I tunes, U tunes

Music is one of those things in life that just makes me happy. The steady beat of a tune never fails to soothe my heart and give me inspiration.

Right now, my CD of choice is The Weepies- Hideaway. This husband- wife duo are such a breath of fresh air.

And... you are in luck. I just obtained a free listen of their newest CD, Be My Thrill , coming out next week.
Just copy and paste this into your browser.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/entity/The-Weepies/B00197K670?ie=UTF8&ref_=sr_tc_img_2&qid=1282180735&sr=8-2-ent&tag=vglnk-c9-20

You're welcome.

Sweet Tea and Such

The South. Even word makes me want to put on my seersucker dress and sip on a glass of sweet tea while lounging in the nearest Adirondack Chair...
Even though Texas is torn between South and Southwest, I will always, I repeat ALWAYS, consider myself a Southerner. The thought of being categorized with Westerners makes me a bit squeemish, thus causing me to sink deeper into the joys of all the former Confederacy has to offer.

Let me take you on a trip to Southern Comfort.


Garden and Gun Magazine

Love love love this magazine. I can assure you, if you ran to buy up all the ammunition on earth when Obama went into office, or just enjoy some skeet shooting now and then, this is the magazine for you. It has everything from recipes to the best hunting in the South.


Billy Reid

One step in this Alabama based clothing designer's store and you will be frolicking in a field of bow ties and button downs. The decor is a step back into a home of the late 1800's, and makes you never want to leave.


Monogramming

Napkins, Clothing, Chairs, Pillows, Shoes... the list goes on and on. I think if Southern Girls had a choice, every inch of personal space would bear their own initials.


Magnolia Trees

You know you are in the South when the sweet smell of magnolias fills the air. When I catch the scent, I am consumed with the memory of being a little girl climbing their branches and cutting their flowers for a supper center piece.


Soul Food

A Sunday lunch with a spread of fried chicken, Mac and Cheese, Collard Greens, and Cobbler is how my family spent many a Sabbath. I can still taste my Gran- Gran's cobbler. No wonder I was a chubby adolescent. No regrets whatsoever.


God Bless the memories, and God Bless the South.

Bookworm

"I love the solitude of reading. I love

the deep dive into someone

else's story, the delicious ache of a last page."

-Naomi Shihab Nye

I'm taking a vacation... a literary vacation--and I am elated.

Happy Weekend, and Happy Reading.

Must Love Dogs.

It's no secret that I am a dog lover. As should everyone be. I'm so much of a dog lover that I have to downplay my excitement when seeing one in public as not to embarrass the friends accompanying me.

There are often times, more times than I would care to admit, that I see a stranger and compare them to a breed of dog. I mean, dogs do tend to favor people. ( Admit it, you know you've spotted a few Bichon Frises or Dachshunds around at your local neighborhood grocery. )

So I decided to put this talent to use and pair some adorable canines to their respective spaces of interior design... So here goes nothin.

Standard Poodle and layers of silk refinement in a Bedroom
























For a dog such as this, you have to have a feminine, elegant space. Albert Hadley, one of the world's great designers, and Harry Heissman are responsible for the design on the bedroom. It's Venetian canopy and luxurious fabrics make it a comfortable home for even the most posh of dogs.




Brussels Griffon and a cool color paletted Living Area

I think I'm going to start caring a picture of this little guy around in my wallet to show when people are having a bad day...These Griffons bark fun and loveable energy, and Jonathan Adler doesn't do so bad himself in this colorful room.

Doberman Pincer and Rico Suave's Office



I have respect for this dog, just like I have respect for the design of this office. The person occupying the office,however, could quite possibly fit under the category of overindulgent tool. I guess I have to hope for the best and say he is a kind fellow who enjoys a good fur chair every once in a while.

King Charles Spaniel and a Classic Living Area



I saved the best for last. Of course, I am partial to the king Charles because my family has three of them, but these dogs are the the definition of elegance and sophistication. I can see this regal puppy perched right up on that beautiful sofa, making himself right at home.

Wags.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

-Unknown

Thank you, P & A

Occasionally, I will throw you for a loop and give you a number like this little piece of perfection:


If this is wrong, I don't want to be right.
Thank you, Pup and baby Asian for making my day and hopefully yours.

A Mental Vacation

Ok... I know its been ages, ( I've cut my hair three times, lost a best friend to the outback for 6 months, and become a serious yoga master ), but I've decided its been long enough. I'm back in the game of blogging. And it feels so good.

In the months of my absence, I have also found that a mental retreat has been needed quite often. For some, this could be a favorite location already experienced. For others, it is the seemingly perfect place; the home which we could not only see ourselves spending time, but also get lost in until the world around us fades away. Although my company is always the same in these mental vacations: surrounded by my dogs and a perfect book, my imagination changes with the pressure of reality...
Today, I found my favorite spot. So bring on the day.






It's good to be home.