The Game of LIFE

This holiday weekend was perfect to pull out a board game and play with the family. Our son and his girlfriend are 21 years old- and the game seemed even more appropriate than when they possibly played at 9 years of age! Debt, mortgages, careers or college--it was really fun and a nice hour or so just to talk and play...try it!

Chatting with Cupcakes

In all the holiday hubbub I forgot to mention about my interview at All Things Cupcake in regards to The Cupcakes Club. It was fun to do and hopefully some people got turned onto the site. Enjoy!

love, love, love

I believe there is a new song to this commercial for the 2008 holiday season...but, I love this no matter what background music there is. So sweet.

hopefully, I'll read this day after day after day...and it might become a really good habit. Happy Thanksgiving.

...with all the trimmings

I'm lucky, thankful, and blessed that Thanksgiving is a meal my husband is really in control of. He cooks the turkey (one year we had roasted and deep fried ) prepares a delicious stuffing-- and I handle the sweet potatoes, green vegetables, and dessert. To be perfectly honest, if it were up to me...we would have to go out for turkey...I don't really know what to do with the big holiday bird. Thanks sweetie for being "the man" and talking turkey on Thanksgiving.
PS. Sweet husband just went out to do the last minute menu shopping...how much more can I love him?

YES!

Feeling a bit like this pup today! One of the benefits of working in the school district is having the same schedule as the kids--which means today is our last day for the Thanksgiving week! Yes! A 5 day weekend!

Love

*blush* I am in love with my title and header. I wanted something that was simple but sophisticated, a little quirky, and something that would make me smile whenever I saw it. This does. My illustrator is da bomb and my calligrapher is amazing.
**so, after a few hours I came back and reread this post and had to giggle. Simple and sophisticated, eh? Just imagine what my loud and over the top is....

Try Something New

Everyone has their tried and true Thanksgiving recipes but let's be daring, let's be crazy, and this year let's try something new! My website is a sponsor on Skip To My Lou and she's always coming up with fun ideas for everyday and holidays. Here are a couple of recipes she's already made for Thanksgiving from Cooking Light and Sunset magazines. The sweet potato cheesecake with maple cream looks delish and the streuseled sweet potato casserole has 97 happy reviews along with the joy of making it ahead of time.

Have fun with the making and baking of Thanksgiving...and give thanks to family and friends!

You go girl!

While we're relaxing and kicking back this weekend, my good friend, Amy, will be walking the Breast Cancer 3 day for the Cure walk in San Diego. 60 miles-- and I have a feeling she won't think twice about the distance. You go girlfriend, and a long hot bath better be on the list after you return...I'll let Jeff know.

Keeps Gettin' Better

More Videos

Of course, I'm loving this to walk to...but I love the lyrics more :)
Some days I'm a super bitch
Up to my old tricks
But it won't last forever
Next day I'm your super girl
Out to save the world
And it keeps gettin' better

Story of my life, my friends.

Every other Thursday, you'll find me taking an hour out of my day to get my nails done in my classic, nude polish. My nail salon is a place I enjoy going to and is right out of the classic Steel Magnolias.

The women who work there and their clients are the kind of women I like to be around. They are women of experience. They've been there, they've done that, and they all enjoy a good laugh.

One woman I get to see on my every other week appointment is Marilyn. I believe she's in her 70's and has she lived a LIFE. I love to hear her stories and only wish I had shared my adolescence with her...bourbon, cigarettes, curfew, and a convertible are all part of her teenage years and that's just the beginning.

Most likely I would never have gotten to meet these fabulous women out in my community...our ages, our lifestyles, and just daily life would stop us from ever crossing paths. But this salon has brought us together, and just like in the movie, the salon is really about the friendships that sustain us through life's highs and lows.

Kiss Me Kate

How gorgeous are these fall looks by Kate Spade? I'm loving that mustard gold coat and the electric blue tights.

See you, Tony

Remember when the writer's strike happened in 2007 and we were all scrambling to find something to watch on television? My husband and I started getting addicted to the Sopranos. Tony, Carmella, AJ, and Meadow became the family that you didn't really want in your home, but you liked to peek in and see what was going on in their lives.

We are now on the last season, the last disc of this classic HBO show. I know I'm a year late than others, but I can't help feeling like I'm really going to miss dysfunctional, sociopathic, Tony and the gang. Any suggestions of what our next series should be?

You know you shouldn't watch...but you do

The Real Housewives of Orange County, Season 4, starts Tuesday,11/25--and I just can't wait to see it!! Maybe because they were our first Real Housewives..they're hands down my favorite.

Reincarnation

I'm thinking in a former life I might have been a detective. I LOVE to find out things and the Internet makes that SO much easier and accessible. Don't you love it?
This just happened--My task bar/toolbar- that thing on top of your screen with the address disappeared -poof!-gone! But you know what I did???
I googled up "poof! task bar" (or something to that effect) read what to do, did it, and VOILA! It is repaired.
And if you want to find out how much $$ dancers make on Dancing with The Stars, the definition of ubiquitous, or how old Rachel Zoe is...you've come to the right place.

Light it up

I am not in the market for new lighting... but if I were, this Hobnail pendant lamp with a mercury patina from Shabby Chic just might light up my life. If YOU happen to be looking there's up to 40% off on selected lighting and mirrors.

Sit On Art

It's so unlike me to even THINK about a sofa like this with all the WILD colors...but, just thinking of it as THE piece of ART in a big room makes me smile. From 1st Dibs-circa 1960's--Fantastic vintage sofa in original Larsen "Midsummer Velvet". Great construction: hardwood frame, hand tied springs and spring front edge all tight. Astonishingly clean condition from a Westport home.
Price$2,800

great collection

Bakerella shared this story about her collections. She said that when people come over to her house they always ask why she has spice jars in her living room. She encourages them to get a little closer and check out the labels...

Sand. It's jars of sand from over 100 beaches where she's traveled...very cool souvenir.

Amazing Race

I have a love/hate relationship to this show. I love to watch...the excitement, the fast-paced challenges, and the relationships that evolve fascinate me.
I hate to watch because I realize what a horrible person I would be on such an adventure! I'm not good at competition. I MUST WIN AT ALL COSTS. And; if things are not going my way--I can be a bitch. A SUPER BITCH. I would be the contestant you would love to hate because I would be yelling at everyone and whoever my partner would be (let's just assume it would be my husband) would be roadkill.
Plus, let's not even go to the logistics of such an adventure...when do you eat? Is there time for coffee in the morning? Bathroom breaks? I'm not a girl who can poop on demand. Change a tampon time-out? Running on too little sleep? Is there a mirror to put in my contact lens? Showers? Clean underwear?
I try to stay clear of competitions with unknown obstacles. I'd rather be the happy, easy-going girl who takes her time getting there and enjoying every moment along the way...and I'll be wearing clean panties.

Never work with animals or kids...

well, I'm not sure about the animals; but the kids that I was with at my book signing were well mannered, kind, and adorable! I opted not to read when I saw lots of kids in the "under 5" age bracket--don't get me wrong--I can make the yellow pages sound exciting--but, I know attention levels and these pretty princesses wanted to create tiaras and eat cookies rather than hear me yammering on and on. I must admit though, I felt a little bit how Santa must feel when the moms and kids were all lining up to have their books signed....color me sort of popular :)

Fly Away

How gorgeous are these butterfly headbands? Along with butterflies, Etsy seller WhichGoose creates the most magical headbands and crowns of berries, leaves, and flowers...perfect for the upcoming holidays!

This might be humiliating...

Do you remember this episode of Sex and The City/fifth season:
Carrie is invited to San Francisco for a book reading and is very excited, for this is a chance to see Mr. Big.
I have been invited to Tempe, Arizona this weekend to be a part of "Tiaras and Tea" at Changing Hands Bookstore. It sounded fun until I found out that I would have to do a "reading" from my children's book I wrote.
You're probably thinking..."good for you! that's great". Remember the rest of that Sex and The City episode right before Carrie is going to read:
Carrie: [waiting with Mr. Winkle, the puppet dog, for her book reading to start] This book tour's tough.
Carrie: [Mr. Winkle continues to nod and pant. Carrie gives him a good look] That's a cute top.
I just know there's going to be a Mr. Winkle somewhere on Saturday at this bookstore...and it's not going to be near as funny.

Baby it's cold

I am loving that lately I have been freezing leftover soup, chili, cookie dough, pesto, and all sorts of delectable delights. How GREAT is it that you just pull out a meal and-VOILA- when you come home at night, it's ready to reheat and enjoy.
Sounds like I just invented electricity or something...but when my kids were all here there were really never any leftovers. Now, instead of the leftover meal the next day--I freeze it away to enjoy in another few weeks or so...fabulous!

It's a big deal

Whatever your political persuasion, whoever you voted for (just vote!), I hope that you think a presidential candidate coming to your town is a BIG deal.
It makes me so darn proud of our Prescott, Arizona that we hosted a candidate in grand style. Albeit, McCain arrived at midnight in our fair community and I was in bed all snuggly under the covers...it is a big deal to have all the press, the satellite trucks, and the buzz of the election.
Earlier in the day, I gave directions to two reporters from the Poland Press (yes...as in the country of Poland) how to make their way to our Courthouse.

So many fonts...so little time

I'm in the process of remodeling my blog...it's so much fun but there are so many decisions...so many fonts...and of course, I want it to be fabulous for you and for me!