Baby Rachel Graduates From College

Sunday's church sermon was about Baby Rachel and the trials she has faced in her life.  This is Baby Rachel back in 1989.  You may remember the story about her...she was known as "Dumpster Baby."  Born September 27, 1989, baby Rachel was sealed inside a garbage bag with her umbilical cord and placenta still attached.  The trash bag was thrown into a dumpster.

The gentleman in the photo below is Thomas Stephenson.  He was taking out some garbage to that dumpster which was located behind his wife's floral shop.  He heard a baby crying and just before baby Rachel ran out of oxygen he retrieved the bag.  The precious little girl had a fractured skull and hematomas on both sides of her head.

Over in Dunkirk, Maryland, Jenifer and Dane Clark were watching the developing story on the news.  The couple had been hoping to adopt a child and had been on a waiting list for 8 years.  While baby Rachel was being cared for in the hospital, the Clark's filed the necessary papers to adopt little Rachel.  They were approved and took Rachel home to raise her.

For the first six years of her life, Rachel experience terrible nightmares.  Despite all the love bestowed upon her by her adoptive parents, Rachel was obsessed with the idea that they would die and leave her alone.

Rachel received a lot of therapy well into her teen years.

This is Rachel with her adoptive parents.  Even today, at the age of 23, Rachel struggles with fear of abandonment.  However, she is so grateful that her parents took her "kicking and screaming" to get the therapy that she needed.

Rachel is graduating from the University of Maryland this year...a Straight-A student.  She is getting married this summer and then wants to write a book about adoption.  Rachel and her fiance hope to have a least 4 children!

Rachel is still searching for her birth parents.  She forgives them.  She wants to tell them that she forgives them!  What a lesson we can all learn from this young girl about the power of forgiveness.

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day weekend, we remember the men and women who died while serving our Country in the Armed Forces.

Families will gather for cookouts...

I'll be in kitchen whipping up my standard meal for the occasion...

Memphis-style barbecue sandwiches...pulled pork and cole slaw, sooooo good y'all!  I'll serve these with baked beans, potato salad, and sweet pickles.  Watermelon for dessert, of course!

I hope that y'all enjoy your weekend.

We should all be so grateful that we live in America--protected by brave men and women who serve our Country!

Pray for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country!

Tea on the Porch

Tea on the Porch today.

I used my blue and white dinnerware with pops of pink...

I finally realized that I'm an orchid killer, so it's faux orchids for me from now on!  My faux orchids look better than the live ones I've been killing.

Chinoiserie placecards...

Monogrammed silver napkin rings...

Grapefruit juice and champagne and cute pink chinoiserie beverage napkins.

Savories, scones, and sweets...on Detox Monday.  Shame on me!

Outfit of the Day.

Here's What I Wore.   The dress is Barbara Gerwit, the tote is by Michael Kors, and the flats are by Tory Burch.

So tonight, I'm back to some Lean Cuisine and some Clean Living food.  Hope y'all have a great week!

Have You Met Gentleman Norman?

I would like to introduce to y'all to Gentleman Norman.  This precious Pomeranian is being cuddled by his owner and the love of his life, Laura Martella.

Norman co-authored a book, "Gentleman Norman...How To Be A Man"  with Ms. Martella.

Laura Martella's Mother, Patricia Zweig, passed away at the age of 72 with Alzheimer's and the book is a tribute to her...a portion of the proceeds goes to the Alzheimer's Association in San Diego.

Norman and his Grandmother...

Gentleman Norman dispenses advice on Grooming & Wardrobe, Manners, and Relationship Maintenance in his book and also on Facebook.  His Facebook posts really are adorable y'all!

I'm obsessed with Norman...look at his precious self, relaxing by the fireplace on his Louis Vuitton bed.

Norman always travels in style and stays at posh hotels.  His favorites are the Plaza Athenee in New York and The Peninsula in Beverly Hills.  Of course, room service is expected for this little gentleman.

Norman with his limo driver in New York City...always traveling in style!

Breakfast in bed with the New York Times...I love his style!

Neiman Marcus and other posh stores welcome Norman for his book signings.  Of course, he's a celebrity at Neiman Marcus!

Norman is obsessed with MacKenzie Childs 'Courtly Check', just like me!

I recommend Norman's book for all the gents out there.  Ladies, with Father's Day coming up in June, this would be a great gift for the Father in your life...or an anytime-gift, perfect for your husband, boyfriend, son, or brother.

So true Norman.  So true!

Shift Into Spring

Today I wore this Lilly shift in the Sunset Pink 'Shift' pattern.  Wearing this shift made me think of Melissa who writes the blog Southern Vogue.

The pink shift has cute Lilly 'shift' patterns in the design...my favorite Lilly style, the classic shift!

Melissa is a Southern belle living in the great state of Texas.  What's so special about her?  Well, for one thing, she throws THE cutest parties and I'm sure they are the most coveted invitations in her social circle!  I would totally wear this shift to her event!

Miss Melissa Meredith

Like most Southern girls, all her parties have themes and my favorite is the "Shift Into Spring."  Look at the darling invitation for this year's fete.

Hopsy {pictured on the right} is part of the inner circle of friends!  These girls throw the most fantastic parties y'all!

Here's the darling tablescape from this Spring's event.

Pink prissy macarons...

I adore these party favors...Lilly prints!!!!

The invitations were made with the Lilly shift notecards...

Look at the tablescape from last year's party...

Just too adorable!

Party favors with shift bags and an adorable shift banner!

Pink and green treats...

When you visit Melissa's blog, you will find other posts from her fabulous events.  The latest event was her birthday party--with a Derby theme on Derby Day.  She has posted some photos from that event and it was just the cutest thing ever!

Note to Melissa:

I know how to behave at prissy parties and I have a few Lilly shifts, one of which I'm sure would be appropriate to wear.  I am now placing your parties on my "Bucket List" of Things To Do Before I Die!

Kindest regards,

Miss Janice

P.S.  I always arrive with a cute present for my hostess!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Blessings to all y'all who are Mothers and as always, my heart goes out to those of you, who like myself, are not Mothers and I pray for those who want children of their own but are unable.

"Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

Exodus 20:12

May the Fifth

May the 5th, 2013.  The day after the Kentucky Derby.  Cinco de Mayo day.  And, the first anniversary of the passing of my friend Jan Taylor.

We started the day with close friends over a light breakfast of Panera Bread food...I wore my Lilly Ricci shift in the 'Glam Toile' print, with white Bonanno sandals, and my Bosom Buddy Bag.

This was a day that we celebrated the memory of Jan and did the things she loved the most!

A toast to Jan Tay!!!

Later we ate again...Brunch food at the Clubhouse.

This was my feast before "Detox Monday" rolled around!

Later that evening...a Cinco de Mayo Supper.

My idea of celebrating Cinco de Mayo...a cute tablescape,

with cute adirondack chair napkin rings...

An umbrella in my drink...

and a Publix-bought, frozen margarita mix, served in a monogrammed goblet!  Hola y'all!

Chips with fresh salsa...

Fish Tacos!  Y'all know I love Fish Tacos and these were easy.*

Recipe for Fish Tacos:  {I found this recipe on the internet}

1 can Rotel diced tomatoes, drained with liquid reserved

1/2 cup sour cream

3 cups tri-color coleslaw mix

1 1/2 lbs tilapa, thawed

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1 tblsp oil

Corn tortillas

Mix the sour cream with 1/2 of the Rotel liquid.  Stir and set aside.  Mix the coleslaw with the Rotel tomatoes and the remainder of the Rotel liquid.  Mix well and set aside.

Sprinkle the fish with cumin and salt and heat in a skillet over med-high heat.  Place the cooked fish on paper towels to drain and then flake.   Serve on a tortilla with the slaw mix and sour cream dressing.

Needless to say, after the party weekend I enjoyed, Detox Monday was a shock to my system!  Now, I working out double-time to try to lose the calories I consumed over the weekend!