My illustration blog A Latte A Day has permanently moved to my main website at DesignerM.com/blog. Please update your bookmarks, links and RSS feeds.

New blog address:
http://DesignerM.com/blog

New blog feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/ALatteADay

Please be patient during site conversion.

Thank you,
Maggie

Changes are coming down the pipes which I would prefer to avoid but can't. Recently, Blogger notified all users that it will no longer support FTP after March 26, 2010. This will affect A Latte A Day as I use FTP to publish my blog. While I am not happy about this, it is what it is. This also goes for my Treasure to Be Found blog.

So, I have to make some decisions about whether I want to move my blog(s) to a new URL(s) or possibly move them to WordPress. As my schedule is pretty busy at the moment, I don't know if I will have the time to move them by the deadline. I am told once the deadline passes, the blogs will still be viewable but neither me or you will be able to post or comment to it.

In the interim please bookmark my www dot designerm dot com website if you haven't already done so. There you'll currently find that this blog, A Latte A Day, is linked to the word NEWS. When I move my blog, I will also provide links under NEWS to the new blog.

If this is all too confusing, you can contact me on Facebook or email me at designerm @ hotmail dot com and I will direct you to the new blog once it's up and running. After March 26th, 2010, I won't be able to post to this blog, so please check my website for updates!

Thanks and sorry for the inconvenience.

Flowers from my sweet husband K, the smiling face holds special meaning. I love and adore my husband and I adore roses! Thank you for another wonderful Valentines Day! XOX

Tonight's game was otterly incredible, with the Saints winning the 2010 Superbowl. The Colts were leading until the second half of the game and they unfortunately became dinner for the Saints. Smells fishy to me...

Meet twinkle my driving companion. He digs Volkswagen Passats like I do. He jumped into my car one day while we were having coffee at Starbucks and has taken up residency.

He's living the good life, sitting on the sunroof catching some rays, so happy the sun is shining today!

It's time to work out and get into shape for summer and swimsuit season!

This car has amazing speed and Twinkle likes to drive fast- it's all about the ride baby!

Merry Christmas to all. May the love of Jesus Christ fill your hearts with joy and peace at Christmas and always. As for us, we are blessed beyond compare this Christmas because we have and treasure each family member and friend, and the unique way each one enriches our lives beyond compare. Thank you.

God has blessed our family so abundantly. To you and yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Above is a salad that almost didn't make it to the feast in time!

I've been an avid reader all my life and have been focusing lately on following Jessica Watson, the 16-year old Australian girl sailing solo around the world in 8 months, non-stop on the Ella's Pink Lady . You can follow her daily blogging as she posts from somewhere out in the ocean as she sails around the world. She left just 9 days ago from Sydney, Australia.

Prior to Jessica's solo trip, Zac Sunderland from CA, USA set the record as the youngest person to sail solo around the world and completed his 13-month trip on July 16, 2009 at age 17. His record was surpassed 6 weeks later on August 27, 2009 by Mike Perham, of the UK.

You can read Zac's blogging journal of his completed solo sail (his trip started in June 2008-see his archived posts by month, in the right-hand column of his blog page).

It's interesting to read both Jessica and Zac's blogs and compare their similar circumstances and challenges they face(d) on a daily basis.

As a parent I don't think I could watch my child take on such enormous and dangerous challenges alone. It's easier to understand when you read their family's backgrounds. Sailing is an integral part of their daily life and is what drives them. That said, I have amazing children who have faced their own enormous challenges and I am so proud of them. Every person has their own path to walk (or sail) in life. I am always encouraged and inspired by those who fight against all odds to survive and have such enormous courage and will power. I have the will to fight, yet some days feel I fall short of courage (defined as mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty). I trust that God has a guiding hand in Jessica's life today, and each day ahead.

I recently purchased a new car and I absolutely love it! I had to have a name for it so I spent some time thinking about it. The color of the car looks silver from a distance, but when you pass by it, turns a white-gold metallic color, quite unique I think. So, I decide upon the name "Ingot" which means a bar cast of gold. It's also a German made car, incredibly fast and fully loaded. I completely understand the phrase "total driving experience" because that's what I have when I drive my new car! I took this photo from my Blackberry.

K and I taken during the holidays spent with my family.

Spending time with family means more to me than anything. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family and extended family. Some recent photos taken over the holidays, moments I will always cherish!

Hugging makes a person feel good doesn't it? Hugging lets the person know you really care about them. Do you give real hugs or perfunctory hugs? I really dislike perfunctory hugs, so I give the real thing, every time. So today, I challenge you, give someone a hug and mean it!

Today I spotted the male cardinal at the bird feeder. We're glad he's still around, although he doesn't sing like he use to, so sad.

Here's a photo of his (and her) apartment, or at least it was until that fateful night. Hopefully, the male will find a new mate, and maybe they'll build their nest here again next year. As an update, we found another egg under the tree, that would bring the egg count to 7 total!


More from behind my lens: Iris power, yay! I love these irises, they're variegated and such a deep purple, they're almost blue. They are almost spent now, but I've taken lots of photos. More lovely colors to come.

Our irises are in full bloom right now and I am loving it, just wish the winds would die down so we could enjoy them more.

Just had a wonderful talk with life long friend Melody, and it it was so good catching up-after all these years! This one's for you Melody, sharing a bit of my garden with you. I have about 9 or 10 colors, I think. Do you have any irises in your gardens? Funny how when old friends reconnect they can pick up right where they left off. :)

Listening to my new Nano, a gift from K. :) Love it and love him, he is such a sweetheart! I loaded my music collection on it, and I am listening to some of my most favorite songs- too many to name. Donna Lewis- that girl can sing like no other, can't she? Also The Unfeeling Kiss- by Garbriel Yared, off the City of Angels soundtrack. A few years ago, I have my vehicle broke into and all my favorite CD's were stolen-these two were among them - and I still want them back! Still miss them, but I am building my music collection up again. Music really brings back great memories where you relive moments in time. Amazing isn't it?

Wishing all Mom's a Happy Mother's Day! Today I happily talked to my sons, my Mom, my Mother 2 :), and friends, then a lovely dinner with K. The end to a perfect day...

During these tough economic times and the recession, saving money is a must. A girl's gotta do, what a girl's gotta do-shop for sales! Click on the Save Money for an illustrated sales magazine cover.

Times and medicine have changed since the 1800's. Small vials of medicine have been replaced with plastic tamper proof containers that come in all sizes-including jumbo size. Thankfully, our medicines and perscriptions now come with ingredients, directions on how much to take, and when to take it, and warnings of possible side effects, etc. I am SO thankful for modern medicine and the new age in which we live in!