When I say "it's the simple things..." I really mean it.
I am lucky enough to be working from home today. And, this very second, I sit on my covered porch watching the sky having turned from blue to gray.
I hear the rumble of thunder in the distance and I am just now seeing droplets begin to fall.
This.
This is the stuff I mean when I say the "simple things."
Sitting here, safely listening and watching, typing on my MacBook... this is one of those "Oh my God, this is just freaking great" moments.
I am grateful for them.
And, I am grateful that I know enough to recognize and enjoy them.
Ooo, now I smell the storm!
And see the lightning!
Here it is.
Excuse me while I just sit and experience it's simple awesomeness.
Delicious. Beautiful. Life.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend: Red, White & Blue!
Long holiday weekend ahoy!
(ahoy...get it? Red, white, blue... nautical...sailors.... no? Oh well, I tried!)
Time to honor our fallen soldiers and celebrate those who still stand and serve our country. In honor of this weekend I thought I would post a little something about red, white and blue and the various variations that infamous combo comes in.
Maybe you'll see something you want to make for your holiday picnic... or wear to it!
Here we go...
First, the yummies:
How cute and simple are these? Strawberries dipped in melted white chocolate, re-dipped in blue sugar sprinkles!
This Royal Blue Cocktail sounds delicious and looks fantastic! (nerd alert/side-note: as a child I was obsessed with blue foods and drinks. They seemed so...unusually awesome.)
Hosting a party? Get your Martha Stewart on (seriously, this is a Martha thing, click the link!) with these festive sand candle holders!
I can't end this post without some fantastic nautical fashion, can I? Of course not.
These looks are classic.
Red, white and blue done right.
Happy, safe Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
(ahoy...get it? Red, white, blue... nautical...sailors.... no? Oh well, I tried!)
Time to honor our fallen soldiers and celebrate those who still stand and serve our country. In honor of this weekend I thought I would post a little something about red, white and blue and the various variations that infamous combo comes in.
Maybe you'll see something you want to make for your holiday picnic... or wear to it!
Here we go...
First, the yummies:
How cute and simple are these? Strawberries dipped in melted white chocolate, re-dipped in blue sugar sprinkles!
This Royal Blue Cocktail sounds delicious and looks fantastic! (nerd alert/side-note: as a child I was obsessed with blue foods and drinks. They seemed so...unusually awesome.)
Hosting a party? Get your Martha Stewart on (seriously, this is a Martha thing, click the link!) with these festive sand candle holders!
I can't end this post without some fantastic nautical fashion, can I? Of course not.
These looks are classic.
Red, white and blue done right.
Happy, safe Memorial Day Weekend, everyone!
Monday, May 21, 2012
Monday: I Believe in Mulch
I believe in mulch.
It's true.
What a difference a little mulch makes.
It's the frosting on the cake before the sprinkles and decorations.
It protects the roots of the plant and helps maintain the proper moisture levels.
I like it all:
Cedar mulch smells awesome and helps keep bugs away...
Black mulch (my favorite) makes colors truly POP. Especially shades of green...
Recycled tire mulch lasts season upon season...
I was so excited when I saw the landscaping trucks pull up this morning.
It inspired me to fill my patio planters with flowers! (Which, by the way, I topped off with a layer of mulch, as well.)
And I anxiously await the Black-Eyed Susans and Mums that I planted last summer to blossom!
And, now I sit typing this little post on a little porch that now feels like my little slice of heaven.
It's true.
What a difference a little mulch makes.
It's the frosting on the cake before the sprinkles and decorations.
It protects the roots of the plant and helps maintain the proper moisture levels.
I like it all:
Cedar mulch smells awesome and helps keep bugs away...
Black mulch (my favorite) makes colors truly POP. Especially shades of green...
Recycled tire mulch lasts season upon season...
I was so excited when I saw the landscaping trucks pull up this morning.
It inspired me to fill my patio planters with flowers! (Which, by the way, I topped off with a layer of mulch, as well.)
And I anxiously await the Black-Eyed Susans and Mums that I planted last summer to blossom!
And, now I sit typing this little post on a little porch that now feels like my little slice of heaven.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Tipsy Tuesday: Blackberry Mojitos!
If you read this little blog even semi regularly you know that Tips-y Tuesdays are normally handy tip days and Thirsty Thursdays are cocktail days. Well, I am breaking the rules and today tips-y means tipsy!
It is glorious out today. It's the perfect day for a refreshing cocktail outdoors, and while I was pinning away on Pinterest earlier, this recipe made my mouth water. It's also beautiful looking!
The Blackberry Mojito
Ingredients: (Makes 1 cocktail)
* 6 big blackberries & more to garnish
* 8 mint leaves
* 1 oz rum
* 1 to 2 tbsp sugar
* 1/3 oz lime juice
* 2 oz club soda
* 6 big blackberries & more to garnish
* 8 mint leaves
* 1 oz rum
* 1 to 2 tbsp sugar
* 1/3 oz lime juice
* 2 oz club soda
In the bottom of your drinking glass, muddle/crush together blackberries, mint leaves, sugar, rum, and lime juice. Add some ice cubes, then pour in club soda and stir. Garnish with a few whole blackberries and a sprig of mint. Enjoy immediately!
(recipe courtesy of cocktail-guru.com)
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Warmest wishes to all the Mothers out there.
May your day be beautiful!
Congratulations!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Theater Love: Parade & Grey Gardens
We know how I feel about live theater.
And, we know how I feel about my friends.
I ferociously love both!
When the two are combined, well, let me at 'em!
Right now my friends at Blackfriars Theatre are in the midst of their run of Grey Gardens.
I saw it. It's rather stunning. Honestly.
(If you have seen the documentary, you get that...)
If you aren't familiar with the true tale of Big and Little Edie and Grey Gardens, please check out this link. These real life characters are brilliantly channeled thru Sarah Peters and Vicki Casarett.
Another musical that just opened last weekend at the JCC is Parade. I haven't seen this one yet, but I can't wait! I have a handful of very good friends starring in this, including my dear friend Janine as Lucille Frank. (Check out Janine's blog here!) Parade is the true story of a man, Leo Frank, wrongly accused of murder in 1913 Atlanta.
No, it's not Annie. But, who needs Annie?
Let's expand our musical horizons, right? Right!
I really hope you take advantage of some of the extreme talent we have here in Rochester!
(Break legs, my friends!)
And, we know how I feel about my friends.
I ferociously love both!
When the two are combined, well, let me at 'em!
Right now my friends at Blackfriars Theatre are in the midst of their run of Grey Gardens.
I saw it. It's rather stunning. Honestly.
(If you have seen the documentary, you get that...)
If you aren't familiar with the true tale of Big and Little Edie and Grey Gardens, please check out this link. These real life characters are brilliantly channeled thru Sarah Peters and Vicki Casarett.
Another musical that just opened last weekend at the JCC is Parade. I haven't seen this one yet, but I can't wait! I have a handful of very good friends starring in this, including my dear friend Janine as Lucille Frank. (Check out Janine's blog here!) Parade is the true story of a man, Leo Frank, wrongly accused of murder in 1913 Atlanta.
No, it's not Annie. But, who needs Annie?
Let's expand our musical horizons, right? Right!
I really hope you take advantage of some of the extreme talent we have here in Rochester!
(Break legs, my friends!)
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Tips-y Tuesday
I love coffee.
Like, I LOVE coffee.
In, oh gosh, the last 25 years or so I have had only one brief period of time in which coffee and I weren't bffs: while I was pregnant with Eloise.
It's not so much about the caffeine as it is the comfort I find in the act of drinking the hot yumminess. I love the flavor. I love the almost romantic, peaceful nature of waking up to the aroma, being cozy in my robe, pairing coffee with the newspaper, or Facebook, or Pinterest...
Starting my day that way.
Anyway, my point is, I used to be a coffee snob.
I still sort of am. I love good coffee. And, once upon a time I didn't really bat an eyelash at spending $10.00 a pound on good coffee. I still allow myself the splurge occasionally. But, being the practical, thriftily savvy lady I am, I try to find good alternatives. Better than good alternatives.
And, if you like some serious, straight up, dark, rich coffee, that is not expensive, I have a tip for you.
Buy this:
Folgers Black Silk.
Yum.
And, as claimed, it is "bold, yet smooth."
Locally, at Wegmans, a 10.3 oz container is about $3.50.
You can also buy the mac-daddy 27.8 oz size for $9.99.
So, that's all for today! Like dark coffee? Try this.
I swear by it.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Like, I LOVE coffee.
In, oh gosh, the last 25 years or so I have had only one brief period of time in which coffee and I weren't bffs: while I was pregnant with Eloise.
It's not so much about the caffeine as it is the comfort I find in the act of drinking the hot yumminess. I love the flavor. I love the almost romantic, peaceful nature of waking up to the aroma, being cozy in my robe, pairing coffee with the newspaper, or Facebook, or Pinterest...
Starting my day that way.
Anyway, my point is, I used to be a coffee snob.
I still sort of am. I love good coffee. And, once upon a time I didn't really bat an eyelash at spending $10.00 a pound on good coffee. I still allow myself the splurge occasionally. But, being the practical, thriftily savvy lady I am, I try to find good alternatives. Better than good alternatives.
And, if you like some serious, straight up, dark, rich coffee, that is not expensive, I have a tip for you.
Buy this:
Folgers Black Silk.
Yum.
And, as claimed, it is "bold, yet smooth."
Locally, at Wegmans, a 10.3 oz container is about $3.50.
You can also buy the mac-daddy 27.8 oz size for $9.99.
So, that's all for today! Like dark coffee? Try this.
I swear by it.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Derby Day!
Kentucky Derby Day has now come and gone...
But, the fun, the food, the frivolity and the finery
(oh yes, those hats!) can be enjoyed any old time. My friends Karen and Dirk host the ultimate soiree at their home every year.
It is an Event, with a capital E.
I thought I would share a few recipes and pictures to commemorate Saturday May 5th!
Cinco de Derby!
One delectable dish served at the party is
Hot Brown. We had it served casserole style, but, traditionally, it is a sandwich. And oh, what a sandwich. (click for the recipe!)
Dessert is also a must at a Derby Party.
Or, any party...
Or, frankly, any old day of any old week, party or no party.
There was quite a variety the other day, but the one that literally took the cake was
Coconut Cream Pie. Ugh....
I did *not* have a Mint Julep this year.
Instead I tried a Mint Margarita! Delish!
Lastly, a Derby Party is not a Derby Party without a hat.
The hat.
It was my honor to wear this one, made by my friend, Jack, the Artistic Director of Blackfriars Theatre. Not sure how on earth I will be able to top this one next year!
(P.S. Go see Grey Gardens!!)
But, the fun, the food, the frivolity and the finery
(oh yes, those hats!) can be enjoyed any old time. My friends Karen and Dirk host the ultimate soiree at their home every year.
It is an Event, with a capital E.
I thought I would share a few recipes and pictures to commemorate Saturday May 5th!
Cinco de Derby!
One delectable dish served at the party is
Hot Brown. We had it served casserole style, but, traditionally, it is a sandwich. And oh, what a sandwich. (click for the recipe!)
Dessert is also a must at a Derby Party.
Or, any party...
Or, frankly, any old day of any old week, party or no party.
There was quite a variety the other day, but the one that literally took the cake was
Coconut Cream Pie. Ugh....
I did *not* have a Mint Julep this year.
Instead I tried a Mint Margarita! Delish!
Lastly, a Derby Party is not a Derby Party without a hat.
The hat.
It was my honor to wear this one, made by my friend, Jack, the Artistic Director of Blackfriars Theatre. Not sure how on earth I will be able to top this one next year!
(P.S. Go see Grey Gardens!!)
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Thrifty & Fabulous!
This one is short and sweet and thrifty and fabulous.
Behold...
The George Nelson Sunburst Clock.
Classic. Simple. Goes with everything under the sun.... for $180.00.
Now...
Behold...
The George Nelson Sunburst Clock.
Classic. Simple. Goes with everything under the sun... for $10.00.
The moral of this little story? Shop around! Browse thrift shops! Especially places like Goodwill, which also have new items. That's where I found this clock. Brand new, in the box. Ten bucks.
Sure, it's a little smaller, and has some subtle differences... but, come on.
The same designer, the same basic look, just $170.00 cheaper. There is no reason living awesomely, surrounded by awesomely pretty things, needs to break the bank.
Behold...
The George Nelson Sunburst Clock.
Classic. Simple. Goes with everything under the sun.... for $180.00.
Now...
Behold...
The George Nelson Sunburst Clock.
Classic. Simple. Goes with everything under the sun... for $10.00.
The moral of this little story? Shop around! Browse thrift shops! Especially places like Goodwill, which also have new items. That's where I found this clock. Brand new, in the box. Ten bucks.
Sure, it's a little smaller, and has some subtle differences... but, come on.
The same designer, the same basic look, just $170.00 cheaper. There is no reason living awesomely, surrounded by awesomely pretty things, needs to break the bank.
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