Week 6, Gratitude

Day 34- Dips! Queso from a jar and Chocolate Chip Dip from here. (2.3.13)
Day 35- Easy dinners! Panini and salad. Not deluxe, but good. (2.4.13)
Day 36- Thaw. Heat. Eat. My kind of meal! Everyone got to choose between 2 different leftover soups we froze over the past month or so. Perfect. (2.5.13)
Day 37- My printer. It copies and does everything that the copy store printer does...only right in my own home! I lu-hu-huv it! I've never used some of it's cool features until recently...like double sided copies, or putting in a stack of papers I need copied into the feeder and have it print my desired amount of copies. Oh yes! It's THAT spiffy. (2.6.13)
Day 38- Books made into movies.*see below We gave Warm Bodies (a book we haven't read, but now we want to) 2 enthusiastic thumbs up! (2.7.13)
Day 39- Not giving into temptations. Wanted to eat out instead of making dinner, but didn't! Good for many many reasons! (2.8.13)
Day 40- Crossing stuff off of to-do list. Such a great feeling! (2.9.13) 


*Can I just say how wonderful it is to have a book turned into a movie? (note: technically I don't need your permission, since this is MY blog, but it sounds nicer if I ask) It's awesome even when you haven't read the book! (in fact most of the time, I prefer it that way) But it's so much faster to watch a movie than it is to read a book. And there are SO MANY BOOKS I want to read, but can only squeeze in about a book a month. If you do the math, that's like 12 per year! So, here's to NOT reading some of them. Go Team Laziness!

Expecting? I didn't expect that

Last year, as I was helping my grandma go through boxes and boxes of old photos, we came across this pregnancy book...from when my mom was expecting Yours Truly. When I brought it home, I placed it on a shelf above my dresser, and there it's sat for over a year! (that's embarrassing).

This week, I went to put the book away, and began looking through it again. I was shocked when I found some old receipts! Babies were CHEAP back then. Yes, I know it's all somewhat relative because minimum wage was $1.60 (I just looked that up. Holy cow!) At any rate, here is what my parents spent on my crib, mattress and bumper pad- $44.00 (the back of that receipt shows my mom's handwriting, stating what it was for) My car seat and high chair were $35.07. Let me say that again... $35.07! 

Me. Nov. 1972

I saw on facebook one day, that one of my friends had spent something like $300 for a car seat! I about had a heart attack! I thought: how in the heck are Ky and Trent going to be able to afford a baby when they have one? How will I afford to be a grandparent? (This, thank goodness, is not a baby announcement for them) But, when our "baby" was born, we bought the best car seat on the market (according to consumer reports) for about $100-150. I remember it was the Alpha Omega. The Beginning and the end. Meaning, it was the only seat you would have to buy. And for the most part, it was. Although we did by a less bulky booster seat when she was about 4 or 5.

OK sorry. Enough rambling. I just wanted to share my findings with you. It's not every day that we run into a financial record dating before we were born!
Almost forgot the song of the day: When You Were Young- The Killers  favorite line: They say the Devil’s water it ain’t so sweet
You don’t have to drink right now 
But you can dip your feet 
Every once in a little while

Favorite Homemade Eats

I just love steaming up the windows in the winter time with these delicious dinners! Here's 10 of my favorite dishes for those chilly evenings. Mmm. Enjoy!

• Chicken Tikka Masala- "Chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and then served in a tomato cream sauce" We serve it with Basmati rice. We do make a couple minor changes to the recipe: we use fat free plain yogurt, we use fat free half and half instead of heavy whipping cream, and lastly, we don't bother grilling the chicken. We just cook it with a little olive oil in a frying pan.
• Disney's Pork with Root Beer Apples. (a dish you can get at the Blue Bayou at Disneyland) It's a jerk seasoned pork loin served with a spiced root beer and apple- sauce (not applesauce) Heavenly. We always cook up a box of scalloped potatoes to accompany this delicious meal!
• Parmesan Broiled Tilapia- Light. Warms up the kitchen. Perfection!
• Sarge's Pulled Pork Sandwiches- We add liquid smoke, garlic and onions to this very simple recipe. Serve with coleslaw ON the sandwich and sweet potato fries on the side, for a truly southern experience.
• Delicious Ham and Potato Soup. Darn near 7000 people rate it 5 out of 5 stars on All Recipes. We've been making it for about 6 years now. It's a tradition for us to do it with our left-over Christmas ham, but don't worry, we make it other times as well.
• White Chili. Yum Yum Yum. Deliciouso!
• Thai Curry Soup- Hubba hubba. red curry paste and rice noodles make this absolutely incredible.
• Chef John's Mac and Cheese- at our house, we call it "Grown up Mac and Cheese" We love it for the kick! Go a little lighter on the noodles that the recipe states though. It's a little too dry if you don't.
• Cheesy Corn and Potato Chowder. Don't be afraid of the gravy mix. I promise it's good. Oh, and we don't use canned corn. My family doesn't like it. We opt for frozen.
• The Best Vegetarian Chili in the World. Since my 16 year old is a vegetarian, we've adapted most of our recipes to be meat free, or of the just add meat variety, but it's very nice when I come across a meal that I don't have to doctor up or strip down to enjoy. This is definitely one of those meals!

 As you can tell, we use All Recipes for a great deal of our cooking. I love that I can read what other people think about the dish and what people changed. I just can't say enough good about such a great FREE resource.
You can play along with Top Ten Tuesday by clicking the button below. 

Gratitude, Week 5

I am thankful for...

• Windshield wipers and snow scrapers! (1/27/13)
• Lunch dates and sushi with my sweet husband (1/28/13)
• Multi-tasking to get me through another Tuesday! I'd explain, but I would seriously need an entire post to do it. I'm THAT amazing! (1/29/13)
• Raising Hope- married with Modern family. Such a cute episode! And I watched it under the electric blanket, snuggled up with Jason and Supe with full tummies from a dinner that no one in my house cooked! (1/30/13)
• Thankful for a forgiving husband...there were moments today that I was not proud of. (1/31/13)
• Able to help in Supe's class & so grateful it's FRIDAY! Also thankful for my SIL- she makes a great partner in crime! (2/1/13)
• Weight Watchers meetings! Love the support. Love the leaders. Love the great ideas and rejuvenation it gives me for the week! (2/2/13)

Week 4, Gratitude

I'm Grateful for...

• Late Church...guaranteed sleep-in, plus, I don't really get dressed until I'm ready to leave, and by the time I get home, it's too late in the day to get into a new outfit- so pj's it is! (1/20/13)
• To-Do Lists...they keep me on top of stuff I need to get done! (1/21/13)
• Dinner Disasters...that turn out delicious in spite of mistakes. :D (1/22/13)
• Hot Food on a Cold Day...made Spinach Quinoa Mac & Cheese. Good but needs much more salt and some pepper and roasted garlic (1/23/13)
• Snow boots and great neighbors...both are helpful in the snow and ice! (1/24/13)
• Electric Blankets...need I say more? (1/25/13)
• Hale Center Theatre  and season tickets...Such great shows! (1/26/13) 

Top 10 Cupcake Recipes | Taste of Home Recipes

Top 10 Cupcake Recipes | Taste of Home Recipes

Week 3, Gratitude

I'm thankful for...

• Productive mornings...gotta love 'em! (1/13/13)
• Old bananas....they make a heavenly cake! (1/14/13)
• I didn't throw up!...One of my preschoolers puked. Gross (1/15/13)
• Snow Plows...that FINALLY made it through our street. (1/16/13)
• Birthday Celebrations (and Supe- my now, 12 year old!)...dinner with our whole family at our favorite Sushi place, Ichiban Sushi and Asian Grill  (1/17/13)
• 
• No-school days...quality time with my kids.
• Menu Planning...what a NOVEL idea! Feeling very peaceful and satisfied that we finally did it!

Today's song: Thank Heaven For Little Girls

10 things that make me feel beautiful each day

subtitled: Things I would take with me on a stranded desert island...provided there was electricity!

(left to right in a round about way)

1. Powder Play by big sexy hair. It's amazing stuff! You sprinkle it on your hair like a powder, but the moment it touches your warm hands or hair, it melts. Then it lets you back-comb, or whatever, and it totally holds it's shape! I can't explain it. But the important thing is that it makes my hair go from limp to va-va voom!
2. Cover Girl blush (only the best for me!) But it's inexpensive, they have very nice colors- that stay, and the smell is fresh and clean...like Noxzima.
3. Can Can Perfume by Paris Hilton Even though it's kind of embarrassing to own her perfume, the smell is divine. It's a sweet candy-ish smell. Similar to cotton candy, but more grown up, and not so amusement park-ish.
4. Uniq One all in one hair treatment. It really is an all in one thing. It's a root stimulator, a thermal protector, a detangler...etc. They claim it's 10 in one. I don't know, but I love it. It adds volume, definitely a good thermal protector and the smell rocks!
5. Avon's Supershock Max. Why should I have to choose between thick lashes and long lashes? With this, I don't have to choose. I get both!
6. Almay Intense i-Color Liner, Black Pearl. I used to not really wear eye liner, but now I can't image my eyes without it! I read this article an eyelash makeover a while back and have been applying the techniques I read. I'm very pleased.
7. Revlon Colorstay 16 hour eye shadow. I love the colors choices! And I do feel like the color lasts 16 hours...with minimal to no creasing (and I don't even use a primer) Right now, my 2 favorite color are Siren (pictured above) and Enchanted.
8. C.O. Bigelo Bare Mint Mentha Shimmer Tint sold at Bath and Body Works. (I call it Bath and Body works mint lip gloss. Much easier) I don't necessarily have a color preference. I just love the mint infused lip gloss. It smells good and it tastes good! I'm not into tasting my lip gloss. I actually really dislike almost any scented gloss on me, but my husband says it tastes good. He always licks his lips after we kiss (and I don't think it's because I'm a wet kisser)
9. Victoria's Secret Your all Mine hand and body cream. It's scented pretty lightly, so it goes with pretty much any perfume you typically use. But I just love the feel of it on my skin.
10.  My Victoria's Secret brassiere. I like the add 2 cups kind! Mine's even got sparkles. L-O-V-E it! I actually feel like it minimizes my waistline. Sounds weird, I know. You've just gotta trust me on this one.

Today's song: Perfect by P!nk (should be every teenage girl's anthem)
P.S. If anyone could share with me, how in the world to get streaming back on my blog, I'd be much obliged! Playlist no longer works. :(
P.S.S. Not featured, but ever SO important, are the hair dryer and flat iron. Both are musts!
You can add your Top Ten list here.

10 Songs That Rocked My World in 2012

I'm going to try this for a bit. Top Ten Tuesday. You can do it here. I was blog-stocking a couple weeks ago, and stumbled upon "Top Ten Tuesday". If I'm understanding correctly (because I can't find any instructions) all you do is create any list of your favorite things. You're also supposed to go to their website, and post a link back to your own post.
So, since music is such a part of my life- AND I have a song for everything, I thought it fitting, to do my very first top 10, in song. Enjoy.
My Top 10 for today is Favorite songs of 2012.
1. Somebody That I Used to Know~ Gotye 
2.  Lessons in Love- Neon Trees
3. It's Time- Imagine Dragons
4. Radioactive- Imagine Dragons
5. Some Nights- Fun
6. Young Blood- Naked and Famous (Renholder Remix)
7. Are You On Your Way- Middle Class Rut
8. Trojans- Atlas Genius
9. Home- Philip Phillips
10. Ho Hey- Lumineers
P.S. the aforementioned, are my songs of the day!

Week 2, Gratitude

This week, I am thankful for...

• ...The preservation of home movies and the technology that makes it all possible. We spent the evening reviewing home movies. We went back 16 years! We didn't watch EVERYTHING. It was just fun to see how the girls interacted with each other and the way they spoke. You can never get that time back. It's so cool to have it saved though. (1/6/13)
• ...The ability to go visiting teaching. I swear I get way more out of it than the ladies we visit. But we always have the best conversations and have built friendships with people we may not have had the opportunity to get to know as well had we not had this situation. I always leave feeling a little better, a little stronger, more ready to take on the world. We talked about how important it is to have a testimony, especially in the hard times. I was really stuck by this quote-  "The Lord … entrusts a testimony of the truth to those who will share it with others...sometimes a single phrase of testimony can set events in motion that affect someone's life for eternity" President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. What a powerful message! It made me want to build a stronger testimony myself. (1/7/13)
• ...Modern medicine. I really didn't want to pull this one out just yet, but Lexie has been sick for quite a while now, and we finally went to the doctor for it. He said 10 days was enough time to suffer and gave her an antibiotic. He believes she's on the verge of bronchitis. Poor Lex was definitely in need of relief- especially since she's got the lead role in Pillow Talk! We're so stinking excited for that, by the way!!! (1/8/13)
• ...Modern Family. I swear to you, there are times when I think the writers have hidden cameras in our home. Phil and Claire are SO Jason and I. It seriously cracks us up! We look forward to that show every week! (1/9/13)
• ...Pete the Cat. My preschoolers and I are in LOVE with him! He's this cute little blue cat, who has his own series of books. He- like me- loves to sing! Pete constantly runs into situations where he's unsure about something, or something doesn't go how he planned, but Pete never cries or worries. He "He just keeps walking along and singing his song!" I think my favorite one is Pete the Cat and his Four Groovy Buttons. Buttons keep falling off of Pete's shirt, but he remains positive about it. When all of them have finally fallen off, he says "My button. My button. Still have my belly button". It's so. Dang. Cute! If you have kids ages 3-6, you've got to give these books a try!(1/10/13)
• ...Chicken Noodle Soup! It's been bitterly cold and snowy, so soup has become a staple for us. Our tried and true recipe is from Paula Deen. It's called The Lady's Chicken Noodle Soup. What makes this recipe different and special, in my opinion, is the addition of mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (we use FF half and half) and white wine. Yum yum yum! Delicioso!
• ...Alone time with my husband. Tonight we decided to go out for appetizers and drinks. Typically, we order water to save a little cash, and we never order appetizers because we just can't eat that much. It was fun to switch it up tonight! We also went to see Django Unchained. Very good show. Not for kids! Not for some grown ups, either. ;) (1/13/13)

Week 1, Gratitude

I am thankful for...

• ....The opportunity to make dinner for my family. Although it isn't always my favorite chore- OK, it's never my favorite chore, but I DO really appreciate that I'm actually home at night to do it. For 2 years, I worked nights at Discover while teaching school in the day. During that time, Jason was the sole cook in our home. I never want to forget what it's like to be gone 5 nights a week for dinner. 1/2/13
• ...Being DONE with the dating scene and thankful that my husband chose me (even with all of my "baggage") Where did this come from? Well, there's a terrible game show called Baggage- hosted by none other than Jerry Springer. It's a show where 1 guy chooses between 3 girls, each with "baggage". When the guy finally chooses the girl, he has to reveal his baggage and she gets to decide if she'll go out with him or not. (it also does the opposite- 1 girl choosing between 3 guys) 1/3/13
• ...Feminine hygiene products.  I would have never made it as a pioneer, I tell ya! I'm also thankful for rice packs and naproxen for pain. Even though I'd prefer not to worry about that stuff, I am very glad I haven't gone through menopause. I'm not ready for hormone changes and hot flashes! 1/4/13
• ...Fruitcake- a labor of love from my mom. It takes a few weeks to make it! She sent our family some baked goodies for post-Christmas celebrations, I called and thanked her for it. I'm noting it here because my mom and I rarely speak to one another. Typically, it's like a couple times a year. It was good to catch up. p.s. (this part is for Melinda, just in case she happens to read this) I ate a few slices and put it in the freezer. 1/5/13

I'll leave you now with a song I'm very grateful for. I absolutely love Imagine Dragon's Radioactive

2013 Resolutions

Honestly, I  usually don't make resolutions for fear of not following through with them, however, I think it's time I try to improve rather than stay the same- which is why I'll document it here for the world to see. (or the 1 reader of my blog would be more realistic)

1. Be thankful. Each day I will write one thing I'm thankful for. I may not put them all here. I think it will depend on my mood, but so far I'm 100% to goal!
2. Get back to "goal" weight. I lost nearly 40 pounds doing weight watchers. I joined almost 3 years ago to the day. I let loosened up the reigns over the past year, and as a result, I've tightened up my jeans! Yuck! I want to feel good about myself again!
3. Drink more water! Sounds silly, but I don't often drink enough of it, and in the past, drinking more has been a pivotal part of my losing weight. I plan to drink AT LEAST 6 cups per day (ww recommendation), however, I read that a woman should drink 9 cups per day! Ultimately, that will be what I strive to reach!
4. Get out of bed by 7 am on school days. Lately, I crawl out of bed sometime between 7:15 and 7:45. I'm totally rushed. Supe doesn't get out of bed with her alarms (yes- there's more than one), so by the time I'm out of the shower, she only has a few minutes left before she needs to leave for school, and she's been late so many times over the past couple months. Getting up earlier will also insure I have enough time to eat breakfast- something that is always a last priority with me, and should be on the top of my list!
5. Do a load of laundry every day. Fold it. Then put it away. (because Fly Lady says so). I really believe in this rule of hers. Laundry quickly gets OUT OF CONTROL and I detest folding a mountain of laundry. Plus I hate all the wrinkles from sitting in a big huge pile.
6. Make time for Blogging. Notice I said MAKE time. I'm super busy (so is everyone). I really enjoy this and need to take time out for me to do it!
7. And lastly, keep my office clean. For 2 years, it was a giant hole- a dumping ground for everything! Loo helped me clean it just before Christmas. It's been clean since then. But I've got to keep it clean so that I want to be in here. Not only will it serve as a place to blog, it's also where I do the majority of my preschool stuff.

So. There you have it. My resolutions. As always, I have to post a song. Enjoy Auld Lang Syne by Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis.

Hello again, Hello

Wow! Hello again my friends. (Is anyone out there still?)
Well, I've decided it's high time, I join the blogging world again! It's something I truly enjoy and deeply miss. I think for my sanity, I'll just start out like I haven't missed a day. They used to say about scrap-booking, that if you fall behind, not to try to go clear back to the very next event, but to begin with today, and catch up on the past when you get time. That's what I'm going to have to do here. I have my sanity I need to preserve and protect!

So, my daughter Loo and I, have decided that we're going to do a gratitude journal for 2013. It's part of our resolutions for this year. Loo actually came to me with this idea a few days ago. I guess she read about it on Pinterest. I remember Oprah talked about it several years ago too- having an attitude of gratitude and making a gratitude journal. I  can't decide if this is something I should post every day on here, or if I'll just post periodically. In my own journal, I plan to do it every night. Thoughts?

I ran across a couple great quotes today about being grateful: 
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”
-Epicurus
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Without further ado, I shall share my attitude of gratitude for the day:
I'm so grateful for a nice, warm home! It's been in the teens over the past few days. Burrr! Talk about cold. I also really appreciate the ability to crank up the heat, if we feel like we need to! 

Song for the day:Hello Again- Neil Diamond (It's the first one I thought of. Sorry)