Today Micalie and I got up and headed to The Franco American Institute to meet her program coordinator, Adelaide.  Her office is in an amazing, centuries-old building by the Republic, complete with squeaky wood floors, 14′ ceilings, crown molding everywhere and ancient multi-paned windows.  She gave us a quick tour, then offered us coffee.  I really want to experience everything here, so was looking forward to my very first cup of authentic “café”. I don’t know what I was thinking, but she went to their little kitchenette and pulled out some very fine, delicate china cups and asked if we wanted sugar.  We both said yes, and got two sugar cubes wrapped in a foil and a tiny little spoon to stir it with.  Then she poured the café.  It was the thickest, darkest brew I had ever seen.  I don’t drink coffee at home, much less something this exotic, but both Micalie and I did our best to swallow it down.  It did warm our hands.

We walked to the mall and browsed the little shops there – not unlike those you would find at Southdale or Rosedale. After riding the bus to the center of the town, we take the Metro (subway) to the area we want, then it is walking everywhere after that.  Escalators take us up two flights out of the tunnels, and we follow the cobblestone streets to our destination.

We had “lunch” at Micalie’s school.  It wasn’t exactly like “dining services” at Concordia, but the food was good, plentiful and cheap!  The Diet Coke, however was not.  I think that will be my last one – it’s nothing like the Diet Coke I crave here.  From there, we walked around for 8 hours, but I think we were pretty much in a 6-block radius!  Every little narrow street holds more treasures than I could count.  We took photos of ironwork, doors, windows, chimneys – and tried to get shots of them looking like letters.  The most amazing shop was a triangular shape inside and probably no more than 8 feet wide!  The proprietor let me photograph his wares.

The best part of the day was spent at “Creperie St. Ann” – sitting in the sunshine outdoors with glasses of wine and a banana nutella crepe.  I truly felt like I was on vacation and finally relaxing after the crazy past few weeks.

We got back to the house about 7 PM and spent time drawing and playing “Gares” with Alana and watching Baptiste achieve “Victories” on the Wii. Christophe came home and shared wines from local distributors – in Sauvignon and Bergerac and we enjoyed a soft Rosé with dinner!  The conversation was lively with Micalie doing the translations – funny how the children seem to know what I am saying the most.

Valérie and Christophe are very gracious hosts and have made me feel so very welcome! Tomorrow we are off on an excursion with the family – can’t wait!

The train ride to Rennes was amazing – beautiful fields of yellow flowers everywhere – and we spent the rest of the day sitting in the sunshine, eating galletts and crepes and looking at the town.  Tonight Valerie made us a delicious meal and I enjoyed “visiting” with the little ones – they loved the gifts I brought!  Best of all, I am with Micalie – I didn’t realize how much I missed her!

If you were in my networking group, you would have gotten a nice, fresh brownie this morning. So here’s the next best thing!
Want to give a Valentine’s gift that shows you put some thought into it (guys especially – haha)? Click on the link to see our amazing “10 things I love about you” book!! Believe me – this will get you Brownie Points!!

I will make this for your hubby, wife, child, mother – anyone you want to “wow”! Just send me 10 photos and 10 nice words (things you love about them). I will create a beautiful keepsake book for you to give on Valentine’s Day. Deadline – February 1st (sooner, better because I ‘m “cruising the Caribbean” in January.) $39.95. Rewards – Priceless!

Click here to see the book.

And here’s a girl version.

(click to see entire book)

In early December I had the privilege of visiting People Serving People – a homeless shelter in downtown Minneapolis who partners with Hennepin County to provide food, lodging and services to people in transition.  It was an amazing visit.  Our purpose was to photograph and interview children and make them their very own book.

Many of these children haven’t even seen photos of themselves, let alone have a book to read.  Melissa Tomas, a Heritage Maker’s consultant in Blaine, Minnesota started this program last summer.  Here is her story -

So on November 30th, my friend Jonell and I drove to the shelter and met several other Heritage Makers’ consultants and two photographers to visit the kids.  Our contact gave us a quick tour and told us things about the shelter.  They provide “3 Hot and a Cot” to everyone they can accommodate. Minneapolis School Buses pick kids up there to take them to they home districts so their education is interrupted as little as possible.  They serve 1000 meals every day and use volunteers to help them.  They have 200+ kids there on any given day and provide day care facilities so the parents can work at finding a job.  They have a small computer lab available for online applications.  300 – 400 people sleep there every night.  They need every kind of donation, from food to toiletries to career clothing (NOT 80’s retro) so people can have something nice to wear for a job interview.  (Even jewelry, scarves, make-up) and books – books for their little library.  They let kids borrow books and keep them if they like so they always need more.

Then we got to meet the children. Jonell, Lisa, Barb and I were introduced to the “toddler room”.  The kids were outside playing, so we started there.  We asked them their names and what they liked to do – and made notes of what they were wearing and some identifying things so we could sort our photos out later.

TaySean

We got photos of them playing and looking at a book and cuddling a toy.

Evion

If their parent was available and willing, we would photograph them with their child.

Elijah

I fell in love with my little Kenye who was outside but very sleepy.  She would be the subject of my first book.

Kenye

We stayed for an hour and promised to be back.  We got amazing photos – thanks to Lisa Hughes who is also a Heritage Maker’s consultant.

Draude

Lisa uploaded them into a special “Tucked In Minnesota” account that Heritage Makers set up for us, and we worked on our projects.  Once they are published, we will head back to PSP and give them to our families.  We want them to know how very special they are and that they can achieve anything they want to in this world.  We wish them well.

Click here to learn more about Heritage Makers.

Want to help?  People Serving People takes donations of all kinds – cash, gas cards, food, toiletries, jewelry, scarves, purses, makeup, career clothing (current), books, art supplies – just about anything!  Get it to me and I will take it in on my next trip.  You can also donate money or Heritage Maker’s points to help cover the cost of publishing and shipping the books.  Give me a call at 320-583-9100 if you would like to be a book maker and go along on one of our visits!

This season give your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To every child, a good example.  To all, charity.  For Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind.  To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, this is the real spirit of Christmas.   ~ Oren Arnold

Merry Christmas!  My wish for you is that the spirit of the season carry on throughout the year.  Sharing, loving, giving, are not intended to be put away and simply pulled out once a year like lights and ornaments.  Let them be prevalent and contagious in your daily life. The greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the kindness and love given to others year round.

2012 is soon upon us.  I want you to know how much I value your support and love. As a song from the movie White Christmas shares “If you’re worried and can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep.”

Thank you for being with me in 2011.  May your blessings be abundant in 2012.

Terry

Let me make a custom canvas for you!

Simply send me 10 – 12 names of places that make you happy and suggest a graphic.

I will e-mail you a proof and have it printed as a treasured keepsake that takes you back at moment’s notice!  16×20 Happy Place canvases are $139.95 each and I have other sizes available.

These are both amazing, personalized gifts that people really appreciate.  Hang them on a wall or stand on an easel or a shelf.

Our Family plaques are perfect in an entryway or living room.

I have several variations to choose from – all with your recipients Family name prominently featured.

Family Plaques are $29.95 each.

For those with a great room or a bar,  a personalized Wine Cellar plaque is the perfect gift!

I have three styles and can change up the colors to match their space!  $39.95 each.

Our canvases are fully customizable and can be created to coordinate with any décor.  Heritage Makers has sizes from 8×8 up to 20×24 – all high-quality UVA protected printed canvas hand-stretched on hardwood frames – at a fraction of the price you’d pay at most photo processors.   

You can make the photo cover the entire surface, or combine it will rich, textured backgrounds and delightful embellishments.

Call me today to get these projects ready to print so you can give them as a treasured Christmas gift.  10% off your canvas order the entire month of December!

Many of you have asked to be informed about when I will be engraving at various stores.  These are fragrance events – engraving is free with the purchase of qualifying fragrance products.  If you would like engraving on any other items, just contact me at 320-583-9100 and arrange a time to drop off and pick-up your items.  Remember I can beautifully personalize any glass, metal, crystal, or pottery gifts!  The perfect remembrance!

Here are my engraving dates for this year – watch for more being added -

Friday, December 2 – 5 PM – 8 PM – Macy’s LaCrosse, WI
Saturday, December 3 – 11 AM – 5 PM – Nordstrom, Mall of America
Wednesday, December 7 – 11:30 – 2:30 PM – Macy’s Minneapolis
Thursday, December 8 – 5 – 7 PM – Bloomingdales, Mall of America

Saturday, December 10 – 9 AM – 12 noon – Neiman Marcus, Minneapolis
Saturday, December 10 – 1 PM – 5 PM – Macy’s Burnsville
Sunday, December 11 – 1 PM – 4 PM – Bloomingdales, Mall of America
Friday, December 16 – 2 PM – 7 PM – Von Maur, Eden Prairie
Saturday, December 17 – 11 – 3 PM- Macy’s Southdale
Saturday, December 17 – 3:30 – 7:30 – Herberger’s Southtown
Sunday, December 18 – Noon – 6 PM – Macy’s Ridgedale
Thursday, December 22 – Noon – 6 PM – Macy’s Rosedale

Please stop by to see me – I love to see a friendly face!

thank you!

FREE SHIPPING in my ETSY shop – Black Friday – through Cyber Monday!  Just enter coupon code GRATITUDE11 at checkout!  Thank you for your business!  (pssssttttt – it works already today!)  www.defyinggravityeast.com