Today I live in beautiful Seattle and visit Puget Sound every day for my morning meditation.  Later this month I am heading to Cannon Beach Oregon which is one of my favorite places on earth!  I often say that Cannon Beach is a combination of my summers spent in New Hampshire on our lake and in Avalon on the Jersey Shore.  It also has a hit of the Maine coast line feel to it.  Yet Cannon Beach has a magical feel for me which pulls me to visit every year.

When I am surrounded by or wear cool crisp whites, aqua, orange or blue colors, I am feel light, fresh and ready for a perfect summer day!

Enjoy your summer freshness and surround yourself with your favorite summer colors.

Are you tired of you dull, boring furniture cushions? A new look on your seat cushions can change your entire outdoor living space. There are so many options available for sun protected outdoor fabrics and they range from bright contemporary fabrics and colors to more soft and muted tones. Any upholester can transform your look today. And yes you can even reupholester your umbrella!

Lemon Bars are the first part of this receipe that my friend Gini gave me years ago.  Gini is one of the best cooks I know and she loves to experiment with receipes and this one is her own creation!

Start with home made or store bought lemon bars.  Add 1 scope of Vanilla ice cream on top of the bar.  Drizzle a tablespoon or so of Cointeau liquor and then top with either fresh raspberries or strawberries.  Your guests will be licking their bowls!

I am venturing this year to make these adorable chicken cupcakes.  I found the receipe on the Food Network website and it seems very easy. Time to be creative and to start the holiday weekend off in the kitchen.  Enjoy this wonderful time of year of new beginnings!

 This beautifully merchandised store provides an escape from the day to day and allows you to be visually stimulated from all of the updated “shabby chic” home decor items.  Cindy Sullivan, founder and interior designer, has created a sanctuary for all your senses. 

Located in the heart of the downtown Kirkland shopping district, make it your first stop when shopping for a new home accessory or a gift for a special friend.  Or visit Haley’s website at www.haleyscottage.com to get inspired. You are sure to find something unique to make you smile.  Enjoy!!

I had the fortunate opportunity to go to this years winter Olympics in Vancouver.  My brother Brian and his wife Holly have a friends daughter that was competing in the womens Luge event.  Over 30 people from their small town of Suffield Connecticut join in to cheer Megan Sweeney on.  We were all very noticeable in the crowd and on TV wearing our hot pinks hats to show our support.  A wonderful experience and memory I won’t ever forget!

My home is very close to the beach and my time here is truly inspirational and spiritual for me.  All of my senses are awakened, the sights, sounds and smells of the ocean are energizing and calming.   I find that I can start my day with a new light and easy approach to all the tasks that lie ahead of me.  I am blessed and so deeply grateful to have the beauty of sea so close to me. 

My Grandmother Mary celebrated her 100th birthday last week and our entire family gathered to share in this very special time in all of our lives.  The remarkable event made me realize how special I am to have experienced such a milestone and to reflect  on how much of an influence she has on my life.  Being in her presence you immediately feel at home especially if you are the lucky one to recieve one of her beautiful knitted scarfs  or a  warm plate of her special chocolate chip cookies.  Her loving and gracious warmth she openly gives everyone, her kind heart and witty sense of humor are just a few of her many qualities I cherish and try to live by everyday of my life.