Secret post club

It always seems to arrive on the day that I need it the most. Opening up my mailbox to this surprise truly lightens one's day. Funny enough my secret pal was the person I sent something to last month! This month I received a fab book---well any book is great isn't it?-- chocolates, fun napkins and a nice card. She also quilted a lavender pillow with the lavender from her garden. I love getting these goodies. It also helps me come up with ideas for the next month swap.

I have also received in previous months: books, scarf, chocolates, notebooks, soaps and cute storage tins. All of these are lovely and I truly try to remember to email a thank you every time. I keep forgetting to post about it so I wanted to take a moment to say THANKS to all the fab bloggers that I have sent and received gifts from.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

 

 

My Ode to Brunch

I am a fan of Brunch. I am very sentimental of this type of meal. There are different versions of brunch that I adore. Brunch with friends at a diner/cafe, preferably outside, catching up on life, and sitting for ages without a rush in the world. Brunch with the kids/family full of pancakes, laughter and no cares. No planning or time limits that the Sunday dinner tends to bring. Then there is the romantic brunch. Either at home or out. Leisurely enjoying each other's company. Talking or not, newspapers or books stretched out before us. Minutes slip by and keep the tea refilled while in our own little world.

A park, the living room, or coffee shop- the brunch adapts to the location. Funny enough I also enjoy the solo brunch. Soft-boiled eggs or french toast at home while the radio or movie is on. Sitting at a coffee shop/ outside cafe (either at home or even when abroad) with the newspaper or favorite book and a cup a tea that never gets cold. I let myself get lost in my thoughts and re-charge for the week ahead---And of course, people watching. I love watching couples, families, and groups enjoying their time at brunch. Everyone is always cheerful, not in a hurry, and full of catching up with themselves or each other.

I indulge in this pleasure whenever I can. So today is the solo-brunch. Soft boiled eggs, bacon, and apricot jam on warm biscuits. Sitting with some tea and a new book, I plan on lounging away a few hours.

Cheers!

The Tint is in the air

As I was running along the trail this morning I could see the small changes that were showing the hints of fall. The evil squirrels were too busy now to try to scare me off the trails, the turkeys were gathering, and there is something different about the sun. The sun is bright and warm. Chasing away the chill in the air. I can only describe the change as it has a different tint.... the warm colors that will turn the leaves is peeking thru.

I have a fondness for fall. The warm inviting colors always bring me in like a cozy cardigans. the crunch of the leaves, bonfires etc... are on the horizon.

So while I was avoiding the evil squirrels I thought back to what a fine summer I had. The highlight was that my niece and nephew had a great week long adventure and road trip with me. Gardens, festivals, lounging with books in the sun, all made this summer great My to-do list is a bit shorter but never finished it..... but isn't that what summer is for? Avoiding those lists?

Summer Break

It seems that the last couple of months have flown by. Spring has been busy with work, birthdays, finals, anniversaries, festivals, buying a car, activities & more. One of the highlights this spring was taking a daytrip with my grandma to Mansfield MO to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead/Museum and attend a pioneer festival. My family is avid Laura Ingalls Wilder fans and readers. I grew up with the show and the books. I connected with her because I grew up in the MidWest where pioneer history was around every corner and moved alot like her. Maybe this is why I still braid my hair in pigtails and still love the rolling prairie hills. It was almost surreal walking into her kitchen, seeing names such as Nellie on greeting cards, and other personal items mentioned in her books. The best was seeing Pa’s fiddle. At moments my mind was at odds with what I was seeing and what I remembered from the books/tv series. As I walked around I kept hearing bits of her books replay in my head. It still amazes me that she lived so close to where I am now and did normal things like eat at the local diner and drove cars. My mind wanted to keep her in that pioneer image. It was a wonderful day and I am glad to share it with my parents and my grandma.
I am getting ready to go on my 2 week break from work and I wonder how in the world the time sped by. The kids are already gone for the summer, the pools are full, summer heat has hit, and the gardens are producing their bounty. It is June 11th and I am only now able to completely take the time to enjoy it without looking at my to-do list. I think the reason why Spring snuck by was because it was such a short season—weather wise. We didn’t have the normal transition into spring. It was pretty cold and not the traditional spring storms. Maybe that is why I feel that I am a season behind. :)

The end of the school year has brought on some changes. I am now going to be a 12 mth employee. Changes are happening in my office and we all are switching some responsibilities. Change is good, but the unknown can be a bit stressful and exciting. It is silly but I haven’t had to work full-time in the summer for over 10 years. This will be a bit of a change but I won’t mind the paycheck. :)

The family is doing well. Everyone is healthy and the kids are growing up fast! I don’t know how much longer Auntie Lisa will be able to keep up with them. I am still dealing with my back but the PT is really working and helping me address the issue. I am hoping to focus on this during the summer so I will be healthy by August.

I don’t think I will be doing much travelling this summer. I have a trip up to see the kids and Utah planned but all others have been postponed. Plus it seems that Mother Nature keeps delaying flights periodically in Europe and I can’t risk it this year. Woe is me….LOL!! I will just keep myself entertained with the World Cup----- that will be another post! Time now to go walk barefooted in the grass and turn off my alarm for the next two weeks.
I will post some spring pics soon. I hope that you are enjoying the summer sun!

Cheers!
Lisa

I blame facebook!

I know, I know. It has been awhile since I really posted anything of substance. It seems like when I try to post I realize that I have said everything via Facebook or Twitter. But then a kind relative reminded me that others may want an update.



Spring is here. I am so glad for the sunshine! Feb was such a long month but March flew by.. All of my 'to-do' lists for March were a blur. At work the end of year deadlines are approaching but so is my summer break Like many school districts, we are getting hit by budget cuts for this year and next. It seems like every week we hear something new. My district is still pretty solid so we are just trimming down so we don't have to do drastic cuts.



I have been enjoying the outdoors since the sun made reappearance. This really isn't helping my motivation for my Grad work. I was very strict and on-task till Spring Break. I really need to buckle down but try to squeeze in some outdoors time. Tennis starts soon and I want to get my hip healthy to play. Summer plans are up in the air. I am trying to drag a friend overseas but I may end up just doing a long weekend somewhere. This is my motivation. :)



Big New.... I got a new car. It is a Nissan Altima. It has been over 7 years since I bought a car so it was a shock. It has been great so far and I am getting over 100 miles more per tank. I miss my SUV.... I almost teared up when the dealership took it away. But it served me well.



Hope all is well with you! Keep me posted.



Cheers, Lisa

Tartan Day Part 2

Scottish Homecoming Video


Scotland Homecoming 2009

Tartan Day

Happy Tartan Day to all my Scottish Friends. (Or those who just love everything ) Scottish. Grab your kilt and a wee bit o’ haggis!!

From the Glens to the coast and the Craigs to the Highlands, Scotland is a lovely country. No matter where I went, Scotland had a certain feel about it. Always lined with a bit of salt air. Living there was everything I thought it would be plus more. I didn’t realize how vivid & wild the countryside would be and how eclectic/diverse the people are. Plus is is a history-buffs dream. Throw in the accent and I am lost. I will admit that there are parts of Scotland that I haven’t figured out. Especially the divide with catholics/non-catholics, Glasgow, and the crazy rivalry between the Celtics 7 the Rangers and fried candy bars. Regardless, Scotland sweeps me off my feet every time.

Some Tartan Day Links:

http://www.tartanday.org/

http://www.tartandayscotland.com/

http://www.visitscotland.com/

Scottish Peeps

Sir William Wallace

Robert Burns
Mary Queen of Scots
Queen Victoria

Sir Sean Connery- James Bond

Gerard Butler

Craig Ferguson

David Tennant- Dr Who

Ewan McGregor