Thursday, 29 September 2011

I need some advice.

Clinique has discontinued the foundation that I have used for years.  I have oily skin and have used the Superfit for many years.  Now, it has been discontinued and I don't like what they are recommending.  I think it is called Perfectly Real.  I like how it goes on and how it looks on my skin, but by midday, my skin is greasy.  I have always liked Clinique and hate to buy another brand, but I hate to have greasy skin.  Any suggestion?

Does anyone else have oily skin and use something that they are happy with?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Have a great day!

Tuesday, 27 September 2011

I've been enjoying the new season on TV.  So far my old favorites have not disappointed.  I have enjoyed the season premieres of my favorite shows:  Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Big Bang Theory, and Mike & Molly.  I watched Pan Am and really enjoyed it.  I think it is going to be scandalous, don't you? 

I didn't enjoy Hart of Dixie.  I thought the stereotypes were a little too much.  What's so bad is people probably believe those stereotypes.  I didn't understand her arriving on a bus.  The only buses that I see here in Alabama are tour buses. What bus would let her out 3 miles from town.  The bus would drive into town and drop her off at the bus station that also doubles as a diner or gas station.  Even in small towns, attorneys drive expensive cars, not beat up pick up trucks.  And, I've never heard of an alligator in Alabama.  I know that they've been spotted, but those were brought in from Florida and let out in a creek.  It didn't really hold my interest either.  Oh well, I don't have to watch it.

What are your new favorite shows?

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

Friday, 23 September 2011

Happy First Day of Fall!

I just love fall.  I can't wait for the weather to cool down some more so that I can wear corduroys, sweaters and turtlenecks.  I bought several sweaters while in Maine.  I can't wait to wear them.  It's still a little warm here, with highs expected to be around 80 for the next few days.

I've been enjoying the apples that I bought at the orchards.  I hope I have enough to last until next weekend.  I may go back to the orchards.  I can't wait for the Fuji apples to be available.

I hope everyone has a great Saturday!

Sunday, 18 September 2011

I am so glad that this weekend is over.  It was busy.

We had planned a surprise party for my sister's 40th birthday.  We have spent weeks planning and getting ready for it.  We took a break Saturday morning and took my sister's 3 1/2 year old to see the parade of motorcycles that were participating in this year's Trail of Tears.  In the past, the motorcycles go through town around 9:00, so we got to the a parking lot at 8:45.  We found out that we were about 15 minutes late.  They changed the schedule and we were unaware of it.  We were able to see about 10-15 motorcycles that were late to the parade. 

The party went great.  My sister was totally surprised.  It was nice to visit with friends and family.  We did not get home until 2:00 am.

Today, we went to the orchards and bought two pecks of apples. 

Now it's time to get ready for my week ahead.

I hope everyone has a good Monday.

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Maine Shopping

It is not surprising that I did some shopping while in Maine. 

First of all, when we were in Deerfield, we stayed right next door to the Yankee Candle Palace.  We've always made fun of Yankee Candle, but BFF MAB and I both love the Fresh Mint candles.  We went in there and stocked up.  I also like apple and fall scented candles.  I got a few for this fall. 

At "The Mount" in Lenox, MA, I bought Victoria's The Essential Tea Companion and an Edith Wharton key fob for my sister.

In Freeport, I visited Bridgham & Cooke, the British goods store that I read about on Muffy's blog.  I bought a Black Watch plaid throw, some gloves, a Mars bar and a Milky Way bar.  I like the British version of Mars bars so much better than the American version.  I wanted to try the Milky Way and for $0.50, why not?  It tasted like the American version without the caramel.  At the Brooks Brother's outlet, I bought a chocolate brown merino wool cardigan and a gray merino wool cardigan.  I also bought a kelly green cable knit crewneck pullover.  I can't wait to wear it.  We didn't hit too many stores on our first trip to Freeport.  Later in the week, we went back just to go to LL Bean.  I didn't have high expectations for LL Bean.  If you read Muffy's blog, you will know why.  I was able to find three pairs of corduroys, a couple of cardigans, some turtlenecks and some long sleeved tees. 

A trip to Maine is not complete without a visit to the Maine State Prison Showroom.  Prisoners make items out of wood and sell them in the store.  The funds go to pay child support and other restitution.  I bought a few things for my mother and I, plus some wooden cars for the nephews. 

I went to a store in Camden called Camisole.  I found a Lanz gown and a couple of turtleneck sweaters.  I love Lanz gowns and they are hard to find these days. I ventured into Admiral Buttons, but was not impressed.  I didn't like the clothes, plus the staff were a little bit uppity.  Sorry.  I know that this is a popular place.

One of my favorite stores in Portland is LeRoux kitchen shop.  I got a basket and went all over the store stocking up on things that I need/want.  I bought a mixing bowl, gadgets, Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena cleaners, tea, etc.  I also went into a similar kitchen shop in Bath.  There I bought a tea kettle and a place setting of dishes for fall.

One afternoon, we went to Stonewall Kitchen.  I bought baskets, jams, mustard, crackers, cookbooks and gadgets.  It is such a fun store filled with great products.

I also discovered Reny's, a Maine department store.  I went crazy.  I bought six tubes of Tom's of Maine toothpaste, two boxes of Bromley's tea, peppermint and a toy for Bo.  The prices were almost too good to be true.

A few weeks ago someone sideswiped my car.  Yesterday, I took it to have it repaired.  We have laughed about the rental that I got.  I thought I would get a car that is smaller than a Ford Focus.  No, they gave me a Chevrolet Silverado pick up truck with an extended cab.  I've never driven a pick up truck before.  I am the queen of the road in that thing.  Too bad that I don't have anything to haul this week.  I hope to have my car back Thursday afternoon.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

Friday, 2 September 2011

Today, we went to Sabbath Day Shaker Village and Portland Head Light House.  I had my third meal in 3 days of fried Maine Shrimp.  YUM!!  I may have it again for dinner tomorrow.

Tomorrow, we plan to go to LL Bean, Kittery and then sailing. 

Sunday, we start our long journey back home.

Thursday, 1 September 2011

Greetings from Portland, Maine.  BFF MAB and I have been here since Sunday.  We left home last Thursday and drove directly to Roscoe, New York...Trout Town, USA.  Friday, we drove to Stockbridge, MA where we toured the Norman Rockwell Museum.  We then drove to Deerfield, MA and checked into our hotel.  Saturday, we went to Lenox, MA.  We saw a play at The Mount, Edith Wharton's home.  After the play, we ate lunch and then toured the house.  That night we went back to Deerfield.  We ate at the Deerfield Inn.  The food was delicious.  Everyone was preparing for Irene.  The owner was kind enough to give us directions out of town in the event that we decided to leave. 

Sunday, we woke up to rain.  We decided that we were going to stay another night in Deerfield.  After watching the weather channel, we decided that we were going to outrun Irene.  We showered, packed and were in the car in 15 minutes. We drove to Portland during the storm.  It was not too bad.  We called ahead to the hotel and were told that it was going to be worse in Deerfield than Portland.

Monday, we woke up to sunny and warm weather.  We walked around town, toured the Wadsworth-Longfellow home and then back to the hotel. The afternoon was spent shopping in the Old Port area.
Tuesday, we went to Bath and Freeport.  We didn't hit LL Bean, but we had good luck at the British Goods store.

Wednesday, we toured Victoria Mansion.  After lunch, we headed to York to stock up at Stonewall Kitchen company store.  A trip to York would not be complete without a look at the light house.

Today, we left the hotel at 8:30.  We drove the 81 miles to Camden in about 5 hours.  We stopped at Edgecomb Pottery and the Maine State Prison Store.  We also stopped in Rockland to look at the lighthouse. We ended our trip in Camden.  We didn't like Camden.  Most of the people were real uppity.  We ate at a harborside restaurant.  We were seated and given menus.  After a few minutes, MAB commented that the waitress had not been by.  A woman that was chatting with someone at the next table turned around.  It was the waitress.  We were mortified that she heard MAB make the statement.  The waitress just kept on with her conversation.  She then poured a glass of water but placed it on the opposite corner of the table.  She then continued to chat with the people at the next table.  She then filled the other glass with water and then took our order.  The food was delicious, but her attitude was appalling.  She was nice, only because she was probably raised to be nice to people.  But..she was uppity.  Act like they won the war....

Tomorrow, we plan to venture to a shaker village and maybe travel some more on US 1.

I hope everyone enjoys their Friday.