Sep 26, 2016

OxytoGod





“See, this is the part, on my scale of normal, where we tell each other how amazing we were. You especially tell me.”


“Because a man’s ego is often correlated with his sexual prowess.”
“That’s one way of putting it. Things like you saw God or the earth moved are clichรฉs for a reason.”
“The earth is in constant motion, so it’s not a good compliment. A better one would be the earth stopped moving, even though that would be
impossible, and a disaster if it were possible.”
“I’ll still take it as a compliment.”




The Witness




____________




By No machine-readable author provided. Pufacz assumed (based on copyright claims). - 
No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., 
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=369795






Having sex increases spirituality and 'makes people more likely to believe in God'



Middle-aged men report greater levels of spirituality after exposure to the hormone oxytocin



____________




She heard music. Angels singing? she thought, dizzy. 
It seemed odd for angels to sing after table sex.


She managed to swallow on a throat wildly dry.
“Music,” she murmured.
“My phone. In my pants. Don’t care.”
“Oh. Not angels.”
“No. Def Leppard.”




The Search

Sep 20, 2016

Mentions in Nora Books




Enjoying herself, Cat rehearsed in the empty lounge for an audience of one. Daniel had taken to sitting at one of the tables whenever the lounge was closed, and commenting and kibitzing on her song list.
"That means you can't have some variety?" He glowered at her from under snowy white eyebrows. "Why, there's some Scottish tunes that will rip a man's heart out of his chest while it's still beating. With that voice of yours, any man with the blood of the Scots in him would fall in love with you."

MacGregor Grooms - Duncan


__________________




Loch Lomond - Peter Hollens







__________________


Taking her cue, Cat stepped into the key light. "Daniel MacGregor? I have something for you."
"Well, what are you doing skulking around then? Come over here and give it to me."
"It comes from here. And from here," she added, touching a hand to her heart.
She sang for him, the old Scottish ballad "Loch Loman." Because she kept her eyes on him, she saw his begin to swim. And felt her own sting in response.

MacGregor Grooms - Duncan

Sep 16, 2016

The Surprising Ritual That Will Give Your Home Positive Vibes




Driving nearly twenty miles up the coast to buy the smudge stick had added onto her already crowded day, 
but when she took it out of her bag it felt like a positive action.
She’d burn the sage, cleanse her house. If she felt her house was cleansed, it was cleansed.


Whiskey Beach




_____________





By Paloma Cervantes (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons


I can’t pinpoint when sage smudging first piqued my interest. It might have been the time I spotted sage bundles in Jenni Kayne’s chic Southampton, New York, store. Maybe it was when my friend—who works for a renowned high-end interior designer—told me they sage smudged their clients’ homes after each install. Or maybe it was the time I read about it in Vogue. If all these hip and fabulous people were doing it, why wasn’t I in with the It crowd? One thing’s for sure: Over the last year or so, sage smudging has transitioned from an alternative practice into a mainstream ritual beloved by the fashion crowds, interior designers, and celebrities alike.





_____________





But for now she did her best to clear her mind, to think only clean, positive thoughts as she lit the sage, held it over an abalone shell for safety and blew out the flame to encourage the smoke. Her home, she thought. The floors, the ceilings, the corners belonged to her.
The process, walking from room to room with the scent of white sage and lavender, calmed her, as did reminding herself what she’d made there, for herself, for others.
Faith, she thought, hope, and the symbols of them forged strength.


Whiskey Beach

Sep 8, 2016

New wedding gown trend




With her hand still on her heart, Parker stepped in. And her hand simply slid down to her side. 

The bride-white silk flowed from the strapless, sweetheart bodice, down the narrow torso to a full skirt.The classic ballgown style shimmered with intricate beadwork and embroidery, sparkling on the bodice, trailing down the side, circling the sweeping hem and train. 

Its lines, its style, would, unquestionably, suit her. But that wasn't what blurred her vision. 

“It's my mother's wedding gown. It's Mom's.”


Happy Ever After 


___________________






By 4028mdk09 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18186060



Women wearing their mother's wedding dresses will give you so many feels


There’s a new wedding gown trend, ladies, and it’s AWESOME. Brides to be are snapping pics of themselves in their #momsweddingdress, and the results are hilarious, and so, so sweet.



___________________



“It's beautiful,” she managed. 
“Absolutely beautiful. I've only seen it in pictures, only seen how wonderful she looked in it, how happy she and Dad looked. She married my father in that dress, and now I'll have both of them with me when I marry Malcolm. It's the best gift you could give me.The best.”


Happy Ever After

Sep 5, 2016

Nothing Really Matters




"Just let me tell you everything I should have told you. Like the way the
smell of you haunts me. I breathe you for hours, even when you're not
there, like you're inside me."
"That's pretty good," Mooney noted to several people who'd stopped to
watch. They all agreed with him.


Waiting for Nick




__________________





She completes me
How she reads me
Right or wrong
It's so clear she's
All that I need
All I need
I know what it feels like
I know what it feels like
Swimming through the stars when I see her
And I don't need air 'cause I breathe her


Sep 1, 2016

Mentions in Nora Books




“Do you like eggs Benedict?”
“Never had it.”
“You’ll like it,” Naomi decided, and got out of bed. He was right. The normality of cooking breakfast soothed and calmed. The process of it, the scents, a good hit of coffee. The raw edges of the dream, of memories she wanted locked away, faded off.
And she was right. He liked her eggs Benedict.
“Where has this been all my life?” he wondered as they ate at the kitchen counter. “And who’s Benedict?”
She frowned over it, then nearly laughed. “I have no idea.”
“Whoever he was, kudos. Best four A.M. breakfast I’ve ever had.”


The Obsession



____________________


Eggs Benedict








____________________



Aug 30, 2016

Bring Out Your Inner Artist




But she was already moving in, eyes wide and delighted. 
"You're an artist. This is wonderful. You sculpt."
The single room was nearly as big as the main area of the cottage. And much more cramped. A
worktable stood in the center, crowded with tools and hunks of stone, pots of clay. A half dozen sketch pads were tossed around. Shelves and smaller tables were jammed with examples of his work. Mystical, magical creatures that danced and flew.
A blue mermaid combed her hair on a rock. A white dragon breathed fire. Faeries no bigger than her thumb ringed in a circle with faces sly. A sorcerer nearly as tall as she, held his arms high and wept. 
"They're all so alive, so vivid." She couldn't help herself, she had to touch, and so she ran her finger down the rippling hair of the mermaid.


Ever After




_________________


See how fine artists, writers and other creatives make room for their talents to roam free







Whether you are a professional, working artist or have art-related dreams, a dedicated studio space fuels your creativity. Here are seven home studios that may inspire you to dust off your paintbrush or potter’s wheel.





_________________




Cilla saw the gorgeous wide-planked chestnut floor, the beautiful tall windows and the wide,
glossy trim. “
"What a wonderful room."
“"Big. It was designed as the master bedroom, but I don’t need this much space to sleep.”"
Cilla tuned into him again, and into the various workstations set up in the room. 
Five large, and very ugly, filing cabinets lined one wall. Shelves lined another with what seemed to be a ruthless organization of art supplies and tools. He’d devoted another section to action figures and accessories. She recognized a handful of the collection, and wondered why Darth Vader and Superman appeared so chummy.
A huge drawing board stood in the center of the room, currently holding what she assumed to be the panels he’d talked about. Spreading out from it on either side, counters and cubbies held a variety of tools, pencils, brushes, reams of paper. Photographs, sketches, pictures torn or cut out of magazines of people, places, buildings. Still another leg of the counter held a computer, printer, scanner—a Buffy the Vampire Slayer action figure.
Opposite that, to form a wide U, stood a full-length mirror.
"“That’s a lot of stuff."”
"“It takes a lot of stuff."


Tribute

Aug 29, 2016

People Who Hate Working Out Are More Intelligent





"I guess the bastard elliptical is doing its job. How do you keep in shape?"
"I use the gym three or four times a week, play basketball, that sort of thing."
She sent him a slitted-eye, accusatory stare. "I bet you like it. The gym."
"Yeah, I do."
"So does Parker. I think you're both sick."
"Keeping in shape is sick?"
"No, liking what goes into keeping in shape is sick. I get doing it, but it should be considered a chore, a duty, a necessary evil."



Bed of Roses 


______________




By Gesundheitshuette - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16548001




Those with a steadfast commitment to the couch potato lifestyle may be onto something after all. According to a new study published in the Sage Journal of Health Psychologypeople who will find any excuse to skip the gym have higher levels of a trait called “need for cognition,” or a “tendency to engage in and enjoy effortful cognitive endeavors,” according to the researchers. In other words, those who lack any sort of athletic ability may make up for it in intelligence and a general love for deep thinking.





______________




They'd passed mile three with Del taking the lead when Mac dragged herself in.
“There it is.” She bared her teeth at the Bowflex. “The enemy.” 
She scowled at Parker, who finished up her session with basic yoga poses to stretch out. 
“You're already finished, aren't you? I can tell by that smug look on your face.”


Savor the Moment

Aug 25, 2016

Beans & Rice






"They're wrong. You know that, Dec. You're not tossing anything aside. 
You're just picking up something different. Relax and enjoy it. 
You're in New Orleans now, or close enough. We take things easy here. 
We'll wear some of that Yankee off you soon enough. 
Have you doing the Cajun two-step and 
stirring up some red beans and rice on wash day."


Midnight Bayou



_____________________


New Orleans Red Beans And Rice





This classic New Orleans dish is easy and delicious. Sliced andouille sausage adds another dimension of flavor to the standard red beans and rice.




Aug 24, 2016

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea




"See that water boils full before you pour it," she added. 
"Most Yanks never can get a decent pot of tea made." 


Three Fates



________________





By Afghanistan Matters from Brunssum, Netherlands (Not Just a Cup of Tea  Uploaded by GiW) [CC BY 2.0 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons




George Orwell’s 11 Golden Rules



After the recently examined history of how coffee changed the world, the most democratic thing to do would be to offer those of us who prefer tea a comparable treat — and what would be more appropriate than a reading of George Orwell’s his secret to the perfect cup of tea? The passage, which discusses “one of the most controversial parts of all” — the matter of the milk — is part of his altogether fantastic 1945 essay “A Nice Cup of Tea,”





Aug 23, 2016

Why Introverts Make The Best Leaders




She looked at him, then at Cleo. "Yes, I guess I do, but I intend to research if insanity
runs in my family. There’s a pull-out sofa in my office here. You can use that tonight."

"Thanks."

"It isn’t free," she told Gideon and lifted the tea tray. 

"From this point on, I stop being a tool and become an active participant in this little ... quest."

Cleo smiled as Tia carted the tray into the living room. 
"Translated, Slick, the doc just informed you she’s your fucking partner."

"Yes, I did. Lemon or sugar?"



Three Fates



______________________





By r2hox from Madrid, Spain (Revolution Woman) [CC BY-SA 2.0 

(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons






When you think about a successful leader, I’m sure a reserved, 
unassuming introvert is not what popped into your head. 




______________________




"You never stumbled, Tia." Standing behind her, Malachi laid his hands on her shoulders. 
"You’ve been rock-steady, through and through."

"That’s a dream in itself."



Three Fates

Aug 10, 2016

Gone... Vacations!




Ryan lay baking in the strong sun. There was an itch in the center of her back, 
but she didn't move to scratch it. 
She lay still and let the heat soak into her skin.
She had spent a week on board her father's yacht off the coast of St. Croix.


This Magic Moment



_______________





Being Nora Bound goes to the Beach, to the Mountain, and to... Everywhere (which is my favorite place of all).

I will be back soon... lots of reading to catch up, family to cuddle to, myself to meet and find.

Wishing you - if that's the case - wonderful vacations or just happy and awesome days. Until we "meet" again...

Yours,

Teresa




_______________



For days now she had lain in the sun, swam and kept her mind a blank. 
She hadn't even gone back to her apartment after the taping. 
She had arrived in St. Croix with the clothes on her back. 
Whatever she needed she bought on the island. 
She spoke to no one but the crew and sent no messages back to the States. 
For a week she simply slipped off the face of the earth.


This Magic Moment

Aug 4, 2016

You’re Welcome




She dipped into the bag and pulled out a gold foiled candy box. "For Mom."
"Oh." Rachel's eyes took on the glow a woman's get when she looks at a lover—or a five-pound box of exclusive chocolates. "I think you just became my best friend."
Chuckling, Bess dug into the bags again. "Well, I know that people tend to drop by with baby gifts." She held out a box wrapped in snowy white with bright red lollipops scattered over it. "And, though I couldn't resist the tradition, I figured you deserved something really
sinful for yourself."
"I do." 



Convincing Alex

___________________


By Shinji - Amazonใฎใ‚ฎใƒ•ใƒˆๅŒ…่ฃ…, CC BY 2.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48809791


11 Utterly Perfect Thank-You Gift Ideas For Every Occasion


You can never go wrong with these.




___________________



Gage considered a minute. “You guys are idiots. The appropriate Glad You Didn’t Die token is a hooker and a bottle of Jack.”

“We couldn’t find a hooker.” Fox shrugged. “Our time was limited.”

“You could give him an IOU,” Layla suggested.

Gage grinned at her. “All markers cheerfully accepted.”



The Pagan Stone

Aug 3, 2016

Transform Women Into Modern-Day Mermaids




He risked a glance, relieved she’d covered everything. “Mermaid fashion?”

“Yes. We like adornments, too.”



Bay of Sighs



______________________





Dazzling Crowns Adorned with Seashells




Floral crowns may be a staple for festivals and whimsical parties, but Chelsea Shiels is taking the world by storm with her mermaid-inspired, seashell-encrusted headdresses. 

The glittering designs are loaded with small conch shells, crystals, and gold accents that will make anyone wearing them feel like Princess Ariel. 

Shiels beautifully integrates her different findings, mixing and matching colors and textures to create multifaceted, wearable works of art that have a modern, bohemian vibe.


Aug 1, 2016

"My Baby Just Cares for Me" ~ Happy Ever After




Finally, she assured somebody named Michael that both he and his fiancรฉ, Vince, 
still had time to learn to swing dance, and rattled off the name and 
number of a dance instructor.


Happy Ever After


____________








____________




“Got it. Now, why do Michael and Vince need to swing dance?” 


“They're getting married in February, and finally decided on a Big Band-era theme.They're wearing zoot suits and spats.” 

He took a moment to absorb it. “You're not kidding.” 

“No, and I happen to think it'll be fun. So naturally, they want to swing, and particularly well for their first dance.” 

“Who leads? That's a serious question,” he said when she gave him a bland stare. “Somebody has to.” 

“They can flip a coin, I suppose, or leave it to the instructor. I think Vinnie because Michael's the one who's worried about it, and Vinnie's pretty gung-ho.”





Happy Ever After

Jul 26, 2016

How To Decorate With Your S.O. & Not Go Insane




So they would enjoy each other, and the meal she'd prepared in the awkward, homely kitchen with fresh flowers arranged in a plastic pitcher.
As beginnings went, this one had elements of both of them. Wasn't it interesting how one managed to complement the other?
"You know, if you made me a list of stuff I should have in here, I could pick it up."
She arched her brows, took the wine he offered, then pulled a little notepad out of her apron pocket.
"This is already half full. I was planning to wait until you were lulled into complacency by meat and potatoes."
He flipped through the notebook and noted that items were listed under specific headings. Foodstuffs, Cleaning Supplies—with subheadings Kitchen, Bathroom, Laundry—Household Necessities. Jesus, the woman was irresistible.
"Am I going to need to take out a loan?"
“Think of it as an investment." Taking the notebook from him, she tucked it into his shirt pocket, then concentrated on the potatoes. "Oh, by the way, I really like the art in your office upstairs."
"Art?" It took him a minute. "Oh, my girls. Really?"
"Clever, nostalgic, sexy, stylish. It's a great room altogether, which I admit was something of a relief to me, considering the rest of the house."


Key of Light



_____________________




By Daniel G. Wells III - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46112112



Moving in together is a big step — decorating should not be taken lightly. 




Deciding to move in with your S.O. is a big step. But, not just for the reasons you may think. 

What we really care about is how to seamlessly decorate with your S.O. Do you throw out your stuff in lieu of all new dรฉcor? Do you deal with his or her penchant for dusty collectables? 

Well, we tapped Oakland-based jewelry designer Marisa Mason and husband and furniture designer Dave Bell of Jacob May Design to get the scoop







_____________________




" It's a kitchen. An actual kitchen."
He was getting it now, and the charge of watching her revel. She'd switched from the rhumba to... he wasn't sure 'what. But she looked really cute. "What was it before?"
"There is no name for what it was before. I'm so happy. I'm so grateful. You're the most wonderful man in the world." She caught his face in her hands and kissed him. "And I'm a terrible person."
"Why? Not the 'I'm wonderful' part, because, hey. But why are you a terrible person?"
"Because I wouldn't move in with you before you did this. I made the kitchen a kind of exchange. Remodel the kitchen and I'll live with you. It was selfish. It worked," she added, raining kisses over his face. "But it was selfish. You're doing this for me. I know I said I wouldn't move in until it was finished, and I even made snarky comments about the lamps up in the bedroom."
"Something about not being fit to light a cave inhabited by bats and blind spiders."
"Yes, that was one of them. Anyway, forgive me?"
"Okay."
"I know it's not quite finished. There's still the counters and the backsplash and, oh, a few more things, but I don't want to wait anymore. I'll move in tomorrow, and we can start, officially, living together."


Key of Knowledge