Viva Italia!

I hope Johan doesn't mind me posting his pic on my blog. He sent me his pictures of Italy, and they looked like they had an awesome time...not only that, the scenery is fantabulous. Johan has a great eye for photography. His job helped him learn the camera inside out.

When I saw this pic, I think my mouth literally dropped open. I've been wanting to go to Italy for some time now, but after seeing his pictures, I'm obsessed! There are lots more breathtaking shots, so maybe one day he can share them with you.

Basket Case

This has to be one of my favorite childhood photos.

Biker Chick at heart.

For Steph...

Paul

I went here last night: Paul

From the moment I walked in, I could see that this bakery was a nice French bakery/cafe with an authentic feel. The decor is very warm & inviting. And it really did feel like I was in Europe - but for a moment.

I ordered a hot chocolate and a strawberry tart. I found, (much to my dismay) that the hot chocolate was comparable to a Swiss Miss packet with water, and the tart's crust was really hard. I found myself describing Marie Belle's hot, thick aztec chololate...ahh...nothing will ever compare.

The decor was lovely. After learning that there were 3 bakery/cafe's in the USA (only in FL), I could see how the decor was chain friendly. What do I mean by that? Well, the decor felt a little contrived. What could I expect, they want you to feel like you are in Europe and you do...sort of. But thinking back to Le Sans Souci's rustic French decor, I can't help but prefer that naturalness...the quality that you just can't duplicate.

I am willing to go back again, and give them another chance. Maybe try a quiche instead of a tart. (Jean Piero's mini fruit tarts were really good). Man, NY spoiled me! I feel like a snob. Anyway, if you come over, I'll take you there and you can make your own judgements!

Guys....

It's cold here. 51 degrees to be exact. My blood thinned really quickly as I call this weather freezing. Ha ha. My friend Ruth already broke out long sleeved blouses, tights & boots. I think I may do the same.

"Isabel"

Heavenly

I am painting my room this color! It's an ice blue that has the perfect balance of bright cheerful peacefulness that I need.

:)

Deja Blog

(I posted a picture at this very same spot a while back....)

AJ & Flora visited. We went to Juno Beach for a walk. The weather is really breezy and cool. If you're wondering why I look so short, it's because Flora's standing on a step.

Project!

I have a project to scan all my childhood photos - for a personal archive. Although I'm noticing, some of my pictures have been removed...Annoying!

You'll probably see a post or two of my childhood nostalgia in the process. I also set myself up for another project: finding a new album. After taking all these pictures out, it's going to be a pain to put it back in the old sticky page format. The album is falling apart anyway.

Thinking Outside The Box

I came home last night from a movie to find my boy cat Max has left me two presents. Two yellow puddles - one right in the center of the room when you first walk in the door, and one on the side of my washer. I was beyond annoyed. It was partially my fault, because the litter box wasn't exactly clean. But this dumb cat had to protest! And even with Pine Sol and a mop, I wasn't able to get that acidic nasty smell out completely. (I guess I have to mop again, sigh).

I guess he's being clean in his own way, but for goodness sake! Cat pee is putrid.

PJ'S

Why is staying in your pj's all day such a yucky feeling? Even if you've bathed? Even if it's the cutest pj set?

It's mental.

TV Or Not TV

That is the question. What's your take on having a TV in your bedroom? I don't know if it's a good idea or not. I'm leaning towards not. I think that your bedroom should be the most peaceful room in the house...where you can read, reflect and sleep. We have too much media in our lives and need more peace. There is a TV, literally 5 steps away from my bedroom door. Are we that lazy, to not just walk those 5 steps? I think there's even a study out there where having one in the bedroom is linked to being overweight. I think I've answered my own question. I do that a lot sometimes.

Tantrums & Self-Absorbness

Whenever I'm feeling emotional, why does it get construed as being self-absorbed? Yeah, it's true - we all have selfishness inside us, but why must we always be seen in a negative light? What ever happened to BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT? And I just LOVE when you tell someone what the problem is, and they look at you like that's not really the problem, but some BIGGER problem - like they don't believe you when you say, "No, I'm just feeling this way because of blah blah blah" then they say, NO, you were just throwing a tantrum because of___(insert selfish reason here)____. And you're like NOOOOO, that's not it! They get you wrong, and then you're like forget it! Only God knows what I'm really feeling inside--who cares if you don't believe me or not?!?

It's exhausting. Sorry for venting. Sometimes we are just looking for a little bit of sympathy and you expect someone to be sympathetic and you get the opposite. I should just stop myself and remember the "pathetic" in sympathetic.

Gloomy Day

Today is a gloomy day for Florida. It's quite welcome, since everyday it's sunny. But it makes time go by ever...so...slowly...

I used my Lush shampoo bar the other day. I'm so in love. I just love soaps and stuff. Its an addiction. I have to seriously go through my crap and start giving little away. It's bad to accumulate more than you can use. Sometimes I think I should have been one of those people who test products. I would love that job. (It's probably not as fun as I think it is). Maybe I should shove it all in the other bathroom and tell people to use them as amenities like in a hotel.