Holiday Weekend!

Can you believe we’re in the middle of summer already? With the 4th of July weekend here?

I don’t know about you, but this year has flown by.

I know the holiday was yesterday, but a lot of people are still going to be celebrating tonight and this weekend. For some, it’s difficult to visit unless you have a longer weekend for the drive.

So, barbecues, cold drinks, maybe bonfires, fireworks… All the good stuff, right?

But please stay safe. It has been dry around here lately, though they’re predicting a chance of rain tonight. Fireworks can set grass fires in dry weather, so before you celebrate too heartily, make sure there won’t be any unfortunate accidents.

And don’t forget your sunscreen while you’re sipping your sweet tea or other cold drink around the pool or the deck. It’s easy to get caught up in visiting and forget, but who wants a bodacious sunburn?

May I suggest you check at L’bri for your sun and fun products? They’re among my favorite things! I particularly like the Aloe Vera Gel. It’s perfect after too much sun. And a little bit of it goes a long way, so be careful the first time you try it!

Fireworks are a definite thing around the 4th, but they can be dangerous. Don’t add a trip to the ER this weekend.

So have fun, stay cool, and play safely.

And remember,

Always Look For the Beauty Around You

Summertime in Georgia

And so far, it hasn’t been a particularly relaxing summer for us here. We’ve had physical therapy appointments, deaths in our pet family, and a sick puppy. To go along with that, our daughter was in an accident while driving for work and is looking at much PT and probably back surgery.

However, school is out for the summer, July is here, and its Barbecue time! Can you smell the burgers and hot dogs on the grill? And have you tried grilled veggies? We found some handy colander-looking grilling pans which work fantastically for us.

What veggies do I grill?

Cherry or grape tomatoes, with broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini squash chunks, bell peppers, and some inch long cuts of green onions. Splash a little barbecue sauce on them and keep them tossed until they’re done to your liking.

Looking for snacks for the kids?

Check out the prices at Nuts.com! I buy their mixed nuts all the time. And since I can’t eat chocolate or sugar, I get their unsweetened carob chips! They also have all kinds of trail mixes, seeds and grains, flour of all sorts (including nut flours), not to mention tea and coffee!

Aside from chocolate, I love candles. And I’ve found some new favorites over at Mythologie Candles. Right now they’re having the Christmas in July Sale, which you should check out. I’ve already been there… I love the unique scents they offer. The fact they’re inspired by fantasy helps a bit, too.

Since I write paranormal fantasy romance as well, I love to light one of the candles which suites what I’m writing or reading and settle back for the evening.

In the meantime, enjoy your summer.

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th, for those here in the States.

And remember,

Always look for the beauty around you.

It’s Father’s Day

Of course, it’s raining here in Georgia, so I think the barbecue is off for the afternoon. But at least my guy made it home for the weekend. We can cook indoors and watch a movie with the cats. They are, of course, pointedly ignoring him for being gone.

What are some of your favorite memories of your father? My dad died over ten years ago at the age of 93. When I was growing up, we lived on a farm in Ohio, so summer was always a busy time. But come winter, times were a little slack, so we went for walks in the woods, cut and split firewood, and he talked about growing up in the early 1900’s on a farm in Tennessee.

Thanksgiving was one of my favorite times. He and I would get up early and go pheasant hunting. The air was crisp and cold, with snow on the ground crunching under our feet. We hardly ever actually shot anything, but we had some good slolid father and daughter time, for about three hours. Coming home to a nice warm fire was always wonderful, thawing out cold fingers and toes and sipping hot coffee laced with something tasty.

Hope you’re all having a wonderful Father’s Day. Feel free to share your memories with me. Give that guy a hug while you have him here. You never know when his time on earth will be over.

Looking for something to read later in the week?

Check out one of my series on Amazon!

And as always,

Stay healthy, Stay happy!

Ready For Summer?

With the temperatures rising, the rain tapering off, and the garden beginning to bloom, I’d say summer is right around the corner.

Are you ready for summer? Your skin and hair can take a beating out in the heat. And after the cool weather we had late into spring, this sudden heat is a killer here in the Southeast.

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know that one of my favorite product lins is L’Bri. With safer and more natural offerings, they give me the moisture and protection I need while giving me the more pure and natural ingredients I want.

What are my favorites?

Right at the top of the list would have to be the Aloe Vera Barbadensis Jelly. It is a marvelous moisturizer and is wonderful for sunburn or irritated skin.

And then there is the body butter in a variety of scents, or with no scent at all!

Do you carry lotion in your purse? Check out the 2 oz. offering, which is perfect for taking along. Also available in a variety of scents and scent free.

Like to co-ordinate your skincare? They have body wash in scents to match the body butter and lotion. Wonderful smooth and creamy, it doesn’t dry out your skin as it cleanses.

My favorite scent is the warm and sensuous Mandarin Fig, if I’m going to be home. When I’m going out where there may be people with reactions to scents, I use the fragrance free.

So are you ready for the summer sun? If not, L’Bri has you covered!

Check out their summer sale items. And if you hurry, you may still be in time for the Father’s Day specials!

Yes, L’Bri has a men‘s line of products as well, so you can pamper your guy as much as you pamper yourself.

Check out the L’Bri sales and get ready for summer fun!

L‘Bri Pure and Natural, with products you’ll love.

Stay Safe, Stay healthy!

New Year’s Resolutions?

Black and white2Why do we make New Year’s Resolutions? And once we’ve made them, how do we keep them?

Now that the New Year is upon us, most of us have probably made our resolutions. The hard part comes later when life interferes with our resolutions.

Want more information about why we resolve year after year to do something we probably will not do?

Need some tips on keeping those resolutions?

Check out my Yahoo! articles here:

http://voices.yahoo.com/new-years-resolutions-12468883.html

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-we-keep-our-years-resolutions-12468907.html

Wishing you a very happy and successful New Year!

Mellie

Be Safe

Black and white2OK, everybody. This is the last weekend before Christmas and the traffic is crazy, in the stores as well as on the street.

Above all, be safe out there.

Please practice shopping and driving safety and give yourself a little extra time to get things done. I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here in Georgia we’re getting ready for more rain. And that makes the streets and freeways an absolute nightmare.

Keep your eyes open, your purses and wallets out of sight, and stay alert. We want to see you around for a while longer.

For more information on shopping safety, you can read my article on the Yahoo Contributor Network.

http://voices.yahoo.com/christmas-shopping-safety-12435060.html?cat=7

Have a safe and happy holiday. I’ll talk to you later!

Ciao!

Peace On Earth, Goodwill to Men

Black and white2At least that’s what they old song says. But is it really true in this age of materialism? That’s not what I see on TV or on the net.

What has happened to our social values, when fighting over a toy–or even a tablet–is just part of the season?

For more information, see my article on the Yahoo Contributor Network.

http://voices.yahoo.com/peace-earth-12432274.html?cat=34

And have a safe and happy holiday!

‘Tis the Season

Black and white2Indeed it is. But what season is it? Christmas time is supposed to be all about peace, charity, and love. Right? But what happens on the first official shopping day for Christmas? Violence against other shoppers and law enforcement over simple things.

How much is that toy really worth? Or how about the new  phone or tablet you want to get for a family member? Is it really worth someone’s life or a trip to jail?

Great way for your family to celebrate isn’t it.

Let’s remember that Christmas is supposed to be a Christian holiday. No, I’m not even going to get into the theological arguments about it. But if it is a Christian tradition, shouldn’t those keeping it show decent Christian ethics, like loving your neighbor?

Yes, ’tis the season. Help make it a happy, healthy, and safe one for everyone. Spread a little love and friendship around to those you meet.

Have a happy holiday everybody!