Spoilt

I used to hear the neighborhood ladies gossip about
"spoilt girls."

Lately I have been a bit spoilt myself.

Looking at the houses on Ocean Isle

got me thinking about what I want when I am really, really spoilt. 

 Here is my beach house wish list:

 Lots of porches and balconies.

I like pink houses--this one is a bit too pink, but you get the idea.

On a beach.  And a marina?  You bet!

A boat for Doug.

A picket fence.

A cottage garden.

But really, this one will be enough.

Especially since it has this view.

And, of course, I want friends at my beach house.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth being spoiled.

Where is your beach house wish list?
For when you are really, really spoilt?

Birthday Girls

Cynthia Little turned 65.

I turned 45.

Cynthia rented a beach house to celebrate with friends.

I got to become one of those friends.

Cynthia's collection of friends at the beach ranged from 

those she'd known since she was 5,

to those she'd taught and befriended during her California years,

to neighbors in Washington,

to me, who tagged along with Oma as my birthday gift.

Swimsuits and carrot cake should be mutually exclusive.

All of Cynthia's friends are accomplished.

All are interesting.

All are strong.

All are beautiful.

 

I felt like I was in a novel.

But I am no Elizabeth Berg.

Nor Anne Tyler.

So the novel is not written that describes my experience.

Let me just say what I didn't do at the beach:

read,

nap,

blog,

spend hours floating in the ocean.

 What I did do at the beach:

listen to stories about interesting lives,

ask 1,876 questions,

become inspired for my own next phase,

feel enriched,

make new friends.

 They are who I hope to become.

Service with a Smile

 One of my favorite places to visit in Salt Lake City is

One World--Everybody Eats. 

Olivia is a bit finicky.  She loved the food.  Rose is a vegetarian.  She loved the food.

Here is the concept at One World:

-serve delectable meals in exchange for donations

-serve reasonable portions to avoid waste

-serve local, organic, non-processed food

-serve those who can't pay in exchange for their work

-serve the belief that we can all help each other

Delicious crepes; suggested donation $4.00

One World Everybody Eats is a cafe.

It is a not-for-profit organization.

It is a great concept.

It is a healthy meal.

But mostly, One World is really, really, really

good food.

Visit them.  

Tell me what you think.

And tell me what you ate.

Get info about the 21 states and 2 other countries that have similar Community Kitchens here.

I'm gone get me some a that

The Sartorialist often inspires my wardrobe choices.

I love his eye for capturing stylish people on the street.

This is an unusal post for him.

I guess it's time to get some Liberty of London fabric and attempt a simple frock.

It is a new season of Project Runway, after all.

Then again, I've tried that before...


About the title: I've been reading The Help.
Sometimes the Southern vernacular just suits a thought.
Like on Designing Women when Charlene says,
"actually back home we call it F.T.S... Fixin' To Start. 

And then when it finally arrives, you say your cousin's visiting."
That still makes me chuckle.
And it's useful.

Anyone know who said:
"Git 'er done?"
First one who gits it can choose a pair of earrings from Tallulahs.
(Be sure to leave contact info)

Enough Said

I wish I had something profound to offer.

I don't.

Just me and a few friends on a Sunday afternoon.

That's typical

It's a typical Atlanta day.

The kind that makes us say, "this is Atlanta."
The sun warm, the breeze light, the shade cool.
And I am smiling.

I wish you could feel this.

This year I have spent a lot of time saying,
"this is not typical Atlanta weather."
Apologizing to newcomers for our too cold winter.
And visitors for our too hot summer.
But not today.
Today is perfectly typical.

Elizabeth Berg describes a beautiful day much better than my photo:

"It's beautiful outside, the kind of day where the sun touches you like mothers touch their babies' cheeks.  Your breath rides in your chest like a slow-swaying hammock, and your eyes see in the rich way:  Yellow isn't yellow, it's butterscotch; the red on the roses is velvet.  On days like this, you wish everything would slow down; you wish time could just stop for a while."

Today I will drive my sporty minivan with the sunroof open.
Today I will feel bliss.
Today I will laugh.
What will you do today?

Be sure to laugh.

iTunes Made Me Do It

The Genius Mix is playing on my iTunes.

Alternative Singer/Songwriters.

In between Jeff Buckley and 10,000 Maniacs,

I hear this:

The best Christmas album ever.

And a little of this:

The note I received with this gift was:  "Something unusual this Christmas."
Yes, very unusual listening for me--but I love it.

And some of this:

A current favorite.  But I need to confess that it has some terribly sad songs.

I didn't mean to do it.
I didn't mean to listen to Christmas music this early.

I promise my kids I will wait until after Halloween.

But iTunes made me do it today, 

And I am smiling.

I think I will go order some Christmas gift-wrapping supplies...