More "Miscellany" Added To "Up For Grabs" Department

Just a few of the many more things being added to our new 

UP FOR GRABS - MISCELLANY 

department.

Just thought you might like to be among the first to 

take a "GRAB" at them... 

There are only one of most of these things in this new section, 

so ... time of of the essence, as they say. 

:)

It's been so fun doing this new section!  Something about passing on things that

have brought so much fun and joy here, now heading out into new homes, 

new vignettes... Love it!

Happy Thursday to you!!

~Ruth~

NORDIC BEAUTY ALERT! It's Time To Pre-Order Issue #3 Of Jeanne d'Arc Living! (And other news about what's "new")

News about what's NEW!

FIRST ORDER OF "BUSINESS"....

WHERE is this year going?


It doesn't seem that long ago that I was telling you about the 2nd issue (Spring issue) of
Jeanne d'Arc Living being orderable
and now we're taking orders for issue #3
HERE!


This is their Summer premier issue and its going to be
chock full of all the Jeanne d'Arc Living goodness you can't
get enough of.


Here's a sampling of just some of
the eye candy being printed up for you as we speak:

SECOND ORDER OF "BUSINESS"...

Remember W-A-Y back last June (ugh... I'm ashamed it's been THAT long ago)
when I did a blog post 
(you can read it HERE)
and asked you guys what you thought about the possibility of adding a
section to the store's website where we'd sell off a little of this, and a little of that?
I even asked you to give me ideas on what to name the new section....
And then, as per usual, I got side-tracked and here we are in March --
of the next year!


But no matter,
the new section is up and though there are still at least 20 or more
things to go up
(AS SOON AS I GET THE CAMERA BACK FROM MY
DAUGHTER WHO TOOK IT WITH HER 
TO ETHIOPIA)
but I need to take pics of them first.


This has been fun, though!


I ended up calling it
"Up For Grabs - Miscellany"
(Lynn, from Paris Hotel Boutique supplied the Miscellany part)
and the few things that are photographed
are listed
HERE!


Have a look and just know that there are quite a few other
various and sundry things all stacked up in a corner
waiting to be photographed as soon as
my girl returns from Africa.


And by the way,
I'm a little afraid to ask, but what do you
think of my
"Spring birds" chirping in the background on the blog??


Okay -- if you HATE the sound,
please be kind... ;)


Have a great week everyone!


I've got my thinking cap on for a giveaway....


It seems like it "should"be something
Spring-themed but I dunno...


I'll come up with something, 'cause
it's just fun to do a giveaway
of any kind, don't you think?


Bye-Bye!!


~Ruth~

Heard From The Good Folks At Java & Co. Today! They're Sweetening The Deal For My Blog Readers!!

Today I got a delightful comment from the owner of 

Java & Co. 

the store you may recall from my 

coffee-themed post a few posts previous to this one.

They are the company that offers all those delectable coffee-based 

foods like syrups, meat rubs made from ground coffee beans, etc...

Well the comment from them was so sweet and I thought

I'd share it with you!  

Here it is:

Ruth,
I'm frequently online and searching for new coffee information and those who share my passion of the bean. Thank you for recognizing JAVA & Co. on your blog. Your comments and those of your followers are greatly appreciated. As a thank you for you and your blog followers - we'd like to offer a special promo code for those who'd like to purchase through our main company website - www.javaandco.com. 

Receive 15% off of your order, 

just enter PROMO Code MKT2010 

and checkout through PayPal.

From one caffeine lover to another - I raise my cup to you!

Jamie L. Knoll
Owner / Co-founder

Isn't that awesome??

Thank you so, so much, Jamie!!

So if you have been holding off ordering...

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??

Let's all head over to the 

Java & Co. site

and be sure and remember to use the coupon code

they so generously offered us!   

Yippee!!

Not a bad way to start the weekend, huh?

The meat rubs are most intriguing to me.

The weather is warming and I would love to try some of the rubs on

steaks and maybe even roasted potatoes.

Then there are those luscious sweeter items they sell...

SOMEBODY STOP ME!   :)

And Jamie -- if you're reading this, a million thanks to you for not onlly

stopping by and commenting but also for extending the discount to to 

me and my readers.

That's how we coffee lovers are, right?

We take care of each other...

:)

~Ruth~

Typepad Hates Me --- Part Deux

{Image courtesy of Google}

This will be a short post -- because partly because it's still "workin' time" &
I probably should stay focused... (hee-hee!)

and partly because I don't want to belabor this whole 

"Poor me, why won't my computers open Typepad blogs?" thing.

But I just wanted to remind any of my sweet friends who have

a Typepad blog --- I AM NOT DISSING YOU -- I PROMISE!

You might remember a post I did on this very thing last November
(CLICK HERE) 
and since then things really haven't improved.

I'd give anything to open your blogs -- I see the post titles and just a few

lines of the post itself and maybe a picture if there is one, and that's it.

I typically try to find the "bigger reason" behind whatever is frustrating me 

at any given time -- perhaps a life lesson I'm supposed to glean from it...

What do you suppose this on-going fight between Typepad and my computers 

is supposed to be teaching me??

:)

Okay, now that that's off my chest -- back to work

And for all my Typepad blogging friends --

I miss you!!!

Have a great rest-of-the-Tuesday, ya'll!

~Ruth~

"Yummy" New Pretties In The Store & A PRETTY YUMMY New French Macaroon Site!!

I've gotten so many emails asking when the new things we've gotten in 

are going to be up for sale on the site....

TA - DA!!

Fait accompli!

Click over to the 

NEW ITEMS PAGE

to see!

Among the things you'll find there are a

supply of the current issue of

Jeanne d'Arc Living magazine 

 in Danish text offered at less than half off the price of the English version.

Take advantage of the shipping/import mishap and snap

up a copy -- you may not be able to read it (or, perhaps you can!)

but they say pictures are worth a thousand words anyway, right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The other thing I wanted to tell you about is

this FABULOUS new site where you can purchase

HOMEMADE FRENCH MACAROON COOKIES!

{Cookie/Cake photos below courtesy of Patisserie Amelie}

You'll want to head over to PATISSERIE AMÉLIE!

It's so funny, because I've read blog post after blog post over the years

featuring pictures of these MOST GORGEOUS cookies,

the likes of which I have never seen in person

(I've lead a very sheltered life, you see)

and I have often wished I could get my hands on some to 

see what all the fuss is about.

They are some of the prettiest cookies ever -- even if they

were made of cardboard, they'd be beautiful just to look at!

And if ever there were a perfect cookie for Spring/Easter,

I don't know what is!

The cookies are offered in many flavors:

Chocolate 

Lemon 

Raspberry/Berry 

Pistachio 

Lavender

Grand Marnier

Café (Coffee)

Hazelnut

Coconut

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!

Gâteau de Chocolat!

Reine de Saba - Amaretto Chocolate Cake!

Also offered are cakes and pies to make your head spin 

and your mouth water!!

Hope you love all the new things added to the store,

and hope you'll stop over to

Patisserie Amelie and place your order for

some French sweets.

Treat yourself and add some ooh-la-la confections to your table!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!!

~Ruth~

Blogging... From A Man's Perspective: Ladies, Meet "James"

{This is the profile picture associated with 

"James'" blog called 

Man of the 50's.}

Ladies, 

I think it's fair to say that,

whether intended or not, we gals seem to have

monopolized the world of blogging.

Perhaps it has to do with the notion among some 

(mainly our male counterparts)

that we girls simply have more talking to do than men? 

Or perhaps it is that many times we might be, by nature,

more social creatures, thriving on

relationships a bit more than they...?

Whatever it is that has causes females to

dominate the blog-writing out there, 

you must admit, it is rare that we

run across a journal-type blog that is

authored by a man.

Sure, there are blogs run by men...

they are typically the techno-related blogs or

the more political "cause-related" blogs, etc.

but as far as blogs go that are about

family, home, and

just general "life",

you just don't find many of the written by men.

But the other day, I stumbled across such a blog 

and I vowed then and there

that I was going to share it with you.

Ladies, meet "James" 

otherwise known as 

"Man Of The 50's"

I began reading one post,

then another,

then another,

until the next thing I knew I had read page upon page 

of his posts.

His writing transports you to his realm...

 you're sitting across from him right there

in his den --

perhaps in an overstuffed English-style 

broken-in leather chair.

 Chatting, sipping tea or coffee,

and

learning.

You feel as though if you were to have the good fortune

to meet him in person, he would 

welcome you into his home 

with the graciousness and warmth 

that is sorely lacking these days.

His posts are the kind of posts I would

aspire to write...

They are just the right length

(BOY DO I NEED TO WORK ON BREVITY)

have wit, to be sure, 

but more importantly

WISDOM.

He offers his take on the world and our culture from a vantage point that

we could all benefit from.

From a time when things were a bit more genteel,

and bit more civilized,

a bit more attuned to graciousness and character.

Yet, his posts are 

anything but "preachy".

Perhaps one reason I so immediately warmed up to 

"James" is his writing is so very much like that of my

sweet father-in-law, Phil.  

Phil is a professional writer and has a talent

unlike many I've known for not just writing

but simply for language.  

He speaks beautifully,

writes wonderfully, and has this very

low, almost intimidating voice that you

automatically assume would do

voice-overs and commercials.

As I read more and more of the posts on "James'" blog,

I felt as though I were reading works of my father-in-law --

I felt comfortable.

Pay "James" a visit, won't you?

And let me know if you were successful at just

doing a "drive by" visit to his blog.

I sure wasn't.

I'm fairly certain his writing will captivate you, as well.

 I became one of

his "followers" immediately 

and from the looks of

his "numbers", 

I'm not the only one he's

captivating out here in 

"ladie's blog land".  

Let's welcome this kind sir into our

"homes" and learn from him.

I think he has much to share...

Enjoy!

Scenes from the afternoon...

Thought I'd share two shots I took today -

both totally spur-of-the-moment shots:

This one, directly out my back kitchen window as 

I stood at my kitchen sink....

It took the picture because I have been struck by the 

indecision of our vegetation this time of year.

You'll note that we (finally) have pretty red "Fall" leaves, some skeleton-type trees whose

branches are completely bare, and in the foreground, the

Cypress trees are now filled completely back in with their new

Spring leaves...

The green expanse you see in the middle is our pond...

UGH...

We are having a terrible time with duckweed and we 

simply have to wait for the weather to warm up a bit to treat it.

Until then, our pond resembles a putting green.  

:)

The second picture was taken directly out my front door as I was on

my way into our home office/den to sit down at the computer.

I captured our sweet dog Nick and his best-bud cat, Bugsy.

They joined forces immediately upon meeting --

Bugsy as a weeks-old kitten and Nicky as a years-old Lab.

They've been pals ever since.  Something just "stuck" with them

right from the start and they've been buddies all along.

That's about it.

Ran out this morning for a quick trip to the salon to touch up the hair...

Have to go back early tomorrow morning to get it "fixed"...

Somehow -- don't know exactly how -- I ended up

with some rather, shall we say, "artsy" streaks in my hair 

that are just a tad too "trendy" for this gal.

My beautician says she can blend them right back into my hair
-- "it'll be no big deal at all!"

Thank you, Lord.  

:)

Until again,

take care 

and

 may you enjoy some pretty

views from your windows, too.

~Ruth~

I Think They Created This Just For Me! (Yes, this will be about coffee...)

{I have this picture mounted in the
kitchen area of the shop office...}



Did you know that March 
is officially

National Caffeine Awareness Month?

Are you thinking I must surely be the spokesperson for it
as Deb Kennedy of Hummadeedledee suggested I could be...?

(I'm available, call me!)  

:)

In view of this, here are a few tidbits (coffee-related, of course)

that I thought you might enjoy courtesy of

My Recipes.com.

The Perks: Health Benefits of Coffee

Get the latest information about the ways that drinking coffee can improve your health.

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Virginia Cravens Houston

By: Laurie Herr

When it comes to life's necessities, many of us would say a good cup of coffee ranks pretty darned high – right up there with shelter, friends, and comfortable shoes. But there's more to love about your morning java than its alluring aroma or friendly kick. Once maligned (too much caffeine! the devil's brew!), coffee is now being praised as a kind of health food, thanks to its high level of disease-fighting antioxidants and other nutrients. In fact, the coffee bean's roasting process actually intensifies some of these compounds, making them more powerful. The bottom line? As long as you don't overdo it – stick to no more than two or three cups a day, and watch the calories in those fancy lattes – there's no reason not to indulge. Here are some of the ways coffee can make you feel better and even live longer – plus tasty ways to enjoy your joe.

What Coffee Can Do For You

1. Fight cancer. Recent studies suggest regular coffee drinking can reduce the risk of breast, liver, and colon cancer. In some cases, you don't even have to drink coffee to gain the benefits: Lotions containing caffeine from coffee and green tea have been found to prevent skin cancer.

2. Prevent diabetes. An 11-year study of 28,000 women in Iowa found that regular coffee drinkers had less risk of developing type 2 diabetes than non-drinkers. Heavy coffee drinkers (6 or more cups a day) are about half as likely to have diabetes as light coffee drinkers or those who don't drink coffee at all.

3. Help your heart. In a huge study that followed nearly 42,000 postmenopausal women for 15 years, researchers found that regular coffee consumption reduced the risk of heart disease. In another study that tracked 

More About Coffee

In addition to being a great beverage on its own, you can also use it in a variety of recipes and make it in a variety of ways.

• 7 Ways with Coffee
• Be Your Own Barista
• Girls' Night In: Chocolate-and-Coffee Tasting
• Brewing Coffee with a French Press
• Brewing Stovetop Espresso
• Grinding Coffee
• Browse all Coffee Recipes

129,000 men and women for 20 years, those who drank several cups of coffee a day were 34 percent less likely to die from heart disease than non-coffee drinkers. Experts say coffee's antioxidants helps fight inflammation, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

4. Protect against Parkinson's. Several studies show regular coffee drinkers are up to 80 percent less likely to develop the disease, compared to those who abstain. The more you drink, the lower your risk, some of those studies say.

5. Boost your mood. Feeling a little blue? A steaming cuppa joe could make you smile. Caffeine stimulates the production of dopamine, a brain chemical related to pleasure and motivation. Just take care not to overdo it – too much caffeine can cause anxiety and sleeplessness.

6. Zap a headache. While it's true coffee can trigger headaches in some people, it can also be a short-term cure for others. Researchers at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago found that 200 milligrams of caffeine – about the amount in a cup of coffee – provided as much pain relief as 400 milligrams of ibuprofen and worked faster than the medication.

7. Fight cavities. Your morning mocha just may improve your smile. Scientists say coffee made from roasted coffee beans contains antibacterial properties, plus molecules that keep cavity-causing microorganisms from sticking to tooth enamel.

8. Keep you sharp. Caffeine revs up your metabolism, helping you stay focused and alert. Studies have also shown the stimulant improves short-term memory and may help protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Of course, there are people who have health conditions that may be aggravated by caffeine or other substances in coffee. Coffee can increase heart rate and blood pressure, and, although the advice to avoid coffee during pregnancy is being debated, most health care professionals are still recommending that pregnant women avoid or limit coffee consumption. Consult a physician or a dietitian if you have questions about coffee intake and your health.

Now that you're feeling a little less guilty about drinking that 

cuppa Joe, let's move on to cooking with it!

I've just found the neatest website devoted to all manner

of coffee-based cooking rubs and syrups called

JAVA & CO.

This site is totally going to get me into trouble.


Take a look at the description of just ONE of their
many yummy products:

Handmade from fresh roasted coffee beans without corn syrups, fillers or added preservatives.  A syrup without corn syrup?  Really?  Really!!  The results?  Pure, smooth, decadent flavor.

Syrup made from coffee…not just for coffee.

Enjoy FOUR of our delicious flavors:

(1)   Original – Colombian coffee roasted infusion, aka leghorn sauce.

(2)   French Vanilla – French Vanilla coffee infusion – smooth and silky.

(3)   JAVA Nut - Hazelnut coffee infusion – rich and buttery.

(4)   TiRUMisu – Dark Jamaican rum and coffee infusion – dark, bold and decadent.

Well, suffice to say I'd be here all night

extolling the virtues of 

Java and Co. 

so may I suggest you 

take a moment and pop over there 

when you have time 

(and willpower of steel)

and see all that they offer.

To all who share my addition love of the bean we 

know as coffee/java/joe/jet fuel,

I raise my mug to you.

Celebrate all month long and enjoy --

good to the last drop!  

:)

~Ruth~