MeMe

Rosa from Rosa's Yummy Yums in Switzerland tagged me with a MeMe. I always thought it was pronounced MEM until Beth pointed out it was ME-ME, as in you and ME. I'm such a dunce sometimes. So here goes.

Diamonds or pearls?

It depends. My engagement and anniversary ring both have diamonds. (This is my anniversary ring the hub had made in Australia.) When it comes to earrings, I prefer pearls over diamonds. I think they're a classic. As far as other jewelry, I prefer colorful semi-precious jewels.

What is the last film you saw?
The last film I saw at the cinema was Burn After Reading (Clooney/Pitt). The last film I saw on TV was "About a Son," a documentary about Kurt Cobain.

Your favorite TV series?

Ok, I admit I like Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters and The Housewives of Orange County. I normally catch reruns though. The kid and I do watch Ghost Hunters every Wednesday, religiously.

What kind of breakfast do you usually eat?

I'm not a big breakfast person unless it's a special day. I always have a big glass of water and an apple after I've been awake for a little bit.

Second given name?

I didn't have a second name growing up. I suppose my mom thought Rosemary was sufficient. When I got married, I took my maiden name as my middle name.

Which kind of food can't you stand?

I hate fish. HATE it. I do, however, love shellfish.

Favorite name (at the moment)?

Obama.

Which car do you drive?

I think I will always drive a Volvo station wagon.

Which trait of character don't you like?

Unkindness.

Favorite clothes?

Jeans.

If you could take the aeroplane to go somewhere, where would you go?

Anywhere in Europe.

Where would you want to live when you are retired?

We'd like to spend a couple of years in Europe but finally settle in Northern California.

Which birthday do you remember the most?

There's several. The first one I remember is about my 9th? For some reason, my mom didn't get me a birthday cake. There were more pressing issues going on at the time. But I remember I was hurt. The next thing I remember, there was one waiting for me in the dining room. My sweet sister-in-law, Mary Jane, went and bought one for me. That was the sweetest thing ever. I doubt Mary Jane realizes how happy she made a little girl that day.

My 40th was extra special. (It made up for my 9th.) The hub took me to the Hay Adams for the night (where the Obamas lived for short time before the inauguration when they couldn't get into the Blair House). We met my brother and his wife for a nice dinner. The next day, we boarded a train for a surprise trip which ended up in Wilmington, Delaware so I could finally see the Faberge exhibit. (We actually had tickets to when the exhibit came to Richmond, VA. But we left early because the kids got sick. It was the trip from HELL!) This trip made up for that one. We stayed at the Hotel DuPont and I was surprised when some old friends met us there from Pennsylvania. It was absolutely perfect. Thank you hub.

Your birthday?

November 13.

If you were a color, which one would you be?

Iridescent magenta.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Vanilla ice cream but anything else in chocolate.

Coffee or tea?

I love coffee in the morning (I'm cutting down though), tea in the afternoon.

The last person you had on the phone?

The hub.

Sweet or savory?

Either.

The day of the week you prefer?

Mondays. I can get back into my routine.

Anyone want to play along?

Goodnight Moon

We had a beautiful full moon last night. It was absolutely mesmerizing. The kid, hub and I sat outside transfixed on it. The way the clouds were passing made it seem like you were in a whole different world where all you could see was a sky full of stars, clouds and everything was lit by the moon.

While I tried to capture the moment, these things never do come out like you see in real life. (Don't click on it to enlarge. It looks way better this size!) I remember once while in photography school, I spied the largest moon over Arlington I had ever seen (Cosmo's moon, perhaps). I ran home, grabbed my old Minolta and ran back up to the hill. When I took the photograph, developed the film and made a contact sheet, it looked like a speck in the sky. I was so disappointed. Kind of like I am with these photos I took last night. If this is the best of the bunch, you can only imagine what the rest look like!

It did remind me of our favorite children's book, Goodnight Moon.

Goodnight room
Goodnight moon
Good night cow jumping over the moon
Goodnight light
And the red balloon
Goodnight bears
Goodnight chairs
Goodnight kittens,
And goodnight mittens
Goodnight clocks
And goodnight socks
Goodnight little house
And goodnight mouse
Goodnight comb
And goodnight brush
Goodnight nobody
Goodnight mush
And goodnight to the old lady whispering hush
Goodnight stars
Goodnight air
Goodnight noises everywhere

Sniffle.

President Obama Speaks to US All

(my campaign button)

Let the Sunshine In

Oh, it doesn't take much to get the spring fever going in me. It was an absolutely perfect day here in Middle Tennessee. Low 70s, slight breeze. Mmmmmwaaaa! Loved it. I even moved the fish around to enjoy the beautiful rays coming through the windows. Yes, I also cleaned out their bowls. Poor little guys. Hardly had enough water to swim in. I'm a terrible fish owner for the most part.

When I left this morning, I noticed the daffodils are peeking out from the soil, stretching to greet the sun with as much love as us. Yay. That is definitely a sign of spring just around the corner.

I came around back and threw open mom's door to her yard and let that lovely fresh air through her apartment. It was lovely. Even she enjoyed it. While I was there, I took some snaps of her place with all the sun coming in. It's so pretty down there during the afternoon. So nice and cozy when the sun is shining through. (Why are there cafe curtains on the outside of the door you ask? Well, of course, it's because Frankie the dog sees deer and bunnies and Lord knows what else out there and starts barking which then wakes mom up at ungodly hours. This way, he can't see out! Brilliant, eh?)

Even though she had her PJs on already, I didn't say anything. That's ok. I'd like to wear my PJs all day on some days, ya know what I mean? This is her new wing back chair that seems to do the trick. No more falling asleep and falling out. If she does fall asleep, it cradles her. Sweet.

This is a little nook in the corner where she keeps her brother-in-law's old fishing hat, a vintage bulldog hot pad and an old angel I gave to her when I was young.

Her fridge is full of wonderful magnets from various places everyone has visited over the years and pictures of loved ones.

I had cubbies built on the sides of the fireplace in her living room so she could put all her photos out of the family. And that's just what we did. This is Jim's cubby, his daughter Madeleine when she was a baby and Jim's baby shoes. Jim is the one on the right, Johnny is on the left in the little photos.

This is dad's resting place. (I think if mom knew he was here, she'd throw him out--again! haha) His cowboy boots and belt mark it with his personality. I made these little praying hands in Bible School when I was very young. The photo of the young family in front of our house with snow is probably circa 1959, Mom, dad, Johnny and Jim. I wasn't born yet. Perhaps I was still cooking in mom's tummy when this was shot.

The kids in the hippie days! Oh my. Look at all of our hair! Johnny is in the middle, Jim and I are sitting down. I love this photo. Do you remember when scarves were in style in the 70s? UGly! teheh. That's me in the larger photo, probably when I was about 19 or 20. Jim is in the background looking especially proper. These are Johnny's little boots and his monkey too.

My oldest brother Joe's cubby (which happens to be Mary Jane's ex husband) has all kinds of pictures of their kids growing up. They are just adorable! And several shots of Joe and mom there too. The little Mexican sandals are Joe's. Aren't they precious?

And my family's cubby. The boys at various stages in their lives. Awwww. Me in various stages of my life too. Even one of me and the hub before we were married. Awwwwww. And those are my boots on the side there. The story is my Aunt Ollie bought me a pair of red ones but they didn't fit. So when my mom took them back, they only had black in my size. I preferred the red ones myself--as if I remember! ha.

The living room wall is full of our portraits growing up. The bottom right is the teenager when he was one. I wish I had chosen a different color than blue paper to have it drawn on. Looks kinda out of place, doesn't it? That's Jim and John in the double frame. And look at my profile when I was little. I had a double chin BACK THEN! YUCK. There was no chance for me I guess. Then Johnny in the other two. I need to find the other one of Jim somewhere packed away in mom's stuff.

And, of course, our beloved Capitol from the Grant Memorial where we all spent many hours taking photographs for a living. The teenager bought this for me the first year we moved. I was so homesick. It was a sweet thought.

When I went back out to lock up, the moon was already out trying to coax the sun to set. The sun would have nothing to do with it as our days are finally getting longer. That means mom is staying up longer. She may put her pajamas on at 4 in the afternoon, but she doesn't crawl into bed until after 5. I think her sleeping patterns are a little more regular when we have more daylight. When it's dark early, she thinks it's time to go to bed. So, I'm happy that we're getting more daylight these days.

Are your bulbs starting to sprout? I know some of you, out West, already have daffodils. Oh, I can't wait for mine!

And a PS. The hub and I are enjoying our little fun Valentine's note maker. I have it on the front door and he has been pasting a new note up each morning.

Oh SNAP! I keep forgetting to put this up. Snap from Tales from Twisty Lane gave me a sweet award--The Marie Antoinette, Real Woman, Real Award! Isn't that sweet? I can't chose seven out of you who deserve this award more than the other, so consider yourself a recipient. YAY! And thank you so much Snap for such a nice award.

Now let's enjoy the weekend!

Just Around the Corner

Can it be? Can spring truly be just around the corner? Let's hope so.

It's so funny, this summer and fall when my brother Jim came down, he was saying how much he hated the cold. I would always respond with a "I'd rather have the cold than the heat." Well, about the same time my hormones went into gear is the time the temperature dropped down here. It has been SOOOO cold. Now I don't know if I'm just becoming used to the warmer climate down south here or if it is truly my hormones doing what they should--that is not feeling like the little oven that could all year round. Regardless, I am cold now and finally feel my brother's pain. We may just have to keep on moving further South if this keeps up. Riverside all year round? Don't know about that. (In actuality, our true dream is to move to Northern California when we retire.)

At any rate, it may be cold now, but I'm getting a little inkling of spring fever. Just a smidgen, mind you. While I haven't yet purchased the latest Victoria magazine (I let my subscription lapse), I did receive an email. When I opened it, the first thing I saw were the pictures of the cherry blossoms in DC (click here). Whaaaaa. Now that kinda stuff makes me sad. Those are the things you take totally for granted (most of the time) when you're living there. Truthfully, I don't think any one in their right mind could take the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin for granted though.

When I worked for my father at the photo studio, this was the beginning of the season. School groups would flock to DC and we would take their photos. So, in a sense, I never really looked forward to it. The busy time, spring, brought long hours of work after school and on the weekends also at a very young age for us. Who had time to actually stroll through the luscious blossoms? Not any one who worked for my father, that's for sure. Along with the Cherry Blossom Parade would come swarms of groups and was probably one of the busiest days of the year if not the most (worst). We would work well into the night at the shop and then have to deliver the pictures we printed all day to the hotels where the bands or school groups were staying. Phew. It was tough, but it made us all stronger, I believe. When I made it to high school, my Aunt Ollie suggested I enter the Miss Cherry Blossom beauty pageant. AS if! I was way too shy to have anything to do with that. But it was a fun fleeting thought anyway. Aw, those were the days.

After leaving my father's business and finding a real job, I remember when the blossoms were at their peak, driving by the Jefferson Memorial every night after work and it was just a joy. I didn't even mind that there was traffic when I could sit and look at them through several light changes. They are truly spectacular. I don't think I truly appreciated their beauty until then. You can't even imagine such a sight unless you have been there. Oh and to walk through them when the petals begin to fall is magical. A quiet picnic under one of the trees is quite a memorable moment. Sigh.

Yep, I miss it. I still miss "home." How could you not. Washington, DC is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It's even prettier once you leave and come back. You learn to appreciate the little things. And even the big things, like the brilliance of the cherry blossoms in bloom.

Sniffle.

Things

Today was a good day to stay inside a warm kitchen. It was cold down here! Daig! The wind was whipping up like nobody's business. I woke up with icecycles on my eye lashes as the hub always leaves his window cracked. Well, the wind just happened to be coming in from the East and right into our bedroom. Burrr doggy. No wonder I didn't want to get out of bed. Regardless, I did. I needed a few things from the store.

Nashville finaly got a Trader Joe's. DC had just opened one when I left in 2001. Hmmm, like 7 1/2 years ago! Yep, we're just a little behind down here in little ol' Tennessee. Oh well. I'll take the nice slowness any day. (But I am glad to have a TJ.) But, I didn't go to Trader Joe's. Instead, I headed over to Whole Foods (just got that too in the last year). It' closer. I love the bags these guys have. The smaller one was designed by our local yocal Sheryl Crow. Uh huh. We have peeps who live in the hood down here, believe you me. Even Nicole Kidman lurves living in Nashville. Not bad for a little po-dunk town, eh? Ya gotta love it.

Well, I got all my fruit for the week. I eat at least 3-4 apples a day. I'm realy trying to keep the doctors away, can you tell?

Then I pulled a Beth and stuck all my stickers on the countertop. I liked the look so I took a snap.
I had to fill up on some more of my many vitamins. My dad used to take as many and would say "you can hear me coming with all the vitamins rattling in my stomach!" Funny old coot. Actually, I don't know that he took this many, really. But it was close.
I keep them all hidden behind a cute tea cozy that Vallen makes. Can never have too many cozies so I always keep an eye out on her Etsy for new ones! Love them.

Now, here's a little tip for you ladies (or gents in the kitchen). I admit, I put just about everything in my dishwasher. I am getting better. My brother Jim is finally breaking me in. But in the past, I did put everything in the dishwasher. I no longer load my pots and pans in there. Nor do the knives go in. Now, I'm thinking twice about even my cooking utensils! Oooof. All of my non-stick utensils were turning a yucky white. I keep mine out in a big crock, so you do see them. Yes, they are part of my kitchen decor. That yucky white just wouldn't do. So one day, I was experimenting. Don't know why I chose to try my Wave Jet on them. But I did. I rubbed some on the plastic (rather than just using it at a rinsing agent). And guess what. It works!

Look at the difference! And it's all natural. Voila, just like new! No? You can find this stuff at Whole Foods, of course. Who wants chemicals going in the washing of dishes anyway? Not I.

Okay okay, I was saving the best for last. Just to prove how cold it was outside today, in the sun, looky here. Isn't it beautiful? I dont' know how it formed. I couldn't figure it out to kill me. But I enjoyed its beauty regardless. I don't think the birds appreciated this little miracle forming in their birdbath though.

K. That's all for tonight. Have a good one!

Six More Weeks

Millie poked her tiny head out from the lovely woolen cone, laden with pearls, and she shivered. The sun was as bright as she had ever seen it. "Six more weeks of winter," she sighed. And then she tucked herself right back into her little cocoon and fell asleep.

Don't you wish you could hide under a pearl-laden wooly for another six weeks? You betchya.

Happy February!

The first day of February, can you believe it? At this rate, it will be Christmas again in a couple of months! Crazy.

I found this free desktop calendar download over at Shabby Princess' Creative Chaos. What fabulous templates she gives away! Of course, I had to add Miss Bella's photo to it--my little princess. Wish my desktop was as clean as my computer's desktop. What a mess! Always a mess. Oy vey. (Yea, like I need that paperweight. Right. Don't even ask about the Sumo soap.)

It was a beautiful day here in Middle Tennessee. Probably in the mid 60sºƒ. Pretty nice for February, eh? Just enough to get you into spring fever mode in time to let you down. Guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow, Groundhog Day, to see how much more winter we will have. Let's hope Puxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow! Fingers' crossed!! I'm ready for an early spring, how about you?

Happy February everyone.