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Do you know which of the articles and blog posts I have written about Marie Antoinette is the most popular (besides The Royal Dildo )?  The answer might surprise you. You would think my most popular blog posts would be the hilariously titled  Flatulent Fatties & Monsieur Fancy Pants: Political Cartoons in 18th Century France  or the intriguing  My Unexpected Encounter with Marie Antoinette , but they were not.  My most popular post about Marie Antoinette, the one that gets hundreds of hits per day, is 'Tis the Season for Marie Antoinette , wherein I reviewed numerous Marie Antoinette-inspired goodies available for purchase. The popularity of that piece has encouraged me to write another one, updated with loads of royal booty fit for a queen.  So, without further ado, here are some fabulous Marie Antoinette-inspired creations available for purchase (and just in time for Christmas)! 'Tis The Season for Marie Antoinette ~ 2011 Edition Marie Cherie Cosmetic Bag If t

Day 25, Sunflare ~ This is an old building in downtown Kansas City. Day 26, Something Old ~ A barn near my house.  I call this one "Technology Looming" because the airport tower can be seen looming the background behind the barn. Day 27, After Dark - Watching for Santa

Balancing a writing career and motherhood has been an overwhelming endeavor lately.  I feel like I am running in a greased-up hamster wheel while wearing stiletto Christian Louboutins.  It hasn't been pretty!  Needless to say, my blog has suffered.  I have kept up on the 30 Day Photography Challenge though and would like to share some of the pictures I have taken.  Hopefully, Santa will bring me a good pair of track shoes so I can maneuver that hamster wheel more efficiently in the future (and write more blog posts). Day 9, Distance ~ In My 'Hood Day 10, Favorite Color ~ Pink , Of Course Day 11, Flowers ~ Dried Day 12, Pretty Pattern ~ Building Downtown Day 13, My Shoes ~ Casual Friday Day 14, Clouds ~ Wishing for Clouds (and Hawaii) Day 15, Someone I Love ~ Sunday Paper (Molly, my pup) Day 16, What I Ate ~ An Apple a Day Day 17, What I Read ~ The Voracious Reader (or, On My Nightstand) Day 18, Trees ~ Spooky Tree in My Backyard Da

The challenge today was to take a photograph of something that represented technology.  Since today (Tuesday) was my day to stay home and catch up on cleaning, cooking, and baking (The Triad of a Domestic Goddess' Existence), this proved to be a true challenge for me.  I got to thinking about all of the remarkable inventions that have been created in the last 100, 50, 25, and even 10 years and I wasn't sure what to photograph.  Ultimately, I opted for the vacuum cleaner. Thank you Gods of Technology. Without you, and your wonderfully divine gift of vacuum cleaners, I would have to wear my heels to go to lunch or shopping. Instead, I get to wear them to clean my floors. Ah, bliss.  I truly am a blessed housewife, aren't I?

 Des Saints Last week I agreed to take part in a 30-Day Photography Challenge (see previous post for details).  Today the challenge was to post a photograph of something new.  I decided to post a photo some Christmas ornaments I made last night. I made these ornaments using pages torn from an old (1863) French book on the Life of Saints.  Actually, an interesting story goes along with these ornaments.  I went to an antique store and asked if they had any old French books.  The owner said there were over 170 vendors in the building and she didn't know what they each sold, but she vaguely waved me toward the back, right corner of the store.  I hunted all over the first floor but didn't find anything.  Finally, on the bottom floor, I found five books in French.  Two of the books were extremely rare and cost hundreds of dollars.  Three were part of a set but the vendor kindly agreed to sell me one.  I paid for the book without even looking at the title.  It wasn't until

On this grand day in history, two fabulous women were born (centuries apart, and yet, forever linked, it would seem). On a cold, windy night on the second day in November in the year 1755, Marie Antoinette was born.  And on an unusually warm night, also on the second day in November but in the year 1968, I was born. To commemorate these historic events, I have made a short movie.  Take a look, won't you? So what does a Princess-in-Training, a fabulous follower of Marie Antoinette, do to celebrate her birthday?  I would like to tell you I am visiting a Spa or attending an opulent soiree thrown in my honor, but, alas, that would be a lie.  Nope, this year I am celebrating in a low-key way.  I am staying in my pajamas, reading, and eating (cake, of course). I am also taking part in a 30 Day Photo Challenge with a group of friends.  We follow this chart and each day we take and post a photo.  Today we are supposed to take a picture titled "What I Wore."  Obviously