Happy Birthday to Richard!

Happy 50th Birthday to my Husband Richard. 

July 7th 2012  At home party.

I made the cake be cutting out the numbers with a
template I downloaded from Marthastewart.com

I

Thought I'd show you the reason I have not been blogging:





What a wonderful day we had celebrating with close friends and family.

These are Richards Parents.  They are really nice in-laws.

I'd like to introduce you to my Grandma Ellen she'll be 98 next month. 

Here are our family and friends

The signs lined the walk up to the house

I set four tables of red, white and blue for guests

Raspberry Lemonade, lemon lime soda and water to drink.

Fun, fun, fun

Part of Richards gift was a makeover of our BBQ area,
and these BBQ items

I had old photo's of Richard at every table
as part of the decorating

This is the drinks corner

On all the 50th Birthday signs I added photos of Richard in the "0"

The favors for the party, every guest picked out their favorite pesonalized popcorn sack.  1800.POP.City

Decorations were fun.  I purchased them online at Partycity.com. 
I only spent 15.00 and felt there was a lot of millage from the bargain supplies.

Curling ribbon from recycled gift wrap, and party hats from past
birthday party to add more fun.

A different centerpiece on every table.  All themed with photos, party hats and curling ribbon.

Another table set in red white and blue

Additional seating is always a plus

I loved making this board.  These are pictures of Richard in many hairstyles.  We did this on http://yearbookyourself.com/ website.  Too fun!

The End
This chair is set sideways so our dog "Oly" doesn't make his self at home at the party.

Thanks for stopping by the party!

Redesign for a Better Traffic Pattern

Interior redesign, or the art of using the clients’ own furnishings to create the inviting look and feel of a beautiful well organized home, is a fast-growing alternative to conventional interior design. It's a trained set of eyes to reevaluate and reclaim your current furnishings to create purpose and unity in your Home; to rearrange, regroup and reorganize determining the best use of your space. It also feels good to reduce, reuse, recycle for the most affordable and clear solutions making this the best value for your Home needs.  

The before...

Here is a home that has a lot of nice elements, but the couch is closing off the family room from the family.  The two red couches are large and take up a lot of visual space.  Also the room traffic pattern makes it too close to the nook table area and the bar stool chairs so you have to squeeze by the furniture.  The bookshelves are cluttered and visually there is a lot going on in the space.

Next here I am by the side door looking towards the kitchen.  The small table on left was used to store magazines but not used. The rug feels like it is going the wrong way for the room and there is not enough room between the couch and piano.  Also the rug stained and dirty and the coffee table is too busy with the shell collection under the glass.

The rug had a lot of small beverage spots so I suggested the homeowner use Chem Dry's Carpet stain extinguisher to clean the rug.  I have used this product for many years and find it the best at taking out small stains and the overall cleaning of any carpet or area rug.  The rug dried in a few hours as we dusted off all the books and bookshelf accent items.

And the after project......

Once I centered the coffee table between the couches I added some matching pillows.  I only used the pillows with a lighter background to lighten up the room for summer.  On the coffee table I added a bird cage from another room and stuffed some plant material inside.  I found a small tea set and two small china dolls to complete the grouping.  I also placed two almost matching flat rectangular baskets under the coffee table with magazines in one and photo albums in the other.  A nice location for guests to look at while visiting.

Here you can see I have added a sofa table behind the couch that can be used as a writing desk.  I added a large colorful rooster lamp and switched out the shade to a neutral cream one.  I added one of the extra nook chairs to the desk and a basket for books below with a plant to help hide the cord to the lamp.  This is a bright and sunny location to read or write and enjoy the family at the same time.

I like the couches facing each other as it really add a sense of space to the room.  I also like the two chairs as part of the conversation area now.  There is a lot more room around the arrangement for traffic flow.  The book shelves have been organized and I found a few pictures and baskets to add to the the shelves for interest.

Before:

After:

Best Valentine's Ever!

On Valentine's Day, this Nana had something to be excited about!  A brand new baby boy for my daughter, Makay, and son-in-law, Joshua.  I had the pleasure to take the train down to Fort Irwin, CA and visit the happy family. 

Little Everett joins big brother, Beau, and big sister, Kiera Jo.  He was born in a hurry one day shy of 37 weeks weighing in at 5 lbs, 6 oz.  He sure is a little cutie and I so enjoyed giving him lots of love while I was down there!

Kiera, Beau and **New brother Everett at home

Congratulations Makay and Joshua on your cute little bundle of joy.

Hopefully, your Valentine's Day was filled with love as well!

Okay just so Proud!

My daughter Kelsey and Jeremy had their baby (to the right a picture of the happy couple in July 2011).  A boy named Journey James (I love the name -- it is creative and different)  He is soooo cute.  She had him the morning before his actual Due date.  8lbs.8oz 19inches long. 

Okay, so here is some pictures of the first four days of his "Jouney."

Okay, okay... I know, that's a lot of pictures...but I am the nana, and so proud of it.  

Jonelle'

Looking Forward to Wyoming this Summer!

Daughter, Jenna and grandson, Wyatt

Richard and I have begun planning for this summer.  We are planning to visit our daughter, Jenna and her family in Wyoming this July.  Smokey and Jenna's son, Wyatt, will be part of the Laramie Jubilee Days Kids Horse Show.  We are so excited to see him in action.

In thinking of this upcoming summer, we have been reminiscing about what fun we had last summer at the Folsom Rodeo!

Richard and I went to the 50th Annual Folsom Pro Rodeo  for the 4th of July festivities last year. We had never been to this event but certainly had heard about the fireworks. Being their 50th anniversary, it was especially exciting. There were many other activities like the chuck wagon races, mutton busting and childrens activities. After the rodeo Mike's Golden Spike Saloon opens and live entertainment of "The Dave Russell Band" provides some great country music. We might even take a turn on the dance floor once the music starts.


http://www.folsomprorodeo.com/

Family - The Importance of that Family Photo

As we plan for Christmas this year (early I know), I am looking forward to having ALL my family together!  I have found that it is so important to take family pictures when the whole family is together -- not that often, unfortunately. 

Here is five generations of MY family. We know we are so lucky to have everyone together, and each time we try to take a photo remembering the special occasion (This one was for my parents 50th wedding anniversary.) Okay, this photo may not be a professional one, but it shows the fun and laughter of family.  Plus, you try to take a picture with three kids three and under!

Next time you are all together put the camera on the tripod, adjust the light settings, and click the timer for 10 seconds. You will never know what you will get in the shot, but my hope is that the true spirit of those together for that moment will shine through.

Wondering where I have been?

My daughter Makay was married this past week. To a wonderful guy named Josh. May they spend a lifetime of happy years together. The wedding was at our house, and didn't they look wonderful! I'm busy getting things back to "normal." Whatever "normal " is these days. So stay tuned for more soon. Jonelle'

Congratulations MAKAY

Just a shout out of congratulations to my daughter Makay who just this month graduated from MTI College with her paralegal degree AND has a new job at Jacobson Markham LLP. Of course that was on top of her full time job a MOM to two young wonderful kids, girlfriend to a handsome and lucky guy from Ione, and creative sewer and purse maker in her spare time.

As a Mom I couldn't be prouder!

Happy Mothers Day

Mothers Day
A Mother loves right from the start.
She holds her baby close to her heart.
The bond that grows will never falter.
Her love is so strong it will never alter.
A Mother gives never ending Love.
She never feels that she has given enough.
For you she will always do her best.
Constantly working, there's no time to rest.
A Mother is there when things go wrong.
A hug and a kiss to help us along.
Always there when we need her near.
Gently wipes our eyes when we shed a tear.
So on this day shower your Mother with Love.
Gifts and presents are nice but that is not enough.
Give your Mother a day to have some peace of mind.
Be gentle, be good, be helpful, be kind.
Happy Mothers Day.
- By Carol Matthews

 
Looking forward to seeing the girls and grandkids at Christmas!

Memories of favorite 4th's!

One of my favorite memories of Independence Day is the Fourth of July parade in downtown Templeton, CA. Our family participated with other locals each year. I'd get up early in the morning to gather folding chairs and a large blanket and we'd stake out our special space in the downtown park. The community lined the streets of Main Street and set up around the Community Park to mark the anniversary of our nation’s Independence. The parade has been a tradition in Templeton for more than a quarter of a century.

I loved this parade; it's very "Mayberry", with the kids on their decorated bikes, the firetruck and police cars, the homemade floats, the various scout troops of the neighborhood towns participating (and throwing candy to the kids watching), veteran's walked the edges handing out flashing American flag pins, Miss California Mid-State Fair would wave from a convertible and the families pushing their baby strollers and walking their dogs. One year we even participated in an antique white mustang convertible with daughters Jenna and Makay waving their "Miss Mid State Fair"-like wave.



However, most years we "participated" as parade watchers, we'd sit as a family and enjoy the candy thrown at us and then we'd run around the corner where the parade will pass through again. Cheating? Heck no! They need parade watchers all over the neighborhood, right? We were just filling a need. After the parade wrapped up, we headed en mass to the Templeton Community Park where our blankets and coolers and picnic baskets were set up and the celebration continued with food, iced desserts, shopping and live entertainment.

I looked forward to the "Hometown feel" of this parade every year. I think when my grand kids are a little older I will invite my family back to Templeton one 4th of July to relive this happy memory. It was just a simple celebration about the fact that we are free.

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!