You Gotta Check Out: The J. Peterman Company Catalog

Not much rivals the joy I feel when I see my J. Peterman Company catalog call to me from the tiny, covered shelter of the mailbox. When that beauty of stapled pages arrives it means reading and enjoying every single carefully chosen word that helps take you to another place, perhaps another time, and even a different world far from your daily dealings, while also selling you products that J. Peterman never apologizes for when you glance at the price. He is, after all, doing you a favor as he travels the world to bring you items that are unique, of high-quality, and absolutely exotic.

Did you think J. Peterman was a fictional man and company taken from Seinfeld episodes? No, my friend. The story is rather interesting, however, for there is, indeed, a Seinfeld Show connection with John O'Hurley, the actor who portrayed the J. Peterman legend. Click here, if interested.

Flipping through the catalog is about as close as I'll get to the adventurous lifestyle of J. Peterman, but what a pleasurable, romantic journey it is. I spend hours drinking in every piece of imagery on the page. I am captivated by the artistry of watercolor drawings showing each item for sale. That's right, there is not one photograph in the entire catalog. Each booklet is a work of art in its own right: not only by image made by the brush, but by imagery made by artistic words.

Tell me the following product description doesn't just make you swoon? And, each page has a title that captivates you to read more, learn more about the story behind the item, because, there is always a story. I just love this kind of writing!

Dancing on the Hood of a Bugatti.

"Barefoot, of course. Shelby Lynne easing from the car speakers, you doing a slow-motion swirl in this dress, expressive, free of any other thought except the sun in your face and the breeze in your hair. When we met for dinner at Le Sixieme later that night, you had a gardenia pinned to this dress, from where or whom, I don't know. I was just impressed with your mind and your dinner selection; duck with green olives. I don't know if it's the dress or the person wearing it, or maybe it's the person you become when wearing it. Please let me know." - J. Peterman, early Spring 2013, page 2

It reads like a novel, no? Indulge yourself into this world of romantic intrigue and sign-up for your own J. Peterman catalog. It's your passport to unexplored lands, brought right to your door. And the best part, it's FREE! So, click on over and subscribe today and you'll see exactly why I'm head-over-heels in love with this Peterman-fellow (well, his catalog, at least).

I was not compensated in any way by J. Peterman, or anyone else for that matter, to write this post. The experience and opinions are strictly my own. If, however, J. Peterman would like to thank me for this resounding declaration, I'll take the Wonders of Winter Cabled Cotton Cardigan from page 8 (Early Spring 2013) in a Medium. Thank you! 

Gratitude Journal Monday

Winter is back.

Happy Presidents' Day, America! Before you head out to indulge in those store sales, have you ever thought about being grateful to be living in the land of the free, home of the brave? I've given it a lot of thought this morning. I've never been a heavily political person. I don't take sides, really, and politics really does rub me the wrong way. But, as grateful as I am to be living here in the good ol' United States, my heart is heavy with sadness because the shine of this great Republic is beginning to tarnish. Yet, I know politics is not to blame, it is, I think, the changed character of the American soul.

It is the character of a great nation that makes it great. This character comes from its people. And as character changes, so does a country. As we grow older, we grow into our character. It's difficult to change an imprint in cement when it has hardened. To do so, it must be broken and started anew. But who wants all that mess and fuss? So, you live with the imprint because it's easier to live with it than to change it.  Change is hard when it's for good. It's a slippery slope when it's for bad. If virtuous ideas and ways are not instilled in our children, our way is already lost.

The mother who commits her life to Welfare because she earns more money in poverty than if she were to work a full-time job is a survivalist who plays the system well in a system that allows her this action. But she would not have made this particular decision if it were not for her character. Alternatively, the small business owner who dedicates 90-plus hours per week to make something of a business, working tirelessly but never quitting, knowing that for every dollar made, half is shared with the U.S. government, that is that owner's character. These two very different people could no sooner switch places as they could their own bodies. It's an individual's character that determines the actions to given situations.

I'm proud of the character these particular Presidents have shown during their time in office and am grateful for their service to the American people.

406. I am grateful for George Washington for accepting the uncertain role of the first President of the United States of America - what guts!
407. I am grateful for the character and conviction of President Abraham Lincoln whose beliefs in God-given rights brought forth a stronger nation.
408. I am grateful for the guts it took from Gerald Ford to give this State of the Union speech to the American people in 1975 - we needed some of this forthright honesty last Tuesday.
409. I am grateful for Theodore Roosevelt's passion for honest capitalism and conservation (I love my parks).
410. I give thanks to all the Presidents, past and present, because it's certainly a job I wouldn't want to take on - thank you.

Let's keep the list going...which President are you grateful for and why?

Happy Presidents' Day! 

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 82.

Goodbye busy week volunteering lots of time at the school: admissions, parent tours, parties, whew!
Goodbye being reminded how lucky we are to be in this wonderful school community.
Goodbye getting motivated to clean the house by purchasing fun, new cleaning products.
Goodbye Valentine's Day Dinner in an elegant, quiet, quaint little spot - our dining room.
Goodbye yummy Valentine's Day treats from Grandma Campbell's  - sooo good!

Hello indulging in caramel apple popcorn, cotton candy popcorn, Dichotomy popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels and marshmallows - uh, oh diet!
Hello chocolate chip pancakes and bacon (when you fall off the dieting wagon, you gotta fall off BIG).
Hello looong, 4-day weekend - what to do, what to do?
Hello throwing in a couple of those pajama days.
Hello Christening for a precious baby boy we can't wait to meet.

My lesson learned this week is that you must have faith, a strong faith, to know that blessings will be bestowed upon you when you need it most. Blessings won't come early. Blessings will never be too late. Blessing arrive right on time. But, blessings don't come around for nothing. When you give, then you also receive. When you are a blessing, you are blessed. It's about equilibrium of the Universe, I guess. Sometimes blessings are paid in full, but sometimes they are incrementally distributed over time like dividends, but it all equals out in the end.

May I encourage you to be a blessing today and make your deposits? The interest earned is greater than any rate promised today from your bank. Have a terrific weekend.             

Sending LOVE to You

A day of love starts with a lovely breakfast.

Happy Valentine's Day! Love is simple. You're either in it or out of it. You're either looking for it or tending it. In case you missed it, love IS the answer, click here. And, whether it's a spouse, a child, a pet, a friend, a parent, a neighbor, or even the person staring back at you in the mirror, say Happy Valentine's Day with a hug and a kiss because "...Love is all you need" (The Beatles).

And, to Super Hubby, my most favorite Valentine of all. You are the love affair of a lifetime. No one understands us like us, and that's just fine with me. After 21 years I'm still thrilled to know...

I belong with you,

You belong with me,

You're my sweetheart.

- The Lumineers (Ho Hey)

 And, to my Super Kiddo, the only one that can melt my heart simply with his sparkling eyes, killer smile, and funny ways. You remind me Valentine's Day is everyday.

And Happy LOVD Day to you, dear readers, for without you, there really wouldn't be a point to this little spot I take up in Blogland. Thank you for sharing a little bit of your time here each day and encouraging me to keep sharing my thoughts with the world. Now, go, and hug someone!

Source

Wishing you a most lovely Valentine's Day!

xxoo,

Lilly  

 

What I Made Wednesday {Homemade Shrimp Cocktail Sauce}

Fat Tuesday is over and the fishy season has begun for many. We're Eastern Orthodox so Easter for our family isn't celebrated until May 5 (silly Julian calendar). But, I didn't want to waste an opportunity to share with you a great, homemade cocktail sauce. It's tangy, citrus-y and delicious. If you're looking for my delicious Fish & Chips recipe and homemade tartar sauce, click here. It would be so perfectly yummy for the Lenten season.

What You'll Need

3/4 cup Ketchup
zest from 1 Orange
1/4 cup Orange Juice (best if fresh)
1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
2 - 3 Tablespoons Horseradish
Dash of Tabasco or Cayenne Pepper Sauce 






What You'll Do
No recipe is easier than this one. Just dive right in and grab a medium bowl to stir.

To your bowl, add the ketchup.

Zest that orange skin but stop when you get to the white pith.

 

Squeeze, baby, squeeze. One medium orange should get you to the 1/4 cup you need. Super Hubby thinks the sauce is too citrus-y so if you want to reduce the amount of OJ, be my guest.


I've been known to use OJ from a carton, in a pinch. Don't tell! It's fine, if that's all you have, but the sauce really does taste fresher and more lively if you use the freshly squeezed juice. Just sayin'.

Oh, don't forget, a little bit of lemon juice goes a long way. 

Add the remaining ingredients to your own liking. Horseradish can get spicy.

What You'll Need to Know to Finish

Once all the ingredients are incorporated together, place in a serving bowl and set in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This will help the sauce come together.

Grab some tail-on shrimp (thawed, of course), cut-up some lemon wedges, plate, and serve. Enjoy!

The Root of All Purpose

If you have never struggled with realizing your purpose in this life, then STOP READING THIS. Let's just call it a day, OK? I'll see you tomorrow for What I Made Wednesday. Oh, and congratulations on figuring it out. If you'd like to dispense some wisdom to the rest of us, then please leave some advice in the Comments section for us wanderers still trying to figure it all out. Hasta Mañana!

Now, for the rest of us: the ones that continue to search, seek, and ponder the questions, "Why am I here?" and "What is my purpose?" Since ancient times people have always been the same in their desires to knowing the secrets of the Universe. But what if the revelation is simple, not complex, easy, not hard. What if the answer lies in just 4 little letters? L-O-V-E.

On a recent shop-therapy session, this plaque caught my eye. I stood under the fluorescent lights of Marshalls and read every single phrase over and over again. Without exception, each and every nugget was exactly what I believed in and how I lived. I wouldn't have added or deleted a thing! I couldn't put it down so it permanently attached itself to my fingers as it hitched a ride up to the cash register and has since found a home in my laundry and craft room.

Today, I re-read all the phrases and I noticed something rather significant. The word "love" shows up a total of 6 times on this little plaque. I don't think this is a coincidence. There must be something to this, right? Even in the Bible, the first fruit of the Spirit is love. So, can the answer to one's purpose be rooted in love? Can we Cliffs-Notes the meaning to life into the simple phrase "To Love and be loved"? Yes, I think we can. And, if we follow this 2-bullet to-do list, everything may fall into place quite nicely. If our actions are performed out of love and we accept and welcome love from others, this may be the only purpose we are responsible in achieving. Love teaches us. Love can lead us to our passions, and can open our eyes to ways in which we can leave our mark in this world. 

But it starts with you. In order to give love, you must first come from a place of love. You must first love yourself; not in a conceited-kind of way, but in a way that gives respect to yourself, making sure you give yourself what you need, whether it's time, space, or a new pair of shoes on occasion. The way you love yourself is the way you will love others. Remember that the next time you feel guilty for taking that bubble bath or forgoing laundry chores for some coffee time with girlfriends.

Be good to yourself, dear reader, and the world will be good to you beause you are, in turn, good to others. "To love and be loved." Yes, it is that simple.

  

Gratitude Journal Monday

Girlfriends are so important in helping make a woman's life stronger and more fun. We gain strength from our best buds as we share our troubles and triumphs; figuring out the world, our kids, and our husbands. It's a give and take, a ritual of friendship that lasts through the years. I'm so lucky to have a few that are the best!

401. I'm grateful to be spending the day with my bestest bud who is such an awesome friend.
402. I'm grateful for Panera, where we'll be having breakfast and where I can make up for missing her birthday (sorry).
403.I am mega-grateful for the Children's Place sale we stumbled upon so I could stock up on some great clothes for Kiddo for even greater prices.
404. I am grateful for friends that encourage me, lift me up, and are honest with me when I need to be put down gently.
405. I am grateful for the smell of Spring that is distinctly in the air today, giving me false hope for an early change in seasons.