Birthday Goodness

Hi everyone out in blog-land. I hope this post finds you delightfully well. I am great, and even recently celebrated a birthday - on Tuesday the 28th to be precise. I got a gaggle of cards which ALWAYS makes me smile. I love seeing the mailman arrive on the days before, and on my b-day, because I usually have a card or two each day and it's so fun to open them. Here's my haul:








OK, so this next bit falls into the 'funny or sad' category. So, during my birthday shopping trip, I was walking by Godiva chocolate and saw this chocolate cat in the window. It was really cute, and it looked just like Kate. So, in I go, and buy it. Well, I sat it by the window where I had all my cards standing and it somehow melted.
















So . . . now it looks like this - kind of like it's turning it's head waaaaaaaay sideways. I cracked up when I discovered it. Because ya know? It's still tastes good. I just had a little nibble off it's melted paws. I couldn't resist posting the melty picture. It's pretty hilarious. Poor chocolate kitty!

A Sunday Herbal

Today I spent the late afternoon planting herbs! It was very relaxing and grounding. No soil pun intended. There's marjoram, basil, mint, chives, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and dill. Except for the thyme, there's a Mammas and the Papas' song in there. Ha! They are now all nicely situated on a plant stand that was a gift from my friend and Foziewisp blogger, Ms. S. I adore the stand, and love the way the terracotta pots look on it. Fun! Some of the herbs seem kind of small in the pots, but fingers are crossed that they'll sprout up!













At another corner of the house, I planted some of the herbs in vintage California pottery pots I've picked up at estate sales. The yellow ones and the green one were each 50 cents. Gotta love that. I just realized the white iron tables are also from Miss Sherri - purchased at one of her yard sales! Stuff doesn't really ever go away, it just changes addresses!

A Wonderful Wedding, Oh Happy Day

The happy event has taken place! (Just look at this lovely program and fan that was on each chair. The calligraphy is amazing.) On Saturday, Oct. 18th, Erin and Colin tied the knot in the Bahamas at the Ocean Club. The garden there was just gorgeous, and the happy couple were beautiful and shining with love. Since the marriage had to comply with Bahamian laws, there was E.'s grandfather, Charles, who conducted most of the ceremony and then a Bahamian pastor who did another part. But, before they could pronounce them husband and wife, the bride and groom had to step behind the altar and sign their marriage license. It was all very Bahamian.

This is my brother Guy, Erin's Dad, standing at the altar with E., right before he stepped away (on his terms, of course) to "give her" to her husband-to-be, Colin.













Here they are listening to their vows. I'm so proud of my sweet niece. She said her vows with such strength. Of all of the ceremony, this part made me cry a bit.








This was the walkway next to the area where they were married. A couple other detail pics follow of the garden structure. It was so beautiful. I will get some history on this for another post.

Rio Celebrates 10 Years on Oct. 17th!

Is this not a face you can love? Is this not the handsomest boy at the doggy day care? Well, I think so. This is Rio, the darling Springer Spaniel and fur child of my dear friends Gail and Jay who live in Fort Myers.

This is Rio spending some quality time at K9's Come First with long-time girlfriend, Ambyer. Yes, with a 'y'. She's showing Rio some love with her little doxie licks on his cheek. How cute is that!? But, Mr. Ri-Ri is looking somewhat pained here, isn't he!? Oh these pups can't get enough of me...sigh. I just can't shake Ambyer. BUT, she's pretty and she is the principal's daughter so Gail and Jay tell Rio to get with the program!

Happy Birthday Rio! Have a great day on the 17th!

Driving Across Florida

While I was in Florida the last time, my brother and I drove to see my Uncle Ernie and Aunt Gloria. I had not seen them in many years, dare I say 15? 20? They live in Hobe Sound and it was about a 3-hour drive. The weather that day, like your typical Florida weather, brought some rain. I love driving through the state of Florida, if not just for the instant on/off rain amidst the sunshine, but for the beautiful scenery. It's such a pretty state. Beautiful skies and fields and trees. These were a few shots I took while we were driving, just out the car window.















This below, believe it or not, is a rest area. It was pristine, with gorgeous, tall palms.














The fields along the road here are sugar cane. There are miles and miles of them.
















Grey storm clouds rolling in before the rain started.

The 'About Me' Blog Challenge

A friend and fellow blogger over at Craft Lolly issued a blog challenge: that we put together a list of personal likes, dislikes, etc. - a "who am I?" list. So here goes:

- I am a total animal lover and wish all creatures of the earth could be free and happy all the time
- I love the mountains, especially during the beginning of fall when it's sweater weather but not snowing
- I hate being cold
- I will always love my cat Oreo forever into infinity
- I love spending time with my hubby doing nothing much
- I am a foodie
- I want to go to the birthplaces of my mother and father: Cologne, Germany and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- I love antiques and vintage things
- I could go to estate sales and garage sales every weekend
- I love Florida beaches
- I am starting to be much more interested in History
- I love to go to yoga classes
- I crochet, but I don't knit
- I love to sleep - it's my vice
- I love Anthropologie
- I love good cheese
- I am a Scorpio
- I grew a 1/2" in the past couple years - so says the doctor
- I am an idealist, a romantic, and a dreamer
- I worry a lot about the less fortunate and the environment
- I miss my family, they have all passed on, and I still talk to them
- I am often too nice and sometimes it backfires
- I am a total francophile
- I'm a democrat (big surprise)
- I love my husband's family
- I am incredibly proud of my brother, Guy
- I have good business sense
- Okay, enough about me...

Yes We Can

World's Biggest, Most Deelishous Popover

Last weekend I drove up to Costa Mesa to visit with my bud, Michele. We had a really fun day cruisin' through the stores at Fashion Island. We kicked it all off at the Neiman Marcus cafe, Mariposa. Their claim to fame is popovers which are delivered piping hot from the oven to your table as part of every meal. They come with this darling little pat of strawberry butter (which darn it, darn it, darn it didn't make it into the picture!) . Needless to say there was nothing left of either my popover or butter pat at the end of the meal. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. They always start the meal with this cute little demitasse cup of warm chicken broth. Then you order, and then come the popovers. And then, you are in official popover heaven. Do I sound obsessed with the popovers? Um. I am.














We also ordered these yummy cocktails that were made with champagne, chambord liqueur, and pineapple juice. Dah-lishous.














This is a macro shot of the cavernousness of the popover. Okay, now even I think I have a problem. I'm guessing you already think I have one! HA!














After lunch we strolled through Neiman's and some of the things they had in their home section were incredible. Lalique buddah anyone?















Maybe a little Mackenzie-Childs? Perhaps just after robbing a bank, I could stop in and pick up a few pieces. Honestly, it's so ornate and colorful that I probably wouldn't ever own any. But there's something about it that is so pretty and feminine in a country, Victorian kind of way.

Recuperating Nicely

Oh, I'm a mother hen. Just snapped this photo of Katie dear snoozing on my robe (we call it the Momma Cat robe) on the bed. So sweet.

Katie-Cat is A.O.K.!

We got home with Kate at around 5:15 p.m. and she is just fine. Of course, she then proceeded to pull with all her might on her stitches without success, thankfully. That only lasted a few hours - with me pretty much watching her EVERY second. She is now peaceful and calm, but I think today she's sore. Poor little girl. I'm so glad this little chapter is finished.

Little Katie becomes Kate Spayed today

Let's all send collective good thoughts to Harmony Animal Hospital as the capable hands of Dr. Candy Lewis performs Kate's spay procedure today. We dropped the little girlie off this morning. She was very good in the car - not a peep. We've been joking that once this is done she will officially be Kate Spade. I told her all the girls are doing it and that it will be no big deal.

I took this picture at Fashion Island on Sunday. I went to visit my friend Michele for the day. She's here for work and we spent the day shopping and lunching. A post on that, including a picture of the world's biggest popover, is forthcoming.

Fingers crossed for Katie!

Feeling Grateful

“Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone.”
-Gertrude Stein

Today, my bud Sherri and I went to the Rules Committee (of the San Diego City Council) to show our support for Yes on Prop. 2 which requires farmers to give animals like chickens, pigs, and cows enough room to turn around in their cages. Not a lot to ask, yet there were opponents. It passed the first rung of its journey and is on to the full Council soon, and then I assume we vote and the changes will be made.

I am grateful for the people today who stood up - and showed up - to represent the innocent beings of our planet. The chickens. The pigs. The cows. Because they can't speak for themselves or give PowerPoint presentations about how bad their conditions are. Jer, of the Jeff and Jer show, was outstanding in his presentation. The man is a hero in my eyes for having the courage, intelligence, and compassion to say what he did.

Image Credit: Konrad Busslinger, "Happy Chicken"

Little e. is Getting Married

My dear, sweet niece is getting hitched! I can hardly believe it is all happening, and so fast! I can't focus on it too hard or I'll cry (she is as close as I'll ever get to my own little girl!). It seems like just yesterday she was in high school, then just heading to Stetson, then to FSU (her Auntie's alma mater, I might add), and then to graduation. And, now, we're having wedding showers!? That's "e." standing in the center. Her devoted Mom hosted a great lingerie shower at BluSushi in Fort Myers! The wedding party girls showed up in a limo - tres chic - and then we all had sushi and opened presents in this neat little private room which was decorated with pink roses and feather boas and lots of fun table decor.















The next morning, Kimby, a long-time friend of Sheri's (Erin's Mom) hosted a wonderful household-gifts-themed shower. Her beautiful house was the perfect setting with plenty of places to sit, tons of great food and friends, and last but not least, a darling Labrador. This is Kimby and Winston.














Party favors: cookie mix with a tiny whisk attached with a pink ribbon. How cute! They thought of everything.








And then, when I - nor my camera - could take one more ounce of perfection either of my niece's flawless face and hair, Sheri's gorgeous dress, or Kimby's lovely home, I asked that everyone please, please, dear God, please, make a funny face for me! And they delivered! :-) That's Kimby's son in the center - he's getting ready to take his LSAT and follow in his father's footsteps! Hope he did great!