In the garden it’s time to plant carrots, beets, turnips, mustard, onion, radishes, collards and spinach. Keep the plants and seedlings moist and away from critters as they are doing their best to forage as we go into the cooler days. This year I am collecting items for The Little House of Tiny Tots...
Yes, you read that title correctly! In the most outlandish time for feasting each year I began to think about what a detox would look like…especially during the holidays. With that in mind I discovered that it’s really 12 days and it’s not scary at all and even may perhaps start off the new...
If you are looking for a beautiful spot to rest and rewind perhaps you should consider Queenstown, New Zealand. This quaint place is on the southwestern side of the island, formed on a thin Z shaped inlet called Queenstown Bay offers so much for both a romantic holiday or a family vacation. There you’ll...
Paris is everything that has been written about the beautiful city and it is number one for too many reasons to account for here, however this destination offers all the delights that one should expect and more when enjoying a vacation. From the iconic eateries to the museums and architecture Paris delivers all with...
In the garden… you can start planting strawberries and start seedlings for tomatoes. I like to start these in ice cream cones in the porch and then when it gets a little warmer just pop the whole thing into the garden. The cone’s make a small perfect pot and they are biodegradable. 2. For...
I will this month celebrate that dreaded birthday and the funny thing is I am grateful for getting to have it. Many of my friends go through their lives worried about this and all the fun stuff that comes with getting older but I have taken it all in stride. Life works out much...
Lessons learned in life come from many different experiences. Some leave lasting impressions that then influence the ways we perceive and react to the world. One hopes in a lifetime to master many virtues and the way we do this is through experiences. Aristotle wrote of 12 virtues the first of which is courage. ...
Yes, you read that title correctly! In the most outlandish time for feasting each year I began to think about what a detox would look like…especially during the holidays. With that in mind I discovered that it’s really 12...
This year marks my 15th anniversary writing my column Living the Sweet Life. This year also marks my 50th. As a way of reflection and remembrance this year’s Sweet Life will be a continuous study of Aristotle’s 12 virtues and how they are applied to my life. Enjoy! Lessons learned in life come from...
There’s lots of reasons we send flowers, usually for a celebration of a holiday or season and in all cases when someone dies. Flowers signify a gesture of caring and thoughtfulness but did you know each flower has historical heritage tracing back specific meanings for both the sender and the receiver? During the reign...
Have you ever kept a diary? I remember getting those cute little one’s that had a lock and key back through my teen years. I would actually use mine to make lists and goals for myself and sometimes jot down stuff that I did not want to forget. In college I had to keep...
Ok my sweet readers…this month what we are going to discuss is not going to be anything new but it sure is necessary. Morgan Freeman is one of my mentors. He has created a life of multiprenuership as both an actor, advocate and fantastic person. He uses his influence to change the world, teaching...
You know I spend a lot of time with little people. My littles don’t read this column and some can’t even read yet at all. After being their photographer from birth throughout their childhoods it’s not really a shoot when they see me…it’s a visit where they get to spend quality time with their...
This is a refreshing take on an old favorite and especially lovely with shortbread cookies by the pool! You’ll need: 4 cups water 2 cups coarsely chopped peaches 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup lemon juice (about 4 to 6 lemons) 1 peach, cut into wedges Fresh mint or thyme...
That was a question that I asked myself recently. By “Him” I mean GOD of course, and my reasons were many. Most of us who are Christians are trained and taught to pray and for the most part...
You know I spend a lot of time with little people. My littles don’t read this column and some can’t even read yet at all. After being their photographer from birth throughout their childhoods it’s not really a shoot when they see me…it’s a visit where they get to spend quality time with their...
Hummingbirds are beautiful to watch and if you’ll keep a feeder filled and clean in a shady place you’ll see plenty of them in your yard this month! You’ll need: 1 cup of sugar 4 cups of water ...
The day my Nana died was a good day as ever there could be… she lived to 102 and was as they say “done.” A few hours earlier I had been summoned by sister to get here quickly… but in reality she wasn’t going anywhere .. that is until I arrived. She was a...
It’s time to harvest the seeds from your heirloom tomatoes and dry them and store in a dry place for planting seedling next spring. Also It’s time to can or pickle all the cucumbers and beans in the garden and prepare the stocked pantry for the winter months. This late summer task makes me...
In the garden….it’s time to till the beds and add fresh mulch prior to planting the fall flowers. What looks nice for quite some time and pairs well with our Houston climate are mums. I even have some that made it through the hot summer and are fix’in to bloom yet again! At the...
