I'm tired of polls. If a politician hiccups, someone takes a poll about its possible effect on the upcoming primary or caucus. Give me a break. Aren't there more important issues? I hear all about the negative ads and family values. Tons of words spew forth from the talking heads about how the campaigns are run. But I'm still fuzzy about substantive issues like jobs programs, defense, froeign policy, environment and social programs. Spend more time with those subjects. When Perry forgot the name of a department he wanted to eliminate, it was fodder for comics and news people, but few bothered with why or how he proposed such a drastic measure. Report the hows and whys in depth the same way adultery is handled. Not as salacious? Well, you are reporters. Make it interesting. Make it news when a politician is exaggerating or bending the facts. Isn't that your job? I'm interested in a candidates political past, not so much his personal history. Make them accountable for the statistics they toss around. Let's go beyond the news bite.
I'm tired of prescription drug commercials. Notice when they speak of the side effects, the visual you see is warm and fuzzy - families cavorting, men and women in vigorous healthy activities, beach walking with a dog. What if they were required to run some pictures of the actual physical effects as they talked about them - elders falling over as dizzyness takes hold, a driver of a bulldozer plowing through a wall when his judgement is compromised, men and women doubled over with stomach cramps? You get my drift. Lets have the pictures mirror the words.
So that's my whine for the day. Sometimes I just have to get it off my chest. I feel better now. Tomorrow some pics of new dresses and skirts, including a new softer mix of colors and old-fashioned prints. I'm excited by them. Here's a peek from my cutting table..
A seashore bowl with starfish which would look good anywhere. I can picture it on the small table on my porch. Although I am far from the seashore, I'd love to have this as a reminder of past summer fun. Check into 
Wow!! I have some Jonathan Adler plasticware in these colors. I want these for my kitchen. 
Pink and more pink. (This is printed to look like patchwork unike the madras which is really patchwork.) Its such a girly color plus bright for the summer. Don't forget these look great with a blouse or tee shirt. So they're not only sun dresses.
Two tier skirt. Don't you love the second ruffle peeking out?
This twirly skirt is four fabrics put together. My favorite part is deciding what prints and colors to combine. The variety of 100% cotton prints is just never ending these days.
Small things for the kitchen make great stocking stuffers or teacher's gifts. Or this is a great way to make your own kitchen look festive. I imagine the red prep bowls holding my lemon zest and vanilla for the special sugar cookies. The organza bag is a quick and inexpensive wrap for a bottle of wine or special dipping oil. And imagine a cup of tea from the cheery red teapot. How relaxing after a busy day of wrapping or cooking or shared with a guest.
Don't you love this brightly painted stoneware? It is rustic Portuguese. The berry bowls have the colander holes so that they are functional for draining as well as looking so good. The poinsetta dip dish and plate, I can see with guacamole - enhanced with the New Canaan Farms salsa - and homemade taco chips. (Not holiday everywhere, but soooo Texas.) These make great hostess gifts or a bread and butter thank you.
An easy way to decorate is with a pinecone mix or a seasonal botanical. Just put in a bowl or tray, maybe around a candle, and you've created the seasonal feeling. We also have small gold dusted pinecones that can be hung on a tree or put in a bowl. A touch of glitter! 
Now for something a little different. The Debra Shephard jewelry is sold each element singly. For instance the 16" sterling silver ball chain necklace is available for $20 or the large hoops on the left and the small hoops on the right can also be purchased at $18 and $14 respectively. Then you choose the dangle you want. The long "bling string" is Swaroski crystals or pearls $18. There are many different silver charms $10 or single Swaroski crystals $6 for a shorter look. They slip on and off the earrings and chains easily so you can switch out the elements or hang two together on a chain or three on each earring. Lots of versatility for an everchanging look.
Our approach this year is understated. We want to show that it doesn't take a lot of money or time to incorporate a seasonal feel. A runner on a dining table or coffee table is an easy spot of color to add. For some shine fill a bowl with the mercury glass ornaments that we have spotlighted on our big tree. Put some red leaves in a gold glass vase to play with Christmas colors.
Here's a close up of the finish. Although it looks fire engine red on my monitor, it is really a tad more subtle...like a red velvet cake red.
Here is a box of twenty infusers for the holiday season. This is great to have on hand for guests. Its so much fun to choose the flavor that fits your mood...Crimson Nectar, winter Chai (herbal blend of rooibos and spices), Sweet Orange Tea, White Ambrosia (white tea melded with vanilla and coconut) and English Breakfast (organic black tea). 