Happy “Cyber Monday!” Though I have to admit, the most internet shopping I plan to get done to day is the ordering of Christmas cards… We have had a wonderful start to the holiday season, and I hope it has been so for you, too!  Now, it’s time to focus our shopping efforts on our friends [...]

On this beautiful Thanksgiving Day, we are happily roasting a turkey in our “facelifted” kitchen (and moving Mr. M’s laptop into the room has proven to be a wonderfully handy and dangerous idea).  This morning, when we had brunch here with my in-law’s, we asked Jr. what he was thankful for.  He grinned and said, [...]

Taking a break from my kitchen reorganization that I thought would have been done by noon… ahem. It’s now 6pm. All I have to say is that I’m turning it into a haven of organization and visual stimulation… but, in the words of The Shop Tart, “Ding dang, y’all!” This is taking forever! During my [...]

If you ever hear me utter such words in an accent representing a state that I haven’t lived in for 20 years, just reply, “Shani, go to bed.”  Whenever I am absolutely exhausted and my speech gets lazy, my Wisconsinite roots decide to take over my lips and tongue.  This weekend, we embarked on our [...]

I am a big believer in using special table and glassware pieces every day.  You have them…. why let them collect dust 300 days of the year?  My favorite, though, is when I get to pull it all out at once for a holiday celebration (like next week!)  We tend to overdo it with side [...]

I am the worst at following directions.  Ask Mr. M. I start out with good intentions, and then my mind runs away with me and I either get distracted or a little voice in my head (or tummy) tells me that if I add this or that to whatever it will be so much better. [...]

So sorry I’ve been very slow with my posts this week!  I’ve been working on some business… and putting together wonderfully fun things that I hope you will all enjoy (and spread the word about), and that coupled with my housewifely and mommy duties has left me a little short on time!  I’ll be no [...]

Last night while working on some fabtastic (I’ve been using that word ever since I read it on the great James Andrew’s blog, where he dubbed it his new favorite) things that I’ll be sharing with you all very soon, I left Ovation on TV in the background. It was late and Mr. M was [...]

This trio of micopaintings (2″ x 4″) is by self-taught artist, Lee Monts.   They will be on view at The Gallery at DuPre during one of my absolute favorite events of the year, Vista Lights, along with works by Thomas Crouch, Tyler Blanton, Jason Amick, and others. As part of the Vista Lights show, Monts [...]

The herds are coming! Thanksgiving is two weeks from today, and many of us are going to fall into the “hosting” group; getting ready for the stampede of feet, kisses, wine, preparation, catching up, hugs, wine, cooking, more wine…. you get the point.  We are hosting dinner that evening, and then houseguests the following day… [...]