A dozen canons of conduct in life

Our forefather Thomas Jefferson (and my personal hero) left this advice for his fellow Americans to live by:

1. Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today.
2. Never trouble another with what you can do yourself.
3. Never spend your money before you have it.
4. Never buy a thing you do not want, because it is cheap, it will be dear to you.
5. Take care of your cents: Dollars will take care of themselves.
6. Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold.
7. We never repent of having eaten too little.
8. Nothing is troublesome that one does willingly.
9. How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
10. Take things always by their smooth handle.
11. Think as you please, and so let others and you will have no disputes.
12. When angry, count to 10 before you speak: if Very angry count to 100.

Happy 4th of July...today...celebrate being an American!

Trumpette Socks

One of my favorite and most used articles of clothing for my baby were the mary jane socks by Trumpette. Shoes never stay on the little guys and quite frankly they don’t need them until they are walking. These socks look like shoes but have the comfort of warm snuggly cotton. This is a great baby shower gift to give sure to get the quintessential ohhh’s and ahhhh’s. Not only that, but they are affordable. You get several pair in several colors for what you might pay for one pair of shoes. They come in two sizes but I think these are best for the little tykes, 0-12months. If mary janes aren’t your thing they have a variety of designs including cowboy/cowgirl boots, golf shoes, ballerina slippers etc.

Veneto Spritz

Tired of drinking “Jack & Cokes” or “Vodka Tonics” elbow to elbow with drunkerds you don’t even know? Why not have your friends over for a few creative cocktails of your own!

Veneto Spritz
In the Veneto Region of Italy (top right of the boot) a wildly popular “aperitif” or pre-dinner cocktail is the ever refreshing Spritz (SPR-EATS). It is a wine-based cocktail prepared with white wine, specifically Prosecco and a dash of either Aperol (a sweet liquor) or Campari (a unique bitter tasting liquor). The drink is then topped off with a small amount of sparkling water. It is served over ice in a lowball glass and garnished with a slice of orange. The drink originated in Venice while it was part of the Austrian Empire and is based on the Austrian Spritzer, a combination of equal parts white wine and water.

Ingredients:
2 parts dry white wine, ideally a little bubbly prosecco
1 part Aperol or Campari
splash of mineral water (fizzy or naturale)
Garnish with a slice of orange and serve with potato chips!
Salute! Cin Cin!

Happy 4th...50% off our little piggies

Keep your dough in this adorable ceramic “capitalist pig” bank. He is adorned with stars and dollar signs making quite a statement while making saving fun. A removable rubber stopper lets you take what you need without literally breaking the bank.

French press

In European households everywhere you will usually find a French Press. It’s an old fashioned yet superior way to make an amazing cup of coffee. Thought to have been created by a Frenchman in the 1850’s the mechanism consists of a cylindrical beaker equipped with a lid and a "plunger" that fits tightly into the beaker with either a fine wire or type of nylon mesh attached. Coffee is brewed by placing already ground coffee and “almost” boiling water together into the cylinder and leaving it to brew for approximately 4 minutes. Finally, depress the plunger to trap the coffee grounds at the bottom of the beaker. The French press is a filter less brewing method that requires a coarser grind of beans. Finer grounds would seep through the press filter and into the coffee leaving too much sediment in your mouth. Because the coffee grounds remain in direct contact with the brewing water and the grounds are filtered from the water via mesh instead of a paper filter, the French press captures more of the coffee's flavor and essential oils.
I know what you are thinking…I don’t have the time to make, wait and clean this press for a lousy cup of Joe when I can get “the bucks” on the way to or even at the Target I’m on my way to. I KNOW I KNOW…but instead of hurrying off as usual take one slow Saturday morning to read the paper or my blog for that matter and enjoy a nice big cup. It is worth the effort and I bet you will agree better than any cup of Bucks you’re going to get! Bodum makes a very nice, reasonably priced press! Take a pick of SEVERAL different shapes, sizes, designs and colors! I would recommend this ONE

The Never Ending Story

For some random reason someone brought up "the dog" in The Never Ending Story movie the other day and the BIGGEST smile came across my face. I was so fond of the fanciful movie and I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the question. His name was Falcor, and he was actually a good luck dragon.

Today...don't forget to day dream a little! Maybe Falcor can pick you up from your monotonous job and take you for a ride :)

"If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true were really true,
there would be little hope of advance."
Orville Wright

ROBEEZ

Around 8-12 months of age some babies start walking. Mommies and Daddies find themselves trailing behind these milk monsters to prevent or console for any slips or falls. All the “in” parents at the park will tell you ...”You MUST get Robeez.” They are comfortable for them and they stay on but at the same time keeps their little feet protected outside and in. The sole is thin and flexible to let their feet move normally as socks do but offers more skid protection. A great gift for any set of new parents! They come in a plethora of colors and designs you can spend hours giggling over. This is my current favorite! If you are not comfortable purchasing over the many websites that sell them and want to take your little one for a fitting, I know I have seen a limited selection at Nordstrom’s and Babies R’ Us.

http://www.robeez.com

Doo Doo Doo Lookin' Out My Back Door

Running around to get dinner cooked, the kids in bed and all the chores done can become a chaotic nightly ritual. Don't forget to take time to enjoy what's going on outside. Even reserving a minute to look out your back door can relieve stress, help you relax and in some cases take your breath away. I am fortunate enough to see this most mornings and evenings. A beautiful bell tower, a modern castle, rolling hills and a look into a sparkling valley! What's out your back door?