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Archive for the ‘Musings’ Category

Summer Sunset

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Musings, tagged , , on August 19, 2010| 2 Comments »

With the days of summer winding down toward fall, it seems even more important to grab on to every moment and squeeze all the fun, excitement and joy out of it we can. One of the best places to do that can be in your very own backyard.  Really!

How many of these beautiful summer evenings have you just sat and watched the world go by from your backyard? Not nearly, enough, I’m guessing. I know I haven’t.

At the party I was at last night, the hostess with the mostest had all her guests gather in her backyard. It was bliss! Everyone was relaxed and casual and enjoying one another. Isn’t that really what it is all about?  Relaxing, living in the moment, enjoying the company of family and friends?

Despite the often disastrous state of my own backyard, we can watch some of the most amazing sunsets take place over our neighbor’s pasture and beyond to the distant hills. Nature paints the most gorgeous portraits if we just take the time to really look at them and enjoy.

So I challenge you to slow down, take a deep breath and watch a few of these unbelievable summer sunsets while they last.

Happy Entertaining!

Shanna

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Smell the Roses

Posted in Hubby, Musings, tagged , , on August 18, 2010| 2 Comments »

My Wednesday Shout-Out this week goes to my Hubby.

Yes, I am sappy. I freely admit it. But you have to cut me some slack. Please. I kind of like Captain Cavedweller.

I’ve had some challenging days recently and the little bit of rope keeping me tied to my sanity is starting to unravel. Hubby is fully aware of the fact and has been on the suffering end of my craziness. So I was really surprised when I came home to find this beautiful bouquet of flowers from him.

Suddenly all the chaos didn’t seem quite as important.

It is really nice being married to someone who, when I need it most, reminds me to stop and smell the roses, to slow my run down to a walk, to take a deep breath and just be.

Maybe that’s why I like him so much. That and his panache.

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He’s Got Panache

Posted in Hubby, Musings, tagged , , on August 16, 2010| 1 Comment »

Word of the Week: panache

pa·nache

puh-nahsh

–noun

a grand or flamboyant manner; verve; style; flair:

The other day, Hubby and I were having our typical end of the day chat about work, family and life in general when, during the course of conversation, he threw in the word “panache.”

I was so surprised, I think my jaw must have dropped and I was rendered utterly speechless. (Believe me, that doesn’t happen often!). In the 17 plus years I’ve known him, I have never once heard Hubby use the word “panache” let alone use it in such a way that it was not only properly used but also with a great deal of humor.

That Hubby of mine never fails to surprise me. Maybe it’s just part of his unique panache.

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Mind Your Manners

Posted in Musings, Success Tips, tagged , , , on August 12, 2010| Leave a Comment »

I’m giving you a note of warning: I’m climbing up on my soapbox this morning, so if you don’t want to read my ranting about bad social media manners, please check back tomorrow for a fun and easy recipe!

I have recently been appalled and disgusted by the frequent bad manners used online and in social media outlets.

Whether you are using social media as a tool for a business, as a way to connect with old and new friends or just because everyone else is doing it and you didn’t want to be left out, at the end of the day, it all boils down to one things: relationships. Some relationships are already established, some are being newly formed, some have yet to gain footing. The one thing each and every relationship needs in our online world is respect and civility. Use the good manners you would use in person!

When you fail to respond to messages, pretend you didn’t receive an event invitation or in general ignore someone when they have made a point of contacting you, it is bad manners. You need to respond to the person whether your response is a yes or a no, whether you are interested or not. If the person was standing in front of you asking a question, would you turn around and walk off? Would you suddenly look at them as if they were invisible? Would you pretend they didn’t exist? Of course you wouldn’t! So respond to online questions and invitations with the same courtesy you’d extend in person.

Seriously, how hard is to hit the “yes,” “no,” or “maybe” button? You’ve lost, what, 2 seconds out of your busy day? But at least the person who contacted you knows where you stand. That is all people want – a response. They don’t want your blood, your first born or your undying commitment to something. They just want a response.

The next time you receive a message or an invitation and you aren’t interested, politely say so. Please. Many people will thank you for it.

From Miss Manners Soapbox,

Shanna

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