Flip Flop Flip Flop Flip Flop

Just how many shoes does one woman need? Is this enough? Of course not, There are no left shoes here. Besides, we can never have enough shoes, chocolate, fun.

These Flip Flop (couldn't think of a better name, so I am calling it what it is) soaps are my Show and Tell for today. They weigh over 5 ounces and they come in luscious fragrances like Lemon Splash, Water Blossom, Mango Raspberry, Berried in Cherries and more. You can even choose your own color combination. They will soon be available on my web site. Actually, they will be available for a stroll down the Garden Path.

If that sounds a little too cryptic, it relates to Make Mine Pink's themed shopping event which takes place every Friday. Our next theme, on July 18th, is the Garden Path. Watch for an announcement, or just stop by on any Friday. The theme changes every week.

Strawberries and Champagne

Congratulations to Patricia.

Patricia has won this month's giveaway.

She will receive an assortment of Savon Marie products.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

See you all for next month's giveaway.

Roses! Roses! Roses!

Pink Friday!

This week's theme is Romantically Roses. Join all of us at Make Mine Pink in a romantically rosy shopping extraganza. Say that three times fast! Better yet, click on the Pink Friday Gift Box and start your romantic shopping spree.

Life is good

Today is my first day of retirement. I don't think it has sunk in yet. I may not feel the full impact until September when everyone else returns to work while I merely yawn and roll over. Someone, peel me a grape. Please. Thanks ever so.

It has been a very busy week, but I am happy to say much of it has been in the form of celebration. One very special celebration took place yesterday morning. But first a little background. For a number of years I did a fund raiser for the school library; it was called the Library Cafe. As with all things, it came to an end. There are a number of reasons why I had to end it, but we all missed it. Well, yesterday morning, when I walked into the library for the last time as a full-time employee, my colleagues had set up the Library Cafe. In addition to coffee, there was a buffet with cakes, muffins, Danish, bagels, croissants, and many other items. It was such a delightful and heartwarming surprise. Many of my colleagues and friends drifted in and out all morning. We sat and reminisced about "the old days" and other wonderful memories...and a few not so good memories that we can now laugh about. It was a perfect last day.

I was stunned by the gifts I received. My house looks like a flower shop. As you all know, my pictures leave a lot to be desired. But now I will have time to improve that skill. I will start tomorrow...or maybe next week.


Here are some of the gifts I received. The pendant is actually a beautiful cushion cut green stone and the earrings have crystals in the center. The watch is also really beautiful. I love the interchangeable straps. Note to my Pink Friends: one of them is PINK. The gift certificate is for my very favorite restaurant. That was given to me by my younger friends. We had a lovely party last Friday at a Mexican restaurant and later adjourned to a friend's nearby apartment. That was also a memorable event and lots of fun. I even forgot that I was old enough to be everyone's mother.





And one of my very favorites was from Carolyn. There is a little story to this one. I will share it with you. One day Carolyn offered me a slice of her home-made lemon pound cake. Oh my goodness! It was lemon heaven in my mouth. So her gift to me was a copy of the recipe with some of the ingredients packed in a bundt cake pan. And a giant Retirement coffee mug. Just perfect for our morning coffee chats.



Oh dear, Buddha's belly is sticking out. I did mention that I was going to start working on the photography thing, didn't I? In a month or two.
Well now, you know two things must happen. First, I will post Carolyn's pound cake recipe.
Second, it's once again time for a giveawy. It's not just a giveawy... it's a RETIREMENT GIVEAWAY. So because retirement means no work for me, my giveaway means no work for you! No quiz, no questions. All you have to do is leave a comment. The fragrance of this month's gift is appropriately, Strawberries and Champagne. Winner will be announced July 3.

Now for Carolyn's Lemon Pound Cake Recipe

Ingredients
1/2 pound of sweet butter
1/2 pound or cream cheese (8 oz.)
2 cups sugar
2 cups Presto Cake Flour
6 eggs
2 Tablespoons of lemon extract

Beat butter, sugar, cream cheese, egg yolks, and lemon extract together. Add flour, beat at medium speed for 4 minutes. Beat egg whites for two minutes at high speed. Fold into batter. Bake in a greased 10-inch tube pan. for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Arte y Pico Award

I had the honor and privilege of receiving the Arte Y Pico, award from Janet of Janet's Creative Pillows. The Arte y Pico Award is “given to those who are creative and have a penchant for art.” Thank you Janet; I feel very fortunate to be in such creative company.

Here are the rules:
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity,design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3.Each award winner has to show the award and put the name of and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award (I know it says this is a rule , but I know not everyone likes to do this, so I won't be upset if you don't.)

4. The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.

5. To show these rules.Now for the fun yet very hard part... to choose 5 other people for this award...drum roll please....

1. Carrie of Noelle Garrett Designs

2. Carol of Clutterbug Studio

3. Pei Li of Miniature Patisserie Chef

4. Roxie of Business in THE Bag

5. Inka of Inklings Designs

I am so happy to present this award to all of you lovely ladies. I think you are extremely talented and so deserving of this award!

My C List

It has been a while, but at last I had a hot minute to get my C list up. This was so easy. Many of the items seem decadant, but you only live once, and according to Joe E. Lewis, "If you do it right, once is enough." So here are a few of my favorite "C" things and people.
Champagne
Chocolate
Chenille
Cheerios
Chico Hamilton
Cake
Cookies
Candy,
Cross Stistch
Charlie Parker
Casablanca (film)
Cheese
Cinnamon
Coffee
Cats

Show and Tell Monday

Well this is a bizzare photo, but it is what I have to show and tell for today. I am sure my sisters at Make Mine Pink have had enough of my retirement news. Too bad. One more time today, and then I will be quiet until the champagne toasts have been made.

I worked on my retirement papers, located in the photo. I am also working on my offering for Pink Friday. It's a wonderful Honey Lemon Hand Soap. Quite a mouthful, but it is quite a soap. Made from a goatmilk and honey formula, it is scented with lemon. It smells divine, but more important, it cleanses, moisturizes and removes those pesky kitchen odors, like onions or garlic from your lovely hands.