HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I was knitting a scarf when the UPS guy rang the doorbell.

When I went to sit back down, the ball of yarn (or what was left of it looked like a bagel. (Okay, I guess I was getting hungry for lunch!) The rest is history, so to speak!

GIRLS AND GRILLS

A few days before my shopping for festive foods was complete and my guests assembled, I read an article about Thanksgiving in The New Yorker.

The story, by journalist Jane Kramer, shared the trials and tribulations of preparing Thanksgiving dinner in seven countries.

Her most-trying experience, however, was at home in New York City when her stove broke down and she served tuna sandwiches with cranberry sauce to her patient guests.

I felt a certain comradeship with Ms. Kramer last Thursday, when my Weber charcoal grill which appeared to be roasting my family's annual turkey to perfection, suddenly came off its moorings.
The kettle section came off the supports, dumping the bird. Fortunately, my son caught our main dish as we both watched the pan filled with delectable drippings hit the patio.

Dinner was only slightly delayed as the turkey finished cooking in our indoor oven. The necessity of lingering over the beet/watercress/arugula/avocado salad gave everyone time to share their favorite Thanksgiving disaster stories.(Jonathan, Karen, Chris, Ev)

Each year, our dinner features old favorites and a few new offerings on a theme-- such as France, Hawaii, Cajun country and Italy. This year Buenos Aires provided the inspiration for empanada appetizers, chorizo stuffing (we had traditional kind, too) and dulce de leche cookies.Fresh herbs --parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, par-cel, and mint -- from our garden went into several dishes and also appeared as colorful nibble-if-you-like garnishes.

(Renita's back in her seat!)

There was much to be thankful for-- good friends, good health, and good food.

(Claire, Rachel, David, Fred and grandma Ruth)

Belgium, our golden retriever, had his own party and guests.(Belgium, his brother Ike and Ike's adopted sister Belle)

Belle and Ike thank Lorna for the extra trimmings on their evening meals. Even though they missed out on the pumpkin and pecan pie...

Fruit membrillo (guava paste confection)...

Grandma Ruth's famous cookies...And dulce de leche alfajores (sandwich cookies with caramel filling).
I hope your Thanksgiving was equally sweet.
Barbara

HAPPY 6th of JULY

Have you ever wondered what are the telltale signs that a blogger has been out celebrating with a little too much enthusiasm?

Perhaps one of the signs is when their Fourth of July post doesn’t get posted until the 6th!

I originally planned to share a few of my favorite summer paintings by bloggers who paint. (By Erin Houghton of The Painted Garden)

And a book by Diane C. Arkins
Diane was one of my writers when I edited Country Collectibles magazine. Her latest book perfectly captures the essence of this patriotic holiday in prose, poetry, decorating, party ideas, games and menus. The Glorious Fourth of July may be ordered by calling 800-843-1724.

But then I got sidetracked.
(By Erin Houghton of The Painted Garden)

Fast forward to July 3rd when my July 4th celebrations kicked off a day early with a bbq with all the trimmings (including a Good Humor truck) and fireworks at a friend's Country Club.
On the 4th, I was lucky enough to view the “official” Washington DC fireworks from the ballroom of the Sheraton National where I celebrated the wedding of Kristen and Rob.
The reception ballroom had a spectacular view of the Pentagon and The national Mall.

Kristen and I first met when she started coming to Jazzercise class with her mom. She was in high school at the time.

Although her mom and I are closer in age, the three of us have had a blast together choosing a wedding cake, giggling during the wedding rehearsal, and sorting out dozens of details to guarantee their special would be truly special.

The ceremony was at historic Fort Myer, which traces its origin as a military post to the Civil War. It overlooks Arlington National Cemetery.
The Old Post Chapel where the ceremony took place is located on land confiscated from Robert E. Lee's estate.

Nearly every American President and many other persons of influence from around the world have attended services at Fort Myer's Old Post Chapel.
Fast forward to July 6th: By noon today, I had completely recovered from the festivities and was out of bed and dressed when a UPS truck rolled down my driveway.

I was so relieved when he said there were stacks of boxes for me from Gibbs Smith on the truck that I could have kissed the driver.
After I autographed each copy, the entire household helped by lovingly wrapping the books, placing them in padded envelopes and driving them to the post office.

Yes you can get writers cramp from signing too many copies in an afternoon! So, I still have more to send out tomorrow.

CONGRATULATIONS to Gale of She Shoots Sheep Shots.
You are the lucky winner of a free copy of Waterside Cottages.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***

Belgium chose today's blog. It's The Katillac Shack. His photo wasn't posted yet the last time he checked, but Kelee promised him it would be there real soon.

FOUND TIME

It looks like my internet problems have been solved and I will once again be able to connect with the world at large. On days when I couldn’t log on, I discovered “found” time to do some of the other things I love.

I finally uploaded garden photos taken two weeks before.

I began to win the war on weeds.
I designed a new front staircase.

I had more time to plan and cook for a lavish retirement party to celebrate my husband's retiring from government service.The grand antipasto was a big hit with his co-workers.

I baked homemade muffins from fresh-picked fruit for my son (who is in town for his dad’s retirement festivities).

I finished knitting a gift for a friend.
I spent time watching my backyard wildlife.

And I read a lot about the Amalfi Coast and Campania region of Italy, where I am heading in early July.

Perhaps, I’ve discovered the riddle of modern life. Can a person be too busy communicating to actually do things worthy of communicating about?

*** BLOGS DU JOUR ***

Take a trip without leaving home.

Travel the coast of Italy at Ciao Amalfi with expat travel writer Laura as your guide. Her sense of adventure and lovely photos will keep you coming back for more.

For a French connection visit Tara at Paris Parfait. A talented photographer and woman of many interests, Tara is an American living la vie Parisienne since 2001. C’est bon!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

It's not too late to win a free copy of my new book Waterside Styles. Visit www.watersidestyles and Join My Mailing List.

One lucky name will be chosen to win a free copy of the book (winner to be chosen the day I receive the books from Gibbs Smith).

If you've already ordered a copy and win, I'll refund your purchase price or you can request the prize copy for a friend.

How's that for a good deal?

HAPPY MARDI GRAS Y'ALL

On February 24, 1857, a parade of floats and costumed merrymakers appeared on the streets of New Orleans.

Presented by a social club called the Mistick Krewe of Comus, the festivities were the first Mardi Gras.

Today, dozens of “krewes” (Carnival organizations) stage parades over a two-week time period.

And hundreds of thousands of revelers from all over the world eagerly take part in the pageantry.

My holiday-loving friends, Mo and Vince, hope you are in the mood to enjoy Mardi Gras.

It's one of their favorite celebrations.

They love the larger-than-life parade floats, the jazzy marching bands, sequins, rhinestones, and the

beads, beads, beads!

Photo by Dan Mayers

Of course, Mardi Gras also brings gumbo cooked up in large cauldrons on street corners all over New Orleans (see my Feb 5, 2008 post for more parade photos and a great Gumbo recipe), great jazz blaring from loudspeakers everywhere in New Orleans, and KING CAKES.

Photo by Dan Mayers

In 2003, I was on a photo shoot in New Orleans during the week that leads up to Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras. I interviewed Arthur Hardy, longtime publisher of the annual “Mardi Gras Guide” and a nationally recognized authority on the history and collectibles associated with the festive season.Photo by Dan Mayers

I also had the thrill of riding on a Mardi Gras float.


Part of the fun was going bead shopping in a warehouse that was the size of a baseball stadium. I'm the masked woman behind Dan.

The bead "shop" was filled with more "throws" (beads, toys and other kitsch that riders can throw to parade viewers) than I ever imagined! They packed our beads in colorful nylon bags to make them easier to haul up the narrow ladders that lead up to the floats.
Throwing beads to an adoring crowd really makes you understand why dressing up as Santa Claus at Christmas is so much fun.


This Mardi Gras, Vince chose an elegant mask with white feathers.

Mo chose one with jewel-tone peacock feathers.


Got beads?

BE MY VALENTINE

Happy Valentines Day!

Please choose the bouquet of your choice!

Photos courtesy of the Netherlands Flowerbulb Centre
(www.bulb.com)

*** POSTER DU JOUR***


'Skyler's Kitchen' poster is available at www.britewood.shutterfly.com