Bon Appetit

From the NYTimes

You know that I don't normally post on Wednesday. Wednesday is errand/adventure day. But, I couldn't resist when I found this article on the Julie and Julia movie. Here's the link: Film Food, Ready for Its Bon Appetit. Enjoy!

Try something new today!

Funky Fun

I have been playing with a journal page. The stamps around the edges are from an Inkadinkado Stamp Set called Scrollworks. This was part of my birthday sack from Mar and I wanted to try them out on something so around the edge they went. The center of each page -- no rhyme or reason -- just continuing the black. Then I added the *cool* parts -- ice, watermelon, drink, man relaxing. I've thought about adding the words -- across both pages -- TOO BLOOMIN HOT -- but I think that message is already there -- unwritten!

Then I went to BeFunky (thank you Kim) and played around with the pages.
Here are my favorites.

That's it.

Some Funky Fun

Enjoy your day.

This and That

Wednesday is usually our adventure day, but it is way too hot to go adventuring. So, I'm going to catch up on some *old* adventures we've had and some this and that.

This is one of our favorite places to eat. It's not far from our house and on days when the temperature is not soaring, an easy walk.

Our tribe members enjoy eating here and it was past time for the tribe to get together.

That's Mr. Dragon on the porch and my sesta just going up the stairs.

I had the eggplant basil. It was wonderful. Everything is good and we usually just start at the beginning of the menu and work our way down. When we finish with them all, we just start over.

The real reason for this lunch was to see our gorgeous god-daughter and her fella. She graduated from university this year and is off to graduate school in the fall. We had met her fella (now an official tribe member) earlier in the week. Mr. Dragon asked them to get up and stand by the sculpture to take their picture. Poor guy, laughed and said "he's kidding .. Oh! He's not kidding!"
We all had a laugh and said welcome to the tribe!

Under this and that, several of my favorite folks in Bloglandia have started their own blogshops and what wonderful goodies they have. Sarah, at Cottage Garden Studio, has her shop at Cottage Garden Studio Market. It was here that I purchased the wonderful cowgirl fairy wrangling the ducks. I love Colette Copeland and her shop is Fancy That. The last blogshop I'd like to share with you today is one that has just opened, Wildflower House Shoppe. Sharon is so talented. Her work is gorgeous. Her stitches amazing. You'll love seeing all the beautiful, different things she has -- they all have. Go by and visit. Window shopping is fun and who knows, perhaps you'll see something you can't live without! (It's good for the economy!)

Have a lovely day.

Stay cool.

Joy to You!

Take It For A Spin

I wanted to share part of my Monday with you. I had lunch with my tribe member, Mar. We both had birthdays in late May and hadn't celebrated yet. We lunched at Benjy's, one of our favorite restaurants and after, we played with paint. This is what I came home with.

Take It For A Spin

Here are a couple of close-ups of the texture.
It was my first time using modeling paste and I think I'm in love.
I already had several projects running around in the little gray cells.
Now we'll see if I can get the plans to come together!

We both collect collage elements for each other -- stamps, napkins -- we never know what will be in a package. Mar is a shopper extraordinaire. You name it, she can find it and it will be a great deal. I never know what she's going to find for me. Here's is my latest surprise. Do you remember the post on the linens from Provence? Well, look what Mar found for me -- a round tablecloth from France. The colors are perfect for my dreamsicle kitchen!

I was so excited I took this photo of the tablecloth straight out of the package.

Whatever you do today -- take it for a spin!

Joy to You!

Memory Lane

When the Vermont Country Store catalog arrives in the mail, it is a trip down memory lane for both of us. We always look through the catalog and we've helped the economy on several occasions. Mr. Dragon loves the "old-fashioned candy" (have I mentioned he has a sweet tooth?) and we check out the books (remember Dick and Jane?) and toys (pull toys that clack and squeak and wobble and entertain everyone for hours and hours), Raggedy Ann and Andy.

In case you don't already receive this catalog and would like to make a trip down memory lane, or if you are a youngster and wonder what in the world I'm talking about (you haven't reached *wise* in age yet), try this: Vermont Country Store.

Remember the commercials and the song "her windsong is on my mind"? Here it is, Windsong perfume, Interlude, White Shoulders, handmade powder puff, Yardley Lavender. All the scents that bring me memories of people, places, events. Oh, my! And a real, puffy, soft powder puff -- powder????? What's that? !!!!!

Or a little Evening in Paris, Arpege by Lanvin, Heaven Sent, Jungle Gardenia, Maja.

Who wouldn't want Jackie Kennedy's special secret sauce (!!!!) for the skin? Tangee lipstick and rouge. Rouge reminds me of my mother.

How about chenille bedspreads? Not my style, but I can enjoy looking at them and remembering the feel and just look at the opulent designs.

Lastly, a little something for the garden -- metal table and chairs.
I remember them well.

Enjoy your memories!

Wednesday Morning

I couldn't resist!
See more LOL cats at icanhascheezburger.com.
We are adventuring today.
Enjoy your day.
Joy To You!

Be Nice To Yourself

I don't usually post on Wednesday. As you know, on Wednesday Mr. Dragon and I get into the car, run a few errands and have our adventure day. But, I was reading through my emails this morning and the Christine Kane email was one I wanted to share. I even borrowed the picture from her email. I hope you like it, too. Here goes:


Top 10 Bodacious Ways to Be Nice to Yourself
by Christine Kane

Just as there was a time when "google" was not a verb, there was also a time when "bodacious" was not a word. Bodacious is a blend of "bold" and "audacious" created in British English dialect late in the nineteenth century.

Still, I'm glad it was created! Some days we need to be bodacious! And some days, we need to remember to apply it to how kindly we treat ourselves. Trust me: You'll thrive tomorrow because of today's kindness.

Here are my top 10 bodacious ways to be nice to yourself:

1- Flowers!

This is so simple - and yet so powerful! Fresh flowers beautify any space. I always have an orchid on my coffee table. I see it the minute I walk in the door, and it reminds me to take a deep breath and cherish the beauty of my life. Have a Sunday practice of getting fresh flowers to get your week off to a bodacious start!

2 - Take a nap

Favorite thing: I climb into bed for a nap in the middle of the day. Within minutes comes the soft ploop of cat paws on the cover. I can hear the cat thoughts: Hmm. The human has decided to lie quietly. I'd like to take part. Then the paws walk all around me until they find the very best spot for settling.

Cats know the truth: Naps are bodacious!

3 - Pay full price

The amount of energy we waste on trying to get "deals" is often not worth it. If you see something you love, then get it. I'm convinced that we'd all be so much happier and wealthier if we just got exactly what we loved without looking at price tags and wasting time looking for sales. (We'd probably have much less stuff too!)

4 - Trampolines and swings.

I was at a cocktail party last year. The adults were up on the deck watching the kids jump on the trampoline. At one point, all the kids ran inside. I kicked off my shoes and ran for the trampoline. Three other women joined me. We laughed and jumped for about 15 minutes. It was the most fun I'd had that week.

Swings are fun, too. And they're easy to find! Who cares if you look or feel stupid? Being an adult doesn't have to mean being boring!

5 - Truncate your To-Do's.

How many items are on your to-do list today?

32?

20?

67?

A day should have no more than two or three mission-critical priorities for completion. The rest are extra credit! Giving yourself the gift of completion is the ultimate self-kindness.

6 - Order out.

I love preparing meals. But some nights, it's just necessary to let someone else do the cooking. We have a great delivery service in our town. I don't mind the extra expense if it allows me a night of no clean up, and a little extra time to write or just be with my husband.

7 - Take a long walk with your dog.

Are you one of those people who gets home from work and marches your dog around the block with a grim look on your face? (Another to-do item checked off the list!)

Try this: Take your dog for a long happy walk. Revel in the delight and presence of your dog. It will absolutely lift your spirits.

8 - Go on a retreat.

Many of the women who come to my Unstoppable Power of Intention Retreats show up frazzled and nervous. They've never done something so bodacious in their lives! They leave refreshed and renewed. One woman hugged me as she was about to drive away from the March retreat and she said, "This was the best money I've ever spent on myself."

It doesn't have to be one of my retreats, of course. (Though they are pretty great! And the October retreat is already half-full!) You can search google for all kinds of bodacious retreat getaways in your area.

9 - Read for fun.

Do you relish your days on the beach because it's the only time you'll allow yourself the joy of a trashy novel or some "light" reading?

Why not get a little bodacious and bring the beach to your work-week? Curl up at night and get lost in some fun fiction.

10 - Step AWAY from the computer. (And the phone.)

Everyone needs a break from social media and blogs and email. (Yes, even this e-Zine!) Don't include your computer in any of the above activities. And turn off your phone, too! I promise, your computer and phone won't take it personally! (Neither will this e-Zine!)


WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane publishes her 'LiveCreative' weekly ezine with more than 4,000 subscribers. If you want to be the artist of your life and create authentic and lasting success, you can sign up for a FRE*E subscription to LiveCreative at www.christinekane.com.

WANT TO SEE HUNDREDS MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE?
See Christine's blog - Be Creative. Be Conscious. Be Courageous - at ChristineKane.com/blog.

I'd like to add : Have an adventure today!