lanzarote Article 

Read more: Saturday, A trip to Morat, an overload of photos

Is Valentine?s Day mainly a day where the menfolk should plan a special evening for his woman or should it be a joint venture?

Read more: A Manly Valentine’s Post….

So...since Valentine's Day is very nearly over, I thought I would post some thoughts about this holiday that I received from a friend of mine. His wife was very careful to assure me that "he doesn't really hate society" which made me laugh even harder.

Read more: V-Day Rant

As soon as Sebastian finishes getting his guns organized, we?re off to our now annual winter camping trip. This time we?re staying two nights instead of one. However, we?re much better off this year thanks to the ever so thoughtful Christmas gift of a 2-person -25 degree sleeping bag.

Read more: Off to the Mountains

My husband noticed the sense of serenity oozing out of me. The price tag on those beds is over $3000. Needless to say, owning one of them - even the cheapest model - is out of the question. To buy one wouldn?t be a matter of mere extravagance, but one of financial irresponsibility. The pillows, on the other hand, wouldn?t require taking out a second mortgage on our house. So when my husband offered to buy me one as a belated birthday gift, I didn?t even hesitate.

Read more: Lapse of Luxury

Whether it?s an exquisite antique or super limited-production bottle of wine, a rare thing is a glamorous thing, without a doubt. In terms of rare wines, there are few more hard-to-find (or afford) than top Bordeaux from the superb 1961 vintage. Few mere mortals will ever have the opportunity to sample the wildly rare 100-point-scoring 1961 Château Latour Pauillac, a brooding Cabernet Sauvignon-based beauty that prompted Wine Spectator to rhapsodize, ?Got to love this?Will it age forever??

Read more: Guest Blogger: Courtney Cochran of HipTastes on Glam Wines

I also had a customer call wanting to order a book for a friend?s wedding that was about a week away. She thought that it would be a great wedding gift. We are, in fact, out of stock of the particular book she was seeking. When I broke the devastating news to her, she replied with ?Well, you just ruined my life!? I almost couldn?t believe my ears. This one book that she wanted to get a friend, the wedding was a week away mind you, was not available and that just ruined her life.

Read more: “You just ruined my life!”

I had the great fortune recently to receive two lovely eco-fashion necklaces from The Palma Collection. They are a small eco-friendly company located in San Diego, California that sells stunning and unique eco-friendly women?s accessories made from the nut of a rare palm tree in South America. The nuts (aka vegetable ivory) are harvested seasonally and only after they fall from the tree. They are also completely non-toxic. These necklaces are proof positive that green fashion can be beautiful and sexy.

Read more: Eco-Pretty Jewelry: The Palma Collection

But what is really strange to me is how these big tough basketball players were all robbed of very expensive jewelry. I don?t mean to sound old-fashioned, but what are big, tough guys doing with +$100,000 custom made necklaces? I guess if you?re 6-foot-10, you can get away with wearing whatever you please, at least until someone else decides they want to take it from you. Here?s the story:

Read more: Diamonds are a Big Guy’s Best Friend

I mentioned that I?m in trouble; Lucy was steamed when she found out I drove the truck, anywhere. I had sense enough to have the folks at the dealership take me home in their courtesy shuttle. The young man recognized me since I make keys for these folks and have for years. I had him take a slight detour past my favorite florist, Flowers by Lois, where I picked out a visually pleasing table decoration for Lucy to see when she got home. I still had to listen Lucy?s tongue lashing for having taken such a risk; getting out in Houston?s traffic so soon after surgery. I can put up with her being angry; it means she still loves me, enough to remain married to me all these years.

Read more: 36 Years Married to my Sweetheart

4. The painted wooden cat statue was another Christmas gift.

Read more: Thursday Thirteen: cat art

Other women slipped me their business cards and told me to call them if I needed anything. Other women called me and asked me how I was and if they (the management) had mistreated me. Still others called me up and invited me to bar-be-ques that would be held in my honor. I received letters and note cards and little gift certificates from women who just wanted to tell me how lovely I was and how much I had helped them while I was there. They urged me to keep in touch with them and to let them know if I was going to be in the area and we ?could do lunch? and just ?catch up.?

Read more: untitled/too good to name

Liz Lovely is a vegan bakery located in Vermont. They've already been recognized by famous people like PDiddy who chose Liz Lovely cookies for his gift baskets. There's a rumor going around that they're going to be involved in a major TV show too, but I don't want to ruin any potential surprise there. I'll be sure to post when it happens.

Read more: C is for Cookie

A business gift of charity is a great way to show appreciation to clients with out overstepping the ethical guidelines of corporate customer relations policies. This may also be a fully tax deductible gift that is above the general $25 IRS maximum for business gifts. Be sure to check with your tax advisor on the details.

Read more: Happy Holidays ? Charity Begins with Business Gift Giving

Here are some great Mother?s Day Gifts Ideas, Mothers Day Jewelry Gifts?This year Mother?s Day falls on May 13th so you go a little over a week to get your things order and shipped so that you get them on time.

Read more: Mother’s Day Ideas