out of the mouths of babes

Tomorrow, on October 1st- Trick Or Treating opens at my house for the boys next door. It is the most fun event ever. October is my absolute favorite month!! Today I was inquiring with Parker as to what type of candy to have available. He informed me that candy isn't always healthy and that I should get them some toys too. It really cracked me up!! I went to the store today and stocked up on their favorites.... and some toys too! I can't wait for the fun to begin!!

in case you wondered....

.... what the tradition is for when I meet a new niece or nephew... check this out!

my favorite pic from the weekend

I will post more pictures later, but I wanted to post my favorite picture from the weekend. I am getting this printed for my house-- in black and white of course. Two people I love simply being precious together!!

this weeks recipe and review

This week is a recipe you probably will not want to try for yourself- but you never know so I decided to share it anyway. Neither of us particularly enjoyed it.

Recipe for disaster

2 travelers
evenly sprinkled with
1 midnight phone call
1 explanation of a canceled flight
1 explanation of the lack of flight attendants
1 rescheduled flight
1 explanation that they are on different flights from each other
1 further explanation that both plane are full, so neither can move to the other's plane
1 more rescheduled flight moved to another airport
1 plane with mechanical problems
1 2 hour delay
1 bumpy flight
1 run through two concourses
1 missed connection
1 wait in a LONG ling
1 walk to another concourse
1 standby status on the next flight
1 standby denied
1 more walk to still a different concourse
1 more standby status on the next next flight
1 more standby denied
1 schedule on a flight 12 hours after original flight should have landed at home
1 explanation that seats on that flight could not be confirmed
1 walk to the several rental car counters
1 credit card put down
1 car rented
1 drive 115 miles home
1 return of the rental car
1 getting their car out of airport parking
1 drive HOME

Coat both travelers with an even mix of nice and rude Delta employees. Let simmer for at least 15-20 hours.

Now, this is the part we actually LOVED in the whole recipe
top each traveler with

1 sweet pup filled with licks and love
1 plop down and do absolutely NOTHING

Thursday 13: Thirteen text I would have sent Kate today.

Katie-kins had the day off. I wish I could have sent her these text. Other readers, you may be confused- SORRY!!


1) Forget about the buns in the oven! We baked them today.

2) Can't wait to see my year book pic. A total photo by Deb. Did she make you lean forward?

3) If you are looking for them, we filed the biscuits in the never again category.

4) HUGE case of mistaken identity today! It was AWFUL- it involved lots of tears. I will give you a hint, ours has teeth.

5) Here is a photo text of my homecoming corsage al a maddie-cake.
5) I left it to share with you, I told her you'd wear it to the next Alabama Game.

6) I also told her you would take a picture, wearing it at the stadium.. heehee

7) I went to the little pink box store today and didn't get ANYTHING for myself since we weren't together. It just felt weird.

8) New lyrics to "Party in the USA" remind me to tell you.

9) Can't believe you missed -the day- the music- DIED. My performance was possibly award winning. Hope Kanye doesn't show up and say someone else had a better hammer dropping line time.

10) I even worked the KI phrase that pays in..... "My Momma..."

11) Mr. D. said the new Courtney Cox Show made him think of us. Not sure if we should be offended, or flattered. I am also not sure who got to be Courtney Cox. I am guessing you since you have dark hair- I guess I was the blond? What did she play in ? We need more clarification on this one.

12) You missed Ravioli day- I wish you could have seen a certain little buttercup of mine that ended up with dark red eye brows.

13) Take care of the sweeties tomorrow. Ltr G8r!

my day

What a crazy mixed up messed up day. I went to school and it was picture day. Luckily, it is also picture day tomorrow as well, so I get a do over. I didn't sleep well last night. Then this morning I was SO tired when it was time to get up. I went to work. Enjoyed my day with my AMAZING class. Had something dramatic happen that I do not wish to discuss on or off line. I had to leave work early today to go and get my drivers license renewed. The line wasn't terribly long. For those of you who do not live in our city, the main county where I work has closed all of it satellite office, including the one I could have gone on my lunch break to. The drivers license office by my house closed at 3- so I ended up having to take some time off and go. So that is done. Check. I came home and started to work on my guest room which has become an adoption/girl scout/mail/school catch all room. I put in the movie Getwell. It is a documentary a friend of mine worked on. I can tell you now- the room is not really any cleaner now than it was when I started. It was a very interesting and inspiring documentary . It is amazing. Check out their website here. You can see the trailer and you can also see the project they are currently working in. It is so interesting!! My friend's name is Patrick if you want to see him. I loved it. OK- I have to stop blogging now and get back to the pesky guest room!!

had to laugh

I not only LOL'd, but I basically LMAO- yes- the whole A!!

One of my readers mailed me a gift to my school!!

Cozumel Grill coupons!!

She is so funny! Thanks Mandy!!!!

Week 2 recipe and review

Tonight we have this recipe. It is for Buffalo Wings. Even more people reviewed it since I posted last night. I would note if you make them DO NOT follow the directions part of the recipe. It reads that step 1 is to heat the oil, but then in step 2 you put the wings in the refrigerator for an hour to an hour and a half. I WOULD NOT recommend heating oil for that length of time. The wings were good. The sauce was mild enough to enjoy. Next time I wouldn't put the breading on but only because I like wings better that are not breaded. The flavors, and crispness were GREAT!! Mr. D. had me make a hotter sauce for him. He said he really enjoyed them.

1,151 people can't be wrong...

... tune in tomorrow for the recipe and our review.

pics from Monday Night

I just uploaded my camera and here are some pics I forgot to post Monday night. The Patriots won the first game of the year!! Whoo Hoo!!

Thursday 13: Thirteen things that happened this week

1) I watched it rain almost every day, or at least it seems like it has.
2) I poured over pics of Henry on Meredith's Blog. He is such a cutie!
3) I worked on a half a million task for school.
4) I kicked off the year with my Girl Scouts. So far I have 15 Brownies (2nd, 3rd) and 6 Juniors (4th, 5th). Each one sweeter than the next. I love them!!
5) I got fussed at by the Wii fit.
6) I saw a rattlesnake- luckily dead.
7) I deliberated over what to wear to an upcoming affair. (I'll bet Meredith just snickered!)
8) I had Bojangles.
9) I researched what I needed to do to renew my driver's license.
10) I started back to assisting with Art Classes.
11) I slept through the night every night so far! (which is amazing- since I haven't in months!)
12) I installed my new custom made by me phone skin. It's cute.
13) I decluttered and already filled the recycle bin for next week by doing so.

this weeks recipe and review

Hot Mexican Corn Dip

2 (15.25 ounces) cans of whole kernel corn, drained
10 jalapeno peppers chopped (I used 7 and it was PLENTY!)
1 tsp garlic salt
8 oz block of cream cheese
1/4 cup of butter

Put all ingredients in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Serve with corn or tortilla chips.

I made this today to take to a party that we were going to with a Mexican theme. I mainly chose this recipe because I had most of the ingredients in the house. I had a can of Jalapenos left over from my cooking class this summer. The funny part about this recipe is that Mr. D. can't eat Jalapenos without getting sick and I have not been eating corn lately, so basically it was something neither of us should be eating. We both tasted it. I thought it was OK, Mr. D. thought it was good. A few people at the party seemed to like it, and a lot of it was eaten. I only put in 7 jalapenos - but it definitely has a kick to it. I couldn't imagine if it had 10 in it! That would have been hot hot HOT!!

an update, exciting news and a big reveal

I can't believe it is another weekend and I have been neglectful (yet again) of the blog this week. I wish I could say that lots has happened, but that would be a lie. We had Philosophy Night at our school this week. It was the best one we have had since I started the school. There were all of the great elements, laughter, interaction, food, drama (not in my class thank goodness) and FUN! The school year is going extremely well. I have many things on my to-do list, but we are flying down hill to October which is a very busy time of the year. Pretty much from Sept-Dec it is non-stop busy. Infact we always joke that no one wants to do anything from January-August, and then September-December we couldn't possible add another event. Here are some things on the agenda for Sept-October are the following (in no particular order- just how they randomly pop in to my head).
* I get to meet Henry!! Of course, I am flying to meet him, and they are flying to get home- which may put a damper on my usual "when I finally meet my Niece/Nephew" gift. I am going to have to get creative- more on that after I meet him, as to not spoil the surprise.
* A trip to New York, a quick weekend flight to visit Mr. D's Grandparents.
* This is something I won't be doing. Due to another obligation, I will not be able to attend the school potluck, which if you remember, I had the perfect carrier for. Sigh.
* Eden's Birthday - Last year, I was told it was the last big party (anyone change their mind??) - but I still want to do something special with her.
* FOOTBALL- the Patriots Season kicks off tomorrow night
* Open House at my school- one of my favorite night of the year.
* 2 field trips
* Mr. D's B-Day
* My school's Fall Festival (best family event of the year!)
* thirty one nights of trick or treating with the Parker and Caleb. Starting October 1st, they are welcome to come and trick of treat every night at my house. I stock up on their favorites!
* Thanksgiving
* My SC Friend Russell is visiting for the South Carolina Game!!
* adopting our baby... ok- I just threw that one in there just in case. We haven't found our baby yet- so don't get too excited.
* in the meantime, placing ads
* decorating the house for fall
* 29 parent/teacher conferences
* my Mom's birthday
* Thanksgiving Holidays and Festivities
* I am not sure of the plans on this, but potentially a family night for my class
* The beacon 'o' Halloween goes up. Mr. D. loves Halloween, and with it being a Saturday, I can only imagine what this year has in store.
* a big meeting at my school
* Our annual trip to the scare-crow walk
The next thing I have to tell you- I can't even think about. I am allowing myself to think about it only long enough to type it and then I have to put it away again. Because- If I really allowed myself to feel the reality of this- I would not be able to even think about any of this other stuff- much less accomplish anything.
* Donovan and Kaleigh, along with their parents will be home for Christmas!!!!! I haven't seen them since July '08.
OK- compartmentalizing..........
* helping Patsy more with Granny's Estate. There is so much to do!
* starting the Girl Scout troop for the 09/10 school year
* visiting with Charlotte Anne- should she make an 2009 appearance (she is due 12/31)

I am sure I have left something out. I am working on my calendar this afternoon, so if I think of anything else, I will post.

OK- the exciting news!!
For my birthday, Tiffani got me a new Pampered Chef Mini Baker!!
My beloved deep dish baker met it's demise, and she remembered and got me a new one. It is just in time for Dip Season!! I don't even want to think of how many blocks of cream cheese will be purchased, prepared and consumed in the coming months. Anyway, I am now prepared for dip central!
Last night, my facebook status was : You know it is football season when you can go an entire day without eating anything that actually constitutes a meal.
Here is a picture of the dinner I served last night during the South Carolina Game.

On the left, a dip made with whipped cream cheese with raisins and you dip celery in it. It's basically a lazy girls version of my ants on a log snack. On the right is a blue cheese dip.

Now- for the big announcement: The theme of football season!!
Every year, I create a theme that is my theme of football season. One year it was Soup Sundays, another is was a new appetizer every quarter, another it was only dips all season. This year - the theme is a Season of Surprise. I will be surprising us with a new recipe each week. It could be a main course, a super fun salad, a soup, a dip, an appetizer- something we have never tried before. And, to make things fun- I will be posting and giving our reviews of the recipe each week!! So, stay tuned!

what a weekend!

I was so thankful to have a long weekend, both for relaxing and for getting things done.
But, before I tell you about anything we did I have to take care of two orders of business. First, and most importantly...

And second, you must try this recipe this week. Shrimp Scampi! Please, just try it and DON'T go with the non-butter butter either. Just close your eyes and put the two sticks in- it is worth it. I made this Sunday night and it was SO SO SO good. I am rarely blown away for my own cooking- but this was fabulous. Restaurant quality folks. I did add whole white button mushrooms. Mr. D. said next time to add a little Parmesan cheese on top. Add salad and bread sticks and you have a meal. I wish I could make it again tonight!

Let's see.... the weekend. Friday evening, Mr. D. got of work early the stopped on his way home to get my contacts. Hallelujah!! There is a long story on why I couldn't stop and get them myself that I won't bore you with - but just know there has never been a girl so happy to put a new pair of contacts in! After that, he came home and we made a list of things we wanted to do in the next four days, and then- since it was payday, he took me out to dinner! Anyone want to guess where we ate?? Cozumel Grill! I loved every bite of it. Then as an added bonus, we rented a couple of movies.

Saturday, we got up and worked on projects. I had a huge project in the garage that I tackled first thing. That afternoon, we went to a wedding. After the wedding we spent a nice and relaxing evening at home watching the 'Bama game, and working little projects.

Sunday, we worked a little more around the house, and for our afternoon entertainment, we made a shopping list and went to the grocery store. That night, I made the shrimp scampi and we watched a movie.

This morning, I made chocolate chip muffins for breakfast (from a mix, not homemade). I was chatting with my Mom about someone kind of in the family who passed away, and as I bent down to put the muffins in the oven- MY PHONE went in as well!! Is slid on back under the racks. I started screaming and trying to find something to get it out with. It was only in here for a couple of seconds, but got a little bubbly on the plastic. Otherwise, the phone is fine. The oven was at 400 degrees. So, I took the last of my birthday checks- and purchased a new shell for my phone. I was able to custom design it. I used my amazing publishing software, and here is what it is going to look like.
I think someone in the house must have broken a mirror lately with all of the things that have gone wrong in this house lately. Air Conditioning needing repair, my laptop cord dying, the Delta miles debacle, the phone in the oven, etc, etc, etc. The list goes on.

Anyway, great news! After a 2 month hiatus, we finally finished touching up the paint in the bedroom/bathroom today. It was great to finally mark that off of the never ending to do list! I am proud of us.

OK- dinner is ready, off to enjoy a quiet evening before back to work tomorrow!!

fyi

This week, I got my print from sweet Rylee's newborn photo session. I found a perfect spot for her in the house. I think this is a super cute pic of the little sweetie pie.

Meet Penelope..named after Penelope Widmore of course. Penelope was my birthday present from Mr. D. She is a cheeky little British lady who makes my cell phone into a speaker phone that I can hear through the speakers in my car. This makes me a safer driver than having to try and hold the phone and drive. That Mr. D.... so practical. Actually, I really like having her.

As a birthday surprise to me, our air conditioning system had perfect timing on needing repair. Actually it didn't cost too much, relatively speaking. That could have turned a happy birthday into a crappy birthday in a heartbeat. The guy came and fixed it that very afternoon and we were living the meat locker life by the time we went to sleep.

Tragedy struck our closet the other day. My hanging bars run parallel. My top bar is for tops and my bottom bar is for bottoms. (duh!). Anyway, the other morning the bottom bar fell to the ground causing a big mess to occur. So, I decided it was time to clean out the old closet. I made a bag for Goodwill, gave a few outfits to a friend and reorganized the closet. One thing I finally stored after 10 years was my wedding dress. I took a few pics incase I forgot what they looked like. Here is my head piece- which I LOVED!! I still enjoy putting it on every now and then. It is precious. Basically a beaded headband and veil attached.
And this is a glimpse of the beadwork on the dress.
I am sad to put it all away- but we have to make room for present day things. So, now the closet is back to working properly and I am finding it much easier to get ready in the mornings!!