TGIF!

I love the weekends!

don't you?

I didn't always...

once, many moons ago,

I had to work almost every weekend.

It was a good job, 

some even considered it a 

"dream job"...

but it took me away from

those that I loved the most...

So,

it had to go...

I grew up and no longer wanted 

the "good life" that took me to 

exotic places...

I wanted to enjoy 

the very special

"quiet moments"

a popsicle with my son...

my dog licking my feet...

the sun warming my face....

my father's stories...

my mother's meatloaf....

laughter with my girlfriends...

all of it could not wait 

not one more minute

without me.....

So,

enjoy where you are planted....

Take care of YOU this weekend!.....

smiles

Thank goodness for IKEA!

Yes,

I am an IKEA fan....fanatic actually...

Last month,

as my sweetie and I packed the 

FIT for our beach trip

I loaded linens

into my EXTRA LARGE

LLBean tote bag.

Queen sized sheets for one bed,

and King sized for the other, 

how apropos....

Then, 

on a whim,

I grabbed the un-used 

Queen duvet and shams I found 

in the "As-Is" department at IKEA.

I had not found a use for them at home,

but thought they might come in handy

at the beach.

As anyone who rents beach houses knows

you must think carefully when 

packing linens.

You just never know what you will find.

When making our reservation online this year,

I noticed that the "Queen" in the 2nd bedroom

looked rather "Full" sized.

So, I called to confirm

and was assured that indeed it was a 

Queen.

OK,

so I included a little more linens than 

I actually needed.

When I made the beds,

I didn't use the duvet......

but thank goodness I brought it!

The couches in our rental were 

flithy.....very.....really....

I am not squeamish normally,

we have three sons

I know dirt.....dirt can co-exist with me, no problem...

But 

this was awful....

sticky, even.

We didn't have the inclination to 

complain.

The rest of the house was lovely.

The kitchen was well equipped...

Bathrooms were clean and freshly painted...

The decks sported chairs of different heights and widths..

The beds were comfortable...

so,

we weren't in mood to trek down to the rental office

to complain.

Instead,

I wrapped the couch we wanted to use

in the duvet,

and draped the arm rests with the shams.

Wha-La!

Happy time!

In the future,

this duvet set will be standard issue for our beach trips

smiles....

How do you spell relief?

This is how I do....

B  E  A  C  H   T  R  I  P!!!!!

Yes, all English majors can roll their eyes now...

I know....

My sweetie and I went to our fave beach recently and 

had a wonderful time...

eating,

sleeping,

reading....

more eating...

more sleeping...

and of course,

more reading......

We did adult stuff too

like 

sight

seeing...

smiles....

These first three were taken with my iPhone using Instagram,

a totally addictive ap....

We were treated to absolutely terrific storms each day in the late afternoon

watching them roll in was mesmerizing....

And every once in a while, I managed to capture just a bit....

As usual, Brookgreen Gardens did not fail to impress...

 I returned home rested and ready to tackle some much anticipated projects...

but, 

each time I browse these images,

I feel my heart tug just a little,

to take me back to the beach...

smiles

Alas.....into the night kitchen.....farewell!

Source: vanityfair.com via Ellen on Pinterest

Creepy men on Pinterest

Maybe I am just too sensitive....

but when using a public forum,

I mistakenly assume that people will use 

their best manners and common sense.

NOT so....

Have you been on Pinterest

perusing lovely images of dresses,

flowers,

art,

interiors,

etc....

and then totally 

by surprise

you are staring 

at some poor 

sick woman's 

big 

fat

butt???

What is that all about?

Crude at the very least,

sick, more probably....

So, 

my response is to now 

start my own board of 

"Creepy Men on Pinterest"

Yes,

I know....it won't stop them,

but they will now 

see that some of us

mothers

do 

not 

approve 

of their 

public 

behavior.

(stepping down from the soapbox now)

Have a good day...

smiles

How to use a Bidet.....

First,

I must confess....

I did not write the instructions.

AND

I have absolutely no experience with a bidet.

BUT

I know someone....

Her name is Nada,

she leads clumsy Americans on tours of Italy.

She is a saint.
(and pretty too!)

I came to know Nada over 10 years ago,

when she offered free,

that's right FREE

conversational Italian classes

(now get this...)

at a Gelato store!

Well,

that sold me....

FREE and cold creamy goodness!

Anywho...

I have followed Nada's rise to tour guide supreme

over the years and today on her 

FB page she enlightened me....

Instructions for a bidet!

So here goes;

The Five Lessons of the "Bidet" for Americans:

Lesson 1. The Bidet is for both men and women. Believe it, Italian men love it as much as women do.
Lesson 2. The Bidet is a time-saver. Think about it, you are ready to leave the house but..wait! You have a moment... So do you take a shower and start all over now? That's why we have a bidet.
Lesson 3. Always sit down on the Bidet facing the faucet (it would be hard to operate the hot/cold water knobs otherwise).
Lesson 4. The Bidet is multi-functional. Sit on the covered toilet or a stool and you can also use it to soak your feet after a long day.
Lesson 5. Don't be afraid of the Bidet, it cannot harm you. Try it!

smiles....

flowers.....

Flowers...

with their lovely faces...

who can resist?

Valentines Day is my favorite 

special day...

it is the day my sweetie and I had our very first date.

So 

I am spoiled on Vday with lots of roses..

4 dozen this year....

(yeah, I know....smiles.)

I placed them all around the house.

When I was looking for these images,

I stumbled across 

these lovelies from earlier in the year.

Sunflowers rival Roses for my attention...

always.

Hope you are given flowers by someone you love,

and if not, 

go out then, and buy them for yourselves!

I do....

smiles.