The Lady Killer

I drove my son back to College on Sunday after a great Thanksgiving visit.

On the way down we listened to his ipod, he has great taste in music.

Some I get, some not so much. This I get.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am giving thanks for, among many other things,

Chocolate Pecan Pie.
Happy to You!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my Birthday. I am an unashamed 48 years old. That is 2 short years away from 50...and that is ok with me. Being at a really great place in my life, and having people who love and care about me, makes all the difference. Thanks to my dear husband, thank you my 3 wonderful kids, eternal gratitude to the unconditional love of my Mom and Dad and 4 great sisters & brothers. Thank you loyal friends who take me as I am, thank you world for all the kindness you show me and Happy Birthday and thanks to me, for being true to myself, or trying to, every day.

Our Snowy Day

We are having a snow day today, making this a 6 day weekend!

Go put snow balls in your pockets!

Best. Present. Ever.

My very generous husband

gave me an early Birthday present today!

I hope my past record of dings and scratches is just that!

The Legend of Mr. Rager

Another proud moment for me!!

"Conan the Barbarian" and the poetry of T.S. Elliot referenced in the same article!

What a kid!

Ethos

Cheever

I am slowly working my way through this excellent book about the life of John Cheever. I read an article about him in "Vanity Fair" that included a review of this book by Blake Baily. The superb writing and in depth stories in "Vanity Fair" have a way of making you care deeply about obscure topics and people that you would never have given a thought to before. That's the way it was with John Cheever. After reading this article I was fascinated by the man even though I haven't read a word he has written. When I finally reach the end of this very detailed and intelligently written biography, I am going to dive into "The Stories of John Cheever" and try to get to know the man from his own writing and stories. If he is half as talented and tortured as Blake Bailey makes him out to be it should be excellent!

Sympathy for the Hova

My son writes for The University of Oregon magazine "Ethos". His first article for the online version of the magazine came out today. Yes, its about MC Hammer!
Sympathy for the Hova

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery!

OK, that last one is mine! I saw this in the latest ELLE Decor, and thought that those pretty pink chairs had a familiar look. Its called The Pink Wishbone Project and the proceeds of these auctioned off chairs go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A worthy cause, for sure, but they totally stole my pink chair idea!

Who Needs Starbucks?!

I am not a baker and I am clearly not a food stylist, but I do love a good scone and tis the season for pumpkin! I found this recipe for Starbucks Pumpkin Scones online and they turned out so great! Next time I will add chocolate chips because lets face it everything is better with chocolate chips!

Sophistikat

I received the latest FLOR catalogue in the mail yesterday and right away fell in love with this new pattern! My dining room could use a little updating for the holidays and this would do the trick! I want this bad!

Deco(r)

I am often asked which Goodwill I shop at, and my response is always the same: All of them! I am lucky enough to have 13 Goodwills within a 10 mile radius of my house. I haven't visited them all (yet) but it excites me to know they are out there! My approach to a Goodwill shopping trip is the same regardless of which location: furniture first, I'm always on the hunt for old chairs or dressers to paint. Next I head over to framed art, where I have discovered some of my most interesting and valuable bargains. From there I look at bedding, I have found brand new, still in the package, Pottery Barn and Ralph Lauren bedding there. If time allows I look for jeans, designer jeans get donated to Goodwill all the time. But rarely do I walk down the isles with the wicker basket collections, the endless rows of vases or the little porcelain statues but on occasion I do, which is where I found these lovely deco brass bookends. I think they are so graceful and elegant and I love that they are not just pretty but have a job to do.