MONDAY'S FAVORITE THINGS

I have been so busy lately and tomorrow I fly to Andover, Mass. to visit Beth and my grandsons. I wanted to get the house "in order" and here it is almost 5:00 and I have accomplished nothing. My vacuum cleaner is still at the repairman and he called to say it still isn't finished. So much for cleaning the floors. Ken will stay home to care for the animals, but I worry that they will miss "Mom" as I know they will. Especially poodle Beau.

I have been meaning to mention this for awhile and so I am naming it as my "Monday Favorite." Some of you may have been avid readers of "Victoria Magazine", as I was for years. I saved all the issues until it just got to be too much and I finally discarded them. They discontinued publishing a few years ago and now they are back. I am overjoyed. I think all of you will love this magazine Go to http://www.victoriamag.com/ to check it out. It is just as beautiful as ever -- wonderful photography, recipes, lifestyle, books, women and their businesses. You will love it. I received my first issue the other day and I am again hooked. The photo is one from the magazine so credit goes to them.

I am also including a picture I took in Paris on my last visit since that is one of my very, very favorite things . I will be checking on you from Andover and will try to post from there.

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?

"Japan's Kaneko Sangyo Co., which manufactures plastic toys, has come up with a small toilet you can put together as needed. If you're stuck in traffic and can't wait, simply assemble the cardboard toilet bowl and fit a water-absorbent sheet inside. The toilet comes with a curtain large enough to conceal users and a plastic bag to collect waste, and can fit inside a suitcase. Just politely pull the curtain closed and you're ready to go! Sounds like something I'd take on a long bus or train ride through India rather than in my car. You'll have to hold it until November 15, when the company will begin selling the new product online. [via Reuters]"

Can you imagine? Although I do remember carrying a little potty in our old VW Camper when my daughter was being potty trained. (Sorry, Beth!)

A NEW AWARD!!

Lynne gave me this totally sweet award. Isn't he cute? Does anyone besides me bite off the white end of the candy corn before eating the rest of it? (I don't especially like candy corn, but sometimes I can't help myself.)

Let's see, I nominate for this award.............some new people I met from my drawing:

Midlifecycler, T*mmy, Mary, Brenda..................and all of you other sweet bloggers.

THE GRAND DRAWING!!!!

The time has finally arrived. It is now midnight and I am about to draw the winners of my 105th Post Giveaway. Woooooooo!!!

I have had so much fun with this, I may have to do another one sometime. I have met so many wonderful people that I may not have met otherwise. It has totally reaffirmed my feeling that if you want a spark in your life, you want to meet new people and experiment with your creative juices, either fall in love or start a blog. Of course, then you will fall in love with blogging, which is what I have done.

Thank you everyone for entering this Giveaway.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Jo & J.D. and Wild Rose

I am excited that you are two new friends to visit me and I will be adding you to my favorite links. I will contact you on your blog and you can e-mail me your address so that I can send your gift.

Congratulations!!!

To satisfy everyone's curiosity, the gifts are:

A small china box from Austria with handpainted violets (of course)on the lid from Violetlady's shabby chic violet collection.

OR

This book by Mitch Albom, "For One More Day." I loved this book and if you have already read it once, it is the kind of book that can be enjoyed again.

Who gets what? The recipient will find out and inform everyone on her blog!

Well, it is now past midnight and I am tired and heading off to the land of nod.

Good night from Violetlady!

105TH POST DRAWING GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

I have realized that this is my 105th post (!) which absolutely amazes me to no end. I started this because my friend Lynne started a blog and suggested that I should, too. She helped me tremendously in getting it started and I guess you could say that now I am hooked. Sometimes there are rocky days when I wonder if it is worth it to write anything. I mean, who really cares what I have to say? I have gotten overly involved in how many people comment (or don't), how many visits are shown on my map, and why don't more people put me on their links? I now realize that the point of this is to HAVE FUN and to have a way to express myself, tell my friends and family what is going on in my life and also, to meet new and wonderful people (like you dear reader).

I think I am finding my groove in this blog world and in celebration of that AND my 105th post, I am going to do a GIVE-AWAY. The process will be that anyone who reads this post should leave a comment here and also mention this post and link to it in your blog. On Wednesday, October 24th I will put the names of people who have commented here in a hat and draw two names. One winner will receive a book and the other winner will receive something vintage from my personal collection.

Thank you to anyone who visits. I welcome you all.

P.S. Thanks to Lynne for suggesting I date this 10/24/07 as a "sticky post" so that it will appear first. Any new posts will appear below this. Thanks, Lynne.

MONDAY'S FAVORITE THINGS

I can tell you that time is passing quickly. I know this by the frequency each Monday rolls around. When I had first posted my Monday's favorite things, I didn't realize that I would have such a never-ending choice of favorites right here in my house. Well, maybe I did since I am such a collector, especially of things from my family.

Today I am sharing with you something that is very precious to me since it was a baby gift for me around sixty years ago. Yes, I said 6 - 0!! This sweet little dish was handmade for me by a friend of my parents. It says "This is Meryl's dish" because Meryl is my first name (after my mother).

What astounds me are the things I have that are breakable and have survived all these years. My mother was protective of these things , as I am. I think it is a female thing: to treasure and to protect. After all, we do this with our parents, our children and with our friends. It is our most important "job" in this world.

Thank you for visiting, dear friends.

More Worthy Causes

Hi, Everyone,

The craziness around here has calmed down since the two auctions are over. The Realtors' Auction on Thursday was a big success, as I posted earlier. Friday night was a Red Balloon Bash Hoedown which was to support the Wellness Center for cancer survivors and patients. My friend Suzanne is the chairperson for the event and a group of us were there to support her. We all dressed in western wear and the food was great and there was a DJ and square dancers. There was an auction of home baked goods for which I contributed a cake (orange butter cake with orange coconut frosting). My cake raised $60! Not bad for a doctored-up mix (I hope it tasted okay).


Yesterday my friend Abbey and I (sans the guys) went to a "pig roast" (and chicken) at the James Farm Ecological Preserve on Indian River Bay to support the Inland Bays in this area. Another very worthy cause. Here are a few photos to show you the beauty of this area. Here is also a photo of two beautiful women (LOL)! (Abbey on the right, me on the left) You can click here for more information on the Center For The Inland Bays.















Thank you to everyone who is responding to my 105th Post Giveaway. The drawing will be held at "the witching hour" on Wednesday night. I have been reading everyone's comments and then heading over to your blog to meet you. What a great community we are. This blogging adventure has added a surprisingly new dimension to my life and I would guess you are all feeling the same way. Sometimes there is not enough time in the day to be with everyone, don't you agree?

Take care, everyone. Hubby and I are now heading out on this beautiful summer-like autumn day to enjoy the natural beauty of the Delaware coast.

A Worthy Cause

Thursday night, 11:30. I am bushed. Tonight was our Realtors' Auction for needy children and, as I told you in a previous post, I was on two committees for this. I hate to admit this, but I am glad it is over. It is for a very worthy cause, but what a lot of work. Our company's theme for one item was "Don't Be Chained To Your Desk -- Take Your Business On the Go". We had a mannequin sitting at an old messy desk with a chain wrapped around her and then next to that were the latest in an IBM Laptop Tablet, Scooter Desk, Digital Camera and Apple I-Phone. The mannequin was hysterical. I had to drive way out to a little town to get her (her name is Della). One arm had to be taped on -- she was very vintage and looked rather alarmingly seductive, but she was loaned to us for free. I dressed her in some old business attire of mine. (This is a picture of Della, but not in my clothes). She sat on my sofa for a day and drove poodle Beau crazy. He kept barking at her and even the cats strolled by a few times to watch her suspiciously.

The other item our company had for the auction were two beautiful bicycles with all the attachments, zoom binocular cameras, nature trail and birdwatching books and maps, travel vests and hats and lots of things to enjoy biking and exploring the many trails in our area. The highlight in this package was a $1000 gift certificate to a large Hyatt golf/spa/marina to rest and recuperate.

The entire auction went well. There were a total of 30 packages from various real estate offices in the live auction and a lot of silent auction items. I am sure we raised a lot of money for the needy children in our county.

I have another big auction event tomorrow night which I will fill you in on later. This one I am not working on so I will get to relax and enjoy it.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, good night everyone.

P.S. Thank you to everyone who is responding to my 105th Post Give-Away. I can't wait to stop in to visit all your blogs.

MONDAY'S FAVORITES

The days are just flying by. I am sure I just posted my last Monday's favorites, which means today should be Tuesday, but that was a week ago! October is always a very busy month, isn't it?

Today's post will be short and sweet since I am writing this at 11:00 at night and I have been going strong all day. This Thursday is our Realtors' Auction which is a very big affair. I am on the committee that plans the auction itself and I am also on the committee for my particular company. Each company presents its own auction item and tries to win the most money for the event. This is a huge fundraiser for the Realtors in our county to provide Christmas for the needy children and also grants and funds for emergency situations for children throughout the year.

My favorite things for this week are very simple and here they are:

Need I say more? My dear, sweet grandsons -- Cooper, 11 years old and Ian, 7 years old. This was taken on their first day of school this year (6th grade and 2nd grade). These are by far the dearest things in my life (and, of course, my daughter Beth).

Good night fellow bloggers,

Violetlady (somehow my signature didn't print this time!)

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR...

The past few days here in Rehoboth Beach have been busy. This is the time of the annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival. Yesterday I went to see performers doing a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Motown music. Last night Miss Dionne Warwick performed. She was spectacular!! She sang all the good songs we remember. Remember these words?

"Keep smiling, keep shining, knowing you can always count on me, for
sure.
That's what friends are for.
In good times, in bad times, I'll be on your side forever more,
that's what friends are for..."

I love those words -- isn't this also what blogging is all about? Love you all,

I HAVE RECEIVED AN AWARD -- YEA!!!!!

I just received the above award from Cindy over at Rosehaven Cottage. The "Change Begins At Home" award originates from Bean Sprouts and is given to bloggers who live what they preach, who try to make the changes in their own lives that they would like to see in the world.

This is a very special award because it really does epitomize what I firmly believe--change really does begin in the home. I am so touched that someone has recognized that through my efforts in blogging.

Violetlady would like to pass this award on to the following bloggers who truly live the spirit of this award through their blogs:

1. Lynne at Lynne's Little Corner Of The World

2. Kris at Gardens By The Lake

3. Kookiejar at Fraternity of Dreamers

For those named above, just click on Beansprouts (Oct. 5 post) to read the guidelines of what to do to pass your award on to other deserving bloggers.

MONDAY'S FAVORITES

Another Monday. Where does the time go? Today my favorites are three things that are in my personal "family museum" that I fully expect my daughter to carry on. Beth, are you listening?

This is my mother's wedding dress. Mom and Dad were married January 10, 1944. Dad was in the Army and was waiting to hear if he would be sent overseas. My mother's sister, my Aunt Esther, handmade this dress for her. It is ivory in color, ankle-length with a small slit in the front. It has slightly padded shoulders and beautiful "diamonds" hand appliqued on the bodice. There is a handmade slip that goes with it. There is also a belt, totally handmade. Aunt Esther was an excellent seamstress and made most of her own clothes back then.

The shoes were the shoes Mom wore that day. They are a size 6 which was a size smaller than she wore. Mom told me that she squeezed into the shoes, which killed her feet I am sure. But she loved them and it was her wedding day! They are beautifully made. I always loved these sweet shoes.

Here is a wedding picture taken by a photographer at their very small wedding luncheon after the ceremony. We have the actual photograph, but this was enlarged and hand-tinted. I was going to try to clean it and the frame up, but have decided to just let it be. Doesn't Dad look like Errol Flynn? Mom looks so happy and Dad has that bemused expression on his face that he often had.

Many weddings were short and sweet during WWII because the boys were so unsure where they were going or when. Mom and Dad were married in the office of Dad's minister with a few witnesses and family. Dad died a few days after their 51st wedding anniversary.

I hoped you enjoyed seeing these very special "favorites" of mine.

LA VIE EN ROSE

Tonight I saw the movie "La Vie En Rose." I have been waiting for this to come to our local theater and was afraid it wouldn't because it isn't exactly mainstream. It was in French with subtitles, but was easy to follow. The actress (Marion Cotillard) who played Edith Piaf was absolutely incredible. She needs to get some kind of an award. Her similarity to Piaf was so striking that it was hard to believe. At first I thought the singing was dubbed in authentic Piaf, but other people did the singing and that singing was dubbed. The extreme tremor (for lack of a better word) that Piaf had to her voice was not there, but it was still hauntingly beautiful and if someone did not know her voice well they would not have noticed this. The movie jumped around quite a bit with different periods of her life, but somehow it all worked. The film was two and a half hours long and usually by that time I get restless. Not with this. I was glued to my seat and you could hear a pin drop in the theater. I strongly recommend this movie, especially if you are a francophile like me.

Bon soir, mes amis.

THEY AREN'T JUST GREY -- THE GREYHOUND WEEKEND

I have a poodle named Beau. Beau was almost a greyhound. Every October there is an event in Dewey Beach called Greyhounds Reach the Beach and people from all over the country bring their rescued greyhounds. There are events going on all weekend -- seminars, meetings, places to buy dog things, greyhound get-togethers on the beach where they can meet other greyhounds and to just parade their beauty. One year when this event had first started and I didn't know about it, I was driving down the road and saw a few greyhounds and then I saw a few more, and then more. I thought I was hallucinating.

To rescue a greyhound from a bitter end when it retires from the racetrack is a very special thing. You are giving a new life to a very grateful animal. Contrary to appearances, they are docile, quiet, friendly and true couch potatoes. Owners say they are like potato chips. You can't stop with one. In fact, you often see them in multiples in one family. They like nothing better than to relax with you at home. They do not need to run miles for exercise. I did a lot of research on this and was almost ready to do the adoption and then something happened to my brain and I became poodle-ized. Beau owns the house and us and now I can't get a greyhound. He just would not let it happen. Anyway, here are some pictures of these wonderful dogs just doin' their thing at the beach. I didn't have my camera with me everytime I saw the dogs and I was working all weekend, but I did borrow these images which were taken at the event from the web. Thank you to whomever did take these shots.

106 BOOKS MOST OFTEN UNREAD by LibraryThing Users

I found this on Musings of a Bookish Kitty. Looks like fun.

The below listed books are the top 106 books most often marked as being unread by LibraryThing users.

The instructions are simple:

Bold what you have read, and italicize books you have started but couldn’t finish. Add an asterisk* to those you have read more than once. Underline those on your TBR list. The ones marked in red are books I am considering reading one day but do not have on hand.


Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Anna Karenina
Crime and Punishment
Catch-22
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Wuthering Heights
The Silmarillion
Life of Pi: A Novel
The Name of the Rose
Don Quixote
Moby Dick
Ulysses
Madame Bovary
The Odyssey
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Eyre*
A Tale of Two Cities
The Brothers Karamazov
Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies
War and Peace
Vanity Fair
The Time Traveller’s Wife
The Iliad
Emma
The Blind Assassin
The Kite Runner
Mrs. Dalloway
Great Expectations
American Gods
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius
Atlas Shrugged
Reading Lolita in Tehran
Memoirs of a Geisha
Middlesex
Quicksilver
Wicked : The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
The Canterbury Tales
The Historian
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
Love in the Time of Cholera
Brave New World
The Fountainhead
Foucault’s Pendulum
Middlemarch
Frankenstein
The Count of Monte Cristo
Dracula
A Clockwork Orange
Anansi Boys
The Once and Future King
The Grapes of Wrath
The Poisonwood Bible
1984
Angels & Demons
The Inferno
The Satanic Verses
Sense and Sensibility
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Mansfield Park
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
To the Lighthouse
Tess of the D’Urbervilles
Oliver Twist
Gulliver’s Travels
Les Misérables
The Corrections
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-
TimeDune
The Prince
The Sound and the Fury
Angela’s Ashes
The God of Small Things
A People’s History of the United States : 1492-Present
Cryptonomicon
Neverwhere
A Confederacy of Dunces
A Short History of Nearly Everything
Dubliners
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Beloved
Slaughterhouse-Five
The Scarlet Letter
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
The Mists of Avalon
Oryx and Crake: A Novel
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
Cloud Atlas
The Confusion
Lolita
Persuasion
Northanger Abbey
The Catcher in the Rye
On the Road
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Freakonomics
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The Aeneid
Watership Down
Gravity’s Rainbow
The Hobbit
In Cold Blood
White Teeth
Treasure Island
David Copperfield
The Three Musketeers


I have read 26 of these -- probably not a good record -- many were read a long time ago. There are a few that I think I read, but can't remember. A few I started, but never finished and a few I plan to read if I ever make a TBR list. SO MUCH TO DO!

COBWEBS ON MY BLOG

Another beautiful day here in coastal Delaware. I had big plans to house clean today, but so far I have not accomplished anything. I am a night person and would rather clean this evening.

I have two questions for the blog world: (1) How do you cross things out in a post or a list (such as books) and then show the ------'s? I have seen them used so many times, but I can't figure it out.

(2) I have one of those maps at the bottom of my blog that shows how many people checked it out and where they were from. Some days it is very few, but one time it was over 50 and then each day it diminished. The day I entered a blog contest was the day it indicated 50+. How do people get so many people commenting and visiting? I think one answer is consistency in posting and visiting other blogs, but are there more reasons?

Here are a few pictures of Beau who is such a happy guy.

MONDAY'S FAVORITES

Good morning, everyone!! In keeping with my plan to make Monday the day that I show you a few of my favorite things, not just at home, but out and about, here goes:

The Shirley Temple cup belonged to my grandmother. She may have bought it for my father or uncle. Somehow, I ended up with it. It is now over 70 years old.

The watercolor of the Spanish lady lay unframed in the bottom of a cedar chest which originally belonged to my grandmother and then down to my parents. When I claimed the picture many, many years later I had it framed. I often look at it, wonder who she was, who the artist was and where did it come from. I estimate it to be about 70 years old. (Sorry, I couldn't get the flash out)

The pink stucco cottage did not belong to my grandmother! It is a cottage in Rehoboth Beach that I always thought to be interesting since it is so unlike everything else in the town.

Also, this is my mother's birthday. She would have been 89 today. She was a wonderful lady. We still miss her and always will. Sometimes when I laugh, I can hear my mother's laugh in mine. Happy Birthday, Mom.

I hope you enjoyed my favorites for this Monday. It is a glorious day here on the Delaware coast. Wish you were here!