tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44037790690290722002024-03-14T15:06:12.408-04:00Marge's Evolution - Living LargeLiving, Learning, and Sharing my best life by becoming thoughtfully engaged with the world around me. An evolving boomer, Grande Dame blogger, photographer, nurse, euchre player, lover of champagne, chocolates, and caviar, feeder of birds, reader of books, mother of a BC eagle, co-founder of the Goddess Gala and Dieting Diva.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-34015268130078432132009-07-19T12:12:00.002-04:002009-07-19T12:15:29.675-04:00Marges Italian AdventurePlease follow Marges Italian Adventure at <a href="http://margesitalianadventure.blogspot.com"> http://margesitalianadventure.blogspot.com</a><div>I will be adding more info to the current posts and adding new posts. Enjoy and thanks for checking in!!!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-18299950690787365322009-06-26T21:17:00.003-04:002009-06-26T21:37:26.706-04:00Removing Wine Labels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.winepros.org/images-content/labels.GIF"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 500px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.winepros.org/images-content/labels.GIF" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Does anyone have a great method of removing wine labels? We have soaked the bottle in hot water and ice water. So far steaming the label on the stove seems to work the best. The labels are so beautiful I am sure I can find a good use for them. From wallpaper, to a wine diary, to decoupage, the possibilities are endless. All I have to do is get them off the bottle in one piece!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-50270995126891977722009-06-26T00:28:00.004-04:002009-06-26T00:33:29.133-04:00Too Busy to Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Tk8_47h3rY3-jCT9ppfnpXBFKNccm8ppibPu98UEmOzXUdzTNsci3aejdeLxrOZ0A4eVcr25NuzGalhl8QLdbHWbssO4zyCXhWzU2RqwdTcmC_MjsRkwsiXdfzqAjgcbtcXA3-K0X78/s1600-h/DSC01973.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0Tk8_47h3rY3-jCT9ppfnpXBFKNccm8ppibPu98UEmOzXUdzTNsci3aejdeLxrOZ0A4eVcr25NuzGalhl8QLdbHWbssO4zyCXhWzU2RqwdTcmC_MjsRkwsiXdfzqAjgcbtcXA3-K0X78/s400/DSC01973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351488818163824706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I have been so busy playing ball with my girl Grace that I just haven't had time to tend to my blog. Grace is a hoot. Everything is a game. She makes me tired. She makes me laugh. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-60166049481287256372009-06-11T14:26:00.008-04:002009-06-11T19:07:48.077-04:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); line-height: 94px; "><a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/2009/06/june-1st-edition-of-simple-womans.html" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: normal; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">June 11th Edition of The Simple Woman's Daybook</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size:13px;"><div class="post hentry" style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 0, 73); padding-bottom: 1.5em; "><div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/SiPQ3QKF3DI/AAAAAAAACHg/uAa3A0CYkV0/s1600-h/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: none; "><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342343230640217138" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/SiPQ3QKF3DI/AAAAAAAACHg/uAa3A0CYkV0/s320/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" border="0" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 198px; height: 280px; text-align: center; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 0, 73); border-right-color: rgb(204, 0, 73); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 0, 73); border-left-color: rgb(204, 0, 73); " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For Today...<br /></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Outside my window...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Is an very old oak tree that has adorned our back yard for all the years we have </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">been in our home. Disease has ravaged it and we will have to cut it soon. It will be a sad day.<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am thinking... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I would like to be 10 pounds thinner</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From the learning rooms...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> learning to sew on my new machine and </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">how to chip and drive at the golf course<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am thankful for... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">a few hours of quiet to get some work done</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From the kitchen...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> looks like a cold soup day... gazpacho or cucumber<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am wearing...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> a hat. Love hats. <br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am reading...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> an Italian cookbook<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am hoping... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">for more rain so I can play hookie this afternoon</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am creating...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> a pillow for my new office chair</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am praying... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">for my sister that she will find</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the courage to move on.</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Around the house...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> things are a little quiet right now<br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">One of my favorite things...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> watching a great movie<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Cocktails for SIDS, Sewing, golf, </span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">a friends garage sale to attend, blog, shop, phone calls to my mom,</span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">some social networking, and a sprinkle of bejeweled blitz!<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...girlfriends!</span></strong></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div align="center"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9xghM-XVLGzqxNECS08xqlq9x9hohFTlcFnLHAaTVZvq2BSBPUaMXAsPjEoraqskAou6YshhC9rRBBlRc5quuBF-xkEmhmrKAE7aldrj3eH4djqvTBFGwCI4BY1MGdPlGR0c4kcTR7N8/s1600-h/DSC01965.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9xghM-XVLGzqxNECS08xqlq9x9hohFTlcFnLHAaTVZvq2BSBPUaMXAsPjEoraqskAou6YshhC9rRBBlRc5quuBF-xkEmhmrKAE7aldrj3eH4djqvTBFGwCI4BY1MGdPlGR0c4kcTR7N8/s400/DSC01965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346141685834059618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal;"><a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Simple Womans Daybook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Hoefler Text'; line-height: 22px; "><a rel="#someid15" href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(91, 33, 26); "><span style="color: rgb(91, 33, 26); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">hosted by Peggy Hosetler. </span></span></span></span></div></div></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-70702636185707204322009-06-07T10:40:00.005-04:002009-06-07T11:00:24.091-04:00Living LargeSomething my friend John said the other day has remained in my subconciousness. It is a term I have heard before but it never stuck with me like it did this time. John was reminiscing about a dear friend he had lost and how he will always remember their times together, "livin' large". I have decided to partially rename my blog to that end. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-57227281544008525272009-06-06T20:59:00.002-04:002009-06-06T21:02:25.513-04:00Dog on Donkey Smoking Pipe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKSR7lgwIkG9Rm40Xpu7kDmfmH8O7nLae70FY-uzYlXzaQI6JBlHLJG_8MSr0S5EXkwjWwBMZ3dA7Vq9CWiGI2de3MWrS0vSwtDlKqvfIPJeNs3tLXte7cxV2Ig4IewEk_DkN8N76R3kl/s1600-h/sc004aec2e.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKSR7lgwIkG9Rm40Xpu7kDmfmH8O7nLae70FY-uzYlXzaQI6JBlHLJG_8MSr0S5EXkwjWwBMZ3dA7Vq9CWiGI2de3MWrS0vSwtDlKqvfIPJeNs3tLXte7cxV2Ig4IewEk_DkN8N76R3kl/s400/sc004aec2e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344384190808241362" /></a>Cleaning out my photo archives.... I think I took this in Ireland?<div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-78113846887867818572009-06-01T17:54:00.005-04:002009-06-01T23:08:47.078-04:00The Story of Baby Ricky<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDzsChbRId7-mYQ9L7BCDYSajJydxQMxFiagw7t2cty_CETTokdrRnoSRLawM4ZCvJ02XL-CkvBwQahT60N_bjI9K_0QfaShdVIyPw-dIiAWse9XKwO3LLItjmK5G-BKC1jiRh8D5HRIE/s1600-h/DSC01931.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDzsChbRId7-mYQ9L7BCDYSajJydxQMxFiagw7t2cty_CETTokdrRnoSRLawM4ZCvJ02XL-CkvBwQahT60N_bjI9K_0QfaShdVIyPw-dIiAWse9XKwO3LLItjmK5G-BKC1jiRh8D5HRIE/s400/DSC01931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342481122709016738" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I would like to introduce you to "Baby Ricky". He has been a part of my life for 22 years. I found him in Barbados. Or shall I say he found me? While playing euchre with friends, he was seated on on easel just behind me. I am quite sure he was passing along quantitive and qualitative information about my cards. He became an intricate part of the daily euchre tournaments we held at our seaside villa. Prior to leaving I photographed him. On returning home, I had him blown up poster size and put him in a cheap plastic frame. Over the years he has been given from friend to friend as a gift for birthdays or anniversaries and house warmings. Along the way he was placed on board, given some texture and a gilded frame to bring his likeness closer to that of the oil painting of his origin. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The dates and signatures on the back detail his travels. He has been to Canada, Jamaica, and Russia. He has traveled the US to Chicago, Gaylord Michigan, Florida, Georgia and made multiple stops throughout Ohio. <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">He has many notable physical characteristics, such as non opposing thumbs, a receding hair line, and multiple chins. He was aptly named after a friend back in the states who opted out of the Barbados trip. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">We are going to Italy in July....... Maybe "Baby Ricky" would like to see the Pope?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"> </span></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-83933658037308282002009-05-29T19:27:00.005-04:002009-05-29T19:35:56.406-04:00Life is Just a Bowl of these....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4643/80/47/1526886821/s1526886821_30345546_5948873.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 108px;" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4643/80/47/1526886821/s1526886821_30345546_5948873.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Friend Marsie Hall Newbold posted these on Facebook today. I loved it. Thanks Marsie!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-59648026111984231702009-05-27T15:10:00.005-04:002009-05-27T15:50:54.839-04:00Do You Want to Live to be 100?Yes I want to live to be 100,<div>If I can still rock and roll, shimmy and shake. I don't care if it jiggles I just want to be able to do it. <div>If I can l enjoy the sunshine and wear designer sunglasses and big hats.</div><div>If I can go to the beach in some semblance of a bathing suit and still appreciate what a good tan feels like. </div><div>If I can still enjoy the beauty and fragrance of flowers.</div><div>If I can love and laugh.</div><div>If I can still get in and out of my bath tub. </div><div>If my mind is sharp and I am challenged with new ideas and adventures.</div><div>If I don't run out of friends along the way.</div><div>If I can enjoy the hummingbirds and the Red Tailed Hawk that visits me and the owl that calls to me at night.</div><div>If I can drink wine and eat chocolate.</div><div>If I can watch my son, my grandchildren and their children navigate this crazy world.</div><div>If I can have a driver. I won't care if they take my driver's license away. I don't mind being Miss Daisy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-18332460454117831242009-05-26T02:35:00.004-04:002009-05-26T02:57:08.226-04:00Star Trek Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/custom/73/1186973.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 183px;" src="http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/custom/73/1186973.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> Al and I went to see Star Trek Sunday night. <a href="http://rottentomatoes.com">Rotten Tomatoes</a> gave the new edition of the classic a 95% approval on their tomatometer and we agreed. It falls under the category of a "Date Night Flick" not a "Chick Flick". It tells the story starting at the beginning. How Kirk and Spock became assigned to The Starship Enterprise and became friends. The characters grow on you quickly. It had a lot of action and I had to close my eyes a couple of times to keep from getting dizzy. We both enjoyed the movie and every bite of the calorie laden popcorn. To keep it real we split a diet coke. Surprisingly, I didn't see any real life "Trekkies" at our screening. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-58885511783062931372009-05-26T01:27:00.014-04:002009-05-26T02:04:54.902-04:00Update on Make Your Own Jeans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:8Z_VlLQozGxdTM:http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/teens-for-jeans.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 143px;" src="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:8Z_VlLQozGxdTM:http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/teens-for-jeans.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:8Z_VlLQozGxdTM:http://keetsa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/teens-for-jeans.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Earlier this year, I wrote a post on </span><a href="http://http://margesevolution.blogspot.com/2009/04/make-your-own-jeans.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Custom Made Jeans</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">, well I got the second pair of jeans from </span><a href="http://makeyourownjeans.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">makeyourownjeans.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> and they are not perfect either. I guess there are problems when the person measuring is in Cincinnati Ohio and the person making is in India. I have decided not to try again. I really wanted them to look like this photo. Instead, the length is still too short and the crotch hangs a bit low which drives me wild. If anyone has had any luck with custom made jeans please let me know.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-21417345103360315982009-05-22T23:49:00.007-04:002009-05-26T01:26:31.349-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/Shr-LlwyTtI/AAAAAAAACGo/UTrVkrgCPhA/s320/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 280px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/Shr-LlwyTtI/AAAAAAAACGo/UTrVkrgCPhA/s320/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><br /></p><p></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">For Today...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Outside my window... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">hoots and hollers of teenagers across the neighborhood</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am thinking...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> how much I love that sound<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">From the learning rooms...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> I have been taking Italian lessons in preparation for a trip to Italy<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am thankful for... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">my husband...he is a good man</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">From the kitchen...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> I think I will make brownies tomorrow<br />fresh<br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am wearing...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> pajamas<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am reading...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">the John Lennon biography. It has been a slow go...<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am hoping...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> that I have a bumper crop of tomatoes. I planted multiple heirloom varieties this year; pink, black, red, and yellow. Hoping the deer don't beat me to them. <br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am creating...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> a throw pillow for my office chair, an herb garden in pots outside my kitchen door<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I am praying...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> for my family, that we are healthy and active</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Around the house...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> there are fresh cut flowers from my garden</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">One of my favorite things...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> conversation with my son<br /><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">A few plans for the rest of the week...</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> work in garden, study italian, go to driving range</span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px;font-size:48px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size:16px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQKhQyJjp6blRWLqX_cXDqJbrIQCmk4Hi7mHiiuZDBDYaVYTuaM-NGDzVl9xPmRpqW6YWgDnaVTUeLAUFCa98s1w4ie_103B4w_A_sg9pKbxRNRxZxz4pPc8sw-9xeuHCsD5C9pHu30zy/s1600-h/DSC01881.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQKhQyJjp6blRWLqX_cXDqJbrIQCmk4Hi7mHiiuZDBDYaVYTuaM-NGDzVl9xPmRpqW6YWgDnaVTUeLAUFCa98s1w4ie_103B4w_A_sg9pKbxRNRxZxz4pPc8sw-9xeuHCsD5C9pHu30zy/s400/DSC01881.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338871768638802914" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">My Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Stella, loves to smile!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Woman's Daybook</a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-53031853152012435392009-05-18T12:01:00.001-04:002009-05-18T12:32:35.154-04:00Where In The World Has Marge Been!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVXWN_a02p7bRIM5FkAhMwdq9Ofw7io14QTtdgIlB2r9VozXV-W7_-oEYUEP8a65IhcwQ_J-zxGqdERHA96WAfMuRMac4a806Z0tFTp1DwaY6LVsJbHi82y471PMzROeQA5QKXhsE_FYn/s1600-h/DSC01899.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVXWN_a02p7bRIM5FkAhMwdq9Ofw7io14QTtdgIlB2r9VozXV-W7_-oEYUEP8a65IhcwQ_J-zxGqdERHA96WAfMuRMac4a806Z0tFTp1DwaY6LVsJbHi82y471PMzROeQA5QKXhsE_FYn/s400/DSC01899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337202632975108930" /></a>I want to apologize for not being here if you were looking. I have been longing to write a post but have been too overwhelmed with Life Events. May is a crazy month. The college students have returned, the laundry is overflowing, the driveway is full of cars, the lights are on way past the bewitching hour, the garden needs tending, the pool needs service, the vacation needs planning, the New York project is in full swing, the gym is calling my name, the diet needs more attention, dreams of Italy, Italian lessons, golf lessons, benefits and birthday parties, home decorating decisions are waiting, and time with my family is at a premium. I have missed writing on my blog. So as the Terminator once said, " I'm back". Check with me later today and tomorrow for lots of new content. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-30936838589855949932009-05-04T10:19:00.008-04:002009-05-04T10:30:46.292-04:00More From Maggies Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7yeIOPJaphs991tGUXfwGRiNkSdVBtYZB4oOFjLdkYmM7z_8C9dHj64mB6OWF-DhhHEFhp1V1Glsq6smREzQ3yDTdaNyjsUl-VzNDsjqgMMwib5QQgPM5jY0scvTU8mgsm7YClAJvuvY/s1600-h/DSC01895.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7yeIOPJaphs991tGUXfwGRiNkSdVBtYZB4oOFjLdkYmM7z_8C9dHj64mB6OWF-DhhHEFhp1V1Glsq6smREzQ3yDTdaNyjsUl-VzNDsjqgMMwib5QQgPM5jY0scvTU8mgsm7YClAJvuvY/s400/DSC01895.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331974667603558114" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The buds on the Wysteria I planted last summer are full </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of promise! Click on them to enlarge.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9G2VRUV-fMXRIhH5hJwTNCsO3qTxuAJaoORLsBUxCEKY_azT3eTJSj80YJgnYr9JODf7tyXrTbjNZ5o978J6Xb2elDbX35NfFUBEQoTVFT11_HRV0vIJKD8WWTZQt5h9fqPgcTiESRTu/s1600-h/DSC01891.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9G2VRUV-fMXRIhH5hJwTNCsO3qTxuAJaoORLsBUxCEKY_azT3eTJSj80YJgnYr9JODf7tyXrTbjNZ5o978J6Xb2elDbX35NfFUBEQoTVFT11_HRV0vIJKD8WWTZQt5h9fqPgcTiESRTu/s400/DSC01891.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331973754254584962" /></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Lilac Standard Smells As Good As It Looks! </span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-35590835114242542392009-05-03T18:43:00.009-04:002009-05-04T10:18:31.144-04:0020 OF MY FAVORITE THINGS<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; font-size:13px;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Color- It depends on what its for... I can't pick just one. I love Red, purple, yellow, green, blue, black</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Dessert - creme brulee</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Smell- lilacs, lavender</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Flower- Calla Lilly in a vase, Orchids in a pot, Lilacs, Peony, Hydrangea, Rose, Wysteria, tulip, daffodil, in the garden</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Animal- dogs </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Month- April</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. Beverage- depends on the application - Coffee, Ice Tea, Water, Sangria, wine, Margarita, Mint Julep</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. Pair of shoes- jimmy choo flats</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">9. Snack- buttered popcorn</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10. Song - Some Where Over The Rainbow </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">11. Book - Maybe - Gone with the Wind</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">12. Fruit- berries of all kinds , mango, </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">13. Hairstyle- one that is easy </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">14. Piece of clothing - black Jeans </span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">15. Store to clothes shop- tough question</span></strong><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></em><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">16. Season-Spring</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">17. Hobby- blogging, photography, gardening</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">18. Thing to collect - friends</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">19. Movie - Love stories always leave me with a good feeling</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">20. Restaurant- Boca for dinner, Lavomatic for brunch</span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/">Visit The Simple Woman </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-32152325501507815282009-05-01T12:27:00.005-04:002009-05-01T13:19:35.834-04:00My Daily Phrase Italian<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://coffeebreakspanish.typepad.com/mydailyphraseitalian/images/mdpitalian300.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 100px;" src="http://coffeebreakspanish.typepad.com/mydailyphraseitalian/images/mdpitalian300.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="p"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; "><div><a href="http://coffeebreakspanish.typepad.com/mydailyphraseitalian/">My Daily Phrase Italian</a></div><div>Buongiorno Good morning <br /></div></span></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;">Arrivederci - farewell till we meet again</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;">Ciao - can mean hello or goodbye</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;">grazie - thank you</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;">Prego - your welcome</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-8477150839531861372009-04-29T21:39:00.003-04:002009-04-29T17:38:04.852-04:00FOR TODAY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/R_rYBw_FpfI/AAAAAAAAARE/hNxsmSeX6Qo/S220/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 148px; height: 210px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dUrUa10NCDQ/R_rYBw_FpfI/AAAAAAAAARE/hNxsmSeX6Qo/S220/simple-woman-daybook-small.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Outside my window... The flowers are blooming, the sun is emerging and Will is fixing <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>the fence.<br />I am thinking...conditions are ripe for me to stay on target and get tons done.<br />I am thankful for... everything, especially my health and my husband. Life is good!<br />From the learning rooms... I am learning to sew again<br />From the kitchen... dinner on my own tonight .. lean Cuisine and Homemade red pepper soup topped with greek yogurt and cilantro<br />I am wearing...sweats, straight from the gym and trying on Derby Day Hat<br />I am creating... a life I love. <br />I am going... to work on plans for trip to Italy<br />I am reading... John Lennon <br />I am hoping... my Blue Atlas Spruce I transplanted this morning lives.<br />I am hearing... birds singing.<br />Around the house... Dogs are hanging, chores are looming.<br />One of my favorite things... quiet time.<br />A few plans for the rest of the week: Bootsies, Derby Party, Sewing, Reading, Blogging<br />Here is picture thought I am sharing...<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYOmfJWstSROMogM9AeJQ6nIywvHi-SjRHWYA8ojZO_hg9wtPzwQyEdd799yJCFrOPI0-hEQyTGSY2GiOeXjixLPN77l1ks003VF5_9Wza7mt_Z0HuCv5VA73rvab9UaVHwer9qKUIOWf/s1600-h/DSC01884.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYOmfJWstSROMogM9AeJQ6nIywvHi-SjRHWYA8ojZO_hg9wtPzwQyEdd799yJCFrOPI0-hEQyTGSY2GiOeXjixLPN77l1ks003VF5_9Wza7mt_Z0HuCv5VA73rvab9UaVHwer9qKUIOWf/s200/DSC01884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330223869886008754" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">The Simple Womans Daybook</a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-28969323204901320442009-04-29T17:22:00.006-04:002009-05-01T12:26:26.900-04:00Maggies Garden<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPQShzfYirn0BPL7_uDG-OvZEAwKFOsLqmXKr4oSmocpZKeFL-HVuRD0cy0Gmxz_rYij_wQGyzzrc2X42bksSGJDXd-e_u4mu_P5TvpDNpXv0AtrRGaIStLlGl6wKZW92I98pA6VfN2Ru/s1600-h/DSC01850.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPQShzfYirn0BPL7_uDG-OvZEAwKFOsLqmXKr4oSmocpZKeFL-HVuRD0cy0Gmxz_rYij_wQGyzzrc2X42bksSGJDXd-e_u4mu_P5TvpDNpXv0AtrRGaIStLlGl6wKZW92I98pA6VfN2Ru/s400/DSC01850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330252970356378626" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:18px;">I love the Tree Peony in my garden. It will grow to 5 feet tall.</span><br /></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-34862206104149585912009-04-28T23:40:00.006-04:002009-05-01T12:26:55.590-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p_B6ZuWs8sn31GHYkHBISvhGoByfR3RK_3R207tHtPboxOl3HJ2x9eKbB8ViHtGPqCSH2eVrzA7ei_Dja8jhNk-58ex8p9-hjw9LIZGKMUbboiGh6mTua6r-AeOPziZLI9hjeGFEEZ4-/s1600-h/DSC01851.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7p_B6ZuWs8sn31GHYkHBISvhGoByfR3RK_3R207tHtPboxOl3HJ2x9eKbB8ViHtGPqCSH2eVrzA7ei_Dja8jhNk-58ex8p9-hjw9LIZGKMUbboiGh6mTua6r-AeOPziZLI9hjeGFEEZ4-/s400/DSC01851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330226439513032754" /></a><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Times;"><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A new addition to my garden this year are 2 pots by my back door that Sister Mary </span></span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">has filled with Hosta Montana 'Aureo-marginata' and Hosta Halcyon. </span></span></div><div style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; text-align: left; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They are going to be fabulous!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-family:'Lucida Grande';"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><br /></p></span></div></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-52587470828452323302009-04-27T22:44:00.012-04:002009-04-28T19:34:35.471-04:00Weekly Green: Composting Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://liveindavis.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/worm_cartoon.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 505px; height: 477px;" src="http://liveindavis.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/worm_cartoon.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted to take a minute to give you an update on my <a href="http://margesevolution.blogspot.com/2009_03_15_archive.html#6573273452282499789">composting efforts</a>. At a party Saturday night I met a new friend. Like me, she was also getting into worm composting. Unlike me, she took a class and seemed to know a few things about worm composting that I did not, such as, the worms will drown if there is too much water in composter or that they will fry if composter gets too hot. Sunday morning I went running out to composter which I had sitting in the sunshine. Who knew they could not tolerate temperatures above 80 degrees? I made my husband put rubber gloves on and search for the worms to comfirm that they were still alive. He found 3 worms. I knew the problem. He wasn't looking hard enough! I immediately put on the gloves and began looking for the red wiggle worms. I found one! Had my worms drowned in the rain water we heard sloshing around in the composter last week? Or did I cook them in the sunshine. Or are those worms just too small to see? It appears that compost is being made so I am going to assume the worms are hiding. I had my husband, Al push the composter around the back of the house, to the lower deck, where it is now in the shade. My new friend also seemed to know more about the eating habits of the Red Wiggle worm. We will no longer be serving up whole egg shells. Who knew they liked them smashed up? I guess I still have a lot to learn about worms, composting and going green. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-3167638169188818302009-04-21T23:42:00.008-04:002009-04-28T00:21:42.245-04:00Lavomatic and Findlay Market<div>We went out to brunch at Lavomatic Sunday. It was fabulous. Al and I both had the "Eggs Rockefeller", french bread topped with poached eggs, fried oysters, and creamed spinach. There was a small green salad on the side, and while we waited, we were offered scrumptious french pastries. The ambiance was lovely and the food absolutely delicious. We sat next to the window. There was a constant stream of diners coming in to take advantage of the rooftop deck on a sunny day. </div><div><br /></div><div>After brunch we headed to Findlay Market. I bought a piece of pottery from a potter spinning as we walked by. The fresh produce looked great and the prices were right. We bought 3 humongous red peppers that I turned into Red Pepper Soup today. I topped it with a couple of other great finds, fresh Cilantro and Greek Yogurt. The Market was bustling with poets, artists and shoppers, a good thing for Cincinnati.</div><div><br /></div><div>I encourage all you Cincinnatians out there and visitors from near and far to give these venues a try.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=994">New Findlay Market hours!</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-47878474720670859082009-04-21T22:39:00.004-04:002009-04-21T23:36:39.679-04:00My Weekly Green<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://stores.thefloralscent.com/catalog/FLOWER11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 370px;" src="http://stores.thefloralscent.com/catalog/FLOWER11.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">In my quest for green I have had to face a devastating discovery. Cut flowers are not a green alternative. The book <a href="http://greengreenergreenest.com/">Green, Greener, and Greenest</a>, discusses the negative impact cut flowers have on the environment. Most cut flowers in the US a grown in underdeveloped countries and shipped here "belching" fossil fuels all the way. In addition, they are grown in huge poorly ventilated greenhouses that expose the workers and end users to copious amounts of pesticides and herbicides. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the cut flower lover's options as cited in <a href="http://www.greengreenergreenest.com/">Green, Greener and Greenest</a>. At minimum wear gloves when handling fresh flowers to protect yourself from the residues of pesticides and herbicides used in growing. Buy organic flowers to cut down on exposure of yourself and others to pesticides and herbicides. Buying locally grown flowers cuts down on fossil fuel emissions. Give potted plants or organic bulbs as alternative gift ideas. Ask local shopkeepers to seek out local and organic sources. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After reading this, I was delighted when I found bunches of tulips grown in Virginia at the market. Virginia, that is local enough for me. I bought two.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-13680594753452774442009-04-19T12:47:00.009-04:002009-04-19T19:49:57.821-04:00Jeff Beck a No Go: Then a No ShowMy husband, Al, and his friend, Wally, had plans to see Jeff Beck Friday night in Chicago. Only this is Wally's World and Wally did not realize the tickets were for Thursday night. Once the error was found, the boys called, emailed and begged, but to no avail, they weren't getting in.<div><br /></div><div>We stayed at the Sofitel on Wabash street. Great location, great rates, hoppin' Bar, Euro crowd, breakfast to die for. Bar served Absinthe, which Al gave a try.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe"> Absinthe </a>was banned in the US since 1912 and just legalized in 2007. It is licorice flavor but a bit strong for my taste.</div><div><br /><div>We had dinner at a restaurant, with origins in Greenwich Village, food styled from the Abruzzo region of Italy. This was our second visit to<a href="http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=5457"> IL Mulino</a>. Totally cool building for all you architectural design freaks. It was a converted "mansion" of days gone by, woodwork over the top and 18 foot ceilings. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Three of us entered to a flurry of waiters bringing all kinds of complementary anti pasta to our table, before we could order our first drink. There was a garlicky bruschetta, spicy zucchini chips, italian salami. I had the mushroom risotto 1/2 portion. So good. Enough to share with Al. We declined desert. Double espresso and cappuccinos instead, topped off with a complimentary house infused tropical fruit Grappa. We drank a great Tuscan wine a <a href="http://www.italianmade.com/wines/DOC10006.cfm">Brunello di Montalcino</a>. My husband thought the wine list was a bit limited. We had a totally enjoyable meal. We saved a seat at the table for Jeff but he was a no show.</div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-86630028221110953062009-04-19T00:14:00.009-04:002009-04-19T20:31:23.698-04:00goodreads Is For Book Lovers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 32px;" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/widget/widget_logo.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have just signed up on another social Media and networking site,</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.goodreads.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> goodreads</span></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> I learned of the site from a blog I follow, </span><a href="http://www.bleedingespresso.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Bleeding Espresso</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. The site can be used to keep track of books you have read and those you want to read. You can find reviews here and write a review of your own, as well as, rating the book on a scale of 1-5 stars. The site also has a listing of author tours in your area. There are videos, trivia, and lots of people sharing lots of ideas on books of all kinds.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I have been reading </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3423364.John_Lennon_The_Life"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">John Lennon: The Life</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> and I was encouraged to see the reviews and an average rating of 4.67, since I have had a little trouble getting into the book. My plan is to give </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.goodreads.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">goodread</span></a><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">s</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> a try. See you there! <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/margesevolution"> Marge on Goodreads</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4403779069029072200.post-4374602055321118112009-04-17T00:51:00.003-04:002009-04-17T01:19:56.246-04:00Beer Wars Live<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tonite, my husband and I went to the theater to watch <a href="http://beerwarsmovie.com/">Beer Wars Live</a>. It is a documentary on the state of craft brewing in the United States. The Documentary was interesting and gave a perspective of the Beer Industry with a slant toward the ideas of the craft brewer. If you are into beer you would probably enjoy it. I am not much of a beer drinker but I do love the great names the craft brewers come up with: Dogfish Head Golden Shower, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Dead Guy Ale, Pigs Eye Pilsner, Liver Lager, flying dog beer, Buffalo Bills Alimony Ale. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0