My Cats went to Paris !!

My cats really didn't go to Paris which is a good thing because I would have been insanely jealous. I haven't been to Paris since 1983! It was so long ago that TWA was still in business. Hmm, time to go back, don't you think?

Anyway, back to the point of this post, I decided to purchase one of Carol Gillott's Send your Pet to Paris watercolors. Of course, I had her feature my two sweeties, Molly and Oscar. She asked that I send her photos of the two cats and she did the rest. The photos should be good photos of the pets and, well, go to her website, www.ParisBreakfast.com, and read about it.




Here's a closeup of the kits. Don't they look great? I couldn't be happier with the finished product. Now I need to find a frame to do it justice! I'm on the hunt.

Also, I have drawn the winner of my blog giveaway, Stefanie of Rose Petals and Rust won the gems of the sea giveaway. Stefanie, please email me your info so I can send
your goodies to you.

Today is warm and sunny here in New England, I put the air conditioning on for the first time since I moved into the condo. Thankfully it works.

I hope you all stay cool this weekend!

Favorite Quote

"Taking Joy in Life is a Woman's Best Cosmetic" - Rosalind Russell



Looking forward to my next vacation day!

Second Monday of the Month Blog Giveaway

Cindy at My Romantic Home is hosting a giveaway party so I thought I would participate this month. Each blogger who participates has their own giveaway and Cindy also has a giveaway.

Leave a comment on this post anytime up until July 17th and I will draw my giveaway winner on the 18th.




I love living in New England - most days. We finally got some sun so I guess Mother Nature has not canceled Summer as I originally suspected. Anyway, my giveaway is all about Summer and the Sea. To the winner goes the following:

small glass bottle filled with "gems of the sea"
Crabtree and Evelyn's Nantucket Briar scented bath soap
6 linen "sailboat" cocktail napkins (1 blue, 1 green, 2 yellow, 2 purple)
1 gel refresher, Sea Salt fragrance by Illuminations


Now take a peek at Cindy's blog to see what she's giving away.

Just hanging out with the Kits

It's a beautiful Saturday morning. Peaceful, on the warm side but with a cool breeze. The sun has been out for two straight days!



I opened one window in the kitchen. Oscar discovered it first. One cat, one open window.



Then Molly noticed the window. One open window, two cats. Is she bowing at his feet?




She wants the window to herself. She wants him OUT!



She may act non-chalant but she wants him gone from that window.

Stay tuned!

Breakfast at Wimbledon

Last Sunday, I hosted my annual Wimbledon Breakfast party. Every July, I have my friends and family over to watch the Wimbledon Gentlemen's Final and to eat a hearty breakfast.

As you all know, Roger Federer won his sixth Wimbledon title. He beat American Andy Roddick on the 4th of July weekend. That's just wrong!



We started the morning with crackers, cheese, and fruit. Cranberry cinnamon goat cheese, baby swiss, and English wensleydale with rosemary and sea salt crackers, English biscuits, and petit toasts.




My sister'a teapot from Harrod's was filled with Harrod's No 42 tea (Earl Grey).




A purple and green bouquet reflected the colors of Wimbledon. The tea rack held more selections for the guests should they tire of Harrod's No. 42.




Molly got distracted by something outside the window.



Oscar got tired of watching the long match. He wanted to play his own games.




Andy Roddick gave it his all.



But Roger Federer had all the graceful moves and he persevered.



Evidently, Molly and Oscar had a little difference of opinion.




Ww had baked french toast, frittata, fruit salad, scones with lemon curd, strawberry jan and mock devonshire cream. This fruit tart was just one of the dessert selections. Everyone made something for the party.



I served Starbucks coffee to finish off breakfast.




In the end, heartbroken Andy was gracious. He pushed Roger to the limit but like all true champions Roger found a way to win. It was quite the match and a jolly good time for the spectators, especially those watching from home.

Happy 4th of July weekend

Celebrating freedom, family and friends this fourth of July. And of course, fireworks.

This photo was taken by my friend Don at last year's fireworks. Hopefully the rains will stop long enough for cookouts and fireworks displays this year too!

The Gift Closet

Am I the only crazy one in the universe with a gift closet? Actually right now I would have to term it a gift shelf. What is a gift shelf? It's a place where you store all those goodies you buy throughout the year. They're meant to be gifts for others but sometimes you like them so much you keep them for yourself! (Click to enlarge any of the photos).

So I thought I'd give you a peek into my gift closet, I mean shelf. Look at these soaps. I bought them at the Festival By The Lake a few weeks ago. They're from Grace Farm Organics and they smell great. Also look how pretty they are, each fragrance has a different carving. Of course, the fleur de lis is mine even though the scent is rather manly and called Northern Gentleman. The other scents I have are lemongrass and rainforest.



I found these at my favorite store, Nesting. They are little journals with blank pages adorned with pretty ribbons, vintage photos, and sayings. I keep a little journal in my purse most days. I like to write down restaurant and store recommendations, new websites, etc.



I found these sweet embroidered linens at Thoreauly Antiques in Concord. The lady on the towel looks like she should be in the movie Emma.




I got the sailboat linen napkins at the same antique shop. Such pretty pastels. Perhaps a future blog giveaway?





I love the line of bath products by Thymes. These bath salts are from the discontinued fragrance of Green Tea. I also got the body wash but I think it's
going to stay with me.



Another antique store find was this hand tatted lace hankie. Love these colors and I had to buy it. It's going to make one of my friends happy.




Tealights from Colonial Candle in their Pink Peony Fragrance. It really smells like peonies.




Lavender sachets picked up at the local Home Goods.





I also bought the jar candle version of the Pink Peony scent and another called Lime Grove which I must confess I broke into the other night. It has a nice clean scent. Perfect for the kitchen.

As you can see I am fully stocked for any occasion. If I need a hostess gift or a
birthday gift I am all set. Now, if I could just keep myself from raiding the shelf!