Tra-La-La

Well, this is something to remember for next year. The day after Halloween is the beginning of the Christmas season. But it does seem a bit early to be hearing Christmas carols.

I, for one, try to get organized in my head early on (not as easy as it sounds) so that I don't have to freak out December 20th. I have a lot of favorite things that would make great presents so I'll be telling you about them as the days go by. Not that I think I am as cool as Oprah - it's just that you should benefit from my great finds.

My new discovery is Ahava Hand Cream and Body Lotion. It comes from Dead Sea Laboratories in Israel. You know how usually, after you put lotion on your hands you kind of have to wipe them off because they are too sticky? Well, this cream gets totally absorbed into your skin. Rye Beach Pharmacy has it - it's great.

My Citiz Espresso Maker from Nespresso is one of the best things I have ever bought. It is like having a butler. Not that I would know. It literally makes your coffee in a minute and you can froth your milk if you buy the frother. You buy the pods on line from Nespresso and each pod is 50-65 cents. This is sold at Williams Sonoma and is worth every penny. You can knock out a few espressos for your dinner party guests in no time.

Today is cold. Well, maybe it isn't cold but I put on a skirt to go to the city and am freezing now that I am home. I think I'll pull up the quilt and read my book: Carry Yourself Back to Me by Deborah Reed. It's good.

I found Rules of Civility to be not so good. Beautifully written but not enough going on with the story.

I am busy trying to start on a new phase of my working life which affects my whole life which is completely exhausting. Whenever I enter a "growth period" it's as though everything in my life shifts a bit. We have to be open to new things or else we'll have no friends and nothing to do.

NY Botanical Garden Orchid Exhibit last year. Pretty.