Flaurella

Playtime

2010-01-20T16:04:00.001-05:00

Playtime, January 17, 2010
Originally uploaded by flaurella

A nice warm Sunday afternoon in January and there is time to play before Binks takes her nap.

Happy Christmas!

2009-12-24T16:03:00.004-05:00

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from
72 degree Florida on a balmy Christmas Eve.

ReVah Pommegranite Wne

2009-12-16T23:48:00.001-05:00

ReVah Pommegranite Wne
Originally uploaded by flaurella

Pomegranite wine from Armenia tastes swell. Would be great with pork roast. 100% antioxident, too!

Read about this in a NY Times review and had to try it for my birthday. Going to buy a case. Highly reccomended!

Decking the Tree

2009-12-09T18:43:00.001-05:00

Our newest ornament, from Linda Gail

Preserved and Pickled

2009-12-09T18:41:00.001-05:00

Preserved and Pickled
Originally uploaded by flaurella

Not taking any chances on the Oasis of the Seas.

The Last Word

2009-11-25T11:47:00.005-05:00

This week, I finally scattered my mother's ashes in the surf at Dania Beach. Mother took us to Dania Beach every afternoon in the 1950's. This is the beach of my childhood.

It's been ten and a half years since my mother passed and I was surprised it made me so emotional to say goodbye again. I didn't expect after all this time, that the tears would roll down my cheeks like a flood. Anyway, as I was scattering her ashes in mid-thigh high water, boo-hooing like a baby, a big wave came along and smacked me in the butt, soaking me with salt water, seaweed and ashes. I had to laugh. Mother got the last word.

I drove all the way back home, about 300 miles, in salty, damp shorts with a touch of Mother. It was a comfort and it makes me smile.

You always miss your mother.

First Manicure

2009-11-11T21:55:00.003-05:00

October 11, 2009

Baby Binks is getting her finger nails filed.
It made her laugh. When Binks laughs, so does Glammie.

Updating Our Crap

2009-09-30T20:24:00.009-04:00

I am so behind the times. Just received our new passports and it has been a long time since renewal. Our daughter did get a new passport 2 years ago for her job in Japan. However, our passports, unlike Kait's, now have computer chips inside. Apparently, all we have to do is look for the symbol at immigration stations at entry points and wave our passports at a chip symbol sign and we are in (or out) like flint.

Technology can be pretty cool.

Aging is another story but it beats the alternative.

SPASM Tunes

2009-09-17T19:16:00.006-04:00

After a long and expensive year of surgeries and medical procedures for W4D and me, I have discovered these faboo guys who truly speak to me. Spazz out with the Laryngospasms. They're a hoot and they sing like angelic amnesthesiatic hallucinations! Gotta love 'em!

Rock on Tubers!

Baby Swim Lesson

2009-09-15T21:24:00.001-04:00

Swim Lesson - 2 Months Old
Originally uploaded by flaurella

Here's Baby Binks at two months old with her Poppy teaching her to swim in our pool. The water temp was 76 degrees that day and way too cold for Mommy or Daddy (not to call them whimps) but our little Binks is a real trooper.

Poppy is teaching her to kick in this slide show and yours truly (Glammie - not shown) has been teaching her to float on her back. Baby B loves the pool.

Watch out for this kidlet in the 2022 Olympics! Woot!!

Glammie and Binks

2009-09-13T18:38:00.001-04:00

Glammie and Binks
Originally uploaded by flaurella

Here's a little slide show thingie of Baby Binks and me poolside on August 30, 2009. It seems I am always a few weeks late trying to view, organize and post pictures. Patience, please.

To make up for my slow posts, I'll tell you how I came to be called "Glammie."

The first time I held little Miss Biannca Averi, just a few moments after she was born, I was hugging and smooching her and I introduced myself as her Gram and told her how absolutely precious she was. Then I said, "You beautiful little girl! You and I are going to have SO much fun together... We will go shopping and get our nails and hair done and I will dress you in fabulous vintage jewels. I am so going to glam you up!"

At that moment, daughter Kaitlin who was a bit of a tomboy gal young-un said, "Well, that's what we are going to call you. Whether you like it or not, you are "Glammie" for sure now."

And it stuck and and I am delighted to be Glammie. Since Kait got to name me, I tagged sweet little Biannca with the nickname, "Binks."

Turnabout is fair play.

2009-09-13T14:44:00.005-04:00

Doh!

Ignore me.

Pretty in Pink

2009-08-28T18:31:00.002-04:00

Just look at that sweet little chin.

Baby Binks grew 4.25 inches taller in her first two months.
She's going to be tall like her mama.

Next weekend, I am going to teach her about GATOR Football!

The Good Life

2009-08-14T21:51:00.001-04:00

Aug 9, 2009
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

This is my granddaughter, Baby Binks, floating in our pool at 7 weeks of age. I have about a thousand -- okay, at least several HUNDRED new pix to share but am finding it difficult to make the time to sort, let alone make some clever photo presentations -- so keep watching and I promise to get a some new series of pix posted within the next few days.

That said...
ISN'T SHE TOTALLY ADORABLE?
CHECK OUT THAT HEAD OF HAIR!

Is it not the sweetest time when babies fill out and thrive?

Weekends are the BEST now that we can play with our little water baby, Miss Biannca!

Baby Love

2009-08-02T16:52:00.006-04:00

This is an experiment to see if I can add a slide show.

Here is Kait with Biannca at 25 days old.

You can tell Kait loves being a mommy.

Independence Day, Small Town Style

2009-07-06T18:38:00.014-04:00

Hope you all had a glorious and a relaxing July 4th, as did we! It was our daughter's birthday (Happy Birthday, Kaitlin!) so we always have a little gathering and enjoy the local park activities as sponsored by our McIntosh Lion's Club.

There is nothing sweeter than the little kids and their decorated bike parade.

My other faves are the Hula Hoop Contests, the Egg Tosses and the Wheel Barrow races.

After we and a group of friends returned from the park across the street, ate and drank to excess while chilling in our pool all afternoon, we took a little nap in the late afternoon and then watched Macy's excellent fireworks show from NYC, plus the D.C. Capitol stunning display, as well as the unique, rockin' Boston fireworks program on the tube.

All the displays and concerts were wonderful but nothing can compare to a small town, (population 456 peeps), Independence Day Celebration in the park across the street from your own house. No traffic!

Here are a few more personal photos in a slideshow format.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flaurella/sets/72157594186456794/show/

Happy Independence Day.
God Bless America!

Baby Love

2009-07-01T22:10:00.004-04:00

I can't begin to tell you what a brilliant young lady my first grandchild is becoming. She is growing so fast and already communicating and practically crawling. She's not only adorable... she's brilliant!

Of course, she is only 10 days old but we Grands know these things. And I, am totally smitten.

Canna Lily

2009-06-26T16:53:00.003-04:00

From rhizome clump to five feet tall in 3 months, canna lilies grow quickly and thrive in the heat and humidity here in Florida. By fall, W4D will be hacking them back with his machete. Click here for another view with more detail.

Hello World!

2009-06-23T14:12:00.001-04:00

Hello World!
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Already a chatterbox at 4 days old.

She's Here!

2009-06-20T14:39:00.005-04:00

Meet my adorable granddaughter...

Biannca Averi
born June 17th at 11:31 PM
weighing 6 pounds - 14 ounces
19 inches long.

View a slide show!

I know you want to. :))

Summer's Bounty

2009-06-06T13:35:00.003-04:00

If you've followed this blog, you already know that W4D (What's 4 Dinner?) is my husband and that he loves to grocery shop as much as he loves to eat.

It was Farmer's Market Day and yesterday afternoon, he arrived home from work toting the following:
watermelon
cantaloupe
blueberries
snap beans
okra
potatoes
spaghetti squash
a couple of pounds of fresh shrimp
and a lemon meringue pie from the bakery.

The second trip to the car yielded red wine, white wine, vodka, bourbon, a cheerful red and yellow bouquet of fresh flowers and an adorable little bouquet of fresh herbs.

W4D is very good about bringing me flowers at least once a week but this was my first herb bouquet. It is so convenient having our little local Farmer's market this summer. Everything is picked fresh same day and we know most of the farmers and the shoppers.

The flowers were lovely and showy but my fave is the little herb bouquet, tied with chives and lily leaves. I spy parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, oregano, mint, dill and tarragon.

My kitchen is fragrant.

PSHAW!

2009-06-03T23:34:00.005-04:00

Texas' got Baby GATORS. ::snort::

http://www.wesh.com/video/19 640878/index.html

Here in Florida, old ladies pet 'em before breakfast.

Pick a Peck

2009-05-20T16:09:00.004-04:00

Today, May 20th, is
"Pick Strawberries Day."

I hope you have fresh strawberries at your house, too!

Pass the Panty Liners

2009-05-15T12:29:00.009-04:00

My friend Kathleen and I were chatting this morning about some delish mussels she ate as an appetizer that were "so gosh darn good I nearly needed a panty liner." What a delicate way to put it. I have been known to remark to W4D when something tastes so orgasmically fine that it has creamed my jeans, but I think Katzi's expression is better for mixed company. Anyway, now I am hungry for mussels.

While I run off to Publix to get some mussels, here are at least three of my mussels recipes with pictures. All are delish and easy. Click here for Flaurella's recipes and pix.

BTW, my friend Walt who hails from Long Island pronounces Publix as "pube licks." Walter, you are one funny dude. Happy Birthday, there about!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-09T18:54:00.001-04:00

Happy Mother's Day!
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Cheerful yellow Gerbera daisy in my kitchen reminds me that I am loved. So do several other beautiful floral arrangements in the kitchen, family room and my office..

A day without fresh flowers is worse than a day without sunshine. Thanks, W4D, for showering me with flowers this week and every week.

Portable Bath Tub

2009-05-07T19:13:00.001-04:00

Wagon Waggin' Bath
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Tucker gets a bath in my daddy's Red Flyer wagon

Blue Eyes

2009-05-02T12:55:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon at our little local farmer's market I found first of the season blueberries at $2.00 a pound. That's like six times less as expensive than at the grocery store and they were very fresh, picked earlier yesterday. I selected a pound bag and started digging in my jeans pocket for two bucks. As I was getting the cash, I asked the snowbird lady behind the table if they were rabbiteyes, knowing full well the variety but trying to make conversation.

"No Dear, these are B L U E B E R R I E S."

Damn Yankees.

GATORS "Orange & Blue "Spring Game

2009-04-22T20:28:00.002-04:00

GATORS Orange & Blue Spring Game
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

This picture was taken at the GATOR Spring game this past weekend by The Gainesville Sun. If you click on the pic and go to the original as posted on FLICKR, (or GatorSports) you can see the notes and exactly where W4D, daughter Kait, and her SO, John, are noted and marked.

I just have one other comment on my GATORS this Spring and that is, "We so totally ROCK!" Don't bet on anyone else to win the National Championship (NCAA for my friends across the Pond) this coming football season. It's raining men, and GATORS! Halleluia!

Still Celebrating

2009-04-17T18:03:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday, Mr. Man.

You get to celebrate right through the weekend.

Party on, Dude!

Gifted Eggs

2009-04-17T17:50:00.002-04:00

Gifted Eggs
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

These beautiful eggs were made for W4D by our friend, Linda Gail. She used fresh flowers and leaves from her yard, positioned them on each egg and carefully wrapped each egg in hosery before boiling them in a solution of water and red onion skins.

Hard to see in this picture but the chlorophyll from the leaves tints the flora silhouettes on the eggs a pale green that is lovely against the rich brown and sienna of the onion skin dye.

What a pity to crack and eat them but deviled eggs are calling my name...

Marshmallow Dreams

2009-04-13T20:32:00.005-04:00

Oh, Mama!
I wish I had me this here Peep Hat:

Compliments of one of my fave blogs:
COLOR ME KATIE

You know how I love the Peeps!

Two for a Dollar

The Peep Factory

Queen of Peeps New Pet (long story)

There's more if you want to search the Peeps...

Dear Peeps

2009-04-12T21:08:00.003-04:00

A Happy Easter and Spring to all!

Flashback

2009-04-11T15:41:00.003-04:00

Good grief, there is movement here!
Something twitched. Keys clattered.

It's been almost two years. Does anyone still read my drivel?

It took me over an hour to get back into my blog. Yes, it has been so long that I forgot passwords, email addy changes and even how to sign in.

I was browsing through some old Flaurella entries and found that I am making the exact same dinner today as I was four years ago on this very date.

You can find out what it is and get the instructions here.

I'll be back again soon but not every single day.
Catch me if you can.

They're Everywhere

2007-08-13T18:14:00.000-04:00

Mickey Dee's in Yokohama, Japan.

Note the barber pole next door.

Minato Mirai Manyo Club

2007-08-08T16:18:00.000-04:00

"A relaxing hot spa formed through the amalgamation of city beautification and harmony. Hot water is brought in daily with tank lorries from Yugawara and Atami. "

Tranquil bath setting

Here is the site where Kaitlin took the Japanese bath. The web site is in Japanese but there are many lovely photos. Let the front page play a long time for there are lots of pictures and many repeat before new ones appear in no particular order. Then, try clicking each link down the left side and viewing all the photos. Even the food looks yummy.

I don't understand the TV Lounge room but Kait says they had plenty of American TV in there so maybe American TV is a relaxation thing that is popular among the Japanese.

Just lovely. What a night view from there, too!
Wish I could go ...

http://www.manyo.co.jp/mm21/

NFNC Week

2007-08-07T14:33:00.000-04:00

I have proclaimed this week, "National Flaurella's Not Cooking Week." It's too hot to cook and I am sick of cooking and I'm not gonna take it anymore. Hayell, I may proclaim the whole month of August as "National Flaurella's Not Cooking Month."

So, I email W4D ( for the benefit of you new readers, that's an acronym for What's 4 Dinner, the nickname of my DH since that is always the foremost question on his mind) and in a complete role reversal, I ask:

"What's for dinner?"

Back comes his email reply.

"Dinner tonight will be culinary combination of flower (sic) and yeast, covered in a vegetable garden of delectable delights, surrounded by cardboard and brought to you in a recreational all terrain vehicle."

I think that means he's planning on picking up Domino's Pizza in the RAV on his way home from work.

.

Naked in Japan

2007-08-02T10:06:00.000-04:00

The latest missive from daughter, Kaitlin
Her current mood: Rejuvenated

In her words:
So I spent all of Tuesday naked. It was exciting. First we got lost in Yokohama and walked for about five miles before we finally found Landmark Tower. Then we found the big Ferris Wheel and the World Bazaar. Then we found it. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. A tall hotel called Jumbo. Not fancy or run down. Fairly normal. Until you get in the elevator. The hotel had nine floors. Yet the elevator only went to floors 1,2,3, and 7. So we took the elevator to the 7th floor.

When the doors opened it looked like nothing more than a gift shop. We walked up the counter and handed them our credit cards as we had been instructed to do before arriving. They gave us a key and a ticket. We took off our shoes at the entrance and put them in bags. Then we went to another counter and gave them our tickets. They gave each of us a Kimono. We entered through the pink drapes. Found our lockers and removed and placed our clothes in the lockers. Then through the second set of curtains we saw it. An entire room full of wonderful smells and showers that you sit down at so we sat down at our showers. We each washed with the best soaps and shampoos and conditioners.

Then we entered the first room. The salt sauna. You cover your body in salt and then sit and sweat it off. It gets rid of all the dead skin and cleans your pores. After a rinse we entered the Herbal Sauna. This is where you sit in a very hot room and breathe in green tea and you clean out your airway and your pores. Then we entered the hot springs. Pools of hot water that soften and heal your skin. After a few hours we went down and enjoyed a massive array of foods at the dinning area. Then more saunas and springs including the outdoor foot springs located on the roof. That we enjoyed at night with the city all alight. To end our evening we all enjoyed full body massages with rosemary and mint massage oils.

Everywhere we went we were naked except in the dinning area where we wore our Kimono. At the end of the night we each bought a Kimono to wear later and to take pictures in since we were not allowed any pictures in the bath house. My hair has never been this soft or my skin so nice. It was truly a memorable experience.

I even bought a little bag of the salt to bring home. The one thing that did make me giggle was all of the hot springs baths had signs on them both in English and Japanese that stated "this water is not portable."
--

Here are some interesting links and photos online:

* Nice slide show of Yokohama

* Landmark tower cam

* Learn more about Japanese public baths

* Enjoyment in Yokohama

* Check out this blog for some fab pictures of the area
in Yokohama where Kait spent the day naked.

Daytooni

2007-07-30T17:16:00.000-04:00

I'm back from my trip to Daytona Beach or as I like to call it, Daytoonie. Had a great bird's eye view of the action from our room at the Hilton. The hotel was not up to my Hilton standards but then, it is the beach and people are very casual. Still I shall never get used to see people parade around shirtless or in bikini's in hotel lobbys.

Regardless, I had fun watching the endless parade of beach activities, the para-sails, boats, fishermen, beach rides, boardwalk, dramatic lifeguard rescues (about 40 per day) to say nothing about the gorgeous hunks that are Daytona Beach lifeguards. They not only look good, they work hard. But, I digress.

What is it about the beach that inspires one to start drinking early in the afternoon? While DH was attending meetings, I spent my afternoons sipping martinis and enjoying the panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean from the 11th floor. All in all, not a bad way to spend the better part of a week.

I can't make this gall-danged flash badge thing work, so please click the single picture below and view all my Daytona pictures at FLICKR. There are captions if you view each one or you can speed through them with the slide show feature.

Okay, so they aren't that good but ...
Made ya look!

Sunny Beaches

2007-07-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

On a brief trip to Melbourne Beach, a long barrier island on the East Coast of Florida a few weeks ago, the beach was deserted at 5:00 in the afternoon.

Five o'clock Shadows

The next morning, high tide brought the surf so close that from our bedroom window, it looked like we were right over the ocean.

Sunny Morning at Melbourne Beach

A Gai-jin* in Japan

2007-07-17T11:49:00.000-04:00

Typhoons and earthquakes, oh, my!

Kaitlin writes from Japan:

"Saturday and Sunday we were in the middle of a Typhoon. Monday, we had earthquakes. At 11:30 pm Monday night, Negishi felt tremors that reached 4.5 and made our beds shake. I felt like I was in The Exorcist."

Levitating Bed

Sign in front of Kait's housing

Her first typhoon was fairly uneventful.

"It was nothing more than a tropical depression as far as Florida would be concerned. Here however, they were freaking out. We were on TCCOR 1 (Tropical Cyclone Condition Of Readiness 1). This means the typhoon was right on top of us. In the middle of the typhoon the fire alarm went off and we were all sent running from our rooms in our pajamas into the very early morning rain. Talk about a wake up call."

She lives in this building

Kaitlin is collecting the chopsticks from every restaurant she visits and most of them are written in "Japanese letters from one of their three alphabets" so she's not entirely sure what the names actually are. She sends her love to family and friends and says she misses everyone "very, very, very much."

* A gai-jin is a foreigner, not necessarily an American but anyone who is not Japanese.

Always Breezy

2007-07-13T16:08:00.000-04:00

Dania Beach, where I spent most afternoons as a young'un.

Photo taken on a recent trip to South Florida

No Free Ride

2007-07-12T15:55:00.000-04:00

When I was a girl, all the carousels had ring arm and you could lean out and try to grab the brass ring each time the carousel went around. If you were successful and got the brass, you were awarded another carousel ride for free. Of course, your horse had to be at exactly the correct height at the right time and place and there were several silver colored rings and only one brass one so it was a matter of luck and skill to grab the golden or "brass ring."

I haven't seen a ring arm on a carousel in years. I wonder why they stopped offering the brass ring? Probably something to do with insurance liability.

No brass ring on the old carousel in St. Augustine, Florida.

Move Over, Mothra

2007-07-11T15:56:00.000-04:00

As giant crabs attack...

... Kaitlin is whisked away to safety in Yokosuka via Japan's very clean and proficient public transportation system.

Boing!

2007-07-05T16:19:00.000-04:00

Pink Lily popped up in my yard overnight.

click to enlarge

Must have been planted by the birds.

Happy Independence Day, America

2007-07-04T18:25:00.000-04:00

And Happy Birthday, Kaitlin!

More of Kaitlins 23rd Birthday pix from Japan are located here.

Celebrate!

2007-07-03T20:05:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Cracker Doodle!

Hope Japan is treating you well today and that they have sparklers there. And yes, I know the picture below is 4 years old. Send us a new one, please.

More of your previous birthday pix are here.

Happy 23rd!

Love,
Momsie ~

Grand Opening

2007-06-28T18:33:00.000-04:00

Hi, Hunnies, I'm home. I know it's been a while but I have been on the road and/or having way too much fun to blog.

During my travels last week, I saw this scrawled in white paint on the rear window of a Nissan in South Carolina:

Justin and Melissa
Just Married
GRAND OPENING!

Made me laugh.
They were very young so yes indeed, it may have been the Grand Opening.

Here's what I am drinking tonight out of one of my infamous blue balls martini glasses. It's Raspberry Sparkletini and Grape Vodka, half and half, very cold, garnished with a cherry.

Yep, I call it Blue Balls with a Cherry on top.

A hearty welcome to all you blue balls and cherry searchers.

Anata no koto wo kangaeteiru

2007-06-18T16:46:00.000-04:00

Daughter Kaitlin and her roomie Kim have been assigned to Negishi, a smaller base about 18 miles from Yokosuka. She started teaching swimming today and I believe this is a pic of the pool. She thinks she will be in Negishi through July and them have other assignments in August and September. They put her up in the Bachelors Officer's Quarters (BOQ). Kaitlin is very pleased that she has good digs and maid service.

She has seen her first Japanese ladies wearing kimono and eaten her first real Japanese foods. She told me "I love you," in Japanese. I think I detected just a trace of homesickness in her voice. Still no internet but she and Kim are having that set up on Wednesday. I can't wait to email her and see photos.

"Anata no koto wo kangaeteiru" means "I'm thinking of you."
Love, Momsie

KOI

2007-06-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

Koi Pond at Ft. Lauderdale hotel

Watching fish swim is so relaxing. I would love to have a koi pond at home but I think our native raccoons, hawks and osprey might find them a little too colorful and delish to resist.

Flip Flops

2007-06-11T14:25:00.000-04:00

It's 95 degrees.
I hate summer.

Most of the year, flip flops are my shoe of choice. I have platform ones, high heeled ones, gold, silver, decorated, plain, every color, every style. These were downright pricey at $2.84. Gotta love 'em!

Sayonara

2007-06-08T17:31:00.000-04:00

It's been a while. Been busy running up and down the east coast of Florida for the last month in between various, sundry and expensive dental tortures. Beach pix from the length of the coast may follow if I make time. But important news first - at 5:15 this morning, we sent the kidlet through the X-ray machine to a plane bound for Japan for four months. Who says being a professional lifeguard doesn't have its perks?

First darlin' daughter flew to Atlanta from JAX (Jacksonville, Florida) and then she hopped a Boeing 777 to Narita airport serving Tokyo, Japan. You can track her here for about the next 6 or 7 hours.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL55

Click to view large

As I type, She's flying over the Bering Sea and in Alaska Terroritirial waters. I hope she looks for the crab boats featured in Deadliest Catch since that is one of Kaitlin's and my favorite TV programs. (You think she can see them from 36,000 feet?) Upon arrival, she'll take the bullet train to the Navy Command Center Base at Yokasuka, about 40 miles south of Tokyo and have three bases in Japan where she will lifeguard, teach swimming and water safety.

Our daughter comes from a long line of lifeguards: her father and I were both lifeguards as was her aunt and her grandfather. She knows a peach of a job when she finds it.

I will admit that I cried just like I left her off at kindergarten when we watched her plane take off this morning.

Kaitlin will be in Japan until October. She'll celebrate her birthday there on July 4th. I miss her already.

Well, off to watch the shuttle light up the sky here in North Florida.
Godspeed Kaitlin and Atlantis.
.

Honoring the Brave

2007-05-28T15:37:00.000-04:00

Long time, no type.

I've been off doing dental drugs and traveling between torture sessions. Haven't had the time nor inclination to blog but will try to remedy that sooner or later.

In the meantime, it is Memorial Day. It was my family's custom to go picnic at the cemetery on Memorial Day and on Labor Day. Those were the days at the beginning and the end of summer when you cleaned the family headstones, planted flowers and had a sort of mini family reunion and dinner al fresco among the dearly departed. But, that's not my subject today.

I was going through a box of my keepsakes and found my POW bracelets from the Viet Nam war. I could fib and say these aren't mine but I bought them both in the early 70's before we were married, one for W4D and one for me. We wore them for many years, never knowing what happened to the young men who's names were engraved on our bracelets.

I can remember the day I bought these 35 years ago (if not the actual date) as clearly as can be, from a table in front of a store in a neighborhood open air mall in Tampa. The table was decorated with red white and blue bunting and many bracelets were laid out in lines. Three ladies sat at the table and took donations and answered questions. I selected PFC Paul Hasenbeck (MIA 4-21-67) and S2B W4D selected Master Sergeant Marshall Kipina (MIA 7-14-66).

Yesterday, I looked up the service records of PFC Paul Alfred. Hasenbeck from Freeburg, Missouri who was born May 11, 1947. I also researched. M/SGT Marshall Frederick Kipina, born Dec. 14, 1944, who was born in Augusta Maine and hailed at the time, from Calumet Michigan.

PFC Hasenbeck was lost on a sampan in South Viet Nam in April of 1967. You can read more about Hasenbeck here.

M/SGT Kipina was a member of the 131st Aviation Co., a group known as the "Nighthawks." Kipina was an observer and sensor operator in a surveillance plane that went out at night to photogrpah the Ho Chi Min Trail and track enemy activity. He and the pilot (Captain Robert Nopp) were shot down in Laos in July of 1966. There has been a possible photo ID of Kipina some years after the plane went down and some believe he survived the crash to become a POW. You can read more about him here.

Neither body was ever recovered.

Today, I honor them both as well as all the military men and women who have given their lives for our country and the cause of freedom.

Run for the Roses Saturday

2007-05-04T19:43:00.000-04:00

Kentucky Bourbon -- check.

Simple Syrup -- freshly steeped and chilled

Fresh Mint -- potted and on the sundeck ready to smoosh and sniff.

Julep Cups -- washed and polished
Roses on the table -- check

Tomorrow on Derby Day, we'll drink to the memory of Barbaro and all who fought so hard to save that magnificent horse.

I hope the Queen wears a lovely hat.

Okay, who is gonna invite us over for the race?
I'll bring the julep fixin's and the cheese straws.

Shucks

2007-05-03T22:20:00.000-04:00

It didn't go well at the dentist, nor later at the endodontist. I will be getting anesthesia from the oral surgeon next week. This weekend, I am going back to a little cottage on the beach until Thursday when the surgeon does his thing.

Since I can't think of anything but dental tortures, here's some more pictures of St. Augustine. This is the view looking south from the outside of the Fountain of Youth, which is really a spring a couple of hundred yards from the Bay.

Same spot but looking north. These live oaks are only about 100 years old. That gray shaggy stuff in the trees is Spanish Moss. The tabby (oyster) wall sourrounds the Fountain tourist attraction.

The wall is taller than I and I could hear peacocks screaming inside. Peacocks are beautiful but they are mean.

I wonder how long it would take W4D and I to eat enough oysters to make a tabby wall? I guess we would eat about 6 or 8 dozen a day, every day. At that rate, it would take us about a year to make each section if we could eat them year 'round, which would be impractical and unhealthy. One doesn't eat fresh local oysters in the summer time.

Instead of a wall of oyster shells, I am going to make walkway and garden borders in my yard out of wine bottles. That will surely add to the value of our house and delight our neighbors.

Until Wednesday

2007-04-30T19:18:00.001-04:00

Entrance to Fountain of Youth
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

I have just returned from a righteous Martini Binge in the oldest, permanent city in the continental USA. I wasn't ready to come home but W4D couldn't stand any more of my nerves that manifest as meanness when I know I must attend to torturous dental procedures in weeks hence. So, this morning, he called my dentist Robin, and got my root canal moved up 16 days. I go in the morning. GACK!

You will remember perhaps, that a couple of weeks ago after 9 shots, they couldn't get my jaw numb enough to do the root canal. They sent me home without the procedure and I took mega doses of antibiotics for 10 days. I guess Novocain is rendered useless in the presence of pus, abscess and infection?

Enough about that. I don't want to talk about it.

Instead, I will show you the Fountain of Youth, as discovered by Juan Ponce de León on 1513.

Maybe I will show you more after I wake up from all the lovely drugs.

Herbivore?

2007-04-27T19:01:00.001-04:00

Creature
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

I never have time to blog these days. Besides, something's been eating my parsley.

Collards in the Sink

2007-04-24T18:25:00.001-04:00

Collards in the Sink
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Oh, my! Speak to me not of modern kitchens. It sucks that I must cook in the pitiful, ancient kitchen in this 1885 house. I would kill for a new and modern kitchen. Check out the maroon and puke yellow tile that half covers the window over the sink. The last tile update was in the 1940's. Oh, so chic! Note the hand pump on the sink. Check out the cabinets that have been there since the 1800's. The only thing new is the collard greens.

A woman who loves to cook should NOT have to cook in THIS kitchen. I am so very envious of new modern kitchens. :::sigh:::

Over the Sink

2007-04-23T17:24:00.001-04:00

Over the Sink
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Gazing outside while washing dishes on a sunny spring day. I never use this vintage sugar bowl for its intended purpose but I like to admire the rich color of it.

Legless Chair, Little Ladder

2007-04-20T16:53:00.001-04:00

Big Legless Chair, Little Ladder
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

I looked at this a long time wondering why the chair had no legs and why that little two-step ladder sat atop it. Never could decide what was going on so I took the picture.

Amaryllis

2007-04-19T19:23:00.001-04:00

Amaryllis
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

More drugs, more oral surgery next month, but I don't care because I have slept more in the last 4 days than I have in the last four months.

Sleep is a beautiful thing and red lilies make me happy.

Neigh. Nay. No.

2007-04-18T18:41:00.001-04:00

Neigh
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Nope.
I have nothing to say.
Nada.

Root Canal Tomorrow - 8:00 AM

2007-04-15T17:17:00.001-04:00

Root Canal RX
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Three of four prescriptions for tomorrow plus my own personal remedy for sleeping tonight. After not falling asleep until 6:23 this morning (this dental phobic worries all night long for a whole week before appointments), I am going to be snoozing by 10 PM tonight.

W4D is driving me to and from the ordeal but I'll have to wake up and start taking meds by 6:00 AM in the morning. I plan to sleep it off all day Monday. Should I get on the computer, just ignore me. It's the drugs typing.

Off I go with my bottle of Jack and my blankie.

Strawberry Tart

2007-04-13T16:18:00.001-04:00

Strawberry Tart
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

The biscuit is soaked with strawberry juice and Cointrou. Best served with lots of whipped cream.

Tart Zoom

2007-04-13T16:16:00.001-04:00

Tart Zoom
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Local strawberries, world's easiest dessert

Green Enough For Ya?

2007-04-11T19:30:00.001-04:00

Hydrangea Leaves
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

After three days of soaking, slow rain, everything here is so green and lush that it makes you sigh when you walk outside. Long gone are the first colorful Spring blossoms like the Japanese magnolias and azaleas, camelias, bridal veil and usual stuff. Now we are down the lush, vivid greens in every hue and shade.

Soon everything will bloom in the richness of summer and I will be complaining about the heat.

Eff Me. I Hate Summer.

And that's about as much of a post as you are likely to read within the next month due to the most horrible pending dental woes imaginable and my suddenly being married to a very old man. I think I shall soon have to break out the blue hair dye and start eating dinner at 3:30 PM to keep up with W4D.

It sucks getting old even when it is Spring.

Bite Me, People.

There. I feel better now.

sorta...

Kooge Closer

2007-04-10T17:06:00.001-04:00

Kooge Closer
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Do you know what this thing is? If so, please leave a comment or email.

Kooge Ball

2007-04-10T17:04:00.001-04:00

We call it a "kooge" and Tucker thinks it is a cool toy. This is another of those things we own and have no idea where or when we accumulated. We don't even know what it is for or the real name of this item. There's a closer shot above this post.

Wilted with Cold Weather

2007-04-09T18:04:00.001-04:00

Wilted with Cold Weather
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Today at noon it was 48 degrees and blustery with rain and a dreary cold that chilled me to the bone for the last few days. It's April 9th and I can't remember ever being this cold this time of year, let alone smelling wood smoke from the fireplaces in town on an Easter Sunday. By Saturday, it is supposed to be 88 degrees. Dammit.

I dislike the cold. I hate the heat.

There is about a 3 week weather window in fall and another in spring that is perfect. The rest of the year, I bitch about the weather.

You may have noticed that I am just posting pictures the last few days. I've also killed the colored fonts and reverted to the default Times Roman that I hate.

It's better than nothing. Learn to live with it.

Unseasonally Cold

2007-04-09T17:53:00.001-04:00

Frosted
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

We had Spring in February. In late March and April, we have Winter. This lily-bell-like plant doesn't like the cold.

Colored Eggs

2007-04-08T19:25:00.001-04:00

Easter Eggs
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Egg salad, anyone?

Easter Eggs

2007-04-08T19:24:00.001-04:00

Never Too Old
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

It's deviled eggs for lunch tomorrow.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

2007-04-07T11:13:00.001-04:00

Oakleaf Hydrangea
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Love the delicate colors of spring

Hydrangeas

2007-04-07T11:12:00.001-04:00

Hydrangeas
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Spring flowers

Championship Easter Egg

2007-04-06T19:02:00.001-04:00

GATOR Easter Egg
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Florida GATORs are National Champions.
Keep on hatching those Baby GATORS!

Hatchling

2007-04-06T19:00:00.001-04:00

Hatchling
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Taken in my yard on Good Friday. Watch out for those Florida Easter Eggs!

National CHAMPS Again

2007-04-03T15:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Gainesville PD and the Public Works folks were sky high in rented cherry pickers spraying PAM on the light poles and traffic light arms over University Ave. It's pretty darned funny and clever of them to grease the poles. For some reason, rabid GATORS are driven to scale utility poles, street lights, signs and trees during victory celebrations. The police were prepared this time. After all, they've had a bit of practice lately with NC victory celebrations here in Title Town.

They skipped going Pro, came back for the joy of it all and they repeated. What a team! I liked this Sports Illustrated article by Gene Wojciechowski

Since W4D gave me my lucky gold Gator ring, we've won 3 National Championships in 365 days. I am never taking off this ring again. I now have my sandwich championship.

NCAA 2006 Basketball Champs
NCAA 2006 Football Champs
NCAA 2007 Basketball Champs

We are the first and only program to hold both NC titles at the same time. How sweet is that? The Buckeyes are Gator Bait yet again and the boys from old Florida leave a legacy as well as a Championship sweep of Ohio State. It was the first time the same schools had played for both National titles in one academic year. UF is the first school to win both titles in the same year and the first team since Duke in 1991 and 1992 to win back-to-back titles in men's basketball. 68 Billy Ball wins in two seasons. Life is good.

BTW, a few agile fans still were able to shimmy up the slick street lights but most slid harmlessly back to the ground. Since you can't grease a palm tree, those were easily scaled. It was a dandy celebration. I'm waiting on the kidlet to zap me some photos. Will share if/when they arrive.

Congrats to Coach Donovan and the 2007 Florida GATORS!
Coach Meyer, now it's your turn again.

Purple Haze

2007-03-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

Flaurella has headed south to get her head screwed back on and be pampered in some hotel. I am in control now, people! Whoo-HOO! I know her passwords and I suspect she is too cheap to pay $15 a day for wireless internet access at the hotel so I have free reign to do as I please. She won't even know. Bwahaha!

A housesitter here has certain perks. In the fridge I found a cute wheel of white Stilton with blueberries. YUM! White Stilton is often mixed with dried fruits and it's mild and creamy and doesn't have the blue veins of regular Stilton that makes English Stilton taste much like bleu cheese. Flaurella has Blueberry Stilton in her fridge. This stuff is seriously delish!

I am eating this lovely cheese with some Carr's water wafers as I sit beneath the wisteria that hangs off the fence around the pool. (That Flaurella must drink like a fish.) The liquor cabinet is extensive but alas, no Port. (So much for class.) Flaurella would say it is too hot to work outside so I am not going to do a thing but nibble cheese and sip the icy grape vodka I found in the freezer.

Anyway, it is warm and lovely here today but the pool needs scooped. They don't seriously expect moi to do that, do they? All of these blueberries, grapes and wisteria puts me in a giddy lavender-purpley mood. I wonder if she has any dried lavender or bath salts?

Until next time - if I don't get caught.
...

The Way We Were

2007-03-23T13:33:00.000-04:00

Thank you all for noticing that Flaurella hasn't been here lately. I know for a fact that she appreciates your emails and phone calls and gifts, yessiree, especially the gifts.

Flaurella has been dealing with some health issues of the third kind. Even when Ms. Chickie is free from the influence of the others, it seems lately she's dealing with pollen allergies or food poisoning or a virus. It's always something with that broad. I think she likes it in her own little world where the E.T's float around and the voices do not allow her to blog. I insisted she go to the doctor today but so far, she hasn't budged out of that leather chair of hers.

Now, I don't think she's in danger of buying new Nike's, a purple cape and trying hitch a ride on the Hale-Bopp but The Flaurella is seriously stressed and it is affecting her health. So, here I am, stepping in to fill the gap until her next shipment of Acai Berries arrives from the Amazon. I'll try to keep you posted as time permits and forward any messages or photos as deigned by Her Grumpiness.

In the meantime, today, I am here to wish Flaurella a Happy Two Year Blog Anniversary. Frankly, not only did she look and act a lot younger two years ago when she started this thing, she seemed far more mentally competent to yours truly. But, what do I know? I am only the messenger who promised to help out for a while.

Happy Blogiversary, Flaurella.
You used to rock.
Snap Outta it!

Pickle Ballerina

2007-03-14T19:37:00.000-04:00

This is Pickle Ballerina.

She is Tucker's favorite toy.

He goes nutzoid, totally frenzied when I waggle her shapely, pale pinkish ballerina legs in his face. She has a green cotton body and a pale pink nylon tutu and she's about 10 inches long.

Nana gave Pickle Ballerina to Tucker's Uncle Bubba 16 years ago. Pickle Ballerina is one tough broad who has out-lived half of us.

I can tell Tuck to go get Pickle Ballerina and he will search for her for hours until he finds her. The Bubba was the same way.

Never doubt the power of Pickle Ballerina.

Kick Some Ice

2007-03-13T22:25:00.000-04:00

I have a nasty cold.

I am grumpy.
I have been in a foul mood for the last week.

Every time W4D sees the Will Ferrell trailer for his new movie about ice skating and Will chants, "My hump, my hump, my lovely lady hump," W4D bursts out laughing.

I can't begin to tell you how irritating this is.

I am married to a closet Will Ferrell freak.

help me.

Adventures in Alcohol

2007-03-08T19:21:00.000-05:00

We mixed ice cold French Ciroc snap frost grape vodka 3 to 1 with the Finlandia Wild Berries Fusion.

Two vodkas, pure and simple. I like the colors embedded in the glass in the bottoms of the bottles. Here is the blue Ciroc bottle bottom. This is the Finlanndia bottle butt.

Garnish with a ripe Florida strawberry. Cocktails are served.

CIROC

2007-03-07T19:13:00.000-05:00

Last night W4D brought home some Ciroc. His buddy Fred, told him we'd love it. Fred is always right.

Red and green fruit on the kitchen island
shining through the bottle

Ciroc Vodka is distilled from snap frost grapes rather than grains or potatoes and it is delicate, smooth and ever so lightly vinnish. One sip of it and I knew it should be served icy cold without anything at all to diminish the crisp, ever so faint, grape essence. This is a vodka you should keep in the freezer. Since I couldn't wait that long for it to get cold, I shook a few jiggers over ice in the toonie shaker and served it straight up with cold seedless white grapes from the crisper.
Excellent!

Garnish with iced or frozen seedless grapes

Wine drinkers must try this lovely vodka. Ice cold and straight first, please. Never olives, nothing salty. Look at the pretty bottle. It has beautiful grape colored glass at the bottom.

Grape Glass

Tonight, I am going to mix it with a little Wild Berry Fusion vodka from Finland. I'll let you know how that goes. Wish I had some Blueberry Stoli but there's always next week. Besides, I am still on an Absolute Pear kick.

So many vodkas, only seven cocktail hours per week.
.

Need a Vacation

2007-03-05T16:52:00.000-05:00

I really and truly hate Mondays.

Pic of azalea by the back door

Naked Woman Serving Shrimp

2007-03-02T14:32:00.000-05:00

Shrimp cocktail in vintage icer.

I have a lot of old-fashioned serving items and implements. This is a shrimp icer. You fill the stemmed bowl with crushed ice and then set in the crystal sauce holder, fill it with cocktail sauce (I like a lot of horseradish in mine) and then hang the shrimp on the rim so it will keep the sauce and shimp icy cold.

I always crave shrimp in the spring, and come to think -- all year long. I could live on a diet of just seafood but I digress. Once in a while, it is nice to serve shrimp in pretty icers like this one with the iridescent glaze. I had a set of 8 of these and back when I used to fuss over my cooking, I would tint the crushed ice pastel colors. Nowadays, I am lazy, or tired or too busy. For this serving, I just added some chopped celery leaves to the ice in the bottom.

I did add a couple of camellias (yes, they are still blooming) to the service plate and some cold asparagus glazed in vinaigrette. I also took the olive out of my martini and put it there intending to eat it later.

By the way, shrimp icers make good caviar servers, too. Email me for my shipping address in case you want to send me some Osetra or illegal Beluga. Did you know that you cannot import Beluga into the USA any more? That's okay. I'll settle for any kind you want to send.

The most popular search pharse on Flaurella is "Naked Women Cooking Fish." I wonder if any of them are interested in a naked woman serving shrimp?
.

Pasta Para Duros Again

2007-02-28T19:08:00.000-05:00

It is Mojito night at Casa Flaurella.

To go with the drinks, I nuked some of those little orange pasta wheels, pasta para duros. Happened to find them in the market a year or two ago and they make an attractive and clever little munchie as well as a cute garnish with Mexican food.

Before microwaving

Put these little spoked things in the microwave arranged on a plate in a circle and nuke them for 30 to 45 seconds depending upon the mighty nukability of your microwave.

Pasta Para Duros... ready to eat

They are like eating spicy, flavored hot air. They are so light they don't even have any calories. Dip them in salsa for a low cal snack or into hot cheese dip if you are feeling deprived of calories. One bag is enough to serve at least 20 times for appetizers or garnish and costs less than two bucks. Such a deal.

Mangia Magazine Cover

2007-02-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

I am still swamped with business (Thank you New York Times and columnist Ms. Slatalla!) so this week, all you get is pictures but they are all photos that I took of things I have pruned, coddled, fluffed, cooked or have about the house.

Here's the mussels I made the other day. I adore mussels and when I can buy them inexpensively, I will eat them at least once a week. This is my Mussels Marinara. I think I posted this recipe on this blog last year. I used a FLICKR toy to make my photo into a magazine cover I have called Mangia. Click on the picture to view it full size.

Flaurella's Mussels Marinara makes magazine cover!

Yes, I am a star, if only in my own mind but I am a damned good cook, too.

Spring!

2007-02-23T16:35:00.000-05:00

Looking forward to a warm spring weekend here in North Florida.

Dogwood blooms stunted by freezing
back so many times this year.

Time to scoop out the pool. Not that we can or would swim in it yet but it's full of leaves. This is leaf dropping season for all the huge old oaks. We'll be raking and cleaning up the yard for the next few weekends. As long as it's warm, there will be no complaints.

Enjoy your weekend.

Bottom of the Bird Cage

2007-02-22T22:07:00.000-05:00

Today, my vintage jewelry dot com was featured in an article in the Online Shopper in the Fashion and Style section of the New York Times. Woo-Hoo!

By this time tomorrow, I'll be in the bottom of the bird cage.

Sure was nice while it lasted.

Redbuds

2007-02-20T20:32:00.000-05:00

After a cold start, it was a beautiful day. Another frost last night (but not another hard freeze again) that turned plants and tender blossoms to mush, but whatever... they will survive since it wasn't that cold for that long.

Here's a pic of our redbuds against the silver Spanish moss.

After 34 degrees this morning (not that bad compared to the last few weeks here), it got up to 70 perfect degrees this afternoon. It was glorious! I love Spring.

W4D, I hope you are having fun in Tallahassee. I am eating airline food. Details later.
.

We Are the Web

2007-02-19T18:05:00.000-05:00

The web is us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

This is about as techie as I get these days. I remember back in the early 90's learning how to write HTML. While I still find it easier to type certain commands and set up spacing and tables myself, I gave up most of the grunt work when style sheets came out.

W4D is in Tallahassee this week and I am all alone (sorta) drinking those lovely Peartini's. In a while, DD and I are going to go get chicken sandwiches and Caesar salads from the quickie place over by the highway. I think she'll have to be the designated driver. Hey, come to think, that's why I call her DD.

It's President's Day so here are some cherries I photo'd and fiddled with:

Absolutely Intoxicating

2007-02-16T19:02:00.000-05:00

It is supposed to be so cold tonight that it will break the record set in 1920 for this date. We are expecting lows between 21 and 24 degrees. The record is 25. Already, it is getting so cold that I may have to put on socks.

To keep the house warmer, I cooked a pork tenderloin this afternoon seasoned with lots of lemon pepper, garlic and fresh rosemary from my herb garden. Using the oven on cold days keeps the kitchen on the north side of the house warm and makes the house smell yummy.

To add comfort on this cold day. I made Absolut Peartinis. I've decided that a peartini is the most wonderful way to become aromatically intoxicated. I didn't follow the Absolut recipe since I am not a fan of simple syrup unless I am drinking mint juleps. Here's how I made our Absolut Peartinis. For each peartini, pour the following into a cocktail shaker that is loaded with ice:

3 parts Absolut Pear Vodka
1 part Triple Sec or Cointreau
1 part unsweetened apple juice
Squeeze of fresh lemon
Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish

Shake well, strain and pour straight up into martini glass. Add a sprig of rosemary for the garnish

I have to tell you that this is the most delish aperitif to grace my palate in years! I bruised the rosemary and made it into a sort of cocktail stirrer and the fragrance of fresh rosemary with the pears and apples is divine. I can't even begin to tell you how good it smells mingled with the oven baked scent of lemon and herb roast pork tenderloin. Try this drink! If you like pears, you will not be disappointed. I can't wait to get to the market and buy some fresh pears to experiment some more with this delicious flavored vodka.
.

Cooking with Care - an Act of Love

2007-02-15T16:34:00.000-05:00

Pretty Camellias on the table.
Big as saucers, from my yard.

It was a nice Valentine's dinner even if the cook did get bombed before she made the meal. (The Cosmopolitans and Shiraz did me in - never got to the champagne.)

Underneath that glob of fruit and cream and balsamic berry reduction is a little round cake saturated in Amaretto. By the time I assembled the desserts, I was having trouble focusing so it became fruit blobs. Whatever. It tasted good.

And then...
There was basketball.
.

Roll Over

2007-02-14T20:14:00.000-05:00

I collect vintage Valentines and other old post cards. Here's one that looks like DH and I when we were babies.

Click the link to view a slide show of more vintage Valentines from my collection.

Hope you are spending the evening with someone you love. I also hope you are as happily bombed as I and are about to receive what I am about to enjoy.

Damn. It's a week day, too.

:::hick:::

(Pictures tomorrow)
Ha!

Two for a Dollar

2007-02-12T18:42:00.000-05:00

This weekend, W4D gave me an early Valentine's gift.

I received 4 of the largest Peep hearts ever. Each is about 3.5 inches across. I didn't even know they made them that big. If you've read my blog for any length of time, you know I have a thing for Peeps, those icky, sticky seasonal sugared marshmallow candies that will practically smack you right into diabetic shock. Generous friends have gifted me with Peep mouse pads and official Peep hats, genuine Peep factories and more. Everyone knows I not only like to eat seasonal Peeps but I like to nuke 'em and blow 'em up. I even have a collection of petrified Peeps from holidays of years past but I'll save that for another day.

So, W4D gave me pink heart Peeps on the porch.

But before you think he's cheap...
There was more.

This was sitting nearby!

Another Valentine gift.

How cool is that?

I've been wanting a Highlander for several years and now I have one. Everyone says it matches my hair color. 4 giant Peeps and a blonde Highlander!

Good hubbie.
Happy wife.

... And it's not even Valentine's Day yet.

Azaleas and Wrought Iron

2007-02-06T17:05:00.001-05:00

Azaleas and Wrought Iron
Originally uploaded by flaurella.

Spring is here. The azaleas are already in bloom. This weekend, many flowers should really POP! Spring is good since pink is my fave color.

I posted this directly from FLICKR so we'll see how it goes.
Is it Tuesday already??

Cocktail Hour

2007-01-31T16:57:00.000-05:00

Look what I found on You Tube.
Dang, I can't figure how to embedd You Tube on this new blogger so here's the URL:

CLICK HERE or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHZ2qWTDsw4

Enjoy Pink Martini's version of Amado Mio and Rita Hayworth. Isn't she divine?

I am going to go now and have my own martini and listen to Hang on Little Tomato. Here's some more Pink Martini on You Tube:

Una Notte a Napoli:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICfue4iDseU

Let's Never Stop Falling in Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFE_2dVIc0A&mode=related&search=

Hey Eugene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vf4X6WKPtk

Sympathique:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zimh8xl9lc

Spa Date with Sheree

2007-01-30T16:28:00.000-05:00

Tucker Pupper has come of age. He is no longer a baby. W4D found him a lady groom and Tucker loves her.

Yesterday morning, The Tuckster rode off in the front seat of a cute little car with Sheree, his new groomer, who picks up her clients and delivers them back again after her care and treatments. Yesterday afternoon our puppy returned a manly man, Old Man Tucker.

Before Tuck left, his coat was so full and fluffy that he looked like a giant badger. We called him Pinhead since his head looked ridiculously small next to his huge furry body.

Cute when hairy

Pinhead Badger Dog with fave toy

He returned from his Spa date with his dense puppy undercoat combed out and removed, all the hairs from inside his ears removed, his face shaped, whiskers trimmed, eyebrows neat and tidy, anal sacs expressed, his legs properly shaped, his paws trimmed, toenails pedicured, and his butt and privates shaved as smooth as a baby's bottom.

Gentleman Tucker

Never felt a breeze there before. Cool!

I am going to call Sheree and see if she will take W4D tomorrow.

Frigid and Farewell

2007-01-29T19:55:00.000-05:00

It's going to be 22 degrees here tonight. It's been very cold all day and I haven't heated the bathrooms. I finally, at long last had to go and plopped my bare butt down on the toilet seat and it was so cold, I shrieked! It was like sitting on a block of ice, which I might add, I have done - in a bathing suit for a promotion at Channel 4 in Miami many years ago. I don't think they do that anymore since it is considered child cruelty or abuse or something to see how long a bathing suit clad kid can sit on a big block of ice in July, but I digress...

Anyway, it is bitterly cold today to this Florida gal and tonight, the dew point is 15 degrees. ARGH! You read that right! 15 DEGREES! At least it can't get colder than that. The coldest I have ever been in Florida is 9 degrees and let me tell you, that is friggin' cold no matter where you live.

I've baked a large roaster chicken and plenty of veggies and biscuits this afternoon to help keep this drafty old 1885 sieve we call home cozy all day. Now, I am going to go eat some dinner since DH is done carving the Perdue Roaster. All of our moveable plants and flowers are under blankets and tarps and heat lights but the lilies and gladiolus and the tender buds on the dogwoods and redbuds are going to be mush in the morning. Perhaps, I'll go make an icicle with the hose or something.

This will kill the fleas, the cinch bugs and assorted creepy crawlies but I know my froggies will all find safe havens. Everyone stay warm out there.

On a sad note, I was so sorry to hear about beautiful, strong Barbaro. I have been pulling for that magestic animal. He gave his all and was a true champion. I wonder how long before the world is sprouting little Barbaro offspring? Green meadows to you, Barbaro.

Hot Pink, Lime Green

2007-01-22T19:07:00.000-05:00

It's raining. Again. Fixin' to turn cool. Cool is like... 44 degrees this year.

It will temporarily wash off the slick layer of Soylent Green pollen on our cars. The Japanese magnolias bloomed 2 weeks ago. The red buds are all covered with pretty pink flowers. The dogwoods have tiny pale green buds. Everything is green, sprouted or already growing like a weed. Actually, we have a ton of weeds since the hurricane year. When was that... 2004 or 2003? We got hit with three in a row here. Must have been 2003. Hurricanes transport an amazing amount of seeds and small foreign particles. We have weeds we've never seen in our yard before but at least they are green... and blooming.

I saw butterflies in the yard yesterday, lots of yellow butterflies. The robins are here again too, terrorizing my large family of pet yard cardinals. Robins are noisy and bossy. The mockingbirds and redbirds and sparrows don't at all like them. They mess up the yard and poop splatter the walkways and decks and I wish they would go home. Dang snowbirds.

Here's a picture taken earlier this month of a peeper in my Tai plant by the pool fence. He let me touch him and he didn't flinch or spring away.

Mr. Peeper on Hot Pink

I just can't imagine what it is like to look at snow for days on end. It's all lovely, serene and monochromatic and I like to go see it every year. I love it for a week or so, then I miss the color I am used to seeing here. I don't think I would make a very good Northerner.

Hey, W4D, enjoy that evening Power Meeting you are attending tonight. I bet your brain is fairly bulging by now. Call me when you get back to your suite, Dude.

2007-01-21T22:40:00.000-05:00

Dear W4D,

I thought you might like to know what I had for dinner tonight. It's Spa Week here at Casa de Flaurella.

While you are living it up in a fancy, schmancy hotel, I am eating healthy and running around buck nekked and there is nothing you can do about it. I don't even want to wear one of those fluffy terry robes or sleep on those fancy linens. I put flannel sheets on the bed so I can be all snuggly and warm. Flannel is much cozier than Egyptian Linen, dontcha know.

I can drink martinis, as many as I want, for FREE. I can hug and cuddle with Tucker and eat peach ice cream (if I wasn't on my spa diet.) Ahem. Tucker had doggy ice cream earlier, made of carrots. He's on the Spa Diet, too.

I hope your ass falls asleep tomorrow from all the meetings. I hope you have to eat tiny little greasy chicken fingers for lunch. Did you realize that you forgot the martini travel kit?

Just so you know, we aren't at all jealous. :P

kiss, kiss.