To 2009! And...a smelly,er...scented, giveaway...

Putzing that is a word, yes? in my kitchen this morning, I wanted to share

just a few of my favorite things...version 2008...1.0.

not including the most important, of course... family, friends, big black dog dog yadda yadda yadda.

I found me some Mrs. Meyers Peppermint dish soap...heaven in a squirt bottle
Yep. Heaven.

A hint of vanilla and peppermint goes a long way to curing

the ole dishwashing blues! If you find it. Get it.

It's that good!

As a matter of fact stock up on all of her stuff. They have

parties under the sink. Yes...really, really.


As I type...I still smell the intoxicating aroma of my most fave candle and I am in my room, it's in the kitchen!

Capri Blue...Volcano #6. Exotic, fruity.heady.

ahhh...be still my nasal cavity.

find it here.



Not enough to be said about the perfect simplicity of Penzeys spices.

A once Ma and Pa company,

dedicated to finding and bottling the best herbs and spices the world has to offer.

Catalog is full of recipes.Wonderful gifts. Prices are really decent. It's spice, people...

Trust me this once. Please. You won't be sorry!



You all... yes, You are also my favorite things 2008, version 1.0!

the last few months have been a complete rush!

Love finding all of you. Double love your comments and ideas!

A big thank you...and smooches...



And,to give back...cause that is just the way I roll...I will be sending one of you,

one of my favorite things...for being so good, so nice, so you!

just leave me a comment...let me know which of those is YOUR fave too!

...and sometime next year. Well, Sunday to be exact,

I will randomly pick a winner...and you will recieve one of the goodies I have

shown above. Mention this on your blog, even just a leeetle bit, and
I will submit your name twice just remember to tell me in your comment!

ready, set...Go!

Best to you and yours in 2009!

It'll be a good one.

I can just smell it!!

Warm quiet solace...

There is a little known private island in the Carribbean,

fringed with white sandy beaches

basking in crystal clear warm turquoise water...

Petit St. Vincent Island...only 100 acres of rolling hills.

Tamed just enough

to allow 22 guest cottages...one could be yours.

...Each built of stone. All are naturally air conditioned... Simply the beach breeze through

opened louvered doors and windows, Cool terra cotta floors

And palm frond ceiling fans...slowly revolving.

No tv.No radio. no phone...
just quiet.
Peace.




In the warm evenings...oil lanterns light the way to the beach where tables and chairs are scattered along the shoreline and a steel drum band sets the festive spirit.
One can feast on grilled chicken, steak, lobster, and fish.
During the sun soaked days...Guests can sail, scuba, kayak...or just walk throughout
the many marked trails along the island.
There is a yoga pavilion and a massage therapist for your every whim.
ahhh

Go there. Live it.
...Save a spot for me!

Petit St. Vincent Island...a member of the leading small hotels of the world

Pardon me while I play...a bit...

Mama's happy...It was a wonderful Christmas and Christmas eve.

warm and balmy

Friends and family.

I was so surprised...recieved a new camera for Christmas.

The other was in hospice care...doing it's best. Sometimes. Sometimes not.

So, still learning the tricks of the newby...

But I am LOVIN' it!!

Indulge me in a horsey moment, will ya?

I mean really...who could resist these deep soulful eyes?

...Nor this candy ass swagger?
ok...ok....I'll go look for some tropical scenes for y'all.

Hope everyone had a beautiful day....and has a wonderful weekend!

Carry on.

click!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thanks to all of you. It has been a wonderful Christmas holiday season as blog friends share recipes, craft ideas, Christmas decorations and stories about family traditions. This is my first Christmas as a blogger and it has been a wonderful discovery. No matter how you celebrate the season I hope that your Christmas is everything you could wish for and more. May your New Year be filled with promise.

We are leaving tomorrow night to go visit my husband's family in Beirut so I won't be blogging until mid-January. Until we come back with new photos I wanted to share some photos from previous trips.

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

Well, this isn't like Christmases past and I hope it isn't like Christmases future. My oldest son is serving overseas and now, because of weather, my daughter isn't coming home for Christmas. It was a bit shocking at first and I have to admit that I was on the verge of tears for a portion of the afternoon. Then, as mothers would have it, motherhood kicked in and went to work. You see our Christmas traditions won't take place - no Christmas Eve movie, trip to Waffle House, no one to open gifts from Santa, no pigs-in-a-blanket, no lobster (yes, we eat lobster on Christmas) AND missing children. None of this means there won't be Christmas - it just won't be like any Christmas we have ever celebrated. My middle son will be here trying to lift our spirits, thank goodness! SO, we sent Mimi money for her own feast, movies and a good greasy spoon outing in Portland. She even called my sister to get her traditional Beer Cheese Soup recipe to make it feel like home. My husband and I rounded up her packages and gifts and took everything to the airport Fedex office for priority overnight delivery. My oldest son received his gift package three days ago, and combined with the Atlanta Falcons win, he will make it through the day in Iraq. Meanwhile I will go to Christmas Eve Mass, enjoy the pageant and instead of lobster we will enjoy comfort food - lasagna from our favorite Italian restaurant.

We have decided to have a family gathering in the spring when we can try once again to assemble as a family but in the meantime we are making the most of our lemons and enjoying the blessings of the season. By then we can enjoy some lemonade on the front porch!

From our imperfect home...to yours...

The stockings were hung on the piano with care

ok...maybe they were just hung...not too much the care part.

The three wisemen were bearing gifts...the camels were cameling (that's what they do best I hear)

The imperfect tree was so happy in it's jewels.

Not a spot left empty by hands that used to be so tiny...
I swear it smiles when I walk by, though...

...an odd amalgum of

things. No real rhyme or reason...

The northern star did find it's way in, however
albeit in the powder room...

...and even Santa moves around through the house.

dancing.

May your dishes get washed, your kitchen cleaned ahem...

but more, so much more...

May you find PEACE this beautiful season.

Merry Merry to all in all of your

imperfect perfectness!!
Photo: a beleza de todas as coisas

A lovely Nor'easter...

I know so many of you are being blanketed

by the white stuff. Gorgeous white stuff, I might add.

It has been so long...I have a hard time remembering what it looks and feels like. Sad.

I do remember a cool fall winter in the Northeast...

while no snow, this reminds me of it's simple beauty.

Dream with me for a moment...K?

Some clean modern lines...almost nautical.


oooh look!...a see a fire in the corner. Ahh.

Ok...this barn door in the kitchen is Fab. I think I need a barn door in our kitchen.

Look at the stone in that Gorgeous fireplace.

I think I am having a fireplace thing. Yep.

...And a secret door into the kids room. Magical, no?

Gorgeous architecture by Hutker Architects

What are you dreaming of...other than sugar plums?

Baby It's Cold Outside - NOT!

While singing along with the many Christmas songs one hears this time of year I realized today how thankful I am for the warm temperatures. Yesterday I got an email from a hometown friend living in Colorado who said, "Yesterday morning when I went out to feed the horses, it was 19 degrees BELOW zero. The high temp was about zero. Today it was 2 above, and the high was about 20 degrees above. The dry cold isn't that bad out here if the
wind isn't blowing too hard."

Meanwhile my husband received a photo from a friend living in Las Vegas showing the snow covering her front yard. Here in Atlanta temps are in the upper 60's and I have to admit - I am loving it!!!! In the past few weeks temperatures had been hovering in the 30's and I found myself feeling so lethargic. Cocooning is not good during the "most wonderful time of the year with those kids jingle bell-ing" and all that stuff.

In the middle of the Christmas rush, the warm weather inspired me to do some home improvements, so for now when I come home from work the front door is off its hinges as the workmen haul materials in and out of the house. "The weather outside is frightful but the [work inside] is delightful." Meanwhile, "over the [house] lies a mantle of white" as sawdust drifts through the air. When I go to bed at night "I'm dreamin' of some white [bookcases]" My Christmas tree now has an added silvery look because all of the sawdust but thankfully the project should be complete tomorrow and it will be just in time for Wine Club being held at my house this Saturday night. But there is much to be done before guests arrive!!! I will share more about our hectic schedule in the coming days but for now I am happy to be "[livin'] in a [warmer] Wonderland."

Peace...

“The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea”
~ Isak Dinesen

...A beautiful early morning walk the week before Christmas.

Hoping you find your slice of peace

this season.

Friends, Decorating and Christopher Radko

Yesterday we went to an afternoon open house for cookies and spiked punch at my girlfriend's house. Each year she decorates every inch of her house (I mean that) and it is exquisitely adorned. Every room has its own theme but no matter what room you are in there are holiday "surprises" tucked in every nook and cranny. You will even find Christmas movies playing on flat screens throughout the house. It is such a delightful holiday event to attend and every year I look forward to going to see all the decorations and decorating that has taken place in preparation for Christmas. One of the most spectacular sights is the Christopher Radko tree in the living room. It is completely covered in ornaments though not all of her ornaments could be hung on the tree. I wish I had thought to take more photos to share with you but one photo I did take is the Christopher Radko tree. Click on the photo to enlarge and see some of the beautiful ornaments. Please note the "sweet" candy garland.

A fellow blogger didn't have as much luck at getting her tree up but it made for a very funny post. Stop by and visit Mary at Little Red House to read about her tree adventure.

Grab a cup of cocoa and feast your eyes on this home!

Holidays times two.....

Another classic Hooked on Houses tour...check out the button above

to feast your eyes and soul on everything holiday!!

Merry Christmas from a Beautiful Florida home of a friend

and neighbor...
....so full of color and whimsy
and FUN!

You can't help but feel happy as you enter...

Always sunny and bright...

Original wood floors are scattered with gorgeous timeworn persian rugs...

Well used Wellies holding the giftwrap...love this!

Their banister is decked with antique silver

baby cups from her collection ... Awwww

The livingroom showcases tropical art beautifully with
Antiques...

The stockings are hung...

...along with an assortment of well loved, often read

Childrens Christmas books

Santa is getting ready...yep.

Cranberries in vases with candles inside

light the dining room table

I am truly in love with this shell chandelier...
In love I tell you...

The walls are painted a key lime green...

The kitchen is beautiful...blue willow platters
line a wall

The Family room....is ....well ,so family! And still more...as you take the winding path out the side door from the

kitchen...

You come to the lovliest pool house...

and pool.....

No snow in this clime...But tons o'Whimsy and fun!

And boy do the locals sure know how to wear their color!!!

Another winding chicago brick path off the pool leads to a stunning guest

cottage, aptly named Sunshine Cottage check out the link...which they rent out...

Come on, you know you

wanna! Heck I wanna

An octopus of an old Live oak... protects this gem of a home

and it's amazing family of five....

ooooh...and their bevy of kitties....


Fa la la la la.....la laa la la!