May 23, 2013

The One Thing that Freaks All Guys Out Before a First Date

Though he felt foolish, he pulled the list the helpful Bob had printed out from his pocket, and carefully crossed off Buy Flowers (not roses).
Following, there were several suggestions for greetings or initial conversation points such as You look beautiful, Great dress, I saw these (flowers) and thought of you.
Carter stuffed the list back in his pocket before any of them imprinted on his brain. 


“What if she’s not wearing a dress,” he muttered, as despite all efforts Bob’s list popped back into his mind.
And unfortunately, his own question had the image of Mac in black pants and white bra crowding Bob out.
“I don’t mean that. For God’s sake. I mean, she might be wearing something other than a dress. What do I say then: Nice pants? Outfit, outfit, great outfit. You know it’s called an outfit. Dear God, shut up.”


He wished the evening was over. He really did. With a sick feeling in his gut he had to force his hand up to knock. He wanted it to be tomorrow morning, a quiet Sunday morning. He’d grade papers, read, take a walk.
Get back to his comfortable routine.



Vision in  White







____________________










When we asked a bunch of guys to tell us what, if anything, they get nervous about on a first date, we were sort of expecting the usual answers: bad breath, what to wear, whether there will be chemistry, etc. But one common theme quickly emerged from nearly every one of the dudes.



SHINE!



____________________



Then she opened the door.
He didn’t know what she was wearing. All he saw was her face. It had always been her face—that smooth milk
skin framed by bright, bold hair. Those witch green eyes and the unexpected charm of dimples.
He didn’t want the evening to be over, he realized. He just wanted it to begin.  



Vision in White





May 14, 2013

What We've Learned From Mom About Home

He passed through the dining room where, naturally, the table was already set. She’d used festive
plates, which meant she wasn’t going for elegant or drop-in casual. Tented linen napkins, tea lights in cobalt rounds, inside a centerpiece of winter berries.


Even during the worst time, even during the Seven, he could come here and there would be fresh
flowers artfully arranged, furniture free of dust and gleaming with polish, and intriguing little soaps in the dish in the downstairs powder room.

Even hell didn’t cause Frannie Hawkins to break stride.

Maybe, Cal thought as he wandered into the living room, that was part of the reason—even the
most important reason—he got through it himself. Because whatever else happened, his mother would  be maintaining her own brand of order and sanity.

Blood Brothers



______________________




Houzzers recall the special traits, insights and habits of their mothers

 

What makes a house, a home? For many of us, our mother is intrinsically part of the answer. Whether it's the smell of lemon furniture polish when we walk through the door, new curtains in the kitchen for every season, crisp and clean laundry hanging on the clothesline, steaming food sitting on the kitchen table or simply the presence of loved ones, Mom is usually responsible for what we equate with "home." 







______________________




It was the same, Seth thought. It didn't matter what color the walls were painted or if the old sofa had been replaced, if a new lamp stood on the table. It was the same because it felt the same.
The dog snaked around his legs and made a beeline for the kitchen.
"I want you to sit down." She nodded to the kitchen table, under which Witless was sprawled, happily gnawing on a hunk of rope.

Chesapeake Blue

May 8, 2013

what your laugh says about you




Yet… she sighed when Shelby laughed that smoky careless laugh as she drew out various members of the group she'd joined. Yet Shelby was so vital, so bright. Perhaps she was worrying over nothing. Happiness was a very personal thing.


Alan watched the woman with flaming hair who was dressed like a wealthy Gypsy. He could hear her laugh float across the room, at once sensuous and innocent. 



All the Possibilities
MacGregors - Alan & Shelby



-------------------------

 
Your laugh says more about you than you realise, 
body language expert Judi James reveals

 

 

 

We all have our own way of laughing and it seems it could say a lot more about us than we think.

New research into whether you giggle, wheeze or gulp when you laugh has been revealed as one of the best ways to tell what someone is really thinking.

 

YAHOO!

 

 

 

May 3, 2013

cinco de mayo

"… Oh. Cinco de Mayo. It's nearly the fifth of May.  Big family deal—you remember, you've come before."
"Biggest blast-out party of the year."


Bed of Roses



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Source: bhg.com via Teresa on Pinterest




If you are throwing a party or curious of what to eat on Cinco de Mayo, Better Homes and Gardens has an amazing Pinterest Board dedicated exclusively to this.




Source: bhg.com via Teresa on Pinterest







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The Mexican and American Flags flew their proud colors as Emma’s Mexican mother and Yankee father combined cultures to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Every year the expansive grounds offered games, from lawn bowling and badminton to moon bounces and waterslides. Friends, relatives, and neighbors played and competed while others crowded at picnic tables, diving into platters of pork and chicken, warm tortillas, bowls of red beans or chilis, guacamole or salsa hot enough to scorch the throat.
There were gallons of lemonade, Negra Modelo, Corona, tequila, and frosty margaritas to put out the fire.
Whenever he’d managed to drop by on the fifth of May, Jack had always been amazed at the number of people the Grants managed to feed. And the choices of fajitas and burgers, black beans and rice or potato salad. Flan or apple pie.

He supposed the food was just a symbol of how completely Phillip and Lucia blended.

Bed of Roses