What a wonderful idea, to have a tree trimming party, or an excuse to invite a few friends or family over to trim the tree while you serve up cocktails and appetizers. I honestly couldn’t hope for a better occasion to escape, even for just a few hours:
When I was a child, there was a tradition established where relatives – mostly the women – visit one another on a particular date each month. The date was determined based on a symbolic event for that certain family – such as a birthday or a wedding date. The hostess would bake a cake or two or make brioche and other wonderful baked goods, fresh lemonade in the summer and cinnamon spiced tea in the winter and sometimes even ice cream or jello would be added – for the kids that behaved during the visit. I don’t recall behaving until the cake and ice cream was served and then I had to glance over to my mother to make sure I was entitled to getting my share. So in light of traditions, and hosting a tea party or Sunday brunch or even a simple get-together just because, I share with you this wonderful old-world, easy marble cake recipe, just like the ones my mother and aunts made – right here: Ingredients 3 eggs about 210 g 210 g of cane …
I realized the other day, while picking out the next set of books to read from the public library, that I have not shared what I’ve read and what I’ve watched on television in a long while. Yes, I do go to public libraries. I love them, especially this, and this location, where I spend hours searching for the next book based on recommendations from all sorts of online sites. The books I choose have to inspire me to continue to pen my next story. So, here it is: Read: The Cost of Living By Deborah Levy On my List: Things I Don’t Want to Know by Deborah Levy Read: Where Honeybees Thrive by Heather Swan Currently Reading: Carnegie’s Maid by Maria Benedict I have ordered The Nest to Read Next – the idea of a family feud over inheritance has sparked an interest and in reality I have picked up and put down this paperback so many times, but now I am going to finally read it. Found this film on Netflix …
The temperatures have started to drop in the early mornings hours in the city, and although that is the case, throughout the day, it reaches the mid 70’s and then dips back to the 40’s- which means, we need to layer in the most creative fashion: {source here}
I took a few days off social media and all, to take a drive down to central coast with my mother. A last-minute unplanned birthday surprise for her. I still can’t get over the smile across the face, when I told her I wanted her to come along. She packed faster than I have ever seen her do so, and got ready. It was cute. We loaded up the rental car with snacks, her making my favorite grilled cheese sandwich, “for later, you know so you have energy to drive,” she said showing me the neatly wrapped stack of sandwiches. All I could do was laugh. She’s adorable. Aging gracefully even though she doesn’t believe it and my family adores her. On Friday, her birthday, we left at nine in the morning, and drove on 101 down south, along the way, her reading the signs and announcing the miles remaining to our destination. Noticing also, all the new developments taking shape on either side of the freeway, and the leaves turning to amber, and all …
Those who tell you they don’t love a great floral arrangement are ones that are fibbing. Floral arrangements, no matter the occasion, bring the kind of joy that is unsurpassed. So if you need a tip or two on how to create that special or unique bouquet of flowers for the holidays – or just for the Fall season, then here are some tips to pass on as well as share with you some of my favorite arrangements: Happiest of birthday MOM – You are truly a gem like no other and the most stable part of my life. I love you
The first of November! And I have to say, I am a little sad that there are only two months remaining to 2018. What and how, naturally comes to mind right about now – even though I pretend while speaking to friends and family, that I do not keep track of the small stuff. I really do. The small stuff is what the bigger picture is made of. Think of it as a paint-by-number canvas, once filled, the result could very well become a masterpiece or a disaster, especially if you paint outside the lines. 🙂 I know, I am nuts. But did it make you think? Or laugh, or smile? If so, than I’ve done my job for today. So, here’s to November and me wishing these could be me – right about now? Would you or have you read this novel? I’ve added it to my November must-read list {featured image source}
Still a bit under the weather today – had a relapse on my way to recovery on Monday. But nevertheless, I am thinking one of these cocktails will do the trick? You know, to ward off the candy gorging (for adults of course). Disclaimer: I hope I am clear this topic is only for those over 21. Have a safe celebration with family or friends, or just you alone, testing out the cocktails I’ve shared from here.
Work-life balance is a thing promoted in recent years in San Francisco, mostly in the tech world, where the typical work hours are being eliminated, as well as accrued time-off and in place, the chance for the employee to design their own work schedule, providing that timelines are met, and open-ended off-hours, where some places do not even require reporting. I am a fan. Because I think this type of culture, encourages responsible people – see how I qualified that – to be committed to their jobs and even more productive than when it is demanded of them to be available at a more regimented shift or work schedule. Kind of like reverse psychology. On the other hand, the irresponsible ones do nothing but take advantage of the flexibility. But I suppose there is always a price to pay for every positive attempt at realigning culture in a society. So, in case your part of the world doesn’t seem interested in the work-life balance approach to business – and you are too forward a thinker to …
What’s your take on the comment, “Friday can’t come soon enough.” I don’t think much of it. To me Friday is just another day leading to the next, in terms of fulfilling obligations or commitments, sometimes to the point it almost feels like a work day. And then there are those who actually work the weekends. So for the sake of the traditional Fridays leading to a weekend filled with rest and relaxation and all that is fun and play – I ask, what are you doing this weekend? My weekend is leaning heavy towards doing chores, and running too many errands. Hopefully I can insert a walk along the coast, if the weather permits, or a game of tennis in between and a mid-day nap. The highs and lows of this past week were something like this: Low: Had trouble saying my final goodbye to a family pet over the past weekend. Low: Experienced a few reality checks. I suppose we all need that from time to time. But I hate how its flared …
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