* What a delight*

Recently, I have begun following the Fly Lady routines again (which you will recall from months past) and my life has once again become rather seamless. I am more able to manage the stresses of work, I answer the doors when people come knocking free from CHAOS (Cant Have Anyone Over Syndrome), and last night, the most remarkable thing of all happened.... Brian invited over a group of friends to play cards for the first time in our eight year marriage!

Brian told me the night before that his buddies were headed my way, and rather than protest, or spend the night in a frenzy of activity preparing the house for guests, I smiled and went about my regular routines. The night of the party, when Brian and I came home from work, we spent about ten minutes getting ready for his guests to arrive. It was darling, Brian put out a fresh roll of toilet paper, put grapefruit scented soap in the bathroom rather than using the usual one in the kitchen, he laid out a hand towel rather than use our usual bath towel from the morning, and then even encouraged me to make treats for his buddies. So, last night I had five people in my living room, brownies, quiche, monkey bread, and a number of drinks in the kitchen, and lively music playing from the TV.

I made sure that they had all that they needed and then gave them some space as Brian seems to be most comfortable with his guests without my exuberance impeding his social mores. I slipped out to run on our treadmill for an hour, took a cool shower, made myself a lovely cup of peppermint tea, did my before bed routines, and then went into our cozy and tidy bedroom to read myself to sleep with the lovely Anne Of Green Gables. I nodded off, listening to my typically silent husband laughing and interacting with his friends in the front room - all because he felt comfortable enough to have them over on a moments notice thanks to the recent re commitment to my life and our home.

*Thanks Fly Lady!*

preface-
i have started several posts lately, but inevitably, i feel that when i haven't posted in quite some time, the next one needs to be brilliant. this is quite a bit of self inflicted pressure, so i have chosen to do what my old college friend Marshall advised me worked best for him. he was an artist and often found filling the blank canvas a far too daunting task as he was in perpetual fear that he would "mess up" his new work by having an errant line, or something that was out of proportion to the rest of the piece. he would often fail to do anything for the fear of destroying his canvas. his solution was a simple one, simply start with the mistake. he would slash a line of color across the canvas in a bold and confident stroke and then from there, he would allow the rest of the painting to form. though he shared this with me ten years ago, it has always been something i have called upon in such a case as this. so, here is my colorful stroke--
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*Simple Gatherings*

Over the last month I have been blessed to travel around the country to visit family and have found myself once again impressed by the beauty not only of the people, but of those things they hold close to them in their homes, and the landscapes of the various places in the country. Allow me to make some introductions . . .
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Before I left for my family tour, I purchased a lovely orchid to brighten the kitchen (but only after proper coaching from a dear friend of mine who is one of those illusive folks who can keep an orchid alive for years and years) His big hint? Neglect them for the most part and only water them once a week.
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First up on the tour- I went to one of my favorite places to visit two of my dearest nieces.

Penny illustrates that for some, posing comes effortlessly. . .
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While for others, it is a learned skill. . . (I fall into this category too Charlie)
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It must be said though that after awhile, I find that what I am most drawn to in children's photographs are those of them just being themselves with silly faces smeared in chocolate and all. . .
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Well, well, this little love of mine does clean up rather nicely, though not too nicely. When dressing a little girl, I have found find nothing more sublime that a child swathed in pearls (often a great juxtaposition) and so while I stayed, I allowed the girls to drape themselves in some of mine.
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After a few short days in Las Vegas, I then returned home for a brief rest before I headed out to Dallas with Brian to see the families. . .
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Mother greeted us with excess and warm welcome. . .
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where we all sat down to a simple but pristine supper. . .
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followed by a sumptuous room for my Pooh and I to slip off to by ourselves for some respite from the summer heat.
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We were able to head to the arboretum for a picnic and concert in the gardens with the parents and friends.
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(mom and dad still look good soaking up the Dallas sites)
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While later that night, our party was joined by John and Co.
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Once the Houston crowd was in town, Mother decided to impress us all by making a quiche-like side dish that was divine in its utter simplicity (I must admit that the other "adults" in the room kept scolding me for stealing off bits of this heavenly dish prior to the prayer) Know what? I still don't regret it!
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Mamie impressed us all by making homemade crescent rolls that looked like chubby happy little babies all snuggled in. (hmm, we ate them though so perhaps not a great analogy)
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Stay tuned for part two of the travels.... lobster and lamb fests!


*Side note*
My dear friends, I am aware of the fact that I have copious amounts of photographs embedded in some of my posts. I like it this way. I have found that this has become a living journal in many ways and I am stirred by photographs which is why I utilize them. No fear though, they are easily passed by!