For Today...

Outside my window... hoots and hollers of teenagers across the neighborhood

I am thinking... how much I love that sound

From the learning rooms... I have been taking Italian lessons in preparation for a trip to Italy

I am thankful for... my husband...he is a good man

From the kitchen... I think I will make brownies tomorrow
fresh
I am wearing... pajamas

I am reading...  the John Lennon biography.  It has been a slow go...

I am hoping... 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. 

I am creating... a throw pillow for my office chair, an herb garden in pots outside my kitchen door

I am praying... for my family, that we are healthy and active

Around the house...  there are  fresh cut flowers from my garden

One of my favorite things...  conversation with my son

A few plans for the rest of the week... work in garden, study italian, go to driving range

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you

My Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Stella, loves to smile!

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Where In The World Has Marge Been!

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.   

More From Maggies Garden

The buds on the  Wysteria I planted last summer are full 

of promise!  Click on them to enlarge.

My Lilac Standard Smells As Good As It Looks!  

20 OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

1. Color- It depends on what its for... I can't pick just one.  I love Red, purple, yellow, green, blue, black
2. Dessert  -  creme brulee
3. Smell- lilacs, lavender
4. Flower- Calla Lilly in a vase, Orchids in a pot, Lilacs, Peony, Hydrangea, Rose, Wysteria, tulip, daffodil,  in the garden
5. Animal- dogs 
6. Month- April
7. Beverage- depends on the application - Coffee, Ice Tea, Water,  Sangria, wine, Margarita, Mint Julep
8. Pair of shoes- jimmy choo  flats
9. Snack- buttered popcorn
10. Song -  Some Where Over The Rainbow  
11. Book - Maybe -  Gone with the Wind
12. Fruit- berries of all kinds , mango, 
13. Hairstyle- one that is easy 
14. Piece of clothing - black Jeans 
15. Store to clothes shop- tough question
16. Season-Spring
17. Hobby-  blogging, photography, gardening
18. Thing to collect -  friends
19. Movie -  Love stories always leave me with a good feeling
20. Restaurant- Boca for dinner, Lavomatic for brunch

Visit The Simple Woman 

My Daily Phrase Italian

My Daily Phrase Italian

Buongiorno Good morning  

Arrivederci -  farewell till we meet again

Ciao -  can mean hello or goodbye

grazie - thank you

Prego -  your welcome

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... The flowers are blooming, the sun is emerging and Will is fixing the fence.
I am thinking...conditions are ripe for me to stay on target and get tons done.
I am thankful for... everything, especially my health and my husband.  Life is good!
From the learning rooms... I am learning to sew again
From the kitchen... dinner on my own tonight .. lean Cuisine and Homemade red pepper soup topped with greek yogurt and cilantro
I am wearing...sweats, straight from the gym and trying on Derby Day Hat
I am creating... a life I love.  
I am going... to work on plans for trip to Italy
I am reading... John Lennon 
I am hoping... my Blue Atlas Spruce I transplanted this morning lives.
I am hearing... birds singing.
Around the house... Dogs are hanging, chores are looming.
One of my favorite things... quiet time.
A few plans for the rest of the week:  Bootsies,  Derby Party, Sewing, Reading, Blogging
Here is picture thought I am sharing...

The Simple Womans Daybook

Maggies Garden

I love the Tree Peony in my garden. It will grow to 5 feet tall.

A new addition to my garden this year are 2 pots by my back door that Sister Mary 

has filled with Hosta Montana 'Aureo-marginata' and Hosta Halcyon.  

They are going to be fabulous!

Weekly Green: Composting Update

I wanted to take a minute to give you an update on my composting efforts.  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.  

Lavomatic and Findlay Market

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.  

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.

I encourage all you Cincinnatians out there and visitors from near and far to give these venues a try.

New Findlay Market hours!

My Weekly Green

In my quest for green I have had to face a devastating discovery. Cut flowers are not a green alternative.  The book Green, Greener, and Greenest, 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.   

Here are the cut flower lover's options as cited in Green, Greener and Greenest.   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.  

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.

Jeff Beck a No Go: Then a No Show

My 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.

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. Absinthe was banned in the US since 1912 and just legalized in 2007.  It is licorice flavor but a bit strong for my taste.

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 IL Mulino. 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. 

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 Brunello di Montalcino. 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.

goodreads Is For Book Lovers

I have just signed up on another social Media and networking site, goodreads.  I learned of the site from a blog I follow, Bleeding Espresso.  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.

I have been reading John Lennon: The Life 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 goodreads a try.  See you there!   Marge on Goodreads

Beer Wars Live

Tonite, my husband and I went to the theater to watch Beer Wars Live.   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. 

Les Paul at The Iridium Jazz Club New York City

Last night we enjoyed the site and sound of the legendary Les Paul at the Iridium Jazz Club in Manhattan. The 10pm show in the small basement club was over sold. We were packed in like sardines. I was concerned about my ability to enjoy myself in the cramped quarters. Once the band took stage, all that was forgotten. I had a great time! Les and his band, joined by a couple of guests, played for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Seated on a guitar stool, Les played and told stories, talked to his band and his audience. Physically he is limited by arthritic fingers, wears a hearing aide, and has a new pacemaker and just spent 3 weeks in the hospital.   However, at 93 years young, his spirit is still strong and lively. As is tradition, Les appeared 30 minutes after the show to sign autographs, and take photos with fans. A line of at least 150 formed to get their picture taken with the legend. The young and the old came carrying guitars and other pieces of memorabilia to be autographed.  Some of them waited close to 2 hours.  Les didn't leave the club till after 2. Fans are inspired by his life's work.  Yet it is their faithful following that gives him purpose to continue his lifes work.  I would wholeheartedly recommend this performance should you be in Manhattan on a Monday night.

Les Paul Chasing Sound 

This Is Amazing: Watching It Brought Tears To My Eyes

Susan Boyle - Singer - Britain's Got Talent 2009

How to live your best life - 12 Ideas

1. Dream
2. Give of  yourself
3. Be willing to forgive
4. Search for the Humor
5. Change the things you can...
6. Remember the more the merrier
7. Take care of your mind: Read, Play games
8. Be open to new ideas
9. Don't postpone joy:  Make life happen
10. Make meals and experience
11. Take care of your body
12. Nourish your soul

What are you doing to help the environment?

I plant trees, compost, keep my thermostat turned down a couple notches, and am considering the purchase of a hybrid. We recycle paper, plastic, glass and aluminum. We have installed dual pane windows and use energy efficient appliances. Energy efficient dimmers on light fixtures is another green idea we have incorporated into our home.

Compact fluorescent lights do not provide me with enough light and public transit is not an option in my neighborhood. I will invesigate an investment in renewable energy such as, sunlight, wind, tides. Many in my neighborhood have installed geothermal heat and air. However to retrofit an old home is not cost effective.

I think each of us can at a minimum be cognizant of our usage. That in and of itself, has the power to reduce waste. Any other green ideas out there?

Tomorrow is opening day in Cincinnati and snow is predicted with wind chills in the 20's.  Al Gore, we could use a little global warming right about now. 

Custom Made Jeans

I wanted to tell everyone about a product I found.  My body type just is not conducive to buying designer jeans off the rack.  I have come up with what may be a solution for some.  www.makeyourownjeans.com  At about $64 dollars (including shipping from India) they are relatively inexpensive.  After ordering my first pair I was so pleased with them that I just ordered a 2nd pair to make some adjustments to length and rise, but overall a better fit than I can get off any rack.  Following their directions, you input your measurements, choose your style, fabric, pocket, and other details and less than a month later you receive a new pair of jeans. So when the 2nd pair comes, I will have a little more than $128 invested in a great pair of jeans. I can not guarantee you will love the jeans and I would definitely buy designer jeans off the rack if I could.  However, I am offering up this solution to those who may need another alternative.   I will give you a full report when the second pair arrives.  

Andy Warhol personally guaranteed everyone at least 15 minutes of fame-- what's your claim?

What are you famous for?

The Plinky question of the Day is a great one. I will have to think about this.