Gulf Shores December 2013

I’ve been seeing images on Pinterest and Instagram lately that bring a smile to my face.  Here’s just a few things to share…

Cats.  I love cats.  It does not matter where I am in the world, if I see a kitty cat, I must be its friend.  My love affair with cats goes back to my early years when I lived on Meadowbrook Drive.  I came home with this book from grade school — Orange Oliver:  The kitten who wore glasses.  I told my mother I wanted an orange kitten.  She told Daddy.  Daddy went to work the next day and gave his employee $20 and told him “I don’t care how long it takes today, but you go out and find Melissa an orange kitten.”  That night, Daddy came home with an orange kitten.  I named him….Oliver.  The only problem with living on Meadowbrook Drive is that no one followed the speed limit and once the kitty cats stepped off the curb, I never saw them again.  So, throughout my life I have collected quite the repertoire of feline fans.  I still have a thing for orange…

Breakfast.

Photo credit: Woman’s Day

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  It doesn’t have to be a lavish spread, although this tablescape I saw on Instagram this morning would not disappoint.  My go-to menu would be homemade granola, ripe fruit, a warm scone or muffin, oatmeal and piping hot French press coffee all served on beautiful china.

Lazy days by the pool.  Since we put a pool in last summer, it has totally changed me.  I love to sit outside and just look at it.   I enjoy sitting on the patio sipping coffee and bird watching.  I can’t wait to start a new book after dinner as the sun it setting.  It’s just so quiet and peaceful.  I find I do most of my thinking outdoors.

I remember Mother wearing a swim cap.  I always thought she looked so chic.

“Keep smiling, because life is a beautiful thing and there is so much to smile about.”  Marilyn Monroe