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 ....

Weekly Recipe Roundup

photo courtesy of Jam Hands

Last week I posted a few recipes I found on the net that looked promising. After finding even more tempting morsels this week, I thought I'd make it a weekly post and call it Weekly Recipe Roundup.

So for this week, here's an assortment of gems I found:

Jam Hands gives us Cream Puffs with Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream. I remember making cream puffs with my older sister when I was in Jr High and she was in college. They were awesome then, just as I imagine these will be now.

A 'new to me' blog I have found is Chef In Training. Isn't that a great name? Anyway, the blogger loves blueberries as I do and shares a great little snack cake to use up any excess blueberries you may have. Blueberry Snack Cake may not be a fancy name, but it looks scrumptious.

Here's another one from Chef In Training. She mentions that she has seen this recipe all over Pinterest and that it is also a Weight Watchers recipe, so who knows who the author is. Whatever! I definitely will be trying this enchilada recipe.

As you can see, I really am drawn to desserts. I know, I know. I'll try to be more balanced in the future, but I just can't leave out this next one. Its called Thin Mint Cake from the Joyful Baker. She had me at Thin Mint .... LOVE those little darlings!

Til next time ....

Back to School Roundup

With my son going back to school in less than a month, "back to school" has been on my mind .... ALOT! I am leaving the boys at home and doing his back to school clothes and 'stuff' shoppiing this week. Its easier without him, he's not a good shopper and neither is my husband.

In the meantime, there are so many cute Back to School crafts, printables, and treats out there in the blogosphere to keep us occupied. So I made note of several and I present them for your viewing pleasure.

Free printable tags, lunchbox notes, and stickers from Alphamom

Back to School Pencil Tags, shown as cupcake toppers

The Longest Yard has a tutorial for the cutest lunch bag. I really need to find some cute boy fabric and make this up for the #1 son.

A cute printable thank you card from Tip Junkie

Back to School Messenger Bag from Sew, Mama, Sew

Welcome Back to School Teacher Gift from Fireflies and Jellybeans

The Crafty Chicks share these afterschool convo cards

Leave it to Family Fun to come up with the cutest eraser craft

Back To School party printables from Bird's Party

Lunch box love notes for your kiddos.

Need help with your kiddos afterschool routine? Here's a nifty afterschool chart

School's A Hoot Booklet and Bookmark

Here's a cute Morning Routine Chart you can make for your kiddos. I think the photos add just the right touch.

Our First Movie in the Park

logo courtesy of Pictures in the Park

Last Friday night we drove into Gresham, Oregon and took in a movie. Not one in a dark, air conditioned theatre, but one in the park under the stars. Ever since hearing my girlfriend talk about the movies they showed during the summer down in LA, I have been enthralled with the idea.

We arrived right on time, but they were running late. They had a band ready to play before the movie, but they were still trying to find electrical outlets. Once the band started, Joe perked up. Since they were playing a family friendly movie, there were lots of kiddos there and the band played some cute kids songs along with an assortment of old classics and newer songs. Joe enjoyed the music, but he was clearly anticipating the movie. Right before dusk the announcement came that they would be starting the movie soon. As the summer heat turned to a cool breeze. the highlight of the evening "How to Train A Dragon" appeared on screen. With kids giggling and chatting in the background, traffic whizzing by the park, planes soaring overhead and the stars twinkling, it was a magical night. We were sprawled out on our blankets, shifting positions often to lessen the aches and pains these unfamiliar conditions were producing in our old bodies! But we enjoyed it nonetheless. After the movie, we packed up what we had brought, shaking out the kinks and limbs that had fallen asleep.

I don't know if we'll attend another movie in the park as it was a bit of a drive for us and Michael and I aren't really into sprawling on the ground for 4 hours, but as we walked back to our car I realized that it was something I had really wanted to do for a long time and I'm glad we did it. I guess it was on my "bucket list" without me even knowing it was there.


photo courtesy of Pictures in the Park

So how 'bout you? Have you ever seen a movie in the park in your neck of the woods? Til next time ....

Yummy Delish & Oh So Good

photo courtesy of Homespun Living

As I peruse the web each day, I notice alot of yummy, delish, mmm, mmm, good looking food. Being a lover of good food (does that make me a foodie?) I often think "I want to make that!" but then I move on and rarely remember where I saw that yummy looking something.

So as I was pondering how to solve this delicious problem, I thought: Why not post it to my blog where I can share these wonderful recipes with you and also have a place where I can return when I'm thinking of making something new.

This won't become a food blog. I'm not that good of a cook (hee hee), but you may find a few gems for your own kitchen. And I'd love to know if you make one of these jewels.

So here's the first round-up:

First up, Blackberry Biscuits from Homespun Living. I have never seen anything like these, so I'm either out of the loop or this blogger is way ahead of her time. With blackberries ripening in our part of the world, I can't wait to try these.

Next is a yummy looking jello thing-y. I don't know whether to call it a salad or a dessert, I'm leaning towards dessert. Taste of Home where it comes from calls it Creamy Orange Salad. While I will probably make it for a special occasion, I'm still on the hunt for a yummy jello salad.

And last is a yummy looking cheesecake without a crust! I missed Nat'l Cheesecake Day at the end of July and boy, am I bummed! But maybe if I make this recipe I'll console myself enough to get thru til next year. This comes courtesy of Lynn's Kitchen Adventures, a new blogger to me. I need to explore her site a little more as it looks like she has more wonderful gems. And I'm always a sucker for a blog with 'Adventure' in the title.

So how 'bout you? Have you found any new recipes on the net that you are dying to try? Please share!

Til next time ....