The Day Before the Night Before Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It is almost upon us and the elves are scurrying around our abode doing last minute secret things. Unlike many years in the past, I am actually quite ready. Just a quick trip to the store for last minute perishables for the big feast, a fun movie outing with the family, and maybe looking for a last minute gift for the hubster .... (Yes, he will have something under the tree, this would be extra).

I am so glad I lowered my expectations this year. If I had tried to do all that I have done in the past, I would be making myself crazy right about now.

One thing I've learned in the year we've lived here in the Gorge, is that I can't just zip off to the store. I plan my trips and make every moment count. Driving an hour each way, I spend 4-5 hours in town hitting every store known to man! and that's only cuz I run out of steam =) So the days of driving 10 minutes to go pick up one little thing at Joanne's or Target are gone for now. But I've adjusted .... Life is good!

So how bout you? Are you ready? Ready or not, here it comes!

This is one of my favorite verses that sums up the Season for me:

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

~ Isaiah 9:6

And I love how my friend, Michele signed off her Christmas card: As we near 2012 let's continue to live for the one who gave us all. Merry Christmas!

This n That Ramblings

Where did November go? Sorry for the MIA trick, guess life caught up with me.

After the #1 son recovered (after giving his cooties to me, of course!) we celebrated his 14th birthday. I had a post all thought out to sing his praises, but it never got from my brain to the blog .... sigh. Then Thanksgiving happened and with travel and baking, the blog got neglected again. Now its December 1st and I'm determined to write something, even if it is only incoherant ramblings.

*It's December 1st: Do you know where your advent calendar is?

*It's December 1st, our favorite dog Spunkie who we had years ago was born this day. I was going to try to dig out a pic of her and scan it since she walked this earth pre-internet days, but i ran out of time. just imagine the cutest 30 lb mutt and that's her.

*We're still deciding what to get Joe for Christmas and I'm wondering if we might be able to find a dog, just like our Spunky. Does pet 'lightening' ever strike twice?

*I know what I want to get the big Mister, but dont' think he's going to like it. Should I get it for him anyway?

*The older I get the harder it is for me to come up with gift suggestions for myself for the big Mister. Its not that I don't want things, I just don't know what to tell him. Just don't get me something I 'NEED', k?

*Went to the dentist for a cleaning, the first one in a very long time (ahem). Wasn't as bad as I anticipated. I think dentistry has come a long, long way since when I was a kid and had the biddy from (well you know ....) who scarred me for life!

*Had a wonderful time at Thanksgiving this year. Went to my sis's and bro-in-law for some awesome Turkey and all the extras. Then went to my niece's for dessert. My bro and sis-in-law, my niece's hubby and 4 great kiddos plus my mom, sis and hubby and us had great fellowship over yummy goodness. Love making good memories with my family.

*Today I'm putting up our Christmas decorations. I like to wait a few days after Thanksgiving to give myself some breathing space between one holiday from another. A little margin in my life is a good thing.

Well, that's about all the ramblings I have stored up.

Til next time ....

My Sick Boy

Today is Day Three of the Sick Boy at Home.

Over the weekend he developed the sniffles and a bit of a cough. We laid low except for church. Monday morning I decided to let him sleep and kept him home from school. By afternoon he seemed to be more like himself. So Tues morning we got up and off to school he went. By mid morning he had spiked a fever and the school was calling me to come pick him up.

Tues afternoon and evening his symptoms abated and he looked like he was on the mend again. But not wanting a repeat of Tuesday, I waffled whether to send him to school or keep him home. After hearing him coughing in the early hours, I made my decision to keep him home again.

Today has been more of the same: sniffles, a little cough once in awhile, lots of cartoons and lots of liquids.

The hard thing about Joe being sick is that he rarely acts sick. He doesn't lie on the couch, moaning or napping. If you didn't hear him hacking or have to wipe his nose you'd barely know he was sick.

I'm really hoping he gets to feeling better. With no school on Friday, if he doesn't go to school on Thursday he will have missed almost the whole week.

I'm keeping up with the laundry, the dishes and the meals, but I'd really like to get back to my writing. Kind of hard to do when Dinosaur Train is on in the background!

Thankfully, #1 son doesn't get sick often. Just part of the challenges of being 'mom', right?

Til next time .....

Thanks but ....

Til next time ....

Superfluous Pic of the Day

I haven't shared many of my photos of late so I dug thru my stash and found one from this summer I thought you'd like.


(Mt Saint Helens)

I just love the contrast of the green and blue and white.

Til next time ....

Currently

Currently

Have you seen this one? Me neither. What are your 'currents'?

Current Books: Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad; I'm about 2/3 thru it and have really enjoyed it. Very helpful info for dressing well. Just finished Mrs Jeffries Speaks her Mind; cute cozy mystery. I have the whole series and reread them when I want a mindless escape. Write A Novel and Get It Published; waiting in the wings on my bedside table. Looking forward to seeing what this author has to say.

Current Playlist: Soul Sister or whatever its called. I know its an old song, but I love it! It makes me want to dance and sing along

Current Color: Dark Red and Black. My go-to colors for winter.

Current Drink: Diet Coke with Lime, a holdover from summer. Still enjoying it. But I do have some apple cider that I want to doctor up for the family and have some weekend.

Current Food: Been making a few pumpkin desserts, all keepers, and craving mexican!

Current Wishlist: a pumpkin candle, my current one has finally reached its end. Boots! but I don't want to pay the top dollars that my wide calves require. None of the regular stores carry boots for big calved women like myself. I checked. A date night with the hubster =)

Current Needs: A new bra!

Current Triumph: I've written over 24,000 words so far on my novel. That's alot of words. I'm so proud of myself and can actually see myself finishing this book next spring.

Current Bane of my Existence: Clutter, its definitely time to get rid of more stuff!

Current Indulgence: New nail polish-- Wicked and Devil's Advocate both by Essie. Now to get one or the other on my nails!

Current Mood: Mostly happy but anxious about a few things too ....

Current #1 Blessing: My devotional time this past month has been so, so good! Loving my time in the morning with my Lord.

Current Outfit: Jeans, long sleeve t-shirt, and cardigan.

Current Excitement: Hubby getting home from his business trip. It's been a long week without him.

Current Link: a gorgeous fall photo, you won't be disappointed.

So how 'bout you? What are your 'currents'?

Til next time ....

House Names

Do you name your homes?

When I was younger I found that I loved mysteries, esp Agatha Christie mysteries and other british authors. I remember reading one of her books and there was a house named The Laurels. Yes, the houses actually had names, not numbers, at least I don't think they had numbers. But I digress. In another story, the house was named Sweetbrier. Cute, huh?

So twenty years ago or so, when Michael and I had just taken over my dad's biz and were struggling to make ends meet, we lived in this tiny little 2 bedroom cottage. It was white, small, no curb appeal or charm to speak of, but we were happy. The rent was low and it had wild sweetpeas growing outside the front door. I hadn't got into gardening yet at that time or maybe I just didn't have the money. Ha! So the sweetpeas were a welcome bit of color in the spring and summer.

For some reason, I nicknamed that little home "Sweetpea Cottage" and it stuck. Whenever we talk about the different places we lived, we always know which one was Sweetpea Cottage. We never refer to it in any other way. Our other homes we reference as "the one on langdon street" or "the duplex in auburn" but I will always think of that little cozy home as Sweetpea Cottage.

So, I could end this post right here, but its really just a prelude to what I've been thinking about. We've been here in the gorge now for over a year, and been living in another non-descript 2 bedroom home. I must say it's a bit bigger than Sweetpea was, and has twice the yard, fenced even. But woefully, it does not have twice the charm.

I would love to come up with a name for this home as we very well could be here for a bit longer, maybe alot longer. There's an old pear tree outfront and several worthless black walnut trees that make gardening prohibitive. Did you know that a black walnut trees roots will inhibit growing veggies within 5-10 feet of it? or was it 15 feet? Anyway, it basically makes growing a garden pretty fruitless .... or veggieless! Ha ha.

So if you think of a name for our home down here in the gorge, let me know. And I'd love to hear if you've ever named a home you've lived in. Or if the house came with a name.

Til next time ....

How Did His B-day Sneak Up On Me?

Yes, it comes every year. On the same day even! But this year it kind of snuck up on me. What? you ask. The hubster's birthday. I have been thinking about it, and pondering what we should do to celebrate. I have already asked and received ideas for gifts and food. But somehow, in the busyness of life, none of these ideas have been acted on yet. But that's ok, I still have 12 hours, right? HA! Actually, with our crazy schedules right now, we won't be celebrating til the weekend. So I'm not in the doghouse yet.



Looking thru the archives, I found that I started honoring the hubs on his special day back in 2007. A couple years I posted pics, One year I posted the b-day card I made him. Most were short and sweet posts. But this year, I want to be more verbose. I want to share what makes my man so great for me and our family. If ya don't do it on the guys b-day, when are ya going to do it, eh?



So pardon the bad poetry but it was the best I could come up with on short notice ....



An Ode to the Birthday Boy

Why do I love him? Why does he make me smile?
His steadfastness reminds me of his Father above
His hardworking body and soul rarely tires

Telling dino tales none have heard before to his firstborn son.
They will never hold a conversation, but father loves the son just the same

Studious in his studies, high grades he obtained
Found work and moved us to the land of beauty wind and rain
Listens to stories swirling around in my head
Brainstorms with me where the plot should travel or end

Loves me thru hormones and emotions, disappointments and tears
Laughs with me, hugs me tight, smiles at me, journeys with me thru the days and years
We have been thru alot, rollercoaster ride from "I do" to now
The ups, the downs, the falls to the ground,
the in between, the seen and unseen.

Many more years I hope to have with this man of mine
A few grey hair have sprouted up, a few more pounds to his still lean frame
But like fine wine, he grows better with age.

(and no I have no aspirations to be a poet)


To you babe! Happy birthday, Sweetie

Going to the Library today .... got 10 books on hold to pick up! TEN! Love me some books to read. Til next time ....

Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Surgery, Radiation ....

I love my mom! And over the years, it has been hard to watch her fight colon cancer, then breast cancer, and see her go thru surgeries to remove stuff that's not suppose to be there. Tomorrow and Friday I'll be right alongside her again as she fights another battle. Right now we're still not sure what's going on, but after her colonoscopy we'll have more details. The doc has already scheduled her for colon surgery on Friday, so they have found enough to justify cutting an 86 yr old woman open to get the foreign bad guys out. I'm so glad I can be with her as she fights this fight. I'm so glad the Lord has given her 86 great years here with us. She has a 'TON of friends and family who love her dearly. She's touched many lives through her teaching career, and mentored many writers along the way.

While we don't know what the future holds, we DO KNOW who holds the future. And her trust and mine is placed in HIM, the only wise God. Thank you for your prayers on my mom's behalf. And I'd appreciate your prayers for a safe journey up and back to Seattle/Kirkland. Hopefully, my boys will survive without me for 3 days!

Til next time ....

Ten on Ten

I'm so proud of myself! wink, wink I remembered 10 on 10 this month before it was halfway over. Which is what I usually do. So then I go visit Mer's blog who hosts 10 on 10 and find she has quit doing it! Like in January! But never one to follow the crowd, I decided I would just do my own anyway. Like I always do. I really do follow a different drumbeat in my head.

So here's my 10 on 10 for October which just happens to be the 10th month of the year.

Ten Things I Love About Fall

1) The Colors: Red, orange, yellow, green, brown. And all the shades represented in each of those colors are magical. Twenty some odd years ago my husband and I were able to go back to Virginia and North Carolina in October. I remember the trees, specifically the sugar maples, were so vibrant, so alive with color. Ever since then I just can't get enough of fall colors, esp in nature.

2) Pumpkin anything: We're talking food here peeps! Not decorations. Love me some pumpkin pie, of course. And also, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, dried pumpkin seeds, pumpkin desserts, and pumpkin custards. Right now there are so many pumpkin delicacies on Pinterest that I want to try.

3) Hot spiced cider:  mmmm .... mmmmm!  I like a good espresso, a great cup of hot chocolate and an ice cold lemonade, but there's just something that just says Fall like Spiced Cider.

4) Sweaters:  Cardigans and pullovers just smack of Fall, don't they?  After just wearing sleeveless shirts and tanks all summer its nice to pull on a sweater.

5) Nature walks: I much prefer to walk and hike in cooler weather than in the heat of the summer. I don't enjoy sweating much, so a hike on a cool weekend is just perfect in my book.

6) Football: Go Boise Broncos!!!! Need I say more? Well, yes, I guess I should.

7) Cracklin Fires in the Woodstove:  Last week, the hubster brought in wood and kindling and built our first fire in the woodstove.  There's just something about the warmth and the flickerin flames in the morning when I crawl out of bed.

8) Fall Decorations: Pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, hay bales, pitchforks and old barns. All of these say FALL to me and I love it!

9) Cozy evenings at home:  Which include #7 a great fire, #6 football, #4 sweaters,  #3 hot cider and/or #2 pumpkin  yummies.

10) Thanksgiving: My very favorite holiday after Christmas. What's not to love when you get great food, great family and friends, fellowship, football and a chance to be grateful and thankful for all the blessings in your life?


So how 'bout you?  What do you love about Fall?  And do you have a list of 10 on the 10th?
Til next time ....

Happiness

Til next time ...

Weekly Recipe Roundup #4

It's time for another weekly recipe roundup. Yesterday was a spontaneous cooking day for me. I tried 3 new-to-me recipes .... I think that is a record for me for one day. So I thought I'd give you a recap of what I tried and how they came out, plus what I made for breakfast this morning.

First up was thai noodles from a recipe I found on Pinterest. Verdict: quite yummy! It called for sauteing up red pepper in oil and then straining the little pepper seeds. I wasn't able to strain all the little seeds, so even tho I only used 1 Tbsp of the hotties instead of 2 Tbsps the recipe called for, the dish was a bit hot. Loved it! But the hubster wasn't quite as impressed. He's not into "hot" quite as much as I am.




Recipe #2 was an easy little appetizer number that I've been wanting to try again for awhile. I made Bruscetta many years ago and loved it, so when I ran across this recipe (again from Pinterest) I had to give it a try. The stars (ingredients) finally aligned themselves up last night, so before they could run away (mold, mildew and turn into mad science projects)I whipped up some delish nibbles right before dinner. Verdict: extra yummy!

The big finale of my cooking day was The Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pot Roast. Now when she makes it I am SURE it IS perfect. For me, not so much. But I do not lay any of the blame at her or her recipe's feet. But totally and squarely on my own pot roast feet of clay.

If you remember, one of my 11 in fall of 11 was to improve my cooking skills and I quote:

10) Improve My Cooking Skills: I've always enjoyed trying new recipes, but now I want to improve my skills and techniques.... techniques I will conquer: making a great pie crust, a great pot roast, and cheesecake.

I'm a little bummed that it didnt' come out as well as the Pioneer Woman's, but not all is lost. I learned a couple things. One: I need a smaller covered pan to cook my pot roast in. I ended up using my turkey pan, cuz that is the only roaster I have that has a lid. Way too big! And two: I need a recipe that helps me check the doneness and not just give me a vague "it'll be done in 3-4 hours." Part of my problem was that 30 min before it was suppose to be done I checked on it and it didn't look done to me, but in actuality was probably done or close to being overdone at that point. So I think I need a meat thermometer and a recipe that guides me that way. What'd ya think? Am I off the deep end? What's your tried and true method of making a pot roast?

And no, we didn't have to order pizza. The meat was a bit well done, but still edible. Lots of gravy, the yummy carrots and mashed potatoes made up for a little toughness.

Finally, this morning, or rather last night, I whipped up some Deluxe Oatmeal. Yes, that is really what the title of the recipe is. An old favorite I got off the internet a long time ago. The photo below is similiar, not my actual oatmeal. You dump all the ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook overnight. Then Ta-Da, the next morning you have a yummy b'fast just waiting for ya. Here's the recipe if you're interested.

Deluxe Oatmeal
2 c milk
1/4 c brown sugar
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 c quick cooking oats (I use old fashioned and haven't noticed a problem)
1 apple finely chopped
1/2 c raisins
1/2 c chopped walnuts or almonds

Grease inside of crockpot (very important, or else its going to be a bear to clean, just ask my hubster). Put ingredients inside crockpot and mix well. Cover and turn on low heat. Cook overnight or 8-9 hours. Stir before serving.

Makes 4 cups. Which is enough for our family of 3 hungry peeps in the morning.

So what have you been cooking lately? Tried out any new recipes? And, please, tell me your secret to a great pot roast. My hubster will be so thankful!

Til next time ....

Do You Pin?

Are you a pinner? You know, of the pinterest variety? Never heard of it? Well, you are just missing out on the most fun ... seductive ... time wasting website ever invented!

Someone described it like having a new magazine delivered to you every day!

Did I mention its addictive? Very, very addictive.

Here's a few examples of what I've found on Pinterest this week.





Or how bout some of this ....






Or if that's not your thing there's always this ....





And that isn't even the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more. So if this makes you salivate like it does me, drop me an email and I'll send ya an invite. Or if you're already a pinner, let me know so I can follow ya.

Til next time ....

Accck! My Espresso Machine is Dying!!!

I heard it coming. That sound that tells you that your beloved appliance is on life-support. This morning as I made my grande,low-fat, peppermint mocha the steamer would scream in high gear then sputter and slow, almost stopping altogether until it would sputter up to full steam again. It did this several times during the steaming process and even after letting my milk steam for several extra minutes, my mocha was still lukewarm, at best.

Cringing at the unexpected expense, I resign myself to the fact that I will be at the not-so-local Tar*jay or Freddies this weekend looking at replacement machines. Over the last 10 years I've gone thru about 3 Mr Coffee espresso makers. They usually last me around 3 years, give or take. They are cheap, they do a fair job, if not excellent. I've been ok with that. But now I'm wondering if it isn't time for an upgrade. I'd like to get a machine that would last 5-7 years of daily use before the motor gives out on me. I'll probably get online and see what kind of reviews are out there. I know my sister in law has been happy with her top of the line machine, but I know it is most likely out of my price range.

Or I could just start drinking coffee with my husband? Doctored up of course! Not as good in my book, but it might get me through a few weeks til I can make a better decision than rushing out and buying the first machine that looks like it'll do.

So what would you do in my shoes ... or my coffee cup?

Til next time ....

Cash Envelope System

Long ago, in the days before the Internet, I heard about a system of tracking your expenses by using cash from envelopes. As I recall, it was called the "Cash Envelope System" ... great name, huh? I bought into the system, used it faithfully for a long time and it was quite successful for us during that time. I'm not sure why, but somewhere along the way, I went back to debit, and checks and cash without the accountability of the envelopes.

Then a few years ago, it came across my radar again, from people talking about Dave Ramsey. I thought several times, "I really should go back to the "cash envelope system" but never followed through.

Well, this month I did go back. For our two week pay period I dug out my envelopes and put my assorted, specified cash in each and we are using the system again. And can I say it is a relief!

I love being able to look in each or any of the envelopes and know exactly how much I have left to spend in that category. I love being able to look at the outside of the envelope (where I record what we've spent) and seeing where our money has gone. I love feeling like we are more in control of our finances. And I love feeling like we are being proactive in what we are spending money on.

Before we would say: Want to go out for dinner? Sure! We have money in the checkbook. Want to buy clothes? Sure! We have money in the checkbook. Now we say: Want to stop at McD's? Let's look at how much is in the envelope. We have "X" amount that has to last us til next payday, is it worth it to ya? And we can make a more seasoned decision on that info.

It may not be for everyone, but for me, my life just works better this way. And you know another upside? We've started a travel savings fund! Since we're not spending down to zero every paycheck, we can start saving for those longterm things we really want in our life.

So how bout you? Do you use the Cash Envelope System or something else? Have you had success with using cash, debit or ????

Til next time ....

Fall Edition: 11 in 2011

Diana over at Smiles Go with Everything did a 11 in 2011 at the beginning of the year as well as doing a summer edition 11 in 2011. I thought it was such a neat idea that I've stolen the idea and am making it my own for Fall.

Now that the #1 son is back to school and the fall routine is shaping up nicely, I have been energized with all kinds of projects in the queue. Yesterday I cut out a knit top that has been waiting patiently for, ahem, much too long. I was so jazzed about it that I emailed my sister and told her all about it.

So I came up with my very own 11 in 2011 Fall Edition:
(to be completed by Dec 22nd when Fall ends and Winter begins)

1) Blog More: I have really been pathetic with my blogging over the last year or two and want to rectify that. I do love blogging and being part of the blogging community. So along with my other writing endeavors I will be squeaking out time to blog and my goal is to post 3x a week. Hold me to this, will ya?

2) Exercise More: It's time to get serious about working out again. I have a 3 prong attack for this goal: walk the trail, join the stretch class and/or zumba class in town, and do the dvd thing at home. 3x a week. Who's with me?

3) Write More: Now that the Joe boy is back in school, I have time and quiet to hear my own thoughts and get creative. I have a novel in progress that needs a middle and an ending, and I have a short story I've just started which has got me all excited. Quite a fun story if I do say so myself =) Three days a week I have an appointment with my computer to write. No interruptions allowed.

4) Read More: Found a new mystery author I'm enjoying and looking for another young adult fantasy author to replace the series I loved and finished this summer. Also have some non-fiction titles awaiting my attention as well.

5)Sew More: I have lots of patterns and lots of fabric, so I just need to make the time to do this. Use up my stash and add some new items to my closet. My goal is to complete one project each month.

6) Join a Writing Critique Group: I have scoped one out. It meets every other Saturday which would be very doable. Now to get my courage up to walk into a group of stangers. Wish me luck!

7) Set Aside Money for Travel Our 30th wedding anniversary is coming up in a couple of years, and we have been talking alot about a cruise. All my siblings have done the cruise thing and loved it! So we need to set aside some moolah every month to pay for it. I'd also like to visit one of my sister's in Colorado next year and maybe take the Joe-boy on a road trip next summer to visit friends in the midwest and east coast. We'll see ....

8) Date Night Once a Month: Before #1 son came along, we were great about having a weekly datenight. Even after the little guy entered our lives, I made it a habit to seek out the babysitter and off we would go. But ever since Mike's accident, we have been horrible about going out on the town. Some of that can be chalked up to limited funds, moving around and not breaking in a new babysitter, it getting easier to take Joe places with us, but none of that washes anymore! We need a DATE NIGHT .... and mama needs one tonight! (hee hee) So I have a potential babysitter in the works, I just have to meet up with him and do the final "walk-thru" and then plan a great evening out for the two of us.

9)Explore Portland n'borhoods: You've seen them highlighted in the mags, those cute, quaint n'borhoods all over Portland? We really need to take advantage of being so close to PDX and get out there and explore.

10) Improve My Cooking Skills: I've always enjoyed trying new recipes, but now I want to improve my skills and techniques. Case in point: we love a good steak, but I have always had a really hard time with steak. I either undercook them--ewww blood! or overcook them---ewww tough! So I spent several evenings this summer trying new steak cooking techniques to figure out how to cook the perfect steak. I can't say I got it yet, but I'm alot closer than I was last May. Other techniques I will conquer: making a great pie crust, a great pot roast, and cheesecake. Want a bite?

11)Go to the Portland Zoo: Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh my!

So that's my list for Fall. Got a list of your own? Do tell!

Til next time ....

Weekly Recipe Roundup (#3)

photo courtesy of Lil Luna

Welcome to another edition of my weekly recipe roundup. I know I said I lean too heavily towards desserts and I would be more balanced, but I just can't not share this yummy looking recipe for White Chocolate--Butterscotch Chip Cookies. Are you drooling yet?

Now that I got that out of the way, I can share some other just as yummy, delish and oh so good recipes I found this week. Oh who am I kidding? We all know that desserts are the most delish of all, don't we? Unless you're my hubby, but that's a story for another day ....

Here's one you don't see all the time. Lemon-Lime Soda from a "new to me" blog Phaedras Adventures. Another adventure blog .... Yay! Let me know if you try this one and I'll do the same for you.

And I found these great looking appetizers: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. It's lunchtime as I type this and just the sound of them is making me hungry!

I have GOT to try these finger-lickin good sticky slow cooked drumsticks! I love my crockpot and these look easy and yummy. A great combination.

And last a great budget meal from Budget Bytes Taco Chicken Bowls. She even gives a cost breakdown, gotta love that!

Let me know if you try any of these recipes, or if you have tried any news ones you've found on the 'net. Or ones that you want me to add to my next recipe roundup.

Til next time ....

Six Things I Should Be Doing Instead of Blogging

1. Cleaning the bathroom.

2. Emptying the dishwasher.

3. Finish putting away the groceries I bought yesterday.

4. Folding clothes.

5. Swiffer the floors, esp our bedroom.

6. Cutting out two top patterns that I've been drooling over all summer.



Can you relate? Have you ever had one of those mornings? What do you do to avoid the “to do list”?

Labor Day Bust

Spending the day in bed nursing a sore-throat and inflamed sinus's was not how I envisioned Labor Day. But there's no use fighting it when you're sick. So instead of rearranging furniture with the hubster, spending time at the river beach or going into town for one last summer flick, I spent the day napping and reading "The Last Detective".

I'm still battling the throat tho it feels better today than yesterday.

So what did you do on your holiday?

Til next time ....

ABC Meme

ABC MEME!

Found this meme over at Real Life: Live & Unscripted Isn't that a great blog title? The author is a real sweetie too. She sews, has a lovely family, loves the Lord and shares her challenges. My kind of blog to be sure.

It's been a while since I've done a meme, so I thought this one would be fun to join in a do.



Age: Older than I feel, younger than my hubster, and getting closer to a new decade .... oh my!


Bed Size: Queen .... boy, I miss my Kingsize bed.


Chore You Hate: Cleaning the outside of the toilet. Ewwww!


Dogs: None at the moment. I miss my doggies. Maybe we'll have another someday.


Essential start of your day: Making myself a mocha and a kiss from hubster before he walks out the door.


Favorite color: Red


Gold or silver: Silver


Height: 5’4, tho its probably 5'3 after all these years LOL


Instruments I play (or have played): Piano, played french horn in school, and I have a rhythm egg that I can shake with the best of em.


Job title: Mom, chef, housekeeper, taxi driver, social secretary, laundress, seamstress, crafter, writer, blogger .... that about sums it up!


Kids: One on earth .... 5 in heaven.


Live: Washington State (not dc)


Mom’s name: Marjorie


Nickname: sweetie


Overnight hospital stays: Yes


Pet peeve: Drivers who tailgate


Quote from a movie: As You Wish (extra points if you can name the movie!)


Right or left handed: Right


Siblings: One brother, 2 sisters


Time you wake up: 7am


Underwear: Whatever's clean!!!


Vegetables you dislike: Brussel Sprouts---yuk!


What makes you run late: My boys .... esp the youngest one.


X-rays you’ve had done: teeth, ankle, chest, back, neck. Too many, I'm sure.


Yummy food you make: Brownies, enchiladas, brocolli salad, spinich salad, cabbage salad .... can you tell this has been the summer of salads this year?


Zoo animal: Tigers & Lions! Oh my!

So who's going to plan along? Leave me a comment if you do this meme as I'd love to see your answers.

Til next time ....

Thankful Thursday

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday post in awhile .... a LONG while, ahem ....

But when I saw another blogger list the things she was thankful for today, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit Thankful Thursday and rip off a list.

Today I am thankful for:

* that in this uncertain economy, the hubster landed a good job after graduating last year that provides for our needs.

* that the #1 son is in 2 hours of summer school, getting back into the school mode which begins in earnest after Labor Day.



(just love this sign)

* that we've had some fun family time this summer. We've been able to go to the beach, spend lots of time around our firepit, enjoy a movie in the park, and do some bar-b-q-ing and dining outdoors on our porch.

* that its been 6 months since my surgery and I seem to be doing well. Only a few minor aches and pains. So glad I was able to have the surgery and that it was a success. And so glad its over and in the rear view mirror!

* that I got to see my sis and mom a couple weeks ago. We met halfway for lunch at a mexican restaurant and then headed to starbucks for more laughter and chit chat. We plan on meeting up every couple months.

So how 'bout you? What are you thankful for today?

Til next time ....