Let Freedom Ring...or Liberty...or Independence

Happy Fourth of July!

The Breaking News Team is basking in the warm glow of the sunny, south Georgia coast.
Life can be so tough sometimes.

We are working on this story for you: Fourth of July served up Sea Island style. (Think starred and spangled to the hilt...) Stay tuned for a full report.

In the meantime...stumbled across these fun facts that you may or may may not find interesting.

Fourth of July (Inspired) Fun Facts


* Thirty places nationwide have "liberty" in their name.
* The most populous one is Liberty, Missouri (26,232).
* Iowa has more of these places than any other state:
four (Libertyville, New Liberty, North Liberty and West Liberty).
* Eleven places have "independence" in their name.
* The most populous of these is Independence, Missouri, with 113,288 residents.
* Five places adopted the name "freedom."
* Freedom, California, with 6,000 residents, has the largest population among these.
* There is one place named "patriot" — Patriot, Indiana, with a population of 202.

And as we celebrate of our nation's independence with friends and family, let us remember all those who have served and are serving to protect our freedom, our rights and safeguard this great country. A BIG thank you to those men and women!

Enjoy a safe holiday and we'll be back with a full report!

Mrs. News Readin'

And on the third day...

Christ and St Mary Magdalene at the Tomb, 1638, Rembrandt van Rijn.
Image courtesy of The Royal Collection.

Hope you enjoyed a beautiful day with family and friends!

Bad Ass Bunny Gear

Just like my Santa swills scotch, my Easter Bunny is a bad ass.
(But you already knew that...)

This just might be waiting for a certain News Readin' Husband and our star boarder, The Prince on Easter Sunday, courtesy of our B.A.E.B.:


Psycho Bunny Polo Shirt in Kelly Green

A better look at Psycho Bunnies in the Wild

I big puffy heart Psycho Bunny's design mastermind Robert Godley - and not just because he's a nice lad from across the pond. Although, the accent and his former employment at Turnbull and Asser, Jermyn Street, help tremendously. Check him out. Adorable - no?


Keep your fingers crossed that the B.A.E.B remembers little old me:


Large White with Rasberry Bunny Tote from Bunny and Chad
On sale, too!


Or should our Bad Ass Easter Bunny decide to drop off a certain Mr. Godley for a late lunch on Sunday accompanied by a massive basket of Cadbury Creme Eggs - that would be just fine, too.

Stay tuned. More at 11.

Giving Bling

In a time when the mall jewelry store trappings of Valentine's Day seem obnoxious, seek other options. (For me, every kiss begins with VCA. Most definitely not Kay.)

But, we are working with a limited budget this year. Maybe if I hadn't paid my taxes (ahem, Tom Daschle) I would be scoring a lovely Alhambra necklace...but I digress.

If you are sending your sweetheart in search for a little affordable bling, maybe suggest an option that would benefit a good cause.

The Breaking News Team loves the simplicity of Diana Warner jewelry and especially appreciates her Materialism Matters line which supports an array of non-profit organizations.


The Obligato Necklace - Obligato, Portuguese for something that one cannot live without - supports a well-digging project in Africa. Each purchase provides clean water for 10 Africans for an entire year.



The Parker Puzzle Necklace - A portion of the proceeds from each necklace goes to the Breakthrough Corporation, which works diligently to improve the lives of adults with Autism.



Beginning with You Necklace - Proceeds from the sale of this necklace support the Beginning with You Organization, that provides for vulnerable children internationally.


I'm also a big fan of her initial charms (which I wear almost daily) and bracelets, which make my wrists look magically minuscule.

Even if you don't go with one of the Materialism Matters necklaces, you can feel good about buying jewelry from someone who has such a big heart.

Your Jewelry Cupid,

Mrs. News Readin'


And for those who check daily anticipating the Presidential China post - it's in the works. Promise.

More at 11.

Breaking News from Gobbler's Nob

Dammit, Phil.


Being hoisted up in the air by the gentleman pictured above, is probably not how you saw your Monday beginning. I'd be irritated too - and equally not camera ready. Did they even let you take a brush to your tail? Ughh. State Tourism flacks are the worst.

With 13,000 people in the crowd, I'm sure you were slightly embarrassed. Hate that for you.

But, six more weeks of winter. Is that really necessary?

Seems like we might all be paying the price for some sour grapes of the NFL variety... Maybe you hail from a long line of die hard Eagles fans, and just hate to see the Steelers win the Big Game. Or you just want to get in a couple of more runs at Camelback. Maybe you slept in your contacts last night, making your shadow unmistakable. (Never a good idea, my man.)

Whatever your reasons - Candelemas will continue. Leave it to the Germans and their superstitions to put a damper on the approaching nice weather. (Not everybody wants to don their lederhosen and 100% wool Miesbacher jackets until April. K?) Just in case your middle school American history escapes you presently...Pennsylvania's earliest settlers were Germans.

A Miesbacher jacket

Hey Phil - here's a thought. Leave a "thanks for the good times" note in your stump and buy a one-way ticket to Vancouver. You can still enjoy life in a fur coat and the Winter Olympics are fast approaching. Surely they have some work for a seasoned groundhog, as yourself.


Sincerely yours in a very chilly way,

Mrs. News Readin'

P.S. If you are looking to do a tell-all interview for television, do call.

My favorite last little bit o' Christmas

The Adoration of the Magi, Peter Paul Rubens 1577 – 1640
Musée des Beaux-Arts, Lyon

Western Christians have celebrated January 6 as the Epiphany, or the arrival of the Magi, for centuries. Growing up Catholic, for me January 6 signified that and the last chance for presents. Need I say what garnered greater importance for me at age 10?

My mother who is a full-blooded, hot-tempered Italian and a good Catholic - also incorporated La Befana into our holiday. For those who may be unfamiliar, La Befana is an Italian folklore figure - cross between a witch and a sweet granny. She leaves all the good children candy and toys, while the bad children get coal. For some reason, we always got three books. Hmmm...

Long story short - the Magi asked La Befana for directions to find the Baby Jesus. (That's a myth...ask for directions? Please.) She couldn't help them but offered shelter for the night.

When they departed, the Magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the Christ child, but she declined, saying she was too busy with her housework. (Typical Italian granny.) She later changed her mind and tried to search out the Magi and the babe, Jesus. Unable to find them, she now continues her search for the baby Jesus on the eve of the Epiphany.

Consider me your blogging La Befana - minus the granny part. (Wish I couldn't lay claim to being called a witch once or twice, but you knew better...)

Three of my favorite books for you:



Saints: A Year in Faith and Art. Beautiful book with interesting, brief descriptions of saints corresponding with their day of beatification and incredible art. Even if saints or art are not your thing - it will make my mom really happy if you crack the binding.


Ahhh...more familiar territory - sinners. Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul is a great book about the most famous brothel in American history, the Everleigh Club of Chicago. (My mom would not approve.)

My Misspent Youth: Essays - Not my autobiography, but witty and dripping with sarcasm. Love her writing.

I know this was long. Thanks for hanging in there for this last little bit o' Christmas.

Now, bring on the king cake!

Mrs. News Readin'

Coastal Christmas: A Photographic Review

Disclaimer: I am not a very good photographer. My apologies.

Christmas at the Cloister



We attended 7:00 pm church services and then headed to the hotel for dinner in 100 Hudson.
During dinner, the Yule Log Ceremony began in the Lobby. It's quite the event usually, but this year there were significantly fewer guests. (I think we all know why...) See the program below.


Yes, the yule log ceremony would have made for a great photo op - but I was three vodkas deep and well, you know how that goes.


The tree in the lobby was gorgeous. My pictures definitely do not do it justice.




The tree in the solarium was my favorite - decorated with nutcrackers and beautiful handpainted balls.



There was a massive gingerbread house in the center of the lobby. It was adorable, but wasn't nearly as over-the-top as what they have had on display at the Lodge in years past.

(Somebody was hungry.)

The nativity scene is pretty close to being life size and is really beautiful - especially at night when illuminated.



Ahhh...Christmas Eve on the marsh's edge.




Christmas Day Beach Bound

Christmas morning, my mother-in-law invited me (read: dragged me out of bed at 8:00 am)
to her rumba class at the Cloister Spa. Have to say - it was awesome. We shimmied and shook to Rhianna, Britney and Madonna. Made me feel a lot better about my cheesecake from the night before...

(Lucy is wearing a shirt that said "I ate Santa's cookies." Kinda cute.)

Putter and her cousin, Lucy donned their matching collars and were looking for a little more excitement. To the beach!


I just loved this garden gate on our way to the beach. Casa de encanto - House of Enchantment.



Looking down the beach toward the new beach club.



You have never seen a happier dog than this exhausted, water logged Lab with her sandy tennis ball.


Santa shops at the Infamous Sea Island Sale

In early December Sea Island has an insane sale where they offer everything from linens and silverware to golf club covers to clothing and shoes at a 60 - 80% discount. Basically they unload all their excess - first to employees and members, then to the general public.

My mother-in-law has scored some great buys in years past and usually these purchases end up underneath the tree. (I'm not complaining.)

While admiring her holiday tablescape, I noticed some new additions - in particular beautiful gold and green chargers.




Ummm...hello...fabulous. Wedgewood. $1.00 a charger at the infamous sale. (Mr. News Readin' has already staked claim for estate purposes.)

She also picked up these beauties for $4.00 a glass. They're heavy and gorgeous.


Oh, the table runner pictured...that would be one of the wraps my bridesmaids wore. Interesting re-purposing, no?



And to all a good night!

Coming soon: TIBI outlet scores and an inside look of Frederica's new clubhouse. (It's to die for...)

Developing Story: New Year's Resolutions

Mr. News Readin' is a big fan of the New Year's resolution.

He asked me two weeks ago what I was thinking mine would be this year. I responded ever so sweetly, "Seriously? I'm trying to find a free shipping code for Orvis. Go investigate resolutions elsewhere..." Sometimes timing is not his strong suit.

Anywhoodle, he brought it up again last night. The conversation went like this:

Mr. NR: "Sooo...what's your resolution this year?"

Me: "Not sure. Maybe improve my conversational Spanish*."
"And yours?"
*Attending September wedding in Jerez. Donde esta la biblioteca? Not gonna cut it.

Mr. NR: "I'm trying to remember what last year's was....oh, right! Run a marathon.**"
** He jogs occasionally. For approximately 2 miles. Maybe.

Me: (insert hearty laughing)

Mr. NR: "Damn. That one really got away from me. "

Me: "Have you run 26.2 miles collectively - as in all year long?" (insert more hearty laughing accompanied by tears)

Mr. NR: "Maybe. Probably. Hmph."

And, scene.

Not sure why I was laughing...I'm teetering on a 13 lb weight gain during 5 years of marriage. (It's not as easy as it looks, this whole maintaining girlish figure thing, thankyouverymuch.)

He has a 32 inch waist, can still fit into clothes from high school and would most definitely look better in my Old Navy lounge pants. Ugh.

After much contemplation, he climbed into bed and announced his resolution for 2009:

"I think I'm just going to refrain from drinking dark liquor on Tuesdays."

Ahhh...that's more like it.


Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

We apologize for the technical difficulties...

From Room Service Home

The Breaking News Team is back from a coastal Christmas celebration.

I had every intention of an in-law play by play for your reading pleasure, but forgot that the in-laws don't have wireless and being secluded in their computer room for hours claiming work, was not an option. (Mr. News Readin' has grown a wee bit tired of the iBook that seems to have become an appendage.) So - holiday hiatus.

Not like you didn't have other things to do. Christmas cookies - sifting through the endless Pottery Barn "It's not too late" eblasts - making five "last trips" to Target - cutting off Aunt Barbara from the Chardonnay - swearing to workout tomorrow...

I'm not Santa, but I know what you were doing.

Billable hours call, but I've got lots of great pictures of the Cloister decorated for the holidays and a sneak peak of the club house at Sea Island's newest development, Frederica.

Can't wait to share!

Oh, the winning holiday frock:



From Nordstrom. For $158.00, more reasonable than some of my other options and simple enough to get a lot of wear.

Attention Mr. News Readin'...See, I care about refraining from frivolous spending.


Hope all was Merry and Bright for your holiday celebrations!

Mrs. News Readin'

Santa was here...Now prove it with pictures!

As a child, I was convinced that Santa had been to our house simply because all the cookies were eaten and that nice glass of Macallan we left him was empty. (Our Santa drank highland single malt scotch whisky. What of it?) And there were presents.

Kids today are smarter than that. They have cell phones and Wii's. All I had was a Muppet album and a Jem doll that had little lights for earrings. Technologically advanced? Not exactly.

If you are going to keep running this Santa charade for as long as possible, better figure out a way to make your minis really believe. (I hear that the whole..."I'm going to tell Santa" has excellent behavioral modification results.)

Here's your weapon of choice: Capture the Magic.

Snap a picture of your Christmas tree setting. Upload it to the website and drop in one of their many Santa options and voilà! Photographic proof that Santa had indeed slid down your chimney.

Here are some examples:





Disclaimer: I haven't used it, but a co-worker said it was so simple a monkey could do it. Which made me think it could be kind of tricky because monkeys are actually highly intelligent. But, then I remembered the co-worker is not that smart...so it should be a freakin' breeze.

Merry Christmas!

Mrs. News Readin'

Christmas on the Coast

The in-laws pulled the short straw and unfortunately have to put up with me for the holidays.
So, we are packing up the car and headed to the Golden Isles of south Georgia. (I know, poor us.)

More importantly - I am headed to the TIBI outlet store, where deals and heaven share the same space in a shopping plaza.

The Breaking News team will be checking in with live, up to the minute coverage of The Holidays from the coast.

Stay tuned. More at 11.

Ridiculous Gift of the Day

There are tons of classic television shows that have proved pop culture inspiring; I Love Lucy, Happy Days, Murder She Wrote (trench coats sold like wildfire during the height of its popularity), Gilligan's Island, Three's Company. Hell, even Little House on the Prairie provided fond memories and a Halloween costume or two.

But, Knight Rider? Knight Rider?




A friend's husband requested a Knight Rider GPS by MIO for Christmas.


It has flashing red lights on the sides, just like the KITT car. And...it will give directions in the original KITT voice.

She thought he was kidding. Man, is he going to be disappointed.



Washed up television star with an inordinate amount of chest hair - not included.


What's the most ridiculous thing you've seen this season?
Do tell. I could use a little humor this morning.


We'll continue to cover this late breaking story...

Holiday card recap

Just in case you were wondering...(Don't worry. I know you weren't.)

Being that we couldn't rustle up any children for our holiday card picture, we went in a new direction this year.

Holiday Ivy Pattern Red from Iomoi

I love most of Iomoi's design work. Fun colors - very Hollywood Regency with a preppy flair.

Have to tell you though, I was fairly disappointed in the weight of the stock. Additionally the envelopes were slightly larger than the card and were printed with a cream and brown Iomoi logo design interior. (Sort of clashed with the pattern of the card.)

If I had read the full description, I probably could have saved myself the Debbie Downer moment. Oh well. The upside is I only did a limited quantity.

Because after we snapped this beauty of Putter - there was no way she wasn't getting a photo card!

Mr. News Readin' insisted that Smug Marrieds with children were to receive the non-picture card, except for family. All others received the Shutterfly special of us and the gorgeous creature you see above. (Please do not let Sneaky Kitty know she did not make the cut for the Christmas card...she's vindictive and I like my furniture.)

Now I have an excel sheet with 120 names on two different worksheets for picture and non-picture recipients. Seriously. Because life is not complicated enough.

They made it into the mail - hand addressed, all personalized and with a stamp lovingly adhered by Mr. News Readin'. What a good elf.

My good elf has informed me that under no circumstances will we be sending a picture card without children next year.

Hmmm...That might explain all the mistletoe he's hung around the house.

More at 11.

Special Report: Paying It Forward

(I know...I know...But, it deserves a repeat performance. I love the oval!)

Thank you, thank you to the special bloggers who decided to Pay It Forward!

It was a pleasure reading their most cherished holiday memories and traditions.
Here is a sampling from the first four commenters.

A. over at Coterie:
"In the spirit of paying it forward, when we got older, we, as a family, would adopt a family who couldn't afford Christmas gifts. We still do it and knowing that a family who otherwise wouldn't have a Christmas always feels really good!"

Mamacita over at What Would Jane Austen Do?:
" I really like the end of the Christmas Eve service at church, when the congregation sings "Silent Night" a capella and passes the light from one candle to the next until the whole room is lit."

Legally Blond Mel over at I Pick Pretty:
"My favorite Christmas memory also involves Christmas Eve services. For the past few years, I've gone with my best friend, her parents, and my husband, and something about that arrangement feels like home. The incense, the candles, trying not to laugh at the crotchety old priest's inadvertent references to "adult" materials . . . love all of it."

The Lawyer's Wife over at The Pink Clutch:
"My favorite tradition would be the Christmas pajamas I always received on Christmas Eve ... I always got to hunt for that one package labeled "Open Me Now!". Now I get to see my three babies do the same thing ... it is so cute to see them be able to find their names and that one special tag ...And there is nothing better than opening my own Christmas pajamas from my mom who still spoils me! The most amazing part ... they are washed and smelling of Gain ..."

Note to the Lawyer's Wife: Does your mom travel? I could use some fresh smelling jammies around these parts. No need to go through the trouble of tagging, wrapping, etc. I can fake surprise like nobody's business...I do it every month when the credit card bill arrives.


Honorable mentions go to The. Mrs over on the West Coast - One Fabulous Mom, Beth from Just Ask Beth and Kim aka The Real Housewife of Rutherford County.

Our first four have a holiday favorite of yours truly in their near future and...'tis the season so our honorable mentions are getting some sugar, too!

Now remember...go forth and Pay It Forward!



We now return to our regularly scheduled program.

Comment and You Shall Receive (hint, hint)

Love the oval wreath...we'll discuss in a later post.

'Tis the season of gifts and more importantly giving. We often lose sight in the flurry of holiday parties, massive to do lists and trimming of the tree and the house - of the true meaning of the season.


It brings to mind Linus' explanation to Charlie Brown:

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:8-14



So with that, today I am Paying It Forward and acting on "good will toward men (and women)." The rules are simple: the exchange is a focus on doing an act of kindness-without the expectation of anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn pass the kindness along and Pay It Forward.

Last week, LovestheCape, a lovely blog, asked for a favorite Christmas/Holiday memory, Paying It Forward. Being lucky enough to be one of the first three responders - I am now Paying It Forward.

The first four people who respond to the question of their most cherished Christmas/Holiday tradition -will receive a small token of my giving spirit and are asked to post Pay It Forward on their blog. You must have a blog to play.

Include your email address with your response. (I will not publish your email address.)

May all the joys of this special season
be yours to share with family & friends!

Mrs. News Readin'