New Year's Revolution ~ Recipe for a Fabulous 2018

    Happy New Year 2018!! Another year has flown by for all of us and we have the urge to get it started on the right foot, right?!

    As with your Christmas prep & celebrations, perfection is overrated. Perfection suggests flaws & other things about ourselves needing work. What you need to embrace is that you are fabulous right here & now on January 1, 2018!! Fabulous is more your attitude & that aura around you... not a focus on specific body parts and the number a scale says. I received a birthday card years ago that I still have in my work cube. Fabulous is a lot like perfect but less boring & more fun! It's true!! Fabulous is easy because it is a state of mind, an inner confidence that you only need say 'yes' to right away. Trying to work towards perfect can be boring for you to do & others to hear about (I did 3- 60 minute planks yesterday....blah, blah, blah) This is not to say that we don't always strive (most days) to embrace a more healthy diet & lifestyle than the previous year. Having structure & goals are how we get through most weeks. (vacation weeks don't count! - substitute an itinerary or not!)

So I propose this New Year's Revolution Recipe for your Fabulous 2018:

200 parts Fabulous

100 parts Gratitude

50 parts Healthy Eating & Exercise  2 parts Cheat Days

20 parts Goal & Vision Board Focus

100 parts Love, Laughter & Fun

1 pinch Setbacks

1 pinch Disappointment

20 parts Resiliency & Forgiveness

Happy New Year to you all!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Twelfth Day

The Twelfth Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

Forgo perfection for the love and warmth that Christmas brings when we open our hearts & homes.

Christmas Eve & Day hold very high expectations for many; if there is a hiccup then there is potential ruin. Well, no Christmas ever turns out perfect, from missing gifts to no appetizers because your cousin got the flu to snowstorms that keep some loved ones away.  I know I suggested those 'perfect' ending Hallmark & holiday movies, but those are meant to warm the heart not raise our expectations of ourselves. Not many Christmas Days end up perfect and that's just fine, really. Remember the true meaning on this day. Mary & Joseph entered Bethlehem and found way less than perfect accommodations. They made the best of their situation. And you know what, the most memorable night in all of mankind occurred. And the visitors still came to visit the most beautiful of sights, yes the simplest of mangers & the loving, holy family. What those visitors felt was the overwhelming love. That is what's important. 
Merry Christmas to you all!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Eleventh Day

The Eleventh Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me..

Embrace traditions old & new.

There are just certain things I feel have to be passed on to my daughter or they may be lost forever! There truly are so many we embrace every season but here are a few from this blogger to you.

Ribbon candy & clear toy pops are two of those candy traditions from when I was growing up and the one I started with my daughter was the chocolate advent calendar. Right after Christmas we looked forward the Christmas visits when I was growing up. We would see Aunt & Uncles and cousins and family friends. These visits weren't over the top with food, but usually involved a tray of their delicious cookies. It was usually a one on one family type of visit. I want to make sure we have a few of those too this year. We have worked so hard decorating and baking. It is a perfect time to serve the cookies and holiday tea! These visits are usually during the week & not late nights so they are a perfect way to connect with family & friends.

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Tenth Day

The Tenth Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

Watch Some Wonderful Movies & Shows from Home

You don't have to go far to enjoy holiday festivities & get some holiday spirit. Simply tune in to some wonderful holiday movies & shows right at home. There are the classics to watch that you may already own on dvd like Home Alone, It's a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol. Along with my Mom, we are truly Hallmark movie marathoners! Since the end of October it's been Christmas all day & night! She & I laugh at how many tree lightings, Santa wishes, mistletoe kisses , cookie baking and ice skating scenes there are. Other channels like Freeform, Lifetime & ION have a bunch of wonderful movies too. On the weekends there is always a new one on all these stations. Sunday I am going to a live performance of A Christmas Story ~  you guessed it, right from my living room. It airs on Fox 7pm est. Looks like it will be a blast. The popcorn is free here at home too! So kick back with a few freshly baked cookies, some holiday tea and a roaring fire and just relax... you so deserve a reboot after this past week & will need it for next week... just sayin'.

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Ninth Day

The Ninth Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

Maybe with some previous ideas (especially delegating tasks and doing make ahead appetizers & tea), you see a few free hours of time ahead coming your way. The Dickens you say?! (one of my favorite expressions this time of year!) So this next idea is...

Donate time & help others through this holiday season...

We know better than anyone what it takes to pull this season off; but deep down we also know it is the simple things that make the season special. Running a shopping trip for an elderly family member or neighbor and perhaps helping to wrap those gifts would be so helpful Even decorate a few things around their home to make their place festive too. Perhaps they need stamps or some grocery store items; It is a tough time of year to be out in the stores so this is a true gift for them. Maybe those grocery items contain ingredients to make Molasses Gem Cookies or Holiday Tea! How about holding a door for a train of folks laden with packages! I like the idea of buying a few lottery tickets and being a secret Santa to a coworker, neighbor or stranger. All the worthy organizations in your area could use monetary donations and Toys for Tots is there for the kids at a drop off near you. The Salvation Army makes it easy to donate $$ right outside stores! Maybe there is a volunteer organization that could use an extra set of hands in your community. Reading holiday tales to kids or the elderly is a wonderful way to share holiday spirit too! My daughter has been helping her grandmother once a week who is 90. She still gets around but it is overwhelming this time of year for her when she has many stops! They head back to her house after and there are always things to be decked or wrapped. They also have this great quality time together!! When we give, we all receive in many ways.

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Eighth Day

The Eighth Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

A dessert or breakfast or anytime tea. Perfect this time of year to go with those cookies & fancy desserts! Gets RAVE reviews!!

Holiday Tea

1 teaspoon cinnamon bark (about 1 whole cinnamon stick)

1 teaspoon whole cloves

6 teabags or 5 heaping teaspoons loose tea (your choice)

Place above in cheesecloth & tie with teabag string. Boil in 1 quart water for 5-10 minutes. (smells WONDERFUL!)

Add:

1/3 of 12-oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate

3 tablespoons lemon juice or 6T. Real Lemon

1-1/2 cups sugar (optional)

1 quart boiling water

Store above syrup in refrigerator. ADD: equal parts water to serve.

There are many healthful benefits to this tea too! The tea itself & OJ are full of antioxidants and Vitamin C respectively. The cinnamon is now considered a superfood; It helps regulate blood sugar. The cloves have one of the highest antioxidant ratings of any spice – great for anti-aging. If you have stomach/digestion problems, then throw some star anise into the mix. Delish!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Seventh Idea

The Seventh Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

It's time for a cookie recipe. I love to bake with my daughter & this one recipe hands down gets the most yums & wows!

This is an old Sun-Maid raisin cookie recipe:

Molasses Gems with Raisins

¾ c. butter       2 c. all-purpose flour

1 c. sugar         2 tsp. baking SODA

¼ c. molasses    1 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg                 ½ tsp. cloves

¼ tsp. salt         ½ tsp. ginger

1 cup raisins      extra sugar or fancy sugar to coat

Beat butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Add molasses & egg; beat well. Combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger & salt. Add to molasses mixture; mix well. Stir in raisins, Cover & refrigerate until chilled. (great to mix the night before.) Shape into 1-inch balls & roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. (grease if not coated). Bake in upper third of preheated 350 degree oven. Bake 10-12 minutes. Cool 1 minute & transfer to wire racks. Makes 3 dozen. * Note – recipe can be made without raisins. Last year I took a dozen of the balls & froze them on a sheet. Then I transferred to a freezer ziploc and baked them fresh for company!! I also did this with chocolate chip cookies. Extra delish when warm.

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Sixth Idea

The Sixth Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

A go-to Cocktail Recipe - You need one so keep easy ingredients on hand for impromptu guests & a parties in general. Also makes a great take along to that party this year. Very Festive!

The Poinsettia Cocktail

This is the time of year that needs a specialty party cocktail. This Poinsettia Champagne Cocktail is just the perfect drink! Easy to prep, fun to serve & drink.

½ ounce Triple sec or Cointreau liqueur

3 ounces cranberry juice or raspberry/cranberry juice

Champagne or Spumante

Garnishes: Orange peel curls, raspberries, cranberries, cherries, pomegranate seeds

Serve in festive barware.

Chill all the ingredients first. Mix juice & orange liqueur well. Top with champagne. If you are serving a party crowd, mix together a pitcher of first two ingredients & have ready to pour. Place on a tray and then top with the champagne in front of you guest. Very festive. (Practice this first so you don’t over fill the glass with fizz!) I love this recipe because of the options you have. For those who do not like the orange flavor, substitute vodka instead! You can also switch cranberry juice for pomegranate. Here are more ideas from The Food Network... Yum

http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/packages/holidays/holiday-central-cocktails/12-days-of-holiday-cocktails

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Fifth Idea

Add Lighting ~ Everywhere you can!

This is truly the simplest, most beautiful, most bang for the buck decorating idea you can do. The sky is the limit with lights these days too; from traditional to LED options, you can get very creative. My favorite things are putting/puddling lights inside baskets, vases, bottles, lanterns, anything that can hold them. Where there is no electrical outlet handy, I use the battery operated LED lights on a wire. They are fabulous!! I use on wreaths and in all the tabletop sleighs I have collected from garage sales over the years. I decorate with greens and pics and candles and add the lights last. Makes everything glow! I use the Merry Brite lights from CVS for this. They have all designs now. They even have clothes pins shapes that light & will hold you Christmas cards! Genius! Happy Lighting the way for Santa!!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Fourth Idea

The Fourth Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

Get Inspired!

    Since the decorating has begun my next two ideas will be decor related. (followed by a holiday cocktail [recipe] lol So, even Martha Stewart has a team of folks to infuse & inspire them with fresh ideas for the holidays! Thumb though magazines or watch a Home & Family type show to get a new idea or two. Then there is Pinterist ~ say no more... Even simply moving some decorations to a new spot for a fresh perspective can make a difference. Take a tired wreath and do a mini overhaul on it. I found a few sweet items at garage sales this season & now they have a Christmas home! It doesn't have to be a lot to feel accomplished. Now not too much ~ frazzled is the last thing we want!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Third Idea

The Third Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

A make-ahead appetizer that gets applause! You can then freeze and heat again for those drop by guests or to take along to a party. With only THREE ingredients you can’t go wrong – it doesn’t get easier.

Pepperoni Bread

1 frozen round of pizza dough (sold in grocery stores) or fresh dough found in refrigerated sections

¼ Lb. thin sliced pepperoni

¼ Lb. Mozzarella Cheese (variations for extra kick, use some provolone or any favorite easy-melt cheese).

If your dough is frozen you will need some ahead of time prep to thaw the dough & let it rise. You can transfer the dough to fridge the night before. When ready spray a round pan with non-stick & place dough in center. Cover lightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough double its size before rolling out. (this can take 4-6 hours) Fresh dough, just sit out a few hours. Roll out on lightly floured surface to approx. 10” x 16”. Layer pepperoni over rolled out surface then cover with cheese. Roll up firmly and pinch ends & seam. Place on cookie sheet or jelly roll pan seam size down & Bake at 450 degrees until brown. Approx. 20 minutes. (slightly undercook ones you will freeze) You can eat right away, obviously – yum, or let some loaves cool & freeze wrapped in tin foil. Just place in 350 degree oven when ready to reheat. The tin foil will prevent any further browning. Tastes like you just made them! Enjoy!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ Second Idea

The Second Idea of Christmas My Blogger Gave to Me...

Designate Assignments ~ I wanted to gift this idea now before it's too late & you get behind, get frazzled, start using another f word that is not 'festive'. The idea is for all to enjoy the holidays and that includes you!! You may be the master coordinator so it 'all' comes together, but the 24th & 25th will get here no matter what does or doesn't get 'done'.  There is no need to miss out on those amazing warm feelings that come this time of year. So pawn off some cleaning, baking, cooking, shopping (on-line is easy!) wrapping, decorating to others (the kids especially.) Even a few things will make a big difference. (I mean how do you think Santa gets it all done? ~enlist some elves! If you can't find help, then do less (say a few more No's & a few less Yeses; don't overbook yourself!)  & enjoy yourself more!  You don't have to control it all for all to be wonderful!

The Twelve Ideas of Christmas ~ First Idea

    So here's the idea for my latest blog ~ The Twelve Ideas of Christmas from me to you ~ one per day. These are ideas, recipes, inspirations to keep you moving with all that you need for the holidays as a gift giver, hostess, party-goer and so on...

The First Idea of Christmas my Blogger gave to me...

A Chocolates Filled Advent Calendar - This is the gift that gives from December 1st through the 25th! Behind each perforated picture is the sweetest piece of chocolate. This is a favorite of my daughter (who is now 23)! When she was in Australia thru Christmastime, I even mailed one to her - tradition and all that! The calendars can be found at most grocery stores, CVS, World Market, etc.! Brings out the kid in everyone!! This is my perfect idea for my coworkers this year; lots of stress the first couple weeks of the month so a little sweetness will hopefully go a long way!

Stocking Stuffer Ideas For You!!

Ho, Ho, Ho 'tis that time of year again! Just wanted to share some fantastic stocking stuffer ideas for you to put on your list this year. Some have been reviewed thumbs up by me before & some are new ideas - again with a thumbs up from this tester. All are inexpensive. In no particular order...

~ Garnier Micellar Water - game changer for cleaning skin
~ Any kind of Spill-proof Pump Nail Polish Remover - Genius!! I use Walmart's Equate Brand

~ Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara - still the best in my book

~ Ecotools  Makeup Brushes - inexpensive and fab

~ Burt's Bees Chapstick - so many to choose from...

~ Cetaphil Body & Face Moisturizing Lotion - another game changer

~ Face Mask Sheets - any kind what a treat but no photos please!

~ Maybelline Eye Shadow Palettes - Blushed Nudes are my go to

~ The Ped-Egg - still the basis of the home pedicure

~ Neutrogena Hand Cream - classic and still awesome

 

~ Aveeno Positively Radiant 60 Second In Shower Facial - new & fabulous!

~ A really good nail file - I don't have one, any suggestions??

~ The WetBrush - a must for hair of any length. There is even one now       that hangs in your shower!

~ Your favorite chocolate!!!

Fall Outdoor Cleanup Time!

   This will be an unusual garden cleanup up year for many of us. With flooding rains is so many parts of the country & unusually warm temperatures east coast, this is the year fall can turn in winter cleanup.

    Here on the east coast the leaves have been taking their time changing color and falling. Yes, some have fallen without changing but I still have hope! This becomes problematic if we have any early snow (seems unlikely... but you never know) the branches on all trees with leaves become vulnerable. What we need this year is to be diligent and keep up even though leaf removal may last well into late December. (used to be Thanksgiving!) I can't complain though, my annual begonias are still blooming (unheard of in November here) thanks to no frost or freeze. I got my money's worth out of then this year for sure. Here are some cleanup tips:

  ~ Instead of bagging all your leaves or using the curbside pickup, think about using as many as possible as mulch in your beds & mowed into your lawn . This benefits your soil & the wildlife that needs warm hiding places. The only type I have found that doesn’t work for me are ginkgo leaves. I have a 100+ year old HUGE tree so beautiful but the leaves are too heavy & rubbery & never seem to break down. No wonder this tree was around in prehistoric times! See the nice link below for best mulch ideas.

http://www.smilinggardener.com/organic-gardening-tips/mulch-types-how-to-choose-the-best-mulch

~ Leave seed headed perennials alone in your garden to feed the birds this winter. (Goldfinches do not migrate so the coneflower seeds are a treat for them.) The exceptions being any that showed signs of powdery mildew or other diseases at the end of summer. Dispose of these in the trash, not even with the garden waste.

~ Go shopping for Spring bulbs & consider buying a few to force indoors. My favorite to force are hyacinths. These require a few months of refrigerator time & then a bulb vase. This allows the bulb to sit with just a hint of water at the base. Soon roots will form & then the green leaves will peak through. Start to bloom is usually three weeks. Something about that wonderful smell come February… Check out the link below for outdoor planting.

http://www.americanmeadows.com/planting-flower-bulbs

And indoor planting…

http://www.gardeners.com/Growing-Bulbs-Indoors/5158,default,pg.html

~ Most of all get out and enjoy the crisp air & the eventual beautiful colors. There is nothing like it!

This Girl Has Got to Know Her Limitations ~ But Never Stop Trying!

    I know this blog will be a special one for me ~ after all it's over 40 years in the making! Lately I have had a friend and a family member venture (or at least think) about the world of music & learning to play the guitar. Bravo!! It got me thinking about my own brush with acoustic folk music greatness - NOT!! Yes, I took guitar lessons at age 11 or 12, fell in love with Jackson Browne, The Eagles and had sheet music in high school as a self-learner & then in college when a summer away had everyone strumming & me plinking... Ok, maturity showed me that this was not my calling at all; no talent whatsoever. Following that was learning French in high school & college. I passed classes that's all I can say. I had a few phrases for a week trip to Paris but that's all for 4 years of torture... Even a few years ago I put the Duo lingo app on my tablet to learn Italian. (thinking the Universe would see I was serious about going back to that awesome country) Great app & the Universe saw my ineptitude & hid behind the clouds!! There has also been attempts at scuba diving (claustrophobic catastrophe), driving a stick shift (took lessons, also instructed by friends over the years - thanks Rocker & Wrecker for sacrificing your clutches!) and just can't get it, don't like it. Could I go somewhere in a emergency - sure. Could I find a bathroom in France - of course. Could I force myself to scuba if there was a chest of Spanish gold coins within my reach - abso-friggin-lutely!! Could I serenade someone with a love song - well not a chance! This girl has learned her limitations...

    These un-manifested skills have not stopped this dreamer though. I am still the one with the vision board & the Bucket List so I keep trying!! This past weekend away with the Besties, the Bucket List reared its head with a Rappelling adventure in a state park. Beautiful leaves, fantastic summer-like weather, the bestest of friends & a 85-ft. cliff!! So of our five, three were able to climb & rappel twice. (didn't know there'd be a short rope climb that was a ball buster before you got to the top - [must remember to read website more thoroughly] ) It was terrifying and exhilarating too! The two who felt their limitations still had fun and can now put this one behind them and with all of us will try something again from the list soon! (although I had to promise flat Terre firma next time!) The message in all of this is to have fun and a sense of humor trying new things. They may not be your 'thing' after all is said & done, but there is a universe full of new things to try, fail & learn & eventually occasionally succeed!! No limitations there. We need to give ourselves a pat on the back every morning for our successes & near misses and keep trying new things every now & then to keep ourselves young & that heart beating fast!!

    I'm not sure what's next but I know in my life I've chosen well with picking friends and been blessed with a wonderful family all of whom tolerate my Bucket List lovingly (and with an occasional eye roll which usually tells me I'm on to something)!! So keep trying & failing and trying!!! This girl will never give up...

Best for my Skin Products 2017

   You know I love to review 'beauty' products & it's been a while since I have felt the WOW for a product (or two in this case). So here we go, only 2 products (they deserve stand-out attention), skin/life changers for me...

 

   The first product I tried at my sister's house late in the summer. She works for a dermatologist & has sensitive skin (she uses it primarily on her face, neck, chest). It is the new Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion for Body & Face ~ All skin types. (when shopping for this, most Cetaphil packaging is similar, so read labels!) It turned out to be a wow. I put it on and the next morning I felt like I just put it on! The best part: I have been trying to find the right combo for crepey skin on my arms, legs, neck. I always relied on shea butter moisturizers & oils, the thicker the better right? Well, this is lightweight and is glycerin, Vitamin E & avocado oil based & it completely smoothed my skin. I could not believe it could be this easy & inexpensive. My neck, which let's face it, has its older looking moments now - loves it. It is completely fragrance free &  absorbs fast & leaves a slight, healthy, moisturized glow. I recently went to a wedding with a sleeveless, just to the knee dress & it is all I used and felt confident in my skin  (it's been awhile). It comes in a generous 16-oz pump bottle, even better, and is super affordable. Approximately $14.00 at your drug store retailers and two-packs are cheaper on Amazon too!

    The second awesomeness in a bottle product is Murad's Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum. Yes, I saw the info ads one night on TV. It is during the late winter months that I really begin to notice my hyper pigmentation (age spots). Yes, the sun loves me & I slather on SPF50... however at my age I still need help. So I went to Ulta & just bought the one product in the line to the tune of approx $64. Pricey, yes, but desperate times. Never, ever regret the purchase! It contains 2% Hydroquinone and it is a bit thick at first (that's the aloe). The smell isn't great but dissipates in seconds while you are smoothing it on. Best use is at night & the results have been infomercial worthy. Yes, I have seen the lightening for sure but the best surprise benefit has been the smoother, less wrinkles & better skin texture to my face. Yes, that fantastic bonus ingredient is glycolic acid, the super exfoliator. I now purchase this on eBay for a third of the price & now alternating at night with Murad's Resurgence line Age-Diffusing Serum. Also, purchased on eBay for about 24.00, it's a great compliment. I love serums and these are tops!

    The bottom line on these products readers is the effectiveness with little effort and cost. The results are there so I will continue to purchase and use. I looooove them. Run, don't walk to your store or computer!!! And always remember, a smile is the best beauty product out there & drink lots of water!!!

Eclipsibrating!

    There's nothing like a celestial event (especially one we haven't seen here in the US in almost 40 years) to get folks of all ages so excited. It was a Monday, a workday this time around but that didn't seem to stop viewers from making special plans or to figure out a way to view, to connect with this very cool event & each other. At my work, our west coast office shared their pics & funny insights early in the morning, raising the level of anticipation for our office.

    I feel fortunate that with mostly sunny skies that viewing was great in my neck of the woods. Fashion be damned! Those viewing glasses were awesome. Just sensing that millions of viewers were putting on those glasses & simultaneously going, "wow" is pretty damn cool. Of course, knowing this blogger you must sense a message in all this & there definitely is.

   What I loved about the eclipse is how it made everyone slow down, even if just for a few minutes. Then you had to think of what a small, but critically important piece we all are and how we are connected not just by our circle of friends, family & coworkers, community & county, but world & then universe!! So amazing having one common feeling. A celestial event such as this is not meant to make you feel insignificant in this great universe, hell no! We are all so important in how the universe unfolds second to second, day by day.

   I also found myself having more than a hello conversation with my toll takers yesterday, there was talk about the eclipse of course! A universal way to connect that doesn't come around often. This should remind us that we should connect more & more to everyone that crosses our path in the course of a day. We need each other on a daily basis! It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Mother Teresa, "not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." Simply connecting with a smile & a few words is a very important 'small' thing.

    So don't stop eclipsibrating! Carry that feeling forward every day until, well, forever and you will be happier & the universe will feel more & more like home! 

Finding Your Way Back to that Cabin in the Woods...

    How many times have you (in these nice but more complicated years) found yourself reminiscing about those simpler times. The ones we have seen our kids experience but, for us, have gone by the way of jobs, commitments, responsibility... Do you wonder "how do I get that back even for a short time?"

    I've been fortunate over the years to have the best and oldest (sorry, Rockers) and dearest friends beside me for almost all the decades of my life. There is nothing like a weekend away with the besties to help get you back to simple & strip you down to that authentic self of yours. I mean, remember when fun and music and dancing and laughter were an everyday occurrence... in simpler times? When music was literally the soundtrack that ran parallel to our lives?

   Fortunate & blessed is how I feel about this past weekend away with my besties. This time a few new, old friends, but those we haven’t seen in decades, were thrown into the mix by way of a reunion - one over 35 years overdue. We simply took it back to the simple cabin in the woods, back to the beach by the lake and as one of our reunioners reminded us, our lives then & weekend now paralleled to the Kid Rock song – All Summer Long (and a great dance song to boot!). What was authentic was that it felt like no time had passed. The quality friends, beach, cabin, old photographs & great stories of yesteryear were still there as the framework, but it was the ease with which everyone just let the music transport them back. The old stories brought back laughter and the new memories made involved uncontrollable laughter.

    So, how can this transportation happen for you? Well, if there was a secret potion I’d bottle it. But you, too, can experience feeling seventeen again. The secret starts with the fantastic friends who are generous with their time (and frequent flier miles?!) & a willingness to find their way back to their authentic selves - a simpler time, even if just for a weekend. Find the special retro location & then just start by unplugging technology, put responsibilities on the back burner, cue up some great old tunes, share photos (recreate old photos - hilarious!), swap stories, and begin remembering who you really are (the tricky part - yes, peel the onion back that gets you to your authentic self!) It helps to have an anchor, that special cabin or beach house. Drive around and soak it all in. Visit old restaurants, ice cream places, beaches, people, have retro candy & old photos handy, have a campfire, a sense of humor & always, always have the music cued. Most of all, enjoy each other then & now and laugh... laugh... laugh.

Thanks for the inspiration Rockers & Wreckers! 

Goal - An Easy Garden to Plant & Admire

   What we all dream of this time of year as gardeners is lots of sunshine, ample rain, minimal work.... Yes! This will be the year I can kick back and view my garden from afar and smile (and not stress) and meander (and not pull a single weed)! And truly as blissful as this sounds, I have been working (smartly) towards these goals. Every year I tend to my perennials like they are best friends & I plant just a select group of annuals for a pop of color in the ground or a planter or two. I now have 3 planters that I can overwinter in my garage & pull out for next year. They are gardenia, fuschia and oleander (not recommended if you have pets).

   My favorite easy annual that I recommend every year is the 'Dragon Wing" variety of begonia. Yes, one plant can fill an entire large planter! Now, the "Big" series begonia is like the wax begonia on steroids and is quickly becoming another favorite.  It has larger leaves & flowers and will stay a compact size so it is perfect to use as a bedding plant in shade or sun. This year I only dug 12 holes for my "Big" begonias because they looked 'full grown' when I planted them in May! No deadheading required! Gotta love that.

   Now do I just kick back & relish the beauty from afar only? Heck, no! If you don't get up close you may miss out on the passing hummingbird tapping on your bee balm or the luna moth resting for the evening. I like to take my clippers & bucket in the morning and deadhead the few perennials that need it. My rose & white campions give me that perfect opportunity & needed garden therapy. I also love to clip a few stems & bring inside to enjoy in one of my many pretty vases.

    So plant smart so you can view relaxed from your window & know it will all be ok, but also get out and meander to get that free garden healing!

Plant... Stake... Relax!

    So you have weeded, planted, fertilized, watered ~ so now what? For many plants you get to sit back and enjoy watching them grow. For other plants, especially perennials, you have one more step to take before you sit back & enjoy the bloom show! That step is staking. Below is a wonderful link to Better Homes & Gardens website page on staking. (I especially like the bunch of twig supports. I will be collecting my twigs moving forward for this purpose.)

 http://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/perennials/staking-and-training-perennials/   

     If you are like me you like the natural look for your plants supports or if you are doing it correctly, for the supports to disappear as your plants grow. I have recently started using Velcro green garden tape. This works well with single stems that need support, like my lupines. I also like decorative stakes & have a nice 'go to' collection. These can work well with fishing line (just don't let it dig into the stems). Green bamboo stakes are inexpensive and stay hidden. You can use twine, green garden tape & twist ties. Specialty plant supports for tomatoes & peonies for example are invaluable. If you didn't remember to stake those peonies early, just go with the flow & start cutting the blooms to bring inside. That will take weight off the stems & you get to enjoy the fragrance & beauty close up. The BHG website recommends using other plants to stake; they just lean on each other for support. This is something I depend on in my cottage perennial garden. Having a bed chock full of beautiful plants also crowds out the weeds as an added bonus! In that garden I also cut down a late bloomer like Obedient plant by 12-18" by mid-June. This helps reduce the final height and removes any need for staking in August. (this is blessing because if you know this plant, you know it spreads & you have a lot of it).  Whichever methods you choose, just get out there now & get it done so you can relaaaax.

    Of course, gardening again mimics life especially where support is concerned. There isn't anyone amongst us that doesn't need the support of loved ones especially at certain tough times. You need to be that stake for others too. I relate my plentiful bounty of friends to the cottage garden technique. If you have enough friends and are close, you can just lean and sway your way through life without ever becoming completely knocked over & down for the count. Even when life sends those tough storms your way, together we can all get strong & beautiful & bloom to our full potential!

Time to Get Outside!

       With pollen season winding down (and before it really heats up...) there are no excuses left, get outside happily and often! In April's issue of Shape magazine there is an article on Your body on nature. Referencing various studies, here is what happens to you body after being outside for...

 ~ FIVE minutes ~ If you are exercising then your mood & self esteem begin to RISE. The best five minutes you will spend each day!

~ TEN minutes ~ Your focus improves. Great reason to take an occasional break from work or a task & breathe some fresh air!

~ TWENTY minutes ~ Your energy & vitality levels SKYROCKET.         It takes twenty minutes to walk a leisurely mile. You could accomplish quite a bit of garden weeding/deadheading or better yet finally enjoy that Adirondack chair or garden bench you see from your window but never take the time to sit in!

~ THIRTY minutes ~ Blood pressure falls, happiness increases, any symptoms of depression begin to dissipate. My Dad always found his bliss once the weather warmed, to sit outside in his favorite chair after dinner and soak in the comings & goings of the neighborhood & I'm sure for all these subconscious reasons too!

~ NINETY minutes ~ Blood flow to your subgenual prefrontal cortex (the negative thoughts part of the brain) is reduced. We could all use less of these, right?!

~ THREE DAYS ~ The body's natural killer cells, critical to the immune system, become stronger. Alright, you know someone with a tent, right? A great reason to go camping or glamping for sure. Plan a long weekend trip with friends & don't forget the smores! Feel the body heal from the inside out!

    With sooooo many choices for outdoor activities or just deep belly-breath breathing in your favorite chair or hammock perhaps, there are no excuses left to stay cooped up anymore. We always knew this warming of the seasons is good for the soul & now there is proof that's it's so good for your health!

Time to Prune!!

   This is the highly anticipated time of the gardening season when temps are slowly rising and you know the fun is ready to begin. We need, however, to clean out the beds and prune! So here are guidelines on when/how to prune in the growing season:

From Better Homes & Gardens: For starters, begin by removing dead, diseased & damaged stems; as soon as you see the new growth forming, you'll see them. Also remove suckers (from the ground) and vigorous growth from the trunks and side branches. Complete tips/videos for all scenarios from BHG website are contained in the link below:

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/care/what-to-prune-when/

    So you didn't think I would forget that this garden lesson applies to our daily lives too?! This blogger/homeowner has been mesmerized by the fyi series 'Tiny House Nation' and the downsizing home movement. I also stumbled upon a wonderful book, 'The More of Less' by Joshua Becker. It is a wonderful read and points out that minimizing is not a one size fits all scenario. (But did you know the average home contains approx. 300,000 items - not a typo!) If you haven't moved in many years then the accumulation has probably happened! I personally see the look of panic on my daughter's face at our amount of stuff! Joshua Becker points out in his book that the Millennials are interested in more experiences and less stuff; she is a true Millennial & my role model/helper with this process!.  So with all this inspiration in mind, I have begun my own personal journey. For starters, our biennial garage & perennial (forces me to divide!) sale happens this May. I also began last fall selling items on EBay. This has been wonderful for me, I mean who knew you could get as much a rush selling as going shopping and buying?! We also donate, toss & gift to someone who we know can use. Another favorite show of mine, 'American Pickers', follows Mike & Frank  going around the country uncovering treasures that they can sell but more importantly that the world needs to see again. We may not have 'outbuildings' full of stuff, but who doesn't have attics, basements, closets, drawers with things that haven't seen the light of day in years?!?  
    My personal pruning process is happening now & no matter how much or little I get through in a month's time, it feels good ~ really good. How many of the plant pruning points above apply to our real lives too? I especially love the 'stimulates new growth' and 'enhances flowering'. Seriously who among couldn't use a  whole lot of that while reducing a whole lot of this?! Have Fun & Prune Away, readers!!!

Planting For the Bees!

    Some good news, in October the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has given endangered species status to 7 kinds of yellow-faced bees in the Hawaiian islands. These are the first bees in the country to be protected under this Act. We are pleased the awareness is the there but this was in Hawaii! That's scares me. We urgently need to act in our own backyards & do what we can to encourage bee activity in our own gardens. Here are some suggestions. Also, visit this link for more info:

http://thehoneybeeconservancy.org/act-today/plant-a-bee-garden/

    To begin, plant at least three different types of flowers in your bee garden to ensure blooms through as many seasons as possible. This will provide bees and other pollinators with a constant source of food.  For example these perennials:

·         Crocus, hyacinth, borage, calendula, and wild lilac provide enticing spring blooms.

·         Bees feast on bee balm, cosmos, Echinacea, snapdragons foxglove, and hosta in the summer.

·         For fall, zinnias, sedum, asters, witch hazel and goldenrod are excellent late bloomers.

Other tips:  bees also prefer single flower topped flowers such as daisies and marigolds, rather than double flower tops such as double impatiens. Double headed flowers look showy but produce much less nectar and make it much more difficult for bees to access pollen. And skip the highly hybridized plant for the less nectar reason.

More Flower Choices:

Asters, Hyacinth, Roses, Sunflowers, Calliopsis, Anise Hyssop, Marigolds, Poppies, Snowdrops, Zinnias, Clover, Dahlias, Foxglove, Geraniums, Hollyhocks, Hyacinth, Heliotrope

  Fruits & Vegetable Choices:

   Blackberries, Cantaloupe, Cucumbers, Gourds, Peppers, Pumpkins,    

   Squash, Strawberries, Watermelons

  Herb Choices:

   Bee Balm, Borage, Catnip, Coriander/CilantroFennel, Lavender, Mints,  

   Rosemary, Sage, Thyme

  Bees also love fruit trees, especially Cherry trees!!

·         Make a bee bath. Bees have trouble using birdbaths, because they aren't able to land in deep water. They need an island to land on so they can walk to the edge and take a drink or a bath without drowning. To make a bee bath, take a wide, shallow dish or tray and line the edges with flat rocks. Pour water over the rocks and into the bottom of the tray. Place it in your garden near the flowers that attract the most bees. The bees will be able to land on the rocks and access the water.

·         Stop using pesticides of any kind. Bees are susceptible to pesticides and other chemicals sprayed and used in gardens. Aim to have a pesticide-free garden and use pest-ridding remedies that are natural and not reliant on chemicals. If you do spray plants, only do so after dusk, when pollinators are least active, avoid using chemicals known to harm bees.

 So, keep all these wonderful suggestions of plantings in mind when purchasing for yourself or for those Easter/ Mother's Day gifts this year! Also, when your friends & family ask for your sage advice on their gardens, keep these in mind as wonderful suggestions. Happy-To-Bee Gardening!

Great Backyard Bird Count 2017 & Bird Cams

    You are invited to participate in the 2017 Great Backyard Bird Count! (GBBC) Coordinated every year by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology & the Audubon Society; the help of all dedicated backyard birders is needed. The dates this year are Friday, February 17^th thru Monday, February 20^th. The link is listed below for all the info you will need. It is as simple as observing your backyard aviary activity for just fifteen minutes. You can do this one day or all 4 days. The site allows you to enter your zip code & it will connect you to a list of birds you may see in your area during February. You print out the list & start counting. The site provides advice & a page to enter your results. It is easy & fun to do. Recording your results on their site was also very simple. It felt very rewarding. This is also a wonderful activity to enjoy with your kids/grandkids. The site provides all types of helpful info to get you started. Last year over 5,689 species were counted! See link below. Enjoy!

http://gbbc.birdcount.org/?utm_source=Cornell+Lab+eNews&utm_campaign=38aa974817-GBBC_eNewsletter_Feb2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_47588b5758-38aa974817-302358397

   And to get your nesting bird fix check out Rosie the Hummingbird at Explore.org. There are two hatchlings right now so check them out soon. They mature and fledge very quickly (couple weeks). Link is below & check out the other cams on this site.

http://explore.org/live-cams/player/rosie-hummingbird-nest

The second webcam is the Hanover, PA bald eagles. She will be laying her eggs in a week or two! Visit the other cams too!

http://hdontap.com/index.php/video/stream/bald-eagle-live-cam

   Again, be warned, as anyone who viewed the various (sooo cute) miracle births & fledglings last year, these cams can be addicting!! Enjoy them all; Spring is coming!