Patterns and Textures and Warm, Sunny Days

These are the days those of us in the CA desert live for! While most of the country is suffering through record cold temperatures, we are enjoying absolutely beautiful 75-80 degree days and cool nights. And with a few minor dips below the 70s during the next few months, these temperate days are what’s in store throughout winter. I call these convertible days! One of our favorite activities here (other than in the summer) is riding our beach cruisers. This was {Read More}

New on My Bucket List: A Northern Lights Norway Cruise

Thanks to Hurtigruten Cruises for sponsoring today’s post and inspiring me to add another item to my bucket list! Opinions are 100% mine. I hope you’ll click on the sponsored links because this cruise sounds absolutely amazing! When Tom and I first became empty nesters, we decided that we wanted adventure in our everyday lives as well as on special vacations. I’m usually a beach and sunshine kind of girl, but I just added a surprising entry to my bucket list: take a Norway cruise {Read More}

Kale Salad with Chickpeas and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Kale Salad. Why haven’t I been making it for years? I put kale in my smoothies. I order kale salad at restaurants. Today I set out to make my own kale salad for the first time, and it is YUMMY! Plus it is super healthy, easy to make, and a nice alternative to the typical salads I eat. So today I bring you my version of the kale salad, which features chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes and a lemon vinaigrette with a bit of {Read More}

Checklist for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

The only Thanksgiving Day checklist you’ll ever need! Ever since the first Thanksgiving after my marriage 27 years ago, I have LOVED hosting Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, throughout all those years, there have been only a handful of Thanksgiving Days when we did NOT host friends and family. Even though I’ve always loved my home being the gathering place for this holiday, I was always stressed out and harried during the early years. In recent years, I have developed a {Read More}

Gifts for Her Plus a Giveaway!

Now that we are into November, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas and Hanukkah gifts. Actually, I rarely get going on my gifts before December, but this year will be different! Yes, it will. Because, let’s face it, blowing it off until December is really stressful. And I don’t want stress. Here on the blog today you can enter to win $200 in PayPal Cash as well as a $75 gift code for personalized jewelry. Wouldn’t FREE be a {Read More}

Casual Camo

It finally happened! It was cool enough this weekend to break out a long-sleeved shirt. I thought this day would never come! I opted for a casual camo look as we dined and shopped along El Paseo with friends. I LOVE mixing patterns, so I grabbed a leopard headband. Camo and leopard is one of my favorite combos! As you may know, “Fifty, Not Frumpy” is my motto. Please, Lord, never let me be frumpy! My pals Gina and Renee {Read More}