Tools for Writing – Beautiful Implements

This is mostly going to be a picture post, but I wanted to share my love of handwriting with y’all. Yes, I am a techie gal…the one with five laptops in the basement in various states of disrepair because I’m just about to order that part to fix them. I won’t dare tell you the gadgets that I have, excepting that I do not own a Kindle. Everything else is fair game.

While I do love my technology, a few of my favorite things include journals, pens and the like. Take a look.

Journals – I’ve got a pile of them. When I say a pile, I mean it. I collect them, write in them and gaze at them.

Here are a few “new” tools that I’ve had my eye on.

ENLIGHTENMENT JOURNAL from Peter Pauper Press

Celtic Blue Leather Bound Journal anewagephoenix.com

How about some pens to go with these lovely pages?

New hand-painted scrimshaw fountain pen – limited edition http://www.fountainpenstudios.com/

Don’t look at the price….revel in the beauty!

Visconti Her Majesty Diamond Jubilee LE Fountain Pen Royal Purple

There is nothing that inspires writing like gorgeous tools.

Football Fridays – Frustrated Tom Brady and Week 2 Matchups

Well, Geno Smith and the Jets’ one game winning streak has been broken! Most of us were in suspense regarding the game: Who would win?

Yeah, right.

Despite the gutting of the Patriots’ offense by free agency, injuries and (alleged) murder, the Jets suffered from poor performance on both sides of the ball.

I am not a Pats “fan” per se. I admire their work ethic and the coaching of Belichick, but I simply cannot abide a team that uses cheating tactics to win. Don’t they have enough film to study?

On the other hand, I am not a Jets’ fan, nor am I a fan of Geno Smith. So when it comes to these two teams, I go with the more mature QB.

That being said, the game was sloppy on both sides. Dropped passeds turnovers (not the tasty kind) and interceptions made the game a disappointment to watch. I expect more from Tom Brady, though I understand that he’s working with super-brand new players. But Tom showed his frustration, yelling on the sidelines about his immature receivers.

Either way, the Pats won and Tom Brady didn’t put up many fantasy points.

Let’s take a look at this weekend’s matchups:

Weekend Matchups –

(note…I only comment on the games that will probably be shown in the New York metro area. Your mileage may vary.)

Chargers at Eagles

The Chargers like to give away games and the Eagles seem like they are on a serious mission. With the addition of coach Chip Kelly, the Iggles are a team to be reckoned with. I pick the Eagles.

Saints at Buccaneers

Drew BREES! As a former New Orleans resident, I like Drew Brees. As a current New Jersey resident, I do not like former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano. But I do like former Tampa Buccaneer, Warren Sapp. Hmmmmm. I pick the Saints.

Redskins at Packers

I am neutral on the strength of both these teams, but I like RGIII much better than Aaron Rodgers. Despite my affection for the running quarterback, I have to pick the Packers.

49ers at Seahawks

I laughed this morning when the fellas on WFAN reported that someone on the 49ners called the Seahawks, the “Shehawks”. Juvenile? Yes. Fun? Most definitely. This will be a hard fought game between two tough teams. I can’t even venture to pick a winner.

The Manning Bowl – Broncos at Giants

What else can be said about this matchup? I don’t do point spreads and stuff like that, but let it be said that Peyton has won every Manning bowl so far. In addition, the Giants defense isn’t what it used to be – but the Broncos offense is hot! Either way, it should be a good game to watch.

Let it also be said that the Eli does have two championship rings to Peyton’s one.

Who’s your team? Who’s your player? Comment and let me know!

Football Friday – The Season Begins

Broncos vs Ravens

And football season is upon us with a vengeance. Super Bowl champs the Baltimore Ravens paid a visit to the Mile-High City for a rematch. If you remember last year, the Ravens bested the Broncos in overtime to move on to the Super Bowl. Mind you, the NFL Channel never let us forget it – I have seen enough replays of the end of that game to last me a lifetime.

I would venture to say that Peyton Manning and the Broncos gave the Ravens a bit of “get-back” last night.

Yes, the first half was slow. A thirty-minute rain delay coupled with the slow saunter of the Ravens onto the field didn’t bode well for the Broncos, especially when it started to rain. When the Ravens drew first blood with a touchdown, Broncos fans may have thought that the Super Bowl champs were back stronger than ever.

However, Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning and despite the absence of Von Miller on defense, Manning more than compensated with his passing game. Wes Welker showed his total catching abilities with nine catches for a total of sixty-seven yards and two touchdowns.

In addition, Demaryius “Only winners get wings” Thomas and Julian Thomas (no relation) combined for 181 yards to push the Broncos over the Ravens.

The most exciting second half I’ve seen in a long time.

And thank goodness, football season has begun!!

49-27 ……Broncos

Note: Peyton Manning ties NFL record with seven touchdown passes.

Retro Saturday – Slow Jams

A party on Saturday wasn’t fun unless you brought the slow jams out. After the fast dancing, where you got sweaty, a slow song was just the thing to keep the heart rate up while the feet got a rest. Some of the time, that was when most people took a seat and you saw who the real couples were.

Let’s take a look at some old-school retro slow jams today. Maybe you can whip them out on your significant other later on today.

Enjoy!

Between the Sheets – The Isley Brothers

The Isley Brothers knew how to sweet talk a woman with their 1983 hit “Between the Sheets” . Though a little fast for a “slow jam” it still got the blood moving in the right direction with the smooth melody and sexy words.

Sade-Is it a Crime?

Sade, Sade, Sade…there’s more in that one name than anything else. She was the queen of slow jams and quiet storms over the nation. No matter who you were, you could name at least one Sade song.

DeBarge – “All this Love”

My laws, El DeBarge was the one! I saw him on an awards show recently and he still looked good. You can’t tell me that El didn’t bring it with “All This Love”. I still love this song.

The Stylistics – Betcha By Golly Wow

I know I’m reaching way back for this one, but it’s a good one.

Prince- “Do Me Baby”

Yes, Me’lisa Morgan had her version, but it’s Prince’s song. Nuff said.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9ki4c_prince-do-me-baby_music

Leave your favorite slow jam in the comments!

Retro Saturdays – Crochet and Knit Patterns

My mother was an avid crocheter. There are bags and bags of yarn in the attic that can attest to this fact. She taught me to crochet, knit and do something called “broomstick lace” when I was a child and the yearning to create with yarn hits me on and off. I try to stay out of AC Moore and Michaels when they have the yarn sales, but sometimes the colors are too eye-catching to resist.
Which brings me to crochet patterns. My mother was not an idle crocheter, no. Everything she crocheted had a purpose, whether it be a hat, scarf or, dare I say, funny looking sweater. She used to have a subscription to a magazine called Workbasket, and when I was at her house a few weeks ago, I found some old issues. Take a look at these totally retro crochet outfits.

photo courtesy of pioneerheritageshoppe.com

Crochet Wedding Dress…plus hat!

Crochet Set 1970 (Photo credit: libertygrace0)

The crochet bikini plus cover up.

Cute, but seems like it wouldn’t dry too quickly if you went into the water. All that soggy cotton….

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