The Dining Room Is Back

 

"Set the table in the dining room. Use the good dishes."

"How come we're eating in there? It's not Thanksgiving."

"And the linen napkins," she added. "The ones with roses on them. Six place settings. Wash your hands first."

"Jeez. She's just a girl. You'd think the Queen of England or somebody was coming over."

Chesapeake Blue

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Mapelor, S.L., CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Why so many people are embracing a forgotten space

 

The formal dining room, long considered a symbol of wealth and privilege, has been the subject of much debate over the past 30 years. Some declared it dead, a relic of a bygone era when families sat down together each night for a home-cooked meal. Others clung to it as a place to welcome friends and family for holiday meals. All the while, American families turned toward eating in more informal spaces in the kitchen or — gasp — in front of the TV or on the go.

Washington Post

Can people be saved from a terrible childhood?

"But answer this last question.
Do you think that bright, troubled child should be denied a full and
normal life as an adult because he had the bad luck to be conceived by a
heartless, perhaps even evil woman?"
"No." His breath shuddered out. "No, that's not what I think."
"No buts this time? No qualifications? Then I'll tell you that in my
professional opinion, I couldn't agree with you more. He deserves
everything he can grab, everything he can make, and everything we can
give him to show him that he's his own person and not the damaged
product of one vile woman."


Rising Tides

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By Mohamed Haddi [CC BY-SA 3.0  

(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

US researchers have found early intervention can help prevent
negative experiences in infancy turning into long-term health risks

At bottom there is a revolutionary idea. It’s about moving 
from ‘what’s wrong with you?’ to ‘what happened to you?’

The Guardian

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"He knew them—better than I did. When he died, I figured they'd ship me off,
or I'd have to run off.
I never figured they'd keep me around.
They didn't know me, so what did they care? But they kept their promise to Ray. They changed their lives around for him,  and for me. They made a home—
pretty wild one at first with Cam running it."
For the first time since he'd begun, some of the misery lifted.  Humor slid into his voice.
"He was always blowing something up in the microwave or flooding
the kitchen. Guy didn't have a clue. I pushed at them, gave them—Cam mostly—as much grief as I could dish out. And I could dish out plenty. I kept waiting for them to kick me out, or smack me senseless.
But they stuck with me. They stood up for me, and when Gloria tried to hose them like she'd done with Ray,  they fought for me.
Even before we found out I was Ray's grandson, they'd made me one of them."


Chesapeake Blue

Weird Things You Can Really Buy at Home Depot

She lifted her glass in toast. "I had a good day. How about you?"

She sparkled, he thought. A trip to Home Depot, or wherever she'd been, 

and she sparkled like sunlight.

Tribute

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Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine [CC0]

Home Depot is a virtual wonderland for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. 

Of course, if you spend enough time hunting the aisles in search of the perfect item 

to complete your project, you may come across some products that will surprise you. 

Here are 20 of the strangest, funniest and most unexpected weird things you really 

can buy at Home Depot.

Family Handyman

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Guilt stung, just a little, but Ethan rationalized that deer and rabbits 

could be a problem, so she should take precautions anyway. 

"Dried blood."

"Dried blood ? Whose?"

"You can buy it at the garden store, and you just dump it around. It'll keep them away."

"Dried blood." Her lips pursed as she made a mental note to buy some.

"Or urine."

"Dried urine?"

"No." Ethan cleared his throat.

Rising Tides

Creative Christmas Tree Themes

There, before the wide windows that opened onto a view of the cliffs, the Christmas tree soared, fifteen feet of glossy pine, every bough and branch heavy with ornaments and twinkling with lights.

It would stay lit, day and night, until Epiphany.

Beneath it were mountains of gifts. At midnight, following family tradition, there would be a minor riot of ripping and laughing and love.

Most of all love, she thought. No matter how they fought, no matter how much noise and confusion there was, this house was always filled with love.

And how she hated to think of Royce alone on Christmas Eve.

"I don't know how they do it," Caine said from behind her. He stepped up, laying his hands on her shoulders to rub. "Every year they manage to find the perfect tree. Ever since I was a boy, there's been a tree right there at Christmas. And it's always been the perfect tree."

The MacGregor Brides - Laura 

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Whether coastal, snow-covered, or Charlie Brown-approved, 

these Christmas tree theme ideas are sure

to make your home all the more merry.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

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As he crept downstairs, Seth saw they'd left the tree on. He'd never seen anything like it. Anna had wanted a real one, and in Seth's opinion, Anna ruled.

So they'd hauled in this big pine, and the guys had grumbled about stringing lights. But Seth knew they'd liked it. Now it was loaded with what seemed like a thousand ornaments, and presents with big bows and miles of ribbon were stacked under it.

Some of them had his name on them.

Probably dopey stuff like underwear and socks, he told himself, struggling against the sheer thrill of seeing those brightly wrapped boxes sparkle under the lights. Like they belonged there.

Like he belonged there.

The Quinn's Christmas

Mentions in Nora's Novels

He could smell Anna's red sauce simmering, like ambrosia on the air. "God

bless us, every one," he murmured.

"Manicotti," Seth informed him.

"Yeah? I've got a Chianti I've been saving just for this moment." He tossed his briefcase aside. "We'll hit the books after dinner."

He found his sister-in-law in the kitchen, filling pasta tubes with cheese.

Inner Harbor

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MANICOTTI RECIPE - ALLRECIPES

Cheers to all Happy Begginings created by Nora Roberts

Their pinched faces, the bruises, the fear—and worse, the dull acceptance in their eyes—tormented her.


Sea Swept

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Growing up in a foster care system isn’t a walk in the park. It’s more like a walk down a pretty dark alley in the middle of a rainstorm. 

WIMP

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"When you're a child, you do nothing," she said flatly. "You're at the mercy of adults, and the reality is, a great many adults have no mercy."


Nightshade

Man’s Haircut

His hair had darkened and was more a bronzed brown than the sandy mop of his youth. He tended to neglect that as well and, running a hand through it now, winced as he recalled his intention to have it trimmed before leaving Rome.

The guys were going to rag on him about the little ponytail, which meant he'd have to keep it for a while, out of principle.

Chesapeake Blue

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What a Man’s Haircut Says About Him

While some may argue that footwear or the fit of your clothing is the first thing people pay attention to, we’d beg to differ. Hair wields its own measure of power as a focal point. Just as the style of facial hair can spin quite the story — valid or not so valid — about your personality so, too, can your haircut.

A questionable hairstyle can raise just as many eyebrows as a sub-par ensemble. Get acquainted with these classic men’s ’dos, along with a few trending looks, to find your closest cut and what it might be saying about you — we’ll leave the decision whether to go for a new look up to you.

CHEAT SHEET

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"Look at all this," she murmured and brushed a hand at his hair.

"I meant to get some of it whacked off."

"I like it." Tears still trickled even as she grinned. "Very bohemian. You look wonderful. Absolutely wonderful."

...........

Ethan tugged on Seth's hair. "Long as a girl's."

"He had it in a pretty little ponytail last night," Cam told him. "He looked real sweet."

"Up yours," Seth said, laughing.

"We'll get you a nice pink ribbon," Ethan said with a chuckle


Chesapeake Blue

How to Clean a Messy Room

She followed him, using the time to study the house. It was just neat enough to make her wonder if Cam had been expecting her. 

They passed a den where the dust was layered over tables, the couch was
covered with newspapers, and shoes littered the floor.

Missed that, didn't you? she thought with a smirk. But she found it endearing.


Sea Swept

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How to Clean a Messy Room in Just 30 Minutes

  If your room needs to be cleaned but you cannot bring yourself to do it, 

watch the video below, brought to us by Clean My Space. 

 

10 Things Every Woman Needs At Home

... he studied the room. Soft, deep cushions, bright, bold colors. 

He decided the choices meant she had a deep-rooted sensual side. 

He liked to think that. The room was spacious, and she'd furnished it sparingly. 

The sofa was big and plush enough for sleeping, but there was only 

a wide upholstered chair and two tables to keep it company. 

Yet she'd covered the walls with art. Prints, posters, pen-and-ink sketches. 

They were of places rather than people, and many of the scenes he recognized. 

The narrow streets of Rome, the wild cliffs of western Ireland, the classy little cafes of Paris. 

Sea Swept

 

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Follow Teresa's board Being Nora Bound on Pinterest.

 

The new, designer-approved, essentials for single women. 

Florals and ice cream not included (those are upto you) 

 

 ELLE DECOR

 

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Her bedroom, he'd noted, was different from the rest of the apartment. Here she hadn't gone for the practical, for the streamlined. 

The bed itself was a wide pool covered in soft rose sheets and a slick satin duvet in rich bronze. 

The headboard was a romantic arch of wrought iron, curvy and frivolous and plumped now with a dozen fat, colorful pillows. The dresser he pegged as an antique, a heavy old piece of mahogany refinished to a rosy gleam. 

It was covered with pretty little bottles and bowls and a silver-backed brush. The mirror over it was a long oval. There was a mahogany lady's vanity with a skirted stool and glinting brass handles. 

For some reason he'd always found that particular type of furniture incredibly sexy. 

A copper urn was filled with tall, fussy flowers, the walls were crowded with art, and the windows framed in the same rich bronze as the spread. 

This, he thought idly, was Anna's room. The rest of the apartment was still Miz Spinelli's. 

The practical and the sensual. Both suited her.

Sea Swept

the buck stops here

"Problem?" Cam leaned on the doorjamb, tongue in his cheek. It was an amusing sight after a hard day's work, he decided. His well-riled wife stalking around his all-but-bare-assed brother.

"Somebody's been in my garden and they stole my flowers."

"No kidding? Want me to call the cops?" 

"Oh, shut up." She whirled back to Ethan, who took a cautious and cowardly step in retreat. She looked fit to murder. "Well?"

"Well, I…" He'd intended to confess, throw himself on her mercy. But the woman glaring at him out of dark, furious eyes looked several quarts low on mercy. "Rabbits," he said slowly. "Probably."

"Rabbits?"

"Yeah." He shifted uncomfortably, wishing to Christ he'd at least gotten his pants on before she burst in.

"Rabbits can be a problem with gardens. They just hop up and help themselves."

"Rabbits," she said again.

"Could be deer," he added, just a little desperately. "They'd graze over and eat every damn thing down to stubs." Counting on pity, he shot a look at Cam. "Right?"

Cam weighed the situation, knew Anna was city girl enough to buy it. Oh, Ethan would owe him for this, he decided and smiled. "Oh, yeah, deer and rabbits, big problem." Which having two dogs running tame pretty much eliminated, he mused.

Rising Tides

 

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20 Ways to Keep Deer Out of Your Yard

 

 

 

Sure, they're pretty to look at, if you're quick—and quiet enough to catch a glimpse of deer galloping off into the distance. But set loose in your garden, they will ravage your tender tulips and plump pansies, leaving foliage raggedy and the fruits of your labor plumaged. Fortunately, with a little bit of insight into their habits, you can prevent your flowers, bulbs, and vegetables from becoming a free buffet.

 

THIS OLD HOUSE

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french fries

"I'm making the fries right now, aren't I?"
"I thought Grace was going to make them."

Steely-eyed, Anna stared at him over her shoulder. "Are you suggesting that I can't make french fries?"
He was bored and restless enough to be pleased that he'd jabbed her ego. "Well, she makes really good
ones."

Inner Harbor

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Slow-Fried French Fries

There are certain foods that are better when not made at home, like french fries. 

To achieve golden-brown perfection, you have to fry them twice...

SHINE 

 ________________

"This might be the end of things between us. Can this relationship be
saved? Quick. French fries or caviar?"
"Really, that's ridiculous. French fries, of course."
"Do you mean it?" As if hope had sprung giddily into his heart, he grabbed her hand in a tight grip.
"You're not just saying that to string me along so you can have your way with me?"
"Caviar is fine on occasion, but it's hardly an essential element of life."

Chesapeake Blue