Mmmm, Fiber...

Breakfast Monday

Alright, let's kick off this week, this month (March is only a day away after all) and this season with the most important meal of the day. Spring is not only in the air, it should be in your step as well don't you think?

My love of fiber is pretty famous among family and friends. Yeah, I love Fiber, what of it?

I mean have you really looked lately at the food you eat? Where has all the fiber gone? You really have to work hard to get yourself even close to the recommended 25-35grams a day.

I laugh at most of the products out there that label themselves "High Fiber".

2grams does not a "High Fiber" product make.

Bob knows what I'm talkin 'bout! Bob's my man.

10g of Fiber per 1/3cup serving.

8g Insoluble/2g Soluble = one happy gal ;-)

And don't forget your vitamins! Gummy Vitamins RULE!

Spring is truly in the air. Even my vitamins in the early morning light seem more colorful and almost downright cheerful.

How do you like to start the day?

Jeans? or Jammies?

I don't know about you but I love nothing better than a pair of comfy pants. Pants that fit like an old comfy sweater, you know the kind that has been stretched out over the years and molded to fit you perfectly. Kind of like Homer Simpson's butt groove on his couch. Since I work from home I spend the greater part of my life in what would be considered "Don't go out in public like that" outfits. Well, at least not unless it's after midnight and you are running to the grocery store with the rest of the "curlers in the hair" crowd. Been there!

My long time and very close friend Jenny Jencks is an Avon Rep and Last week I sat down to do some shopping through her Avon Site and I was SHOCKED to discover that they sell Leggings that look like Jeans! Could it be true? Now I'm sure like me, you have seen those crazy commercials for "Pajama Jeans". Those commercials are nutz and there is no way I would trust even the first 5 digits of my credit card with those people. But Avon? Why not. Could it be true? Could I step outside my door to walk the dog or get the mail in what technically would be jammies but no one would know? The answer is an emphatic YES!! You can have lazy comfort and style all rolled into one!

I squealed with delight when the UPS man rolled up to my door and I wasted no time ripping open the package.

They look great but how would they feel? Would the fit be comfy? Would the construction be sound?

The seams looked good. They certainly look like jeans.

They are indeed comfy. They flex, they bend and hug in all the right spots. I'm only 5'4" and surprisingly they aren't a million yards too long. I am in the middle of a complete studio reorganization and they held up beautifully to the "floor test". This is where I spread EVERY creative thing I own on the floor and reorganize it. I'm up, I'm down, I'm crawling and reaching and not a butt crack in sight. Oh come on, you know what I'm talking about. Plumbers cracks aren't just for plumbers anymore.

At the end of the day it comes down to this...

Do you want Comfort?

Do you want style?

Don't have an Avon Rep?

Use mine, she's Fabulous!

I wouldn't trust my order with anyone else.

Just follow the link below...

Jenny Jencks

You can order via her site from any where in the States and the UPS man will bring it right to your door, just like me! You no longer need to live in her neighborhood. I have moved all over the country in the past 10yrs and no matter where I land,

She's only a click away.

Don't live in the states? Avon Reps are in over 100 different countries. Go to Avon.com and find you nearest Rep. That means you Claire ;)

Avon

Now with Jammie Jeans!!!!!

Random December Highlights And Mentions...

I thought that I would post a few random things from this month.

Early in the month we had a bit of snow. Just enough to say hello.

I found inspiration in a bit of coffee on the counter and I went wild with the fun!!

I painted the design for this year's Christmas Card using coffee and then embellished with a touch of watercolor. Then scanned it into my computer for a bit more fun.

Christmas Card Production Line. Staining each card with a coffee ring. This is only part of the pile I made :)

My fabulous friend Jennifer Moore of Indulgent Health has a cartoon named Jenny Quips and now you can get her on T-shirts!!! I absolutely LOVE mine. She is adorable and makes everyone she meets so happy, won't you go and get yours today? JennyQuips.com

Weiner has finally discovered that if she turns around on the loveseat, she can survey the whole neighborhood. She says it's better than cable, "Next time on..."When the neighbor gets in the car..." She's utterly addicted.

I made Chicken Paprikash for the first time and man oh man was it delicious!

Oh we aren't just interested in dinner around here! Desserts baby, that's where it's at. We held a Tiramisu contest and we both agree that the smoothness of the Kahlua is nice but if we combine it with a touch of Brandy then we think we'd have Thee Perfect Combo.

Living with Hard Wood Floors = Cold Feet

Our solution?

You guessed it, awesome rockin fuzzy Crocs. Never seen these at the store before? Well that's because apparently they keep all the cool stuff online! The Bear says he's never shopping in an actual store ever again, online is where it's at.

My first Morning Dove.

I simply had to run and get my camera. What a way to start the day.

I hope that all of you have had a wonderful December filled with Kindness, Joy and more Love than you could ever hope for.

Cheers,

And may it only get better from here!

Green Goddess, Meet Persimmon Siren...

Green Goddess Dutch Oven, may I introduce you to Persimmon Siren Stand Mixer.

YEARS ago we promised that if we ever found ourselves living in a house with an actual kitchen we would purchase the coveted Kitchenaid Stand Mixer of our dreams. Well that time has finally come my dear readers. After some debate about color choice the decision was made and the order was placed. While out and about one day, I arrived home to the following scene.

Merry X-mas

To: Cuisiniere

From: the Epicurean

(The BEST Hubby a gal could ever ask for)

She is more beautiful in person than I could ever have imagined.

It took me a few days to gather the nerve to get her messy. I mean her Orange paint job is one to rival any high end sports car.

What was the first recipe you ask? Why it was my lovely Aunt Nanny's Caroler Cookies! Perfect for this Holiday Season.

What kitchen addition are you hoping Santa will bring you this year?

My TastyKake for a Castle...

Tis a wondrous thing to share gifts. And even more so when it's with someone special.

As most of you already know, my best and closest friend E lives in Ireland. I occasionally send her packages with sweets, treats, etc. from "home". Anyone who has lived far away from the comforts of what you know, knows how important it is to receive that little something that says "no matter where you are, you are home".

A little while ago I sent my beloved E some TastyKakes. Well when her dad heard that she and her hubby were indulging in some TastyKakeness he was a bit jealous, having moved away from the distribution area. Well a few clicks of the keys and I knew what had to be done...

Send Daddy Mac some TastyKakes!!!

I would package up and send a little taste of memories to him and he in turn would send me a Hand Carved Fairy Castle! How exciting is that?

SHE ARRIVED TODAY!

Safe and sound.

The Bear and I both are so in love with her! Daddy Mac you did an out of this world job. She's simply gorgeous.

View from the back.

I mean the DETAIL!

The natural bark from the Cottonwood complete with tiny bits of moss still on it. I was told how difficult Cottonwood is to carve and how fragile she is. (That's why she's on a cloud of FiberFill. I'm taking no chances here)

Much to my GREAT surprise in the package was a bonus hand carved Ornament!

A picture with a ruler for scale.

There simply is nothing better than sharing with good people. Whether it be sharing a meal, a moment, a phone call, a letter/note, an email or a handmade gift.

Daddy Mac, thank you. Thank you for sharing such a precious item with me. I greatly appreciate it. You are a remarkable craftsman.

E, thank you for sharing your father with me. With out you this exchange would never have happened.

There simply is no substitute for good friends. They are what make the world go round when you think there simply is no way to keep it spinning.

Simply...

THANK YOU!

This is one happy gal!

Home Tour, Part 1...

I mentioned previously that I would explain my recent retreat from public life, well this is why. We've moved! Yep, that's right. After nearly 5 years in our cave like apartment in Alexandria Va, we've moved back to our old haunt of Frederick Maryland. It almost feels like moving home. We've rented a new Townhouse in a nice subdivision and we are slowly settling in and loving every minute of it.

We have the end unit! Yep that means only one neighbor. So far our neighboring house is empty and we are LOVING that.

After living in a very dark, small, depressive, mostly underground cave-like apartment with a rowdy 5yr old that stomped and ran around over our heads CONSTANTLY, this is Utopia!

Come on in won't you?

When you come in the front door you have a choice, up or down.

Let's start with down and work our way up. That seems logical.

When you step down this is what you will see...

Brian's office, Bathroom and living room.

Brian's office is the first door to the left. He's in man cave Heaven. He has a door he can shut and not have to hear my music.

The next door is Brian's bathroom. His office has a connecting door.

Then you walk into our living room. The utility closet and my laundry closet are to the right.

Doesn't our TV look so small now?

An evening light picture to show my lighted garland and gas fireplace.

Stepping through the sliding doors you are out on my patio overlooking the yard.

This picture looks a little weird because I stitched 2 images together. Beanie loves running around in her fenced yard. She is in pup heaven.

Next up, Level Two, studio, kitchen and deck!

So check back in a bit and see what's doin on the next level.

Home Tour, Part 2...

I hope you enjoyed Part 1 of our tour. In this episode we will explore the upper levels.

This time we will take the stairs up.

The view from the top of the stairs. I've started to decorate for the Holidays! Yay!!!

Welcome to my studio/office. I still need to organize, shelve books, get an office desk etc. but that will take some time. Please excuse our mess, pardon our dust, we are under construction. ;)

I have room to sit and read, to do the daily work to keep our company running as well as dance! Yep, that's what the Bear says, Shall we dance?

The tree is waiting for decorations. Where the tree is right now will be my painting area. Plenty of light for many paintings to come!

I even have room for sewing once the holidays are over. I've never had so much room to create! Look out 2011 cause here I come!!

Need to use the Loo? Well you go right on ahead cause we have 4!

From my studio you head right on into the kitchen.

Plenty of room to sit, chat and cook up a storm! I am LOVING this kitchen.

The first place where we've ever had room for a dining table. It's a dream to be able to cook and serve a meal and sit down to eat it at a table like adults and not in front of the television on a TV tray. How grown up is that?

The stairs lead up to the 3rd floor, 3 bedrooms and 2 more Loo's.

From the kitchen you can saunter out to the deck. We may not have any deck furniture yet but we sure do have a view.

We are having so much fun watching the wildlife. So far we have seen, 2 blue Herons, a heard of deer, 3 different Hawks, MANY geese, a groudhog or for you Ohioans a whistle pig. I get up each morning, usually before sunrise, get my coffee and stare out over the wetlands and watch nature wake up. This is what I've been waiting for since living in Nevada.

Next up, a quick peak upstairs and Christmas!