Beauty

No particular reason for this, just something beautiful after all the ugly items I've just read through on today's news. Some days you just need a reminder that beauty still exists.

Mocha Valencia - RIP

Well, it's official, Starbucks has REALLY killed off my fav drink, the Mocha Valencia. Sigh. For years it's been off the menu boards, but they'd always make it if asked. But this week the girl at the counter told me it was the last time I could order it, they're really discontinuing it. And she LAUGHED when she told me! Talk about adding insult to injury :(

Hot Hot Hot

This pic pretty much sums up today. Hi's around 101, heat index around 115, and it will continue through the next few days. The Wshington Post had this weather forecast:

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THURSDAY . . .VERY HOT CONTINENTAL AIR MASS FROM THE PLAINS WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD SLOWLY TO THE EAST . . . EXPECT CONDITIONS TO BE HOT. DAMN HOT. JUNGLE HOT. SATAN-IN-A-SPEEDO HOT. ANGRY-GOD HOT. PETS MAY OPENLY CURSE. PEDESTRIANS MAY COMBUST. HAVE A NICE DAY.

London....of course!

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique woman like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Recipes from down under

Just got my first ever copies of the famous Australian "Woman's Weekly" cookbook series. They are fantastic. Keepers made from heavy weight paper, including photos of every recipe, measurement conversion tables, and a glossary explaining every ingredient. Now the question is which recipe to try first....the honey pistachio rosewater palmiers or the ginger macadamia bars....decisions, decisions. They aren't easy to get up here, so hugs and kisses to my Aussie friend Gavin for sending them to me. So far the easiest way to get them here if you don't have a contact in OZ would probably be to grab them off of ebay.

Happy Happy Happy!

Woohooo....one of my favorite authors is coming out with a new book to add to her wonderful trilogy. Adriania Trigiani wrote the "Big Stone Mountain" series which will now become a quartet instead of a trilogy! If you've never read any of her books you've missed out! You have time to read the trilogy before the new book comes out in October! I just finished reading "Rococo" by her and it's wonderful. And also check out the cookbook of family Italian recipes that she and her sisters have published. AND.... as if that wasn't wonderful enough, they'll start production any time now on her screenplay for the first book in the trilogy.