The Bella Cottage's Romantic, New-Vintage Cottage Furniture

Hello, Friends! I hope your days and nights of 2011, so far, have been as wonderful as what you've dreamed they could be.

Today, I'm featuring an online boutique I discovered earlier this year, The Bella Cottage, located in North Hills, California.  Michelle Aspesi is the Founder & CEO of The Bella Cottage and her story about how she started this business is delightful.  At The Bella Cottage, they have delicate "vintage-looking" furniture that is new, affordable and durable.   Their style of furniture and furnishings are among my favorites because both compliment my 'dream bed' which is pictured below.  Isn't my dream bed gorgeous?


My Dream Bed
Among my list of 'heart's desire' items I have a favorite bed that's a part of the Jessica McClintock Romance line. And as mentioned, this boutique sells furniture and furnishings that compliment the dream bed(s) I desire, perfectly! They have so many items that I think are beautiful!  One day, I clicked through countless links and looked at many of the furniture pieces they had available at the time.  If I were to make a written list of all the furnishings I added to my mental list that day, the written list would contain approximately 25 items!  In planning my dreamy bedroom, I am really looking forward to decorating it with my Bella Cottage purchases! 

Wiconi is Lakota: Life & More Abundantly

Hello, Friends! Today's post features Wiconi International, an organization Co-Founded by Richard and Katherine Twiss. Wiconi, pronounced "we-cho-nee" is Lakota/Sioux term meaning "Life". Wiconi Internationl's aim is to help create a better future for First Nations, Native American people, that have suffered loss of land, dignity, self-respect, life and a way of living due to the actions of newcomers coming to the continent of America to establish homes for themselves by relocating, reducing and destroying those already in America. An excerpt from Wiconi International details more of Wiconi International's goal, followed by four (4) informative videos with Richard Twiss, below:

"At Wiconi International we seek to serve and empower Native people to experience a desired quality of life and a hope-filled future through authentic relationships and culturally supportive programs. We seek to live and walk among all people in a good way by following the ways of Jesus-- affirming, respecting and embracing the God-given cultural realities of Native American and Indigenous people, not rejecting or demonizing these sacred cultural ways.

"The thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." ~ John 10:10

These words of the Creator do not bring religion, legalism, shame, oppression or paternalism, though sadly, Christianity often does. Our prayer is that people will experience life in abundance for their spirit, soul and body!" ~ Wiconi International




Richard Twiss (www.wiconi.com) talks about his hope for the American Church's involvement with indigenous people.

PARABLES

Good day, everyone. I was watching Daystar network programming one day, a few weeks ago, and learned of Parables TV. Parables TV Network is a Christian movie channel connecting viewers, anytime, anywhere, with the best inspirational entertainment.

The name 'parables' is used to reflect the fact that movies tell stories that can convey important, valueable lessons for and about life, just as Christ Jesus told such stories known as 'parables'.  One of the most famous parables of Christ Jesus is the story of the Good Samaritan.

Here's an excerpt from a Wikipedia entry about the 'Parables of Jesus':

The parables of Jesus, can be found in all the Canonical gospels as well as in some of the non canonical gospels but are located mainly within the three synoptic gospels. They represent a key part of the teachings of Jesus, forming approximately one third of his recorded teachings. Christians place high emphasis on these parables, since they are the words of Jesus, they are believed to be what the Father has taught, indicated by John 8:28 and 14:10.

Jesus' parables are seemingly simple and memorable stories, often with imagery, and each conveys a message. Scholars have commented that although these parables seem simple, the messages they convey are deep, and central to the teachings of Jesus. Christian authors view them not as mere similitudes which serve the purpose of illustration, but as internal analogies where nature becomes a witness for the spiritual world.

Many of Jesus' parables refer to simple everyday things, such as a woman baking bread (parable of the Leaven), a man knocking on his neighbor's door at night (parable of the Friend at Night), or the aftermath of a roadside mugging (parable of the Good Samaritan); yet they deal with major religious themes, such as the growth of the Kingdom of God, the importance of prayer, and the meaning of love.

In Western civilization, these parables formed the prototype for the term parable and in the modern age, even among those who know little of the Bible, the parables of Jesus remain some of the best known stories in the world.

Parables TV:

• is poised to be "the" destination for Christian movies
• will also feature original series, documentaries, as well as specials that are profound and uplifting stories of faith
• aims to deliver on its mission to connect viewers with stories that uplift, inspire, connect and fulfill messages of hope, while entertaining and captivating their viewers
• for those seeking faith, inspirational entertainment and messages of hope.

After viewing some of the content, I thought you all might like to know of Parables TV and view the content yourself, then share it with your family, friends and acquaintances!


Below, are several videos that highlight the inspirational, enlightening content Parables TV Network shares.  Enjoy!

Accidentally Locked Myself In, A Miracle Got Me Out

I made a humorous mistake this past weekend.  This mistake turned into a wonderful reminder of a constant blessing I have.  I thought you all might like to know of it.  Here's my story:

This past weekend I installed a key-locking door knob set to a door.  It's something I've done before with a deadbolt lock, in another location.  Therefore, I considered it an easy task to do and knew I could install it quickly.  I had a totally positive mindset about my ability to install this key-locking doorknob set.  So, I ignored the quiet thought to turn down the volume on the television so that I could focus even more on the task I was about to do.  I was listening to, and intermittently watching, programming about the Bible as I was reading the directions and then beginning the installation of the door knob set.  My attention was divided.  I knew I was distracted, however I am so accustomed to multi-tasking with great success on my other tasks that I continued on.  Well, this time I omitted one crucial step which I didn't 'tune-in' to until after it happened.  That crucial, simple step was opening the door before removing a door knob!  I had completely removed the inside doorknob with the door closed, as I listened to the Bible programs.  Once the inside door knob was removed, I was ready to un-install the outer knob and that's when I 'tuned-in' fully to the task I was performing and realized I could not open the door, to remove the outer door knob!

Having one door knob completely removed with the door closed wouldn't have been the challenge that it was if someone else was available and on the other side of the door to open it for me, or push the outer door knob in toward the door while I re-installed the inner door knob.  However, there wasn't.  No one else (human) was there with me.  I was alone and no one was due to return until several hours later.  The landline telephone was just outside the door to the space I was in, so I couldn't use it to call for assistance.  I hadn't activated my cell phone, therefore I couldn't use it either.  I had no way to call anyone to come let me out.  At this point, I had to chuckle at myself for getting into this situation in the first place; I had completely removed the inner door knob to the door I now needed to open!

After chuckling at my wacky mistake, for a few moments I thought of being stuck in this space for approximately five hours or more as I waited for someone to return and open the door.  Then, moving forward beyond that thought, I began to try to re-install the inner door knob, several times.  Each time I tried, the outer door knob would move away from the inner door knob, preventing the re-connection. 

Being a Bible reader for many years and having experienced miracles from the Lord before, I was

Enjoying River Monsters! Have You Seen The Huge Stingrays?

River Monsters: True Stories of the Ones
that Didn't Get Away (Hardcover)

Hi, Everyone! Recently, during a break from computing I watched 'River Monsters' an Animal Planet show. This show has become one of my favorites. The host, Jeremy Wade, is a delight to watch and listen to as he encounters the extraordinary water-creatures. He seems to be living a dream-goal and immensely enjoying it. The water-creatures he encounters are amazing to say the least! Many times I am vocally reacting to the huge, huge size of the creatures being pulled from the water, by Wade. I enjoy fishing, too, so I find myself delightfully awed at the the physical effort it has taken to pull some of those extra-large, super-strong creatures from the water. I imagine the excitement that I feel over their catches is only a tiny fraction of the exhiliration they must feel actually being there and doing the catching! I tell you, until I saw 'River Monsters' I had no idea that such huge versions of catfish and other common fish existed! If you haven't seen 'River Monsters' yet the following Animal Planet videos are of the 'River Monsters' show. I hope you enjoy them.

Michelle Is: Webinars, Blogs, Videos and Laundry

Hello, Familia/Everyone!

I hope you've had a great week, so far. I've decided to make this particular post be about the goals I am accomplishing, as a way to share more of what it is that I do, with you. It's Wednesday, here in the USA, and so far I've accomplished a lot this week. To aid in achieving my goals, I make 'to do' lists of the actions I want to complete. When I complete a task I usually add a check-mark to that goal and I draw a line through the written word(s) like the strike-through on the following word. So far, this week I've:

• attended a webinar about BizMagination
• updated several blogs with new posts
• updated the copy of several blogs' textual widgets
• updated the images in a blog's slide show, after uploading the images to Photobucket
• added a color-customized Wibiya toolbar to eleven blogs
• attended a webinar about several ways to make $10,000 a month (legally and morally-right) online
• updated my e-mail accounts
• screened several videos for blog posts
• prepared my meals with fresh, unprocessed ingredients
• prepped my laundry
• changed the background color, the 'welcome' copy, the header content, added an advertisement, raised the post's height and made room for the Wibiya toolbar for another blog
• removed or re-positioned widgets on some blogs
• updated text links on some online sites
• updated a Facebook widget on a blog
• added Windows Live Essentials 2011 to this PC
• installed Adobe updates to this PC
• updated my dream-boards
• visited favorite blogs and other informational sites to keep up-to-date on various topics (real estate, SEO, social media, gardening, increasing income, and similar)
• updated my journal

Note:  It's easy to multi-task while working on the computer when doing online and offline projects if you're computer has the ability to support several windows and programs being 'open' at the same time.


So, I've checked those items and crossed them off as 'done'.  Before this week ends, I've planned to:

• 'follow' new Tweeple on Twitter
• launder the laundry
• do a bit of offline-shopping; go shopping at a local store
• add a few more posts to a hair care blog (that has expanded to being about nourishing the entire body in order to produce beautiful hair).
• attend another webinar of a 90-day challenge I've been participating in

Prior to this week of April 3-9, 2011, I've completed several tasks from January through March 2011.  A few of them are listed below:

Who Makes the Best Butterflies?

Hello, Everyone! Aren't butterflies beautiful! I think so. I suppose butterflies can be thought of as a symbol of how something or someone can achieve higher levels of functionality and their own beauty optimized, naturally/Supernaturally with our Creator's help.

Isn't our Creator such an extraordinary and brainy artist? Just think of all the awesome/awe-inspiring creatures, places/locations and things He's designed and created! I'm a fan of His works and I am looking forward to seeing more of it all in person.

Courtesy of Thy Word Forever

He Said, "Peace. Be Still."

Good Day, Everyone! Globally, the Earth has been experiencing stormy weather. As a Bible reader, I've read several of the stories about storms. One of the most memorable ones to me tells of how Jesus Christ actually spoke to the storm and the stormy weather obeyed His command and calmed down! That is astounding, isn't it. Here's a link to that amazing story:

³⁸And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
 ³⁹And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
 ⁴⁰And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? (Mark 4:38-40, King James Version).

This image, courtesy of Thy Word Forever, reminds me of that great story. It's my prayer that blessings manifest everywhere they are needed, in the places and people affected by the storms.  And, I am doing and will do what good I can to be a part of those blessings.  In  one way or another each of us can be a blessing to someone, somewhere. 

Khan Academy: A Creative Way to Enjoy Learning Math

http://www.khanacademy.org/about

Hey, Everyone! Recently, I saw the following video features about a guy that's teaching math, globally, in a creative, engaging way that's helping so many students. This is an amazingly wonderful gift and service he is providing!  The gentleman's name is Salman Khan. Khan is an American educator and founder of the Khan Academy, a free online education platform and not-for-profit organization. He has produced over 2200 popular videos that clearly explain a wide spectrum of concepts, with a focus on mathematics and sciences, in his home. His official  YouTube channel, 'Khan Academy' has, as of March 18, 2011, attracted more than 45 million views!  For more about Salman Khan, visit Salman Khan (educator) at Wikiipedia and the sites/links listed, above.

The following videos (two) feature Salman Khan and his online classroom, 'Khan Academy'.  Enjoy!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

C. Collins: I Am Yours, Lord.

Good Day, Everyone!  I was watching videos in the 'Praise the Lord - Past Shows' section of the TBN website in November or December 2010 and saw and heard Caleb Collins perform for the first time.  Immediately, I enjoyed his musical style with familiar tunes.  I believe I hear violins or violas in the tune he's playing in this video, in addition to the piano and other instruments.  I love the string instruments.  I played the piano, violin and viola when I was a pre-teen and one of my goals is to resume doing so.  I do wish I'd never stopped playing them.

I hope you enjoy Caleb's music, as much as I am! 

Just Married - Illustrations

Hello, Everyone.  I love beautiful illustrations and the following presentation has twelve lovely vector illustrations.  I think you all will enjoy them, too.

It's a delight to see the depiction of the joyfulness of these newlywed couples at the beginning of their marital romance!

Just Married - Chinese Illustrations Vector

View more presentations from Nubia *.

They Are His Horses

Good Day, Everyone! I think horses are one of our Creator's most beautiful creatures / creations!  Here are two wallpapers I discovered, recently, from 'Thy Word Forever' featuring horses.  I appreciate the way they've combined Scripture verses with beautiful photographs.  All three horses are beautiful; this literal Black Beauty, below, is breathtakingly gorgeous in gallop-mode!  Enjoy.

Follow Michelle's board His Exquisite Creatures! on Pinterest.

'Wings' - Airy, Breezy Flute Instrumental. Love It!

Hello, Everyone!

I'm a fan of a large variety on music, including beautiful instrumental music. The following video features the lovely flute music of Flautist, Laura Stincer.
I learned of her beautiful music through her YouTube invitation to me.  I hope you enjoy her music as much as I am; it's so soothing and peaceful!

Gorgeous Landscape Artwork by Ziganov

Achieving Depth & Distance:
Painting Landscapes in Oils

Landscapes by Ziganov

Hello, Everyone!  I'm a fan a various styles of art, and the art featured in this presentation is among my favorites. The majority of the slides feature gorgeous scenes of nature that are so beautifully depicted that I'd like to visit places and live in places that look like them! When you view the presentation you'll see what I mean.  Can you imagine yourself and/or your loved one(s) in such gorgeous locales. I can and I am imagining myself in the places depicted in:

• slides 2  & 4, with the canoe on the lake
• slide 3, at the gazebo on the lake
• slide 5, at the cabin in the forest and walking along the trails
• slide 6, enjoying the sunset on the lake
• slide 8, enjoying the cabin on the lake at sunset
• slides 9 & 18, enjoying the snowy cottage scenery
• slide 11, enjoying the tropical island and watching the pirate ship
• slide 12, enjoying the Autumn scenery from the bridge
• slide 15, vacationing at the snowy village
• slide 16 & 17, enjoying Spring-time on the lake 
• slide 19, enjoying the sunny scenery at the creek
• slide 20, 24, 25, 26, 28, 31, 32 & 33, enjoying Summer-time beauty of each
• slide 21 & 22, enjoying the snowy scenery
• slide 23, enjoying the beautiful Autumn day around the cabin
• slides 27 & 36, enjoying the beach
• slide 29, enjoying the waterfall, rainbow and tranquility of this tropical locale
• slide 30, Autumn in the forest at the creek

I think you will enjoy this collection of absolutely beautiful landscape artwork! I'm grateful that Ziganov created the landscape art and that Nubia is sharing the presentation of it.  Aren't you?

Wonderful Artwork of Ziganov

View more presentations from Nubia *.

My One and Only Love

The Future Mr. & Mrs. Pendragon

'Arthur', future King of Camelot portrayed by Bradley James

'Guinevere', future Queen of Camelot portrayed by Angel Coulby

Hello, 'Merlin' Fans!  Here's an 'Arthur + Guinevere' fan video by YouTube videographer, 'teenloveCC'.  It's one of my favorites.  In their comment section about their video 'teenloveCC' stated that it 'wasn't much' and it was a video that they 'threw together'.  I replied and told 'teenloveCC' that I think it 'IS MUCH' and that they did a great job for a video they just 'threw together'.  If you all have been following the 'Merlin' series, you know why the tune, 'My One and Only Love', accompanying this video suits Arthur and Guinevere, of the 'Merlin' series.  I hope you all enjoy it, too!

Beautiful Architecture & Landscape Design: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Hello, Everyone! As you may know by now, the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is one of my favorite works of architecture; it's a beautiful building. Here's a bit of information about the chateau, in case you are not familiar with it yet.

"The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte is a baroque French château located in Maincy, near Melun, 55 km southeast of Paris in the Seine-et-Marne département of France. It was built from 1658 to 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, Marquis de Belle Île, Viscount of Melun and Vaux, the superintendent of finances of Louis XIV.

The château was, in many ways, the most influential work built in Europe in the mid-17th century and the most elaborate and grand house built in France after the Château de Maisons. At Vaux-le-Vicomte, the architect Louis Le Vau, the landscape architect André le Nôtre, and the painter-decorator Charles Le Brun worked together on a large-scale project for the first time. Their collaboration marked the beginning of a new order: the magnificent manner that is associated with the "Louis XIV style" involving a system of collective work, which could be applied to the structure, its interiors and works of art and the creation of an entire landscape. The garden's use of a baroque axis that extends to infinity is an example of this style.

Once a small château located between the royal residences of Vincennes and Fontainebleau, the estate of Vaux-le-Vicomte was purchased by Nicolas Fouquet in 1641. At that time he was an ambitious twenty-six year-old member of the Parlement of Paris. Fouquet was an avid patron of the arts and attracted many artists with the gifts and encouragements he poured on them.

When Fouquet became King Louis XIV's superintendent of finances (Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry (France)) in 1657, he commissioned Le Vau, Le Brun and Le Nôtre to renovate his estate and garden to match his grand ambition. Fouquet’s artistic and cultivated personality subsequently brought out the best in the three.

To secure the necessary grounds for the elaborate plans for Vaux-le-Vicomte’s garden and castle, Fouquet purchased and demolished three villages. The displaced villagers were then employed in the upkeep and maintenance of the gardens. It was said to have employed eighteen thousand workers and cost as much as sixteen million livres.

The château and its patron became for a short time a focus for fine feasts, literature and arts. The poet La Fontaine and the playwright Molière were among the artists close to Fouquet. At the inauguration of Vaux-le-Vicomte, a Molière play was performed, along with a dinner event organized by François Vatel, and an impressive firework show." ~ Wikipedia

Learn more about the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Nicolas Fouquet and his family.

Classy, Smooth Guitar & Trumpet Jazz by Mr. Instrumentalist, The Musician

Hello, Everyone!

I enjoy a broad spectrum of music genres and jazz is one of them. I'm a fan of classy, smooth jazz music, particulary instrumental jazz. The video below features the smooth, beautiful guitar and trumpet jazz music of 'Mr. Instrumentalist'. I learned of 'Mr. Instrumentalist' via another one of his music videos that he sent to me via YouTube, around December 2010. I hope you enjoy his beautiful music, too!

Photo is courtesy of Photos8.com

Pour Femme & Homme: Exquisite Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2011 Attire

Hello, Everyone!

Recently, late last year around the end of November, I became a fan of Dolce & Gabbana fashion designs while reviewing several fashion show videos.  I've been familiar with the name for awhile, however I hadn't taken the time to discover what was so appealing to others about D & G.  Now, that I've seen these fashion collections for 2011, I know what some of the excitement is about!  The videos, below, feature the Dolce & Gabbana Spring/Summer 2011 Women's & Men's fashions.

As I viewed the women's fashions I was simply stunned at how so very 'me' these garments are; I adore this type of clothing for Spring & Summer!  I'm a huge fan of lace, eyelet detailing, silk, satin and linen.   Every piece in this fashion show was exquisite!  I  love the femininity of each garment.  Honestly, I don't know how they could make these garments any more beautiful than they are!  Now that I've seen them, I want at least one of each garment, including the dresses and skirts in a knee-length or calf-length version, for my Spring & Summer 2011 wardrobe!  The undergarments and the shoes are beautiful, as well.  Being an artist I noticed the beautiful hairstyles, too, and every model's hairstyle fits the theme of this fashion show and complimented the garments.

As I viewed the men's fashions I found these designs to be exquisite, too.  The suits are perfect, the shorts & shirt ensembles are very attractive, and the trousers/slacks are too!  The undergarments and bathrobes are appealing, as well.  I think these menswear designs would look great on nearly any man.  And, ladies, don't the men modeling these clothes look like God's handsome works of art?  I think so!

Great fashions!  Enjoy!

How Can I Not Love ... 'ArGuin' of 'Merlin'?

Guinevere and Arthur of 'Merlin'.

Hello, Everyone! I hope that the few and fresh, brand new days of 2011 have been delightful for you! They have been for me!

As you may have read in a previous post, I am a fan of the romantic stories in 'Ever After: A Cinderella Story' and of Arthur and Guinevere, among others, in 'Merlin'. During this recent Christmas holiday season, I had the opportunity to view creative, fan videos of the 'Merlin' series on YouTube. Among those fan videos were several with great choices of music to accompany the scenes and compliment the storyline of the 'Guinevere + Arthur' romance. One of my favorites, of these videos, has the tune, 'How Can I Not Love You' by Joy Enriquez accompanying it. I'm sharing that 'Guinevere + Arthur' fan video with you, below! Along with it I've included a video of Joy Eniquez singing her lovely tune, and a link to a 'Tristan + Isolde' fan video featuring this tune.

Guinevere and Arthur
Series / Season 3 begins airing
in USA, on SyFy channel,
on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011!

An Aside:  Thinking of the 'Isolde + Tristan' video that you'll see, if I'd written that movie Isolde would not marry the other guy, instead she and Tristan would marry. I thought how awful it must have been to be a wife to a man (yes, he was a wealthy, handsome royal) you do not love, nor desire! To make the story worse, Isolde and Tristan gave in to the temptation of their love and desire for each other, after she married someone else and committed adultery; I wouldn't have written that into the story. They shouldn't have committed aldultery no matter how much they loved and desired each other. That was such a sad, sad 'cannot be married to each other' story. A re-make of this movie, preferably with these actors and actress as the three lead characters, should have Isolde and Tristan only marry each other, and live a long, faithful, happiness-filled life together! It would be a great, romantic movie!


Related Posts:

• Merlin, A Delightful British Series! Seasons 1 & 2 Episodes
• Merlin Series Complete Episodes 1.1 - 1.13 and 2.1 - 2.13.

Merlin, Morgana, Guinevere, Arthur & The Great Dragon, Kilgarrah

Hello, 'Merlin' Fans! The following videos are episode clips of the show that I think you will enjoy!

Series / Season 3 of 'Merlin' begins airing on the SyFy channel (in USA) on January 7, 2011.  You can view complete episodes 1.1 through 1.13 and 2.1 through 2.13 at 'Merlin Series' on Widgets and Gadgets.  I've enjoyed watching them and getting caught up; I think you all will, too!

'Guinevere Saves Arthur'