SoCal 'June Gloom'

Not in my backyard!
Even though California is known for it's 'June Gloom' where we have a thick marine layer that hangs in there all day near the coast and the inland valleys things were bright and cheery in our backyard this weekend without our normal sunshine.

We started with a trip to a local nursery in San Juan Capistrano and purchased dozens of flats of color. 'Color' is the term used in the trade for seasonal annual flowering plants but you knew that already didn't you?

Here they are in the truck.
"Welcome Home."

I could not resist the color combo of these yellow marigolds with blue petunias.

My first of many trips from the truck to the back yard with the color flats. Hard work!

Next it's time to 'spot them.'

Let the fun begin....

I decided to take a break and take a look at the garden.
Yikes! The Red Sox's Big Green Monster is going to have to compete with mine! I tried the San Marzano tomato variety for the first time this season. I didn't believe the research I did when they said they grow up to 5' tall so I planted 4 plants in regular tomato plant spacing. Now, I am a believer.

Some plants are more well behaved than others. These are regular tomatoes from another plant. They are much more considerate than their bad boy Italian cousins.
You can hide until July but then you are mine!

The zucchini are looking good.

This is our boys' log cabin with requisite tribal tiki torches.
Many happy days were spent in there just being kids. We have pictures where the boys would be standing in the doorway and their heads wouldn't even reach the top. Before we put up the fence in the yard, one afternoon I found a coyote taking a siesta in there. I let him have his respite while my boys were taking their naps safely inside the house. I know it looks like it is condemned and logically should be slated for demolition but somehow Mr. Pink Martini and I don't have the heart to do it. We mourned when the swing set found a new home years and years ago. We'll just clean it up for now and deal with letting this go at another time.

Mr. P. Martini had a great idea. I was going to scrub each of the panels of our outdoor umbrellas from last year's tree muck when he said, 'Let's take it off the stand and put it in the wash.'
I didn't know umbrellas just came off - of course it makes perfect sense so we did it and they came out beautifully. The dirt is completely gone and only a few tiny mildew specs are present that you can't even see unless you are looking for them. For this Mr. P. Martini earned a BBQ dinner tonight.

Even son2 lent a hand to get the yard ready for prom pictures next weekend.

Have a great week!

Pink Martini's "All Things Summer Give-away!"

I LOVE the month of June &
"All Things Summer!"

To celebrate the official kick-off of summer and my birthday this month (Geminis - yeah!) it's time for me to
host my very first give-away!!

I am so excited!!!
I'll host a give-away once a Week for the month of June (except for the last week that bumps into the July 4th weekend) ~ so that is
4 spectacular summer give-aways!!

For this first week, I'd like you to know...
I think you are wonderful!

So what better way to show you by giving you
philosophy's
'I Think You Are Wonderful' gift set.
It is a deelish duo of mandarin orange and cherry scented 3-in-1 shower, shampoo and bubble bath gel.
It just says freshness & that summer has arrived!
I love the philosophy line and if you aren't already a 'philosophy girl', you will be after this!

philosophy is a wonderful line of fragrances, skincare, bath & body, make-up and hair care products.

So RSVP and come to the party!....

This is all you have to do to enter:

1 Point: Leave one comment (your rsvp) so I know you would like to be entered.

Extra Point: Sign-up to follow Pink Martinis and Pearls and become one of my readers!
I love to find new blogs to read and this is the best way for me to find you.
And I love finding new blogging friends along the way. :)

Extra, Extra Point: If you want an extra, extra point let me know you have posted my Martini Sippin' Birthday Girl (on my sidebar) on your blog with a link to my give-away so we can all have more fun!

That is 3 chances to WIN!!!

This entry will be open to all and ends on
Friday, June 5th at midnight Pacific time.
The selection of the winner will be chosen by a random generator.

~ So grab your sunscreen, a pink martini and your pearls and let's partay the month of June away!!

The best of luck to YOU!

Signaling Brooks Brothers

Canvas Flag Tote

		calfskin
		Leather from a young calf, it is smooth-surfaced, fine-grained, and durable. It does not scuff easily, stretches only moderately, and cleans well.

		nickel
		A silver-white hard metal capable of a high polish and resistant to corrosion.

Canvas and leather. Shiny nickel hardware. Lined with navy moire. Leather handles. 13 1/2" x 11" x3 3/4". Imported.

On sale.

"Would You Like Lemon and Sugar With Your Flak Jacket?"

When you're dining in da 'hood....
you can still entertain elegantly while being under siege.

"Our Polaris Polycarbonate Outdoor Dinnerware looks like crystal but won't break like it. This collection is crafted of high-quality, transparent polycarbonate — the same material used in bulletproof glass and riot shields." ~ Frontgate

I know what they were trying to say here but after living in LA and having experienced a sniper attack on my university owned apartment building complete with SWAT team and having to evacuate for a bomb threat at 3 AM, this struck me as being funny.
Gosh, I miss my college days at USC.
Good times.

Prom 2009 - Part 1

I like this picture.
It reminds me of my date when I was a junior going to my prom. My date in 1975 wore a baby blue tux. I could get out my pictures from the garage and post them but they are in a box - that is sealed - in a white trash bag - that is sealed. I am way too lazy to do this.

This picture also reminds me of the Mystery Date Game guy who ten years earlier we were always hoping to land on. In my Paul McCartney/Davy Jones crush of the moment pre-adolescent life, opening the mystery door to the boy waiting to take you to the prom was the dream. Even the white jacket. Dreamy.

And don't be fooled by the catchy tune. The bowling guy was never dreamy. We got really good at knowing exactly how to turn the knob to get the boy to take us to the prom too!



It is time for the pendulum to swing back again on June 6. We are hosting the pre-prom photo shoot at our house and the term 'photo shoot' is quite accurate. All the parents come equipped with multiple cameras and there is almost a feeding frenzy of 'look over here' and 'okay, on three now'. It is a lot of fun but hectic! I have no idea what the number we're at at this date but I believe it exceeds 20 guys and dolls. I'll have some appropriate drinks and perhaps a few noshes and when the limo picks them up they will go to a special dinner before the prom.

Things have sure changed since when I opened the door to find a blue tuxed guy standing all alone with a corsage box in hand coming to pick me up in his dad's car.

"Dance, Dance, Dance" - Beach Boys

Thank you Jillian, Inc.!

I was very fortunate recently to win an unbelievably fabulous and most generous give-away from Jillian, Inc. She hosted an entire week of out-of-this-world goodies! I've been a follower of her blog since I began blogging. She is witty and clever and always a fun read.
Her tag line is 'Life. Laundry. Lipgloss.'
Don't you love that?

I won 3 gift certificates! $50 to Target - $50 to J. Crew and $10 to Starbucks.

The day Jillian's envelope came in the mail there was a J. Crew catalog in my box too.
The universe is good and so is Jillian!
Thank you again, dear BF!

The Seer.

Sometimes we are just too close to a situation to be objective. This is a time when we need to seek the assistance of someone who is gifted and has the ability to see into the future. This is when I call my friend who is a seer.

My dear, dear friend Suzi whom I have mentioned before is this person for me. This is just one of her many talents in the astral plane of the shopping world. She can visualize complete outfits on others and especially on me without a second thought.

She likes fashion and shopping quests. Yesterday, I put her on task to find me a dress online for the July wedding I'll be attending. This morning I woke up to nearly 10 emails. I always put my trust in her but I start out slow. It is like this dance we have. Our convos are also taking place by email.
These are a few of our actual emails:

Dress #1 - Retro Dress ~
Suzi: "Can you see I've gone back to the 60's? May I take you with me?"
Me: "I look enough like Mama Cass already. I don't have to wear the costume."
Suzi: "That's harsh."

Dress #2 ~ Black Dress ~
Suzi: "This would probably be too big but you could have it altered and it would be such a cool and fun backdrop to shoes and bag and earrings. Black color of course."
Me: "Kill me now."
Suzi: "All you are doing is looking at the size. Try to picture great earrings, bag and shoes. The dress is just a blank canvas and by the way very modern. I thought you trusted me."
Me: "This is a blank canvas the Last Supper would fit on."
Suzi: "Well, I would love to suggest junior size 00 but I am thinking that would not be flattering. (she is so gentle) You must be a little open minded and it will cost you nothing to try these things. Perhaps I am wrong but I doubt it. Do you really want to go to the matronly stuff that is mostly available???? It is a nightmare out there. Take a look and perhaps I will be more appreciated."

Dress #3 - A Contender ~
Suzi: "Sadly, only available in size 18 but at $102 you could spend $50 and have it cut down to fit you perfectly. This is gorgeous!"
Me: "Yes, 18 is not big enough! Maybe they can let it out!"
Suzi: "You still must be on your period. You are light headed and have no idea what you are saying. You know our lady (seamstress) can do anything. This is the only one left in any size. Humor me, order this and the deep v 'last supper canvas' and let's just start!!!!!!"
Me: "Is there now industrial strength Spanx out there?"
Suzi: "Yes!"

So with self-depreciation out of the way, my resistance fading as it always does due to need and sincere appreciation for her gifts, she hangs in there with divine insight, confidence and determination like I've never seen. I see 5 more emails have come in.
Gosh, she is wonderful.

23 Days And Counting...

It's time to think about what I'd like for my Birthday next month. Fantasizing that my budget is unlimited is the best part. Don't we all love to do this? If Mr. Pink Martini ever read my blog he would find many ideas to surprise me with and since gift buying is not a particularly strong suit of his I have made it very easy for him.

Key:

* = Easily Obtainable. No brainer.

** = The 'wow' factor would certainly be bumped up a notch although he would have to know if this had been a long term love or just a fleeting fancy of desire. Fishing convo needed before committing to being a savvy shopper.

*** = Total Fantasy.

Travel ~

***Transatlantic Crossing with James Taylor performing on the Queen Mary 2. June 19.

You can cross this one off the list because we'll be recovering from son2's graduation and sending college boy back for his summer research project but please keep it in mind for the future.

**The American Orient Express in the fall.

Seriously consider this.
Though we wouldn't have done it any other way, we have spent the past 7 wedding anniversaries sitting in the stands on our Titan Tush Cushes in support of the high school band and have not taken a trip together to commemorate our special day since Napa in 1993. Leaving the kids at home with grandma for quick trips


here for hotel sex do not count.

**London - renting a tony flat for a few weeks.
**Paris - Cooking school for me and a BFF.
***Spain with Anthony Bourdain (Educational purposes only. I'd have to insist our time together noshing on tapas at midnight be smoke-free.)

Pearls

**Mikimoto

This set will do just fine.
Yes, I know you gave me pearls for our wedding but after 25 years a girl could use another set and since pearls are my birthstone...

Diamonds ~

****Tiffany Diamond Star bracelet

I gave this little number 4 *'s due to its cost alone.

It deserved to be in a class by itself.

Accessories ~

**Louis Vuitton Keepall 55 to accompany me on our new adventures. To completely sweep me off my feet, this could be the receptacle to hold a ticket to one of the above destinations.

I think I would have to be revived if it was part of a combo package. Do not attempt this level of romance without first checking with our doctor.

*Michael Kors Watch

Can't be late for tea!
I have down graded from a Cartier Tank that I have coveted since college.
(See ** key above if you have difficulty understanding the small print of me changing my mind without informing you. Yes, you should be a mind reader.)

*Any bags or bracelets previously desired and posted about.

*Anything electrical.

"WRONG!"
Trick question but you knew that from past birthdays and a past Mother's Day, didn't you? Just checking to see if I needed to roll up the marriage certificate again and slap it against my leg.

"Diamonds Are A Girl's BF" - Marilyn Monroe

Amazing Grace.

This past weekend The United Scottish Society hosted the annual Scottish Festival at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds. I come from a very strong heritage of attending Scottish or Highland Games, if you will. My dad, being born in Canada and having grandparents that immigrated from Scotland, these gatherings were important to him and the festivities became a rich tradition my brother and I grew up with. My first games were in Canada in Maxville, Ontario when I was very young. It was where my mom who not being born to the tartan took a ceremonial loyalty oath to our clan with dozens of others at a dinner honoring the chieftain who was making an appearance from the motherland. I remember feeling very proud I already belonged. After my dad passed, like any true convert, my mom became passionate in supporting the Scottish Society becoming a member and organizing our immediate clan's attendance of my brother's and my family at our local games every year.

My dad was a convert too. He became a US citizen as did his 9 siblings, many of whom served in WW II. My dad was past the age cutoff. My mom once told me this was a regret for him. He was a devoted armchair US historian who loved his adoptive country with a passion I have never witnessed since and serving his country in this way would have truly been an honor.

Growing up my brother and I and our friends learned our history as he recounted tales with intonations of excitement remembering battles fought side by side with famous historical characters. We were certain he was a veteran of every American war from the Revolution onward. On our summer road trips we visited one battlefield and fort after the other. Something I had no appreciation for at the time but now I cherish those faint memories and understand what he was trying to instill in me.

So on Memorial weekend at the games when Amazing Grace is echoed by a solo piper to complete silence and bowed heads I not only send my thoughts of gratitude to those who have given their lives for our country but I also send my love to my parents who taught me by their example, never to take family or country fore granted just because I belonged by birth.

Totes On The Half Shell

I was wondering what to have for our Memorial Day cookout.

I think I'll have lobster.


Lobster Totes
LLBean, of course.

"Pass the tanning buttah": "Rock Lobster" - The B-52's

LOL Friday!

Who knew frosting could be so funny!


CakeWrecks.blogspot.com

... is a blog where people send in professionally decorated cakes that have 'gone horribly and hilariously wrong.' What makes this blog over the top are the witty and sassy comments by Jen, the blog author.

Some fan favorites : "The Flash Drive";
"Hey Beheh";
"The Sexual Harrassment Cake"

Thanks to my wonderful niece, Mizz, who has the greatest sense of humor and for knowing I would get such a kick out of this blog.

I offer it to you with suggestions... do not have any food or drink in your mouth when you begin reading.
It is that funny!

In Honor Of All Who Served And Walked The Line...

Thank you,
for a life disrupted to keep us safe.


WWII
Aunt Mildred - WAC nurse - Europe
Aunt Kathryn - WAV nurse - Europe
Uncle Weegar - Army - Europe
Uncle Royce - Air Force - Europe
Uncle Alex - Navy - Europe
Uncle Dick - Air Force - South Pacific & Europe
Uncle Bill - Army
Uncle Carm - Army - Europe & Saudi Arabia
Dad Art - Air Force - Stateside
Uncle Jack - Navy
Papa Hal - Air Force - Europe
Mom Jeana - USO - Los Angeles
Aunt Lorraine - USO - Los Angeles

Viet Nam
Brother Randy - Marines & Reserves
Cousin John - Marines
Kenneth - Air Force

Presently
Cousin Steven - Air Force - Greenland
Cousin Jen - Air Force - Vandenberg

"We The People of The United States..."

...in order to form a more perfect 4th of July party..."

I love the 4th of July with all the anticipation of a beautiful evening.

I begin to plan for it now since school ends the third week of June and by then it is too late for me to plan a lavish celebration. This year I will be up north for a wedding but I am still decorating in my mind and will use many of these items for son2's graduation.

I might start off with table linens from Williams-Sonoma...


The table runner and placemats are reversible.
I salute the star napkins as an accompaniment.

Did you notice the cute pails?
You can also buy galvanized ones at a hardware store.

I'd fill them with salted peanuts in the shells or fill them with sand and stick these candles in them from Crate and Barrel.


I also like the look of this Tattersall pattern.


I would set it with blue enamel speckled plates found at a camping store.
If I went with the blue Tattersall cloth, I'd use my red speckled plates.

I think these glass candle holders would create a festive spark with either Tatersall cloth.

I usually make home made ice cream and strawberry shortcake for dessert. I roll out the dough for the shortcake and cut them into stars but cupcakes might be fun for a change with the ice cream or how about all three?

Ready for some fun fireworks for your cupcake topper?


... and for the grand Finale...

I love paper lanterns.

For every party we have during the summer I string white lanterns in various shapes in our backyard over carnival lights. Hanging in the trees are opaque glass globes that give a soft glow with votives. It is truly magical.

I'll hang these starred lanterns in my kitchen over the table or kitchen island from filament for the graduation partay. I also have an assortment of foil stars from the party supply store that will do double duty for graduation. They are so much fun!

My 4th of July Song - "Afternoon Delight" - Starland Vocal Band
Explanation - The summer this song came out in 1976 I was naive enough to think this was about the 4th of July. It had phrases like 'Sky rockets in flight' - 'working up an appetite' - 'sparks igniting' - 'waiting 'til the sun went down'. I thought it was about a picnic and the anticipation of a fireworks show at night...little did I know... but to this day it still reminds me of the 4th of July! It also has the best harmonies to sing your heart out in the car while you're driving. C'mon we all know we do it. :)

My first choice for my song du jour would have been '4th of July' by James Taylor but it was not available on the playlist. It is lovely and one of my favorites on his October Road album.