day to rock-out!

I love Jeremy, he reminds me so much of our teenage son. Look at this picture...it's like the cartoonist hid in Jonathan's closet and took a picture of him playing his guitar. As I write this, he's strumming ACDC, Ozzy, Hendrix, Kiss...melodies from my youth, resonating from his magical fingers throuh his electric guitar. Just so totally great! Louder, play it LOUDER, kid!!! MORE! TURN THAT MUSIC UP! HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO TELL YOU TO TURN IT UP?!!!!! Kids these days!

***Don't forget to tune into the giveaway, the winner will be chosen on Monday, Labor Day. That's all I'm going to do on Monday. The rest of the day will be spent poolside.

group of readers.

You readers are the best! I adore reading your comments, visiting your blogs, emailing you as if I've known you for years. These flowers are for you. I wish I could send each of you a bouquet of lovely fresh flowers, but I'm going to put them in my gas tank instead...
Please continue reading my silly little blog and please know that if there weren't already a contest going on, I'd slap one up here today. Just for you.

If you haven't already done so, please enter my giveaway. Scroll on down to the purse or look in the side bar for "giveaway.' I'll announce the winner on Labor Day...I can't wait to see who wins.

day for a crown.

I did it! I finally went to the dentist to have my excruciatingly painful tooth checked out. Why is this a red letter event in my life? Because I am uncomfortable, uneasy, frightened, freaked-out, scared, unsettled, nervous, apprehensive...visiting the dentist. I just don't like the profession. BUT...the dentist I saw today was very kind and understanding. And he didn't hurt me. It turns out that I had fractured a tooth and it's been hurting for about a month. For the past two weeks the pain has been intensely uncomfortable. But because I'm so special, the dentist gave me a temporary crown. Not to wear on my head, but to wear in my mouth. And here's to hoping that this is the beginning to the end of the war that rages between my tooth and its nerve and my jaw. Oh and by the way, saying a decade of the rosary on the way to the dentist certainly helped. Oh yeah, and all the prayers I said directly to God himself while waiting for the gallon of novacaine to take effect were answered. Today, I found my COURAGE.

little accessory.

This cute little doo-dad is call a wristlet. It's aerodynamically designed to fit on your wrist while providing better drafting capabilities. Not really. It does fit on your wrist, but it isn't really aerodynamic. I made that up. It is cute, though. Don't you love that fabric? You do?! I do, too! I'm in the process of making a bunch of these little beauties and I wanted you to get a peek.

Here are some more. I just had to make some with Christmas fabric, because I am a Christmas freak! These are perfect for those times you don't want to sling a purse over your shoulder and carry about. Let's see... these would be good for taking to school, a quick shopping trip, a hot date. HA, HA, HA, not that any of you oldies have hot dates, anymore. I just crack myself up! You'll see these and more, along with another style wristlet currently in production, posted on my web in the next week or so. Can I have one? Please?

***Don't forget to enter the giveaway contest! Find the purse with green polkas and enter to win!

bad hair day.

YIKES! I seem to be having a bad hair-day. It's the humidity in the air, wreaking havoc with my hair. But I must say, the cleavage is looking pretty good!

We've survived the tropical storm...my hair didn't, but we did. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

day to "wander."

Fay is still outside my window knocking, but I'm not going to acknowledge her. I refuse to give in to her bullying. Instead, I'm going to get down to business, get off my can, stop lollygallying around. That is, as long as the power stays on. Last week, I "wandered" into a fabric store and found these lovely fabrics. My, I "wander" why they're Gator colors? Interesting...perhaps I shall make something with them. I "wander" what I should make? Hold on, let me ask a friend. Tap, tap, tap on the monitor...Wander, are you there?

***Don't forget to enter the giveaway, look for the purse with the green polkas!

day for a visit from Fay.

OK, so it's not really a hurricane anymore, it's a tropical storm. Whatever you want to call it,we Floridians need to be prepared, regardless of whatever the "weather guessers" decide to call it. So baby, I am getting ready! I have my sixteen year-old son to consider and believe you me, I don't want to get caught up in a storm being ill-prepared. So I sprang out of bed early and got to work!

First, I finished baking the cookie dough. Ol' sonny-boy is going to be asking for food, especially if and inevitably when the power goes out. It already happened at 8 am, which jolted me into reality and storm mode. I finished baking that chocolate-chip cookie dough and moved on to the main afternoon course. Afterall, what's lunch without dessert?

Next, I baked this delicious-looking frozen pizza. This will take care of lunch and I can always slap together a PB&J in case the pizza doesn't stick to his ribs for more than 3 minutes. Don't get your hand too close to that pizza, it may get bitten off!

Really people, you didn't think I was going to be stuck in the house alone with a teenaged boy and not be prepared, did you? Oh, and in case you're wondering, I have Chef Boyardee in the pantry as a back up. If I need him, I'll call him out of the closet.

***REMINDER: the giveaway is on until Labor Day. Follow the posts until you see the title, "Giveaway." It's the post with the colorful purse. Instructions on how to enter are there.

giveaway!!!!

Welcome to itsawonderful...first giveaway! This fabric combination is hugely popular in my web store. To celebrate the almost-end-of-summer, I'm going to give this little pretty away. I'll probably never be able to duplicate the precise placement of that flower again, so this purse is uniquely one-of-a-kind. WINNING IS EASY! Just leave a comment at the end of this post. You will need to leave your email address, so that I can contact you. OR, if you prefer to keep your email private, you can leave your comment and then email me at: patti@therubia.com with your information. Just be sure to let me know what your comment was, so that I can match it up. This contest will run through LABOR DAY. The winner will be selected with the aid of the ever-popular random.org, just to keep everything on the up-and-up. I will pay for the shipping to any destination in the Continental United States. If the winner lives outside the Continental US, shipping will be paid by the winner. Plain as mud? One entry per person, please. I'll love you for a very long time if you'll share this blog and contest with your family and friends.

I'll be holding these giveaways throughout the year, so please check back often.

GOOD LUCK!

clown house.

Growing up on our island, this was my favorite place to eat in the whole world! OK, it was the only place to eat at that time, but what difference does that really make? I loved this clown! Though you can't make it out in this photo, the clown had a bulb in his nose and it would light up at night, a red beacon for a little girl who was about to get an ice cream cone. I remember sitting there, my little eyes fixed on his nose, eating my ice cream on a warm summer's evening, loving the company of my parents and my three older brothers. Sadly, the Clown House is gone, but my love of it is alive and beating in my heart. Hello, Mr. Clown! I love you!

likeness.

I'm fortunate to have some very good friends. When the going gets tough, we're always there for each other. I love each and every one of my girls dearly. I wouldn't trade not a one of 'em for all the wine in the Nappa Valley. For all the frilly martini drinks, for all the ...sorry. So when I came across this picture of my girlfriend, I just had to share it. Truth be told, it's one of her better pictures. She looked fantastic this day. Her complexion is vibrant, her choice in clothing and color suits her mood, her teeth are back in and she even had her nails done. All in all, I think you'd agree, if you know her, that it's a sweet photo. So Terri, I didn't think you'd mind if I posted this picture. That's OK, you can thank me later.

day to get one's nails done.

Isn't she adorable? Her name is Abigail, at least it was on the day of this picture. Look! Her nails are painted pink! How did that happen? Aren't they cute? What? How should I know who did that, I'm not her keeper! My time is valuable, I'm in meetings half the day, conference calls the other half. I do have a life, you know! I confess...I painted them. She's very cute and dainty, but I thought that she'd be even prettier with nails that matched her collar. Hey, that's what girlfriends are for! I must take my lovable doggie over to see this tiny dachshund, how cute would they be together?! What? No, my nails are not painted...who has time for that nonsense?

first day back to school.

Sorry, kiddos everywhere. School's here and that's too bad for you! Moms, on the other hand, will miss you until about noon, when reality sets in and the fact that our vacation has just begun. But this isn't about us, it's about you. You're going to be tired and cranky and disgusted with your teachers and the whole raw deal. Believe me, your teachers are going to feel pretty much the same way about you. So when they ask you a question and you give them that blank stare, just remember this picture. This is what you're going to look like. What was this poor ol' guy missing? Hmmm, you can't remember? OK, I'll give you the answer...his brain. That's what was missing. But don't worry, darlings...the whole class is going to look like this ol' scarecrow. Even the teacher. Because honestly, who can really cope the first day back? We can't wait for you to get home and tell us about your day...

life.

Congratulations to Stacey-Girl and Boy on their new, soon-to-be little Stacey-Baby. Here's to a life of happiness for the three of you. So much joy and promise. And if the new Stacey is anything like his/her parents, the world will be a brighter and happier place.

salad spinner.

This, my dear friends, is one of my all-time kitchen gadgets. A salad spinner. I need a hobby, I know. But this is a fantastic helper, especially if you eat a lot of salad. I love salads. I love a fresh salad with grilled chicken, loaded with cucumbers and onions and peppers...I digress. I could buy a bag of prewashed lettuce (and have), bring it home and open the bag. Whereupon an obnoxious gas wafts to my nostrils and by this time, I'm rethinking the whole "it's fast and easy and I'm lazy" way of life. Enter my salad spinner.

I buy one of these lovely heads of romain lettuce, cut the core off and chop it into nice bite-size pieces. I then place the leaves into my salad spinner and fill it with water. I stir it around a little and let it sit for a few minutes or hours, depending upon my attention span for that day. I then drain the water, and spin the life out of those leaves! They come out clean and dry. I'm now ready to make my salad. Easy, easy. And oh-so-fresh! I store my salad in a Zip-Lock bag, which keeps it nice for a few days. Then I can have a salad whenever I want. No more funky salad-in-a-bag for me, I'm gonna have me a fresh plate of green heaven.

intimate dining experience.

A few months back, I went to dinner with Kathy and Patti to the Row Restaraunt in the Riverdale Inn. I must say, we had a fantastic dinner. Located on Riverside Ave., it's a lovely old mansion converted into a cozy inn and restaraunt. Offering daily specials and appetizers, the food was delicious and the server never rushed us, letting us girls chat for hours. WARNING! This is NOT a place to take your unruly little bugars or surly teens. This is a dining experience, to be shared with either your honey or girlfriends, parents or siblings, any other adults in your life. After all, you don't want to spend your time and money hushing your restless little crumb-cruncher, or be shooting darts at your indifferent teen "person." Both of whom would probably rather be eating a cheap hamburger and fries. No, this dinner is to be enjoyed, savored, relished. The dining area is situated in the old parlor, nothing extremely fancy, but very polished and comfy. You can just imagine the lives that lived in the old mansion prior to it being converted to an inn. The sweeping porch, the lovely staircase, the old wooden floors are a testament to a bygone era. Call for a reservation and enjoy this restaraunt in this lovely old inn nestled in the historic district of Riverside. Yummy.

addiction to love.

Do you know who this Cat is? No, he's not my lawyer. He's Robert Palmer! Just the coolest rocker from the '80's! He was my favorite and I thought that he was so hot. He was so uncool and yet, so cool. He looked like a businessman, not a pop singer. Maybe that's why I liked him. He sang, "Addicted to Love," the music video with the chics dressed in black, hair slicked off their white, white faces, playing backup for Mr. I-Wear-A-Suit-And-Look-Hot-In-It. If you'd like to see the video, there's a link at the end. Back to my story. He died of a heart attack a few years back, leaving me very shocked and sad. I was never one to scream and cry over a singer or a group, I just quietly liked this, as they say today, "dude." That's about it. I had nothing else to write about today, so let this suffice as my tribute to Robert Palmer. I miss you, Dude!

giant sugar cookie recipe.

Here at itsawonderful, it's all about sharing. And caring. I care about your kids, so I'm willing to share the source of this cookie recipe with you. My kiddo has been asking for sugar cookies for years. I've tried other recipes, but they just weren't very good. I can make a wonderfully delightful chocolate chip cookie, one that really can't be duplicated. I don't know why they're so unique, because I follow the directions on the back of the bag. But honey, I am the queen of Tollhouse. I don't bake often, because here at the House of Skinny, homemade cookies just aren't on the menu too often. One day, my dear friend Martha emailed this recipe to me, so I tried it. It looked simple enough, no "special" ingredients except for sour cream. And boy, these cookies were money! They come out big and moist and pretty. Just like that picture up there. This weekend, bake up a batch for your family and please, when they ask you why you made these cookies, be sure to tell them that "itsawonderful made me do it!"

If you'd like this recipe, click Martha. In the search box, type in "giant sugar cookie." I tried to link the recipe here, but it wouldn't work. That darn Martha, she isn't about sharing like I am!

P.S. Wanda, you know how much Kev loves your "homemade" cinnamon rolls, HA!...excuse me, it wasn't very polite for me to laugh in your face like that.

ending to a wonderful vacation.

Whew, we've finally arrived at Granny's house in the great Smoky Mountains of NC. What a ride up that mountain, curvy and twisty and steep!


On the way up, it hit us that we didn't have anything for dinner. So the boys killed this squirrel and I skinned it. Jason and Jonathan started a fire and roasted the little bugar. Being the conscientious environmentalists that we are, we left nothing to waste. So I tanned the hide and am drying it for a gift for Christmas. Let's see, which of my sisters-in-law do I want to give it to? Hmmmm...

We're standing on the porch...what a view! It was overcast, but the view is still breathtaking! Thanks for letting us crash at your retreat, Granny. It was a wonderful vacation.

sweet guitar.

Now we're jammin'! How about this sweet guitar? We're playing with dreams, man. It's a candy shop and the only thing sweeter than this guitar is the sound that it produces. Except for who's playing it, of course!

I wish the quality of this photo was better, because this is one sweet shot! An amazing end to an amazing tour. Oh, this little country road? It's the lane going up to the house on the top of the mountain in North Carolina. Oops, forgot to check out the berries growing on the side of the road. Sorry, Granny. Besides, you never know when a bear might pop out and eat you! I know, it's a little dramatic, but it could happen!

Only one more day of vacation pictures to share with you. Then it's back to the daily ramblings of inconsequential subjects. I so amuse myself.

vacation, part deux.

No, I'm not finished with BB King and his club. This is one of those charming little tables we were sitting at, drinking a nice cold beer and/or Coke. See the salt and pepper shaker on the left side of the table? I either had to climb up on a barstool or find someone tall to take this picture. Hmmm, who do I know that is tall? This is Sun Studio, recording studio where many "greats" made their first recording.
Oh, this little guy? He's not a recording artist, but he is awfully cute! His name is Marvin and I caught hime pointing his very high-tech phone at us, getting ready to take our picture. But I got him first! He really was sweet...look at that smile! But he wouldn't share any ribs with me.

Onward, to the Gibson Guitar Factory. This was the highlight of Memphis, where baby guitars are born and raised into sleek and melodious instruments. That's our tour guide, and she reminded me an awful lot of my girlfriend's daughter, Mackenzie.

Look! Mummified guitars! No, they're just bound, held together...part of the gluing process. Interesting...they used to do the same thing to feet in Japan. Only the feet weren't glued. Back to guitars. This is only the beginning of the tour and so much information. We'll continue our tour tomorrow with more pictures...can't wait!

music/history lesson.

We're back from vacation. We went to Memphis, Tennessee, home of BB King and the Blues!

We visited the Rock 'n Soul Hall of Fame and got a really good dose of the history of Memphis and of Beale Street. Jonathan is a big fan of the Blues genre, knowing a lot more about the origins of the music and musicians of that era, than I. It was a great history lesson for me and stepping onto Beale Street gave me a better understanding of that bygone era.

So we decided to step into BB King's club and have a look around. We sat down at a charming table towards the back of the club and sat down. Here is where Dad starts clowning around. As you can see, Jonathan just tried to be cool and ignore him. Teenagers are very good at that.

This is a mural of BB King, painted on the wall of the club. That is a real guitar he's holding, which was pretty neat. A very cool club, wish we could have heard some performers. But it was only 2:00 in the afternoon, so we were out of luck.
But as luck would have it, this lovely man named Marcus was only too happy to serve us a beautifully chilled beer. Love that smile, Marcus. Very friendly and welcoming and we had a great time at the club...just wish we could have stayed a little longer. But we had a tour to catch and time waits for no man. Or woman. Or teenager.