London Hat Week Hat of the Month

                        It was such a lovely and exciting surprise receiving this acknowledgement for Hat Talk Magazine in London

                                    This was one of my first awards in being recognized for my talent as a Millinery Designer

   What a wonderful feeling to see my design in a full-page color story about my creativity and the inspiration for this fun and over                                                                                                  the top design.

One day I was driving past the Lou Ruvo Center for Mental Health in Las Vegas and there it was a hat with the desert wind able to                                                                       flow right thru without removing or damaging the hat. 

    In my mind it was like the brain with all the information we take in and letting it breeze right thru so as not to retain anything                                                                                                  damaging to our mind.

Yes, the thought is a bit out there, but it was what came to mind and executing the design came out exactly as I had envisioned                                                                                       the completed out of the mind design.

                                                                                Perfect for London Hat Week!

 

                                           Oh What a Night!!!

Oh What a Night!!!

Word had it that I was to be honored at an Academy Award Gala in Los Angeles and I thought "What is this all about?' I received a call from a woman named Deanna whom I had never meet working with Samiras Network in Los Angeles. Never heard of that group either and wondered how this all come about. I was to be honored for all the philanthropic work I have done in Las Vegas over the past fourteen years. Apparently, Deanna lives in Las Vegas and Samira in Los Angeles, and they came together to award me. With Deanna living in Las Vegas and seeing the work I have done decided I was worthy of recognition. I was a bit miffed and had my dear friend who was working with me guiding to build my brand give Deanna a call.

Gerard did and after a long conversation told me they were awarding me Woman of the Year. I had to sit down and laugh because I couldn't believe this award was to be presented to me on the evening of the Academy Awards in Los Angeles at Universal Hilton in Burbank. My old stomping grounds for ten years of working in the film and television industry designing all while working for Banana Republic. 

Meanwhile I was told I would have a table of ten right up front at the stage. Invite your friends and they can appear on stage with you when you are presented. Of course, many friends were not available but when I put the word out many were on board for a girl's trip to Los Angeles for a night of Academy Awards and wanting to be there for me. I knew we would have to have the best-looking table within the ballroom and set about designing a special collection of fascinators. My friend Lisa from San Francisco was totally on board to come down for the weekend and Gerard was totally in on this event. So, the Academy Awards weekend was celebrated with dear friends Robin, Dru, Elizabeth, Lena, Catherine, Tammy, Cynthia, Gerard and Lisa

What a crew and what a presentation we made. We stood out for many reasons, but we really stood out for being the classiest table among all the attendees. Our poise, confidence, smiles and grace were very apparent to everyone, and many people approached us in awe. From gathering in the lobby to parading down to the ballroom our photos were nonstop. We made a grand entrance and being in the company of friends who loved the pieces I designed for them to wear supporting me in all I do as a friend, designer and philanthropist was an evening in itself.

Thank you, God, for all good things come from you both in blessings and trials.

Love Louisa

There are many stories within the weekend spent in Los Angeles but that would fill a book. 

 

To Have and To Hold

To Have and to Hold

Daughters must be the greatest gift in life. To have a young girl and watch her grow into a woman must be an incredible experience in one's lifetime.

As I move on into the sunset years my heart aches for my mother as her heart aches for her mother. Lately she has been talking a great deal about her mother and how her mother needs her despite her mother having passed years ago at the age of ninety-three.

My mother is now ninety-two and I often wonder if the need for my mother wanting her mother is from her mother calling her from heaven or is it a message from my mother calling on her two daughters to be with her every minute she has left.

I believe had I been able to have children that my years left going toward the light would find me dreaming of spending more time with my daughters.

My entire life has been unfulfilled due to not being able to have children and yearning so very much for a daughter.

As we age what is it to not have any children or grandchildren to enjoy holidays with and to cry, laugh and guide them on their special journey in life.

Had I been able to have children would my life feel more fulfilled?

I believe for me it would but for other women not having children just maybe their life was fulfilled with careers or traveling.

I have had a most exciting life with being able to do exactly what I choose to do.

Being a designer from sportswear to evening to costumes and finally settling on being a milliner a lady's hat designer.

Yes, at times I feel very fulfilled but in the quiet moments in prayer and conversation with God I admit that all I ever really wanted was to be loved.

Love has eluded me from a daughter or any children or in marriage, but love has filled my life for God loves me as no earthly love could ever fulfill. 

For it is in the love of God that I discover the wonders of the universe, love from Jesus and the Holy Spirit and this gives me peace.

So, I in not having a daughter yearn for that motherhood feeling I have never had the glory of experiencing.

Yet in my world of creativity, I have the ability to create a portrait of a mother and her two daughters, and I smile for the portrait brings me smiles and hopes of maybe in another lifetime.

Love Louisa

"We are all worthy of the love of God."

 

Good Morning God

Good Morning God

As I set the day and with a cup of tea there is no comparison to the peace which fills my heart.

I love beauty in everything around me and the beauty in the morning dawn is priceless in thanking God for another day. When I set about preparing for morning prayer, I feel such a sense of peace knowing I am about to enter a sacred place in communion with God.

As I pour the kettle with the steaming water into my chosen cup of the morning, I sink back in my mind to what I am about experience. Cinnamon tea for many is the sign of the holidays approaching but cinnamon tea for me is every morning. The aroma which rises from the brew fills the air with such calm yet excitement for a new day. As I settle back with my journal and bible, I begin in thanks for whom ever had the ability and creativity to create such special items in the world of tea. Upon taking my first sip while settled into my rocking chair I look about the outside and enjoy the beauty of my corner of the world. With every sip of tea, I am grateful for all the lessons God has taught me in both trials and blessing. As I enter into my conversations with God I rise above and leave my cares behind knowing that upon the completion of prayer I will enter into the world set by God for the day. If it is a smooth day or a rough day, I know I have God's gift of cinnamon tea waiting and I can return to a pot and a cup at any point in my day. 

 

Patch The Pigeon

All God's creatures are gifts to all of us.

No matter the animal God has chosen to give it a purpose and for this we must honor each life as part of our stewardship on earth.

Many a pigeon has landed in my hands, and I honor them, feed them and pray for blessings upon each one.

Pigeons don't have it easy in life, but they are super intelligent and know the story of survival.

Patch came to me one day after being hit by a car. He only had one eye, his beak was a mess, and he couldn't eat on his own.

I knew I had to help if there was any possible way of survival.

Tough little guy as he fought to live, he wasn't about to give up. I hand feed him for a week, he was looking good and had vitality.

Then one morning he wasn't looking as good, and it was apparent his little body could not fight the fight to survive.

Patch passed on September 6, 2023

God makes sure when every living creature passes it returns to perfect health and now Patch graces the sky in full flight.

Look up as each bird spreads their wings, they fly in the shape of a cross.

That's Gods work in the sky.

Thank you, God, for as sad as I am about Patch it was an honor to care for him while in my hands and in my heart.

He took a little piece of my heart with him but isn't that what love is all about.

Thank you, God, Love Louisa

 

Swing Baby Swing

Friends simply love to come over to my cottage and swing.

It's a little girl thing that comes out of each of us as we get on the swing and throw our feet in the air.

Something so many of us never think about doing as we grow into womanhood and on into our sunset years.

What a feeling of freedom as we are cast so gently in the air with our hair flowing and holding on tightly to the rope handles.

Flying freely, you just can't help but smile and giggle.

You soon hear the words of everyone around.

"My turn this is so much fun. I never think of swinging, and I can't believe you have a swing."

Well, my dear friends I have three!

Three in a tree and the tree looks glorious in all its pride of holding us up.

As the breeze moves the leaves you can hear a silence from the girl on the swing almost like the higher you swing you feel closer to God.

God in the heavens and that is all there is just a feeling of peace and freedom.

Swing my friend's swing.

Do no less in life than to believe in your abilities as you swing into the clouds for God always has you in the palm of his hand.

Love Louisa

 

Jacqueline Levesque Voisine

What a Lady, in the garden, in the kitchen, in the yard at work or volunteering she did it all with style and grace. 

She raised four children, married the man who won all the dance contests in town and loved the fact that she was a proud Canadian from a lumber camp family.

Most of all the mother I knew loved to bake, loved to decorate and walk the beach. she loved dogs, birds and flowers and she loved her children.

Her love of beautiful clothing was passed down to me and I certainly learned my style from her.

Mother made our home magical for every Easter, and Christmas in both decorations and exquisite French-Canadian food.

Childhood was magical and as I grow older my mind thinks more often how magical she was in heart, soul and spirit.

You are dearly missed mother.

Love Louisa