Guide to a Dog-Friendly Backyard

Mia arrived with a bouquet of freshly clipped daffodils, 
and helped herself relax by sitting on the floor playing 
tug-the-rope with Mulder.

“I think of getting a dog now and then.” 
She laughed as Mulder lost his toothy grip on the rope 
and went tumbling ears over tail. “Then I think about my gardens.” 
She snatched the puppy up, holding him high. 
“You’d just love digging up all my flowers, wouldn’t you?”

Face the Fire

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Dogs are your best buds, honorary members of the family and protectors of the pack. But as they rambunctiously romp around the backyard, they may be wreaking havoc on your outdoor space. Live peacefully with your beloved doggos by following these simple tips for a delightfully dog-friendly backyard.

Birds & Blooms

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In the spill of light from the windows, she noted 
that a bed of petunias had been recently and ruthlessly dug up.

"I think Ivan has been to work," Mikhail commented, 
noting the direction of Sydney's gaze. "If he is smart, he hides 
until it's time to go home again."

Luring a Lady

I'm Thankful for:

Nora's Life and Gift  who fill my life - through her books - with amazing people, dreamy stories and the places  I live in while reading her books.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Things All Insanely Stylish People Have in Their Homes

After her nerves settled a bit, she studied the apartment.

A conversation pit in deep forest-green dominated the living area. In its center was a square coffee table.

Riding over it was a large sailboat in what she recognized as Murano glass. A pair of green iron

candlesticks held fat white candles.

At the far side of the room there was a small bar with a pair of black leather stools. Behind it was a vintage poster for Nuits-St.-Georges Burgundy, depicting an eighteenth-century French calvary officer sitting on a cask with a glass, a pipe, and a very satisfied smile.

The walls were white and splashed here and there with art. A framed print of a stylish poster for

Tattinger champagne, with a elegant woman, surely that was Grace Kelly, in a sleek black evening gown behind a slim flute of bubbling wine, hung over a round glass table with curved steel legs. There was a Joan Miro print, an elegant reproduction of Alphonse Mucha'sAutomne .

Lamps were both sparely modern and elegantly Deco. The carpet was thick and pale gray, the

uncurtained window wide and wet with rain.

She thought the room displayed masculine, eclectic, and witty taste. She was admiring a brown leather footstool in the shape of a barnyard pig when he returned with two glasses.

"I like your pig."

"He caught my eye."

Inner Harbor

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By https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbarry/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/pbarry/4427854878) [CC BY-SA 2.0 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

People with style seem to naturally ooze the It factor that makes their lives look like the stuff of Instagram dreams. You know the type: They’re impeccably dressed, the best hosts and hostesses, and masters at creating chic yet effortless homes. Curating a naturally sophisticated, style-centric space calls for a few must haves.

MY DOMAINE

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When she left him, Mikhail let his gaze sweep the room. It pleased him. This was not the formal, professionally decorated home some might have expected of her. 

She really lived here, among the soft colors and quiet comfort. 

Style was added by a scattering of Art Nouveau, in the bronzed lamp shaped like a long, slim woman, and the sinuous etched flowers on the glass doors of a curio cabinet 

displaying a collection of antique beaded bags.

He noted his sculpture stood alone in a glossy old shadow box, and was flattered.

Luring a Lady

Does your dog match your style?

"For me?" Faith took a full step back. "I don't want a dog."

"Sure you do." He plucked the puppy from the bed, then pushed her into Faith's arms. "Look, she likes you."

"Puppies like everybody," Faith protested, as she twisted her head to try to avoid the pup's cheerful tongue.

"Exactly." With the dimples flickering in his cheeks, Wade slipped his arms around Faith's waist, sandwiching the puppy between them. "And everybody likes puppies. She'll depend on you, entertain you, keep you company, and love you no matter what."

"She'll pee on the rug. She'll chew my shoes." "Some. She'll need discipline and training and patience. She'll need you."

They'd known each other most of their lives. Just because they'd spent most of their time together between the sheets didn't mean she didn't have clues as to how his mind worked.

"Is this a dog or a life lesson you're giving me?"

"Both." He leaned over to kiss Faith's cheek.

Carolina Moon 

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In the photo: Our Budha

What kind of dog do you live with? 

A lovable Lab or a haughty hound? 

And most importantly, is he the right fit for your lifestyle? 

From designer dogs to humble mutts, your precious pooch says a lot about you... 

HOUSE TO HOME

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"Thank you. You have a lovely home."

She had said it automatically, meaningless politeness. But the moment the words were out, Sydney realized they were true. The entire house would probably fit into one wing of her mother's Long Island estate, and the furniture was old rather than antique. Doilies as charming and intricate as those she had seen at Mrs. Wolburg's covered the arms of chairs. The wallpaper was faded, but that only made the tiny rosebuds scattered over it seem more lovely.

The strong sunlight burst through the window and showed every scar, every mend. Just as it showed how lovingly the woodwork and table surfaces had been polished.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught a movement. As she glanced over, she watched a plump ball of gray fur struggling, whimpering from under a chair.

"That is Ivan," Yuri said, clucking to the puppy. "He is only a baby." He sighed a little for his old mutt Sasha who had died peacefully at the age of fifteen six months before. "Alex brings him home from pound."

"Saved you from walking the last mile, right, Ivan?" Mikhail bent down to ruffle fur. Ivan thumped his tail while giving Sydney nervous looks. "He is named for Ivan the Terrible, but he's a coward."

"He's just shy," Sydney corrected, then gave in to need and crouched down. She'd always wanted a pet, but boarding schools didn't permit them. "There, aren't you sweet?" The dog trembled visibly for a moment when she stroked him, then began to lick the toes that peeked out through her sandals.

Mikhail began to think the pup had potential.

"What kind is he?" she asked.

"He is part Russian wolfhound," Yuri declared.

"With plenty of traveling salesmen thrown in."


Luring a Lady

Make the Most of Your Seriously Small Apartment Balcony

She only smiled. "No. I’m going to start the grill."

Booth lifted a brow. "Where?"

"Why, on the terrace." Ariel walked over and slid open a door. 

Outside was a postage-stamp balcony more along the lines of a window ledge.

On it she’d crammed pots of geraniums and a tiny charcoal grill.

"The terrace," Booth murmured over her shoulder. Only an incurable optimist or a hopeless dreamer would have termed it so. 
He found himself grateful she had.

Dual Images

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Spring is here! After all those months spent cooped up inside, the weather is finally nice enough to enjoy the outdoors. Because we know that a lavish roof garden (or even a backyard) isn't a reality for a lot of apartment dwellers, we've compiled this gallery of inspiring small outdoor spaces. Even if your balcony is one of those tiny ones with barely enough space to step outside, there's something here for you.

APARTMENT THERAPY

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She didn't know when she'd been more charmed. He had set a small table and two chairs on the tiny balcony off the bedroom. A single pink peony graced an old green bottle in the center, and music drifted from his radio to lull the sounds of traffic. Thick blue bowls held the spicy stew, and rich black bread was heaped in a wicker basket.

Luring a Lady

things Parents need to teach Sons about masculinity

It's okay to cry and show a full range of emotions

Girls aren't the worst thing 

There is no need to constantly prove your masculinity 

It's okay to suck at sports

You can talk about your feelings 

 

 

 Your sexual conquests don't define you

Violence is not the answer when conflicts arise

 

 

 

 

SHINE

Deviled Eggs

Source: myrecipes.com via Teresa on Pinterest

The filling for Southern-style basic deviled eggs is nothing more than egg yolks, mayonnaise, mustard and sweet pickle relish. These deviled eggs are perfect for potlucks, tailgates, and summer suppers. 

How-to VIDEO

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Obediently Sydney followed instructions, scrubbing fruit, fetching ingredients, stirring the occasional pot. 

But she knew very well that three efficient women were working around her.

"You can make deviled eggs," Nadia said kindly when she noted Sydney was at a loss. "They will be cool soon."

"I, ah…" She stared, marginally horrified, at the shiny white orbs she'd rinsed in the sink. "I don't know how."

"Your mama didn't teach you to cook?" It wasn't annoyance in Nadia's voice, just disbelief. 

Nadia had considered it her duty to teach every one of her children—whether they'd wanted to learn or not.

As far as Sydney knew, Margerite had never boiled an egg much less deviled one. 

Sydney offered a weak smile. "No, she taught me how to order in restaurants."

Nadia patted her cheek. "When they cool, I show you how to make them the way Mikhail likes best."

Luring a Lady