One of my favorite posts from the past

I ran into a former coworker yesterday and she said she thought of me the other day when she saw someone helping an elderly person across the street.  She was referencing this story that I shared on my blog over 2 years ago.  What I experienced  that day changed my life forever.  I learned that when you help someone in need you actually get more out of it than the person that needed the help. 

Spring

Spring and Summer, originally uploaded by Romantic Home.I've been so busy lately and thought about taking a blog break for a few days but rather than do that I'm going to just repost some things I've shared before. This is a mosaic I made from flickr favorites 3 years ago. Since it's Easter week I thought it would be great to share it again.

Work in Progress...

I've been wanting to paint my bedroom for years. That blue paint I had in there previously photographed a lot better than it actually looked in person. I never did like it and I'm not sure what took me so long but it's finally gone! And I'm so happy!It looks rather boring in here now because I'm not finished. I'll be adding light blue drapes on the window and I'm going to cover the mirrored

Blogger Problems today

There is problems uploading photos on Blogger today. I painted my bedroom this weekend and wanted to show you but it will have to wait until I can upload the photos!

New Homes in Del Sur Continue To Sell - San Diego, CA

New Homes in San Diego

Demand for Del Sur homes in San Diego continues to be strong.

“Momentum continues to build at Del Sur,” said Bill Ostrem, president and CEO of Black Mountain Ranch LLC, developer of the 1,800-acre amenities-rich community. “The many qualities of our community, including neighborhood parks, high-achieving schools and miles of open space trails, speak volumes to today’s home buyer.”

According to Del Sur builders, like Shea Homes, new construction is under way or expected to start soon, and additional homes are planned for release next month.

New Homes Builder

Three homes have sold since March 1 at Madeira at Del Sur by Shea Homes, selling out Phase 1 and 2. Since Jan. 1, the neighborhood has sold 15 homes. Phase 3 will be released within the next few months. Construction of Phase 1 is planned to start at the end of April. Madeira’s six floor plans span approximately 1,779 to 2,415 square feet and have two and three stories, up to five bedrooms and four bathrooms and two-car garages. Madeira prices start from the low $500,000s.

Three homes have sold since March 1 and only a few remain at Mandolin at Del Sur, also by Shea Homes. Eight homes have sold year-to-date. Construction is now under way on Phase 5, with early summer move-in expected. The attached-home neighborhood is priced from the high $400,000s. Mandolin offers five floor plans ranging from 1,643 to 2,333 square feet. The homes have two to five bedrooms, 2.5 to four baths and attached two-car garages. Set along one of the highest hilltops within the master-planned community, Mandolin is the only planned condominium community at Del Sur.

Del Sur San Diego has a strong environmental ethic, which is evident throughout its residential neighborhoods, within its construction practices and in its recreational amenities, including eight proposed private parks and 18 miles of hiking trails spread out over 1,800 acres of dedicated open space. All of the parks are designed to be energy efficient, with solar-heated pools, and attractive landscaping featuring drought-resistant plantings that use only reclaimed water. Cost savings from these conservation efforts are passed along to residents. The pedestrian-friendly community of Del Sur eventually will have 2,500 homes.

San Diego New Homes

Show and Tell

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday! This week I'm sharing my old pitcher I bought on eBay about this time last year. Sorry...I'm actually using those old photos from last year too because I didn't get a chance to take new ones. I fell in love with this the minute I saw it and the timing was perfect because I had just gotten a tax refund. Unfortunately this year there isn't any tax refund to spend

Sittin' on the dock of the bay...

Remember that song by Otis Redding "The Dock of the Bay"? Well, I was sittin' on a deck above a dock of the San Francisco Bay last weekend with my friends Kim and Natasha and that song came to mind. To me, there is nothing better than sitting at an outside restaurant and it's even better if the restaurant happens to be on the water...and it's even better when you're with friends that make you

The sweet scent of lilacs...

This is one of the bouquets of lilacs I picked last weekend...I took another one about this same size to work. When I got to work I sat it on my counter and when I heard my friend Natasha at her desk I went to pick up the vase to show her the flowers and I knocked over a candy dish and as I tried to catch the candy dish I knocked over the lilacs. I knocked the whole vase right on top of the

It's Lilac Time!

My lilacs are blooming and I've picked two huge bouquets....one for home and one for work! Ahhh...I wish you could smell them! I had such a wonderful weekend! I went to Sausalito and Tiburon (cute little towns on the San Francisco Bay) for lunch and shopping with friends. Of course I brought my camera so I'll have photos later in the week!

Buy a New Home with No/Reduced Down Payment, Zero/Reduced Closing Costs and a Low Interest Rate!

New Homes Builder

Looking for a way to buy a home with no down payment or low down payment? How about with zero or reduced closing costs?

Shea Homes offers 100% financing and will even pay all of your closing costs allowing you to keep money in your pocket. Not only that, you can also get a low interest rate on your loan.

VA and FHA loans are available with Shea Homes. These loan programs offer flexible underwriting guidelines that make it possible for you to afford a new home.

Shea Homes that are VA/FHA approved include:

In Chula Vista, CA:

• Agave at Windingwalk
• Amber at Windingwalk
• Clover at Windingwalk
• Sapphire at Windingwalk
• Mosaic at Lomas Verdes
• Estrella at San Miguel Ranch
• Tapestry at Lomas Verdes

In San Diego, CA:

• Mandolin at Del Sur
• Madeira at Del Sur

In Escondido, CA:

• Chaparral Ridge

Shea Homes is making it easier to buy your new home!

I'm joining in on a very special event! Designing dna is hosting a blogging flea market. You can shop online and at the same time help a great cause...Samaritan's Purse, as they continue to rebuild the homes that were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina and the floods in Atlanta.This weekend, I will donate 20% of any purchase from my etsy shop to Samaritan's Purse. I'm also donating 100% of sales

Show and Tell

Today for Show and Tell I'm sharing my silver collection. I do have a few small sterling pieces but most of this is silver-plated. This picture above is just part of my collection!The majority of these were found at thrift stores and flea markets and some my mom handed down to me. I love silver platters and I use them for serving so many things! they are even pretty for displays! I think silver

Yes, even more Vintage and Vogue!

This is the 3rd and final post of this trip to Vintage and Vogue. There is so much to see that I thought it would be better to spread it out over 3 days rather than one large post. This display made my heart skip a beat... I hope you enjoyed your trip to Vintage and Vogue! Vintage and Vogue241 E. Campbell Ave. Ste. ACampbell, CA(408) 378-6483 NOTE: I'm having email issues and some emails that

More Vintage and Vogue

Here are some for photos from Vintage and Vogue. If you missed yesterday's post be sure you scroll down to see more of this gorgeous little shop. I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day! I'm looking forward to cornbeef and cabbage tonight. I have the corned beef cooking in my crockpot!

A Trip to Vintage and Vogue

Sunday afternoon I took a stroll through my favorite little shop, Vintage and Vogue in downtown Campbell, California. I took my camera along so I could share it with you... The weather has just been amazing this week....finally! Last night when I left work I put the top down on my car and enjoyed the sun and the warm 75 degree temp. at 5:00 pm!!! It was so great! Just last week we had a frosty

North Carolina Condo Living - A New Concept for A New Home in Charlotte

New Homes North Carolina

Having the reputation as one of the most livable large cities in America, Charlotte is thriving with exceptional quality of life, a diverse, vibrant economy, and a very favorable climate. It is a dynamic city that blends world-class amenities with Southern hospitality. It is the nation's second largest banking and financial center and the headquarters of seven Fortune 500 companies.

Life in Charlotte is enhanced by great southern cuisine, excellent schools, more than 100 golf courses, 15,000 acres of parks, two major recreational lakes and a safe environment for the whole family.

In the market for condominium living?

A new concept for the Charlotte area, condominium living in Riviera offers extensive nature areas and a quaint village of beautifully designed triplex condominiums. Here, you’ll discover maintenance-free living in your new home providing you more time for your favorite activities and hobbiesl! Living in the Ballantyne & South Charlotte area brings the conveniences of nearby restaurants, shopping, spas and golf. Quick access to I-485 and great schools are just around the corner.

New Homes Builder

Riviera presents innovative plans where every condominium is an end unit with an attached garage! Choose from two, three or four bedrooms, and little extras such as gourmet kitchens, an optional fireplace in the living room, and garden tubs in the Owner’s Bath. Two-story plans or second level flats are available.

The above 2 bedroom, 2 bath loft (1,174 sq. ft.) 1 car garage condo features a quaint outdoor covered terrace. Oversized windows throughout almost every room bring in abundant natural light. Available options in the kitchen include granite countertops, tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. The center island and 42” cabinets with crown molding ensure abundant storage space. The spacious Owner’s Suite includes a large walk-in closet and deluxe Owner's bath with tall vanities, dual sinks, and a separate shower and tub. Special features include a coffer ceiling in the master bedroom and optional gas fireplace in the Living room. Step out onto the private terrace to enjoy the outdoors in solitude, because with maintenance-free living, time is on your side. This model is priced from $139,250.

Four professionally decorated new home models are available for touring!

Inspiration

I'm planning on painting my bedroom soon and I think I'm going to go with a taupe paint color this time. I want my bedroom to have a more tranquil feel to it. I'm tired of all the clutter in there and I'm so ready for a change. It must be that time of year... I always want to declutter in the Spring!Photos: Country LivingI love these taupe walls with just a touch of blue in the accessories. What

Words to live by

I would rather have flowers on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I really do love flowers more than diamonds! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~My lilacs have just started blooming and I can hardly wait to have big beautiful bouquets of them in my home! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Stop by Tracey's ~ Notes from a Cottage

I have to share this...

You've all seen my cherished tiered stand that my mom bought in a cute little shop at Disneyland when I was little. I just have to share with you how Tina at Enchanted Rose Studio used that as inspiration to turn this (those are crystals under the plastic)...into this... Notice how she not only painted it white but she took it apart and turned each tier upside down! On her blog-Enchanted Rose

Show and Tell

I shared this pincushion on my blog when I received it last year but it's worth showing off again! This was a handmade gift from a very talented blogger, Pat from Bird Nest on the Ground. I love this silk ribbon embroidery pincushion and I keep it in the blue cabinet in my dining room just because it's too pretty to put away with my sewing things. It looks big in these photos but it just fits

Your questions answered, part three

This is part three of answering questions that were left on my March 1st post. You cans scroll through my posts from last week to see my other answers.Q: How is the etsy shop going? Are you making enough money to make a difference. That does intrigue me. I am always looking to make extra $$$$$A: It's going great! I'm making a little extra money but I'm doing it more because I love shopping at

A sneak peek and more

Here's a little sneak peak of some of the things I found at the two flea markets I went to last weekend. These will be listed in my etsy shop...that is if I can part with them! Those little pink dishes above are butter pats...aren't they adorable! I love this beautiful monogrammed towel!This old door knob is a light amethyst color...it's gorgeous! Shopping for these things is so much fun! I

Energy Efficient New Homes

Energy efficient new homes that save money on utility bills, offer greater comfort and better performance, and help to protect the environment are available to homebuyers through a partnership with Shea Homes and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR Program.

"Shea Homes continually strives to provide environmentally friendly options for our home buyers increasing the value of our homes, and reducing our reliance on the earth's natural resources," said Ken Peterson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Shea Homes. "Partnering with the EPA's ENERGY STAR program is just another way for us to enhance the lives of our home owners. Not only are these homes ENERGY STAR rated, but they go hand in hand with Shea's initiative of Superiology to build homes which are energy wiser, eco-friendlier, designed smarter and built better."

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient heating and cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

ENERGY STAR rated homes must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20-30% more efficient than standard homes. To be considered ENERGY STAR rated, all homes must include improved insulation, high-efficiency HVAC systems, high-efficiency lighting and appliances, as well as Low-E, vinyl windows. And, homes at these communities will be tested and inspected to ensure they meet the requirements.

"Most homebuyers focus on what's outside the walls," said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program, "but they also need to look behind the walls for the energy-efficient features found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes that help ensure comfort, quiet, improved indoor air quality and low utility bills for years to come.

New Homes Builder

Shea Homes' ENERGY STAR rated communities are Granite Ridge and Mountain Shadows at Arroyo Mountain Estates in Litchfield Park and Entrada and Mountain View Estates at Vistancia in Peoria.

Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Torte

Last weekend one of my supper clubs got together and the theme this month was appetizers rather than a traditional dinner. I decided to make a Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Torte. I don't have an exact recipe for this but I can tell you how I made it...I used 3 packages of cream cheese. I used the 1/3 less fat type. I also used some pesto and some sun-dried tomatoes. First I put about 1/2 a

Garden Angels

I went to the Alameda Flea Market today, but unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera even though I had it sitting right at the bottom of the stairs so I wouldn't forget it! There were some really beautiful things there and it was such I beautiful day, I sure wish I could have shared it with you. You'll have to settle with the photos of the things I bought. Most of which will be listed in my

New Homes in Aliso Viejo, Ca - Model Homes Now Open

Glenwood Model Homes Now Open in Aliso Viejo!

These elegant new homes are located along the community's eastern edge, ranging from 3,096 to 3,597 square feet, with up to 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, attached 3-bay tandem garages. The exteriors of these new homes highlight Santa Barbara, Spanish and Early California architecture.

Glenwood is the new golf course master-planned community taking shape adjacent to the Jack Nicklaus-designed Aliso Viejo Country Club. With more than $20 million of community amenities, residents of Glenwood will experience a resort-inspired lifestyle. The 10,000 square foot Aliso Viejo Conference Center is planned to offer state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, three banquet rooms, three private meeting rooms and a romantic, view-enhanced wedding lawn with intimate gazebo.

New Homes Builder

And right now, for a limited time, a golf membership at Aliso Viejo Country Club can be yours when you purchase a Glenwood home.

Your membership will bring you numerous exclusive benefits:

• Unlimited golf for you, your spouse and your children (under 23 years of age)

• Use of the Club’s restaurant and bar,

• Complimentary access to the expansive fitness facilities in the Clubhouse,

• A wide variety of social activities including Happy Hours, Holiday Parties, Wine Dinners and Specialty Food Nights, and

• Complimentary golf and dining privileges at over 200 country clubs nationwide.

Membership is also available when you purchase a new home at Harbor Station, Pasadera and Vista Vallarta.

Purchase a new home at Glenwood and enjoy 4 acres of public parks, two tot lots and trails with fitness stations along with easy access to major employment centers in Newport Beach and the Irvine Spectrum, Laguna Beach, UC Irvine, Aliso Viejo Town Center, The Shops at Mission Viejo, beaches, excellent schools, Soka University, and the San Joaquin Hills Tollway.

For more information on new homes in the area visit www.SheaHomes.com.

Show and Tell

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday! My weakness...vintage linens! Pillowcases are my favorite, second only to tablecloths! There's nothing like a sweet-smelling, snowy-white vintage pillowcase to lay your head on every night! It's just amazing the work that went into these. My favorites are the ones with the blue embroidery and also the ones with the long drippy crocheted lace edging. This is a cute

Your questions answered, part two

Someone commented the other day that they can't wait to see my garden photos in my new enlarged format so I decided to try it out today with a photo of my patio from last summer. I sure wish my patio looked this good now...it's not even close! The leaves on the tree are all coming out now though and that's always a good thing because it gives me more privacy. There is another 4-plex on the other

Your questions answered, part one

Since the most popular question I got from my post on Monday was about enlarging blog photos I thought I would answer that first today. It's really easy to do but you have to go in and edit the HTML and I think a lot of people are afraid to even attempt that. It was really confusing and scary to me at first also but luckily I found a tutorial that made it really easy so rather than try to

Testing 1 2 3!

I love my new blog layout! I can now enlarge my "landscape"(wide) photos. With the old layout I could only enlarge photos that were "portrait" (long) . This is an old photo from January 2009 but I just wanted to try it out. I hope you all love the new layout as much as I do. If you have a blog and are looking for a new design, I highly recommend Amber from Sprinkles on Top!I'll be back

Under Construction Today!

I'm so excited! My blog is getting a face lift today! I LOVE the new look that Amber designed and I think you will too. If you land here during the process, things may look funny for awhile but please come back later and check it out! I will be back on Wednesday to start answering your questions (from yesterday's post)!UPDATE: The front page is complete. You can click on those titles under

Questions, Comments?

Usually every week I pretty much know what I'll be blogging about all week but this week I really have no clue! I'm not really working on any projects and I didn't go anywhere fun this weekend, except for the Santa Cruz Flea Market but I didn't take my camera with me. The highlight of the weekend? I bought Lauren a Nintendo Wii finally and I got Wii Fit Plus and now my arms and legs are sore from