A sign of the times

This week I received a postcard from O at Home magazine indicating they have published their last edition.  Today I logged onto www.dominomag.com to check out some of their online features after thumbing through this month’s magazine and what did I see?  It’s a letter from the Domino editor:

                                             

Dear readers,

 

It is with very heavy hearts that we say farewell. The March 2009 issue will be our last. Over the last 4 years, in 28 issues, we have done our best to create a great magazine. We started with a real idea—that style is for everyone—and tried to carry it out with stories that provide inspiration and empower you to act on it. From your tremendous response, we know that we were onto something. In this tough economy, however, we simply weren’t able to get the advertising support we needed.

As domino evolved, we never lost sight of our original democratic premise. Looking back at the manifesto we published in the premiere issue, the first tenet of domino is still the truest: Home should make you happy. We hope we have played a part in making this come true for you.

Love,
All the editors of domino

 It’s too bad but I guess the economic problems we are living in are affecting everything.  Magazines (especially home interiors / style magazines) have been my little “get away.”  I’m happy when they arrive in the mailbox because I know I’ll find time later that day (or the next) to sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy flipping through all of the beautiful pages of inspiring ideas. 

I guess you could say this is just another sign of the times.  As times get tougher, we stay home more in order to save more money.  As we spend more time at home, we want our home to be our haven.   These magazines have brought great inspiration, a moment to escape from stressful times, and a little touch of beauty.  They’ll be missed.

 

FYI:  Be sure and check out Rombauer Chardonnay 2007 under “Cork Talk.”  

 

I’ve heard it all!

Really?  A black and white paisley scarf has caused a controversy?  I have really heard it all, now!

If you haven’t heard yet, Rachel Ray is fueling Muslim extremism and terrorism with such a scarf…who knew?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24860437/

“Critics, including conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, complained that the scarf wrapped around her looked like a kaffiyeh, the traditional Arab headdress. Critics who fueled online complaints about the ad in blogs say such scarves have come to symbolize Muslim extremism and terrorism.

The kaffiyeh, Malkin wrote in a column posted online last Friday, “has come to symbolize murderous Palestinian jihad. Popularized by Yasser Arafat and a regular adornment of Muslim terrorists appearing in beheading and hostage-taking videos, the apparel has been mainstreamed by both ignorant (and not-so-ignorant) fashion designers, celebrities, and left-wing icons.”

http://www.tv.yahoo.com/show/39312/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20080529:dunkin__donuts_ad_pulled

The ad has been pulled by Dunkin’ Donuts.  Does Rachel look like the kind of person who would fuel any kind of extremism and terrorism?  On the Today Show the other day, when this story first broke, anchor Matt Lauer said Rachel has been heard making  “mean” and racist comments about Oprah recently.   Could it be true?  Is she really turning to the dark side???  Before you know it, we will learn that Darth Vader is her father….

 

…they’re both wearing black aren’t they?

 

Adopt, spay and neuter

If you watched Oprah today, you already know where I’m headed.  If you didn’t catch it, at least check out the summary of it at www.Oprah.com

Oprah admitted to not having obtained her dogs through a shelter but now says it is the only way she will ever obtain a dog again – after seeing what really goes on at “puppy mills.” 

The saddest part for me was the segment on the Fort Worth Animal Shelter.  Having visited there myself in the past, it was particularly sad knowing that over 40 animals a day are euthanized.  The program showed the Animal Shelter’s staff preparing some adorable dogs for euthanasia – as the dogs wagged their tails before being led to the room where they would be “put to sleep.”  It was also terribly sad watching the multiple body bags being dumped into a trash dumpster – which will later make its way to a landfill.   I will say this – it’s not always easy to adopt a pet from a shelter.  When our kids were much younger (about 7 and 3), it was virtually impossible to adopt a dog from the Fort Worth shelter.  I remember going there in search of a dog only to see sign after sign (on each of the cages) that indicated the dogs could not be adopted into families with children younger than 8 years old.  I’m not certain why this is the case but I guess it was because younger children could become too rough with the dog which in turn could cause the dog to become aggressive – which might result in the animal being returned to the shelter.  However, if you are a responsible parent AND pet owner, you will supervise the interactions between your kids and your new pet!   When there are over 40 animals being euthanized daily (at just that one shelter) – why not consider a family with younger kids? 

Oprah announced that the Fort Worth shelter would begin (later this summer) providing free spaying and neutering, in hopes of having more animals adopted.  What a great idea!  Adopting a pet is not cheap but neither is the lifelong commitment to the pet.  I don’t understand pet owners who don’t  spay or neuter their animals!  There are clinics that offer this service at a reasonable price.  Hey, here’s an idea – why don’t members of the American Veterinary Medical Association offer free spaying and neutering a couple times of year?  Every little bit helps.

Remember our little Lucy (adopted from a local shelter)?  She is due to be spayed before too long.  We will do our part – now, please, do yours!

 

Curious?

I have been a fan of Oprah for many years.  I, along with millions of other viewers, have watched her over the years through highs and lows in her weight, multiple hairstyles and fashions, and even the “beef crisis” in Amarillo, Texas, and now I listen to her and her friends on XM radio.  I particularly enjoy Dr. Robin, Jean Chatsky, Nate Berkus, and Mehmet Oz…and now, Rabbi Shmuley.  His program on XM is described as having “a focus on marriage, parenting, relationships, & family dynamics.”  The rabbi’s show has only been on the air for a few days and I had a chance to listen today.  I like what he had to say about parenting.  Rabbi Shmuley said that a parent’s job is to inspire curiosity in his/her kids.  What exactly does that mean?  Well, he talked about going through his day as any typical person might but all the while thinking, “What can I take from this to talk about with my kids?”  Many kids have become numb, he said, because they are bored senseless.  Parents have not inspired them to experience the world around them, to be curious about things.  He said he tells his own children to not worry so much about grades but instead, to ask good questions in class (i.e. to be curious).  I like this idea in theory, but I believe kids can ask good questions, and be curious, while also making good grades.   Shmuley also talked about parents needing to expose their kids to things to increase their curiosity such as museums – and might I add: nature centers, the outdoors, a zoo, a science museum, a concert, a walk in the neighborhood or along the beach…

I think what Rabbi Shmuley has to say is worth listening to…now that I’m curious too.

 

A talented trio

Today I watched yesterday’s episode of Oprah where her guests were Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, and Reba McEntire.  What an interesting group of musical guests, I thought.  I already knew that Kelly and Reba were friends and have recorded a song together, but what I didn’t know was that Justin and Reba have also recorded a song together.  Justin’s music is obviously very popular and he is very talented but I can’t say that it’s typically been what I consider “my kind” of music.  However, I really like the song he performed on the Oprah show (“What goes around”).  He seems like such a nice boy…he attributes his groundedness to his mom and even has game nights at his house.   I don’t know if you caught Justin on Saturday Night Live recently – but he was HILARIOUS!  So, I guess you could say, I am now officially impressed with him. 

I have adored Kelly Clarkson since I first saw her on American Idol – as many others have.  She is a “local” girl from Burleson, Texas (right outside of Fort Worth).  I just enjoy her music and she is another performer with huge talent.  Kelly also seems very grounded.  She said she lives in Texas (on a lot of land) “away from this.” 

Both Justin and Kelly have recorded songs with Reba on her new album “Duets.”  Each of them performed their duet wtih Reba  — and both were great.  

(Psst….check out today’s Foodie Fun for Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas and Cork Talk regarding Francis Coppola Claret, wine serving temperatures, and how to correctly hold a wine glass!)

 

What’s the big idea?

Today I watched an episode of Oprah which I had saved for a few days – “Moms who made millions.”  I was amazed at the mom who came up with Jibbitz.  Now if you don’t know what Jibbitz are, you don’t have kids who wear Crocs!  Jibbitz are the cute little things you stick in the holes of the crocs.  They are typically $2.49 each (yes, each!), unless you are Disneyworld – where they are $4.00 each (but I digress).  Anyway, this mom was a stay-at-home-mom and she and her kids were having a craft day.  She stuck a little silk flower in one of the holes of her daughter’s Crocs – and viola!  Her girls loved the idea so mom went out and bought some more little thingys to stick into the Crocs and when dad came home one day and saw what they were doing – Jibbitz were born.   So, mom, grandma, grandpa, and hubbie worked into the nights gluing little tiny things on backings (making Jibbitz) until mom’s fingers were bleeding.  Then one day, the daughter is wearing her Crocs at the local pool and who is there?  The founder of Crocs!  No joke (divine intervention?).  He handed the girl his card and so the story goes, the parents sold their quickly growing company to Crocs for $20 million and now run the company.  

What’s the moral of the story?  Husbands, don’t laugh at your wife’s love of crafting!!!! Go with it and prosper!

One of my favorite people, Paula Deen, was also a guest.  She started out as a mom with “nothing” and is worth many millions now.  Her goal was to buy groceries without the check bouncing – and look at where she is now.  Her story also include a 20-year period of various degrees of agoraphobia.  She is an amazing person.  (The funniest part of the show was when she was making a poundcake with Oprah (with 2 sticks of butter, of course!) and she accidentally dropped a little glass bowl of vanilla into the mixer -which was turning at the time!). 

For more information check out: http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200702/20070202/slide_20070202_350_101.jhtml

Anyway, these ladies just made me think of what you can do when you put your mind to it – with a little attention given to who might be watching over you

 

That darn Dean

Be sure and check out this week’s wine pick at Cork Talk.

Frei Brothers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

You may want to stock up if you are in my area due to all the talk about DEAN!

Also, in your spare time between frenzied moments of stocking your hurricane emergency supplies, check out these great blogs:

www.boxwines.org 

http://www.redneckwinereview.com/ 

http://thewinechicks.typepad.com/my_weblog/

The southwest coast of Texas and part of Mexico remain under a tropical storm watch.  Hawaii is brushed by Flossie.  Then there is Dean.  Great…I am hopeful though as this morning’s forecast suggests Dean will take a path away from south Florida.  I feel bad wishing Dean away from here because that means it will head toward others, somewhere else.  Honestly, though, do I hope it comes our way?  No way.  I will keep my fingers crossed and purchase more water…and wine…oh yeah, and juice drinks for the kids…and maybe a little more wine…