I try to listen throughout the year for gift giving ideas. Hints that are given without meaning to be a hint for a gift. Something someone wishes they had, or needs, or has recently lost/broke, etc. It’s amazing the ideas you can pick up if you listen!
There is nothing better than buying just the right gift. It doesn’t have to be expensive. So many of us have enough “things” – so I look for gifts that are useful, practical and don’t take up a lot of space. Something that the person can use like a gift card for spa services (a nice treat), movie pass, restaurant gift card, coffee shop gift card, homemade (or store bought) bakery treat. Sensible gifts like socks, underwear, while not terribly exciting (although with all the bright patterns out there now they sure can be!) are very practical and if you know the right brand/size could be very much appreciated. Some nice socks like SmartWool (warmth), Feetures (running/walking socks) or just some gorgeous socks (men: Ted Baker) or even some gorgeous (yes, gorgeous!) Sockwell compression socks for that special someone who is always on their feet!
Those are just a few ideas- there are oh, so many! Have fun in your quest for just the right gift! Make it special (not necessarily expensive, just with thought behind it).
Now, this is a good gift idea! Especially for those who are in their vehicle any length of time! Real sheepskin keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and importantly doesn’t give you that electric ZAAAP that you get when it’s dry outside! I’ve been zapped so badly I was sure I was going to end up with curly hair!
ShearComfort.com is one of the companies that you can order from, you order based on the year/make/model of your vehicle. That way you KNOW it will fit properly.
For those of you with heated seats (not in need of a seat cover), if you get cold hands while driving there is also a cover for your steering wheel 😉
Do you know someone who this would make a good gift for?
S’well tumblers, water bottles and travelers (similar to tumblers with lids) – I’m telling you these are AMAZING! I first saw this at LL Bean in Freeport, Maine. I like the smaller (10oz.) size. There is another that I bought for my husband, taller and 18oz. It would take me forever to drink 18oz!
What I love about these is that they DON’T SWEAT 💦. I’m conscious of BPA, etc. So have gotten away from plastic, but when I use a glass it sweats from the heat/humidity. Ick. I hate sweat! There also isn’t an odd aftertaste, like I’ve had with other steel water bottles – my water tastes like it just came from a (purified) mountain stream!
This S’well tumbler keeps hot drink hot ♨️ up to 12 hours and cold drinks cold ❄️ for up to 24 hours. That means you can set your glass on a wooden table with no risk of condensation. I do it all the time, I feel like a rebel, hee.
The water bottles are beautiful (can a water bottle be beautiful? YES!) The opening fits most ice cubes which is nice and they come in 9oz or 17oz. There is even a 25oz. bottle that will hold a bottle of wine!
These bottles are made of vacuum insulated high-grade 18/8 stainless steel and have ThermaS’well ™ technology – including a copper layer which creates that wonderful condensation free exterior – NO SWEATING! Woohoo! They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes. Mine pictured above is TEAKWOOD and it’s gorgeous! They are sold at a variety of places (via the Swellbottle website, Nordstrom, Dick’s, etc) – see more info on SwellBottle.com!
Today is our friend’s birthday, she turns 90! Her name is Penny and she’s an amazing individual. She has a vivid memory and can recount stories from years ago with the sharpest detail! Penny shares her life stories – you know, those very special stories that you can learn by… You’ll see what I mean when you check out her blog. YES! Her blog…
Penny writes an incredible blog about the “Recollections & Ruminations of a Quirky Old Dame”. She has a gift with her sharp wit and love of storytelling. Her posts will put a smile on your face. Penny is cool and “with it” – she keeps up to date on what’s happening, and she makes me laugh. This is a woman who loves life. She dives in, unafraid to try new and challenging things, such as starting a blog at age 89. I started out posting it to WordPress for her (posting, not writing), and now she does it all. Penny is an inspiration, a sweet friend and the one special person who told me about Effie’s Oat Cakes!
Penny and I originally met via email – CC’d from another friend. Fred and I have had the opportunity to meet Penny in person – What a treat! Since the time of emailing we have met on Monhegan Island a few times – and what a good time we have!
Penny – What is your secret?I’m guessing it’s a wonderful attitude, a love of reading and writing – a close family and many, many friends (and quite possibly two Effie’s Oat Cakes each morning – I’m hoping that’s the true secret!)
Your gift of sharp wit and love of storytelling makes your blog, Nearly Ninety the absolute treasure that it is!
The coolest thing happened to us the other day. We were having lunch at Five Loaves Cafe in Charleston, SC – and as the woman walked up to our table (we thought to give us our bill), she explained that the restaurant chooses a few tables each day to surprise and take care of their meal. So there was no bill, it was on the house – they just ask that you pay it forward through random acts of kindness – give back however you can.
I have to tell you, I’ve read about this happening to other people and I always thought it was such a cool thing to have happen! There is no better feeling than giving. It leaves you smiling the entire day. It’s been fun to think up ways to pay it forward. We always try to be mindful of that, but this is extra special given the time of year…
So… pay it forward however you can, whether you treat someone to lunch, buy them a coffee, or just random acts of kindness – bringing an elderly neighbor dinner or treats – a nice visit. The possibilities are endless!
As I mentioned, Five Loaves Cafe had fabulous food! I love how you can order a half of sandwich, half of a salad or a cup vs. bowl of soup. They also have a soup “flight” that allows you to sample three different soups. We’re looking forward to going back for dinner! We also want to try their other restaurants, Sesame Burgers and Beer and Ember Kitchen (Charleston, SC).
I can tell you this post took me far too long to write – Reason? I got stuck looking at their menu and couldn’t get out! Oh! Everything sounds so good! Can’t wait to get back…
Bravo to the GlowFisch company – you rock! Your restaurants are fabulous, good food, good people and good beliefs! We will most certainly be back!
Happy Holidays indeed! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Charlie watching intently out of the back window while perched in a chair. Not a muscle moves. Not even one of the many hairs on his body. He’s watching for any movement, squirrels and birds mostly.
Dogs love to be at the same level we are. He will hop up in a chair and sit back like you or I would. It’s crazy to see and makes me laugh every single time. I think it started when he was a puppy. The only way he would stay calm is to get in my desk chair (with me in it), he would sit up, back against the chair- paws in front and digging into my back. Once he got situated he would fall asleep, which also meant if I wanted a moment of piece I wouldn’t move a muscle. It’s how this blog was born. On 1/1/11 I decided I may as well do something productive, so why not figure out how to create a blog, the writing part was easy, the figuring out took a bit.
It’s been a great adventure. I can’t believe next month begins year EIGHT of a daily blog, which, I have to be honest, at times I have considered stopping just because of the enormous amount of time I spend on it. Even though my posts are rather fluffy and most don’t have a lot of research to be done (house plans and artists are different, those do take time), they still take a lot of time.
I hope you are enjoying this blog. I have received so many wonderful emails throughout the years – it’s what keeps me going. As a friend mentioned… it’s time to monetize – But how? Sounds like I have some research to do! Better get busy!
We have many old, large, live oak trees where we live – each one is so breathtaking. Their canopy is very large and this time of year when the light hits it’s just stunning!
Some trees have more Spanish moss than others. That’s a pretty sight, especially with the sun filtering through, very dramatic. These trees are like sculptures – stately. This time of year the light seems warmer and lights up the trees differently. Remember, it’s the little things in life!
Paige Oden. Beautiful paintings – bright, happy paintings without being too bright. I love the pop of orange and the colors of the sky and water. Nice figures.
Paige’s comments on The Shell Collectors: This painting is also from my time spent on Balboa Island. I often paint on the island because it is where I grew up and I feel a connection to the simple beach lifestyle and beauty. Also, because of its tight space and natural waterways, it cannot change too much. I mean yes, the tiny beach bungalows have given way to over-sized tiny castles… But if you look at the bay views and canal waterways and alleys, you can see the genuine love of a simple beach day where time stands still.
As the daughter of nationally renowned illustrator Dick Oden, I earned my BFA in Painting and an MFA in Figurative Sculpture, studying under artists such as Ed Moses, Ken Auster, John Lincoln, Stephen Werlick and bay area sculptor Stephen De Staebler. Upon returning from school in Italy in1988 (Fine Arts scholarship) I completed a figurative sculpture scholarship at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C and then finished my MFA bronze works at CSULB metals foundry in 1991.
It was during my CSULB MFA program in 1991 that I also taught painting classes at the nearby Orange County High School of the Arts (aka OCSA). Now, nearly 25 years later I continue my association with OCSA as the Director of the Visual Arts Conservatory where I get to design and oversee the arts curriculum, guide the 14 member faculty and oversee the admissions process for the OCSA Visual Arts Conservatory and its 200 extremely talented fine art high school students.
Overseeing and redesigning the OCSA Visual Arts Conservatory was an opportunity I could not pass up. While it has deferred my painting career, it is an opportunity to guide and mentor the most talented fine artists of our local future. The OCSA fine arts curriculum is comparable to any arts college with outstanding faculty. I cherish the opportunity to bring in the most talented and often economically challenged student artists and then offer them a curriculum and education that will create a fine arts college portfolio that will get them to the most prestigious art colleges in the world, Yale, RISD, College of St. Martins, SAIC, and on and on. Most of our students could not get to these schools without the leadership of the OCSA. The OCSA experience will change their future forever so how could I not jump at the chance to be the guiding factor in that event!
Throughout my 14 years of leadership at OCSA I have continually painted in my home studio though not at the pace of her pre-OCSA career. I have been awarded many awards for her OCSA teaching career including the OTIS Teacher of the Year Merit Award. I have been lucky enough to receive multiple grants and have studied with Camille Przwodek, Ken Auster, Randy Sexton and Colin Page.
I participate in various regular California gallery exhibitions and sell my work to longtime collectors while acting as the Director of Visual Arts at OCSA and raising my family.
CFL Bulbs (I just happened to snap a photo of GE, it’s not to single them out)
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL). Ick. (Well, that was grown up, wasn’t it?) I have to admit I have never been an admirer. But I tried to get in the swing – they save energy, etc. So I bought some to use in closets (I’m trying)… I did manage to purchase the kind that do turn on rather quickly and were the least bright of some that are out there. (Many are obnoxiously bright).
One day I was reading an article about the dangers if you drop a CFL bulb. Seriously? I wrote a post a while back on the steps to take to clean it up (you do not just pick it up) – open windows 5-10 minutes, turn off heat/AC, click HERE for the full directions… There are also health risks associated with them. The bulbs I bought should last 8 years. We had them in a CLOSET where the light was turned on rarely. They lasted 3 years.
CFL Bulbs are NOT recycled with normal recycle material and you do NOT dispose of them in the trash – for good reason. You can take them to Lowes or Home Depot – or see the link below in orange for recycle center for CFL bulbs near you). I happened to be at Lowes and I brought these little dangerous bulbs with me, each in a styrofoam cup and then securely in a bag. When I got to Lowes there were directions to put each bulb in its own bag and tie it off and then place in the receptacle.
I’m not buying any more CFL bulbs. That may not be green but it’s less risky for sure!
A good source: LampRecycle.org You can find recycle centers for CFL bulbs near your home!
As I mentioned, the photo I took was the GE brand, this post isn’t brand specific and I am not referring to only GE bulbs – it’s ANY CFL bulbs.
Hopping off my soapbox now, just want you to all be aware in case your CFL bulbs break or burn out- Catch you back here tomorrow!
Fighting for Air with Full Lungs by Emmy Wommack 16×20 Acrylic, House Paint, Oil Pastel
Emmy Wommack. I first saw Emmy’s work when she held a fundraiser for on Instagram – a great (and large!) abstract. She seems like a super cool person. Her work is happy – I love that!
me and paint. we go way back. from accent walls to faux painted furniture to folksy ducks painted on switchplate covers. early in my adult life i made the decision to change my college major from fine art to psychology. a decision based on a lot of self-imposed limitations. i then proceeded to engage in any business venture, hobby, or volunteer activity i could get myself roped into that would allow me to create…withoutcalling myself an artist, mind you. those adventures have served me well. these days i embrace the title “artist”, even though there will probably always be a part of me that feels like a fraud. my antidote is to be as transparent and authentic as possible and to place the credit for any success where it rightfully belongs. it’s a tricky one, but the goal is to be an instrument that allows genuine, divine expression to flow from the creator through me. the hard part is getting out of the way.
I came up with this “recipe” after I had roasted a lot of veggies for the week. We had them as sides, and I was trying to think of something different to do with them. This was amazing. One note: Bleu cheese goes a long way, so remember, you can always add more! The caramelized taste of the roasted veggies, with the addition of the kale, chewy dried fruit and crunchy walnuts were an amazing combination!
Many of my “recipes” aren’t really recipes, they’re more of a guideline – Feel free to experiment with different ingredients or vary from what I have written. This recipe is also something that can be made (mostly) ahead, then heat and assemble the bowls.
This recipe includes roasted veggies (click HERE for a great guide on roasting veggies), cooked quinoa (Trader Joe’s frozen packet that you microwave is amazing – perfect for 2 with a little left over)! I also sauté the kale, I wash it, dry it, and add to a non-stick pan with a wee bit of olive oil, cover the pan and add a wee bit of water to help it steam – keep taste testing, once it’s at the consistency that you like, turn the burner off and transfer to a bowl. Chop the dried fruit, nuts. Once you have everything ready it’s time to add to a bowl. Add quinoa, roasted veg, cranberries or cherries, nuts, a wee bit of bleu cheese – this is remarkably good AND good for you!
Click HERE to print the recipe as shown below… I can’t wait for you to try it!
Roasted Veggie & Quinoa Bowl
Quick & Healthy Recipe – Serves 2 people
Ingredients
● Roasted Vegetables (see note*)
● Kale, chopped and sautéed
● Blue Cheese, crumbled
● Quinoa, cooked (see note**)
● Walnuts, chopped
● Dried Cranberries or Cherries, chopped
1. Roast vegetables: I used onion, carrots, parsnips, turnips and sweet potato – change it up so it doesn’t get boring!
2. Saute the kale by adding washed/dried kale to a non-stick skillet with a little olive oil. After a few minutes cover the pan and add a little liquid (chicken broth or water is fine) – keep taste testing until it’s to a consistency you like.
3. Cook the quinoa. You can make it according to package directions or buy frozen that you zap in the microwave..
4. Chop walnuts, and dried fruit.
5. Plate – Add quinoa to individual bowls, top with vegetables, dried fruit, walnuts and bleu cheese.
Tips
*Roasted vegetables: see link below for tips on how to roast veggies. I basically cut into pieces (the smaller the pieces the quicker they cook), add a little olive oil, S&P in a 400F oven about 30 minutes (depending upon size).
**Quinoa: Trader Joe’s (or similar) frozen cooked quinoa is a real time saver, and perfect if there are just one or two of you!
I featured Kyle back in 2015 and after running across more stunning paintings I felt the need to feature him again! The light in Kyle’s paintings is incredible AND memorable – I remember those paintings that I had featured back in 2015 (click on above link to see), and I feature a lot of artists and oh so many paintings, so it really has to stand out.
I love, love, love all the light in Kyle’s paintings – how the gorgeous toned canvas seeps through in places adding so much interest. His paintings have a life of their own as shown above! Be sure to check them out!
Oil painter Kyle Paliotto gathers imagery from the beautiful rustic landscape of his local surroundings in North Idaho. He searches out rural settings which display a time gone by when harmony between land and man existed. His style is one that takes from impressionism without disregarding the discipline of representational art up to the early 1900’s. Painting plein air on location is essential to his process but the real meat and potatoes is in the studio.
At the age of 42, Kyle has had some great achievements, but his greatest joys are his wife Rebecca and children Vincent and Sophia . Teaching a weekly art class along with workshops has added to his love of art and ability to share his passion. His successes include: Signature Status with the American Impressionist Society, Juried into multiple Oil Painters of America National and regional shows, Winning Honorable Mention in the 13th Annual American Impressionist Society National Show (2012) and also in the Portrait Society of America’s Members Only competition (2010), Best of Show at the CM Russell Auction in Great Falls, Montana (2010) and winning Third Place in American Impressionist Society’s 11th Annual National Show (2010). Kyle has been written about in Southwest Art Magazine’s “Artists to Watch” (2008) (2013)(2017) and a feature article in Western Art Collector Magazine (2009) (2010) and (2013).
Life is just getting exciting and Kyle looks forward to a long rewarding career.
Normally I write my posts ahead of time and schedule them to publish. It’s the only way that I can keep up with a daily blog (next month starts year 8!!!!) – so each morning I’m as surprised as you are as to what my post is about. Well, this morning it really was a surprise since there wasn’t one! Oops!
We had lunch a few times this weekend at a wonderful place that we haven’t been to in years. I’m so glad we did. The food was SO good (which is why we went back the next day). I love that they have half portions. Good people, close by, and really good food! If you’re in the Charleston, SC area, be sure to check them out:
The skies in November are stunning – seems like I say that most months, but October/November and really all winter long I am drawn to those dramatic skies!
A photo headed over the Ashley River bridge – and eerily hardly a car in sight – this photo was taken right before Thanksgiving which explains very few cars on the road. No other time would it look like this!
📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…
Where is this? Do you know? It’s a familiar landmark to many, an indication that you have arrived, but where? 😉
According to Wikipedia.org this was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair and was used as a Ferris wheel! I’ll add the link after I get a correct answer, hee hee…
Happy First Day of December, can you believe it?
📸 IMAGES ARE MY OWN UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF INTERESTED…
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