This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Advent - the Second Week and a Touch of Paris!!!

Second week of Advent has passed now...and here are my gifts from Carol below...
A framed stitchery...coasters, green and red one side...printed the other...
soap and face washer...a little Santa,
and quilting labels...What a surprise Carol I received on opening this morning's gift...

(don't know why this is happening...the photos are turned around from what they are supposed to be)...
the labels say Mode de Paris!!!
I tend to collect things with Paris on them!!!
Thank you so much Carol...now I think I will have to try to find something French inspired to make using this label...I just love it!!!

Below is this striking moonlit card received from Julie..



Meanwhile through Cathy Penton I have been very fortunate to meet Julie ...
Per chance I went over to visit Ruby for the first time and unbeknownst to me she had a giveaway going...I fell in love with her blog and photos of Italy...I left her a comment and blow me down...I won the giveaway!!!

The giveaway happened to be one of Cathy's beautiful charms...

Check this out...PARIS!!!
Can you imagine my utter delight on reading that I had won this...I was in 'Paris' all day!!!

The back of the charm...
So opening today's swap gift was extra special Carol...
which inspired me to show some of my recent purchases!!!

Tea...for 1!!!

Yet another recipe book...I just love them and can't help myself!!!

And this apron...full of Eiffel Towers, how cute!!!

Close up of the fabric...turned around again???

A little poster of the Tower...

even serviettes!!!

And to top it all off...Vicki Archer's latest book...FRENCH ESSENCE...with photography by Carla Coulsen
Ambience, Beauty and Style in Provence!!!
It can't get much better than that!!!
I know what I'll be doing all weekend now...have a good one everyone...Dzintra

23 comments:

Jane said...

Beautiful gifts Dzintra, I love the apron, very striking and pretty. I can just imagine seeing you with it on. Have a great weekend my friend, and hugs for Jojo. xxx

Anonymous said...

So many pretty things in one post! That apron fabric is cute as can be and I love the cookbook! You will have to share with us what you select to bake. My nephew was fortunate enough to visit the Eiffel Tower last year and had dinner there. An opportunity of a lifetime. Blessings to you and your Dzintra.

Kath said...

What lovely gifts, it must be very exciting opening them each day!

Nat Palaskas said...

Lovely advent presents. Lucky girl to get present everyday until Christmas. Didn't know you are French nut! Every time I see the Eiffel Tower I can't help but remember the time we lost Mark up there when he was only 12. Worst of all he was the only one speaks French, if we didn't find him we would have been starve to death LOL!!! Have a great one - Hugs Nat

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Lovely presents all. But I really love that moonlight card. :-)

Simone de Klerk said...

Such lovely presents and it is as though I'm in Paris, going through your blog. The apron is very very pretty (O:

Vicki's Bit-o-earth said...

What great gifts Dzintra! Super giveaway win too! How fun is that? Do you think your luck would rub off onto me if I stick near you? LOL Wonderful! Congrats to you~ Have a great weekend~ xxxVicki

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Dzintra
I'm so glad to have met you too and that you are enjoying your win..I can see from your purchases that Cathy's charm has found a good home.

All your swap items are charming too, but I think the thing I am coveting right now is Vicki Archer's book. I have a gift card I recevied from work so think I will have to trot off and buy it..

Have a fabulous weekend.. Once again .. so glad to have met you too and will enjoying seeing more images of my childhood vacation spot xx Julie

Micki said...

Congrats on the gifts! I love the Paris charm, and everything is just so pretty!
Enjoy it all!
Micki

Stina Blomgren said...

Oh... this was too much loveliness to see...lol.. So wonderful things.. lucky you!!! :o)

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Love the apron D... you can wear it and pretend you are Julia cooking away in France.
Are you sure there isn't a wee hint of Irish in your blood... you're always winning giveaways. (the luck of the Irish)
Enjoy the week ahead.
x Susan

Pooch Purple Reign said...

dzintra... o everything is just so cute. i love the eiffel tower poster. it is such a neat angle. ( kind of how it feels standing under it )
enjoy!
~laura

Millie said...

Gosh Dzintra what a fabulous week you are having! I know you'll enjoy all your lovely gifts - they couldn't have arrived at a sweeter home.
Millie ^_^

Pineapple Villa said...

Hi Dzintra - what a lucky girl - i am hoping Santa brings me that book, there is a package under the tree just the right shape so heres hoping. Love the impages and all your goodies and that charm is to die for. HOpe your xmas prep is going well, Mel xxx

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Dzrintra!! WOW! You really scored on the beautiful Paris-themed gifts! Every single item is so lovely. I too, being a French teacher, love everything French and beautiful and the word PARIS just strikes up images and emotions of classic, chic and down right cool. Thank you my friend for leaving such lovely comments about my post; I so love to write and especially about real-life friends who inspire. I hope to publish one day. I have just this week left and then school is out for 2 whole weeks...both my husband will be off and I look forward to the rest!!! Have a beautiful, sunny day my friend, Anita

Fer said...

My haven't you scored!! Paris is such a wonderful place, one day I'll get back there!

Bev C said...

Wonderful gifts Dzintra, You know sometimes it just seems that the right person wins the giveaway. Now I can smell some french pasteries cooking!!! You will have to get a French dictionary for Christmas. Happy days.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dzintra,
Oooooooooo! Lovely, lovely things. Swooning here!!! :)
Have a lovely day,
Zuzu

Margaret said...

Beautiful Paris, La Mer the language all wonderfull Enjoyed your post .

Anonymous said...

Hello Dzintra, gorgeous gifts, and of your love of Paris....love the charm....and the delightful apron...especially the colours...Warm Regards Lyn

Sue said...

Lovely gifts Dzintra and your Parisian things are gorgeous. My Advent Swap partner is Christine who lives on France so I'm getting lots of lovely French things too. Isn't it great.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Everything is so beautiful! Love the apron. Merry Christmas,
xoxo Lidy

VancityAllie said...

Wow that is beautiful you are so lucky!

I love the Paris ceramics!

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...