MY NAME IS BETTY .. AND THIS IS MY LIFE ..."WELCOME"


Thursday, July 30, 2009

My FAMILY HEIRLOOMS

This swan planter may seem like an unlikely heirloom ..but it's the only thing we have that was my husband's mother's .. she died about 39 years ago and it's amazing that this planter has not disintegrated ... we had two but unfortunately some kids took one from our porch and smashed it in the street years ago... I know this is not an heirloom that will be passed down for generations ..but it's very special to both me and of course to my husband Joe.
I inherited this 'grinder' from my Mother years ago when she stopped cooking .. I have memories of her grinding garlic and chile peppers in it when she made salsa for our family when I was growing up .. It sets on our counter and we still use it today ... My mother was born in Mexico and only cooked Mexican food for our family so she used this 'molcajete' a lot.
This bracelet is probably the most important and treasured 'heirloom' I have .. My Father gave it to my Mother when she was 18 years old ... she never took it off until about 10 years ago when she gave it to me for Christmas ... When I opened the little gift box and saw what it was, I could only stare at it and then at her ... I asked her why she was giving it to me and she said
"because I want to see you wear it with a happy heart"
I've never taken it off since ... My Mom is 90 years old.
It is truly my most treasured heirloom.

My Mom also gave me these other bracelets one at a time ... she has always worn multiple bracelets and she has given both me and my sister bracelets off of her wrist .. I have been wearing the other three for over 45 years .. at least... I never take them off and neither does my sister Susu.
I just ran across Marie's blog at
Emma Calls Me Mama
... I love that name ... how sweet. .. I love her blog and spent some time reading about her wonderful family heirlooms .. what great stories ... I was also excited to join in on the fun and post pictures and share a story or two about my heirlooms .. So I walked around my house with my 'camera phone' to find just the right things to share ...Well, to my surprise we don't have any heirlooms .. as sad as that sounds, it's true .. Both my husband and I come from families who really didn't have much to pass down .. and if there was anything we were not lucky enough to get them ..Funny thing is that I never realized this until today ...so as sad as that is I guess it's OK since we never thought about it .. My house is filled with so many antiques and collectibles that I hope will some day become heirlooms for our children and grand children ...and it also made me think that maybe this is one of the reasons that I do enjoy collecting so that I can leave things to pass down to my family.

So after walking around the house I did find the swan and my Mom's grinder... then as I sat typing I looked at my wrist and saw my most treasured possession .. My Mother's bracelet.

THANK YOU AUNT ROSE

Our beautiful Aunt Rose came to my Mom's birthday party and gave these to me as a gift along with two guest towels that she embroidered herself when she was 18 years old.
The apples are made in the "Martha Stewart Green" that I love.
They are so beautiful and they are filled
with a yummy smelling potpourri.
I can't wait to get the pattern.
AUNT ROSE IS 88 YEARS OLD.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

RANDOM TABLESCAPE

I don't think there is any rhyme nor reason to this tablescape ... but I liked the colors and I have always liked stars.
My old friends the "Moon People"
A little jack-in-the-box with a monkey head
I found at a yard sale
Just things I like to look at.
Star cup and saucers given to me
by my daughter Jennifer.





Thursday, July 23, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ENRIQUETA SEGOVIA READE

My Mom's Birthday Fiesta We had family and friends celebrating with us ...some of who we had not seen for many years
Four generations
Me, my Mom, my daughter Juliet
and my grand daughter Natalie
MY MOM TURNED "90"
The dancers were amazing
and their costumes were beautiful
and what's a fiesta without a pinata
We had so much going on that we actually forgot to break it...lol
The picture in the middle is my Mom when she was 18 years old.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

I know 4th of July is over.

But I'm about to change my table so I decided to share it with you anyway ...even though it's almost August. :^(













Sunday, July 19, 2009

OMG! .. I just can't remember that my 'last posts will come up first ... so sorry but my bathroom pixtures are 'backwards'..lol

This is the old light fixture in the bathroom ..it has some missing parts but I still love it .. I don't know anything about it except that it was in our hallway when we moved in and I had it moved to the bathroom.
Let's talk 'window'
This window is right next to the toilet.. I mean you can sit with elbow on the windowsill and look out the window ...so I had to come up with something.I found these curtain rodes in an antique store .
they"swing"
open during the day and we can close them at night ..or when we want some privacy ...lol
I made the 'curtain' out of an old pillow case.


More Bathroom Pix

We used to have an old tank top toilet ..it was a pain ... when we replaced it I just couldn't get rid of the tank ..so there it is.
We only had this old tub for many, many years ... "no shower" .. It was a happy day in the neighborhood when we finally added a second bathroom and a "shower"!
I'm sorry to say the old tub is hardly ever used anymore... I guess we just let life get to busy .. no time for soaking. :^(
Hanging in the corner is my Mom's old chenille robe.
My friend Judy taught me to wrap my toilet paper in tissue ... It only takes a second ... then I can leave it out for guests to find and I don't mind looking at it .. you can also reuse the tissue over and over.. you can also use pretty pattern papers.



Today I'm taking you to my "old" bathroom

As you can see I even fill my bathroom with "stuff"

I just can't help myself. :^)
Both my Father and my brother Jim wore Old Spice ... They are both gone now but I still love the sent and the bottles ... Soooo ..It's just another thing to collect. :^)
The vanity is really ugly so I made a skirt out of a tablecloth to cover it ... I will replace it someday ...I hope.
There is no counter space in this old bathroom so I used this ironing board ..One of the treasures my brother Jim gave me.
Stuff, stuff and more stuff ..."I LOVE IT"
Looking in the door... The light switch is outside the door in the hallway .. It's very handy ..I don't know why they stopped doing that.
(this was supposed to be the start of my bathroom tour)
LOL

Thursday, July 16, 2009

NEW GREAT GRAND BOY

GREAT GRAND BABY OF THE WEEK
I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE
* JUDE WRIGLEY MIRANDA*
yes his Dad is a huge baseball fan.
Jude was born July 12,2009
He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz.
His proud parents are Daniel and Heather
and his big 3 year old brother is Jaxon
Jude's grandparents are our daughter
Tina and her husband Mark
"LIFE IS GOOD"

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Moon and Stars

I've had this picture of a distant relative, 'Tio Mike' forever ... I always thought it was interesting and pretty cool... Then recently I found this other picture of a girl on a moon very much like my picture in a box of old photographs ...I have no idea who this girl is.
Has anyone ever seen one like these before ...I sure would like to have a collection of them.


Friday, July 3, 2009

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe 4th of July.

I"ve been soo busy making tissue paper flowers and other decorations for my Mom's big fiesta . ... I've missed you all but I have not had much time to visit my favorite blogs for a couple of weeks .. I hope to be back after my Mom's big 90th birthday Fiesta next Saturday.

Hugz ...Betty


"Wine cellar "AFTER:"

"Wine cellar "AFTER:"
This is another view of the cellar.

Wow!

Wow!
This is Louie running in the heat.

Congratulations Louie!

Congratulations Louie!

Michael & Maegann

Michael & Maegann
I got so busy that I forgot to post Michael and Maegann's birthdays .. They are brother and sister and they are both amazing young people .. I am so very proud of both of them and I am so blessed to be their grandma. ... Happy Very Late Birthday to both of you. ♥

One of my favorite gifts..This thing is 'huge' ..notice the Halloween pumpkin still on my porch.

One of my favorite gifts..This thing is 'huge' ..notice the Halloween pumpkin still on my porch.
I got so many wonderful gifts, but this one is really special ..Thank you Jennifer ♥

I love this hand made gift. ♥

I love this hand made gift. ♥
My daughter Tina made me this wonderful garden art .. The top piece lights up at night ... I can't wait for spring to find the perfect place for it. ..Thank you Tina. ♥

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM*

*HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM*
Grandma Queta turns "91"!

Job well done!!

Job well done!!
Congratulations Michael for another year helping raise $$ for Aids... So proud of you.... This picture is of Michael and his Mom ..my daughter, Jennifer. :^)

Michael..AIDS LIFECYCLE RIDE ..From San Francisco to Los Angeles.

Michael..AIDS LIFECYCLE RIDE ..From San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Last year my grandson Michael and my grand daughter Natalie both road in the aids ride to help make a difference..This year Michael and his friend Justin will be out there again ...I am very proud of these young people.. I will be posting more later to let everyone who would like to donate to Michael..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIET

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIET
Happy birthday to my wonderful daughter and one of my best friends.

*BIRTHDAYS*

January, February and March are our "birthday months" ... We have so many birthdays at this time of the year that it makes your head spin ... Although every single one of them is so important, we sometimes just can't celebrate each one like we should .. But we all know we are special and that we are loved by our big family.

There have been all kinds of parties and celebrations, some are big and some may be having pizza at our local pizza place ..but we always have fun.

One of the celebrations that stands out in our family memories is the one where my son-in-law invited about 20 people over for an early brunch since my dauther Jennifer works nights he knew she would be sleeping ... he had us all stand around her bed and outside their big picture window were everyone could look in and she could see everyone outside. ...Well, she woke up to a bunch of "fire crackers" that he lit outside the window... Oh yeah! ...It was not pretty when she jumped up out of a dead sleep ... Saying .."what the hell"!!!! along with a few other words #@%$$#&**##@!!!! .. especially when she raealized that there were 15 people standing around her bed.. she wanted to kill her dear hubby ..but she laughed and has never forgotten her 40th birthday ......So that tells you what kind of a family we have ... there's always something that is good for a laugh ...and it makes for great dinner stories.... So I am saying ....* HAPPY BIRTHDAY* to all of us who will be or has been celebrating a birthday .... I love you all ..and I am blessed. :^)

So that gives you an idea of what kind of a family we are ...

Kind of hate to see Christmas end.

Kind of hate to see Christmas end.

Daniel and Heather's wedding

Daniel and Heather's wedding


I made this from a plastic pumpkin

I made this from a plastic pumpkin
I wish the right side was not cut off .. that's the best part ..lol ..who can tell me how to fix this ...I know there is a way..."help somebody" ...lol

Fall is just around the corner

Fall is just around the corner
I just found some great fall decorations at the Dollar Tree .. Can't wait to use them ..."I LOVE FALL".

Joe & friend Wayne went backpacking..

Joe & friend Wayne went backpacking..
it was beautiful and he cought these great fish ... and ate it!

HAPPY 21ST OF JULY

HAPPY 21ST OF JULY

MY NEW FRIEND ...just had to share.

MY NEW FRIEND ...just had to share.
I guess this has been around forever ..but I just found it and "I LOVE IT" ... I think it's the best thing since sliced bread ( or tortillas) ... it works great on rust, coffee stains .. whatever! ..thanks Karen for telling me about it.

LUIS* GRAND KID OF THE WEEK

LUIS* GRAND KID OF THE WEEK
Luis ..or Louie as we call him in the family ... lives every man's dream life right now ... in the summer he is a river rafting guide ...

in the winter he works at a sky resort ...

just for fun he climbs mountains ...

OMG!

he's a hard worker...

...and he's one of the sweetest persons I know. :^)

Something "just for fun"

Something "just for fun"
I just couldn't throw this away so Tina and I thought it would be a fun addition to her garden. ... "I want it back" ....lol

Tina's Guest Cottage

Tina's Guest Cottage
Cottage 93422 ... she rents it out... I want to stay there ..it's soo cute.

GRAND GIRL OF THE WEEK*

GRAND GIRL OF THE WEEK*
MAEGANN ELIZABETH* Congratulations ... We love you and are proud of you ...Hugz ...Grandma Betty

She did it!

She did it!
Maegann wearing her lei. :^)

"WE DID IT"!!!! ( 2009)

"WE DID IT"!!!!  ( 2009)
Michael & Natalie .. I'm soo proud of you ... great job!

Update on the Aids Ride

Update on the Aids Ride
"IT'S RAINING"!!!!

Natalie ..Aids Ride ... 2009

Natalie ..Aids Ride ... 2009
Go Nat! ...I'm so pround of these two ...in this picture My grandkids are half way there! ... ready to sleep in their own beds ..but still smiling. :^)
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A LITTLE RED AND YELLOW OUTSIDE TOO.

A LITTLE RED AND YELLOW OUTSIDE TOO.

Louie Reade Fire Fighter

Louie Reade Fire Fighter
My brother Louie is a wonderful, wonderful man who always gives of himself and talks to children at their schools about fire safty... He is a wonderful brother and my good friend. ... Happy Birthday Dear Brother.

ME AND MY DAUGHTER JENNIFER

ME AND MY DAUGHTER JENNIFER
this picture was taken in the early 70's .. Jennifer is now 41 years old .. We are standing in the middle of what is now our lawn and gardens ..I love seeing the changes from 1915 to now ... It must have been morning since I'm still in my robe ...lol

YOU DON'T NEED A FACE TO TELL A STORY

YOU DON'T NEED A FACE TO TELL A STORY




A Birthday Gift From Louie & Yoly

A Birthday Gift From Louie & Yoly
My brother Louie & his wife Yoly gave me a gift card for my birthday back in Feb. .. I went shopping with my daughter Julie and she convinced me that I should not buy something like underware when you get a gift card ..she said I should buy something I don't need or would probably not buy for myself ...so I bought this great bike flower pot stand ... Don't you just love it? ... I still have to put some pots in it ... Julie was right .. Thanks Louie and Yoly. :^)

A GIFT FROM RITA

A GIFT FROM RITA
What a wonderful surprise I got today when the postman left a package at my door! .. I was having a regular day doing what I do ..then I found a package on my porch .. I had no idea who it was from .. then I saw that it was from my niece Rita Reade ..I can't tell you how thrilled I was shen I saw what she had sent me ..."A beautiful bag full of trinkets" ....I just love every single thing in the bag and the bag is a treasure in itself .. and guess what? .. It's not even my birthday!... I don't think I've ever gotten a gift in the mail for no reason at all .. and don't you just love getting packages in the mail? .. Thank you soo much Rita for all the beautiful things and for making my day soo special... I love you ... Hugz ...Tia Betty

Mammabellarte.blogspot.com


I love this little bag "tied" with an old clip on earing.

BEAUTIFUL!

I am feeling so special right now

I am feeling so special right now
THANK YOU RITA. :^)

Some Mexican Folk Art

Some Mexican Folk Art
When I was a little girl my Mother had a couple of these bird feather paintings in our living room ..so now I have a small collection of them in my home.



This is one of my favorites

My Mexican outdoor kitchen

My Mexican outdoor kitchen
Another old stove .. this one lives out doors in our Mexican patio / kitchen.

We brought a little bit of Mexico to our corner .. I'll show you more of the Mexican dining room when I get some new pictures ... This part of our yard is one of our favorite "out door rooms."

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU.

DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU.

This is what $1.49 pot of ivy can do to your garden! .. This "was" my 'children's garden'.

This is what $1.49 pot of ivy can do to your garden! .. This "was" my 'children's garden'.
I've been working on it so I hope to show it to you soon without all the evy ..it's like "The Secret Garden" .. I'm finding all kinds of treasures under all the ivy ...Wish me luck!

My Purses

My Purses
One of my hobbies ...making purses. .. These are some I made last summer.

Old World

Old World

Sandy's Cottage

Sandy's Cottage
These are pictures of my friend Sandy's little "3 room" cottage ... It's always a treat to visit her and see what she has done new .. It's a little doll house.

living room

living room

living room

living room

She 'painted' her piano white!

She 'painted' her piano white!
She 'painted' her piano white!

more painted furniture

more painted furniture

Sandy put down used brick in all of the rooms and then white washed them on her knees.

Sandy put down used brick in all of the rooms and then white washed them on her knees.

yep... she painted the fire place too.

yep... she painted the fire place too.

Her big bed in her little bedroom

Her big bed in her little bedroom

Bathroom

Bathroom

Sandy set this beautiful breakfast table for my birthday.

Sandy set this beautiful breakfast table for my birthday.

My Dear friend "Miss Sandra"

My Dear friend "Miss Sandra"

WELCOME TO MY HOME

WELCOME TO MY HOME

My Kitchen

My Kitchen
I love my red stove ... The stove is one of my favorite "prizes" ...it was a gift from my nephew Dean Reade ..Not a day goes by that I don't think of Dean when I look at my stove.

MY DISH WASHER

MY DISH WASHER
I told you my house is pretty much like it was when it was built in 1915 ... I have no dish washer, no garbage disposal, no trash compacter, not even a teenager to wash my dishes.



laundry room at Christmas time

laundry room at Christmas time

Yard sale weekend

Last Saturday was a city wide yard sale in a near by beach town called Morro Bay ...it's about a 15 minute drive from our town ...I went with two of my daughters, Julie and Jennifer. ..They picked me up at 6:30 am ...we wanted to be the "early birds" so we could get the best "prizes" ..of course everyone else had the same idea ... Tina, our oldest daughter also followed in her car with cousin Pam ... we had to take two cars to have enough room for our treasures ... good thing we did take two cars because they were both 'packed' when we came home ... It was such a fun day. One of the things I bought was a service for 12 set of Spring looking dishes .. but when I put them on my table they just 'didn't work for me' ..so Tina is going to try to sell them at her yard sale next weekend.... You can't win them all.

Easter

Easter
I love my bunnies



Dining room Easter table

Dining room Easter table
My first attempt at making a bunny out of clay

dining room Easter table

dining room Easter table





la la la ..Happy birthday to you " ..la la ..happy birthday to you ...la la...Happy birthday 'Dear Yolanda" ..happy birthday to you ...la la la


A touch of Easter in the kitchen

A touch of Easter in the kitchen
These eggs are kid's sidewalk chalk from the Dollar Tree


A BIRTHDAY "PRIZE" FOR YOLANDA

A BIRTHDAY "PRIZE" FOR YOLANDA
My sister-in-law Yoly loves hankies .. I could not find any in the stores so I hit the yard sales and found this old box and a bunch of old vintage hankies in the bottom of a box of junk .. I washed and ironed them and put them in this great old box .. under the hankies there is also a vintage apron. .. I love this kind of stuff... I hope she does too. :^)

hankies

hankies