SNOWFLAKES FOR EASTON

IN CELEBRATION...

...OF A TRULY REMARKABLE MAN. Our very own Killer Bee Cassandra McShepard takes center stage at The Marcus Center for The Performing Arts to sing the National Anthem at Milwaukee's 2010 birthday bash for the great Martin Luther King Jr. !

MUSICAL TREAT OF THE WEEK

16 TO 40

I had an epiphany in the shower the other day...
...as I often do.

Someone had mentioned on the phone that morning that I was going to be 39 in May. Thanks for reminding me. Then, under the pelting water, it hit me. I'm not just going to be 39 in 4 months, I'm going to be 4-OH! in 16! Don't get me wrong. I'm really not freaked out about turning 40, at least not yet. But this does mean some things...

In life, we all set goals for ourselves. That being said, there are certain things I thought for sure I would have either accomplished or at least entertained by now. The realization of 40 in 16 has given me the perfect opportunity to raise the bar for myself. To take an honest look at where I'm at on the journey, and more importantly, where I want to go. Because guess what folks! While 40 maybe the new 30 [and so on], it is still more than likely, the halfway marker. Talk about a shot in the arm!

When working for others, I'm swift and dedicated under the pressure of a deadline. Now I'm working for me. SO- I've been working on a list of 16 things I'd like to to do, change, or improve in my life over the next 16 months. Think of it as sort of a boot camp to prepare, and be ready for the second half. In the end, this will be a 16 part series on my quest for self improvement. There are most certainly things about my health that could stand betterment, and definitely some dreams that need to be taken from the shelf, dusted off, and revisited. Because I'll tell you one thing I know for sure. I no longer intend to hold my dreams hostage in my heart. Giving myself permission to set them free, is NUMBER ONE.

IT'S A BACON WORLD

Bacon fever has overcome the nation! Well you know what they say. Feed a fever! From chocolate covered bacon to bacon wrapped dates, Americans are going crazy for the latest sweet meets savory combinations. On a recent visit to one of my favorite blogs in the universe, I noted that CAKE SPY has done it again- featuring guest blogger Rainy Day Gal and this AMAZING recipe for Bacon Cinnamon Rolls. Breakfast just got a little naughtier, but I'm not complaining... Oink!

The Recipe is HERE:
http://www.cakespy.com/blog/2009/12/25/pork-roll-bacon-cinnamon-rolls-by-rainy-day-gal.html

Blog Discovery: THE ART of NON-CONFORMITY

I stumbled onto Chris Guillebeau's ambrosial feast like I do just about everything I share with you guys- by accident. But I love happy accidents! I'm not going to give too much away because I want you to discover him for yourself, but I'll just say that his mission seems to be very congruent with what I've always intended to impart here. Only on a much more sophisticated and educational level. And without the fluffiness of musical treats of the week and recipes for lentil soup. You get the picture, just go!

http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/about-the-project/

IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THIS FOOTAGE...

Don't keep breaking things, if you don't know how to fix them.
Simple, yet very wise words from an amazing young woman....

A WRITER TAKES HIS PEN

When I started writing this blog, the question was "How do I get people interested?" As 2009 came to a close, I was thinking "People are actually reading! Now how do I keep them interested?!"
More importantly, how do I keep myself interested...

MICHAEL'S MUSINGS are an outlet for me to share not so much a point of view, but usually a lesson I have learned. When we share our stories, we see ourselves in each other, and we can easily see our human bond- and learn. I still contend that an English major I was not. If I spent allot of time tripping on things like whether it's its or it's, and obsessing [for too long anyway] about the proper use of commas, this thing would NEVER get done! I appreciate your continued agreement to overlook the grammar, and focus on the content!

I will of course continue writing pieces on design for INTERIOR MOTIVES. That is after all what I do for a living. I'll be real honest with you though. These days I'm far more interested in people than things...

R&R REPORTS on a more consistent basis. Spotlighting entrepreneurs brings me great joy, and I want you to always remember that independent means Independence...with a capital I.

I know everyone likes the MUSICAL TREAT of THE WEEK, and I promise to get to it more weekly...and not so biweekly! It's been moved from the sidebar to the posting column, and the RE-TREATS JUKEBOX link to YOUTUBE will soon be replaced by a Musical Treat department under "The Bee List"- on the sidebar. Trust me, this is easier for the both of us!

One thing I especially want to do more of this year, is have MORE special guests! The BEE MY GUEST series was the thing I was most excited about when the blog launched a year ago. It's not always easy to coordinate schedules, and I only got around to doing 9 of them last year. I've got some cool people lined up for the next few months. Is there someone you know who's leading the life they dreamed of, or is simply fascinating? Send me a note about them!

So whats NEW for 2010 you ask?
WELL! The biggest change around here will be less writing and more video. Starting this month, I'm turning the camera on myself, and at long last vlogging. I'm hoping to do some really cool things with THE VLOG. I mean, anyone can be followed around by a camera while they talk about a whole lot of nothing important. Just look at The Real Housewives... Oooh. Bitchy, party of 1, your table is ready!

There is just one more change I'd like to see this year, and it's ...YOU! I know you're reading, but you're an awfully quiet bunch of bleaders [love that term]! What I want from you in 2010 is FEEDBACK! See the comment thingy below? Use it. Send me ideas. I want to get to know YOU! Let's harvest delicious honey together in 2010, and Happy New Year to all of you.

MUSICAL TREAT OF THE WEEK

Take responsibility. Come together. Be The Change....thank you Gina Rene.

WINTER WHITES

The power of WHITE was lost on me for many years. Even before I went back to school to become an interior designer, I eschewed it's subtle greatness as nothing more than boring and unimaginative. But I have seen the light! Or rather, the white...

I actually credit my dear friend and client Tiina [with 2 i's] Harris for forcing me to explore the depth of white, and all it's beauty. Probably as much as she credits me for the 3 times she's had to re-paint her bedroom...!

White projects serenity, cleanliness, and purity. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally were white gowns and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.

How does the color white affect us mentally, physically and spiritually?
* aids mental clarity
* encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles
* evokes purification of thoughts or actions
* enables fresh beginnings

From a design standpoint, it's the greatest of the 3 neutrals in it's ability to make everything that gets palced against, or adjacent to it sing. As I look out the window today, I see a world blanketed with the most beautiful, sparkly white snow, and that red VW Beetle looks great out there! However I'm still painting my living room pink, but hey. That's me.

PLEASE BE SEATED...

House Beautiful just did an article featuring 16 stylish sofas under $2000...


Follow this link to see the rest...
http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/furniture/affordable-sofas?click=main_sr

AMISH COUNTRY POPCORN

One of the many things that The Killer Bees have in common is a love of popcorn. Cassandra and I have both been known to have it for dinner. Better get your own bowl, cause we ain't sharing! Amish Country Popcorn is the absolute best popcorn on THE PLANET, and you can visit their website to special order, if you aren't as lucky as we are to have it at the local grocery. The WHITE HULLESS is the bomb kids.... www.amishcountrypopcorn.com

Blog Discovery: BOHEMIAN VINTAGE

BOHEMIAN VINTAGE'S Aura Brinkey (aka Mina) and I seem to have allot in common. She's an entrepreneur, a shopkeeper, a designer, and lover of all things funky and vintage. I can't say that I'll be able to visit her fabulous shop in Tampa, FL anytime soon, but I sure had a blast on her blog! Show Mina some love, and check it out...
http://minasdecorandfashion.blogspot.com/

MUSICAL TREAT OF THE WEEK

This week's treat is the sensational new video/single by Annie Lennox and David Gray. If you love it ( like I do) then download it- all proceeds go to the charity CHILDREN IN NEED...