New Start. New Beginnings...

* New start. New beginnings. Fresh. Clean slate.* These are the words that I use to describe each new year's beginning. 

• The New Year helps me stop obsessing...er wipe the slate clean on the many times I acted like a *complete monkey* last year when I was trying for *suave.*
• The New Year offers me to start the year not making unrealistic promises to myself ...like exercise. 
• In January the air even smells clean to me, so I want to breathe deeper and really RELAX (always a challenge).
• The New Year calls out for me to try something NEW...like maybe ride an ostrich? Or not.
• The New Year may give me opportunities to make new friends! Or not.
• The New Year lets me be depressed, upset, stressed accepting about a few more wrinkles lines and *old lady* hands of experience.
• It's time to appreciate one more year and LIVE a little! Anybody jumping on my scooter with me?

So what words describe the beginning of a new year to you?

Going Dutch

Some very sweet friends sent me a bouquet of white tulips recently. You all know how car-razy i am about white! I adore tulips too because they remind me of Holland, wooden shoes and those beautiful starched, white bonnets the Dutch wore in the past (especially the ones with big "wings"). Does anyone know if they still make those?

So, what's your favorite flower and why?  Below is a Pennsylvania Dutch chair-flip-table (no, it's not mine -  it's sold. *sigh*). Below that is a cupboard that is in a perfect setting, in my opinion...those walls have me squealing with delight. Note the hand painted TULIPS on the crock.

Sunday Brunch

One year, after church, we went to brunch at a high-class restaurant the first Sunday of the year.  Coming in from the frozen street, we enjoyed the warmth and the seats that were upholstered in a warm gray suede.  

The crystal glasses reflected brilliant colors on the white crisp linen.  The restaurant had a omelet bar.   Doesn't an omelet seem healthier than scrambled eggs?  Anyway, it was delicious.   So, sit down and enjoy this almost-egg white omelet  -- I actually allow one yolk for every 4 egg whites so it's not so anemic.  It has red pepper and fresh mushrooms.   Here's some mixed fruit juice and turkey bacon.  What do you have planned for today?  All Recipes has some excellent omelet ideas.  This is a example of classic warm gray seating. Click on photo for site.

A Confession....

Anyone remember wearing big petticoats? When i was a little girl petticoats were still being worn until the sheath and shift dresses of the 1960's took their place.  Anyway, the bigger the petticoat the better.   When you first got one, they almost stood straight out.   With time and wear, they drooped.   Being a child i didn't grasp that Life Foreshadow:  everything on your body will droop with time and wear.  LOL!

Okay, back to the story.   One year my parents bought me a turquoise petticoat!   i couldn't WAIT to get to school the next morning to show it off.   i have a confession:  i still like them.   Anyone else ever have or like petticoats?

Resolution or Revolution?

 














i don't do resolutions.  However, as i stated yesterday, i start the new year "fresh."  This first Friday of 2010, i will purge the cabinets of "traps" like the Marshmallow Fluff i bought for holiday recipes.  How can I go back to eating (fairly) healthy and have FLUFF staring at me every time i open the cabinet?  Do you know know it tastes perfectly yummy by itself on fresh white bread?  But I digress.   Anyway, i'm buying fresh veggies today.    Fluff is also delicious  mixed with cream cheese for dipping fruit in....UGH!  Okay,  i need a REVOLUTION, not just a resolution!   Anyone else like Fluff?   Yeah, I ate the apple -- boring without you-know-what.