The PB

I realize the Pottery Barn is a haven of mass produced, trendy, and unoriginal items--but oh, how I love it those perfectly color co-ordinated and meticulously accessorized rooms. I don't know how many nice, gay designers they keep on staff, but it must be an army. 

I savored some time there while the kids were at camp today and this is what I found.

The last decorative remnants of summer, shells on a coffee table. (sigh) This will soon be replaced with bowls of pine cones and wooden candlesticks.

This green desk was a bit bright for me, but it highlights the great black and white accessories.

This beachy lamp has been an object of lust for some time now. Love the simple, classic lines and elegant, but casual feel.

This striking white upholstered couch and black/white paisley pillow combo is so versatile--great for all seasons.

This little guy was a gentleman's shopping companion--picture Nathan Lane's character from 'The Birdcage" with a toycup pouch. It's great that stores in Dallas are becoming furry-friendly. It's so European to take your dog shopping.

"Hi! Nice to meet you!"

Wine under $3.00

Although I shouldn't drink at all, sometimes I do. How could I resist a bottle of wine for $2.97. No, kidding. This is for real! This wine was on an end-aisle at Walmart, and I thought, "What the heck, I'll live on the edge today." 

Now, before you send me your hate mail telling me what a traitorous denizen of the tree-hugging community I am by shopping at Walmart, you should know I was there to get the $25 DVD player. For some reason, my kids find a way to destroy one of these about every six months, and well, it adds up. Walmart is the cheapest place to get DVD players, in case you are in the market. (This time Thing 2 shot a magnetized dart onto the player box. Needless to say, there was no saving it.)

Surprisingly, it was a good table wine. It was similar to a Gallo table wine, not crazy good, but not bad. Be sure you let it breathe first, otherwise you might burn your tongue. You could serve this at a party, and no one would know the difference.

There is a trend for more affordable everyday/table wine in the U.S. Wine retailers want us to buy and drink more wine, similar to European countries. This is one trend I will endorse.

Looking for more options? Check out the cheap wine critic.

Wine is a constant reminder that God loves us and wants us to be happy. Benjamin Franklin

Friends

My life has been amazingly blessed with friends, especially girlfriends, who are vibrant, kind, smart, fabulous people. They constantly inspire me with wisdom, humor and talent. I never tell them enough how beautiful they are to me or what they mean to my life. I love you all and want to thank you for being a part of my world. Here's to you!

A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad. ~Arnold H. Glasgow

The Doctor in IN

I've been carrying around this thought, and it has been a real rock-in-the-underwear issue.

Recently, a girlfriend called me very upset about a friend who repeatedly criticized per children and her parenting techniques. (o mi gravy!!! manners! remember those?) Since this happened to me very recently, I was very empathetic to her. Every parent has been the recipient of unwanted parenting advice, and I have yet to hear someone say it was a lovely way to pass the time with their family and friends. 

I really like my dad's pearl from long ago: If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. 

I've been thinking about a tactful, gracious way to tell ungracious people that they have overstepped the bounds of appropriateness. Here are my thoughts.

• Be polite, but direct. Let them know you appreciate their concern, but not the comment. Repeat as needed. Repeat as needed.
• Smile and say, "There is an idea!"
• Ignore.
• This comment works nicely: "This way may not be right for you, but it's right for me."
• My girlfriend who spent her college years abroad in Germany had this phrase to offer: "Es geht dicht nicht an." This loosely translates to "It doesn't affect you." or "f*ck a bunch of you" (This one I like!)

I'm curious if there are other ways people have handled this.

"be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -plato

Peace and Kindness

Have a happy weekend my lovely friends : )

Tea Party

As the summer wanes on and the ideas for keeping the kids busy are starting to dwindle, I am finding myself in need of fresh ways to keep the kids entertained. Did I mention that it is over 100 degrees outside and I'm tired of paying $100 every time I put my kids in an activity?

Lately we have turned afternoon snack into formal tea time--complete with my best china and kiddie-style afternoon snacks (cheddar bunnies, raisins, chocolate chips, cheese and crackers) served on formal trays. Everyone must be properly dressed. When I brought out the china from storage, it was so thick with dust I could write my name in it! I was glad for an excuse to use it.

My poor son must be desperate for entertainment--he has been joining us. (Of course it might just be the chocolate chips.)

Vegetarian Chicken at KFC

Lucky Canada. How come all the KFC's up there get to have vegetarian chicken sandwiches?Certainly Americans deserve bad vegetarian fast food also! 

Actually, to call it "vegetarian" is kind of a stretch here, since they still fry the patties in the same oil vat as all the chicken. If you are vegan, you will have to 86 the mayo and have it served in a wrap since the bread has milk. Still! This is a huge step for all us vegetarians! If someplace like KFC sees the market for vegetarian fare, more will be on the way shortly.

All comments have been very positive, so hopefully it will be in the US soon. If you haven't tried the faux chicken products, they are all great. The Morningstar Farms brand is my fave! My kids will even eat them. Very yummy with pepperjack cheese.

If you just happen to be in Canada this summer, you can use a coupon to get a two for one deal. Click here for the coupon.

Life Laundry Day

I read about this great concept that I tried today. In Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Count Vronsky made a habit of having a "laundry day". On his laundry day, he didn't do laundry, but he did all other things that had stacked up and needed to be done. It allowed him to clear his mind and feel better. This sounds silly, because it is so obvious, but this had never occurred to me before. I always complete tasks in a "catch as catch can" mentality, but there always seemed to be more. I wanted to try this.

Today was my life laundry day and I completed all the things I had been putting off. I plopped the kids in front of a DVD and began: 

Returning calls--a billion to be exact, and I still have a few more

Cleaning-- the extra closet (also known as the "cave-in" closet), my desk drawers, the bathroom

Sifting--going through my files, email box, the paperstack next to the back door

Dumping--aged food in the fridge, old magazines, the contents of the cave-in closet

Reading--the fine print on notices, like from the electric company (my rates are going up!)

At the end of the day, my mind feels so clear. As I walk through my house I don't have that voice going off in my head saying, "You need to do that. When are you going to take care of that?" It feels great! I never realized how taxing that little voice was to my psyche. I feel clean, like I just got out of a hot bath. Why didn't I ever think to do this before?

If anyone has there own personal Life Laundry Day, please let me know how it works for you!