I'm a Bricoleur!

You know I sometimes try to use incorporate words or phrases from other languages, right?  I wish I was proficient, but alas, I am not...I just like the sounds of the words. Anyway when I was out of town this weekend, I went to a really cool place that housed a beautiful garden nursery and small shops in what used to be a fruit packing warehouse. Among the shops was a small vintage store called the Vintage Bricoleur. It was a wonderful space with an eclectic mix of antiques and new things.  I found some small old glasses and a tiny sugar and creamer...love love love!

Anyway, when I first saw the sign for the shop, I loved the sound of the word though I didn't know what it meant. The young woman there explained what the term means and voila, I thought, this is me!  A bricoleur (brik-e-loo'er) is one who makes creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are at hand, regardless of their original purpose.  Hello??? That's me,...and most of my compadres I guess.

Well gal-pals and fellow crafty crafters, we now have a fancy French handle...takers???

So.... mes amis, a bientôt j'espère!

Old Glory

Just read an article about Memorial Day and flying the flag.

We began flying the flag on our front porch on September 12, 2001. Though we always had a love of country, we felt it was important, at the time, to have a public display of our support for our nation, as millions of others did as well.  It was comforting during that fearful time, and we have displayed a flag at our front door ever since.

There is a proper etiquette to displaying the flag.  Honestly, we had never given it much thought prior to 9/11. Sure we were respectful of the flag, proudly laying our hands over our hearts while singing the national anthem, but that was kinda it. After we began displaying the flag, we found out there was a responsibility for taking care of it.

Some of the most important things to remember is that the flag IS NOT a decoration but a symbol of the nation and should be treated respectfully. Never let it touch the ground. Do not use the flag as a decor item (like a tablecloth or seat cover...it should not be stepped on, etc), but it is okay to use bunting or fabric for decoration...just not an actual flag. You should replace the flag when it is damaged or worn, and it should never, ever be thrown in the trash. If your flag is worn and you are ready to replace it, it should be burned or you can properly fold it and take to an American Legion for appropriate disposal. Check out this link for options on displaying the flag:
//www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10259803/list/Hang-Your-American-Flag-With-Etiquet

We have had several flags over the years. Each time we replace one we fold it carefully and take it in for proper disposal. This is not a chore, but our responsibility and one we proudly perform.

" Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner still wave / O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Ahhh...The Start of Summer

I took this picture in the garden.

Memorial Day weekend is here.  I love how you wake up on Saturday morning and suddenly feels like summer.  Everyone who is out and about is ready to start a vay-cay ....including me.  We think about heading to the beach, starting up the grill, or going to see a blockbuster movie. Fun in the sun stuff.

But Memorial Day has the word "memorial" in it for a reason....to honor to the men and women who serve, or who have served, in the US armed forces.  We are proud to have a son serving in the Air Force and both of our fathers both were career Army soldiers.  This holiday is especially meaningful to our family.

So enjoy your barbecues, picnics, beach fun, and (hopefully) good weather.  Just don't forget to take a moment, sometime during the weekend, to reflect about the importance of the members of our military and what they have given in order for us to have the freedoms we have today...thousands of them made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

"...ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."  John F. Kennedy

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/05/25/3415237/the-meaning-of-memorial-day.html#storylink=cpy

O K L A H O M A

I have been watching the news coverage, of the tornados in Oklahoma, off and on for the last 24 hours.  Not only is it gutwrenching to see the devastation that has happened to the communities of Moore and Shawnee, but I have been concerned about the weather situation because my son, SC, is in the Air Force and stationed in Missouri.  Each time the weather person talks about the path of the storms, I scan the map to see how close or what direction it has been moving to see if he is in harm's way.  Fortunately, other than bad weather, he has not been affected at all.

Each story about what has happened to the people there, especially if it involves children, is heartbreaking.  It just proves how quickly your life can change and how we should be thankful for each and every day.

If you are feeling like you want to help, I urge you to make a donation to the Red Cross www.redcross.org/donate  or Salvation Army www.salvationarmyusa.org/tornado.  These organizations will be helping families and the community recover and money is what is most needed right now and in the future.

So hug your loved ones a little closer and keep the victims in your thoughts (and prayers).

You sure smell nice girlfirend!

Okay, I am a sniffer.  I admit it. Sometimes I'm subtle with my sniff sniff sniffing. And you probably won't even know I'm doing it. I love the different smells of life like fresh baked bread, cut grass, the ocean, garlic, a Starbucks (as you open the door), babies, Christmas trees, my hubby's cologne, fresh sheets, and chocolate anything.

A few days ago, I met a friend for a long overdue lunch. As we are standing in line to place our order, I caught a whiff of her perfume. Wow. It was a soft flowery fragrance that smelled great. So I ask her what it was and she said "something Chanel" but she couldn't remember the name...she got it a long time ago. Since it is close to my b-day, I am in the market for a new fragrance and ask if she will text me the name so I can try to find it (I went through a list of ones I knew including the classics but it wasn't one of them). I will post it when she sends me the name in case anyone is interested. Anyway luckily she is a good friend so I know she didn't think I was a weirdo sniffing her hair while standing in line ordering an eggplant sandwich!

I also did just get a scented mailer for a fragrance by Viktor & Rolf called Flowerbomb. Love it as well. I rubbed that sucker all over my body and tried to find reasons to stick my arms and neck under the hubby's nose so he would get the hint. I usually get a perfume as a gift from him because he can't go wrong as far as size (he says it is no-win....too small and he doesn't know me and too big and I'm insulted...go figure).  So hubby and I were out and about yesterday and he surprised me with a bottle...yippee! Soft and pretty and now sitting on the counter so my guests can enjoy same as me...any takers?  I like to leave my perfume out so my galpals can use if they want.  I used to just keep them stored away, but they sat around and got old. No fun. I thought better to share so that's what I do now.

Smells evoke memories and I love that.  Isn't funny how you can get a whiff of something and be immediately transported to a place or time? Just like that (snap).