9.11.01...A National Tragedy...A New Normal...for NYC...

All I can say...

is that I will never look at a beautiful day quite the same way...

When I see a beautiful sky...I will always remember those who perished that day.

It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. -George Washington

Pledging My Allegiance to the United States of America

& 

Praying that God blesses Her

&

holds Her in the Palm of His Hands.

Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
www.kathleenrosescollection.com (an eBay Store)
www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com
www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com

Shopping in Istanbul, Turkey

This summer I went on a Mediterranean Cruise...One of our "Ports of Call" was Istanbul, Turkey. Of course, we toured all historical sites in Istanbul...the Blue Mosque & a Castle.

But, of course, we managed to fit in some shopping !!!

First stop...a pottery shop. Where a craftsman showed us how to turn a vase...

Here are a few of the finished pieces of Turkish Pottery...all beautiful...

but a bit out of our pocketbooks.

'

Off to the Spice Market...where Turkish Delight is sold at every place. This is a Turkish candy...Very sweet & a bit mushy.

Not my choice for candy...I love chocolate!

Store Window of Beautiful Linens...I so wanted to do my bedroom over.

A vision in white...Ahhhhh

Another store window display with beautiful home accessories.

The beading on the pillows is to die for!

Beautiful Turkish lamps & candle holders.

Which should I chose ???

Oh Well... 

Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe !!!

If I ever get in shape...I'd love one of these outfits for Zumba...

Even in Turkey...They have genuine fake Rolex's...

mmmm...I thought that Canal St. in NYC was home to those.

We went to the Grand Bazaar, but unfortunately we did not have enough time to shop. My sister, Lorraine, called it Canal Street on Steroids. 

Lots of places to shop & big crowds.

Maybe on our next visit, we will be able to shop!

We may have to leave the men home !!!

Loves to Shop,

Kathleen Sforza

Town & Country Gifts

1213 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island, NY 10310

718-447-8237

Websites: 

www.kathleenrosescollection.com  (an eBay Store)

www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com (an eBay Store)

Blogs:

www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com

www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com

Living Life...by Bonnie Mohr

"Life is not a race...

  

Living Life Tapestry Wall Hanging 

Item# HWTLVL

Size:   26" x 36"

$49.99

Today...I am at work on this beautiful Saturday afternoon. Summer is quiet at my store, so I take advantage of the down time & try & list items in my eBay Store. I came across this print that I've sold many times before, but never really read.  

Living Life by Bonnie Mohr

"Life is not a race - but indeed a journey.

Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy.

Say "thank you" and " great job' to someone each day.

Go to church, take time for prayer.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh.

Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper.

Love your life and what you've been given,

it is not accidental -
search for your purpose and do it as best you can.

Dreaming does matter.

It allows you to become that which you aspire to be.

Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them.

Some of the best things really are free.

Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming.

Forgive, it frees the soul.

Take time for yourself - Plan for longevity.

Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know.

Live for today, enjoy the moment."

Living Life Throw/Afghan 

Item# ATLIVL

Size:   50" x 60"

$49.99

All I can say is "Beautiful" !!!

Living Life...
Kathleen Sforza

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)


Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

"dream + desire + devotion + drive + diligence + determination = destination"

All I can say is that I love this quote...although I can't take credit for it...
(I think I read it on twitter)...

"dream + desire + devotion + drive + diligence + determination = destination"

Short & Sweet... and said so very well...

All things we do in life can be summed up in these "Seven" words.

It all starts with a DREAM...a wish, a hope, or a wild fantasy for something we long for... each & everyone of us has "Our Dreams".

If we want "Our Dreams" to come true, we must have a strong DESIRE to...

 "Make It Happen".

we can't just "WISH" for something to happen...

This path requires us to have...

DEVOTION in our lives...spirituality helps keep us find peace on the path to "Our Destination".

DILIGENCE...ahhh...perserving through all of the ups & downs...in other words hard-work...we all know that nothing in life is EASY.

DETERMINATION...a firmness of purpose...resolving to approach the task with enthusiasm & energy.   

And finally...

We will arrive at our...

DESTINATION..."Our Ultimate Goal"...the reward for all the hard work we did to get to...
 "Our Destiny".

So, off I go...armed with all the words I need to get started...

Ahhhhhh "To be young again".

Wishing on a star,
Kathleen Sforza


Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237


Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)


Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com

I'm leavin' on a jet plane...

And then...

Sailing takes me away...To where I've always heard it could be...

It's that time of year...can anyone say "VACATION"


Many words come to minds...


EXCITEMENT...ANTICIPATION...STRESS...WORRY...
EXHAUSTION ???

Of course, I'm totally excited to be going on vacation.
I anticipate all the fun things I will do and places I will see...

BUT...


I worry about getting everything done before I leave.


Who doesn't ???


Did I take care of all the things at work ???


Should I keep my eBay Store open and risk getting bad feedback because I will have no Internet service ???     

WORRY !!!

Or do I close and have no money for the month...BIGGER WORRY !!!


Did I pay all the bills ???


Did I pack enough??? LOL...I think I packed enough for a year's stay.

Reminds me of the quote:
When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money.

Then take half the clothes and twice the money. ~Susan Heller

Can I clean the whole house and have it *SPARKLE* for my return ???

NOT...

So off I go...

On second thought...

Did I turn off the iron, the hair straightener and did I lock the back door ???

Ciao...Geia...Au revoir...Allaha ismarladik,

Kathleen


Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

Escape your Troubles...Garden !!!

One of my favorite quotes...

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt. ~Author Unknown

There is a peacefulness that happens when digging in dirt...
very therapeutic.

I love early in the morning or late in the evening to plant. In other words, before or after work...I love to plant both perennials & annuals. Shrubs form the border of my small garden & then I fill in with perennials. Because I love, Love, LOVE...COLOR, I plant lots of annuals. The cost is a bit high, but I do plant some from seed. I have a shade garden, so of course,

 Impatiens are a staple...

but...I am able to plant Petunias...

Geraniums...

Verbenas...

Begonias...

Snapdragons... 

I have little to no success with Marigolds...

 

Daisies...

or Dahlias...

Words of advice for the new gardener come from a book I love...

Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.

~H. Jackson Brown, Jr., Life's Little Instruction Book

Happy Gardening!!!

Let the Sunshine...Kathleen Sforza!

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/ (an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/

All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten...by Robert Fulghum

For me...it was 1st Grade.
This year my niece Alexis graduated from Brooklyn College & my nephew Jason graduated from Boston University. I thought...what words of wisdom can I impart on them on this momentous occasion. Needless to say...I couldn't think of one thing...so I googled some graduation quotes & here are a few of my favorites:


Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss

Don't waste time learning the "tricks of the trade." Instead, learn the trade. ~Attributed to both James Charlton and H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~Les Brown

If at first you don't succeed, do it like your mother  Aunt Kathy told you. ~Author Unknown

So...off you go with these words of encouragement...

As I go forward step by step, the way will be opened up to me ~Proverbs 4:12

Love,
Aunt Kathy...xoxo
 
Town & Country Gifts
1213 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10310
718-447-8237

Websites:
http://www.kathleenrosescollection.com/ (an eBay Store)
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.com/(an eBay Store)

Blogs:
http://www.lorrainesfavoritefinds.blogspot.com/
http://www.accessoriesbyashleyrae.blogspot.com/