The Patio is Closed

Thanks so much to all of you who came by to visit. I have decided to close down Coffee On the Patio. I still have my personal blog. Come by and visit me at http://www.cynthiasblog.com

Wishing you all the best
Cynthia

Martha's Vineyard Home and Garden Tour

Country Living Magazine features a wonderful, quirky home on Martha's Vineyard. I love this old farm table with the mixed chairs.

Sun Rooms

I would love to have a sun room. I have a gorgeous handmade hammock from Brazil that is perfect for the room in the picture above. I have moved that hammock from house to house, always looking for the perfect place to hang it. It's sort of like having the great shoes with no outfit to go with them. It's on my bucket list...someday I am going to have a place for my hammock so I can take the most perfect naps.

Elle Decor has some great sun room ideas.

Aging Gracefully Blog Hop

Today I am part of a Blog Hop. The wonderful midlife women bloggers of GenFab have been taking on the topic of Aging Gracefully. My post on being called a steel magnolia is here. You'll also find at the bottom of my post picture links to what the other women have posted. These women are terrific bloggers and have great stories to tell. Be sure to check them out.

Today's...I Found It on Pinterest - Roasted Asparagus

Looking for ideas on Pinterest for Easter dinner and found this Roasted Asparagus with Lemony Breadcrumbs recipe from Martha Stewart. Looks yummy to me.

Crystal Bowersox' New Album

One of my all time favorite singers from American Idol is Crystal Bowersox. She is an amazing talent and things certainly seem to be going well for her. She has a new album and soon will be playing Patsy Cline on broadway.

Bowersox' new album, All That For This, is released today. She wrote all the songs and they are beautiful. You can download her album on iTunes. You also can get it on CD.

New Mad Men Glamour Photos

Mad Men returns on April 7th. Rolling Stones has a slide show from promotional photo shoot. Going now to make sure tivo is set for the new season.

Today's I Found It on Pinterest

OMG. I found this Hot Fudge Sundae Cake on Pinterest this morning. And it's made in a Crock Pot. Here is the recipe...

Dressing Our Age

Here is a terrific article in More Magazine about the twenty reasons it's so great to be dressing at our age.

My top 3 reasons...
1.  "Rocking an Old Trend"
2.  "Wear What You Want"
3.  "Ditch the Matched Sets"

Play Back Your Best Memories

Just came across this article in Psychology Today about the benefits of playing back your favorite memories. According to the author...

"Being able to call up positive and detailed memories helps us to deepen our inner sense of well-being and joy."

She also gives you a trick to enhance your ability to bring back good memories— a technique called the "method-of-loci" strategy.

National Umbrella Month

Did you know it's National Umbrella Month? I am more of a hood on my raincoat kind of person, but when I found out umbrellas had their own month I decided to do a bit of research.

First of all you can rent umbrellas for events...who knew? Bella Umbrella has a wonderful collection, especially for weddings. 

And there are quite a few websites about umbrellas...

Victorias Past tells a bit about how they became a fashion status for the rich. I love the part about how the locals carried colanders on broomstick to mimic the first umbrella fashionista.

Umbrellas.net carries designer umbrellas. 

There are even Armani umbrellas at European-Umbrellas. You also can find out more history and how they are made and the proper way to fold them up!

Ever wonder about the difference between an umbrella and parasol? Umbrellas are for rain and Parasols are for shade against the sun.

Garden Cottages and Sheds

I dream of having a little garden cottage office. Sunset Magazine, as always has a great collection. I love the idea of having a dining table that doubles as a desk for work and outside dining...especially if the front completely opens up to the garden.

However my favorite idea/dream is to have an office/guestroom airstream in the garden.

Judy Collins on This Week's Episode of Girls

I am a big fan of HBO's Girls. I think Lena Dunham has got to be one of the biggest talents of her age. The writing is fabulous and the characters are brilliantly quirky. I alway love it when Hannah's parents are on the show and this week they took Hannah to a club where Judy Collins was singing. It brought back lots of memories of Collins songs. All of my records are still in album form and packed away, so I headed over to iTunes to download some of my old Judy Collins favorites.

Someday Soon 

Amazing Grace 

Turn Turn Turn 

Open the Door 

City of New Orleans 

Do you have a favorite Judy Collins song?

Gnocchi and Mushrooms

I found this recipe on the Design Sponge website. I usually buy my gnocchi at Trader Joe's or the World Market. But this dish includes a gnocchi recipe from the fabulous celebrity chef (and head judge of Top Chef) Tom Colicchio. Next time I am going to make my own gnocchi.

Fashion Question - If You Remember Flowered Pants the First Time They Were Popular, Are You Too Old For Them Now?

I remember patterned capris from the 60s.(The flowered pants in the picture are from Anthropologie) I thought patterned pants were fabulous then, not so sure now. What do you think? Are flowered capris stylish for baby boomers?

The Bay Bridge Lights Sculpture

The Bay Lights is the world’s largest LED light sculpture, 1.8 miles wide and 500 feet high. Inspired by the Bay Bridge’s 75th Anniversary, its 25,000 white LED lights are individually programmed by artist Leo Villareal to create a never-repeating, dazzling display across the Bay Bridge West Span through 2015.

Upcycling - Paper Woven Basket

I just discovered the magazine The Simple Things. I thought this woven basket how to project would be fun for Easter. They are made with brown paper bags. Think I would use one row of colored paper or ribbon.

38 Ideas for Firepits

There's just a hint of Spring in the air and I am dreaming of backyard summer parties. One thing I would like to add to the patio is a firepit. Sunset Magazine has 38 ideas...time to stock up on long sticks and marshmallows.

Artichoke and Feta Tarts

Tasty recipe from Donna Hay. Tarts are made with puff pastry.

Spring Fabulous at Every Age

Harper's Bazaar has a terrific selection of Spring outfits for every age, including the suggestion of pink worn with gold for the 50s.

The Best Spring Nail Colors

We've had a few hints of Spring here in California with the last couple of days in the 70s. More rain next week. But, for now I am dreaming of cotton dresses and Summer sandals. Lucky magazine is giving us a head start with the best nail colors for Spring. My favorite...Zoya's Jacqueline.

The Zen of Rock Balancing

A couple of years ago, Richard and I sat on the beach watching a man quietly and patiently balancing rocks on top of each other in the most amazing shapes. Garden Design magazine has a wonderful article on this skill/art. I think they are most amazing near water. 

New Dancing with the Stars Cast

One of my guilty pleasures is watching Dancing with the Stars. Today they announced the cast for the upcoming season. (premiering March 18th). Included in this year's cast is Wyonna Judd, Dorothy Hamill and Andy Dick.

Everything You Need to Know About Your Pet

Country Living has over 100 answers to questions about all kinds of pets from dogs to goldfish. Great resource.

One of a Kind Kitchens

I think these hammered silver cabinets are gorgeous. I also know mine would have finger prints all over them. Elle Decor has a slide show of one of a kind kitchens featuring great color, art, unusual light fixtures, textures, and tables.

Inocente - The First Kickstarter Funded Documentary to Win An Oscar

Eight Apps that Help You With All Those Little Things You Forget

I have been looking for one of those password apps that help you log into all your websites. I ran across this article in Reader's Digest about 8 apps that help with all kinds of things we forget, like keys, meds, what we were going to say on the phone, birthdays and of course passwords.

I am off to go check out DataVault, bytNotes and Hone (for my keys).

Today's Favorite Post in the Blog World

Ran across this blog post in Psychology Today by Meg Selig... How is a Crossword Puzzle like Changing a Habit?

Selig says..."lately I’ve been noticing how this pleasant activity teaches a set of attitudes that is actually useful for successful habit change.  Here are seven ways a crossword puzzle can provide the attitude adjustment that will help you change a habit."

It's Oscar Night!

It's Oscar night and you know what that means... the red carpet and fabulous dresses. Here is a slide show of the all time best 50 Oscar dresses.

5 Things to do With Old Candles

Love these tips from Apartment Therapy. I have a whole drawer of old candles. My favorite tip is to light a candle to keep from crying while slicing an onion.

Fashion on the Amazon

Many years ago I traveled up the Amazon on a small fishing boat. (Think African Queen) It was kind of rough and hot. But I was younger and was photographing so was very happy. The Amazon is stunning. So beautiful. I also caught a piraña and the cook on the boat cooked it for my dinner. They are very boney!) Next time I want to cruise the Amazon in style. Cond´e Nast Traveler has a terrific article about Spring Fashions in the Amazon.

Before and After

Don't you love Before and After pictures of design projections. Design Sponge has a whole series of them. This one is of a cabin renovation.

Was Your Gym Teacher Wrong?

Many of the techniques that you learned in gym class are now considered passé – and downright risky. “A lot of it has to do with the evolution of the science,” says Jessica Matthews, M.S., an exercise physiologist at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). “Numerous studies have come out in the last decade about the most effective ways for stretching.

I learned quite a bit about stretching from this article in Weight Watchers. Who knew I was doing so many stretches wrong.

Ageless Style

I love this combination. I am seeing a lot of colored jeans and capris for this Spring and Summer. I wondered if I was too old. Then I saw this picture of  55 year old Inés de La Fressange. Easy Living magazine has a slide show of ageless style icons.

Mapping the Human Brain

Interesting article in Psychology Today about the new ten year project to map the human brain. According to the author Bruce Paulson, Ph.D.

The effort promises to advance technologies for treating conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, while also improving the various therapies for a range of mental illnesses. If the project comes close to the economic boost of the Human Genome Project, it would also provide needed economic benefits for the country.

Bergdorf Goodman's Gothic Salad Bowl

Bergdorf Goodman's restaurant recently crossed the one million salads sold mark for it's famous Gothic Salad Bowl. Want to know why it is so popular? Here's the recipe.

Decorators' Color Palettes

I love how designers choose their color palettes. I once saw a palette created from ice cream flavors. Better Homes and Gardens shows favorite palettes from a number of decorators. I particularly like the one above from Kristian A. Howell.

32 Garden Fountains

There was snow on the surrounding foothills this morning, but I can't seem to stop myself from thinking about what I want to do to in the garden this Spring and Summer. First project...a fountain in the back yard. Sunset has some good ideas...

Writers and Pinterest

Poets and Writers Magazine has a helpful article about how writers can best use Pinterest to connect with their readers.

Cupcakes - Lots of Cupcakes

I am in the mood to make cupcakes. I need an occasion and company over, otherwise I will eat them all. Southern Living Magazine has a good collection of cupcake recipes. I am thinking the Chocolate Key-Lime, the Lemon Curd Angel Food, or Salted Carmel Chocolate. Yummmmmmm. Do you have a favorite cupcake recipe?

How to be Comfortable in High Heels

I still love wearing high heels but have zero tolerance for shoes that hurt. Ladies Home Journal has some good tips for making high heels more bareable. My favorite tip... Foot Petals cushions.

Ina Garten's 1770 House Meatloaf

I just got Ina Garten's new cookbook - Barefoot Contessa Foolproof. The first recipe I am going to make is the meatloaf from one of her favorite restaurants, the 1770 House in East Hampton. You know if it's from Ina Garten it's going to taste wonderful. And if it's a "foolproof" recipe...well that's for me. Here's the recipe...

14 Shades of Red

I have been thinking of painting my bathroom red, with a white pedestal sink and black and white tiles floors. What do you think? Will I get tired of it too fast. Of course with the black and white floors I could easily repaint. The online Lonny Magazine has 14 great examples of red rooms.

Makers: Women Who Make America

I just set my tivo to record this on Sept 26th at 8PM (San Francisco time), on PBS.

Hula Hoop Press

Have you visited Hula Hoop Press yet? You can email my animated greeting cards for free!

New Eyeglasses

Well, it's finally happened...I can no longer get by on $19.99 reading glasses. Tomorrow I have an appointment with an optometrist. If I am going to be making an investment in eyeglasses, I want not only to be able to see better...I want cute. Here are some suggestions from O...

The Best of New Zealand

New Zealand is most definitely on my "bucket list." CNN travel gives me even more reasons to go. Did you know that it's a great place to star gaze? The new Queenstown Trail is 110 kilometers of walking, running and biking trails. Oh...and did I mention their wineries?

New Embroidery

I did quite a bit of embroidery in the 1970s...mostly on pillow cases. I've been thinking that I would like some of those pillow cases in my guest room (only a bit updated). Leave it to Martha Stewart to have instructions and templates for some 21st century projects.