Happy July 4th!

 Lexi is here with her parents this weekend, she’s such a cute little firecracker...

Nibbles the Duck

 

Your daily dose of cuteness.  The bond between children and animals is a wonderful thing… 

Have you had a shingles vaccine???

 

The above sign is funny, shingles is not!  Do you know that one in three people will have shingles before they die?  People that are near and dear to me have had shingles, and it’s a nasty, painful virus that can have long term repercussions.

Medicare now pays for the shingles vaccine.  I got mine recently at the pharmacy in my grocery store and it cost me under $5.   If you haven’t had your vaccination yet, just do it!  

It’s a good thing… ~ Jan

Summer Houses...

My house is a winter house, the colors are deep and warm.  But then comes summer and I would just like to paint everything white, walls, furniture, cabinets, everything, then slipcover the furniture and just enjoy.  White is so so tranquil, so fresh, so perfect...

But then winter would come and I would yearn for the warm colors, and hubby would absolutely stroke out if I was really serious about painting it all white.  I’m just dreaming *sigh*

Maybe I’ll just watch “Something’s Gotta Give” with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson again on Netflix.  Hands down, best summer house, EVER!

 

 

Darn, darn, darn, getting old and not being able to change things.  Putting out a few sea shells for summer is just not doing it….

Memories of a Country Garden

This morning I was out on the golf cart, enjoying the damp, cool air, and I could swear I got a whiff of fresh dill.  Then I was making a salad for lunch, and when I cut the vine away from the tomato, the smell of the stem just permeated the air.

Here I go with the nostalgia.  When I was a little girl we always had a garden, always.  Mother saved seeds, tilled her garden with a plow like the one above, then we planted and carried buckets of water daily to keep everything alive.  There was no hose to water with, no air conditioned house to cool off in after we were finished, it was hot in Southern Illinois in the summertime, but we worked early in the morning or late at night.

She always had a beautiful garden, and was so proud of it, people who visited always had to take a tour.  There were gooseberry bushes for pies, I was never a fan, those things were so sour, but she loved them.  We picked blackberries, cherries from our trees, apples, peaches, grew our own strawberries, and then the work really began.  I’ve talked before about how much she canned, I have so many of her recipes, someday I need to make her dill pickles.  The smell of that dill this morning just took me back.

Maybe that was her, reminding me of my roots and never to take for granted the conveniences I have now.

Thanks for the reality check, and the memories, mom...

Older Ladies, We're Divine...

 

Guaranteed to give you a smile this morning… ~ Jan

Joanna Gaines Magnolia Homes New Furniture Line

Fixer Upper is expanding to a furniture line!  It debuts at High Point Market in October and my lucky friend Roxie will be there and get to see it up close and personal!  "The Launch" will showcase styles of Vintage, Industrial, Modern Boho, Farmhouse and Cottage inspired collections, blended with a mix of old and new and will be showcased in a 15,000 square foot building.  

All my friends land family, including the guys,  love this show, too.   Anytime you mention it to people the response is always positive. It’s so wonderful when ordinary people, especially a young couple with a family, do well.  Talent and hard work is certainly paying off for Chip and Joanna.   I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of her furniture in October or maybe earlier if we’re privy to sneak peaks...

If you don’t follow her blog, you can subscribe here.  Love, love, love the goats!

Photo courtesy Magnolia Homes Blog

A letter to my daughter as an old woman

I saw this on Facebook this morning and just had to share.  I don’t have daughters, but I do have daughters-in-law and girlfriends.  This is a must read… ~ Jan

I had a thought yesterday that made me very sad.

I'll never know you as an old woman. 

My job as a mother is not to teach you to be an amazing kid, but to teach you to be an extraordinary adult. I want to guide you so that when you are an old woman, you will look back on your life and feel that it was well lived. 

These are the things I wish for you when you become an old woman:

When your hair turns silver and your skin turns a bit sallow, I hope that your eyes shine as brightly as they do today. (tweet this)

I hope your happy memories outweigh your worries.

I hope you dance...even if it's slowly.

I hope the world is good and that kind people surround you.

I hope you have a companion, be it a partner, a child or a friend.

I hope the mistakes you've made in life have been long forgotten and the bright spots sparkle.

I hope you found a unicorn.

I hope you celebrated every birthday with those that you love.

I hope you travelled and laughed and sang at the top of your lungs.

I hope you did work that you loved, that you helped people and that you prayed daily.

I hope you aren't in too much pain.

I hope you let your kids stay up late so that you could snuggle under the covers and tell each other secrets. I hope you have grandchildren and that they talk...constantly.

As the years pass, my greatest wish is that I taught you well. That you were able to fight when you needed to and give in when you wanted to. That you helped others and were kind to yourself. 

I hope you shine.

I know you'll shine.

And I hope. I really, really hope....that I taught you well.

 

I had a thought yesterday that made me very sad.
I'll never know you as an old woman. 
My job as a mother is not to teach you to be an amazing kid, but to teach you to be an extraordinary adult. I want to guide you so that when you are an old woman, you will look back on your life and feel that it was well lived. 
These are the things I wish for you when you become an old woman:
When your hair turns silver and your skin turns a bit sallow, I hope that your eyes shine as brightly as they do today. (tweet this)
I hope your happy memories outweigh your worries.
I hope you dance...even if it's slowly.
I hope the world is good and that kind people surround you.
I hope you have a companion, be it a partner, a child or a friend.
I hope the mistakes you've made in life have been long forgotten and the bright spots sparkle.
I hope you found a unicorn.
I hope you celebrated every birthday with those that you love.
I hope you travelled and laughed and sang at the top of your lungs.
I hope you did work that you loved, that you helped people and that you prayed daily.
I hope you aren't in too much pain.
I hope you let your kids stay up late so that you could snuggle under the covers and tell each other secrets. I hope you have grandchildren and that they talk...constantly.
As the years pass, my greatest wish is that I taught you well. That you were able to fight when you needed to and give in when you wanted to. That you helped others and were kind to yourself. 
I hope you shine.
I know you'll shine.
And I hope. I really, really hope....that I taught you well.
 

Martha Stewarts Favorite Place

Martha Stewart's summer home.  WOW!  I don’t know what I like best, the house or the ’58 Edsel.  That car was a nerd mobile back in the day, but now it’s just awesome!

 

Don’t you just love this kitchen.  So vintage and so wonderful sez me, gushing ;-)

It was featured this month in Architectural Digest, you can see more pictures and read about it here….

Grace and Frankie

I was on the fence at first with this show.  It was so sad, finding out their husbands were gay, I just felt sorry for them and  wasn’t finding the humor, but I kept watching and now I’m on episode 10 and it’s hysterical.

These ladies are funny with capital F.  It’s such good acting and I live in the moment with Jane Fonda.  I look at her body of work as an actress and she’s excellent.  The woman looks absolutely amazing for 77 years old, whatever she’s had done, it’s been great work and she must exist on lettuce leaves.

Lily Tomlin is a hoot, she’s funny, spunky, she looks so good for her age and is just perfect for her role as an aging hippie.

The guys don’t fare as well as the ladies, Martin Sheen, something about his teeth just isn’t right, it’s kind of like he has dentures that are about to fall out of his mouth.  If you watch it, you will know what I mean.  

And I'm such a fan of Netflix, no waiting for next week for another episode, you can marathon watch these shows.  It’s been renewed for a second season, and it’s so much fun to watch older actresses perform.  We don’t get many chances to do that these days.  If you haven’t seen it, give it a few episodes and see if it doesn’t reel you in as well.

 

Caitlyn, a human tragedy

First of all, let me say that I could care less what Bruce Jenner does to his body, that’s his business.  I feel sorry for the man, he can’t help this, but he’s making his business our business.

We are constantly bombarded with celebrities and the media gushing about Caitlyn.    It’s like the “cool” thing to do, talk about how wonderful this is and how beautiful “she” is.  It’s not wonderful, it’s sad and tragic and it’s painful to watch.  What about his children, they have to be horribly embarrassed by this public display of the new former dad, now mom?  And his mother?  Poor woman, to have all this played out in public, I can’t imagine.

He may feel like a woman, take hormones, enlarge his breasts, shave off his Adam’s apple, reconstruct his facial features, and eventually he will lop off his tallywacker, but he was born a man, he is just making himself into a synthetic woman.  You just can’t change Mother Nature, folks.

He’s turned this personal journey into a public debacle.  He plays to the audience, and why?  For money?  For misguided fame?  It’s such a circus, and it’s so sad for the people who are close to him.  Of course they support him, they love him, but how do you explain this to grandchildren, to older relatives who may not be so enlightened, and to future generations of his family to come.  I hope the best for this man, but despite all the changes he is still a man.  I wish he would quietly go about his life and live it like he chooses, of course that’s now impossible, but so much of this is his fault, he plays to the media.

He needs to go away,  take a sabbatical,  live in nature, pray to whomever he believes in and try to get his house in order.  And if any good can come of this, I hope that young people who struggle with gender identity can have the courage to learn from this tragedy and live their true life from an early age, instead of waiting until they are in their mid-sixties, like he did, after he’s built a family, a reputation, a distinguished career, and have it all come tumbling down like a house of cards.

Waterpik, It's a Good Thing...

You all know I share the good stuff, and even though I’m a little late jumping on the Waterpik bandwagon, this is too good to keep to myself.  Maybe some of you have thought about it but haven’t pulled the plug yet, and if you’re on the fence with this, just go for it!  And if you already use this, you’re just nodding your head and thinking, “Jan, Jan, you should have done this years ago.”  

This all started six months ago when I had my teeth cleaned and the dental tech told me that their entire office uses a Waterpik.  As she was chipping away at my plaque, I’m sure she was thinking, “this woman needs this, seriously.”  I’ve always been a consistently 2-3 times a day brusher, I floss regularly, but obviously this wasn’t enough.  I know, I know, too much information, but I’m just setting this up so hang on.

So last week was my six month appointment and this old(er) girl got an A+, with very minimal cleaning.  And why?  Because I listened to to the tech, and to my buddy V, who is also a fan of water flossing.  Shortly after that last checkup I bought this duo, the sonic toothbrush and the Waterpik and started brushing my teeth with the sonic toothbrush and then immediately rinsing thoughly with the Waterpik 2-3 times a day.  

Oh, it wasn’t fun in the beginning, my lower gums were sensitive and it hurt when the water blasted them, but after a week or so it was fine.  I quickly became a fan because your mouth feels so clean, and obviously this really works.

You can just buy the Water-Pik without the toothbrush, but it’s $70.99 well spent, in my opinion, to have this duo setup.

Think about it ladies, it really is amazing.  I should have done this years ago...

Here’s a quick link to buy from Amazon.

Temporary Credit Cards

 

 

 

This is quite possibly one of the best things I’ve found yet.  I read about temporary credit cards  and then researched it further.  This morning I called my credit card provider, Bank of America, and asked them about it.  Their customer service agent highly recommended using a temporary card for online purchases, their service is called “Shop Safe."

Here’s how it works.  First you find out if your credit card provider offers temporary credit cards, if they do, it’s available on their website after you log in.  

Then, pretend for instance that you are buying a magazine subscription online.  This is a biggie, because you can’t do it anymore without “automatic renewal.”  They give you a good rate to hook you, then next year they bump up the renewal rate and you can’t cancel it on your credit card.  But, if you use a temporary credit card, these are only good for as long as you desire, you control how long you want it to be active, whether it be 15 minutes, 15 hours, 15 days, or longer.  Then it expires after the time you set and next year when that sneaky magazine subscription tries to charge you an atrocious rate, they can’t because the credit card isn’t valid.

They have no idea that you are using a temporary credit card, this is just between you and your provider.  Pretty awesome, isn’t it.

Just sharin’ the good stuff.  ~ Jan

Fly Fishing has been on my bucket list ever since I read Mary Alice Monroe’s “Time is a River.”  And last November, for my birthday, John and Deanna gave me a fly fishing lesson in the Smoky Mountain National Park.

We went earlier this month, stayed several days in a mountain cabin, and oh, it was glorious.  The Mountain Laurel was in bloom, the Honeysuckles permeated the air and the weather cooperated.

I went for my lesson with a great guide, Charity, and when she asked me why I wanted to fly fish I told her about reading the book.  She got a big smile on her face and said that she and Mary Alice Monroe were friends, and she was the one who taught her to fly fish as research for her book.  Her name is mentioned in the book foreward, and that made the trip even more special.

And how did I do?  Remarkably well, actually, I thought I would fall on my rear in the stream, but I didn’t.  It was so beautiful, it’s indescribable, the rushing water, the rocks, the trees, the clear stream with the trout swimming, and it’s not hard to learn, either.

And yes, I actually caught a fish, John took a lesson with me, he caught a couple of them.  I would do this again in a heartbeat, it was just an amazing experience, and one I highly recommend for anyone who wants to enjoy Mother Nature and the simplicity of casting into the water.  It was just awesome… ~ Jan

Road Trippin...

 

So much to tell you, but no time.

I’ll be back, have a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend, everyone...

Fly Fishing...

Time is a River

 

Mia Landan is recovering from breast cancer in a mountain cabin near Asheville, NC, when she discovers the journal of a sensational fly fisher of the 1920s, Kate Watkins. The inspiring words of a woman she never knew finally lure Mia from her shell to connect once more with the world around her. As she learns to fish, she uncovers secrets that span generations--secrets that have the power to change no only her life, but the lives of those in her new community. 

 

 

 

I read this book a couple of years ago and the story absolutely intrigued me, so much so that I put fly fishing on my bucket list.  

Last year, for my birthday, John and Deanna gave me fly fishing lessons in the Smoky Mountains as a gift.  And now it’s about to happen.

I’ve got my gear, got my hat, and I’m going to wade fall in a mountain stream.  I’ll let you know how this all plays out.  Should be interesting ~ Jan

The Grands on Mother's Day...

 

 

Ben is in the driver’s seat.  He was two in August, at that age Miss A had no interest in driving this car.  Boys and cars, I think the fascination starts in the womb!  Can’t believe she’s letting him drive her around.  :-)

And baby granddaughter is on the move, there is no stopping her now.  She and her pretty mama are all decked out for Mother’s Day.  Miss Lexalicious has bicycles on her little dress.  They picnicked in the park.

And Grammie?  Hubby made it a special day for me, even though he kept reminding me I wasn’t his mother.  I’ve been married to this man for almost 44 years now, I know his tricks. Father’s day will be payback time.  Yep, it will...

How to grow the best tomatoes...

Want to have the best tomato plants in the neighborhood?  I have the secret...

Years ago I had a neighbor and his tomato plants were stunning, while mine were just ho-hum.  He was a sneaky old guy, when I asked him how he grew such beautiful plants, he just smiled and was evasive.  But he didn’t know who he was dealing with, I was determined to find out why he had the bushiest plants in the neighborhood.  I didn’t see him fertilizing, his soil looked normal, what was his secret?

Well, one evening he wasn’t home, and just before dark, I walked through his garden.  Yeah, I did, I wanted to find out what he was doing to grow such lush plants.  And I discovered his secret, and since I always share everything and it’s tomato planting time, here it is.

That old fart was planting two tomato plants in each hole.  It was just that simple.  So then I started doing it, and my tomatoes rivaled his.  I wonder if he ever figured out that I found his secret.  Sometimes you have to outfox the fox, darn that old man anyway...

Look who's having a birthday!!!

 

 

Our little granddaughter, Lexi is one year old today.  She’s a busy little bee, rocks her sunglasses on a regular basis, took her first trip to the beach last week, loved the sand, loved the airplane, loved the nightlife, Lexi just loves life, period.  Joie de vivre describes this child perfectly.

As Cousin Minnie Pearl would say, “She’s just so proud to be here."

Happy Birthday, sweet Lexi, Grammie will see you soon.  We’ve got a date with a cake!!!!

Revisiting the Beauty Blender +++

I blogged about my new Beauty Blender back in March.  My friend Carlene wanted to know if I still liked it after a month, if I did, she would rethink spending $20 for a sponge.  Well here I am, a month later, in my closet with wet hair and my makeup is blended.  I didn’t retouch the photo, I should have photoshopped out the wrinkles, and I’m a little wild eyed, but hopefully you can see how well this makeup is blended.

And now the verdict is in, this is hands down the best makeup tool I’ve ever purchased.  I will continue to  buy Beauty Blenders and use them daily, it’s an absolutely fantastic tool.

Here’s what I’m finding after using it for a month - 

• I’ve experimented a lot, putting dabs of foundation on my face with my finger then using the blender and smoothing, I’ve put it in my palm, then dabbed the blender in it before using it to apply it, but it was a pain.  The easiest, fastest way is to just put makeup in your hands, rub your hands together and press it all over your face, don’t rub, just press.  It’s thick and very ragged at this point, but then just take the damp blender and start blending and it works like a charm.
• I use it for powder, for concealer, just dab, dab, dab.  I don’t use it for eye shadow, but I do clean up the edges with it.  
• And how is it lasting after a month?  Great, I just wash it with a little liquid soap, squeeze the water out, and I always have it damp when I use it.
• What about staining?  It stains immediately, but it’s no biggie, it doesn’t seem to get worse, it’s just discolored.  

And last month I also blogged about Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade.

This took some getting used to for me because I’ve never had defined brows.  The trick with this is to use a light hand.  I start at the arch of my eyebrows underneath, lightly draw it to the edge, then draw the top of my brow, I’m making a frame, then fill it in lightly and brush it out so it isn’t harsh. Just use a little product, ladies, unless you want to really vamp up those eyebrows.  

And, something new I’m trying but the verdict isn’t in yet.

ELF Makeup Mist and Set - I bought this because it’s a dupe for the pricey $30 Urban Decay Makeup Mist, this one is $6.  The first time I used it I applied way too much, and my eye makeup was running down my cheeks. Of course we were getting ready to go out to dinner and I was in a panic.  Live and learn!!! I backed off the next time, now I  just give it 3-4 squirts, it seems to make makeup last and makes your skin dewy, but we’ll see what happens when the weather is warmer.

Finally, let’s talk about foundation.  Like everyone, i’ve tried so many kinds over the years, including many brands of the pricey stuff, but I’m a drugstore makeup junkie and always go back to Revlon ColorStay for Combination Skin.

This stuff has staying power, it lasts all day into the night and best of all, you don’t shine.  It stays on in heat and humidity, it never slides down my face and did I say it doesn’t shine ;).  

I was buying it locally for about $12.99, but it’s cheaper on Amazon and you don’t have to trudge through the drugstore.

Fresh Beige is such a good color, and this is an absolutely wonderful product for the price.  It was $10 the last time I ordered but they’ve dropped the price even further to $9.30.  Interested, here’s the link...

Purple Ball Jars Have Arrived...

Oh my, I think this is the best color yet.  I got mine at Target today.  Won’t they be pretty filled with fleurs this summer...

And then, of course you need a Chicken Wire Flower Frog.  

$6.99 on Amazon

Want it more rustic?  Description says this is a crackle black/red lid.

 

Here’s the rustic link

Are you cheap and want to make them yourself.  Not worth it to me for $6.99 but hey, go ahead, knock yourself out if you’re in a creative mood.

Here you go, a DIY Tutorial

I love options.  BTW, if you order from Amazon, check the width on your jar, I haven’t measured yet to see if these are for standard or wide mouth jars.  It says 3” so I’m thinking it’s for widemouth.

Enjoy!!!

~ Jan ~

Jan and Her Three Wheeled Bike

I’ve had a three-wheeled bike for years.  Mostly it’s been stored in the attic and periodically in the spring hubby will bring it down because I’ve decided once again that I will ride it.  

And today is the day, it’s time to once again discover the joys of biking triking. He got it down from the attic, which was a total feat because it’s so bulky, aired up the tires,  adjusted the seat and I was off.

Hey, it’s more fun than I remembered as I sailed down the drive.  Oh, I had forgotten how freeing it is to ride, feel the wind in your face, it’s like I’m a kid again, riding the streets of Enfield.

Through the neighborhood I go, it’s a cool day, my hair is blowing in the breeze, the birds are singing.  Boy Howdy, am I ever having fun riding down a hill.  Then the return trip begins and I have to peddle uphill.  It’s not so fun anymore, in fact it’s pure torture.  OMG, this is why the damn thing is in the attic.  My thighs are quivering, I’m panting like a racehorse, I ache all over. What made me think I wanted to ride this gadawful contraption in the first place.

It’s sitting in the garage now, glaring at me.  Hubby suggested that I might want to take baby steps, just ride it for short distances until my muscles get used to it.  Yeah right, in a pigs eye...

Egads, we don’t realize how out of shape we are until we do something like this.  Whatever made me think that I would enjoy this again at my advanced age?  Wicked contraption, that bicycle, I think it’s possessed by the devil!

It was such a fun Easter

John and Deanna brought Lexi for Easter.  It’s a busy morning but I just had to share this photo.  Is there anything more precious than a baby granddaughter visiting at Easter, all dolled up in her pretty little dress, pantaloons, ruffled socks and Mary Janes with a baby chick bow in her hair.  This child is such a gift to us, what a darling little girl she is...

You can rent goats to mow your lawn!

Amazon has this new service that allows you to rent goats to mow your lawn.  Seriously, this is no April Fools joke.  You can have them drop the goats off, then they will pick them up.  It’s called Goat Grazers and is available from Amazon Home Services.  Of course you have to live in New York, San Francisco or Seattle, so I may have to move.

I’m a huge goat lover, I would so do this just for the fun of it.  It’s great in theory but can’t see how it would actually work, what would keep the goats from running into the streets, but it will be interesting to follow.  When I read this at People Pets this morning, I thought it was a prank, and I kept scrolling down expecting to see APRIL FOOLS, but it’s not a joke. 

And last night on the evening news they say that they can use drones to herd goats.   Absolutely a . m . a . z . i . n . g !

Ginger Zee's Hair and Makeup Team

 I’m a huge fan of this pretty lady, and now she, along with her hair and makeup team, are posting daily on YouTube.  I was intrigued by the hairspray they use, Allnet by L’Oreal.  It looks like they have a can of the Strong Hold, it also comes in Extra Strong, and Extra Strong for Color Treated hair.  I had never heard of it, but Ulta stocks it,  so I’m hotfooting down to Ulta to buy it!  Hairspray that holds, and lets your hair swing,  that’s calling my name!  

This is a new YouTube Channel, only four posts so far, I subscribed this morning, it’s interesting to see what happens behind the scenes.

The Southern Woman, totally charming...

 

What is it about a Southern Woman’s voice.  It just soothes, like slow dripping honey.  When we saw Jeanne Robertson a couple of weeks ago, I once again was struck not only by her grace, but by her voice.  I think I may have lived in the deep south in another lifetime.  I like to think I’m southern, but actually my Heavensville twang is not exactly attractive, it grates rather than soothes.  

I have a daughter-in-law from North Carolina who is the quintessential Southern Woman.  It’s a lovely thing to witness, and even if you aren’t from the south, you can certainly adhere to the wonderful traits in this excerpt from Southern Charm’s website.

1. Create warmth wherever you go. Be warm and inviting in relationships, with family, at the office, in your home, in the rooms you enter. Be open and enticing rather than cool and aloof. Shower those in your presence with engaging smiles. Make everyone feel welcomed into your world. Southern hospitality is the standard by which the rest of the world is judged. That special brand of hospitality begins with tremendous warmth, openness, and the giving of one’s self.

2. Always notice everyone around you. As you walk through the mall, down the aisle at church, or along the hall-way at the office, acknowledge everyone with a nod, a smile, and a word. Don’t allow yourself to be caught up in your own world, oblivious of other people – even if they are strangers. This kind of openness is a very important part of charm. People mirror your treatment of them. If you are warm, you receive warmth in return. Coolness is reciprocated with aloofness. People respond eagerly to warmth, which enables you to get more of what you want from life because people are more willing to help you. 

3. Establish instant rapport. When introduced to someone, lean toward the person (out of your personal space and into theirs) to establish immediate intimacy. Stop a foot or so from the other person’s face, smile, establish eye contact, and say a few kind words. In the South, we hate instant potatoes, but we love instant warmth!

4. Treat everyone with equal kindness and respect. From cabdrivers to waitresses to your boss to your prospective mother-in-law. Shower them all with smiles and courtesy. Everyone, regardless of his or her position in life, deserves courtesy, respect and kind words. 

5. Be gracious, thoughtful, and always considerate of others and their feelings. It is possible to be both tough and nice. You do not have sacrifice one for the other; you must only know when to use each one. However, 98 percent of the time, nice works best.

6. Catch more flies with honey than vinegar. End of story. 

7. Be utterly feminine. Men cannot resist a feminine woman – personally or professionally. In business, men become mentors to these women, enhancing their careers and professional knowledge. Personally, they become protectors, never suspecting that the woman is the true backbone of the relationship. In the South, our secret motto is “Let him think he’s the boss, but we know who the boss really is!” Men love strong, but soft, feminine women. They are enthralled by them. They are not personally or professionally attracted to women who conduct themselves like men – especially for long-term relationships.

8. Flaunt your femininity. But don’t overdo it. 

9. In the business and social worlds, femininity is a plus, not a minus. Boldly use your femininity professionally and personally. We socially flirt at the office, wear feminine, soft clothing, and shamelessly use our feminine wiles to get what we want professionally – plum assignments, raises, and promotions. We never cross the line into inappropriateness, but we have been known to stretch it to the limits. 

10. Sassy self-confidence requires faith in yourself and your ability to achieve. Remember: Faith is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Use that strong faith to chase away the insidious doubts that threaten success and self-confidence. Do not forget that it is within your power to succeed or to fail. Southern women are fiercely proud and therefore staunchly geared toward success in all they do. 

11. Be spunky, not aggressive; assertive, not brash. Southern women are not timid in going after what we want, but we do it in a charming, self-assured manner, not in a rude, win-at-all-costs mode. When we get what we want, we don’t step over the scattered bodies as we make our victorious exit. We walk out with heads held high, knowing that everyone was treated ethically and respectfully. 

Read the entire Southern Charm entry here

 

 

Candace Bergen on Weight Gain

Isn’t it refreshing when a celebrity owns it.  The woman is sixty-eight years old, she’s a real woman with a real body and she stands up and says she’s fat and she loves food. She’s put on thirty pounds and she’s healthy looking, not a slave to dieting and she isn’t making excuses.  She quite simply looks her age, and that’s okay.  Good for you, Candace!

People Magazine has an article about her, but it’s the comments that are interesting, so much support for this lovely lady.  Of course there are  critics, that’s to be expected, but so many people only have positive things to say.  Every woman has her day and eventually age is going to get all of us.  Sometimes we just need to enjoy the ride and not spend every waking moment obsessing about what we do or don’t eat. I just thought it was courageous that this lovely lady has the guts to address an issue that dogs all of us.

I especially like what this woman has to say:

"Don't think she really qualifies as FAT, but good for her! She's 68 for pete's sake. At that age, why spend the rest of your life counting every calorie and fretting over what other people think. I've never heard of anyone on their death bed saying "I'm sure glad I didn't eat the ice cream......."

Here’s the article and more importantly, scroll down for the comments...

John Boos Butcher Block

Fifteen years ago I bought a John Boos Butcher Block, just like the one above but smaller (18x18”).  When we moved to the condo  I decided we didn ’t have room, but that was before I took down my wall of upper cabinets. (link to that post here).  I loved that butcher block, thought it was the coolest thing ever and I’ve regretted many, many times that I got rid of it.   

Hubby and I both are in the kitchen cooking, since we share duties, and I have so much crap all over my counters that space is really limited.  Oh what I wouldn’t give for a center island, but there is just no room.  So on a whim, I had him take a bar stool, build a mock-up butcher block around it, and we left it in the kitchen for a few days, worked around it and decided that it just might work for us since we don’t have all those upper cabinets anymore and our kitchen doesn’t seem so closed in.  We measured and calculated and determined that the 18x24” size would be much better, we had the required three ft. of space needed to open the stove and the dishwasher, and so the search began.

Now all of you know that I love a deal, and there was none to be had for these butcher blocks. John Boos is the Cadillac, the best of the best with a price tag to go along with it.  Prices ranged all the way for $699 to $800, websites threw in free shipping, but it was still a major expense.

I finally found a place in Rapids City Iowa called Rapids Wholesale that offered the same butcher block at wholesale price for $388, and their site said free shipping except for furniture.  So I called them up, knowing it was too good to be true, and sure enough it was, they considered the butcher block furniture and the shipping charges were atrocious, $150 to ship, and an additional $50 to drop ship to residential addresses.  Grrrrr, that good deal was now going to cost me $588, still a lot cheaper than the other websites, but…..

So hubby got online, realized that John Boos manufactured these blocks in Effingham, Il, a mere two hours drive from Heavensville.  Boy Howdy, that was doable, so I called Rapids Wholesale back and asked them if I could pick it up.  “Sure” they said, that’s not a problem.  And then I asked them if I had to pay tax.  “Nope” since I paid online, it was tax exempt.  I whipped out that credit card faster than a New York minute and ordered it for $388.  They had to build it, it took a few days, and they called me and told me when  we could pick it up.

So a couple of weeks ago on a bright, sunny Friday morning we took off for Effingham.  We had the nicest day, picked up the butcher block, stopped at antique shops, went to a great little lunch place, it was all good.  And in the back of my mind I’m wondering how that butcher block is going to work in my small kitchen.

I aso bought this cutting board, it works great for my measuring spoons.  I really like this idea I found on Pinterest of separating your measuring spoons in small Ball jars, it’s so much easier to grab what you need that rummaging around for the right size spoon.

My buddy V has been eyeing up this 18” beauty.  Pioneer Woman gives it away occasionally, but it’s really spendy, $179 on Amazon.  Ouch, I only had to pay $20 for mine.  I wish I would have known, I would have checked prices in their store, I’m thinking it would have been a lot less than they sell them for on Amazon.  But back to my story...

We’re back home, LC had to call his buddy, Juzar, to help him unload this because it weighed 160 lbs., they brought it in, set it up, I angled it because I angle everything, and you know what, it’s perfect!  I love it!!!!

I rubbed it down with Beeswax and Mineral oil cream that John Boos gave me, refrained from decorating it, except for the tomato cutting board.  I know, it’s a butcher block, why don’t I cut on it?  I don’t want to screw up that nice finish, and we use it constantly.

We got quite an education at the John Boos retail store.  They’ve been making these butcher blocks since 1887, they had one in the showroom from the 1930’s and they still look the same.  Mother had a round one that she bought from an old grocery store years ago, it was always in my kitchen when the boys were growing up and now it’s in Ryan’s basement.  John bought a large rectangle one years ago, it’s in his garage, it seems that the love of butcher blocks runs deep in our family.  Someday I hope they will be able to use theirs, at least they are hanging on to them.  

John Boos has expanded their line greatly, now even Williams-Sonoma sells them.  When Deanna and I were shopping in Nashville a couple of months ago, we saw this Gathering Block at their Williams-Sonoma, except with  mustard yellow legs.  Oh my, it’s fantastic, I loved it but it’s too big for my kitchen.  

I’m really a happy girl with the one I got,  just had to share this, and if anybody is in driving distance of Effingham, Il, you can order from Rapid City and get a heck of a deal.  And I know, I know, I can’t cram one . more . piece . of . furniture . into . my .  house.  ~ Jan

Gardener's Supply Deep Seat Garden Kneeler

 

Spring has sprung in Evansville and the warmer temps last weekend made me realize that I really needed a new garden kneeler.  My old one bit the dust, last year I used a bucket and it was quite a feat getting on and off the darned thing.

This isn’t my first rodeo with garden kneelers, some have wheels, which are good in theory but they don’t work in flower beds and they roll when you’re just trying to rock, so that was out.  My last one was too narrow, it wasn’t stable and easy to tip over, and yes of course I tipped the darned thing over, more than once I might add.

So I did the research online and was instantly smitten with this bright purple beauty.  It’s from a reputable company, and best of all it’s deep seated, which is perfect for the mature derriere, oh for Pete’s sake Jan get real, it accommodates big butts!  And best of all it’s purple, bright, vivid, glorious purple!!!

So I ordered it Sunday evening, it arrived today, folded into a cardboard box with no assembly required.  Whoa doggies, hubby was excited about that.  

It’s perfect, it really is, it’s nice and wide and stable, easy to get on and off of, and I also coughed up an additional $10.99 for the pouch that slips over one side to hold my gardening tools.  

Of course the cart is available in green, but why would anybody want green when they can have purple!

And the cost, not bad,  $49.95, plus $10.95 for the tool pouch, plus shipping.

And in retrospect I probably should have ordered their gloves, too.  Gardener’s Supply Company’s online catalog is just chocked full of amazing things, I have a feeling I’ll be ordering those gloves plus a few other necessities.

Okay all of you gardeners, I can see your wheels turning.  I know you like this spiffy purple cart, too.

Here are the links, go for it!  Just cruise their whole site, you’re gonna love this!

Deep Seated Garden Kneeler

Deep Seated Tool Pouch

Nitrile Gloves

And then there are the purple clogs.  Overkill, Jan, o.v.e.r.k.i.l.l, I don’t need purple clogs to match my purple cart.  Just fuggedabout it….

But you might like them, they come in lots of colors, too.

Here’s the link

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

The grandkids are all ready for St. Paddy’s Day, such a cute picture, just had to share.

I’m baking corned beef and cabbage this afternoon, it’s a blustery St. Patrick’s Day in Heavensville.  This isn’t the normal year for sure, March 17th is always my marker, usually the crabapple trees are in bloom, my  neighbor’s Mary Jane Magnolia is starting to pop, but not this year.  

I do have crocus blooming, and my daffy’s are budding.  Temps down to 25 degrees next week, that should nip everything. Grrrrr

Mother would have been planting peas today if she were in her prime.  She always had a big garden and planted her peas on the 17th.  Peas and new potatoes, oh my, what a treat that was.  So wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, Happy St. Patrick’s Day...

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade

Thinning brows, just another problem for old(er) women.  I’ve been a fan of Anastasia products for awhile now, and have regularly used their Brow Wiz pictured below.  It’s a great product, a retractable pencil with a spoolie on the other end, it’s worked well for me.  

But I do like to try other products so I bought this Dipbrow Pomade ($18) at Ulta even though I was skeptical because it’s kind of a gooey consistency.  It wasn’t love at first try, either and I didn’t cough up the money for their brush/spoolie combo.  I already had a spoolie on the end of my Brow Wiz, and I had a thin angle brush, in other words, I cheaped out!  Well, that other angle brush didn’t work for so well, and after a few tries I was starting to get the knack of using the pomade, so I coughed up another $18 for the darned brush.  So worth it, if you’re going to do this, buy the brush!

 

I’ve used it for a few weeks now, and really like it.  The trick is to use it lightly and brush it out with the spoolie after you put it on.  What’s the big attraction?  It fills in your brows really well, looks good and it stays on all day.  I finish it off with Anastasia Clear Gel Brow Gel to keep everything in place, and I’m good to go.

If you think you might be interested, watch this video, this girl explains how to use it perfectly.  The only con I’ve found is that the blonde shade is dark.  I wish it went more toward golden blonde instead of brown, but it doesn’t so I deal with it.  If you try it, just give yourself some time, it’s a bit of a learning curve.  I think I’m making it sound harder than it really is, the trick is to have a light touch.

It’s a good product, I will buy it again, probably not for a really long time, though because you use so little of this it will last forever.  Watch the video, see if it’s for you, it really is a good thing.  ~ Jan