Merry Christmas!!

I would like to wish everyone a very merry christmas!! Hope you got everything you wanted!
Had a lovely christmas eve with my mom - a lot of hor'dourves.

Breaking Dawn Part II

I finally saw Breaking Dawn yesterday with my family.  It was so good.  What a twist- Everyone in my row - family - was yelling - upset - I nearly had a heart attack but then I calm down.  Bill Condon did a great job on this one - Bella - Kristen - did a magnificent job- if you think about it between part 1 and part 2 she really carried the whole movie - between wedding, honeymoon, birth, becoming a vampire, battle scene - it was all about her - the emotions that she had to go through.  I can't wait to see it again and catch some things that I missed.  It really went fast. 

If you get a chance you should definitely see the movie. 

R.I.P. Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman of I Dream of Jeannie & Dallas has passed away at the age of 81.  I always remember coming home from school and watching I Dream of Jeannie - it was so funny.  Dallas - I never missed an episode - he was really good in that role - evil incarnate- He will be sorely missed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish all of you a happy thanksgiving - don't eat too much turkey!!

Black Friday

Black Friday is coming up - are you going out at the crack of dawn.  I did it one year with my husband and we were back at our local diner for breakfast at 7:30 a.m.  Called my mom and had her meet us for breakfast.  One other Friday I went by myself did some shopping till 8:00, went to breakfast, did more shopping till 11:00 a.m. and then crashed and burn. 

I might get up early and go to breakfast and hit a store or two. 

Where'd you go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

I just finished reading the above book - I loved it.  I couldn't put it down.  I thought it was so different and fast paced. 

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle--and people in general--has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence--creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.   Book Description by Amazon

Show More

Show Less

Movies We Saw

We saw a couple of movies recently.  The Amazing Spiderman & Promentheus.  Both were really good.  The Promenthus one was a little scary - had to leave the room a couple of times but otherwise was great.  I enjoyed spiderman - it was different seeing Andrew Garfield as spiderman but I liked the story. 

Breaking Dawn Part II

Last night at 10:00 p.m. Breaking Dawn Part II premiered here in the United States!!  Did you go?  I am going Thanksgiving Weekend with my nieces, brother, sister-in-law, husband and cousin/godchild.  I cannot wait.  I am trying to stay away from all reviews and spoilers - I don't want to know anything about it - even though I did read the book many times. 

I can't believe this is the end of Twilight - it was just three years ago that my nieces told me about this wonderful series and I borrowed the books from them - I read the first one in a weekend and couldn't wait to get the rest from them.  They eventually gave me my set of my own books.  They have also given me each of the movies as gifts.  For my 50th birthday my family at work (I call them family because we are all so close) threw me a surprise Twilight Birthday party at work - complete with pillowcases, totebag, etc.  I even got a Twilight cake.  My nieces even gave me Bella's blue coat from the first movie. 

It is sad to see the series end.  It all started with Stephenie Meyer's dream of a meadow with a girl and a vampire.

New Chapter

Two of my favorite people started new chapters in their life.  My oldest niece went back to college and my youngest niece just started college - I will miss them both terribly but life goes on and they have started new ones.  I wish them success, happiness and fun!!  To be starting your second phase of life is very exciting - I am very happy for them.  I can't wait to see them!!   We made a date to see Breaking Dawn II when it comes out - it is actually a family affair - moms, dads, aunts, uncles and nieces all are going to see it.  Can't wait. 

My New Favorite Show - Once Upon A Time

I just recently started watching Once Upon a Time - I am just about catching up with the first season.  I love the show - the characters, stories and jumping back and forth between fairytale land and present day is just great.  Whoever came up with this idea is a genius.  If you haven't watched the show you really should. 

The evil queen is great - I am actually scared of her. 

Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson

I have avoided talking about the elephant in the room for the past few weeks.  I was very upset to hear about this - I am still upset.  I will probably go to see Breaking Dawn but thank goodness it isn't coming out for a few months.  I hope they can get past this and reconcile but if not hopefully they can be civil toward each other.

Twilight Script

My cousin flew home from Alaska and stopped in Seattle on a 10 hour layover.  She went to Pike's Market and happened upon a collectible store that was selling copies of scripts - all kinds of scripts.  I bought The Princesss Bride script for my cousin Meg since she loves that movie.  My cousin also picked up Twilight- shooting draft script, New Moon which is a revised draft and Eclipse which was a final draft (Jackson Rathbone's name stamped on every page).  I am keeping the Twilight since it is actually signed by some of the actors.  I gave the other two to my nieces.  You would have thought I was a rock star - they were so excited.  They couldn't wait to watch the movies and read along with the script.  Check out the pictures. 

Teagan's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday Teagan - I am giving a shout out to my cousins Meg & Tom and what a great first birthday party for their daughter.  The food was delicious, got to see family I haven't seen in a while, and the cake was to die for.  Meg made and decorated the cake.  We also received favors that the kids decorated.  A great time was had by all. 

Paris Pictures

I found these great pictures at my favorite antique store - they are really antiques but probably from Marshalls. I got a good price on them - I like their colors and thought they would look great in my office.  I moved to a new office and there is a lot of wall space to decorate. One of my doctors put them up for me last weekend. I think they look great!

Guitar Lessons

You are never too old to learn something new!!   I am taking guitar lessons from my niece.  She is a really good guitar player and piano player.  She also sings!! My brother and his family got all the talent.  I am not a good singer but I thought I would do an instrument and she offered to teach me.  I had my first lesson last night.  Needless to say - it is hard!!  I just want to be able to play a song - like a Taylor Swift song.  I can play the guitar and my niece can sing - we will go out on the road - I have to come up with a really good name for us.  I have homework for the next week until my next lesson.  I hope I can do it! 

RIP Nora Ephron

Nora Ephron, director, screenwriter passed away at the age of 71.  You might not know the name but you definitely know her movies - Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry met Sally, You've got Mail, Silkwood, Julie & Julia, and Bewitched.  These are some of my favorite movies - she will be sorely missed. 

She was also married to Carl Bernstein and pregnant with their second child when she found out he was having an affair with married British politician Margaret Jay - that led to her writing Heartburn. 

Happy Father's Day!

I just want to wish everyone a Happy Father's Day - from fathers, uncles, godfathers, etc. Hope you enjoyed your beautiful day!! 

Snow White & The Huntsman

My husband and I went to see Snow White last weekend - it was great - not your disney snow white that is for sure.  Kristen Stewart did a great job as Snow White - got her british accent down - she was amazing with all her stunt work from riding horses, fighting and jumping into the ocean.  There was real chemistry between her and Chris Hemsworth (Huntsman).  Charlize Theron as the evil queen was magnificent.  She was so scary in her role.  My husband also thought it was good.  I am going to see it again with my nieces - you should definitely see it!

Graduation 2012

One of my favorite people (niece & godchild) graduated on Saturday - can't believe it.  Time does fly - she had a great party - I made the appetizers - 7 layer taco dip, black bean and corn salsa, and celery and carrots with dip  - the 7 layer taco dip was a hit - I only made 15 of each - it was a little dicey on how I was going to transport them but I did the other two (black bean and veggies ones) at the party.  Here are some pictures!!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all - moms, godmothers, aunts, etc. 

I am  having a lovely brunch for my mom and sister-in-law. 

Jonathan Frid RIP

Jonathan Frid, Barnabas Collins from Dark Shadows has passed away. He was 87. Many of you remember Dark Shadows - it was on in the afternoon after school. My mom would not let us watch it but we would sneak in a few programs every once in a while. They have remade Dark Shadows with TIm Burton at the helm and Johnny Depp as Barnabas. Jonathan Frid does have a cameo in the movie. He will be missed.

Dick Clark RIP

Dick Clark has passed away at the age of 82. I will always remember him in American Bandstand - I used to watch it in the 70s. I always loved the dancing and the stars that were on.

New Year's Eve will never be the same. I started watching his New Year's Eve Rockin in the 70s when I babysat and to this day still turn in to his show on NYE. He will be greatly missed.

Decorating the House

Getting ready for Easter put a little bee in my bonnet - I decide to do some decorating. In my dining room I had one more wall that I wanted to decorate. I had some scrapbook paper from before and I bought some more - blue and white colored sheets- flowered, stripes, etc. I made the pictures - got frames from Michaels and used some picot ribbon that I had. I also had the plate. What do you think?

I had a little shelf in the bathroom that I repapered with blue flowered paper and put some new things on the shelves. I am going to get a little bird to put in the bird cage. Hope you like it!

Easter 2012

I hope you have had a nice Easter and lots of yummy food. Easter was at my house this year. I had ham, asparagus, scalloped potatoes, raspberry jello, corn, rolls and for dessert I made Angel Lush with pineapple from Dole website - if you need a great dessert try this. Here is my table and the dessert.

Happy Easter!

I hope you and your family have a very nice and peaceful Easter!

Bestie coming to visit!

My best friend is coming to visit this week - we are going to get together for dinner - watch Breaking Dawn - read magazines and celebrate the moments of our life with International House of Coffee and mint milano cookies!!!

I Want My MTV

I am reading this book - if you every loved MTV when it first started you should definitely read this - they tell you how MTV started - VJs - how all the different videos were made - directors - musicians - you name it - I am so enjoying this book - it is bringing me back to the early 80s. Do you remember where you were when Thriller premiered on MTV - I do - we couldn't wait for that video. It is truly an interesting trip back in time. Definitely get it!

11-22-63 by Stephen King

I finally finished this book by Stephen King - it was so long but so good. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. I am not really a Stephen King fan but this one was good - time travel - nothing scary - you should definitely give it a read.

Davy Jones - RIP

Last week my sister-in-law called and said did you hear that Davy Jones died? I couldn't believe it. I always loved him since he was in the Monkees. They had a great sound. I was fortunate to see him about 10 years ago when he played at one of our fairs with Peter York and Mickey Dolenz - I felt like I was sent back in time to when I was younger - hearing their voices. THey put on a great show. Also I loved the Brady Bunch show with Marcia & him. He will be missed.

Whitney Houston - RIP

I was up in the middle of the night because I couldn't sleep and I was going through the channels and saw the breaking news that Whitney Houston had died - no less in her bathroom in her hotel room. I was shocked but not surprised - she was living on borrowed time as I see it. It is very sad for her daughter. She truly was one of the greatest singers - I loved her music and had a couple of her albums. The Bodyguard was a great movie with Kevin Costner. She will be missed.

Breaking Dawn Part 1

I am a little late on this but did you get your Breaking Dawn DVD - I did not go to the midnight party at Target but rather went the next morning at 9:30 and got mine. I did watch it that night- it was great again!! I also watched the extras- you should definitely watch them - some great special effects with Bella and her being pregnant and also with the wolves.

Superbowl LXVI - New York Giants Win !!!

What a great superbowl! First of all Kelly Clarkson did a great job singing the National Anthem - very classy, perfect - she should do it every year - so much better than Christina from last year. Second what did you think of the half time show - Madonna was great - Vogue is one of my favorite songs of hers and also Like A Prayer. I didn't really like the other performers that she had on but otherwise she did great - can still sing, dance and perform!! She still has it at 53!!

Tis the Season of Getting Organized

I have been getting rid of things in my house - I do not want to be that person whose things are in boxes at the flea market - old trinkets, pictures of family members you name it. I have been going through books, games, knick knacks everything- I am downsizing. If you aren't using it by now you never will. Here are some great organization ideas.

Sweater Wreath

I checked out this sweater wreath from Suesan otherwise known as Frou FruGal made this super cute sweater wreath for very little money. Hmmmm...I might have to dig through my sweater drawer.

With Valentine's Day Coming up - Let's Think Pink!

I like the color pink - my first bedroom growing up was pink.