Fleur de Aleta

Last week, Greg and I agreed that we wouldn't buy gifts this Valentine's Day. We would only exchange cards. We considered making dinner reservations, but I didn't want to do that. The restaurants are packed for Valentine's Day, the service is slow and the food generally isn't that good because the chefs are in a rush. Instead, we opted to go out to eat on Sunday, the night before Valentine's Day. We had a lovely meal... Then, we come home and Greg hands me a card. I said, "But it's not Valentine's Day. I'll wait to open this until tomorrow." I turned to put the envelope on my desk and I heard Greg say.... "Guess you shouldn't open this until tomorrow either." OMG. A small blue velvet box! Go ahead and ask, did I open it.... OH YES! I love it! Greg said that he ordered it many months ago. It is hand made from a jeweler that he knows. Greg went back and forth with the design until they created something Greg was hap...

Greg sent me the following.... This was found in an old church in Baltimore Maryland from 1692. I envy whomever wrote it. and I am sending it to the two people who I think will appreciate it most. The Desiderata (things desired) Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is...

I love to decorate for the holidays. Right now, New Orleans is kicking off the Mardi Gras season. That means everyone in the city believes that the colors – purple, green and gold – look fantastic together. They do, you know, truly! Of course I have decorations up, including both of the house doors decorated, but I forgot to take pictures of those. I have to share with you one particular decoration… I was on the hunt for something to put on the dining room table as a centerpiece. Greg and I went to a Mardi Gras store and found a cute jester doll and thought it would work perfect. Along with the Fleur de Lis in the Mardi Gras colors, the jester was a good addition. We placed him on the table… The next morning, Greg and I were sitting at the table and this conversation followed: Greg: “You see what the jester is doing right?” Me: “Huh? What? Oh My Gosh!” (See picture below and look at hand placement. Neither of us did this to the jester, he was placed on the table without lo...

Not a Heart Healthy Recipe One of the blogs I read shared a recipe that the blogger coined as “Nasty Assed Dip” also known as Spicy White Castle Dip. I’ll be honest, after reading the ingredients, I didn’t know if I would be able to stomach making it much less serving it! But it just so happens that Greg’s family was have a family gathering this past Sunday. Given that I’m known for my inabilities as a cook, I figured I should try making this nasty assed dip, because at least I can own up to something that won’t come out right. Here are the ingredients 10 White Castle Hamburgers 1 8 oz cream cheese 3 mustard packets (it calls for White Castle Dusseldorf but we didn’t have this) ½ cup onion, finely chopped 9 oz hot pepper jack cheese 2/3 cup milk 2 tbsp parsley flakes Instructions Mix cream cheese and mustard together and spread on bottom of large, shallow serving dish. (Kind of disgusting looking already....) Spread onions evenly on top of mixture. Put burgers in food processor (Yes ...

It's good for the heart to have a drama free life. I try to stay away from the drama. I listen when a friend needs to vent, because venting is a release so that you can get it out of your system. But those friends have real concerns. Some people create drama to keep themselves entertained. I've never understood that.... Is there a rush in the drama feeling? I'd rather exercise to get that rush or do something exciting! In trying to lead a healthier life, I'm looking for ways to keep the drama out and thought of a few things... - Keep in touch with positive people! They are a joy and make life so much more pleasant. Sure, life is never constantly positive, but those positive people keep forging forward and don't dwell in the past and they let go of hurts. - My teachers used to call me a worrier, because I was always worried what I made on my tests. I guess worrying is my way of expressing concern and that I really care. It does create a sense of drama.... G...

Yesterday was the start of the Chinese New Year - The Year of the Rabbit. "Kung Hei Fat Cho" means "Wishing You Prosperity and Wealth" - I'm a little late in the wish, but there you go! After doing a little research, the "Year of the Rabbit" is associated with home and family and keeping the peace. The Year of the Rabbit is also associated with arts and good business decisions. I could go with a lot of that and how appropriate.. those cute little bunnies, soft and sweet and yes, peaceful. Now... if I can finish this piece of jewelry I'm working on. Ever have something in your mind of how you want something to turn out but you aren't sure how to get there? That's how I feel with this particular necklace. I'm at the halfway point. There's no stopping it now and it's taken me two weeks just to get to this point. It's a Chinese inspiration as well.. from playing Mah Jongg with my Mother-in-Law on our iPads. I'm going...

This morning's conversation at the breakfast table: Greg: "That's pretty." (I like it when Greg notices the jewelry I wear, even the jewelry I don't make. He was talking about the diamond and ruby heart pendant on a white gold chain that I had on.) Greg looked at it moment longer and said, "I didn't buy that for you." I replied, "No. My Mom bought it for me. She gave it to me after my second divorce. I have another one, it's diamonds along one side of the heart. She gave me that heart after the first divorce..... When Mom gave them to me, Mom said, 'Here's your heart back.'" Greg said, "Awww... that's nice."..... then there was a pause and Greg continued..... "She better not give you a third heart!" We both laughed. When I wear either of the hearts, I think of my Mom's love. She didn't just give me "my heart back".... she renewed my faith in love. Not with the gift of diam...

Thinking of the movie, "Groundhog Day"... Some days feel like that, don't you think? Where you are just doing the same thing over and over again. Other days, don't you wish you had a "do over day?" Well, the groundhog, Phil (wasn't it?), saw his shadow! SPRING it is! Please, someone tell the weather man that too. Because yesterday we were in the 70's and today... back to the 40's. That's Louisiana weather for you. We don't get winter, we get "cold fronts" or "summer lite" depending upon if the cold front reaches us or not. Or another term... "Doctor weather." I'm feeling just a little disappointed.... cold weather like this deserves snow. Someone send me a snowball! In the meantime, thank you Groundhog!

Ever year there seems to be an "anti-Valentine's Day" post that goes around the Internet, mostly from people in a bad relationship or from single people who are annoyed with the hearts and kisses. I received an email.... it was an ad for a gift for friends to give to friends on Valentine's Day. It's not a day just for lovers. It's a day for love. Love for your parents, your siblings, your family members and friends. Love is different for each person on so many different levels, but it's love. It doesn't have to be just between lovers. Remember when we were little kids and we gave out Valetine's Day cards to the kids in our class? What fun to give and receive and it was the innocence and beauty of opening your heart to someone. The love of friendship... Another friend of mine wrote to me about how he was helping his sister. He was so frustrated that she didn't listen to him earlier on, where her situation would have been much easier to fi...