Showing posts with label one-minute vacations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label one-minute vacations. Show all posts

Friday, December 18, 2009

Mouthwatering Yum-Yums

How about a one-minute vacation from the calories spreading out of the Christmas treats? My sweet tooth is on overload, so I would love to have a vacay from the guilt of indulging.

We're having virtual candy, cupcakes, and cookies today, and there will be no diabetic explosion, no breaking of the scale, and no bursting of the pant zippers. Go ahead, drool over these, my treat!

(By the way, my friend Kat came up with the saying "mouthwatering yum-yums" and I've giggled over it enough, I figured it was time to use it!)

Cupcakes with ooey-gooey frosting, candy canes, and do I see Snickers bars? This tray should be outlawed!



Hmm...sugar drizzled over dipped sugar. Is there any other way to describe these marshmallow concoctions? If only all shish-kabobs were this delectable!



Look, this one's healthy! There's calcium in that pudding, and hello? Strawberries!

I'm not even sure what these are, but I'd bite their heads off in a heartbeat.




Godiva. 'Nuff said.


It's the LAST weekend before Christmas! I want to wish you all a very safe, relaxing weekend. Enjoy!!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Favorite Mugs

I'm a creature of habit. I wake up at the same time each weekday, and the first hour I'm awake, I robot my way through a prescription of tasks. Coffee is always the highlight. As is the healthy serving of flavored cream I dump into my cup. Taking my first sip of the day never fails to thrill me. Not any old mug will do. I choose my mug with care according to my mood.



This mug says it all, and it makes me happy. I smile because it gets me.


I choose this mug when I feel down. My girlfriend Chrissy gave it to me way back when I was eighteen and having some rough times. Whenever I drink out of this Prescious Moments gem, it's as if I'm getting a hug.


My parents got me this mug a long time ago when they had to travel somewhere. It used to have the most adorable lid, but hey, I move a lot, and it's gone! This is also my mom's favorite when she comes to see me. I tend to drink out of it when I feel on top of the world, like I can slay any dragon, you know?

Another gift from my parents. I choose this when I feel kittenish. I LOVE cats!

My darling niece Ashley gave this to me for Christmas a few years ago. It's quickly become my most-used mug. Oversized with pink polka-dots--what's not to love? I like to drink tea out of it in the afternoon.

When I want to have a proper cup of tea, I use the all white cup and saucer. Elegant--plus there's a spot to cradle a cookie or two. Mmm...


I always use this mug for my "writing" coffee. My husband gave it to me. I love the color, the script, the fact my husband gave it to me, and that it holds about two cups of coffee. This one might be singlehandedly responsible for getting my books finished.




Do you make a production out of a morning ritual? Is it coffee or tea? Do you pick out a special mug?

Thanks for spending a few minutes of your Wednesday with me!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Dull, gray winter? Not today!

We're smack dab in the middle of December. It's looking mighty gray where I live, and I must confess that I don't do gray. I like color. Gobs of it.

So, our one-minute vacation takes us away from the gray and into colorful flowers.
This delicate beauty made me smile and sigh. I love how the photographer captured it against a black background.


These lavender jewels stirred my senses. I'm positive I can hear bees buzzing and birds chirping. There's a gentle breeze fluttering through my hair, and the sun's warmth caresses my bare arms. Oh, summer, I miss you!


Miles and miles of red, yellow, and orange. How I'm enjoying this view!



Anyone else hit with the urge to bend and inhale these pink blossoms?



This arrangement took my breath away. The centers of the roses fascinate me, and the violet against white really pops. Gorgeous!





Thank you for running away from the gray Monday with me.
Enjoy your day!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Celebrate the Small Things

It's Friday! Wahoo!

Has the holiday season caught up with you? Are you beginning to get panicky about the lack of presents purchased, the boxes of Christmas cards unopened in the closet, or the non-existent cookies needed for the exchange?

Eh. Don't sweat it.

Why not celebrate the small things? And forget, for a minute, the big ones?

Do you have a favorite ornament? Is it on display? Congratulations--you've taken a step at bringing joy to your holidays.



Have you received a Christmas card? Sent any? Look at the postmarks on this one. It's been all over the world! I wonder if the sender ever realized it would be so well traveled. Let's celebrate this card today. It made a few detours, but it found its way home.



How do you feel about the Salvation Army kettles? The incessant dinging of the bell can wear thin on my nerves, but I'm impressed with any organization so willing to collect funds to help others. I'm not endorsing this charity, but I am holding it up as a terrific example of sharing the joy of the season by giving to those less fortunate.



This card jumped out at me. It's so easy to get wrapped up in my own concerns that I forget all of the people who help me through daily problems. Sometimes it's a friendly store clerk at the grocery store who will make all the difference in my mood. I'm celebrating all of the people who smile at strangers, who let other cars ahead of them even in heavy traffic, and who bring a ray of sunshine everywhere they go.


What small thing will you celebrate today?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

If I could have anything today...

Do you ever finish a task and stop and wonder if you could have any random things today, what would they be? Since this is one-minute vacation month, there are rules.
1. The random things must be utterly selfish. Sure, we all want health for our loved ones and world peace; we don't have to spell those out. Today, it's all about you!
2. They can be as unrealistic as you want. Mine are all ridiculous. That may be why I love them.

What would you want? An object, an experience, or even a feeling?

Here are the things I want--and, no, I'm not going to have them today, but thinking of them puts such a huge smile on my face that it hardly matters.

First, I'd magically appear in Paris, where my husband and I would sit at a small table and speak in French. I'm not sure what we'd talk about, but I know it would be really interesting. Does it matter that I attempted to learn French a few years ago and gave up midway through the first CD? Of course not! No need to rain on my fantasy parade.



Next up, Maine. I need a lobster, people. Doesn't this guy look yummy? I'm salivating over drawn butter, small potatoes, and a heaping helping of biscuits. I can almost feel his claw shell cracking, revealing the white, succulent flesh. Mmmm...

After lunch, I am leaping in the air, contorting my body in dance. Have I mentioned how much I adore dancing? I love the fact every muscle in my body applauds. I love that my body can bend and twist and keep a beat. I love kicking, leaping, twirling, feeling the under-thrum of each tune. Unfortunately, one must dance often or the flexibility and core strength disappear...but...enough of that! This is my vacay, and I'm a bendy ballerina in it.



But now that I've indulged in some solo-dancing, I think I'll spice it up a bit. That's right, Mama needs to Tango! First of all, I love the heels this lady is wearing. Second of all, how fun would it be to tango with my husband? All dressed up fancy, strutting our way across a hardwood dance floor? Someday, I'll wear him down about the ballroom dance lessons. Someday.



Now you know what my Wednesday fantasy involves, you know I want to hear yours! Any long-forgotten dreams? Travel destinations? Tango sessions?

Thank you very much for stopping by and indulging my daydreams!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Twenty-One Days Left? Need a Break?

I promised a month of one-minute vacations, and I will not let you down. Well, I might let you down if you don't enjoy the same things I do!

So today we're headed to the beach, because when I think vacation, I think beach. White sand, warm sun, gentle breeze, slight sea fragrance, children laughing, and a deep sense of contentment. Ahh...I'm more relaxed already.

Look at the clear water. I can easily picture myself as one of these swimmers, and I can almost feel the water pouring over me as I doggy paddle my way around. Serious swimming is not my idea of vacation. We can add a few rafts and fruity drinks to the picture if you'd like.



Or what about this dock leading to rest? I'm positive each of those tiny huts has a king-sized bed with ultra-comfy bedding for me to snuggle into. There are no demands here, only pampering. And look, there are lots of huts, plenty for each of us.


Now that I've had my nap in my own special hut, I'm ready to venture out again. But who wants to spend a vacation alone? Consider yourself part of this group hug!



I'm so glad you stopped by to spend your one-minute vacation with me!

Have a fantastic weekend!