wonderfull

Down in the Dumps

2012-01-25T15:04:00.000-08:00

Wow - this has been a very hard year for me. My horoscope says I have some decisions to make in February & I agree. I am not sure what the future holds now. I am sad because I know there will be changes both in & out of my control. I hate this economy for making me feel cornered. I do not want that anymore. I can give up all of my material stuff. I have done it before. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I try to make a new plan or plans. Or try to stick it out...as I am getting stuck.

Sick kid= time at home

2011-11-22T08:32:00.000-08:00

It has been along time since I have been able to post. Truthfully, since I have wanted to post. I am home with 1 sick kid. That has given me some time. Time to be with him. Time to cherish & to slow down. Time to heal. Luckily, time before we have Thanksgiving time. I am really cherishing that too. It feels good to be home with no agenda & no plans. I am resisting planning what to plan(: I am going to make him some soup with lots of love & lots of time.

Summer list

2011-06-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

1. Keep it simple
2. Read a lot
3. NJ/NYC!
4. Up North
5. Baseball
6. Tennis
7. new potato salad recipe
8. grow tomatoes
9. Work a little
10. go somewhere brand new...
more to come...

Yeah, yeah, I know...or do I know?

2011-05-31T20:44:00.001-07:00

I cannot get this into this habit of posting. It will be one of my summer goals. I am overwhelmed & consumed right now with many thoughts that are all about work. It is stressful. Sometimes when I run early on Sunday mornings, I hear a radio show about faith.

This time it said life is all about the test we take at the end BUT we do not know what it will be about. Yet we are always prepping for this test. That is how I feel right now. I have no idea what the outcomes will be & I am swimming in the middle with no end in sight.

I want to do only the right thing and never the wrong thing. Yet somehow I do not know if I am in the right place doing the right thing. So work is actual work. I have to make sure it keeps going at a good pace in the right direction but have no end in sight.

Serenity on Vaca

2011-04-27T13:49:00.000-07:00

We just had a great vacation. I fell in love with Southern Utah. It was such a pretty place especially when it reflected the sunset & sunrise.

I love Easy Living

2011-04-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

I have fallen in love with the British magazine Easy Living. I also love Johnnie Boden. I do not know where these UK obsessions come from. They aren't too British but they are way cool.

A win

2011-04-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I spent Saturday in Toledo watching my daughter's team win a volleyball tournament. She had the winning spike. Yay!

Calm & Quiet

2011-04-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

I crave these two things. I love calm & adore quiet. This is my house right now even though it is filled with four people. This calm & quiet screams that everyone is happy. I awoke this a.m. to my 13 year old BOY making crepes from scratch & my daughter prepping for her big food extravaganza tonight. (She has a cooking class and this is her big assignment. Yay!

I Love My Children

2011-04-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

I really do. They are great. They have the best smiles. They are whom I look forward to seeing every day. They have great personalities & are good kids. I want to keep them who they are now but want them to keep on going! Love, love, love ya!!!

Soup

2011-04-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week & I have 1 kid sick. I haven't been able to be quite the mom for him this week. I have however given him lots of love and "tlc" in the form of soup. I cheated and picked it up from TLC (The Lunch Cafe) in Berkley. I have loved it & so has he. I have even bought some for my other child too just to spread the love.

So we have had a few days of delicious soup & hopefully everyone will be on the mend.

Yummy Swiss Onion
Delicious Jambalaya
Soothing Mac n Cheese soup (YES!!! mac n cheese soup)
Warming Golden Potato

Yum in a bowl!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lunch-cafe-berkley

Dog park

2011-04-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

We have a new dog park near us. I often walk our great dog in our neighborhood but it is fun to let him go in a fenced in area with other dogs every once in awhile. It is funny also to strike up conversations with other dog owners. It is just like when my kids were little talking to other parents at the park. the other dog owners want ot know his name, his breed, his age and other facts. Then we try to get our dogs to play together as we all stand by and watch. Hilarious.

Cheddar bunnies

2011-04-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

I love cheddar bunnies! Eat this, not that said that Cheez-Its were an "eat-not" but I loved them. What did I replace them with? I replaced them with cheddar bunnies. Yum! Try them.

Only Tuesday...

2011-04-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

I think about how as a teacher I work through the week. Oh it is Monday, here we go again. Oh it is only Tuesday. What a long week. How about Wednesday? Just get through the day. Why it is Thursday and we are almost there. Whew a Friday, a treat for all working stiffs. The comes Saturday which equals relaxation or errands? Sunday can be anything from hard to harder to where did the weekend go?

Today is a Tuesday. It is the first Tuesday without yucky weather for the first time in a long time. It has been long but no craziness happened. I even laughed a few times. Plus it is my husband's birthday. Happy day Mike!!! Enjoy your day. I will too.

Being home

2011-04-09T18:39:00.001-07:00

Just arrived fresh from spring break. Home sweet home. Here is my place, here is my heart. I found lots to love there but have come back home refreshed & renewed to recreate my home sweet home.

Tomorrow

2011-01-25T15:12:00.001-08:00

I am going to curl my hair.

Resolutions

2011-01-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

This is the hardest part but I am going for it this year.

1. Less Diet Coke - the hardest resolution!
2. Learn a new craft. I am embarking on a new craft - more later. Hoefully with pictures.
3. I am going to start blogging again. It has been sporadic & inconsistent but I put the camera down for a long time.
4. I am going to buy my own super camera by putting away money each paycheck.
5. I am going to spend less ^ be more creative. Wish me luck,

Random Facts About Me

2011-01-01T05:37:00.000-08:00

I am happy to do this because it is so much easier than making any New Year's resolutions. I am going to stick with 10 of them.

1. I live next door to my parents. It really is no big deal but it causes people to gasp. It has been the 1 mainstay in my life. Honestly, I think we bug them more they bugs us!

2. I love to run. I can do it anytime, any day. I always feel great after I am done. I hate to race. It ruins the running for me. I want to do a marathon but have no time to train.

3. I love all sports except golf. I can play anything and everything but do not like the amount of thought you have to put into golf.

4. I am never bored. My mom says I have a talent at keeping myself entertained even when I was young. I invent my own schedules and fill them up daily.

5. My best friends are the ones who make me laugh until I cry. When I think about the people who have been in my life the longest, they are the ones who are the goofiest, craziest and silliest. I have to keep that around me,

6. A pyschic once told me that part of my mission in this life is to be closer to people. I have failed at that badly. I am extremely shy!!

7. My top 10 loves (in random order); fashion/clothes, dogs/animals, running, cooking, reading, watching tv/movies, tennis, my kids & my husband.

8. I love France. I should have been born there.

9. I hate unloading the dishwasher. It is my least favorite chore.

10. I love horses & nature but do not want to live on a farm.

The New generation

2010-10-30T16:36:00.000-07:00

This afternoon as I was watching t.v. in the front room, my home phone rang. It was my son his cell phone in the backyard on the trampoline. He needed me to bring him something. Duh, no!

When my daughter & I went to pick up her friend the other day, she texted her to come out. I asked why my daughter couldn't go to her door to get her!

I can't believe it. I do not think it is laziness but rather a new way of thinking or communicating.

I can't wait until I am 80 & call them on the phone in the next room to help me out of chair!

Change of season, change of me

2010-09-08T16:45:00.000-07:00

I am getting older. It is true. I feel I need to become classic & not so trendy but where to shop? Where to shop?

Talbots
J Crew

Johnnie Boden. I will not forget you!

A chocolatey weekend

2010-08-18T17:12:00.001-07:00

I had a great time celebrating my sister's 40th! We made chocolates and ate them instantaneously! The best!

Memory movements

2010-07-19T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is the place that I went to this weekend. I have not been there for many, many years but one other time. My husband asked me if I needed to Google map it. I said no way. I knew the town, the store and the way to the property as if it was 1975 again.

I knew what would be waiting around each corner & where the forest ended. It definitely changed but not enough to get me lost. I had spent a lot of time there & it was etched in my memory.

So why this photo? This part of the forest had not changed at all. I could have drawn this from memory before I even arrived there to take the picture. How fascinating to me that that time has changed it all so much and yet so little.

It is a little piece of paradise.

A day up North

2010-07-18T16:12:00.003-07:00

The pics say it all. Ah!

vacation all I ever wanted

2010-04-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

The beach in FLA what a nice place to be.

Too cheap to buy new pants

2010-04-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

I have lost a little weight lately. NOT PLANNED! I refuse to buy new pants. This is only temporary weight loss that I know. It is due to having a monster flu & stress. So I will wear my saggy pants proudly until I fill them in...again. My husband wants to know why I just can't go get new pants. Duh! That would break the I-did-not-try-to-lose-weight spell. Every girl knows that!

(Pass me another eclair by the way)

A day at home...

2010-03-10T11:34:00.001-08:00

The flu has hit our house. I have had it & now my son has had it. So I have been home a lot this week. The sun has been shining & the puppy has been tracking lots of mud in my house. I am inspired by both the yellows & browns to redo my blog colors.

Plus I added a few photos of inspiring, colorful things in my house. I love the birthday cards sent to my son especially the homemade sticker sheet from his 3 year old cousin. My favorite striped blanket keeps me really warm. This blue tile was given to me by a friend who died & I love to look at the blues & remember happy times. I can't forget the puppy. He sheds his color everywhere.

Son's birthday weekend

2010-03-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

It was a fun weekend with lots of silly string & food for a 12 year old!

A few words

2010-03-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Spring has begun to spring & I am ready. The funny thing is this week, I am entranced by the moon. It is so big & so round. (So cliche). I even took some fuzzy pics with my Iphone this morning running! (see above)

I am ready for spring this year. I am even running faster outside like it is already spring even with the cold still soaking into my bones.

Things I love right now:

1. The full moon & then the bright sun
2 Two new pairs of shoes for FL in April I found at TJmaxx
3. My IPhone & all of my music. (My kids are complaining I have the buds in my ears a lot!!)
4. Easter candy! Ate a bunch today.
5. My new pants from the Gap.
6. My blouse I bought on clearance in January from Boden but waited until now to wear it!
7. Laughing so much with friends
8. Walking my dog at night through the last of the snow
9. Getting back to book club after 1 1/2 year respite
10. My son's 12th birthday this week!

Come on spring. Come melt the snow & stick around for awhile

Outside with a boy & his dog

2010-01-13T17:00:00.001-08:00

I do not know who has more energy - the dog or the boy! Oh boy! Or is that oh dog!

Hello it is cold here too

2010-01-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

Hello from Michigan in January. It is cold. Florida is currently in the news because it is never cold there but is experiencing record lows in the 20's. So silly questions are being asked by Floridians like "Do I wear more clothes?" or "Can I go outside?". The answer is to all of those is "Yes, just keep warm!" My answer as it is always is in January in Michigan, is "wear lots of clothes like sweaters & undershirts under shirts." Remember there are only 31 days in January & only 28 days in February. Thank God! The weather will pass so hunker down & stay warm, Florida - pretty soon you will warm up! Just remember us up here in the cold.

MJ + MW = TLA

2010-01-07T14:41:00.000-08:00

I wrote this out for my kids the other day. They did not know what it meant. When I told them, that it meant "true love always" for their dad & me, they laughed. But I wrote a long time ago & it still rings true.

Family Christmas

2009-12-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

A wonderful time was had by all even the dog.

A Silent Night To You All

2009-12-19T13:59:00.000-08:00

A whole lot to get in order, in order to get it all ready to be done for the upcoming holiday. Yet, I am sitting by the fire with my dog at my feet. My daughter is out. My son is one computer, my husband is on the other & here I am on the third. It is soooo quiet. I am listening to quiet that matches the snow outside. Dusk is upon is and so is joy, a peaceful, quiet joy.

A silent night to you all.

Get out of town

2009-12-16T13:56:00.001-08:00

That we did last week. We went to Cincinnati. It was an under 48 hour trip but it felt good to regroup. It was also good to be with friends that we rarely get to see.

Cheers

2009-12-08T14:46:00.001-08:00

It is time to get back in the swing of things! Gotta love the holidays. I feel like I should be overwhelmed but all is good. Cheers!

Love these ideas

2009-12-05T12:20:00.000-08:00

These are the the type of women who make my head spin. In another life, I will stay home & do it all too

http://theidearoom.blogspot.com/

But she does a good job doing it all.

Christmas

2009-12-01T14:42:00.000-08:00

Need I say more?

I think I am back

2009-10-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, an afternoon with only 4 carpool drop offs & pick ups. A moment to look at the fall foliage. Tried to run this afternoon but can't run in the p.m. anymore. I get all woozy. Mornings are for sure better even in the dark. But I am working on it. So what I have been up to...here are a few photos of the past few months that I have been away. Nothing & everything special

Puttin on the brakes

2009-08-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

As you may or may not have noticed, I am not posting anything new lately. I am taking a break. We are extremely lazy around here - me especially. I am hoping that once school starts & I start again, I will post again. Thanks for reading & hopefully, I will start again soon.

Sunday Toppings

2009-08-03T15:16:00.001-07:00

Dang, I missed it again! Yes, it is Monday again.

I don't have much to talk about this week either. I am "trying" to be frugal & not spend too much.

But I did return something to Lucy & bought a clearance shirt & shorts. Oh so comfy!

I am enjoying two new blogs; Pioneer Woman.com & Dooce.com.

My son wants zucchini bread but I am intrigued by this recipe for green tomato bread on Cooks.com.

Enjoy the week!

Sunday Topping

2009-07-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Winding down. Yes, swimming is over for my 13 yr. old & tennis is winding down too. We are starting up with other sports too but my daughter has some down time.

She has opened a book called "Seams to Me" By Anna Maria Horner. It is a starter sewing book with so many cute crafts. Her first project is a dog bed for our new puppy. Cross your fingers, it should look good & be extra comfy for Cooper!

I too picked up a recipe book called Fast Fix meals. It is full of easy meals that i know my kids will like. The first meal I want to make is chicken turnovers. I already made the fantastic Rah-rah Buckeye Bars. Oh sooo yummy & almost gone in less than 24 hours.

I am truly ga-ga for these pants & can't wait to order them for the fall. Boden is my favorite line. Boden pants

Busy week coming up! Enjoy yours!

Click

2009-07-24T04:40:00.000-07:00

Where is my camera? Why is it so hard to blog without a camera? Well, we are getting a new one. But it is not ready yet. I have 4 shots in my head that I know I want to show ya!

My husband took the memory cards out of my other camera to reconfigure them too. Yikes. I did not understand how much I loved using it now.

My daughter took one photo with her camera phone but does not know how to get it to the computer.

So picture in your mind:

a romping puppy who has recently taken to "killing" his stuffed animals & leaving body parts everywhere.

a HUGE pile of flip flops in my mud room near the door; chaos or organization?

a nipped nose from the puppy that sent me to the hospital & now I look like I have wax on the end of my nose.

a daughter's last tennis game & a son beginning football. Sweaty but happy kids.

Does this all click with you too?

Sunday Toppings

2009-07-20T07:33:00.001-07:00

Sunday is not Monday but somehow the time keeps getting away from me.

I "helped" my sister clean out her car yesterday. I bought her a car caddy too. It is cool & has a place for all your stuff even your lap top. You can zip it up & hide the lap top from view too. Why do we have so much stuff in our cars? It is insane the stuff we now need to tote around. Where did I find it? Where else? Target!

I have been looking & looking for a rug for my room. My old dog ruined the other two. I can't find one that fits, looks good and is cheap! What is this world coming to? I am going to the Pottery Barn Outlet next week & hopefully something will be there.

http://www.potterybarn.com/cust/outlets/content.cfm

I also need to cut down on my calories. I had a little too much fun these past weeks. I am getting some help from this web site:

http://www.thedailyplate.com/

Good bye wine & chips. I will see you in a few weeks!

Hope you enjoy the pattern at the top. I wish I could make them work in my blog!

Backyard

2009-07-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

I love my backyard. I hate my backyard. I am having a backyard crisis. I feel a backyard makeover coming on but how much & what to do?

Big plan - get rid of the deck & make a great big patio with a built in fire pit

Mid-range plan - add on to the deck & make a patio with a fire pit

Small plan - suck it up & just buy a fire pit, set it out in the yard somewhere anywhere

Must-do plan - say "bye-bye" to the swing set. It is time.

Dream plan - move to Cancun & make the ocean my backyard.

What to do?

Sunday Toppings

2009-07-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

Bathing suits are the 1 craziest piece of apparel for women on the planet. I spent the last month trying on & trying to find bathing suits for our trip. All I can say is "Yikes!".

First of all what is the scam about paying for both the bottom & the top separately?

Secondly, they all fit horrendously & are so much money. Thank god for Old Navy & Target.

Never go out intentionally looking for a suit. Let it find you. Casually wander through the racks & pick up 1 or 2 but never let it be known that you are looking for one. The right one will turn up. Once you find one, sneak into the dressing room and try it. Remember behind closed doors to do all of the tricky moves that are done at the beach like bending over, laying on your stomach and applying tanning lotion to your own back. If your suit stays then it is a winner!

Plus bathing suit designers, I am not into big hibiscus flowers on my suit nor 3 different color blue stripes with 1 blaring orange stripe in between them. Gack! Who thought of that?

So what did I find? I found an awesome black bikini top from Old Navy that I mixed and matched with a small black printed two piece from Target. The top of the two piece was a tankini to cover me in case I received some good burns which I did. I also relied on my brown bikini/skort that I bought 5 years ago that still works so well.

It worked out great & 1 day I may have the courage to write about bikini shopping with my daughter which takes hours and many handfuls of cash...but that involves colors, styles, tops that must not match bottoms intentionally, etc., etc., etc.

Enjoy your week in the sun wearing something cool & fun!

Paradise

2009-07-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

Sooo it has been awhile since I have been posting but I have been in paradise. We took the kids & went for a luxurious, exciting, peaceful, restful, much-needed vacation in Mexico.

They had beds on the beach! Yes, beds. Beds that allowed you to relax & enjoy this paradise. And I did.

Top 10 things about this vacation

1. beds on the beach
2. everyone in the family happy
3. snorkeling on the river
4. beautiful blue ocean
5. drinks, lots of drinks including a Miami (everyone's favorite)
6. sundresses & flip-flops with bathing suits underneath
7. 89 degree weather that was never felt because of the breeze from the beach
8. new fruit to taste including guavas & prickly pears
9. 2 pools plus the ocean
10. speaking Spanish & being understood!

Ah, dreams do come true!

My kid's new 'hood

2009-07-03T08:36:00.000-07:00

Those of you who are my age can remember the neighborhood of long ago. It was its own little world. You played Capture the Flag & Kick the Can with any person you could find on your street. Moms and dads had tons of barbecues and Christmas parties and you hung out with the kids while they celebrated. You had a crush on your best friend's older brother even though he teased you relentlessly. You had the crabby old neighbor who yelled at you for the littlest things like being on her grass.

My kids don't have this physical world - this microcosm of society. Sure we have neighbors and some parties but not on same scale as years before. Sure they know two or three kids on the street and they play occasionally but everyone is on an organized team so there is little free time. Most neighbors drive into their garages and shut the doors. Facebook has become their new virtual 'hood.

I let my daughter & son sign up for Facebook last year. Their first few friends were my sisters and some of my closer friends whom they call "aunt so & so". Most of the people they communicate with there are their immediate friends but they also have friended their friend's siblings. They have even friended a few dogs & cats too.

I like this because they can't sign on and make in appropriate comments. My sisters or my friends comment back much like my crabby neighbor did years ago on my street! They play games constantly with these people like Tonk. They even exist in a virtual world called YoVille. This is not Kick the Can or the annual Labor Day block party but it works. (Again, my sister and my friend do these games and virtual worlds too. There are spies everywhere!)

I know Facebook is not the best place for everyone but I am happy to know my kids are part of something even if it is on the computer. (You will be happy to know they do see and communicate with everyone in real life too.) It is a place for them to go though where they can be a part of the happenings of the everyday. It is a community for them where there are the old and the young, close frieends and acquaintances. I believe, they will learn some valuable lessons here from these people. They may not learn to stay off Mrs. Crabby's grass but they will learn how to say "Happy Birthday" to those that count or understand that the crush on your friend's older sibling isn't so great when you see the real person by the comments that are left behind.

The irony of Facebook, for sure, is that you are never face to face physically with anyone. However, you can never get out of anyone's face. (unless you "unfriend" them.) You have deal with the people in your 'hood and learn how to be a decent and good human being to co-exist there. Isn't that what we want in our 'hoods?

I am a.m.

2009-06-30T05:37:00.000-07:00

I have always been a morning person. My family used to "love" me because I was usually up before the sun & wanted them to be up too. Sunday mornings were the worst because usually there was nothing on t.v. so my dad would find us an obscure, fuzzy channel out of Canada showing Daedel Doors. (anyone remember that?) I would also be the first one out to play in the summer. I also certainly think my husband thought twice about marrying me after I woke him many mornings ready to go at 8 a.m. instead of his usual noon.

I am still most energetic in the a.m. Obviously, Starbuck's is my favorite restaurant. I love running & walking at this time. The puppy knows his routine too with a nice trip around the block to greet all of the other dogs. I "sleep in" now that I am on my summer break until about 8. The best part of summer for me is watching the beginning of the day. I know most of you are still in your beds snoozing away but why let that time go? I can proudly say "I am a.m."

Sunday Toppings

2009-06-28T10:12:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for a new summer nail polish color. I currently have orange polish on my toes but that is sooo last year for me. I am feeling the blues lately but the good news is that it is just nail polish. This was a fun web site to check out nail polish colors.

http://www.opi.com/

While I am spending hours "working" on my break, it seems I am always ending up at the computer. Why? I am reading lots of new blogs. Want to read some? Go to this web site & choose a few too. You too need a break from all of your work!

http://www.themomblogs.com/

Uggs don't just make great boots. I love their flip flops. I just ordered the fluffie flip flops in black (after I sold all of my textbooks from school this year!)

http://www.uggaustralia.com/ProductDetails.aspx?gID=w&categoryID=181&productID=5304&model=Fluff+Flip+Flop

Speaking of sandals. I love this local store for all of my great finds. Their summer sales should be coming up too. Plus they have an outlet. *They just changed their name to Pink something but I can't remember it right now...

http://www.shopshoeenvy.com/

Enjoy the last week of June 2009! Do something summery & fun to see it out. Remember how cold it was in the first few weeks of this month?

Fondant Fun

2009-06-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, my creative daughter is at it again. This time "it" is fondant. She created a Father's Day cake for my dad & her dad. She even made little fondant "guys" in their likeness. But the best of all is the little fondant dogs at their side. How fun!

Here's to a great dog!

2009-06-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

So our puppy is getting big. He is a pretty laid back guy. He is not chewing so much but this is his new toy - a rock! I could say here that I have spent oodles on toys but I won't. He loves to walk & play with the hose. He is learning sit, stay & all the rest. The best is that he gives us lots of love when we get home.

Tater tot - the king of all taters & tots

2009-06-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

There aren't too many foods that can be loved by both adult men & children alike. I think the tater tot wins the award though. Last night, we had a friend stop over right about dinner time. Yes, I served the infamous tater tot to my son & husband (my daughter was somewhere else). We here love them. Our friend declined dinner but when those tater tots came out of the oven, everybody including him grabbed some. They were gone in an instant.

Why are they so delicious? They are truly better than fries. I see no way of perfecting them because they turn out great fried or baked. So here's to the tater tot a small morsel that always seems like a mouthful.

Sunday Toppings

2009-06-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have a son who dislikes reading books. He can't explain it. I can't hook him on it. I try & try. Today he picks up a book at his grandparents & reads for 1/2 hour. What was it? The book is called Pick Me Up. It is a page turner because each page is filled with facts & figures, not a story. He loved it.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=pick+me+up&x=0&y=0

He also could not resist the Dangerous Book For Boys. A how-to book about making forts, tying knots and much, much more. He carried it around for weeks.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=dangerous+book+for+boys&x=0&y=0

So this is the summer for fact books and piles of necessary & unnecessary info but FUN info that intrigues him.

Let's hope it keeps up!

What does your 11 year old son like to read?

You can't catch me but I will catch up on a few things

2009-06-17T12:56:00.000-07:00

Great day to end school. Now I just have to find my camera to capture these moments.
I am at home & have nothing to do but what I want to do. This is the stress reliever for a teacher!

I had a good-bye lunch with lots of good people & I will miss them for the next few weeks. But for now and in the next few weeks,

many miles need to be run
my house needs a handy hug
a vacation/adventure needs to had
my kids need blow-off time
the puppy needs help figuring out where to "go"
many frozen margaritas need to be drunk
tennis balls need to be tossed & then smashed at the net

I just have to grab my camera & capture these things.

Hello summertime. Cheers!

Old shoes, pinchy shoes, red shoes, blue shoes

2009-06-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

I came home today from my last day of teaching & started the "Big Sort". The "Big Sort" will last all summer. I am pretty good at getting rid of things & not keeping them around too long but there are still a few things that have to go.

I am going to whittle down my stuff. I will replace & renew only things that need it.

I started with the shoes. I am not a big shoe shopper but I have hung on to some way too long. I have others that I buy in desperation just to match an outfit that may only have been worn once or twice. These are the kinds of shoes that I parted with today.

So long to my 1/2 inch black penny loafers that PINCHED my toes but matched 1 of my many pairs of black pants very well. So I endured the pain of them for fashion but no more!

So long to my really high 4 inch black strappy heels that went with the black dress I wore once to a baptism. Btw, wrong shoes to wear in New York!

So long to my back-up running shoes. The shoes that were always around just in case I lost my other ones. I never needed you.

So long to my quasi-fashionable, really cheap but really wrong black boots that I bought at the end of this season at Old Navy. They really HURT & just didn't go with anything...

So long to my 1 pair of beige, comfy tennis shoes that went with all of my khaki pants to wear teaching. I lost the insert in 1 of them but still wore them for a few more years.

There are a few more that went in this sad pile but I think these are the worse-case scenarios.

The BIG SORT has begun!

My kids do need moi

2009-06-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

The kids are off but I am still teaching for two more days! Today they held their own. They went to swim practice & tennis without moi. They did it! This makes me sad & glad as you can imagine. Nobody needs me but the puppy.

This is true in a those ways but...

My son & I started The Hobbit. I really want him to love reading. I know he is 11 but he hates the process. So we read together still. We were a few pages in when I became tired. I was excited though when he said "Is that all?!". For now, but we can both hear the hammock calling & this good book to lounge about with. Summer joy = lazy & leisurely reading!

My daughter went to her first volleyball open practice tonight for high school. Hold on to your seats - I have an official high schooler. But she still needed me to get her there both physically & mentally. So I did. I'll be there for her the whole way! Good luck baby! p.s. She had a good time & they worked her hard!

I'll be there for these two no matter what they need & I have all summer to do it!

Sunday Toppings

2009-06-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well it is here finally summer & the sun. So what makes my summer? Here is the top 10 list.

1. New puppy
2. Starbucks iced tea with a dash of lemonade
3. My own frappucinos at home!
4. Books & the library
5. Tennis & tennis skirts
6. My bike
7. Tank tops & cute shorts but 1 cool sundress
8. Flip flops -I am partial to Ugg's with fur on the flip-flop
9. My backyard
10. Going anywhere in the world connected to the ocean

Summer, here we come!

Busy daze in a haze

2009-06-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

I promised I would not cry but with two graduations this week, a few tears slipped out. My oldest daughter is leaving middle school for high school & my younger son is entering middle school. *Remember my last cupcake blog entry a few months back

It has been busy here every day with so many events. The kids have had a ball. My daughter's end of the year festivities have included a trip to Chicago, a trip to Cedar Point Amusement Park, a Confirmation, a dance & a graduation ceremony.

None of the above have included my contributions to the ceremonies like a Powerpoint & many dozens of sweets plus shopping for all of the stuff & clothing.

My son has been equally busy but not as well traveled. So last night & today, at the commencement ceremonies, I had a chance to sit back & exhale. I had a chance to reflect that I have 2 great kids who went to 2 great schools. We have had more happy days then unhappy, troubled school days.

My kids are growing up! So in these ceremonies, I took this break from this busy time & shed a few tears. I took the time to capture & enjoy these moments that will be memories in short time. But good memories!

Sunday Toppings

2009-06-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

Thank god May is over. Love that month but it can be so busy. I went to 3 music concerts, 15 baseball games, 4 soccer games, and much more.

So what to do now? Go to the pool. Take a long walk. Hang out. The toppings that go with this lifestyle are

pasta salad! Lots of easy meals so nobody (I mean me) has to be in the kitchen.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,easy_pasta_salad,FF.html

hammocks, especially the one right in my backyard! We have the Byer Amazonus Barbados one from REI.

http://www.rei.com/search?query=hammock&button.x=0&button.y=0

flip flops, flip flops and more flip flops! Old Navy always has enough colors & styles to keep my daughter happy at a good price.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/

plus a vacation! I am trying to win this one from Athleta to Las Olas Surf Camp - my dream!

http://oldnavy.gap.com/ click on Athleta then the Private Surf Safari is at the beginning.

Enjoy the week!

Things I am thankful for

2009-06-04T14:43:00.001-07:00

darkness not 'til 9 p.m.
puppy kisses
new red shoes
cake
&
only 1 week & few days left of school

Bring it on summer!

No, I want the Big Cheez-Its

2009-06-02T13:56:00.000-07:00

I have nothing to say except why do Big Cheez-Its taste better? Could it be the big Diet Coke with it? What snack do you love?

Sunday Topping

2009-05-31T18:56:00.001-07:00

Not much to top this weekend off with because it was all about family. What a better way to top anything than to spend with everybody you love. Plus we had cake. We had chocolate cake & carrot cake, MMMMM delicious!

Bake a cake with somebody then sit down & have a slice together.

I'm "sick" of this

2009-05-27T14:38:00.000-07:00

I had a dr.'s appointment today. I waited for about 15 minutes in the nice waiting room full of good magazines. Then I went in the examining room to wait for the dr. It was a stark, boring examining room. the picture on the wall was a view out a window but also boring.

Is this the last thing that will ever change and be updated? Why are the rooms so boring. As a mom, it was extra difficult becuase the waiting room at the ped's office was fun but once again, it was an awfully, long and boring wait in the examining room. That was with 2 crazy, whiny kids in tow. 1 sick & the other usually healthy & bursting with energy.

I played games with them and kept them busy but why? Today, I sat alone with my thoughts which weren't too bad but why? How about some magazines or a t.v. screen or a video game or maybe an interesting picture like M.C. Escher.

maybe I have my new career because I am truly sick of this! (even gas station pumps have a tv now)(my dentist has a tv and/or music to enjoy)

Thanks for the balance

2009-05-26T14:24:00.001-07:00

I am on the high wire balancing. I fall a little bit then I am upright. Is this for real?! I am learning how to balance my life again.

I am done with schools & exams. I passed everything. It took a long time for me to say this out loud or even type it. I am very superstitious.

Everyday some new things crop up but let me tell you what kept me balanced...

my kids - 2 of them, both weighted equally
my husband - the man who carried me many times & woke up at 4 in the morning to just listen
my parents - who pitched in & kept me stable (they even let me cry on their shoulders)
my new garden - my zen
tv - zoning out
friends - who never went away even though I ditched them for a year
running - I kept it up through rain, sleet & snow...it steered me

I can't thank these people & things enough. I kept tripping, staggering & falling but I made it to the end. I am here & now I know whatever happens, happens & I will always have these things to keep me balanced & keep me going!

Thanks

Sunday Toppings (on a Monday)

2009-05-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day!

My tomatoes for the year are planted. My daughter is trying beans & carrots t plus 1 stalk of corn. We have some strawberries coming in too. Maybe we'll get 1 berry apiece. I am not much of a farmer but I enjoy reaping what I sow! (I am buying pints & pints of strawberries to fill in. The kids can't get enough)

I am still in love with Sundance Catalog. I have my eye on a few things but need to save up my pennies. My 13 year old daughter picked up the catalog. She oohed & ahhed her way through every page. Dangerous! www.sundance.com

Speaking of cowboy country, I keep peeking in on a new blog called Confessions of a
Pioneer Woman. She does a lot of good cooking. We love it cuz we do a lot of good eating. www.thepioneerwomen.com

I also went to Westborn Market this week & splurged on lots of good things. Our favorite so far is the Buffalo chicken flavored sausage. They are so good & so spicy. www.westbornmarket.com

Take a moment & think of the men & women who served our country today. That is the true topping that keeps our world together!

Welcome new puppy

2009-05-22T18:12:00.000-07:00

We have been busy. Our new puppy is great. It is a lot of watching, playing, walking, feeding, and loving. He is a good guy & here he is...

Brring Brring Calling 4 Faith

2009-05-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

Brring, brring, brring.
A True Story From the Cell Phone Generation

Day 1:

"Hello."

"Mom, where are you?"

"I am turning the corner. Can you see me now?"

"O.k."

Day 2:

"Hello."

"Mom, are you coming?"

"I am in the parking lot behind the Mini-Cooper in my big blue van!"

"Oh!"

Day 3:

"Yes! I am here. Put the phone down and back away from it!"

"Oh I see you. You are turning into the parking lot."

Day 4:

"Hi mom. I am in the middle of soccer practice. Why are you calling me?""

"I have called to sat stop calling me to pick you up, I'm on my way. I am here to get you like I do everyday at the same time from practice. Sometimes there is more traffic, sometimes less. The other day your brother came out with 1 shoe on so I sent him back in to get the other one. I was 30 seconds late. The next day, I was early but stopped to talk with another mom in the parking lot. You could see me! And there was the one time that I was 2 minutes late because I stopped to let the mom goose & her babies cross the street."

"But I am here. You are there with your cell phone. Put it down. Have a little FAITH that I am coming like I do everyday."

All tails wag!

2009-05-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

Yes, we got him & tomorrow we'll get him. Our puppy is coming home. He is only 9 weeks & dark as the night but he makes us sooo happy. We have bought lots of stuff for him including a Kong Wubba. This is a cuddly for puppies! Will he like it? I do not know. But I know this is going to be sooo much fun! (yes, plz don't say it again - there is the work too) But who cares the fun outweighs the work! Hopefully pics tomorrow.

Possible puppy fever here

2009-05-05T15:34:00.000-07:00

We are looking into getting a...puppy! I have not posted about my old dog Smitty because we put him to sleep a few months back. It still saddens me to think my dog is gone. There will never be another Smitty.

So a puppy?! He is a little guy. I know it means middle of the night & lots of p*&P & P#@ but it also means lots of kisses & hugs and love.

So we have to visit our little rescue dog this weekend. If we get him then for sure we'll post pics!

Cross your fingers and your tails!

Sunday Toppings

2009-05-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

I can't think of a better Sunday topping then being able to read again (not in Spanish). I cannot keep my nose out of a book. I have a long list too.

Here are a few...

Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson & Relin
A Virtuous Women by Gibbons
Columbine by Cullen
Just Tale My Heart by Clark

What book is on the top of your list to read?

I have just been walking the stacks at the library & finding the ones that jump out at me. Can anyone read every book in the library. Enjoy the week & read a book.

Things I can & cannot do but really don't want to do....

2009-05-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

Yes, exams are done & I have time to relax. I am taking this seriously! Relaxing for me is hard. Plus the hammock is not up in the backyard yet. I usually do not relax until stuff is done. I cannot relax in a mess.

However, relaxing takes work. It involves finding a good book. I am working on Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. It involves a full stomach - thank you Starbuck's & triscuits. It involves my kids by my side. We are watching Hotel For Dogs.

Yes, I can sink into this moment & know that nothing can ruin it. So what don't I really want to do?

I am ignoring the floor, calling a restaurant for prices & 1 load of laundry. What? Relax! It will get done...after I work on my relaxing.

Rain & more rain

2009-04-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

I know spring is here. I have seen my tulips & my 1 petite daffodil. I swear it is a mini-daffodil. It is trying to grow under a bush. But the rain, it just won't stop.

It was fun the first few times it rained but I am done sloshing in it, watching games in it & watching my lawn grow but can't mow in it.

I sat at my daughter's game yesterday & felt the sun as it peeked in & out of the clouds. It felt so good. You know the good where you are wearing jeans & they go insta-warm under the suns rays but you do not bake. Luv it!

But today we are back to rain. So I decided to make the best of it. I crawled into my bed and finished my book!

So when life gives you rain. go get in bed & read!

Sunday Toppings

2009-04-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

Plant more flowers. Spring in Michigan is always iffy. But the flowers are always great! I am looking at bunches & bunches of daffodils right now outside my window. My tulips are still flowerless but I know they are coming. So write on your calendar right now for the upcoming fall (yikes) to plant more flowers.

Reconnect with old friends. The weather was good enough yesterday that we had some friends over. We were supposed to be outside but rain came in the early evening & thwarted our plans. Being inside was not so bad. Thank god for our big basement for the kids. It was great to catch up with them again inside or out.

I am on a salad kick right now. I had Caesar's salad for breakfast. (Yes, this was leftover from last night's dinner) But the night before it was Greek salad. And tonight, it will be a mixture of what's left from both night's salad. I want to try the edamame salad below because I have never worked with them before.

I also like these recipes for salads too:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Caesar-Pasta/Detail.aspx

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Edamame-and-Carrot-Salad-with-Rice-Vinegar-Dressing-104267

I took my longest bike ride of the year yesterday. I can't wait for better weather. We are going to be biking a lot. Find something to do outside & go for it. Maybe bike to Starbuck's & meet a friend.

Have a great week!

My friends all have babies - cute ones

2009-04-21T15:18:00.000-07:00

An old college friend stopped by this weekend. She brought her baby with her. As you know, I have an 11 yr. old & a 13 yr. old. I love the babies! We had so much fun with her as you can see. Everyone should have a trampoline. It is a giant playpen.

Sunday Toppings

2009-04-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Oh, Aldi's you are so great. Now you have gargantuan size recyclable grocery bags. Luv them. I ended up shopping at Kroger's this week. Btw, they give 5 cents off for each bag you bring. That big bag was filled with 3/4 of my groceries. The bagger kept putting stuff in & putting more stuff in.

http://www.aldifoods.com/index_ENU_HTML.htm

I am really enjoying Stone Soup Comics lately. I check in daily but right now two characters have lost their jobs. It is helping me cope too.

http://www.uclick.com/client/wpc/ss/

Can't have a Sunday without food. We are making hummus as we speak. This is a good recipe for it.

http://www.gumbopages.com/food/persian/hummous.html

I also have to say I am still in love with the Living Room Bar in Berkley. Last night I had a Samoa martini. Who would have thought a Girl Scout cookie & alcohol together! Yum!

Have a good Sunday.

Heart beating

2009-04-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

I can feel my heart beating ra-pi-d-ly! I have a lot riding on the next few days of work. Sometimes, I feel like I am in a novel & want to get to the end sooo badly. But I can't turn the pages quickly enough. Then my hearts be-ee-ats faster. I want to slow down my heartbeat but make time go faster.

I think a lot of what if's and when's and ultimately, why's. Then I get to the therefore's and the because's and hopefully one day I will get to the end of this chapter.

I know that when one chapter ends another begins. Sometimes I hope for a twist & turn (but I have to be in control).

The only good part of this book is that my kids are in it. And when my heart starts to beat so quick-ly, I just grab one of them & hold on. Then I feel my heart beating in a good way.

Sunday Toppings

2009-04-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter. It is 1 of my faves. It is such a low pressure, high eating holiday!

Plus I found it! I found my red phone! It is a silly little thing but it has made my whole week. Thanks to the blog, Confessions of a Pioneer Woman, I followed a link to VanDykes Restorers & there it was...my old-fashioned, hang-on-the-wall red phone. Check this site out, it is worth it for the old-fashioned at heart.

http://www.vandykes.com/

p.s. I'll show you my red phone when it comes!

I can't thank Delia's enough for helping me dress my daughter. We have been on a search for jeans & a dress for Confirmation. We have been up and down and all around townSSS literally. She has gone into countless dressing rooms with handfuls of clothing & come out with zip, nada, zilch! Until we get to Delia's. (I hate to go to Delia's because it is at the mall I hate to drive too BUT they have a web site too) So what did we find? A great pair of jeans and I ordered 6 dresses from the website for her to try on in the comfort of our home. Cross your fingers.

www.delias.com

I am addicted to Google images right now. I had to create a website for class last week on Geocities.com with LOTS of help from my sis and we needed lots of images. We found each & every one there from a cartoon motorcycle to tons of pics from the movies. Whew, it was a relief to have such an easily accessible place to find this stuff then go everywhere on the internet.

Enjoy the day!

Easter for teens & pre-teens

2009-04-11T04:18:00.000-07:00

I remember my daughter's first Easter as an 8 month old. She received a small basket filled with teething rings. As both kids grew older, the baskets became bigger and their Easter excitement & joy filled the room. We also added an Easter egg hunt. It usually takes 20 minutes but each year there is 1 egg that cannot be found. Thank goodness, my husband keeps count.

I have found this year will be different with an 11 yr. old & a 13 1/2 yr. old. Once again, my daughter has warned my son NOT to wake her up. My son asks if he can get his basket & then watch t.v.

There are no cute adorable stuffed animals in the basket but there is still lots of chocolate. Plus the traditional pair of sunglasses will be in there too. They just will not have Batman on them or be pink. We will also still do the annual Easter egg hunt. (Although nobody was too interested in the Easter egg dying this year.)

They also still want all of the food that comes with Easter like the ham & egg breakfast casserole & the cheesy potatoes for dinner. (Yes, there are no calories on Easter) Plus we will drag them to church but later this year.

So what to do to make this holiday special for my teen and pre-teen? I think it is time for an annual baseball game, weather permitting!

Or a family rock band concert on the Wii since it is my husband's birthday tomorrow too. As you guessed, 1 of his presents is Guitar Hero - Band. Rock on Peeps!

A toast to toast

2009-04-08T04:42:00.000-07:00

I am sure this title has been used thousands of times but I am into to toast this week. I am not much of a breakfast eater but this week, a nice toasted piece of bread with a little pat of butter has been my morning choice everyday.

We have kept it simple this week. The snow & cold temps have helped keep us inside along with the stack of Blockbuster movies.

We have ventured out for some fun too. Yesterday was my daughter's day. She picked the places to go & a lunch treat out. Today is my son's day & I can't wait to see where we end up.

Hope your week is filled with semi-spring weather, treats & simplicity like toast.

No camera, no time but on vacation

2009-04-06T06:10:00.000-07:00

My life= a trig problem

I have 3 weeks to go until the end of classes! I have 2 weeks to go until 1 big test. My camera battery charger is lost. I bought a new one but husband doesn't like it. Why can't I sneak things into this house?! I also spent 3 hours creating web page with my sister.

all of this

=

not much blogging time

plus

week off with the kids

(times & squared gets me)

low times, high times, happy times, stressful times then I am back to not much blogging time...

I will "+" things here when I can but with no camera it is not much fun!

See you when everything equals out(:

Happy spring & Easter

Annual spring treat

2009-04-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today I had my annual treat to welcome spring. It usually happens on the way home from school. How could it not? I pass 3 ice cream stores.

I see those ice cream stores all closed up all winter long. Then suddenly it is spring. Suddenly those ice cream stores are open again. How could I not indulge?

This year it was a vanilla cone with butterscotch topping from Dairy Queen. And it tasted so good, all alone in the car welcoming spring.

Sunday Toppings

2009-03-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

Once again my daughter is the creative genius in the family. She is going to make decoupage eggs today. She saw them on the cover of the Martha Stewart magazine. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easter-eggs

I went to buy the traditional Easter chocolate bunnies for my kids at Le Petit Prince. It is a French bakery in Birmingham, Michigan. They hand paint the bunnies. My daughter gets the girl bunny & my son gets the boy bunny. The insides are hollow but filled with individual chocolates in the shapes of bunnies, eggs & chickens. (The chickens are a French thing). Plus they made my wedding cake so many years ago...

http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-petit-prince-birmingham

I can't wait for Easter. It is my favorite holiday. What could be more fun; chocolate, candy, & the ever popular holiday tradition, cheesy potatoes. And I always put extra cheese in it!

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1746,133188-253193,00.html

I could shop at this web site all day. They have the cutest clothes. I love their jackets.

http://www.tulle4us.com/
http://www.tulle4us.com/style/jackets_and_coats/

Have a good week! Have fun getting ready for Easter.

Send a child to New York & all you get

2009-03-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

are these great photos! Last week, 1/2 of our family visited friends & family in New York. They had a blast. They met our new niece who is a smiling, "cheeky" baby. I have not met her yet. Is it possible to fall in love from a photo?

Random days, random photos

2009-03-24T16:24:00.000-07:00

Only Tuesday!? What a long week. Maybe these photos will help us all...Spring in my yard. Spring in my heart!

Sunday Toppings

2009-03-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have nothing. There was not much to this weekend. I drove my kids around lots.

I took my daughter shopping & scored a few good buys. We received our annual Victoria's Secret "Get $10 off a bra & free pantie offer". That worked out well. I bought her a bra & pantie for $23.00!

I guess my Sunday toppings are coupons. Find them & use them. The key is to wait especially with food coupons. Typically what you see in the Sunday newspaper gets marked down in the store a few weeks later. So hold onto them until you find a sale then you get way more off!

Hope you are having as nice a day as we are here. Save, save & save!

Quiet

2009-03-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

We have had so many different kinds of quiet here this week. With only two of us, the house echos. Tonight it will be filled again with 4 voices that need to be heard. I also long to hear the clip of my dog's paws on the flow. But it has been a month since he has left our family.

I also have a steady humming that quietly goes on in my brain. It is a sound that does not stop but is filled with "what ifs" and "hows" and "whens" and "whys". There are no answers right now & that silence is deafening. I long for a time when the quiet actually is filled with calm again. I have also found through all this thinking that the nights (when I am awake at 3) are filled with a quiet all their own.

The weather too has been quiet and wonderful. I am trying to fill my soul with sun. I can only hope for the next few weeks to go sooooo quickly & quietly. I long for the hum-drum quiet again.

Another good quiet is being with someone you love & not having to fill the void. I had those moments with my 11 year old son. Although we had many discussions, there were moments of absolute quiet but full of togetherness.

Perfect parfait of a day!

2009-03-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

Two of our family are out of town. They got to go have "fun". The two that stayed got to have ice cream for dinner. Delicious ice cream with butterscotch topping on an outside bench! Then it was a drive through the neighborhoods just chatting away enjoying the sun.

As we passed the nature preserve, my son wanted to stop & walk. With beautiful weather, good company and nothing to do, why not? He walked around with a great big stick that looked like a club. He hit dead trees. He left a mark where he could claiming we would need to find our way out. But who wanted to do that?

I had all the time in the world with an 11 year old boy who mind was full of creative ways to pass the time. We left the nature preserve & on the way home, I dropped him off at a neighbors to play basketball.

This is a perfect parfait of a day!

Sundae Toppings

2009-03-15T12:58:00.000-07:00

What could be better than spring?! Finally green grass, blooming things & being outside & warm at the same time. I can even see my frog tiles in the garden. I have photos of my indoor tulips in full color & my poor outdoor tulips that you can barely see BUT they are there! Say yes to spring!

I must say my spring is going to be very springy since my life & job status are crazy but I have already started to add pieces to my wardrobe to help me through these springy times.

I ordered this skirt from Boden & hopefully it will fit right. It is a skirt for all occasions. I wanted a pair of pants too but they are already sold out.

http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/Womens-Skirts/Knee-Length-Skirts/WG320/Womens-Casual-Flippy-Skirt.html

I have a new love that I met yesterday at the library. From my favorite magazine, I found my new favorite cookbook: Southern Living Cookbook. I am ordering a used one from Amazon.com for $9.97.

It has croissant French toast with strawberry sauce. Decadent! I also want to try Greek garbanzo stew & orphan's rice. The secret is out that I am a Southerner at heart & also want to cook muffulettas & Hoppin' John.
http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Southern-Living-Cookbook-Hardcover/dp/084873114X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237147384&sr=8-1

What else came about over the weekend? My son's birthday party with beautiful weather. So seven 11 year olds played outside most of the time. His favorite present was slingshot rockets that go really high. Warning: do not be near any roofs, as we found out the hard way!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Slingshot-Rockets,-3-Missiles-%26-Launcher,-Brand-New!_W0QQitemZ220361344733QQcmdZViewItem

Have a great week. Hopefully I can blog twice this next week but it may have to be from outside sitting in my deck chair. Such a hardship!

Why do these people have to eat?

2009-03-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

I am here not over there. I have no idea what to cook and why I should be cooking it. Why does everyone need to eat? I am happy with a few carrots, a wedge of cheese, Cheeze-Its and umm, I don't know. I hate being frugal too because I know Senora Taco bell or Mr. McDonald's could help me out. But seriously, why do they have to eat? Who invented these meal rituals? My kids don't need a meat, a vegetable and a starch. They can make it on a bowl of cereal with a handful of Cheeze-Its thrown in. O.k., I'll go make dinner but I am not going to like it.

Old times, good times

2009-03-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Once in a great while you get to meet somebody from your past. Saturday I met a few somebodies from my elementary school years. We are all *&^ years old now but still look good. It was fun to reconnect & see what's new after 20 plus years. And to know we still got it!

Where is my groove?

2009-03-09T13:11:00.000-07:00

Has anybody seen it? I have to catch up on sooo much. I did not even do my Sunday toppings so here are Monday's leftovers.

My daughter is reading Nicholas Spark's. She started with The Notebook and loves it. Kudos to him for writing such good books. I can't wait to watch the movie with her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Notebook

We had fun walking the streets of Royal Oak on Friday night. My daughter really likes this little store on Main St. called Pitaya. Pitaya always has cute dresses for girls & fun tops.

http://www.pitayaonline.com/

Had a great time perusing the aisles of TJMaxx all alone sans kids on Sunday. Wish I could show you the sundress/skirt that I bought! Love TJMaxx on a rainy day.

Hopefully this week I can blog more & find my groove!

360 cupcakes

2009-03-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

It has come. I can't believe it is here. I am frosting the last cupcake of the last birthday of the last elementary year. Tomorrow is my son's birthday and I made the traditional cupcakes for his last elementary birthday.

I am sad. I knew this day would come but it came so fast.

I am happy. Elementary school is hard for kids and for parents. There is so much to do & so much to make like the dreaded 2nd grade castle project or the highly detailed 4th grade geometry poster project and lots and lots of cupcakes.

What is an elementary school birthday without cupcakes?!
I have made 30 cupcakes for 6 years now just for my son. Plus 30 cupcakes for 6 years for my daughter. That is 360 cupcakes!

I have made chocolate ones, vanilla ones, rainbow sprinkle one & red velvet ones. I have frosted them in vanilla & chocolate and made vanilla 1 year into a really bad shade of pink. I have put rainbow sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles on them and made them into faces one year I have done Barbie themes, animal themes and sports themes. I have made them in cones too.

I may have eaten almost as many "mistakes" too!

If I Could Talk to the Clothes (sung to If I Could Talk to the Animals)

2009-03-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

I was just reading the blog C Jane Enjoy It. She mentioned that she wants some shoes. Not only did she mention it but she talked to them directly. That is me too!

I am a clothes horse! (Yes, you can continue humming If I Could Talk To The Animals - it is appropriate for a clothes horse) There are pieces I love like my new yellow coat, my new boots and my orange sweater. I always tell them that they are delicious. I apologize when I forget about them like I did when I found my orange sweater stuffed in the back of the drawer today. I have promised my yellow coat that I will wear it soon.

I have been anticipating putting away the winter clothes and pulling out my spring ones. Hello blue top with the bow on front and green coat that I just love. Spring is here!

I will continue to welcome you with each season & say a short adieu to you when the seasons pass. Plus I will introduce you to the new pieces that come. And don't we look good.

p.s. my yellow coat was $12 at a resale store in Houston. What a deal & yes, I do love ya!

Sunday Toppings

2009-03-01T07:03:00.000-08:00

What to say? It was both a long week & a quick week with little time for myself.

It was the start of Lent so my daughter & I are giving up meat again & sugar. It is a fun challenge & I enjoy trying new veggie meals.

Tonight we are having linguine & clam sauce. I substitute the chicken broth with veggie broth. Yum.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1758,132190-252195,00.html

This week, we will also be having crepes with ricotta on the inside & tomato sauce on the top. This is a first time recipe but it sounds pretty good. Dare I say an easier lasagna?!

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,195,145169-246205,00.html

We are also eating lots of peanut butter. And with peanut butter comes Nutella - Yum! If you have never tried this tasty spread, look for it next time in your peanut butter aisle at the grocery store. Target even has it! I wish the web site had a coupon for ya but didn't see one. Plus this could really be a sundae topping!

http://www.nutellausa.com/

Lots of food today but its good food.

How do you live without a ponytail?

2009-02-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

I went yesterday & had my hair cut. It was getting long and dreams of shorter hair were dancing around in my head. I used to have really short hair as a child. Often people would think I was a boy. My mom thought less hair was the easiest way to go with four girls.

I did not grow my hair long until college simply because I never understood how to grow it out. In college, it was halfway down my back & long & really thick & really full. No more boy comments then & a ponytail was definitely needed from time to time. I cut it really short once more 13 years ago & hated it. Why? No ponytail.

A ponytail is a glorious thing on Saturday mornings when one does not have to care. Or Thursdays when one is sick of blowing out one's hair. Or Mondays when one can't face the mirror after being lazy all weekend. Or for the last-minute run that I try to get in before going to work. Or for those times when one just can't get to a mirror at all.

So needless to say, the hair was trimmed yesterday but just to my shoulders and long enough for a ponytail when needed...

Enjoy the weekend & DON'T let your hair down!

Bottled up past

2009-02-24T13:18:00.001-08:00

I have been known to get on a streak now & then. I will buy something again & again until I tire of it. I definitely like to try & do new things but lately, I have been needing the past & I have been buying it.

Not my past but times gone by that I only read about & view on my t.v. I have spent the last few weeks cuddled up in the chair watching the DVD set of All Creatures Great & Small which shows simple farm life in the 1930's-40's in England.

Then I saw something else like it in the grocery store. It is a glass bottle of milk. How old-fashioned and simple and perfect. It costs a few more dollars but right now I love the look and the feel. Isn't that worth a few more dollars right now?

p.s. I bought chocolate milk in the bottle too
p.p.s. I don't even drink milk

Sunday Toppings

2009-02-22T14:54:00.000-08:00

Not much to report this week. I was on vacation from the snow & the internet. I did find a few things today that looked cool...

Free museums & sights to see:
I had lots of homework today so my husband played Mr. Mom or Mr. Tourist guide. He took the kids to the Automotive Museum in Dearborn for free. This is thanks to the museum passes that the library lets us check out:

http://www.detroitadventurepass.org/

Do you have 1 of these in your town?

I am doing roasted vegetables tonight since it won't stop snowing & we need something warm. Hope this recipe turns out yummy!
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Vegetables/Detail.aspx

My son's birthday is in a few weeks & we changed it up this year. We sent the invites out using the evites web site. It was free & he could add a music playlist to go with the invite. He loved it. I have used it a few times already. It makes keeping track of your party easy as long as you have everyone's emails.

http://www.evite.com/

Enjoy the last week of winter! This is not a wish but a declarative statement. Do you hear me Mother Nature!

Babies growing up...

2009-02-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well, he finally did it. My son is in adult-sized shoes. Bye to so much stuff. I remember the relief of finally not carrying a diaper bag but nobody told each sport has a sports bag & equipment too!

Good times, relaxing times

2009-02-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

Ah, Houston for a few days. No snow, no cold & good times & good friends. It felt great to get away. The kids had a good time. The pics are truly worth 1,000 words.

Vive les crepes

2009-02-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

Day 4 of making crepes! It started on Valentine's Day. As a treat for my son's class, I sent in pre-made crepes with chocolate sauce or strawberry sauce plus whipped cream. It was a hit! The next day, my husband made more crepes with their favorite cinnamon & sugar on the inside. Day 3 was my son's turn at crepes. he as you can see made the world's largest crepe. It barely fit in his mouth. Today my daughter made the most perfect recipe of crepes. When we are on a roll we are on a roll!

Landgraf Book of Records #1 - largest crepe goes to son

Sunday Toppings

2009-02-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

I am changing the name of Most Excellent to Sunday Toppings. Hopefully, it will be a Sunday thing about good things I have found in my life & on the web. I have a few for today.

Had a great time at The Living Room Martini Bar in Berkley, Michigan on 12 Mile. So many martinis to choose & so little time. A.k.a. Amici's Pizza
http://www.amicispizza.com/index_MOZ.html

Some of these would be nice for a room change.
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/interactive-wallpaper--stickers-decal-decals-transfers
http://www.create-a-mural.com/Home.html

Try these recipes for new ways to make mac n cheese!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/creamy-baked-fettuccine-with-asiago-and-thyme-recipe/index.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/macaroni-and-4-cheeses-recipe2/index.html

Getting ready for spring & expanding my tomato garden.
http://www.tastefulgarden.com/

What to pick from Boden this spring?
www.bodenusa.com

Marbling paper, can't wait to try it with the kids!
http://www.show.me.uk/site/make/Art-and-Design/STO953.html