Making lemonade out of lemons...

Sometimes life chooses to test you and some days you just don't why "bad things happen to good people."  I have had a week of tests, trials and tribulations both professionally and personally.  What always amazes me about times like these is how the people you love surround you with love, support and prayers.  I am a very positive person and sometimes it is hard to stay positive.  My goal this week was to "make lemonade out of all of my lemons" and a wonderful friend said to make limoncello and freeze it so it's there when you need it, well said Barbara!  So tonight, in celebration of the end of a tough week, I am toasting with a lemondrop martini!!!!

Remarkable women

The past month has been a flurry of emails, calls, texts, cards, dinners and FB posts from my wonderful friends and family to celebrate my birthday.  I have been reflecting about how lucky I am to be blessed with such amazing people and then I get this email from a friend:

All,



A day doesn't begin or end without one or many of you coming into my thoughts. The impressions you've left with me are too numerous to list. I know you all are busy...with life events, which includes family, League, other civic leadership, work and professional responsibilties. I hope you remember to take a moment to celebrate all you are to so many....including me.

I came across this video...and the first women I thought of were YOU....You are remarkable and I never want any of you to forget it. You've given me so much.

Enjoy. Celebrate. And cherish the other women in your lives. The Junior League of Richmond is a very special place....with extraordinary women. What you do matters every day!
The one flaw in women

I mean, really, how lucky am I to have friend like this....so I am passing this video along to all of the women out there.  We truly are remarkable and we must never forget that!

Soup Saturday: Yellow Gazpacho

It's Saturday and you know what that means, it's soup day!!!!  Since it is still about 90 degress out, I have picked another cold soup to keep you chill.  This recipe is from Rachael Ray and sounds delish!!!

Yellow Gazpacho

Ingredients:

1 pound chopped yellow tomatoes
1 cup chopped seedless yellow watermelon
1 chopped yellow bell pepper
1 chopped kirby cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped shallot
1 chopped clove garlic
1/2 of a peeled and chopped kiwi
1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
Fresh cilantro

Directions:

Using a blender, puree 1 pound chopped yellow tomatoes (about 2 1/2 cups), 1 cup chopped seedless yellow watermelon, 1 chopped yellow bell pepper, 1 chopped kirby cucumber, 2 tablespoons chopped shallot, 1 chopped clove garlic, 1/2 of a peeled and chopped kiwi (finely chop the other half and reserve for sprinkling), 1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. With the machine on, drizzle in 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil. Divide into 4 bowls and top each with 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese, the reserved kiwi and fresh cilantro.

 

Dreaming of my next vacation....

The hardest part about a vacation is always returning to work.....and this week has been SUPER hard at work.  I'm already dreaming of my next getaway and I stumbled upon this picture, it looks like the perfect spot.  Just me, my dog, a book, cocktail in hand with a view of the sea......ahhhhh.....

L'esprit bohème

One of the stores I LOVE  is Calypso.  This last trip to NYC, I wanted to make sure to catch the store on Madison Ave, and bought a fabulous dress!!!  The things for fall are very gypsy and bohemian, check out the video with the super sweet dogs from the Barc Shelter in NYC.

Have you missed me?

I know, I know.....it has been a LONG time since my last post!  I have been traveling to NYC and Murrells Inlet, SC for some birthday celebrations!!!  Will be busy playing catch up over the next few days!!!!