A Dinner Party

Many years ago, Love Bunny, the kids, my parents and I were having lunch at a restaurant in Monterey, California. (The important thing to remember in this story is that my mother was fanatical about cleanliness.) The salads came and we began eating and my mother noticed a worm or some insect in her salad. She was horrified. And complained. Usually, when this happens a restaurant will offer that dinner free to the customer. They didn't; they asked if they could bring her another salad. We all stared at them as if they were crazy. Would you want another salad from that kitchen? Well, my mother didn't. I believe we got up and left. I can't remember about the bill, but I thought a reduction in the bill would have been appropriate. As far as we knew, this was a classy restaurant. Most of them are in Monterey or Carmel. But no, no reduction at all in the bill. We never went there again.

Fast forward forty-five years later.

A friend, her daughter, son-in-law and new grandson (their first grandchild) came over for dinner several days ago. I love this woman. She's the absolute best kind of friend anyone could have. Loves me no matter what. I'm also a great cook. Her expertise lies elsewhere.

I prepared an early dinner of Angus roast beef, mashed potatoes, shoepeg corn, candied carrots, fresh-from-our-garden salad, french bread slathered with butter and homemade ice cream, made earlier.

I told her earlier they didn't get the good china, the fancy silverware or crystal glasses because 1.) They are considered family. 2.) I was too lazy that day and getting ready for surgery in a few days with at least an appointment with doctors every single day that week and had 3 different events that day. 3.) She can live without the frou-frou! Not a problem with her at all. ;-) The new baby took precedence that day. I absolutely love babies and I smooched him quite a lot. Here's this little photo of him looking up at his Dada.

We sat down to dinner and the young father filled his salad plate and proceeded to spear some lettuce and tomato with his fork and said, "There's a bug in my salad." I'll never forget the look of horror on his face. I almost laughed but didn't. He was so stricken. Hubs had picked and washed the lettuce and assured me he had done each leaf. I just grabbed the plate and said, "Well, I don't think Dada will want any salad." Also, I skipped salad that day and I'm a big salad lover. I apologized and later called my friend and asked if Dada had recuperated from the shock. We laughed. I hope he wasn't too traumatized to see the little green wiggling up at him. I'm wondering if he'll ever eat at our house again if the opportunity presents itself.
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Sunny, bright, white dining area. That canopy is quite the thing also.

Cozy and bright pink room and accessories.

Exquisitely lovely blue table setting.

Yep, love that birdcage also!

Birdie singing his song.

What a cute table setting with different kids of cake plates and cloches on a vintage, rustic table.

This room looks familiar and I like the fabrics of course.

Ooooh, let me walk this pathway.

Cute idea to keep the kids and hubs clean while doing garden chores and not dirtying up your kitchen or baths.

Vintage baskets and rose strewn quilts.

I like this idea of soft lights on the porch or patio at night. Easily done, too.

Another quaint cottage and garden for you.

Lovely, but soon the windows will be covered with ivy and the owners won't be able to see out.

I could definitely live in this room happily. I would, however, paint the walls a delicate pink and put pink and white striped satin curtains on the windows.

For a week in the country, hubs could entice me if he rented this cabin. Yep!

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Random Thoughts 7/19/2012

Granddaughter and great-granddaughter were in California recently visiting with our daughter. This video made by granddaughter makes us laugh as we're the great-grandparents. But as you know, I don't show much in the way of Caroline on here so as not to bore you but I am a very proud, doting great-grandmother so you'll have to indulge me once in a while. ;-) We are pretty sure the dogs were so severely traumatized they refused any walks thereafter with Miss Caroline. BTW, our son says our granddaughter and I sound exactly alike. So now you know what I sound like.

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Just some random thoughts today.

I cannot tell you how many times here on my blog I get questions from people who post as anonymous, have no blog, and/or don't leave me an email to respond to their question. I truly try to find a way to respond but that just doesn't happen. I don't know if they read every post so I can't post an answer on one of my posts. Please, if you want a question answered from me, leave an email address or ask me by sending an email, which is on my sidebar. I'll definitely get back to you.
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Oh, and another thing. I monitor every single comment. EVERY ONE. So if you're trying to advertise your real estate site, your computer software site, removing stickers site, payday loans site, rapid cash site, garage storage site or your  tent trailer site, don't even bother. It'll never see the light of day on here.
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I read a lot of espionage, mystery and thriller books. I always wonder how good a spy I would have made. I'd love to work for the CIA. Wonder if they take 70 year old great grandmas? That would be a perfect cover I think!
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I recently found a fashion blog. She just posts photos of fashion, no writing or text, just photos. Not really any advertising either. But down at the bottom there is a "Donate" button. For the life of me I can't figure out to what a person would be donating. Her blog? Her lifestyle? I have no idea. Nice try though. I suggest she go out and look for a job instead of begging.
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Every kid is a frustrated lawyer. Example:
Why do you ask?
How do you know that?
What about it?
I don't have to tell you anything.
Sigh...
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Power tools. We women know how to use them; we just prefer to let the men get their hands dirty and have the broken nails instead of us. Why do something when men love doing it? That way my hands stay clean. I have my own tools and they're clean. Hubs are greasy, dirty and gross. Need I say more? Hmmmm?
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Isn't this bouquet and vase exquisite? What a stunning display for a table setting.

Lacy ornaments in a basket.

Another refurbished, decorated bottle. So simple to do with just any bottle.

A cottage for rent in Brittany, France.

Beautiful vintage window with pansies and lace curtains.

A crown table display for a birthday party. Cute!

Lovely potting shed.

Scrumptious-looking cake.

I. Would. Love. To have this fence and flowers in my yard!!!!

I need to make more of these for a friend who is having a baby in September. They are easy to make, just time consuming since I make mine by hand.

THIS is the color of yellow I love with pink! Gorgeous.

Another sweet little cottage in France.

This is the inside of a Carmel, California, cottage. I wish everyone could pay a visit to Carmel. It is like another world there.

Or you might like this little cutie.

I have some old tiny wine crates I got in Napa Valley. I think I'll paint them white and display some things like this in them. Adorable.

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Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one. ;-)
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My Son, the Golfer

My son loves golf. I mean L.O.V.E.S. golf. His dream job is being a golf pro. And he'd do it for nothing if given the chance. As an aside, you may like to read this post I did over 3 years ago now on what happened to him on his birthday. This is my son in Scotland with the happiest smile on his face.

He and his wife own care homes in Southern California. They have been very blessed in life financially. We, his mother and father, attribute this to his wife's ability, not his. ;-) He doesn't have to work but in his mid-forties he decided to go back to school and get a nursing degree because he was bored staying home. He works at a hospital and absolutely loves it. He likes taking care of the elderly and listening to their stories. (My son is a great story teller also. His father, hubs, rambles!) He's now finishing up for an advanced degree in nursing. And both of my kids have never, ever been slackers. They worked hard for everything they've attained in life.

Anyway, he went to Scotland last year for two weeks to golf. He loved it but since his wife wasn't interested in going, his one son was in college (just graduated UC San Diego) and his other son was in school, he went alone. He missed them greatly. So this year, he's going for only one week. And here is where the story begins.

I tried calling him last Friday night and no answer. So I thought maybe he had left already and just left a message for him to call me. He emailed me, his wife and a couple of friends/golfing buddies Saturday morning. He was in Scotland and had already played a round of golf trying to "acclimate" to the area/golf course/time, etc. He never wastes time when a golf game is available. Never. The email mentioned for me to email him and he'd keep in touch the best he could with a seven hour time difference. Cell phone availability was spotty at best.

But in the email he mentions his son and his son's girlfriend. He hadn't heard from them. He was talking to his wife in this email also and asked if B. and girlfriend were in France or had gone on to Italy. I was stunned. I didn't even know our grandson was going to Europe. I hate it when my kids and grandkids fly or go out of the country! Hate it. And now I have my son and his son, my grandson, not only flying but out of the country together? I may just smack them both when they return. I think this is definitely attributable to my fear of flying and not wanting to leave the good ol' USA ever again. Don't nag me about this; it's my phobia and I can have it if I want!!
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I love this cute living room. So quaint and homey.

Another little town in the UK somewhere with pretty cottages.

Eye candy for you.

Yep, another bathroom you can view. I know, I know. How many bathrooms can you view? A lot. They're all delightful, so hush up!

This home looks like it got chopped off on one side, but truly unique. It's in France.

What to do when a girl doesn't have a closet in her tiny apartment. Display all her clothing in a unique fashion. It has to be kept tidy that way.

Another adorable kitchen somewhere in the world other than the U.S.

A pretty blue kitchen area.

Small dining area with refurbished painted chairs.

More eye candy.

Where do some people get such darling plates, place mats and boxes? This is adorable.

A pretty, tiny thatched cottage with daffodils in the front yard.

I'm pretty sure I couldn't deal with a chartreuse-colored refrigerator but it is unique. The purple is a complementary color for chartreuse.

A gorgeous color of blue.

Cute vignette. I wonder if this is a child's room.

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Couture #8

 You might enjoy reading two posts I have regarding couture and why I'm doing it: here and here.

But I'm pausing the couture series for a while. But it'll be back in a few weeks. If this distresses you, please seek the help of a qualified therapist. ;-) Just wanting to post some other posts instead of the couture.

Enjoy! But remember to view the details and the fabrics as well as the construction of the gowns and dresses.

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