Thursday, August 30, 2012

A "Whole Foods" Pitstop

If I could have everyones attention please, . . .  I would like to make a personal observation and announcement this morning.



"I love Whole Foods."  That's right.  I love everything about Whole Foods.  I like the layout of the stores.  I like the selection of products.  I like the way the products are packaged.  I like, I like, I like.  Granted, the prices are higher in Whole Foods, but what they are offering is different from what the big chain grocery stores offer.  I don't shop there all the time, but I do stop by frequently to pick up some of my favorite items.  This Whole Foods location at 22nd and H Street NW in downtown Washington is close to the office.  Well, relatively close to the office.  It is on the George Washington University campus which is close to the Foggy Bottom Metro station which makes it easily accessible on the way home in the evening.  It has only been open for a short while but most anytime you go in it is crowded which is a testament to how wildly popular their stores are.

Last night I stopped in for a few goodies.


Now this is a healthy basket.  What you see here (starting top left) is freshly baked turkey with green beans and chopped, baked garlic bits.  Moving clockwise, next is Wild Salmon Cakes.  And finally a container of just freshy baked turkey.  The green beans and turkey box is delicious and I would recommend it to anyone who is watching their weight or is dealing with Type II Diabetes, as I am.  Yummy!!  The Wild Salmon Cakes,  . . . eh!  There's a lot of bread in them there salmon cakes.  I ate part of one hoping to find some salmon at some point but never really had any luck.  I do not normally eat bread because it causes my blood sugar to skyrocket.  I was afraid I would pay the price this morning when I checked my blood sugar from eating only part of one of these, and I did.  My reading was 94 last night when I got home and 154 this morning.  Bad!!  Not "rush me to the hospital" bad.  But higher than what I would like in the morning.  My doctor wants my blood sugar no higher than 120 in the morning.  So I was unhappy.  Fortunately I can report that I just checked it and it has come down to 136.  I'm happy again.



Here you see the prepared foods, of which there is an enormous array.  The little containers in the middle have the freshly baked turkey that is in my basket.  To the right are freshly baked breaded chicken nuggets.  My hand kept going toward those and it took great effort to move it to the left a bit to instead pick up the fresh turkey box.  Under the turkey and chicken nugget shelf you can see a glimpse of lo mein boxes and wraps of different descriptions.  They also have freshly made empanadas which looked divine.


A little further down the freshly baked turkey and chicken nugget aisle was this beautiful display of, once again, freshly made pizzas.  Great control.  It took great control not to pick one of these beauties up.  I do, on occasion, throw caution to the wind and have a slice or two of pizza.  It just means a little more time on the treadmill.  I think one of these might find it's way into my nice, clean oven this weekend.  (More on the nice clean oven in an upcoming post.)  The tomato and mozarella and basil one on the bottom left looks particularly good.  But I don't think you would be unhappy with any selection here.


And finally, in the same general area with the turkey and chicken nuggets and the pizza, there was an excellent array of sushi and salads.  I love sushi, but, once again, only have it rarely since the white rice makes my blood sugar spike.  On the far left end here you see those wonderful avocado rolls which are rolled in brown rice.  A much better choice for me and as delicious, in my opinion, as the ones made with white rice.  I particularly like the avocado rolls.  Avocados are good for everyone, in moderation, and especially those of us with Type II Diabetes.  Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered among the healthiest of fats. Researchers have found that a diet high in monounsaturated fats and low in low–quality carbs may improve insulin sensitivity. Monounsaturated fats also improve heart health — an especially important benefit for diabetics, who are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Add a few thin slices of avocado to your sandwiches in place of mayonnaise, or mash a ripe avocado with cilantro, lime juice, and diced tomatoes for a delicious guacamole dip.

So that was my trip through Whole Foods last night.  Never a disappointing stop to make.  Even the most finicky palate will find something to their liking in Whole Foods.

A "Whole Foods" Pitstop

If I could have everyones attention please, . . .  I would like to make a personal observation and announcement this morning.



"I love Whole Foods."  That's right.  I love everything about Whole Foods.  I like the layout of the stores.  I like the selection of products.  I like the way the products are packaged.  I like, I like, I like.  Granted, the prices are higher in Whole Foods, but what they are offering is different from what the big chain grocery stores offer.  I don't shop there all the time, but I do stop by frequently to pick up some of my favorite items.  This Whole Foods location at 22nd and H Street NW in downtown Washington is close to the office.  Well, relatively close to the office.  It is on the George Washington University campus which is close to the Foggy Bottom Metro station which makes it easily accessible on the way home in the evening.  It has only been open for a short while but most anytime you go in it is crowded which is a testament to how wildly popular their stores are.

Last night I stopped in for a few goodies.


Now this is a healthy basket.  What you see here (starting top left) is freshly baked turkey with green beans and chopped, baked garlic bits.  Moving clockwise, next is Wild Salmon Cakes.  And finally a container of just freshy baked turkey.  The green beans and turkey box is delicious and I would recommend it to anyone who is watching their weight or is dealing with Type II Diabetes, as I am.  Yummy!!  The Wild Salmon Cakes,  . . . eh!  There's a lot of bread in them there salmon cakes.  I ate part of one hoping to find some salmon at some point but never really had any luck.  I do not normally eat bread because it causes my blood sugar to skyrocket.  I was afraid I would pay the price this morning when I checked my blood sugar from eating only part of one of these, and I did.  My reading was 94 last night when I got home and 154 this morning.  Bad!!  Not "rush me to the hospital" bad.  But higher than what I would like in the morning.  My doctor wants my blood sugar no higher than 120 in the morning.  So I was unhappy.  Fortunately I can report that I just checked it and it has come down to 136.  I'm happy again.



Here you see the prepared foods, of which there is an enormous array.  The little containers in the middle have the freshly baked turkey that is in my basket.  To the right are freshly baked breaded chicken nuggets.  My hand kept going toward those and it took great effort to move it to the left a bit to instead pick up the fresh turkey box.  Under the turkey and chicken nugget shelf you can see a glimpse of lo mein boxes and wraps of different descriptions.  They also have freshly made empanadas which looked divine.


A little further down the freshly baked turkey and chicken nugget aisle was this beautiful display of, once again, freshly made pizzas.  Great control.  It took great control not to pick one of these beauties up.  I do, on occasion, throw caution to the wind and have a slice or two of pizza.  It just means a little more time on the treadmill.  I think one of these might find it's way into my nice, clean oven this weekend.  (More on the nice clean oven in an upcoming post.)  The tomato and mozarella and basil one on the bottom left looks particularly good.  But I don't think you would be unhappy with any selection here.


And finally, in the same general area with the turkey and chicken nuggets and the pizza, there was an excellent array of sushi and salads.  I love sushi, but, once again, only have it rarely since the white rice makes my blood sugar spike.  On the far left end here you see those wonderful avocado rolls which are rolled in brown rice.  A much better choice for me and as delicious, in my opinion, as the ones made with white rice.  I particularly like the avocado rolls.  Avocados are good for everyone, in moderation, and especially those of us with Type II Diabetes.  Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, which are generally considered among the healthiest of fats. Researchers have found that a diet high in monounsaturated fats and low in low–quality carbs may improve insulin sensitivity. Monounsaturated fats also improve heart health — an especially important benefit for diabetics, who are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. Add a few thin slices of avocado to your sandwiches in place of mayonnaise, or mash a ripe avocado with cilantro, lime juice, and diced tomatoes for a delicious guacamole dip.

So that was my trip through Whole Foods last night.  Never a disappointing stop to make.  Even the most finicky palate will find something to their liking in Whole Foods.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Daddy, . . . What are you getting ready to do?!?!

Someone was a little apprehensive just before getting a bath.  I thought this expression was priceless.


He is so smart that I am astounded at times.  He knows when I'm getting ready to end a conversation on the telephone.  I was on a long conversation last Friday night.  He found a spot somewhere in the house and laid down and took a nap.  You know how when you are closing a long telephone conversation with someone you will say something like, "I'm gonna get off here.  Have a good weekend and I'll talk to you later."  Well, I said something just like that and here he comes.  Like he had been sleeping with one eye open and hearing everything I said and he knew that the conversation was about to end.  They are so smart that it is scary.

Daddy, . . . What are you getting ready to do?!?!

Someone was a little apprehensive just before getting a bath.  I thought this expression was priceless.


He is so smart that I am astounded at times.  He knows when I'm getting ready to end a conversation on the telephone.  I was on a long conversation last Friday night.  He found a spot somewhere in the house and laid down and took a nap.  You know how when you are closing a long telephone conversation with someone you will say something like, "I'm gonna get off here.  Have a good weekend and I'll talk to you later."  Well, I said something just like that and here he comes.  Like he had been sleeping with one eye open and hearing everything I said and he knew that the conversation was about to end.  They are so smart that it is scary.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Trimming Boxwoods and Gearing up for Composting

This past weekend was hit or miss when it came to working in the yard and gardens at Crest Avenue.  It was 82 degrees on Saturday and 84 degrees yesterday.  Both days were less humid than usual, so it was actually quite nice to spend some time outdoors.  We finally got some much needed rain, so I was in and out and sometimes working between the raindrops.

The projects are many, especially this time of year.  Weeds need to be cleared.  A walk around the property to take a look at the landscape to see what is doing well and what needs some attention, whether it is pruning of dead growth or fertilzer or both.  I also did some much needed pruning on the various hedges.  I trimmed the privet hedge along the front yard.  This hedge had gotten way too tall and lanky.  Trimming along the side and cutting back the height of each plant will force it to fill in nicely and give me the privacy that was originally intended.

I next moved to the boxwood along the front walk.


You can see the trimmings along the sidewalk.  These are dwarf boxwood.  They only grow to a height of about 3 feet in nature.  I love boxwood.  I have it many places in my landscape.  It is hardy and I enjoy the evergreen feature.  During the winter months I like to be surrounded by evergreens.  It helps chase away the winter blues.  Ideally, you would trim boxwood in early spring by using hand shears to remove any dead growth from the winter months.  Hedging or "shearing", as it is sometimes called, can be done in late summer or very early fall.  Just make sure you do it in plenty of time so that the plant has time to heal before frost sets in.  Yes, that is a shadow of my had and camera in the lower right hand corner.


I decided I would try my hand at composting.  The Cheverly Community Farmer's Market was selling these composters for $20, which was a deal.  I have seen these advertised for sale on Google from as low as $94.99 to as much as $119.99.  I think it is a good idea and I'm looking forward to getting this assembled and starting to produce some very beneficial mulch for my gardens.  You can see my orange, heavy-duty extension cord laying on the sidewalk in this picture.  Good thing I had this one because I sliced the one I was using with the hedge clippers earlier in the morning.  They stopped working all of a sudden and I couldn't figure out what on earth was wrong with them.  I went inside to take a break and got my wallet and keys and was ready to head over to Lowe's to get a new set of clippers.  When I picked them up to take them inside, I saw about two feet of severed electrical cord hanging from the receptacle on the bottom of the clippers.  So I put my wallet and keys back in the house, got another extension cord from the shed, and kept working.  Such is the life of a gardener.  I replaced the severed cord with another one yesterday afternoon just in case I get overzealous in my hedge trimming again this week.


And finally, the tomatoes.  This tomato plant is heavy laden with these huge beefsteak tomatoes.  The only problem is they will not turn red.  Even I get stumped every now and then about why something is or is not working in the garden.  I did some research online and found out that I needed to cut back on the watering.  So that is what I have done.  Let's hope that I have another picture later this week of this sweet tomato in crimson glory!

Trimming Boxwoods and Gearing up for Composting

This past weekend was hit or miss when it came to working in the yard and gardens at Crest Avenue.  It was 82 degrees on Saturday and 84 degrees yesterday.  Both days were less humid than usual, so it was actually quite nice to spend some time outdoors.  We finally got some much needed rain, so I was in and out and sometimes working between the raindrops.

The projects are many, especially this time of year.  Weeds need to be cleared.  A walk around the property to take a look at the landscape to see what is doing well and what needs some attention, whether it is pruning of dead growth or fertilzer or both.  I also did some much needed pruning on the various hedges.  I trimmed the privet hedge along the front yard.  This hedge had gotten way too tall and lanky.  Trimming along the side and cutting back the height of each plant will force it to fill in nicely and give me the privacy that was originally intended.

I next moved to the boxwood along the front walk.


You can see the trimmings along the sidewalk.  These are dwarf boxwood.  They only grow to a height of about 3 feet in nature.  I love boxwood.  I have it many places in my landscape.  It is hardy and I enjoy the evergreen feature.  During the winter months I like to be surrounded by evergreens.  It helps chase away the winter blues.  Ideally, you would trim boxwood in early spring by using hand shears to remove any dead growth from the winter months.  Hedging or "shearing", as it is sometimes called, can be done in late summer or very early fall.  Just make sure you do it in plenty of time so that the plant has time to heal before frost sets in.  Yes, that is a shadow of my had and camera in the lower right hand corner.


I decided I would try my hand at composting.  The Cheverly Community Farmer's Market was selling these composters for $20, which was a deal.  I have seen these advertised for sale on Google from as low as $94.99 to as much as $119.99.  I think it is a good idea and I'm looking forward to getting this assembled and starting to produce some very beneficial mulch for my gardens.  You can see my orange, heavy-duty extension cord laying on the sidewalk in this picture.  Good thing I had this one because I sliced the one I was using with the hedge clippers earlier in the morning.  They stopped working all of a sudden and I couldn't figure out what on earth was wrong with them.  I went inside to take a break and got my wallet and keys and was ready to head over to Lowe's to get a new set of clippers.  When I picked them up to take them inside, I saw about two feet of severed electrical cord hanging from the receptacle on the bottom of the clippers.  So I put my wallet and keys back in the house, got another extension cord from the shed, and kept working.  Such is the life of a gardener.  I replaced the severed cord with another one yesterday afternoon just in case I get overzealous in my hedge trimming again this week.


And finally, the tomatoes.  This tomato plant is heavy laden with these huge beefsteak tomatoes.  The only problem is they will not turn red.  Even I get stumped every now and then about why something is or is not working in the garden.  I did some research online and found out that I needed to cut back on the watering.  So that is what I have done.  Let's hope that I have another picture later this week of this sweet tomato in crimson glory!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Ten Thousand Pageviews!!!


We made it!!!  Ten thousand visitors to Welcome to Crest Avenue in little over a year.  We would like to thank everyone who has stopped by and taken a minute or two of their time to read our posts.  We hope that you have learned something that you can put to use in your interior spaces or in your garden or that we helped to brighten your day with a funny story or anecdote.  Little did we know when we first started WTCA in July of 2011 that we would hit this mark so soon.

So, we are already one month into the second year of WTCA and there is lots more to come.  More projects and more ideas.  We continue to develop and design our line of home goods and we look forward to offering those soon.  Again, many thanks to all who have visited!!!  We truly appreciate it.

Ten Thousand Pageviews!!!


We made it!!!  Ten thousand visitors to Welcome to Crest Avenue in little over a year.  We would like to thank everyone who has stopped by and taken a minute or two of their time to read our posts.  We hope that you have learned something that you can put to use in your interior spaces or in your garden or that we helped to brighten your day with a funny story or anecdote.  Little did we know when we first started WTCA in July of 2011 that we would hit this mark so soon.

So, we are already one month into the second year of WTCA and there is lots more to come.  More projects and more ideas.  We continue to develop and design our line of home goods and we look forward to offering those soon.  Again, many thanks to all who have visited!!!  We truly appreciate it.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

5, .. 4, .. 3, .. 2, .. 10,000!!!!

We are almost at the 10,000 pageview mark here at Welcome to Crest Avenue, which is a real milestone.  As of right now, we are a mere 99 hits away from hitting the mark.


It is encouraging to know that in just over a year we have been able to reach so many people with our interior and garden design ideas and projects.

5, .. 4, .. 3, .. 2, .. 10,000!!!!

We are almost at the 10,000 pageview mark here at Welcome to Crest Avenue, which is a real milestone.  As of right now, we are a mere 99 hits away from hitting the mark.


It is encouraging to know that in just over a year we have been able to reach so many people with our interior and garden design ideas and projects.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Rally for Homeownership to Spotlight Election-Year Issues

I just received this press release from Steven at www.Our-Home-Improvements.com.  If you are so inclined, there is a list of cities and dates where homeownership rallies will be taking place over the next couple of months.  Most important on my list is the fight to keep the mortgage interest deduction.  There is a website listed below that you can visit for more information on what you can do to help the cause.
________________________________________________________________________________

Rally for Homeownership to Spotlight Election-Year Issues This Week in Tampa

With numerous policies and incentives pertaining to homeownership under attack at the state and federal level, NAHB is coordinating a series of homeownership rallies  to spotlight public support for the American Dream in select locations nationwide leading up to the national elections this November.

The rallies are a key part of NAHB's strategy to elevate housing in the political debate, and the first four have already taken place in Columbia, S.C., Baton Rouge, La., Tampa, Fla., and Detroit.

Speakers have included former Speaker of the House and Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich, Rep. James Clyburn (D-N.Y.), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

NAHB will be holding additional homeownership rallies in several cities across the country in the coming weeks. These include events to be held in

·        Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 25
·        Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 2
·        Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 9
·        Richmond, Va., on Oct. 11
·        Las Vegas on Oct. 18

These locations have been chosen for their importance within key swing states for the upcoming presidential election.

We strongly encourage every NAHB member who can attend to do so, and also to sign our nationwide petition asking Congress to protect homeownership. Here's where to register

The rallies are getting across the message regarding the importance of homeownership and reminding policy makers why it's important to

·        Protect the mortgage interest deduction amid competing budget priorities
·        Guarantee that credit-worthy consumers and small businesses have the opportunity to obtain mortgages and loans; and
·        Quickly resolve the foreclosure crisis that continues to weigh down housing markets and local economies.

Find out more about NAHB's homeownership rallies and our overall strategy for advocating housing as a national priority in the upcoming elections by visiting our new consumer-oriented website at www.protecthomeownership.com. This site is designed to help us harness the overwhelming support for homeownership that exists among the American voting public, and also to communicate important information about the homeownership rallies.

For more information, email rallies@protecthomeownership.com or contact Blake Smith  at 800-368-5242 x8583.

Rally for Homeownership to Spotlight Election-Year Issues

I just received this press release from Steven at www.Our-Home-Improvements.com.  If you are so inclined, there is a list of cities and dates where homeownership rallies will be taking place over the next couple of months.  Most important on my list is the fight to keep the mortgage interest deduction.  There is a website listed below that you can visit for more information on what you can do to help the cause.
________________________________________________________________________________

Rally for Homeownership to Spotlight Election-Year Issues This Week in Tampa

With numerous policies and incentives pertaining to homeownership under attack at the state and federal level, NAHB is coordinating a series of homeownership rallies  to spotlight public support for the American Dream in select locations nationwide leading up to the national elections this November.

The rallies are a key part of NAHB's strategy to elevate housing in the political debate, and the first four have already taken place in Columbia, S.C., Baton Rouge, La., Tampa, Fla., and Detroit.

Speakers have included former Speaker of the House and Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich, Rep. James Clyburn (D-N.Y.), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

NAHB will be holding additional homeownership rallies in several cities across the country in the coming weeks. These include events to be held in

·        Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 25
·        Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 2
·        Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 9
·        Richmond, Va., on Oct. 11
·        Las Vegas on Oct. 18

These locations have been chosen for their importance within key swing states for the upcoming presidential election.

We strongly encourage every NAHB member who can attend to do so, and also to sign our nationwide petition asking Congress to protect homeownership. Here's where to register

The rallies are getting across the message regarding the importance of homeownership and reminding policy makers why it's important to

·        Protect the mortgage interest deduction amid competing budget priorities
·        Guarantee that credit-worthy consumers and small businesses have the opportunity to obtain mortgages and loans; and
·        Quickly resolve the foreclosure crisis that continues to weigh down housing markets and local economies.

Find out more about NAHB's homeownership rallies and our overall strategy for advocating housing as a national priority in the upcoming elections by visiting our new consumer-oriented website at www.protecthomeownership.com. This site is designed to help us harness the overwhelming support for homeownership that exists among the American voting public, and also to communicate important information about the homeownership rallies.

For more information, email rallies@protecthomeownership.com or contact Blake Smith  at 800-368-5242 x8583.

It's Time to Order the Tulips

If you don't already know, tulips are my fav, fav, favorite flower.  I have an affinity for may different types of flowers, but in the end, tulips are my very favorite.  In the mail yesterday I received my annual edition of Dutch Gardens catalog.  (www.dutchgardens.com).  Needless to say, I spent a good deal of time perusing the pages.  Tulips by the dozens in every shape, size and color.




These are the Casa Grande Tulips.  These grow to softball size.  Plant them a little further apart than regular tulips.  I definitely want to give these a try.


Parade Golden.

Parade Red.

Pink Impression.

Ivory Floradale.
 These are just a few of the selection available.  I particularly like the standard, solid colored tulips.  But there are many hybrids available.  Of the hybrids I like the the Elegant Lady, seen below.



And the Silver Parrot, below.


And the Dallas, below.


I have had good luck ordering bulbs from Dutch Gardens.  I do not have good luck with the packaged bulbs that you can buy in big box retail or home improvement centers.  These bulbs either do not produce flowers at all or produce undersized flowers that are less than impressive.  I believe the problem comes from the fact that these bulbs are treated with some sort of chemical that retards their growth so that they will last longer in the stores.  Whatever the chemical, it definitely affects what is produced in the end.

Here is some information taken from the Dutch Garden website about how they grow their bulbs in Holland.


Holland's soils and climate are ideal for producing flower bulbs.
 "Most Dutch Gardens bulbs are grown along the northwest coast of Holland in the bulb-growing area known as the Northern Sand District. There are thousands of family farms in this region, all of which grow flower bulbs. Most of these farms have been in the same family for many generations, and the farmers' pride in the land and in the bulbs they produce is very strong. Growing bulbs for market is a business but it is also a passion."

So if you love tulips like I do, or if you would like to give them a try for the first time, I would definitely recommend placing an order with Dutch Gardens.

It's Time to Order the Tulips

If you don't already know, tulips are my fav, fav, favorite flower.  I have an affinity for may different types of flowers, but in the end, tulips are my very favorite.  In the mail yesterday I received my annual edition of Dutch Gardens catalog.  (www.dutchgardens.com).  Needless to say, I spent a good deal of time perusing the pages.  Tulips by the dozens in every shape, size and color.




These are the Casa Grande Tulips.  These grow to softball size.  Plant them a little further apart than regular tulips.  I definitely want to give these a try.


Parade Golden.

Parade Red.

Pink Impression.

Ivory Floradale.
 These are just a few of the selection available.  I particularly like the standard, solid colored tulips.  But there are many hybrids available.  Of the hybrids I like the the Elegant Lady, seen below.



And the Silver Parrot, below.


And the Dallas, below.


I have had good luck ordering bulbs from Dutch Gardens.  I do not have good luck with the packaged bulbs that you can buy in big box retail or home improvement centers.  These bulbs either do not produce flowers at all or produce undersized flowers that are less than impressive.  I believe the problem comes from the fact that these bulbs are treated with some sort of chemical that retards their growth so that they will last longer in the stores.  Whatever the chemical, it definitely affects what is produced in the end.

Here is some information taken from the Dutch Garden website about how they grow their bulbs in Holland.


Holland's soils and climate are ideal for producing flower bulbs.
 "Most Dutch Gardens bulbs are grown along the northwest coast of Holland in the bulb-growing area known as the Northern Sand District. There are thousands of family farms in this region, all of which grow flower bulbs. Most of these farms have been in the same family for many generations, and the farmers' pride in the land and in the bulbs they produce is very strong. Growing bulbs for market is a business but it is also a passion."

So if you love tulips like I do, or if you would like to give them a try for the first time, I would definitely recommend placing an order with Dutch Gardens.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Valerie's Birthday Party

I have a birthday party to attend tonight for Steven's sister, Valerie.  She is spending a few days in DC before returning to Dallas and today happens to be her birthday.  There is a small gathering planned for this evening at the Dewey Street address.  I picked up a few things for this soiree today during an errand run.

Since we are all so consumed with social media these days, I thought she would get a kick out of this card.

I even personalized it for her.
I picked up a luscious Robiola Bosina Alta Langa.  This is a fresh, soft ripened cheese made with two milks: cow and sheep’s milk. Square shaped, each cheese is individually wrapped, therefore easy to handle. Soft, creamy and lightly fragrant due to the delicate balance of the two milks. It is important to serve at room temperature in order to better savor the fullness of it’s taste. From the Piedmont region.  The English Fig fruit puree will compliment the cheese perfectly.  We will serve this on freshly baked and sliced baguette.

 
Some Tutti Fruity from Lush.  This box contains Miranda Soap (divinely fruity hand and body soap, with fresh, organic kiwi fruit and reviving bergamot and myrrh essential oils), and a Happy Hippy Shower Gel (mellow-yellow hair and body gel with freshly squeezed grapefruits.)  The Cheesecake Caramels from Dean & Deluca are self-explanatory -- AND delicious.

I put this cute sticker on a little pink giftbag I got from CVS to present her gifts.


I also picked up some watermelon sald and tomatoes and mozzarella salad from the deli at Dean & Deluca.  Should be a fun time for all!

Valerie's Birthday Party

I have a birthday party to attend tonight for Steven's sister, Valerie.  She is spending a few days in DC before returning to Dallas and today happens to be her birthday.  There is a small gathering planned for this evening at the Dewey Street address.  I picked up a few things for this soiree today during an errand run.

Since we are all so consumed with social media these days, I thought she would get a kick out of this card.

I even personalized it for her.
I picked up a luscious Robiola Bosina Alta Langa.  This is a fresh, soft ripened cheese made with two milks: cow and sheep’s milk. Square shaped, each cheese is individually wrapped, therefore easy to handle. Soft, creamy and lightly fragrant due to the delicate balance of the two milks. It is important to serve at room temperature in order to better savor the fullness of it’s taste. From the Piedmont region.  The English Fig fruit puree will compliment the cheese perfectly.  We will serve this on freshly baked and sliced baguette.

 
Some Tutti Fruity from Lush.  This box contains Miranda Soap (divinely fruity hand and body soap, with fresh, organic kiwi fruit and reviving bergamot and myrrh essential oils), and a Happy Hippy Shower Gel (mellow-yellow hair and body gel with freshly squeezed grapefruits.)  The Cheesecake Caramels from Dean & Deluca are self-explanatory -- AND delicious.

I put this cute sticker on a little pink giftbag I got from CVS to present her gifts.


I also picked up some watermelon sald and tomatoes and mozzarella salad from the deli at Dean & Deluca.  Should be a fun time for all!