Proper Living

I was saddened to receive a pop-up notification of Emily Post's death.  Not that I was a die hard fan, not that I knew she was ill or even that old, or not even that I ever agreed with everything posted in the Post Etiquette Books, I do however love etiquette and proper living. I like baking and keeping a clean, organized home. I like handwritten thank you letters and welcome baskets for new neighbors. I like gentlemen or any male for that matter, holding the door open for me. I do not like them pulling my chair out for me. Maybe if we are at a formal event or I've got a huge dress to work with but not generally.

I have read/browsed through the original Emily Post Etiquette book from the 1920s as well as the latest version by the Emily Post whom  passed away recently-difference abounds! It amazes me how much society has changed over the past 100 years, what is accepted and if anything still, what is shunned. I suppose though, that the etiquette books have to change with the time, they have to address those unpleasant etiquette topics such as divorce, pregnant brides, printed invitations, etc. to keep people interested, to keep people aware that etiquette still exists and should be exercised.

I'm currently reading The Wedding Machine by Beth Webb Hart and it references etiquette in the South. Specifically weddings with showers, china, invitations, titles, etc. It's a delight to read and I'm not yet 1/3 into the book. It reminds me how casual things have become. I of course don't have such gorgeous penmanship to handwrite the calligraphy on invitations and I don't have silver or crystal but the thought of hosting a bridal tea and see with monogrammed napkins, family silver, and all the 3 china patterns from my wedding excites me. Perhaps someday.

Until then I'll strive to have proper etiquette (to some extent!) and be polite, and when The Captain and I have 2-legged children of our own they will write thank you notes. I think that is terribly important.

Cheers!

There's still a lot of cool s*** I want

Even though I'm in the unemployed club there are of course so many cool things out there I want. And I have neglected sharing them with you lately.

To satisfy your inner shopping goddess....

Spanz Swimsuits!!!  You betcha! I'm sorry I love them. And I need to find where to buy them. Or rather try them on before I buy. Shopping directly over the internet never works for me.
A swim dress that flattens that tummy lump I can't seem to get rid of as well as that not so smooth area around the bottoms--sign me up! Ok, so it kinda looks like a nighty but aren't bikinis more revealing than nearly any nightwear you own? And yet, everyone wears them out in public! Even your 13 yr old neice, and people wonder why we have issues with pre-marital sex, STDs, teenage pregnancy..anyhoo, it covers up my problem spots and looks cute. I would go for black though. My skin is not much of a 'flamingo' fan.

I also love the colors on this one. It reminds me of the dress Kate Winslet wore when she won her Oscar. I would like to win an Oscar and wear a pretty dress. But I don't want to break up with the Captain so I'll continue practicing my speech for my Pulitzer Prize into my hairbrush.

I really like this one though. It's such a cut cut with the gathers that add more dimension and cover up. Swimsuits are a tough find for me but maybe these will break the mold.

I also want cute tops to wear out for some Beale Street fun like this one! Free-flowing and loose, it's not all casual but would look way cute with tight jeans and heels and lots of bangles. I love the flower detail and the open neck/arms. Perfect for an evening out!



At a local free concert or the 4th of July Fireworks...where this would come in very handy! I'm not much of a beer drinker. I can pretend to like it but my face gives away my true feelings.

So instead I'll buy a box of wine and look much classier with my astronaut bag stored in this cleaver device!

Bring on the summer-I think I'm ready!




Cheers!

Pollen in the Air

It's springtime in the Mid-South and that means pollen everywhere. Every morning there is a new coat of yellowish green pollen covering all the air could take it too over night. The lawn chairs are covered, the grill, my flip-flops, Callie's leashes, and even the door handle. When I lock the door to go for a walk there is a fingerprint of where I touched the handle. When I return 30 minutes later to head inside it's covered with pollen. No sign of my being there in the first place. I went to Cost-N-Co to get gas on Monday and there were tire tracks of those who had been before me in the 15 minutes it had been open. The parking lot itself was completely covered. Pictures don't do it justice at all. Similar to snow but not as pretty and causes much sneezing, itching, and coughing. THANKFULLY, I have not have allergic issues here. My nose has been stuffed up a couple of mornings but an hour later after I am up and moving it goes away. No sinus headaches. Thank you God!

One of the hits of Easter Dinner was my Grape Salad.

Consisting of both red and green grapes washed and patted dry, 2 lbs of each.

One then mixes together 8 oz of cream cheese, 1/2 cup of sour cream, and 1/2 of sugar until relatively smooth. Then pours that creamy mixure over the grapes.

To add the final touch, drizzle Carmel syrup ( the stuff for ice cream sundaes) over the top and sprinkle with candied pecans.

Delish!

Cheers!

Sleepy Eyes

Easter weekend was full of energy.

Callie and I are thrilled to have a quiet, peaceful home and the cats are thrilled to be out of their room. I'm in full recuperation mode with the floors and laundry calling my name today. Pretty sure that my eyes are going to close before all my tasks are completed though!

Cheers!

On the Avenue, Fifth Avenue

Good day folks!

I'm thrilled to see the sunshine this week. Thrilled to feel the heat. It makes the carpets dry faster. :) This morning there are the last rooms to be cleaned, pictures to be dusted, and windows to be wiped. And I'm pretty sure I did at least 3 loads of laundry this past weekend. How can I already have 3 more stacks to be done when there are only 2 of us here!

Yesterday I successfully made a Lime Pie. I say Lime because I could not find Key Limes or Key Lime juice. But let me tell you, it's tasty! After confirmation on Sunday that it set up well and pleased everyone's palates, I will share the recipe.

Bird's Nest Cookies are a requirement for my Easter weekend. Simply, they are Chocolate No-Bake Cookies with jelly beans in the center. Yum-city!

The Cheesecake I attempted to make didn't quite turn out the way I intended. I don't think it cooked up well and it was full of cracks from all the over-mixing I did. I sent it with the Captain to work. The guys can test it out and I'm sure the pan will come back empty tonight.

The In-Laws are arriving this afternoon. My Sista (The Captain's Youngest Sister who lives in the same proximity as our parents) will arrive with her family late this evening. And the Indi-Sister will arrive tomorrow around noon with her family.  Callie will be thrilled. Duke and Paige will probably hid all weekend. They don't deal well with too many people and their schedule being upset. When the Broseph was here they hid all week, it was sad. I tried so hard to provide a loving, stable home and to socialize my children. It's been a journey. That in it's self is numerous posts!

Cheers!