Carnivalesque: 50 Shades....

It's the talk of the town - Fifty Shades of Grey - the new book on the shelf that's generating a lot of buzz! We're all gathering at Joanne's place today to talk about erotica writing: Considering the success of the Fifty Shades of Grey series, would you consider writing erotica? If yes, just how hot (or kinky) would you go? The usual gang (Jana Richards, Hayley Lavik, Karyn Good, Joanne Brothwell and myself) are all weighing in. I hope you pop over and check out this week's Carnivalesque: The Travelling Blog Show - with today's topic, it could get hot!!

And since we're talking - have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? Do you plan to read the book? And what are you reading right now? I just finished The Book Thief - loved it!!! Am finishing up a book my friend Brenda recommended called for Younger Next Year Women (some really great advice to staying young and healthy well into your 60s, 70s and beyond). And my friend Ginny has passed on Pillars of the Earth, which I haven't read yet and am looking forward to diving into (can you believe I haven't read that yet?).

Have a great Thursday, People of Blogland :)

No Makeup Challenge - Could You?

A while back, on a break from sitting in front of the computer, I poured myself a cup of tea and flipped on the TV. The Doctors were on - I don't usually watch, but it was that or a soap opera (and, OMG, I flipped on Days of Our Lives one day and saw Bo and Hope and Marlena and John and they're all still having relationship issues after almost 20 years from the last time I was addicted watching it). Where was I? Oh, yeah - this day on The Doctors they talked to a woman who started a No Makeup Challenge - a way to get women (young and old) to be comfortable in their own skin.

Then, about a month ago, I again took a computer break, flipped on the TV and watched an episode of Family Feud (yes, I like Family Feud). One of the survey questions was "We asked 100 women how beautiful, on a scale of 1 - 10, they feel without makeup."...Survey says: 5/10! Five out of 10? Isn't that astounding?

So - those two shows got me thinking - are we programmed to wear makeup because the media has portrayed women who do wear makeup as beautiful and the 'norm'? Let me share my makeup history with you - yes, I have a makeup history.

No makeup right through high school! Seriously - nothing! I was blessed with good skin and a mother who didn't believe in making up your face to go out the door (don't get me started on her insistence for lipstick, though). It wasn't until I started work (didn't go to University right away), then I went the whole mile - foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara...surprisingly, no lipstick! And I followed that morning procedure right through 3 years of work, 4 years of University, and my teaching career. Be aware, the makeup wasn't applied on weekends if I wasn't going out!

Something happened about 10 to 12 years ago - I just couldn't be bothered to put the stuff on. I had stopped working, that could have something to do with it - and when I went back to work, I just never bothered to re-apply (ha) the morning procedure of making up my face. I did, however, keep the mascara and eyeliner routine - that was the equivalent to my mother not being able to leave the house without lipstick. About 3 years ago, when I started to work from home, the mascara and eyeliner went on only when I went out. Today, I apply mascara and eyeliner on special occasions only. In fact, my mascara is probably dried up in the container - I can't remember the last time I put it on (Christmas, maybe?).

So a no makeup challenge is not for me - but I'd love to hear whether or not you'd do it? Does makeup make you feel beautiful? Why is it that women are reluctant to step outside without makeup on? And what kind of evolution is it when the human species has deemed it the women who need to colorful and flashy - in some animal worlds, the male has to do the flamboyant dance of attracting the females (and did you know that if you Google 'male animals are prettier' there's a whole slew of interested articles - I lost a half an hour this morning reading and learning that 'dimorphic' animals are those that have a difference in appearance...easily distracted)?

White Point Beach Resort, Nova Scotia...

One of the most beautiful places in Nova Scotia (and there are many of those) is White Point Beach Resort. I discovered this gem when we lived here before - a day trip out to the resort for lunch and a Christmas Craft Fair - I fell in love. The beach, the peacefulness, the old lodge (and the food was pretty darn good, too - my friend and I sat in the lounge, next to the huge stone fireplace, looking out over the ocean - amazing). The resort was a little over 70 years old then and the placed oozed history and story - I imagined there were also a few ghosts hanging out.

When I discovered my friend Frances Jewel Dickson was going to be writing a book on White Point, I was elated. I love history - I love Nova Scotia - and I love knowing how others lived their lives. Every time I asked, Frances said the book was coming along well, on schedule. Then, in November of 2011 White Point's main lodge burned to the ground. Frances' book, almost complete at that time, had taken on new meaning. And she felt it was only right to add to it - include the fire and the hopes, dreams and reality of rebuilding.

I am pleased to say that Frances is finished and her book Destination White Point is ready to order. She's doing an 'Early Bunny' promotion (bunnies play a significant role at White Point Beach Resort) - and I'm pleased to help her promote. The book will be released to the public after June 30th, so you don't have much time to get in on the pre-order - did I tell you that the 'Early Bunny' promotion is a signed edition of Destination White Point? Yes, it is. I'll let Frances explain - the video is great, with Frances at White Point and flashes of old pictures and a brief summary of the book.


Here's some links:

Frances Jewel Dickson: http://www.voicesetc.ca/index.htm

White Point Beach Resort Blog (about Destination White Point):  http://www.whitepoint.com/blog/2012/06/12/destination-white-point-to-be-released-order-yours-now/

White Point Beach Live Webcam (I love watching the ocean): http://www.novascotiawebcams.com/south-shore/white-point-beach.html

Have a great weekend, everyone :)

Carnivalesque - The Book You Couldn't Finish...

...we all have them - those books everyone raves about and you know you're supposed to love, but there's just something! Something that stops you from reading to the very end. That's what we're talking on Carnivalesque: The Travelling Blog Show today - What is the one book you wanted to love but couldn’t finish or couldn’t like?

We're hanging out at Karyn Good's place - come on over and read which books Karyn, Jana Richards, Hayley Lavik, Joanne Brothwell and I couldn't finish. Then, in the comment section, add yours to the list (if you have one) - or maybe weigh in on those we couldn't finish, convince us to go back and give it another try.

See you there :)

Inspiration - Maya Angelou...

I came across this quote a couple of weeks ago when I was researching another Inspiration Wednesday. Even though I didn't use it, it's stuck with me - I think of it often.

I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou

Happy Wednesday :)

Running Lunenburg...

Maybe I'll actually blog this week - sorry for the hit and miss, but this is where I am right now and that means somedays there's no spark for a blog post.

Yesterday was my first 5K race - The Lunenburg 5K Muffin Run...yes, we ran for muffins (we runners, I place myself in that category) will run for food of any kind. What a turn out! 416 runners took to the streets of Lunenburg yesterday morning for a 5 kilometre run (that's 3.1 miles). I was a little worried, Lunenburg has its fair share of hills (a port town built on a drumlin: an elongated hill, created by glacial ice, shaped like a half-buried egg), but the race organizers had us zig-zagging through town and along the back harbour, then back through town in a relatively flat course. The major climb was at the beginning and even then it wasn't too bad.

Here's an old Tim Horton's commercial shot in Lunenburg that gives you a sense of the hills:



I love Lunenburg. Picturesque, as you can see from the photo of Lunenburg, and steeped in history. But when I run, I tend to watch the road and not the scenery. I did glance up at one point along back harbour and admire the water. And there were lupins (I love lupins) growing along the road, which made me smile. So the lure of running in such a scenic venue wasn't there for me. I ran because of my friend Janice. I'm glad I did - I had an awesome run. Sure, some things could have been better - not starting out so fast, but I did really work at pacing and not worry about all the people passing me at the start (I ended up passing a few of those people towards the end). But, overall, I ran a good run and had a personal best - 34:12! Even had enough gas in the tank to sprint over the finish line.

Afterwards, the muffins were very good (along with the yogurt, bananas, water, chocolate milk and juice that was offered - don't worry, I only had muffins and chocolate milk). I believe the organizers said there were over 5000 muffins - and when we left, there weren't many muffins remaining (runners are a hungry lot)). Then, Janice and I went for a big, greasy breakfast - I had home fries, bacon (yummy), eggs and toast. It hit the spot!

How was your weekend, People of Blogland?

Carnivalesque - Wedding Dress Edition...

Join the girls over on Jana Richards' blog as they talk wedding dresses - specifically: Wedding dresses: Or Saying Yes to the Dress. If you had to do it again what type of dress would you pick?

Jana Richards, Karyn Good, Joanne Brothwell and Hayley Lavik all weigh in on their wedding dress memories and answer the question - would you pick the same one? Me, well I've been AWOL and busy and didn't get anything in on time! But I'll post my response to the question in the comment section.

After half an hour of scanning a picture, here's me in my wedding dress - coming around the corner from my bedroom.

We got married in my parents' back yard - family only - and the only photos I have are those taken by the guests. I loved my wedding dress, hmmm...just tried it on and I'm good until I try and zip up past my lower shoulder blades -seems I have more circumference around the boob area than I thought! I could be on Bulging Brides - a Canadian show about a 6 week bootcamp for brides who can't fit into their chosen dresses (I love watching that show, especially the "Aisle of Shame" where they show all the food the bride eats in a given month - my "Aisle of Shame" for this month would consist of a lot of cheese, too much cheese).

Anyway - can you still fit into your wedding dress? Do you still have your wedding dress? I was always disappointed growing up knowing that I couldn't wear my mom's dress (which was beautiful) because she had rented it! They were immigrating to Canada a week after their wedding and she felt that would be one more thing she didn't have room for - it was satin with a wide collar, tight sleeves and tiny pearl buttons all down the front. It flowed from her waist - all billowy and magical. I would have worn it. Did your mom have her wedding dress for you to try on?

This, That and Monday...

Another crazy gardening weekend here on the plantation - I think I filled 100 + wheelbarrows of mulch yesterday alone! But the place is looking great. We also had company for supper on Saturday night - and a great conversation after we stuffed ourselves on a yummy artichoke-cheesy dip appetizer, a white chicken chili that The Husband made, and silky smooth chocolate mousse. Books, food, politics made for a lively discussion!

Did you know that a group of inventors have come up with a way to make sure you get all the ketchup (catsup, tomato sauce and stuff like mayo and mustard, too) out of the bottle without damaging your hand? Now everyone has a method for getting the ketchup out of the bottle (and how frustrating is it when you're looking at a plate of hot-out-of-the-fryer French Fries and you can't get a drop of ketchup to come out of the container?) - mine is to stick a knife down the inside of the bottle while having it tipped at a 45 degree angle. This works, but can also cause way too much ketchup to come out of the bottle!

Anyway, these fellows have invented "LiquiGlide" - a revolutionary product that is safe, non-toxic. I can't wait for all bottles to be equipped with this stuff and finally an end to French Fry Frustration!! Check it out: http://www.liqui-glide.com/

On another note - what do you think about this for an opening to a book:

Because of patient/doctor confidentiality, the names of the superheroes I treat will have to remain a mystery. I am a psychotherapist to the men in tights. You can imagine the tales of heroics I've heard over the years, but it's the insecurities that need to be addressed, the men behind the capes that need to be fixed. It's a tough job, but being the daughter of one of the superest Superheroes, I believe I'm qualified.

So, People of Blogland, how was your weekend? What's your secret to getting the ketchup out of the bottle? And do you think Superheroes like to wear their underwear on the outside of their clothes?

Happy Monday :)