sweetest store owners around!

She's currently working on updating her website, so once I've got the
go-ahead I'll post a link to the store - it's out of this world fantastic.
My home is filled with many a treasure found in the one-of-a-kind antique store.

Guess everyone knows what my husband will be doing this weekend
~hanging this lovely up ~

I've got a few places in mind... hmm...

Gotta run! Hope this day finds you happy, healthy and very well loved.

Time is the coin of your life.
It is the only coin you have,
and only you can determine how it will be spent.
Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
~Carl Sandberg

xoxo, Tracie

Thankful Tuesday and Wednesday too!

Woke up Tuesday morning
(hearing my husband getting ready for work)
Not wanting to get out of bed after a long weekend of fun~

Made me stop and think, not want to get up?
Not want to face another beautiful day?
What's wrong with you, Tracie?

Look at these beautifully wrapped parcels from Amy of
Razz Pizazz Boutique
I held onto them for days before opening
(yep, that's me - I like to savor as long as possible)

Here are the opened beauties, gift cards with such detail, greeting cards and I think my favorite - the journal and this isn't your everyday journal. Amy's used wood for the back and front covers, beautifully worn shabby effect, I love it!
~*~*~*~
I am going to make a point to write what I am thankful for each and every day in this journal. Not wanting to get out of bed? I don't think so... I am thankful for oh so many things, including being able to get up out of bed in the morning and been given the gift of another day!

I'm thankful you joined me here this morning and thankful to say I'm up and running off to all my errands for our daughter today - thankful I can be there for her!

And... Update for Wednesday ~ I woke up so cheerful this morning!
Zeke was bouefing downstairs, his irritated bouef bark! Buttercup was
tapping at the window and wanted her food and he wanted to go
back to sleep - guess my mood passed on to him.

I'm thankful today (Wednesday) to hear the birds chirping outside and
the windows open at 7:23 a.m. this beautiful morning!

So, what are you thankful for today?

(I did find some neat antique finds over the long weekend and hope to post at least the beauty of the group by tomorrow... Thursday now.
Yes - I'm still behind one day for taking
an extra day off for the long weekend, catch up, catch up!)

xoxo, Tracie