Mortimer Mouse

With an annual company income of over $36 billion dollars, who would have thought that it all began with a $500 loan from a relative? In the beginning, Walt Disney was selling his films for a flat fee to a distributor, who in turn rented the films to movie houses. Oswald the Rabbit was making good money but Disney was reaping none of the benefits.

Disney wised up, vowed to never sell his creations again, and Mortimer Mouse was born. Only he was very shortlived (like less than a minute) because Walt's wife thought Mickey sounded better than Mortimer. Disney brought him to life as the voice of Mickey. In three short years, the company was worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and Mickey was a very famous mouse.

You Want Fries With That?

Of the following two options, which burger sounds better to you?

(1) Hamburger with cheddar cheese, tomato, lettuce and onion

(2) Hamburger with cheddar cheese, onion, mushrooms and jalapenos

If you chose number one, you'd eat the same burger as Barack Obama.

Option two more your speed? You're better off dining with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev.

They shared fries. Wow.

Then and Now

Then (Disney World, 2006)....

...and now (Disney World, 2010).

{six}{seven}{two thousand ten}

daybook {six}{seven}{two thousand ten}

i am thankful... to be married to the most loyal, thoughtful, kind and gentle man in the world. I love you, sweetie!


i am thinking... late thirties isn't as old as it used to seem to me.


i am hoping... to hear something soon from Layla over at The Lettered Cottage. My sister played in the high school marching band with her brother-in-law, and I worked with her mother-in-law. Her husband is in the band Puddle of Mud and her father-in-law used to be the political cartoonist for the local paper. She is an interior designer -- one who hopefully will be taking my living room on as a project. I think she's gotten to be quite popular lately and I must wait my turn on her list. No, she won't be parading around my domicile -- her concept is an internet based approach that is very reasonably priced, I think. She will design your room, send you the details, and then you re-do the room at your own pace and based on funds available. Pretty neat, huh?


i am creating... lists, lists and more lists. I am a list maker, yes it is so. I love to cross things off as I complete them. Lists this week include what to pack for Disney, what to make sure gets done before we leave, and what fun things to do with the kids for the rest of the summer. We love the road trip list!


in the kitchen... margarita ice cream. OH. MY. STARS! If the nice lady who gave it to me will share the recipe, I'll share it with you. OH. MY. STARS! But I said thay already, right? It is delish!


outside my window... the pink dianthus are blooming and very fragrant; the calla lilies continue to flower; and the caladiums are three times as dense as when I planted them earlier this year. They keep growin' and growin'.


worth sharing...



(A calla lily bloom from my yard. Color your day bright!)

Doughnuts on the House

In observance of National Donut Day, Krispy Kreme is giving away one donut per customer today, totally for free. Just go in, ask for your favorite and take a bite for me. If you don't live near a Krispy Kreme, well....move.

{five}{twenty-four}{two thousand ten}

daybook {five}{twenty-four}{two thousand ten}

i am thankful... for a summer that brings vacations, cookouts, and the end of the carpool line for three months.

i am thinking... how soon the carpool line will be in full swing again.

i am reading... magazines. Do they really count? I will be reading South of Broad by Pat Conroy later this week.

i am hoping... folks aren't scared off from visiting the Gulf Coast this summer because of the oil spill. There are many unaffected areas with businesses who would welcome visitors.

in the kitchen... parmesan crisps and sharp cheddar crisps. Divine.

around the house... espresso or toffee crunch for the wall color?

outside my window... very healthy caladiums and lilies. If I could just get my gardenias to bloom.

worth sharing...

Middle Sister Wines

When it comes to wine, I know nothing about bouquet or oak flavors. My corkscrew is cheap and my wine bottles lay on their sides on the floor of my pantry. I don't swirl or sniff before I sip. I don't care about the year or varietal. I just drink the stuff. I am civilized enough to pour it into a wineglass first, but that is the extent of my wine high-and-mightiness.

I do know a great label when I see one, though. The cutest around have to be the ones on bottles of Middle Sister Wines, an affordable by design collection of wines from California. With names like Drama Queen and Surfer Chick, and a different middle sister character on each, the labels are as cute to look at as the wines are a delight to drink.

I was thrilled to see the newest addition to their line -- a Sauvignon Blanc. Meet her here and visit the website to find out more info on gals and where you can find them hangin' out in your neck of the woods.