Gina

August 17, 2017

There is a special bond between sisters that is unlike any other.
This I know from personal experience because of my sister Gina. I can’t imagine what my life would have been without her (thank you Mama).

Today is Gina’s birthday

and this is for her:

You are my little sister and my forever friend
You’ll always be a part of me, on that you can depend.We started out together, were besties from the start;
We’re similar in many ways, my younger counterpart. We share family, the same parents, several secrets and good looks,
fondness for little kitties, You’ve Got Mail and Disney books.We’ve shared each other’s happy times, we’ve also shared our dreams.
Our life is filled with memories of laughter (and it seems)

Although our times together are not as often as before,
meet with me at Mama’s, and we’re back in time once more.Time and space may separate, and though we’re oft apart
You’re never very far from me, you’re always in my heart.Other friends have come and gone, but heartstrings know no end,
Your sister will be here for you, on Me you can depend.You are my little sister,
I hope that you can see…How very precious that you are
and how you’ll always be.

Happy Birthday Gina!

Venus Fall Preview

August 15, 2017

If you have read many of my posts, or looked at my Pinterest “My Style” board, you know that I like Venus. My favorite skinny denim is from Venus and I have these pants/jeans in 8 colors.

Yesterday the

Venus Fall Preview

catalog arrived. It should come as no surprise that I’ve already picked out some favorites!

A few items in a shade of Pantone’s warm and quintessential fall color Autumn Maple

Stylecaster calls this 2017 fall trend Crazy Cozy. Apparently cozy is just now trending. Cozy is a trend I’ve been enjoying for a long time and this cardigan looks just like something I want to get into.

We typically call it burgundy, Pantone named it Tawny Port. It is supposed to be a trending color this fall. To me, it is the only color I don’t have in my collection of jackets.

This dress was one of my Friday Favorites on the cover of the last Venus catalog I received. Recently I discovered it is also a blouse! Elle Magazine would include this in their 2017 fall trend they call Couch Florals. Prints inspired by your fancy aunt’s living room sofa. I call it cute!

Although it is one of my favorites from my fall preview catalog, this long vest has not fallen under any fall trend category that I’ve come across, although it does come in Red (Grenadine, according to Pantone) which is THE color for fall 2017. Apparently. Personally, I like the black cold shoulder long vest. And I think it would come in handy on those days when you have something to hide.

Because Fringe, slogan tee shirts, and metallic shoes are trending this year, I’m including this ensemble.

I think it is really cute, but if I wore it, I’d likely Not leave the house.

Shearling is an NYFW fall trend. This cardigan is a perfect addition to that category.

I’ve only just begun to peruse this catalog.

I’ll have pages dog-eared before long and LB will be looking through it to see what to get me for Christmas. Hee Hee.

Happy Shopping!

Wistful about the Weekend

August 14, 2017

It is a bittersweet thing to say goodbye to the weekend

And Hello to Monday.

But right now I am smiling as I reflect on the past two days and how I enjoyed myself. Especially Saturday.

Saturday Morning I made my way to the kitchen to make coffee, then enjoyed a cup while watching the Cooking Channel. I take pleasure in starting my day slowly and this is one of the reasons I love weekends, as most of my days begin by jumping out of bed, throwing myself together and rushing out the door. One of my happy places is in my living room chair with Elvis perched on my lap and a cup of coffee in my hand. I love this part of my life.

But I’m a busy person and it wasn’t long before I was back in the kitchen being creative. There has been a container of cinnamon rolls in my refrigerator for way too long. It was time to get rid of them. So I made cinnamon roll waffles. LB was delighted and he ate two.

Saturday Afternoon

I showed some love to my front yard flowers, spending about 30 minutes weeding. LB spent several hours in the yard mowing and edging. I jumped in the pool. Later in the day, after he came in and recharged, we decided to go out to dinner. One of our regular places is Jerry’s Sports Grille which is LB’s favorite place for steak. Jerry’s didn’t work out, so we headed back to Whiskey Jax. LB and I shared a burger and a salad

The featured band was

Sidewalk 65

and they were very entertaining.

Also entertaining, as always, were the dancers showing off their moves

VERY ENTERTAINING. We enjoyed the show. There are some “extras” singing in this clip. The band was actually pretty good.

As usual, it turned out to be a nice Saturday. I’m looking forward to the next one!

Sunday Mornin’

August 13, 2017

Every Sunday I like to start the day by presenting LB with a special breakfast or brunch. Typically I will fry shredded hash browns laced with red pepper flakes and serve them with a soft cooked egg and pumpernickel toast. Today I decided to do something different.

My obsession with the Food Network and Cooking Channel has inspired me to try new things. For brunch today LB and I enjoyed Eggs Benedict. That’s right… I made it myself!

This is how I did it

Eggs Benedict for two

Ingredients

4 pieces of bacon
2 tablespoons chopped parsley, for garnish
4 eggs
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 English muffins
Butter

for the Hollandaise sauce

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Process

1 Slice the bacon

into 3 pieces. Set bacon on a plate atop the toaster oven.

I used sliced, precooked bacon because it is less mess and much faster that frying bacon. If I had smoked salmon in the house, I would have used it instead.

2 Bring water to a boil

in a large saucepan two-thirds-filled with water, then add the vinegar. Bring the water to a boil again, then lower the heat to a bare simmer.

3 Make the Hollandaise sauce

in a blender. Melt 5 Tbsp unsalted butter and set aside. Add 2 egg yolks, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender, blend on low for 20-30 seconds. On lowest setting, slowly drizzle in the melted butter, while continuing to blend.

4 Poach the eggs

one egg at a time, obviously. Crack an egg into a small bowl or cup and slide it into the simmering water. Once the white begins to envelope the yolk, add another egg, until all four are cooking. Turn off the heat, cover the pan, and let sit for 2, 3, or 4 minutes. The timing is dependent on how runny you like your eggs. This typically calls for experimentation until you figure out what to do to have the eggs exactly the way you like them. Remove the poached eggs with a slotted spoon and let drain on a plate lined with paper towels.

5 Slice the English muffins and toast

until lightly crispy and golden brown. Butter the English muffins and set them on a plate to assemble the Eggs Benedict.

6 To assemble

top buttered English muffins with bacon slices. Place a poached egg on top of the bacon covered muffin. Pour Hollandaise over the top. Garnish with parsley (or whatever greenery you like) and serve at once.

Happy Sunday Mornin’!

ENJOY!

7 Hit the treadmill

You may have just consumed 900 calories!

In honor of the late Glen Campbell

National Middle Child Day

August 12, 2017

“Each year on August 12th, National Middle Child Day is observed across the United States. This day gives special recognition to the middle child in the family” (source).

Amanda

is My Middle Childand she is a delight!

I searched google to find a National Day for the Oldest Child/First-Born and Youngest Child and I could not. It is possible that Middle Children are given a special day because they sometimes experience

Middle Child Syndrome

There was no middle child in my family when I was growing up, only myself and my sister Gina. Being the first-born in my family, it is difficult for me to imagine a disorder associated with birth order. Therefore I am puzzled by the Middle Child Syndrome being a reality that some children experience. The first-born is many times considered to be the leader, while the youngest, or “baby of the family” has his own special place. Does this leave the middle child without a special place or role? I have three children and happen to know that the middle child does in fact have a special role.

But research indicates that this syndrome is very real. These children may feel they are given scant attention and that their siblings are recognized more than they.

Amanda

in my opinion, is an exception to the rule!Amanda is special for so many reasons.

For example:

she is a natural born leader and adventurer.This picture was taken during a tour of the United States Capitol in 2007. Amanda was the tour guide. She took the initiative to go to Washington D.C. and serve as an intern for Senator Mel Martinez while she was “just a baby”. And isn’t she lovely?She also gave me a tour of the city, and obediently posed with the flowers for this picture.

Amanda is very imaginative and a lot of fun to be with.

But she also has a serious sideand beautiful blue-green eyes.

She has a Master’s Degree; graduating from UNF with honors.

I am very proud of her and hope that she is only teasing when she calls herself “the forgotten child”.

At this point she must know that she is anything but forgotten. Maybe we should start referring to them as the “Central” as opposed to the “Middle”.

Happy Central Child Day Amanda!

Note to Stephanie and Richard: Be forewarned. Even though there is no National First-Born Day or National Youngest Child Day… I’m a Blogger, and I’ll embarrass you too.

Friday Favorites

August 11, 2017

Happy Friday Everyone!

It’s my favorite day of the week and time for my favorite post…

Friday Favorites

Is it acceptable for a grown woman to like Marvel Comic movies? I just can’t help myself.

Favorite # ONE

LB and I watched Guardians of the Galaxy early in the week and we both enjoyed it immensely. This Sci-Fi Superhero movie doesn’t disappoint! The characters are an extraterrestrial team of misfits who each have their own agenda, but ban together to achieve a joint objective. During the story, their appreciation for each other leads to a heartwarming friendship. The interaction is amusing. The plot is interesting. The music is excellent! I am looking forward to watching the sequel!

Click the links to watch the trailers

Favorite # TWO

Favorite # Two is a website… susanlucci.com

I’ve never watched the soap opera “All My Children”, but I KNOW who Susan Lucci is. You know who she is too!

This woman is SEVENTY years old and drop dead gorgeous. When I found her website, I discovered that she likes to do Pilates. Well there you have it! Pilates is the secret to lifelong beauty.

I searched online for her site after I happened to see her in an episode of The Kitchen.

Favorite # THREE

Speaking of the kitchen, I spent some time in My kitchen recently to prepare for the celebration of National Raspberry Cream Pie Day. Obviously I don’t need much of a reason to celebrate.

Tuesday, August 1st was National Raspberry Cream Pie Day.

Because I am easily distractedI didn’t read the ‘Cream Pie’ part and assumed it was a raspberry cake that was the subject of celebration. Sadly, instead of a Raspberry Cream Pie, I made a Raspberry Cake.

Happily, it was a GOOD cake!

If a cake hangs around too long in my house, it gets cut into slices, wrapped individually, and stored in the freezer. Pop a frozen slice into the microwave for 30 seconds and enjoy a warm dessert that is almost as good as it was right out of the oven.

Favorite # FOUR

The Venus catalog that came in the mail this week

The Paisley Boho Dress on the cover caught my eye right away. Isn’t it cute? Must have.

Favorite # FIVE

Saving the BEST for last… this picture of my son and his sweet little girlLydia broke her toe recently and spent some time wearing this boot.

Richard has recently started blogging. His style is very different from mine, but I like it. You can find his blog here. I am very proud of him and his desire to complete that which he was called to do.

Color Crush on Blue

August 10, 2017

Pantone is the expert that sets the standard for color trends every year. Earlier this year I shared the Pantone 2017 spring/summer colors in this Summer 2017 Trends post.

Here is a reminder of those top ten:

While many others may be looking forward to fall fashion, I have had a difficult time accepting the fact that summer is nearing its end, and the fall season will begin next month. I’m still loving the colors that I’ve been finding while out on my shopping ventures.

The color I’m crushing on today is Island ParadiseThis cool blue green color reminds me of a summer vacation

When you wear Island Paradise it looks like this This pretty blouse was waiting for me to find it on a Sunday afternoon shopping trip with LB. It was on sale for $12 at Nordstrom Rack, so I snatched it up right away.

The opened back with a criss-cross detail is pretty. It would have been smart of me to put my hair up so it could be seen. I wasn’t thinking too clearly at 6:00 this morning. Word to the wise: check the care label before purchasing anything, even if it is only $12.