5/18/14

Awesome, breathtaking sunset



A beautiful sunset last night across the lake I did see.
Oh how grateful I am for Thee.

I looked up to see this awesome sunset from my sunroom windows and grabbed my camera.  Wouldn't you agree that it is breathtaking?

5/16/14

The Beautiful Iris On Mavrik Lane

Several weeks ago when I thought Spring would surely never stick, I painted this artwork of one of the irises in my garden.  The vibrant colors tugged at me on that very chilly Spring day.  Today I decided I wanted to share it with all of you on this super fine Friday.  Have a great weekend!

5/12/14

Mother's Day 2014

 

I hope you all had a beautiful Mother's Day.
My husband made me a delicious scallop dinner on Saturday
On Sunday he took me to brunch and a visit through the historic district.
I felt so wonderfully pampered after the weekend which ended with a visit from my daughter and grandson plus a phone call from my son.
Ah ...life is good!

P.S.  The beautiful roses are from my husband.

4/28/14

Lanai chairs

Spent the weekend shopping for new furniture for the lanai and was fortunate to find this woven chair ...got two.  Will be picking up the coordinating bench next week.  The furniture is very well made and fits perfectly in the space.  We still need to re-stain the teak bar, but the room is slowly coming together.  Accessories will be the last to be added so right now the space still looks a bit bland because it is void of color ...primarily only neutrals.
Have a great Monday!

4/21/14

The Lanai is truly ready for some Spring love

Now that I have returned from my travels, I am ready to start my Spring cleaning and re-decorating.  Actually, I'm not too anxious to do the cleaning part; however, the layers of dust must be cleaned away to make-ready for the re-decorating part ...the fun part for me.
It is time to bring in some Spring accessories and color.  We are anxious to set up the table and chairs for outdoor dining and entertaining ...my all time favorite thing to do this time of year.
Usually I don't post this way ...before photos with no after shots , but I am a bit behind because I have been traveling and am paddling as fast as I can while the weather is so mild and beautiful.  It will be a few days before the Spring cleaning can get underway since I am also in the midst of clearing out our other house that has been sold.  I look forward to Spring because it means adding a punch of color to this wonderfully inviting outdoor space.  I've already purchased my Spring tablecloth and the color is awesome.  Hope you will come back to see the transformation from Fall/Winter Lanai to Spring/Summer.

12/22/13


Merry Christmas from my front door to yours this holiday season!

12/10/13

One Horse Open Sleigh

 
 
Hello...
 
More decorations got put-up over the weekend.
 
I have a tiny collection of mice that I started in high school so you may be able to image my squeal when I found these little guys.  You can see another one from my collection here.
 
How's your Christmas decorating going?

11/25/13

Getting Into The Christmas Spirit ...Why Not?

 
When it comes to decorating for the holidays here at Mavrik Lane, I don't do anything special for Thanksgiving ...never have.  The meal pretty much does all the decorating for our family table.

Although I have cut-back a great deal on decorating for Christmas, I do love to decorate for this holiday and start putting a few choice decorations out before Thanksgiving day. 
 
I say... to each their own.  Start your own traditions.  Spread the joy when and as much as possible.

11/7/13

A trip down memory lane in Holland


Started doing some extra, deep cleaning around the house to get ready for guests for the holidays and to make room for decorating for Christmas.  I found something I forgot I had.


Brought back lots of great and grateful memories while living in The Netherlands.

Jan

http://wherewomenblog.ning.com/page/gratitude

11/1/13


Such a pleasure to share the special memories with the ones we love. . .

4/26/13

I Have Returned From Hibernation

 
Though I seek to create a calm and soothing environment...
sometimes I remain too busy to enjoy my world.
 
I've been away, but I have returned from my blogging hibernation.
I've been working hard on my new business venture these past months and finally squeezed out some time to blog here at Mavrik Lane again.
I've certainly missed visiting all the bloggers, but I'm catching up on the news now.

Unfortunately, while working on other things ...my blogging computer died and along with it several of my photos were lost.  I certainly look forward to sharing new ones with you soon though.

1/12/13

Simplifying and Liberating

There is such a feeling of being liberated after deciding to simplify.

12/28/12

Taking a simple break to breathe

Oh how thankful I am for a moment to sit and just breathe.
Do you too long for simplicity after the Christmas holidays?

It is so bitter cold out, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the sprigs of lavendar that I cut today.
The plant is still so beautiful and fragrant ...I wasn't expecting that.

Enjoy your weekend!
Jan

12/27/12

A dusting of snow and then...

Snow lake dusting 12-26-12
The wind howled ...darting this way and that all around our villa leaving behind a beautiful dusting of snow.
Then the snow melted and these appeared...
Geese 2012
these beautiful geese.  Didn't see any last year, but this year they are BIG and hungry!
Jan signature

12/26/12

Christmas Tour 2012

Xmas white feather christmas tree 2012

Christmas is for creating memories...

Xmas white tree starfish 2012
Starting and keeping traditions...

Xmas mantel 2012 tree present
For hugs and gifts from Santa...

Xmas santa foyer table 2012
And no matter where you roam ... a place to call home!

Xmas 1 chandelier light on

Xmas collage 2012

Xmas decor 2
Xmas decor 5

Xmas decor 8

Xmas decor sm collage 1
Xmas tour sm collage



Jan signature
Resources:  Photography by Jan @ BellaCasa, TheBellaCasaBlog.com

11/12/12

In honor of those who have served, sacrificed, and supported a Veteran.

To my loving husband.

~Jan