We love meeting new people...

and Aedan really is a new person - he's just a little over two months old!  His lovely mother, Cari, came by to drop off some papers and he tagged along.  He was a sleepy little guy, so I didn't get to hold him - but is he ever cute!

Aggie barked and he didn't even wake up.  I guess he's used to his own dog, Ava, at home.  It was nice to finally meet you, sweet baby, and we hope to see you again soon!

Not a bad day at all...

considering the volume of work I accomplished in a mere twelve hours.  Of course, the pile of papers still looks big, but it's getting done, little by little.  I rearranged the desk a little to make folders and things more accessible.

I am also making headway on getting ready for tax season: shredder out of the closet, three months worth of cat litter on hand for keeping the associates happy...

The client folders are already done.

Bee is checking out my shoe for some reason - and probably the boxes I'm hoping to have ready to ship out on Monday.  I've decided to spend Saturday at the sewing machine - I am pretty sure I'll need a break by then!

My sweet friend, Erin, sent me an ME-a-day calendar.  The mailman brought it to me today - and I got to enjoy the first ten days of the year all at once!  The funny thing is, I sent her one for Christmas, too.  Maybe we should coordinate our gift strategy next year - and save postage.  Aggie suggested that - isn't she smart?

The wise one - although she is not much help with paperwork...

I did manage, over the past couple of evenings, to finish reading the latest Hamish Macbeth mystery from M.C. Beaton.  Death of Kingfisher is typical Hamish - he is always one step ahead of his nemesis, Inspector Blair, from the Strathbane Police Department - much to the inspector's chagrin.  Hamish is such a lovable character - for being a lazy village police constable, with absolutely no ambition to advance.  The fact that he is truly happy where he is confounds his superiors and frustrates the would-be Mrs. Macbeths.  I can't wait for the next one - number twenty-eight!

I think I've done enough work for one day - time to blow out the sugar cookie scented candle that's been brightening up my work area all day.  Isn't it pretty?  The candle was a Christmas gift and it fit perfectly in the candle holder that Ariela gave me for my birthday.  Another happy coincidence!

Just hanging around...

the house on Saturday - me and my furry associates.  Aggie has been sacked out on the floor while I am working my way through this pile of client paperwork; Peter and Bee have checked in with me periodically throughout the day.

Looking for treats, probably.

I finished up some correspondence, paid some bills for one of my clients and packed up two belated Christmas goodie boxes for two of my patient friends.

Managed to get a few thank-you notes written -

and a sentence in my Jane-a-Day journal.

My mail lady brought me a package from my friend, Kathy, in Utah.  She is a candy-maker extraordinare, let me tell you.  She found time to make several different kinds of goodies during the holiday season, after volunteering with the Red Cross in NYC for two weeks after Hurricane Sandy.  She was away from home from November 29 until December 15 - and still managed to work her magic in the kitchen.

She makes divine homemade truffles, excellent fudge and this year there is something labeled chocolate log wrapped in parchment paper.

I can't wait to investigate that!

I collected up some books for my weekly Sunday afternoon on the sofa tomorrow.  I think I'll start with A Deal to Die For - second in the Good Buy Girls series.

Review to follow one day soon...

But first I think I'll sample a truffle!

A little reward...

can be a good thing, don't you think?  I'm not an extreme coupon nut and I only travel to one store on my infrequent grocery buying trips, but I admit that I do save My Coke Rewards points.  I used to give them away, but then I thought: why don't I save them myself?  So for the past year or so, I've been faithfully savings points from soda cartons and bottles and diligently entering them into the computer.  Every time I have 250 points accumulated, I redeem the points for a coupon to get a free 12-pack of the Coca-Cola product of my choice.  It doesn't sound like much, but I've gotten 4 coupons so far this year; that's 48 cans of soda for a few minutes of my time.

Not a bad reward for just drinking soda.

It's just the thing!

When I got my new camera, I also tried to find a camera case that would protect the thing without being too big and bulky.  I really wanted something I could just slip into my purse or tote bag and everything I saw in the stores or online was either too small or too big with lots of straps and extraneous stuff I didn't want or need.  Etsy to the rescue!  One day I was just wasting time looking around on Etsy and I happened to find a lady who makes custom wallets and cosmetic bags.  I did some measuring and realized that her cosmetic bag was the perfect size for my camera.  I was also crazy about this green Japanese teddy bear fabric - so I contacted her and ordered one.  In a few days, my new camera case arrived by priority mail and I am thrilled with how it turned out.  It is very well made - sturdy and just enough padding to protect my digital camera.  And it fits very nicely in my handbag!  Isn't it great when you find just the thing you're looking for?

A little glimpse of calm...

is what I needed today - and I was delighted to find an original watercolor card in my mail.  It was from a friend of mine; her 89 year old mother painted it.  This scan doesn't do it justice - but the original is lovely.  I am very pleased to add it to my small, but growing collection of original art that I've been given over the years.  I am planning on putting it in a black frame with a white mat - I like to keep things simple.  My friend Ariela once asked me why all the frames on my prints are black - or at least dark - and I explained that I like the fact that a plain frame fades away and we only see the art.  She has since started to rethink her fondness for intricate picture frames.

Poor Ray was towed to Venice today; it's quite a long drive down there, but I am very thankful for AAA and my towing plan.  They are going to check him over and let me know the diagnosis - which may not even be a dead engine computer.  I'm trying not to get worked up about this situation again - so I keep looking at the sailboats and the calmness of the water.  Mind over matter!

Well, I am ashamed...

to admit that I have whiled away the entire day reading the adventures of Agatha Raisin in merry old new England.  No, I am not really ashamed at all.  It's not like I can go anywhere and it's too hot to sit outside on the screened porch.  We are all the way up to book number seventeen - my OCD really kicks in on serial mysteries!  Over the past dozen books or so, Agatha has become much more likeable, her ex-husband James is a complete ass, I still haven't figured out that motivates Sir Charles, Detective Bill Wong is still his same, sweet self and Mrs. Bloxby continues to be the voice of kindness, reason and sanity in the small village of Carseley.  I like to think that Aggie and Peter are enjoying these cozies as much as I am, but they don't say much.  They just curl up next to me or on my lap - they're great company!.

A new good thing...

I thought I'd share: SanPelligrino sparkling blood orange soda.  It was on sale at Publix this week and I thought I'd try it.  It's excellent!  I also got a six-pack of the grapefruit flavor but I haven't tried that yet.  Fizzy, not too sweet - very refreshing!

I guess hoarding is more widespread...

than one would think.  Yes, I admit to hoarding a few cookbooks, but they are all stored neatly in the cupboard over my range hood.  My friend (who shall not be named) is a self-confessed hoarder who has vowed to get her life in order this year.  I've been promising some inspiration photos for my friend's own kitchen for some time now - and having completed my annual spring cupboard purge, I have decided to post them here for her on our little blog.

I am fortunate to have a fairly large pantry in the kitchen and I was merciless when I sorted it out - if I hadn't used it in a year, away it went.  Crockpot, toaster, you name it - gone to new homes.  I'm still sort of a hoarder when it comes to provisions - but I prefer to think of it as having a well-stocked pantry.

Baking pans, mixing bowls, mixer.  I try to make use of plastic bins to organize like items and keep the clutter to a minimum.  Lord, I'm sounding like Martha Stewart...

Silverware drawer just above the baking cupboard.  Yes, I got rid of the ugly white plastic trays and went with the pretty bamboo.  I think it just makes putting things away more fun.  Really.

As you can see, I hid the ugly-after-I-really-looked-at-it Keurig cup carousel.  It was a good idea in theory, but not so visually pleasing to have on the kitchen counter.  I also pared down my glassware to six glasses and four teacups.  No - five!  I moved one to the top shelf with my antique coffee pot.

I've discovered that the drawer under the oven makes a great spot to store canned goods, rice and soup mixes.  My panini grill is also tucked in there out of sight - along with my little frying pan.

Some of these cupboards are so small and oddly shaped that it's a challenge to make good use of them.  Two plastic bins fit nicely in this one: I use the top for foil, waxed paper and zip-loc bags; the bottom is for baking mixes and oil.  Also a great place to stash the peanut butter!

This small drawer has turned out to be perfect for spices and other cooking necessities.  The can opener, pizza cutter, and measuring cups have finally found a permanent home here as well.

Under the sink is pretty ugly, but the storage bins help corral bags, water filters and cleaning supplies.  Unfortunately, it's the only space where the pizza stone and a couple of platters will fit.

Finally, I've pared down a multitude of dishes to one set of Mary Engelbreit stoneware and one tea cup and saucer of each ME design.  The top shelf is a great space for my colorful colander and a couple of rarely-used snack baskets.  I like opening a cabinet and seeing color and organization!  I hope my little kitchen tour encourages you to purge, organize and beautify an everyday space!

Upgrade time...

This is my old faithful Canon digital camera.  It has 8 mega pixels and takes pretty good photographs.  It's also the last birthday gift my soon-to-be ex-husband gave me and I realized that I thought about him nearly every time I used it.  Silly, I know, but there you have it.  And since he's apparently decided that it's time for an upgrade, I thought an upgrade was in order, too.

Meet my new friend: Canon PowerShot SX130.  He has 12 mega pixels and a 12x zoom lens.  I resisted the temptation to go with the popular Canon Rebel because I don't really have the need for a DSLR camera.  The point and shoot with automatic settings is just perfect for me and my little blogs.  And for photos of Aggie, Peter and our cozy nest.  The best part was a really reasonable price since the newer model is about to be released - more mega pixels, I guess.  You really can tell a difference in the image quality; the top photo was taken with the new camera and the bottom photo with the old one (obviously!).  I haven't had a lot of time to do much experimenting, but soon.  If Aggie and Pete would only sit still!

Small victory lap...

Can you tell that I just had to get out of the house today?  Even if it was just to go to the bank and take away the trash.  Almost another month of tax season to go and I am about stir-crazy!  While I was out, Ray and I did a small victory lap around the neighborhood - we are celebrating that he is finally paid for!  Woo hoo!  I thanked him for all of his good service over the past two years and promised to fill him with gas the next time we're out and treat him to a car wash.  Sometimes the small victories in life are the sweetest!

Time lapse tulips...

I enjoyed them for about two weeks!