Friday Cheers



Photo Borrowed From Here:  http://winecellars-uncorked.com/



For when the wine is in, the wit is out.

Thomas Becon (1512–1567)

Catechism, 375

Here's to the corkscrew -

a useful key to unlock the storehouse of wit,

the treasury of laughter,

the front door of fellowship,

and the gate of pleasant folly.

W.E.P. French

(From the wine list of Commander's Palace in New Orleans, LA courtesy of John McDonald, Dallas, TX)

Pet Sitting

I have the honor of taking care of my dad's pets for a few days this week. 

They are such sweet animals,

and I love the way they bark and meow at me

greet me at the door! 

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that they know I'm going to FEED them. 

They can just sense that I'm an animal lover!

There are currently no critters living with me,

so I have to get my fix when the opportunity presents itself.

It's obvious that they were given strict instructions

prior to my arrival...

...NEVER make eye contact!

They listen well;)

Friday Cheers



*Paula

 

Once we hit forty, women only have about four taste buds left: one for vodka, one for wine, one for cheese, and one for chocolate.

-Gina Barreca


My nose itched, and I knew I should drink wine or kiss a fool.

-Jonathan Swift



*If you would like to know more about "Paula",  click here and here for two stories that Chesapeake Bay Woman has written about her.  She's becoming quite the celebrity in these parts;) 

Friday Cheers

Written on the glass:  It's 5:00 Beach Time


“This is one of the disadvantages of wine, it makes a man mistake words for thoughts.”


― Samuel Johnson, The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Vol. II

    “If reassurances could dull pain, nobody would ever go to the trouble of pressing grapes.”

― Scott Lynch, The Lies of Locke Lamora

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending time with my BFF Chesapeake Bay Woman. 

I'm looking forward to more 

smack girl talk with her tomorrow. 

A good friend is better than a bottle of wine. 

If you have both, you are truly blessed! 

Hummingbirds

When I get home from work in the evening,

I enjoy sitting out on the back porch and drinking wine 

letting the stress of the day

melt away.

The hummingbirds that dive bomb me keep me company are quite amusing!

I snapped some pictures of these wonderful creatures 

over the holiday weekend.

I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do.

These beauties won't be around much longer. 

They usually disappear toward the end of September,

and emerge again in early April.

I plan to enjoy every minute I have with them!

Friday Cheers

“Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather

and a little music played out of doors

by somebody I do not know.”

― John Keats

 

 

 

“Either give me more wine or leave me alone.”

― Rumi

Friday Cheers

“Beer is made by men, wine by God.”

― Martin Luther

“What wine goes with Captain Crunch?”

― George Carlin

Sunset

I caught a glimpse of a beautiful sunset yesterday. 

It made me happy:)

The days are getting noticeably shorter.

That makes me sad:(

Ode to NNG

Saturday evening I attended a fundraiser for a local hunt club. 

Seafood, music, and good friends. 

What a great night!

Noe Noe Girl hung out with me while she ate crabs.

Then, she and another friend got into a heavy conversation

about whether the singer was cuter than the drummer. 

Or something like that.

Then, the GANGSTAS showed up!! 

Bwahahaha!!

It was all downhill from there;)

Sunday was a rainy, lazy day.  The only productive thing I did was cook. 

And that was only because I wanted something good to eat!

How was your weekend??

Friday Cheers

“I love everything that is old;

old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines.”

― Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield

“There are days when solitude is a heady wine

that intoxicates you with freedom,

others when it is a bitter tonic,

and still others when it is a poison that makes you

beat your head against the wall.”

― Colette, Oeuvres complètes en seize volumes



Welcome To Oz!

I was playing around with the new camera recently, and I found myself in Oz.

Who knew it was right across the street in beautiful, bustling downtown Clancie?

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

The Pond

This beautiful pond is tucked away in a remote area near the Court House in King & Queen County. 

It's the perfect place to spend a cloudy, carefree Saturday afternoon. 

Fishing, listening to music, whatever your pleasure!

Can you see the dam in the background of the photo below? 

It's not unusual for a deer or a turkey to make an appearance there. 

Ducks in pairs and pesky beavers have also been spotted on occasion!

When Hurricane Irene blew through the area last fall, the water on the pond was angry and fierce. 

Most days, however, it's calm and inviting.

Where do you go to relax?

Porkchop

In my last post I introduced you to Little Man, who is one of the two short men who now light up my world.  Today I'd like for you to meet Porkchop.

My little Porkchop is full of wonder and excitement!  He's very coordinated, and will probably play every sport offered in school...although, he may remain partial to the ball and bat:)  He can weave a story like no other, and his eyes twinkle as it unfolds.

These photos were taken at a recent small hometown celebration.  After hours a little time in the bouncy house, he was ready to cool down with some ice cream!

After the parade and the crowning of the Queen, the band began to play.  This little guy couldn't wait to get out there and bust a move!  Unfortunately, the grass wasn't slick enough for him to break dance, but he managed to show the ladies what he could do!!!  I tried to get some photos of him without his knowledge, but that little ham caught me every. single. time.  GAH!  He just wanted to make sure I was getting his best side;)  

As with Little Man, look for more photos of my Porkchop coming soon. 

They always make me smile:)

Little Man

There are two new men in my life who bring me great joy.  Today I'd like to introduce you to Little Man.  He is a snuggler, but he's also full of mischief...you can see it in his eyes!

Over the weekend, we attended a local event which included a bouncy house, a parade, a band, and a LOT of community pride!  I had THE perfect shot of Little Man lined up...sitting on his Dad's shoulders, old restored building in the background, flag flying high.  Of course, JUST as I snapped the pic, he stuck his finger right up his nose!!  Typical!

He's not fond of having his picture taken, so I was pleased when he posed for this shot.  I only wish you could see his eyelashes...Hollywood couldn't make them any prettier!

He's a sweet little guy, with a BIG personality!  Look for more photos of this one to come:) 

WARNING!

I purchased a camera today. 

I've been camera deprived for two years. 

Consider yourselves warned...

Reunion

Wow...it's been so long since I've been on here, that Blogger has completely changed the format!!  Oh, well, haven't had much to say for quite some time, but that may soon change...we'll see how it goes:)

Casa de Envy is quiet now, but later this week the joint will be jumpin'!  For the first time in several years, my dad's family will be gathering at the homeplace for a reunion.  Snow White will be home, and family members will be arriving from hither and yon.  On the menu:  BBQ with slaw, chicken, baked beans, and a plethora of homemade side dishes.  You know we country folks like to cook;)  OMG!  I just gained five pounds thinking about it! 

I'm hoping that someone shows up to the reunion with a camera so I can share some of the joy.  A picture truly says a thousand words... 

Bonne Bell Lip Smackers

The advertisement above could be found in any Teen Beat or Tiger Beat magazine...two pages over from the ads for Tickle deodorant;)


Oh, the 70's! A time for bell bottoms, disco and Bonne Belle Lip Smackers! Does anyone remember those? I'm not talking about the ones available today - those are the size of a tube of Chapstick. These were the biggest mamma-jamma lip glosses you have ever seen! They were about the size of a toilet paper roll. And we loved them!!!! Personally, I preferred three flavors - 7-Up, Dr. Pepper & Orange Crush. See a pattern there?? Soft drink flavors! They certainly tasted better than TAB. GAH! It was also fun to mix the flavors; although, the tubes were too heavy to carry more than one in your purse at a time. Just kidding. Not really.

If you hadn't already noticed, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today. Maybe it's time to get the old gang together and see if there are any skating rinks still in operation.
Hope I can find by pom-poms;)

Have a GREAT weekend!

Tomatoes

This photo was taken last summer during a relaxing trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina!

When I find myself bemoaning the normal weather for this time of year, my dad is quick to remind me that even if it takes a turn for the worse, it can't last much longer! Those encouraging words, coupled with frequent daydreams about sun, sand, and surf, tend to get me through the bleak winter months. Not that this winter has been especially bleak. In fact, the above-average temperatures have propelled this cold and flu season forward at a record clip! I can't imagine what my propane bill would have been if it had actually gotten COLD for more than five days... Suits me just fine.

I stepped outside during my lunch hour today and was greeted with bright sunshine and a mild breeze. As I soaked up a few rays, I thought back to my trip to the beach last summer. It's time to start planning this year's trip...up to and including ensuring that I have plenty of those luscious fresh tomatoes to place in the sunny kitchen window of the cottage!!

What is your secret to surviving the winter months? Do you prepare certain comfort foods? Do you need a special heat lamp to ward off Seasonal Affective Disorder? Do you wrap up in your Snuggie and hibernate until spring??!! Please share your tips, and commiserate...it's not for much longer:)

Epiphany

I had an epiphany this evening. I've become "THAT" person...you know, the one you pray your whole life that you never become:/

What happened to me? I used to be the career woman/mom who worked hard all day and rushed home to prepare a nutritious meal for her family to share. There was conversation, there was laughter, there was Snow White's phone alerting her to a new text message every thirty seconds. Most nights, I went to bed with a sense of having accomplished something in my professional AND personal lives.

Now? I work four ten hour days. (Hey! I'm STILL a career woman!) I come home, light candles, turn on the radio and stalk people on Facebook try to decide what I want to eat for supper. (This week, my dinners du jour have been Cheez-Its, and/or Crunch & Munch. Each paired well with a nice Cabernet. Or, a cheap Merlot.) I then fall into bed, exhausted and wondering if I need a pet to keep me company. I'm six cats and a muumuu away from becoming the Crazy Cat Lady!!!

How, you may or may not ask, do I fill the hours on my day off? Well, let's see, I go to the dump, do laundry, burn trash, clean, and, on a good week, I go to Wally World to stock up on wine. And Crunch & Munch. It really IS all about the simple things in life. Or, perhaps, I've just become SIMPLE!!

My GOSH it's great to be blogging again! I've missed you all terribly, and I'm sending out an S.O.S. for you to come to BFE to visit BHE. VERY soon...

Side Note to My Uncle R: It really is safe for you to come and visit next month. I promise! Do you like Crunch & Munch?

Tuesday Tid-Bits

1. Today is a Tuesday-that-feels-like-Monday-stick-out-your-tongue sort of day. Neither good nor bad, just BLAH!

2. I ate Cheez-Its for supper last night. My high school Home-Ec teacher would be horrified. Although, they made a colorful plate...um, napkin.

3. Snow White and I spent a wonderful holiday season together:) She is now back at school, has pledged a sorority, and has fallen into her old ways of forgetting to text her Mama on a regular basis:/ Oh, well, I'll hear from her soon...she'll need money!

4. Why is it so much fun to burn trash in a barrel?

5. How did I ever survive without my Tervis Tumblers? "The world's first smart cup," INDEED! I. LOVE. THEM.

6. I have not had a television, by choice, for almost a year. My sister gave me her DVD player, but it had been sitting unused in the living room for almost a month. Yesterday I made the mistake of popping in a movie. I figured I'd enjoy a show while polishing off a pot of coffee on my day off. Well, three movies and a four hour nap later, I realized WHY I had chosen NOT to have that sort of entertainment around...I WON'T GET ANYTHING DONE!!! I turn into a lazy slug

7. This pesky cold has been hanging on for over a week now. I believe I will use this as my excuse for taking a four hour nap yesterday.

8. Did I mention that I took a FOUR HOUR NAP yesterday?

9. My great-grandmother was right, Vick's Vapor Rub and Nyquil CAN cure most anything that ails you.

10. What's happening in your world today??