A Happy 85th

We celebrated mom's 85th birthday today. We got balloons and cupcakes and some little things I thought she would like.

She got cards, which I read to her, little presents and a sweet bear from my brother Joe. So sweet. She loves little things like that.

I'm not quite sure she understood what it was all about. But she was happy just the same. So therefore, we're happy.

She blew her candles out with a little coaxing. Another wish to come true.

It's hard to believe another year has passed. It was a nice, gentle celebration.

In other news, our honeybells finally arrived. They were supposed to be in last week. Geesh. I'm dying to have one but I'm not supposed to. Oh, they look so good.

And with all the rush of being away last week and posting my 1,000th post mixed with all kinds of other stuff, I never did announce who won the "first" comment. I said it would be the second commenting after the first correct guess of where I was. How confusing is that?? I had to go back and read what I wrote to make sure I got it right. So, without further tardiness, I'm announcing that Thrifty Miss Priss was the first to comment! Wooooot! So Miss Priss, you'll need to send me your mailing addy. I have some goodies collected for you. And speaking of tardiness, I have yet to send out the prize for the OWOH winnings. Oooof.

Rainy and getting colder here. Yuk.

Winner!

Ok, I'm finally getting caught up. Well, a little anyway. I took all the responses to my One World, One Heart giveaway, deleted the comments, kept the names and added them to Excel--as Lisa suggested. Wow. That took some time just removing the comments!

Then I did the Random.org number generator. Out of 389 comments, it chose No. 71. Number 71 is Linda Sue of All I Ever Wanted. I am thoroughly enjoying reading her blog as she seems to be as random as I am when it comes to posting. I like that.

After I posted my surprise giveaway entry, I quickly decided that I was going to give away one of my pysanka. I had finally finished them from last spring, almost a year after the fact; and I thought they were different enough to give away.

So, Linda Sue, you may pick one from the above picture. I pulled out my nicest ones. I hope you like one of them to have as your own.

This sure was a big year for OWOH! What a turnout. Congrats Lisa. And a big thank you for organizing and sponsoring. You're the bestest.

Where in the World is Rosa?

Well, I'm off again into the wild blue yonder. Sorry I have been MIA. I've been waiting to post until I was here. Now, who's going to guess where here is? The last time I had this guessing game, Shelley and Rosa won--both guessing correctly that I was in NYC.

Oh oh OH! Even more big doings here in Rosaland. This is my one thousandth post. Who woulda thunk it? If I'm correct, that's averaging about 1 1/2 a day. Hmmm. That's like having 3 1/2 kids. Don't make no sense. ha. I almost missed it as I don't normally look at how many posts I have. For some reason, last week, I took a peek. It took a while to figure out where to find how many posts I had done, but I finally did. Eeek.

And then, as if that's not enough, I also need to pick a name for the One World, One Heart giveaway. I think I will wait until later to do that. I hope all the participants don't mind waiting another day or so.
Ok, here's the deal. The first one to guess correctly where Rosa is, that would be me, I will get a little something from here and send to you.
The second person will be considered the first person to comment on my 1000th post and they too will get something, maybe from here, maybe from home, maybe from who knows where. Whatchya think?

Have fun guessing! I have to admit, I'm having fun myself. I really did need a little getaway. Oh, and by the way. This is our hotel fish named Bill Cosby. Isn't he a hoot!

Okay, start guessing . . . . . . . n o w !

Wittamer Chocolate Winner!

The winner of the box of Wittamer chocolates fresh from Brussels, Belgium is . . . .

. . . . . . . . drumroll please . . . . . . .

Comment No. 15! Woooooot!

Which is none other than my newly found friend, through One World ~ One Heart, Lori Anderson at Pretty Things! Congrats Lori. I hope you have lots of friends and family to share with as this is a good sized box. (Please send me your mailing addy if you don't mind.)

Congratulations again. You're going to love this chocolate.

And a special thank you to all the other friends who left sweet comments on my Welcome post.

xoxo

PS If you happen to check out the Wittamer website, you'll find that they have made a special box just for ME! How cool is that? tehe

Welcome!

C'mon in and sit right down. It's time to relax. I welcome you all with open arms.

Let me make you some tea with little heart ginger snaps, if you like.

Let the tea warm you as you watch the rain drizzle on the trees. It really is a beautiful day, isn't it?

Forget about the time

as you watch the bamboo grow

and listen to the water droplets falling so peacefully.

Sit and meditate, or pray, forget or perhaps even remember peaceful times' past.

Curl up on the sofa with a hand full of magazines, poetry books and fun reads. Bella will be there to massage you into blissful peace.

Or, if you prefer, crawl into your bed and take a mid-day nap. Those are always welcome here.

I've left the light on for you in case you sleep through the night and awake startled wondering where you are.

Welcome to my little peace of the world. I hope you enjoy your stay. You are always welcome here. There is always room. I hope you are fond of my new little place.

Leave a comment and I will pick a name on Friday and send you a wonderful box of Belgian chocolates.

Shhhhh. Now, it's time to relax.


*Dedicated to my dear friend Pammy who needs a little peace right now.*

My new look is from Birdie Says!

One World * One Heart

And, they're off! Lisa, a Whimsical Bohemian, is once more hosting her baby "One World, One Heart" giveaway which introduces folks from across the globe to one another. I was a participant last year, and it was great fun and I met a lot of wonderful artsy people. It's an amazing turnout.

Here's the deal. If you comment here on this post, on this one only, you will be entered to receive a little something from me. Last year, I actually pulled three names, while Bella policed the scene. Not quite sure how many I will pull this year.

Again, since I am notoriously a "wait 'til the last minute" kinda gal, it will be a surprise as to what I'll send. I don't believe my recipients have ever been let down though. At least, I hope not.

So, off with you. Sign up here and click on the link (or HERE) to see who else is participating. Maybe even YOU want to get involved and give something away.

The deadline for comments is February 12. And you don't have to be a participant to enter!

Now, shoo!

And the Winner Is . . . .

The kid kept it honest by holding the tea cozy full of names.

And, the winner of the tea cake is . . . . . Rosa of Rosa's Yummy Yums! Yay! Congrats Rosa! (I only hope there will be no problems with customs to Switzerland!!)

The Great Bing-Cha (tea cake) Giveaway

The hub always brings wonderful teas back from China. Last year, he was given a special bing-cha (tea cake) of Pu'er tea as a gift. This trip, he was given two more. These are rather large bricks, if you will, of compressed tea. I am including a scraper to go along with it. I think one will last for years! The tea is supposed to get better with age and they are to be stored in its own paper--not in a baggie. I have yet to crack one open, so I don't have any idea of the taste.

I have mine on plate racks as decoration at the moment.

These tea cakes are made from ancient tea trees in the Yunnan Provence of South China. It is said to have medicinal properties that help with digestion, reduce cholesterol, and perhaps even increases metabolism. Hey, perhaps I better pop open one! Quick!

I found these wonderful videos below for you to watch if you want to.






So, all you have to do is leave a comment. You don't have to have a blog to enter. I will pick a name some time next week.

If you're a tea drinker, I think you will love having one of these to try, straight from Beijing.

Swaps and So Much More

Here is my sweet little magnolia in bloom. The blooms have the faintest scent of summer in the South.

In contrast, here are my neglected peonies. Every day I told myself to go out and cut some for the house. Did I ever cut any? I always got sidetracked once inside and never cut any, not a one. What a shame. They were brilliant in their day.

The prize chocolates have come and gone.

Robin and Betty have both received their champagne truffles.

We have one small box left of the macaroons/luxemburgerli (not like American macaroons, I guarantee!). These tiny cream filled confections are anything but. The kid nicknamed them little burgers when we were in Zurich and stumbled upon them. Oh my. They are just heavenly but way too delicate to mail, I'm afraid. I wish I could share them with all of you.

The hub has also brought some special chocolates back made from Sprungli's made of cocoa beans from around the world. They were a tad strong for my liking but fun testing just the same.

As I was talking to my friend Pam, who is celebrating her birthday today, the door bell rang. It was a box. I wondered what on earth I had ordered now. But it wasn't that at all. It was a huge box from Monica of M&Co. who I had done a magazine swap with. Well, once I opened it, and as you can see, it was much more than magazines. What a sweety! Thank you so much Monica! Wow! Tusen takk! Needless to say that some of these magazines will be coming with me to Paris! I actually look forward to an 8-hour plane ride with some peace of mind. Now, that's kinda sick, don't you think?

This book "Tildas Hus" is going to be one of my favorites, I can just feel it. So many lovely ideas, so little time. It's so reminiscent of a DIY Laura Ashley of the 80s and the Cath Kidston of today. Fun!

Take a look at this beautiful necklace she added. I had just purchased a little silk jacket for Paris; and will you take a look at the color coordinating going on! Amazing!!

And speaking of matching, I have had this Mary Frances handbag collecting dust for several years. I have worn it only once, in Bermuda. Look, again, at how well it matches. I knew I bought it for a reason! Paris! Right? Ok, back to my other goodies.

And home-made seed packets. I can't wait to get back and plant them. Yay! Again, thank you so very much Monica. You were more than generous.

I am finished running errands, getting everything ready for the trip, so I can sit back and relax a little this afternoon. I'll take it.

Drumroll Please

And the winners are . . . . . dun dun dun . . . . . Pretty Betty and Robin Bird. (As if you hadn't already read that above.) Congrats!

Pretty Betty, please leave me your email addy so I can contact you and get your postal address!

You ladies are in for a treat. (A sweet tweet, that is, for Robin Bird.)

I've tested all the chocolate and it is indeed fresh. Grin.

Swiss Chocolate Giveway

I had the hub do a little shopping for me while in Zurich. Wink wink. Leave a comment and I will pick a name or two on Monday. If you don't have a blog, just leave your name and check back.

Yes, I could wallow in it all. But I ain't gonna! I'm sharing the love.

One World-One Heart Winnings

I tell you what, all of the fancy schmancy goody bags given away at all the award ceremonies in Los Angeles have nothing over OW-OH goody boxes! Oh my.

I won two out of the millions of blogs I visited during the One World-One Heart extravaganza. Not bad odds, eh? hehe. I was so excited to win and now am completely beside myself at what these two wonderful blogs gave away.

This weekend, I received the lovely necklace and earrings made by Angela over at Funky Cat Studio. I had seen the necklace on her blog before and loved it; but the earrings were just thrown in! The necklace is perfect for Riverside with the lovely shell piece. What a wonderful surprise! Thank you so very much Angela. They are so much fun!

Yesterday, our mail didn't come until some time last night. Go figure. I wonder what in the world is going on there? The hub must have gone out this morning before leaving for work and brought it in. Because, when I came downstairs, there was this box sitting on the table for me! Squeal! It's from our sweet Kai over at Kai Blue Creations! Yahoo!

I started opening it and peeling away the layers. What a LOVEFEST, I tell you!


Will you just take a look at what was stuffed into this box! I had a friend over while I opened it and we just giggled and oooh'd and aaww'd the entire time. The first picture at the beginning of this post of the pretty little purse! There were little jewels and flowers and stars and pearls and shells tucked throughout the box! How magical! And then there were the sweet little sayings everywhere.

Look at all the artsy goodies! The little oval pieces are actually pens! I can't wait to whip one out from my purse and get a reaction. They are too much fun!

Kai, I can tell by everything, you knew exactly what I like, right down to the kitty stuff. In fact, I had that exact hot pad for many years and I just threw it away as it was all stained with grease and stuff just this past winter! I swear! How incredible is that? Pretty darn incredible.

Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart for all of my goodies. And a big thank you, again, to our Lisa for hosting such an awesome and fun event. I can't tell you how many kind souls I have met this year.

Yay!