valentine's day All About Me!

valentine's day My new Powder Room Guest Towels

Another year has flashed before my eyes, and I am another year older, and perhaps a tad wiser. (Although I do have times that I wonder about the last bit.) But there is one thing I do know. We, as a family, are more frugal when it comes to pampering ourselves. We buy things we will use and find joy in on a daily basis. So when it came time to answer my daughter's questions about what I really wanted for my birthday this year, it was a tough one to answer.

Believe it or not, I asked for a vacuum cleaner....one with a retractable cord and VACUUM BAGS!!!! I have been struggling through the past few years with a vacuum that could only have been invented by someone who must never vacuum himself....the God-awful Bissell Upright. (Trust me, I did not buy this myself.....but that is another story). Now, who would invent a vacuum that when you go to empty it spreads the dust all over again because it is not contained in a bag?!! This thing had so many useless attachments, I was astounded. I will not bore you with all of the things that I despised about this piece of .......well...enough of that. Phew! I have been wanting to get that off my chest for a long time.

I LOVE my new Kenmore which is light as a feather, has large vacuum bags and a light that tells you when it is full, a couple of attachments that WORK for everything I need, stores compactly and has a retractable cord (no more winding up the cord!) It sounds so unromantic, but it's what I have been wanting for years now. Thanks Tim!!!

OK..so on to the "pretty" things!

I had been searching for linen guest towels for the Powder Room for quite awhile, and Pottery Barn added very nice quality linen towels to their line recently. The monogram adds personal touch, and the price ($19 for a pair) was the best I have seen. Thanks girls!!

My Mom brought over the most beautiful Hydrangea to fill in our new garden area. I can hardly wait to get it planted! So gorgeous, the photo does not do it justice. Mom always knows best.

valentine's day "Anabelle" Hydrangea from Mom

I am so thankful for my family who I love so much and who loves me back. Another wonderful year.

valentine's day My Lemon Cooler cake from Freeport Bakery with rainbow flame candles

Happy Birthday to Me!

valentine's day My Happy Place: Freeport Bakery

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I am an impatient driver. I drive a lot for work and play chauffeur to my offspring, so it is inevitable. I do try to stay calm....but every once and awhile, I find myself yelling at another driver that has cut me off or is going too slow. I don't know why I do it...they can't hear me. But I yell and curse anyway.

One day, when it really got past the point of acceptability, my younger daughter calmly said to me" Mom, calm down ........take a deep breath and find your happy place". It made me stop and think, where is that elusive "happy place" exactly? Well, I have more than one I suppose. But this is one of my top ten: Freeport Bakery in Sacramento.

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And I am far from alone. Every holiday, you will find a line around the building of people waiting to pick up their orders of delectable cookies, cakes and breads. You can be sure that the treats will not all make it home in one piece. I came across such a line last Saturday, the day before Easter. You will not find my impatience here, however. When the lines are expected, there is always a coffee cart out front so you can help yourself while waiting. And the lines move quickly due to the very well trained staff and organized traffic flow....a little different than the city streets mentioned earlier.

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You can just smell the goodness as you pull into the parking lot. And the minute you enter, it is a feast for the eyes. Every holiday gets it's own special touch: decorations and specialty cakes, cookies and breads.

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The decor is happy and welcoming. I always end up staying longer than I planned just taking it all in.

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That pink box on the counter is holding a bread ring baked with colored eggs. So pretty you almost don't want to eat it. Almost.

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One of my very favorite year round treats is their almond horn cookie. They are crunchy outside, chewy inside with that delicious almond paste flavor. They are dipped half way in chocolate and covered with slivered almonds. I can eat a dozen without thinking!

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And the cakes! Don't get me started! Oh....I can't help it: there are fabulous fruit tarts, and specialty cakes for each season. You can see the beehive cake in the case there. I still cannot get the Pim's Cake out of my head from the Fall season: rich almond cake frosted in chocolate fudge with orange marmalade and chucks of fudge on top...O.M.G! Bliss...pure and simple.

So.... you didn't think I would leave empty handed did you? This sweet thing came home with me:


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If you are ever in the Sacramento area, Freeport Bakery has got to make it onto your itinerary. It will be your "happy place" too.......promise.