Preppy Empty Nester F

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

A Microwavable Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends. I hope that you are enjoying your week. Another one bites the dust. Remember when I told you everything broke last week while the Mister was out of town? Well, he's back now, but things keep breaking. The sensor keeps going off on my dryer when the clothes are still wet. The repairman is coming this morning. It's lucky we have one of those Home Warranty policies because otherwise, it would be pretty bare under the tree this year.

1. What title would you give the current chapter of your life?

I was sadly mistaken when I thought that I would stop worrying about my children when they became adults.

This is my usual text when I haven't heard from them:
ARE YOU ALIVE?
Type Y or N.

2. December 6 is National Microwave Oven Day. Who knew? Besides popcorn and coffee reheats, what's the most common thing that you microwave? Could you get along without a microwave?

Amazon

I have not used our microwave since last week when I put it to work 2-3 times a day. The week was a stressful one. As I mentioned, everything I touched broke and the Mister was out of town on business. I could not do my whining in person and had to resort to phone calls and pesty texts to my man.

As a result, I had the mother of all headaches for four days straight. The tension spread down to my neck and shoulders so I sported this little fashion accessory which needs to be heated in the microwave. It did the trick with a bottle of chardonnay and three times the recommended dose of Tylenol PM.

3. If you could insert yourself into any Christmas carol and experience the lyrics in real life, which Christmas carol lyric would you choose and why?

Santa Baby for obvious reasons.

I can carry it off.

4. Describe the most beautiful drive you have ever taken.

When we lived in Southern California, we loved to take a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway.

5. What's something on your Christmas list this year? (an actual list or figuratively speaking, either one).

Along with peace on earth and goodwill to man, health and happiness for my family and friends, a metabolism as fast as the speed of light, the energy of a 3-year-old, and Oprah's bank account, I requested this little item.

Amazon

My #1 (our Cosmetic Queen) told me to try these daily peel pads a few months ago I really liked them.

Hint: #1 - the box is empty.

Hurry up before I start showing my age.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

While doing research for an upcoming Friday Files, I came across Time Magazine's 25 Best Inventions In 2017.

Here's one of them.

Amazon

This is a great gift for the persnickety coffee drinker on your list that you like a lot. Leave the price tag on and they'll be really impressed.

Until next time...

Monday, December 4, 2017

The Concord Holiday House Tour

Hello, dear friends. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Mine was fantastic! If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I have an affinity for Home and Showhouse Tours. Saturday, I ventured out to one of my favorite towns, Concord with my friend Linda. We then met the original Sudbury Sweetheart, Mary to take in the Holiday Home Tour.

Believe me, it did not disappoint.

Not only did I get to see some gorgeous homes, but I also made some new friends along the way. This is Tina from Tina Labadini Designs.

Tina invented the Doggy Ditty which is a handy bag to hold all the necessities you need to walk a dog - phone, bags, etc. The crossover strap doubles as a leash.

A great idea for a stocking stuffer for the dog lover in your life.

Tina also carries 100% cotton flour sack towels that are so darling and well priced.

Next stop was a favorite store of mine, Sara Campbell.

The store was decked out in all its glory. I approached the pretty lady on the right and asked if I could take a few photos to share with you. To my surprise, Kellie told me that she reads my blog! She could not have been lovelier and her fellow sales associate, Nancy was as well.

As I oohed and aahed my way through the racks of exquisite clothing and accessories, Kellie told me a little about the background of the company that owns her store. Sara Campbell is the designer, founder, and the CEO of her Boston-based corporation which has many locations. Sara is also a well-known and admired philanthropist.

Sarah Campbell not only has divine merchandise but it also is equipped with comfortable seating for the impatient man in your life. And the best part of all is it is well-stocked with fuel for the busy shopper.

It was a thrill to meet my sweet reader, Kellie and future reader, Nancy.

My two partners in crime, Mary, and Linda as we begin our tour.

Concord was dressed in luscious shades of deep reds and greens.

It looked like a movie set.

Another prospective friend...

great figure but no personality.

Our next stop was the charming Hawthorne Inn. The Inn is a mixture of chic furnishings and warm, welcoming color. The ladies and I fell head-over-heels in love with the wallpaper used on the first floor.

I had the pleasure of meeting the owners, Mark and Toni.

They could not have been nicer.

The tour specified that photos were not allowed.

One of the docents allowed me to take this one.

The pics below are from the Inn's website.

They also have photos of their stunning guest rooms online.

The Inn is positively pristine as well as spacious.

If you travel to Massachusetts, I highly recommend stopping by for a night or two in Concord and staying at The Hawthorne Inn for a taste of genuine New England charm and hospitality.

We hopped in the car and went off to visit our first antique home.

Between you and me, this house was my favorite.
It also featured stunning wallpaper and had a great floor plan.

This home was beautifully decorated with a fabulous kitchen.

The Mister would have loved this barn!

When I got home, I told the Mister that he needed to find me a big rock and a sled. Isn't this adorable?

This house was built in the 1970's and featured an open floor plan. Lovely accessories from all over the world, as well as a magnificent fireplace, are the things that I remember most.

You could tell that the luxurious kitchen and adjoining space are the heart of this engaging home. Great place to have a party, too.

Next stop was the Barrett Farm House which is a public building and dates back to 1705. The best part of this stop was this magnificently adorned door and the fact that we didn't have to slip on the awkward booties.

The thing that I remember the most about this particular antique home is the exquisite large dining room decorated in a tantalizing toile. This home is located within walking distance of town. The ladies and I chatted about how much fun it would be to be accessible to Concord.

Our last stop was lunch at The Colonial Inn which was very busy but managed to deliver stellar service and delicious food.

Until next time...

Last week, I ran into the Dollar Store and guess what I picked up!
I wouldn't dare buy one for Chili - she would take off one of my fingers. That girl is not too keen on accessories.
But Chowdah rocks 'em.

Friday, December 1, 2017

TTT/ Driving Miss Daisy

The Traveling Tote

Hi, Everybody! I'm baaaack! To refresh your memory, I am Mom's MacKenzie-Childs Tote, otherwise known as Miss Daisy. Last time we got together was September. Boy, three months sure flew by!

Poor Mom had a terrible week. Dad was out of town on business and every time he travels, something breaks. She finally got her Photoshop up and running and the next thing we know, our Internet hit the bricks. For two very long days, Mom was beside herself. The guys finally came today and told her it was fixed and left. Mom was so excited and made herself a steaming cup of her favorite tea. She sat down at her computer, and the next thing I heard was a loud wail. It wasn't fixed. So then she had to call Xfinity back, press a lot of buttons, and answer the same questions she answered the day before. The guys came back, finally fixed it, and the rest is history.

These past few months have been an adventure for me. And one of the best parts of it was meeting some of my Tote Sistas in real life.

In September, Big Sis #1 and Adorable Jonathon came home for a visit. They both love the water and wanted to spend as much time around it as possible. This is AJ holding me when we had lunch waterside in Scituate.

The next day, we took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard.
Not to worry, we didn't take this boat.

In September, Mom brought me to a luncheon at her sweet Cousin Louise's beautiful home. I also got to meet Mom's friend, darling Doris.

One day, we met Mom's friend, Kathy in Framingham and checked out the new Home Sense.

Mom was in her glory!

One picture-perfect Saturday, Mom and Dad took me to the Cape, and we shopped at Brewster General Store. They have lots of cute things, and the staff was so nice.

They kind of talk funny though, they say stuff like Brewstah.