DINNER WITH BUDDHA...

I'll Have What He's Having...

My friend, author Roland Merullo, has a new book coming out TODAY. It’s called Dinner with Buddha. This is a highly anticipated book, especially with the success of Breakfast with Buddha, and Lunch with Buddha! RM (as I like to call him) has other best-selling books like Revere in Those Days, A Little Love Story, American Savior and many more. He’s published twelve novels and four non-fiction.

Praise for Dinner with Buddha

We, like Otto, find our cynicism worn away by Rinpoche’s gentle instruction in the simple but terribly difficult art of letting go, living each moment to the fullest, seeing the sacred in the everyday . . . This brave, meditative author has carved a unique niche in American literature.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Mr. Merullo's New England book tour will include the following:

 

* June 5th, 7 p.m. Friday, Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA

 * June 11th, 7 p.m. Thursday, Water Street Books, Exeter, NH

 * June 14th, 1 p.m. Sunday, Tatnuck Booksellers, Westborough, MA (note the afternoon time for this event)

 * June 15th, 7 p.m. Monday, Wilton Library, Wilton, CT

 

* June 18th, 7 p.m. Thursday, Market Block Books, Troy, NY

* July 20th, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wilmington Library, Wilmington, MA

* July 22nd - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Rockport Library, Rockport, MA

 I highly recommend stopping by to see him and buying some of his works. He’s a terrific human being and wonderful writer.  I hope to see you there.

And, don’t forget to ask him to sign your copies for you, and any gift books you may purchase.

Summer is here it’s time to READ! www.rolandmerullo.com

 

THE ANTI-GRINCH!

The Magic of Christmas Lies in Your Heart

 

Many of you contacted to ask me to please continue this. So, here is part two of Ageless with Aunty’s Best Christmas Gifts of 2014. We say 2014, but, these presents are Ageless and Timeless!  

Qi-Gong is the secret to a healthy life. Okay, that might just be my opinion but I truly feel it’s magical. I have witnessed miracles happen in my own life when I practice qi-gong. And, its’ a martial art form that I also practiced with our late beloved Aunty! She was a natural at it.

I promise you an improved EVERYTHING when you do qi-gong. Just try it and see. It’s so good for you. Give yourself or someone you love a simple way to practice. Qi-gong DVD’s make sublime gifts for Christmas, and there are many. Lee Holden (seen on PBS) has some great ones.  I have promised myself to continue my qi-gong practice eternally….it’s that good! And it keeps me connected to Aunty, nature, and the entire Universe! www.leeholden.com

Books are always a great gift. And, I personally love holding a book in my hand. I am proud to say I am friends with that fantastic author, Roland Merullo (ABOVE). I met him at one of his readings and after sharing my own little writing journey we became friends. We also share a place we both hold dear, Revere, Massachusetts. (That’s where Roland is from and where Aunty and Uncle D lived). I highly recommend all his books! Just go to his super website and see for yourself. www.rolandmerullo.com. Roland also happens to be a top notch human being. And a huge fan of Aunty’s!!! Need I say more?! WE LOVE RM and all twenty of his books!

 

Tammy Fender….Tammy is one gorgeous woman who knows how to help the rest of us look good too.

I can recommend anything in her skincare line. All the ingredients are chemical free, 100 percent natural and organic. Best of all they are effective. As a quality skin care devotee I would just adore any gift that had Tammy’s name on it. So, consider www.tammyfender.com for something extra special. Even just one product in her line is enough to take your skincare regime to a whole new level. But, I dream of the entire collection. Tammy is the fountain of youth!

 

We love Christmas so much we have added a part three this year…so, come back tomorrow for more great gift suggestions. WE know they work, and all our gift suggestions are Aunty Approved!

 

P.S. My friends say wearing Santa Caps, Jingle Bells, and Enjoying Christmas Cookies may help one stay youthful too!

 The Anti-Grinch Strikes Again...

 

 The Spirit of Christmas is Ageless...

UNBEATABLE CHRISTMAS GIFTS

 Some gifts are so good you have to buy two

 

I promised to post some unbeatable gift ideas. Most of these unique suggestions will not be found at the mall, but are sure to please the lucky recipients.

Books always make great gifts. I have a terrific one that you may want to consider.

Lunch with Buddha written by my friend Roland Merullo. This guy is one fantastic storyteller. And, as I have said before…he’s a genuinely great man! You should buy his entire collection! He’s prolific. There are lots to choose from. Some of my favorites are American Savior or In Revere, In Those Days….

I loved his latest book Lunch with Buddha so much I bought two. www.roldandmerullo.com

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Who doesn’t like Mermaids? My pal Ramune makes them by hand. She’s Addicted to Mermaids.

And that is the name of her wonderful and whimsical site. Check it out. By placing an order you can be sure you are sending a gift that is unique and creative. Ramune works hard and her quality creations make great presents. www.addictedtomermaids.com

Ramune & her mermaids

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Everyone needs a calendar. There is a fabulous site called Love’s Freeway. Treat your eyes and see for yourself. A former writing coach of mine is an expert photographer. Her calendars sell out every year! www.lovesfreeway.com

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For something exquisite Shoyeido Incense is my all-time favorite. The exclusive family recipe has been produced in Japan by hand for over 300 years! You get the feeling like you are in an exotic Japanese Tea house, a mist of puffy clouds, or soaking in a warm bath. The second to none mixtures are blissful.

They are made with only the finest ingredients and there are so many scents to choose from. Your friends will appreciate the sensational aroma in their home. Everyone who enters will surely ask “What is that amazing scent?” Buy some for yourself too and mellow out! Sat Nam…

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If you are a BIG Spender and want to go all out and give a gift that truly lasts forever….then go to my BFF’s site www.dalefournier.com and buy one of her Antique Diamond Rings! My head Is spinning at the thought. I dream of having an array of brilliant colorful gems on all my fingers…. But, just start with one! Miss Dale will be glad to help you choose the one that is perfect for you. Her tastes are impeccable. She has me for her BFF doesn't she?!

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Last, but certainly not least, is the GIFT of your precious and valued time. Visiting friends and family over the holiday season is the best gift of all! Sharing memories over cups of tea, fresh roasted coffee….or a Mistletoe Martini simply can’t be beat! Pass the Eggnog please…. And scroll around this blog for the most exclusive coffee and tea selections on earth!
 

p.s. I love Uggs! One of my Christmas Dreams is to buy everyone I know a pair!

 

 

WHAT'S YOUR BOOK CONNECTION?

I just got excited lining up my summer reading. As I stood there thinking about each book, I realized I had a direct connection to each one.

Let’s start with The First Tycoon, by T. J. Stiles. This is a grand book about Corneilius “Commodore” Vanderbilt. Amazon describes it as A gripping, groundbreaking biography of the combative man whose genius and force of will created modern capitalism.


Founder of a dynasty, builder of the original Grand Central, creator of an impossibly vast fortune, Cornelius “Commodore” Vanderbilt is an American icon. In The First Tycoon, Stiles offers the first complete, authoritative biography of this titan, and the first comprehensive account of the Commodore’s personal life. It is a sweeping, fast-moving epic, and a complex portrait of the great man.

My amusing connection is mentioned on page 570. I often visit the Commodore’s grandson’s house, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, in Newport Rhode Island. You can too. It’s called the Breakers. And it’s the mightiest of all mansions. Last weekend, I simply stood on the grounds and was moved.

Second summer reading book is Listening to Van Morrison by the insightful Greil Marcus, one of America’s most dedicated cultural critics. Singer/songwriter Elvis Costello states, "For a Protestant from East Belfast, Van Morrison has a lot of the Holy Ghost in him.” That is one of the reasons I adore Van. I can not gush enough over how much I love his music, but, I will try. I like to say, “If the molecules inside of me were to jump out of my body and form a sheet of music, it would be a Van Morrison song.”

Aside from the title being one of my greatest pleasures: Listening to Van Morrison, I have met Van the man on several occasions, and even had lunch with him in a roped off area of a restaurant. You will have to put my books (when they are published) on your summer reading list to find out more about this fan and Van!

Last, but certainly not least on my summer list is actually a re-read. The Italian Summer is a book by one of my favorite authors, and my friend Roland Merullo. All of Roland’s books are meaningful to me. This prolific author writes with heart, and great wit (plus I love the inscriptions he pens to me). I highly recommend any of his twelve books (including Breakfast with Buddha and Revere in Those Days). The Italian Summer (a true story) finds him in Italy, golfing, eating, and trying to enjoy life with his family. Who wouldn’t want more of that?

For more info on Roland Merullo go to www.rolandmerullo.com

Do you have an interesting connection to your favorite book, or author? A favorite Roland Merullo book? This inquiring mind wants to know…. type in a few words below...