Mr R.

Happy Anniversary, my love.
{tumblr}

sweet dreams

Rest well, my darlings;
it is well deserved.
Congratulations to both of you...
you are DONE!
{flickr photo by Anna Amphigorously}

conquer

You are almost to the finish line!
Good luck today!
{flickr photo by Baywhale}

on your wish list?

Doesn't this contraption look like something
Thomas Jefferson would have invented?
So when you are weary from studying,
my two turtle doves, and can't lift another book,
you don't have to--
just strap on one of these!
{consider it an early gift!}
{flickr photo}

freshness

To prepare for Christmas we have been
winter cleaning.

I like to deep clean our home twice a year;
in the spring and before Christmas.
We pull out each piece of furniture,
scrub and polish it,
shop vac each nook and cranny of every room
and then return everything to its rightful
or new place as I like to mix up and
rearrange pieces and lamps.

After the windows are squeaky clean,
in and out, we open them
so our home is fresh and clean.
Then we are ready to decorate for Christmas!
Hallelujah!
{all flickr photos: 1 by BigBean; 2 by such pretty things; and 3 by Abby Lanes}

for today

fingers crossed for good luck

You and me, Mr R.
I am thinking of you every moment!
kiss, kiss, kiss
love, love, love
{flickr photo by phillgirand photography}

good fortune

Round two...
All my love!
{this applies to numerous situations}
[google image]

Chantilly lace dress

This little black cocktail dress
sold at auction to an anonymous bidder
for nearly $100,000 on Tuesday.
Blessedly, half of the net proceeds go to the
Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.
Lovely on all accounts!

high stakes

I have thoroughly enjoyed each episode
of this season's "Top Chef".
I think the caliber of the chefs in
each culinary challenge has been top notch.
I am excited to hear this season's winner.
My picks?
Kevin
Bryan
Michael
in that order.

starry nights

I believe one of our lovelies would like to be
served this umber ring.

It's a high percentage return our other sugar plum will
enjoy all facets of this topaz toggle bracelet.
Both items from Spool No. 72.
Happy studying!
Happy shopping!

winter clutches

Sassy ruffled winter wristlets
in black and frost gray.
They can be found in Murwati's etsy shop.

sleep in peace

To the loves of my life...
"When you have accomplished your daily task,
go to sleep in peace.
God is awake."
- Victor Hugo
{flickr photo}

yummy...peppermint bark

I discovered this super delicious and easy recipe by Alice on her blog Sweet Life.
Yum. May I repeat? Yum, yum, YUM!
And easy. Easy, easy, EASY!

Peppermint Bark Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag of chocolate chips (any kind you like)

1 bag of white chocolate chips

24 mini candy canes, crushed *do not crush using a food processor – place candy canes in a zip lock bag and use a hammer to crush into small pieces

DIRECTIONS:

Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with parchment paper. Pour (brown) chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave chocolate chips in increments of 30 seconds stirring the chips each time until chocolate chips have completed melted and mixture is smooth. Spread melted chocolate as evenly as possibly into lined pan. Place pan into freezer for 20 minutes. Repeat the same melting process with the white chips. While chocolate is still smooth, stir in half of the crushed candy cane mixture. Allow the white chocolate to slightly cool for a minute. Remove pan from freezer and spread white chocolate/crushed candy canes mixture on top of the chocolate layer. Spread white chocolate as quickly as possible. Top off with remaining crushed candy cane and gently pat down with the back of a spatula. Return pan to freezer for 20 minutes. Remove from freezer and gently lift the whole mixture from the pan with a butter knife. You should now have a solid sheet of peppermint bark. Remove parchment paper and break into pieces. Store any left over bark in a ziplock bag and place in the freezer. Enjoy!

*if white chocolate chips do not melt smooth, stir in 2 tablespoons of shortening.

I hope you and your family have a way good time making, sharing and eating this peppermint bark!

~recipe and photos from savorysweetlife.com

softness

Today...
our first snowflakes of the season!
{flickr photo by jpetralia}

pages of Shakespeare garland

I know a beautiful fleur-de-lis iron fence
in New Orleans
this garland would decorate well for the holidays!
{etsy bookity}

To all three of you!
love, love, love
{google image by Simona T.}

*mwah*

As our girlies lovely heads are filled with laws
and facts and figures as they prepare
for finals and write papers the next two weeks,
we share some yum-tious snacks.

For Emily, her favorite
...macaroons.

For Jessica,
her favorite refreshment...Izze's.

Good luck!
Love, love, love
{both flickr photos}

The first thing for which I am grateful was actually meeting
Mr R in the airport from his international flight that arrived
on time. I am usually one of optimism but was doubtful we
would connect on this, the busiest travel day of the year.
{I was sooooo much more happy after I had checked my
bags and box....I had one suitcase with linen napkins
and a Thanksgiving centerpiece....a h-e-a-v-y box of
--it's a secret-- and my own carry on bag.
I do feel I still know how young mommies feel
lugging all their gear, car seats, strollers, etc; my
encumbrances now are just different. Wish I had met my
captain before I had hauled all of it in by myself from
long term parking, through the airport, etc
but this is life so one must roll with the suitcases,
even with bad knees. Grateful I have knees and legs.
I had tip money all ready for a sky cap whom I knew would
whisk my bags and box to the counter;
but alas, no, not one in sight.}
After checking my items, find one another
Mr R and I did and the rest was a breeze!
Even though it was quite late upon our arrival
it was a JOY
to have our girls and their pup meet us at the airport.
So fun to all be together!!!

Loved walking through Audubon Park with the
moss hanging from all its trees

with Emily and Miss Tulip.

They have water fountains for people as well as pups
which makes everyone happy and tails wag.
Glad Mr R and J could put in a few very long training
runs for the upcoming Mardi Gras Marathon in February!

Mmmm, delicious food including this lovely tart
that was delivered to the girls door by a dear friend.
{thank you- it was tres bien!}
Speaking of food...on Sunday Mr R and I team taught one of
our daughters Primary church class; children ages 3-8.
We were talking about blessings
and for what we each are grateful.
I asked them if they had eaten pie.
"Pie?" they responded in their southern accents.
I inquired what type of pie they had partaken,
thinking I might hear some pecan, not pecan but pecan in southern accent,
amongst apple or pumpkin.
No.
Down the row of miniature chairs, each responded,
"Sweet potato pie!"
And grits.
We loved it!

Thrilled we could continue our annual tradition of seeing
the "Nutcracker" as the Moscow Ballet was in town
for a benefit performance for the Kingsley House
and enjoy these fountains outside the newly reopened
Mahalia Jackson Theatre.

I loved that Jessica pointed out the bananas growing
on this tree in the back yard next door.And for Miss Tulip {reading the Wall Street Journal}
we are so grateful--for her fun and frolic!
Very glad for the twenty four hours we spent with the rescue
pup we were hoping would come share our home with us.
She is a total sweetheart but with her lame leg just would not
be happy maneuvering our stairs or winter ice storms.
Tulip was so gentle with her!
We had a most wonderful time sharing our blessings
together at our girls' table.
Thank you, lovelies.
You are our greatest blessing of all!

Photos of our Thanksgiving trip...soon!

Welcome December,
wondrous month!
{I hope we celebrate with LOTS of magicial snowflakes.}
[flickr photo by ook00]

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.

It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order,
confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace
for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."
- Melody Beattie

Happy Thanksgiving!
{flickr photo by Ming chai}

In a few days we shall be meeting our potential rescue dog.
We are sooooo excited to meet her!
Also nervous, hopeful and eager;
she seems like a total sweetheart.
Will she say "woof, woof" "arf, arf" or "ruuuuff"?
Or will she have a southern bark?
If it all works out well we shall be ordering this
jonathon adler dog dish--a perfect match
as I hope we all are!

My dearest Captain R,
Communication has been sparse but
my heart feels you are navigating rough waters.
Know I am on bended knee praying for you to have
continued faith and strength.

May a light house illuminate your course.
May knowledge fill your mind.
I believe in you with all my heart and
am awaiting your safe return to our shores on Wednesday.
I have missed you fiercely.
All my love,
Your first mate
{photo one by flickr Adam and Debbie Purser of Classic Sailing;
photo two by flickr MumbleyJoe}

"The hand that gives, gathers."
English Proverb
{flickr photo by G!L}

Who will have the best runway collection
of these three,

Althea, Irinia or Carol Hannah?
We'll know tonight--good luck to the all female finale!
{photos from lifetime.com}

"Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude."
~Joseph W. Krutch
{flickr photo by designldg}

For Mr R and our youngest daughter, J,

whom are training for the Mardi Gras marathon in February.

{etsy item}

I went to a dinner group this evening where the theme was "corn".

The reason for the theme was this: On this date in

"1620 The first corn (maize) was supposedly discovered (by European settlers) by some Pilgrims led by Myles Standish, while exploring the area near Provincetown, Massachusetts. They named the spot Corn Hill." source: foodreference.com

I was asked to please bring a salad; with corn. Hmmm....all the sweet corn has been harvested, although we yet have field upon field of feeder corn, so I was a little stumped. My wonderful sistah emailed me an Ina Garten recipe but after teaching school all day felt it would require too much energy; it is only Monday, after all. I remembered this recipe from the June Real Simple magazine. Such a simple recipe; crisp, clean and delicious!

Corn Salad with Feta and Walnuts

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• 4 cups fresh corn kernels (from 4 ears), raw or cooked
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta (2 ounces)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool and roughly chop.
2. In a large bowl, combine the corn, jalapeños, lime juice, oil, walnuts, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle with the Feta before serving.

Serves 6Hands-On Time: 10mTotal Time: 15m

I am grateful for corn! Enjoy.

Once you have built a "boat" one step at a time,
one day at a time, even moment to moment,
it must then be sailed,
taken out of the harbor and put to the test.
Adjustments and tweaks are part of the process.
So glad, mate, you have this opportunity;
may you have smooth sailing!
I love you, faithful ship builder.
*mwah*
{flickr photo by s@ilor}

"Every person's life is a fairy tale
written by God's fingers."
-Hans Christian Anderson
{flickr photo}

urban legend website

To update, the story of Cookie and Coco is supposedly a hoax, an urban legend, whatever you want to label it.

Believe me...or not?

Confirm it on snopes.com, "a web site that is the best-known resource for validating and debunking urban legends, Internet rumors, e-mail forwards, and other such stories of uncertain or questionable origin in American popular culture." source: wikipedia

Locate the search area, type "Cookie and Coca dogs" and be directed to this page where you can click on the title written in red and read many an entry.

Perhaps this was a real situation in the beginning {that dear reader is for you to decide} but appears to have become a hoax in that someone continues to circulate the heart tugging e-mail while changing the location of the dogs to match your area.

According to the Snopes website, this has been disseminated in California, our state and as far as Canada, Australia and India.

Our lesson? If it sounds too good to be true it probably is and if you receive a photo of two great looking dogs like these check it out on Snopes.com!

Beware!

Okay friends...we seemed to have allowed ourselves to get drawn into a scam that pulls on ones heart strings (what pulls harder than children and animals?!) and I am laying it out here to hopefully help you avoid the same pitfall.

A little background...we have lost all three of our adored, four legged, furry family members the past few years and it has taken me some time to consider opening my heart again.

When we received the following e-mail we were very excited and responded quickly as to the urgent situation of the family moving overseas and desperately needing to place their pups. We totally understand. Accordingly, we looked at each other, felt our hearts melt and responded immediately, detailing our pet background/history; even including referrals and phone numbers.

I know you see the warning lights flashing here as you already know it was a scam so you are faaaaar ahead of us.

We do not know the person who sent us the email, with her personal note, but know many of the people the email was sent to so it didn't appear this just came out of thin air. She had received the e-mail and passed it along, trying to help.

Hang on to your leashes as we walk through our experience....the original email:



"Please let Katherine know if you can help her out or know of someone who might be interested in two beautiful labs.

Lisa"


Seeking Home for 2 Gorgeous labs, trained (our state listed here)

Hopefully you know someone that knows someone that knows someone who wants two gorgeous trained labs!Even if you cant take them, please pass this around! Contact: Katherine at: Cookie and Coco Even if you cant take them, please pass this around! Contact: Katherine at: We are moving overseas in just 2 weeks. Unfortunately, I have still not been able to find a good home for Cookie and Coco . We're not able to take our beloved doggies with us and I've been desperately trying to find a home for both of them 'together'. They were raised together and pine without each other. The Lab rescue have already said that they would probably separate them, so this is my last resort. Recently I tried to take Coco out in my car alone and she TOTALLY refused to even get into the car without Cookie.....!!!! She absolutely pulled back on her haunches until Cookie was by her side. Both doggies are in great health, have been spayed and have ID chips implanted under their skin. Cookie turned 3 December 10th and Coco turned 3 April 1st. Cookie is my mellow-yellow. She just loves her tummy rubbed and lots of attention.. Coco is adorably funny and lives for her "ball." She also loves the water. Both doggies are loyal and love to walk. They have been raised with my 3 kids running around all over the place, and have survived Sammy's constant hugging and love of 'dress-up', so they are fantastic family dogs. This is by far one of the most difficult decisions I have ever had to make, but under the circumstances I have no choice. Please, please forward these pictures to all your friends. I want to find a great home for these fabulous doggies. They are just adorable and it's heartbreaking to let them go. In a perfect world, I hope that we could find someone local so that we can still keep in touch and visit them. I pray that someone, somewhere can help us keep Cookie and Coco together, and love them just as much as we do. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you." I thought it quite strange we hadn't received a reply of any sort regarding our interest, placement of the dogs, etc. in the last seven days; therefore, I sent this e-mail late last night to the originator of the e-mail we received, Lisa, and the additional twenty two recipients: "Hello all, I received this e-mail and immediately responded with our keen interest in opening our hearts and home for the pups. I included referrals, phone numbers, etc as we were VERY interested in the two beautiful labs. We did not hear back a whimper, bark or woof...not a word that the pups had been placed. We thought Cookie and Cocoa were adorable. Does anyone have knowledge if they found a home? (Was this real? Were we too hasty in sharing so much information as we felt the urgent need for placement as the family was moving overseas?) Thank you! Mari" Here are the replies I received, copied directly from my e-mail: Response # 1 at 6:25 this morning: "Linda told me the dogs found a home together. Have a super day!" -C Response # 2 at 8:45 this morning: "I apologize, I don't know if this was a real message or not. I had heard after the fact that it may have been a hoax. Again, I apologize." - L Response # 3 at 8:56 this morning: "I also offered to foster the dogs in October and never heard anything back. I emailed the person who initially forwarded it to my group and was told it was a scam." -K Late this afternoon I was at a gathering and mentioned this experience. One of them responded, "That went around our school last year!" Feel free to throw milk bones our way with notes written on them confirming our naiveness and haste; I can take it because you are right. To end this walk through dog-doo, we shall now verve off onto a much more positive pathway where hope seems to be beckoning us. We are very much looking forward to meeting a potential canine for our family in the next few weeks. Woof!

"A wise old owl sat on an oak;
The more he saw the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard;
Why aren't we like that wise, old bird?"