February 20, 2012 - Monday

Happy Holiday!!  Do you have to work today?  I sure hope not... and you can enjoy an extra day at home with your family.  Today... I have some additional bazaar photos... I just can't help myself.  I feel it's my duty to share these hysterical 'things' (for lack of a better word) with all of you.  The first one made me laugh out loud....  here we go...

This must be the butt of Mother Nature... can you hear her asking the woodland creatures... "hey everyone... does my butt look to big?"  hahahahahahaha!  I LOVE this photo... it's just so funny.

Now I ask you... who in the heck would have guts enough to design something like this?  You just simply wonder where peoples brains are ... don't you?  I wonder if it reclines???  tee hee

These sweet things... I know all of you want a pair!  Maybe they belong to the wife of the owner of Charmin?  Diamonds with pearl studded toilet paper rolls!  Oh My!!  I sure would like to know the history behind these sweet things.

Look at this sweet pooch... isn't he so funny!  What a fun day at the beach he's having.  I sure would hate to clean all the sand off him!  Now.. me.. I've never been a beach person.  I could never understand how people enjoyed .. frying in the sun,  salty and sticky from the salt water, and sweaty.... I don't like to do the sweaty thing.... then we have the sand - that is in everything... hair, blows in your mouth (I hate crunching on sand) in your bathing suit (you know where)... NO... it's just not for me!  My kids LOVED (and still do) the beach... I think that's great!  I, however, stay off the beach to give more room to those that enjoy it.

Ahhh.... do you think he's related to Kermit?  Isn't he so silly?  I can remember as kids..we used to go play in the road across the road from our farmhouse... it had a GREAT pond... FULL of frogs.  We always tried to catch them - but it never happened. Those were such fun days playing in the woods and at the pond... I'll never forget them!  Just being a kid!

This... I do believe... must be a new species of tree!!  It's called the Zipper Tree!!  No... I'm just teasing... it's some one's idea of cool art!  I wonder if that zipper actually works?  It doesn't appear too but you never know!

This isn't funny or weird... I just thought it was a cute, cute bathroom!  I wouldn't recommend you do this in a bathroom in your house if you plan on reselling... however, I love it!  It's so bright and 'girlie' !!!!

This beautiful photo is an actual place in Ireland.  It's called the Round Road.  Now that is an understatement... oh so pretty!!  Can't you just see the butterflies fluttering and hear the birds chirping?  and it's SO GREEN!!!   If I ever get to Ireland...this would surely be a place that would be lovely to see.

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Today - being a holiday - I would love to do nothing.  However, I think that will not be the case.  I have a million and one things on my "TO DO" list and I must work on it today or I'm going to be so far behind... I won't know which way I'm going.  It's laundry, straightening and working on my OH MY GOSH blocks for the collaborative quilt.  I want to get them finished!!!  They are haunting me!

What's your day going to be?  Relaxing?  Busy?  Whatever it is... enjoy it to the fullest!

My phone issue is still an issue... learning how to work all of the wonderful features.  Hey...did you know a chic can talk to you on this phone.  Why is it always a chic?  I want a deep voice, sexy man talking to me.  I'm sending an email to Apple and asking them to make a software upgrade for the next new phone release.  We want MALE/FEMALE options.  PLUS... (I just can't believe this)... the MAP portion of the phone.. you know the navigator?  It doesn't TALK to you!!!  What's with that... all the money this phone costs... the chic can talk to us and tell us when we have email, messages, etc. but they don't have the navigator talk to us?  My Verizon Droid talked to me when using the Navigator system.  That's just not right!!!  I think I'll suggest they change that too!

Ok... I'm over it now!

NO organization today.... IT'S A HOLIDAY!!

Chat tomorrow...

Gloria

February 19, Sunday

Wow... I feel like I got an extra day in the week... I swear it feels like it should be Monday already.

Well... we had our adventure in purchasing our new Apple iPhones !  OMG... Best Buy was crazy yesterday... of course... the day that we decide to get our phones.  We did have an appointment... but get this... we were there at 1:30 pm - guess what time we walked out the door?  Just guess.....

6:15 pm !!!!!!!!!!!!    WOW ... were we very exhausted and excited at the same time.

When we all got in the car... my hubby said... ok guys... THAT TOOK ENTIRELY TOOOOO LONG!  Yes it did!  However, the young man helping us was fabulous and knew his product AND knew what he was doing.  We just had tons of things for him to do... pick our plan... move from 3 carriers to Sprint, fill out all the computer applications, download... whew! 

We were starving and pooped!  We all decided it was just about as tiring as buying a NEW car and we had NOTHING new to drive away in.

So... we all have our new phones and the only one that knows how to use it (for the most part) is Vicky.  I just printed the manual.  You can go to the website and print it for studying.  Even though it's on your phone... you can't read... do what they say on your phone... and still have your manual available.

Ok... now I'm not complaining or anything...but the manual is 32 CHAPTERS AND 163 pages - PRINTED... on paper!  Can you say WOW!  Of course there are chapters that I have absolutely NO interest in at this moment... like the COMPASS, STOCKS... etc.  

My hubby is a "print" man... when I told him I printed off this huge 'bad boy' he was oh...so... happy.  We are each going to work on a chapter and show each other what to do...kill two birds with one stone. 

Isn't it so silly that we have to go to all of this trouble for a phone.  However... it's just not a phone.. it is my 'organized life' ... and now with "Siri" (it's a woman that talks to you in the phone) we'll never get lonely. hahahahahahahah!  It's pretty amazing what this phone does... actually... it's pretty scary!

Ok.. .enough on my phone.... I have things to show you!!  I'll report on my phone progress as it evolves!

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I know I showed you a sweet sheep picture the other day... but I just found this one and I couldn't resist.  It just shows how much everyone loves to be loved... and it doesn't matter who's doing the loving.   Isn't she so sweet.... what a look of contentment on her face... aaaahhh..  Don't you love how her little nose is shaped like a heart?  Just too precious.....

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These are pieces of jewelry from a gals grandmother... she decided to make them into pieces of art to hang in her bedroom...  Aren't they something else!  I just loved this idea and what a great way to be with your grandmother everyday instead of having them stuffed in a drawer.  Especially when you remember seeing her wear the jewelry...that's even more special.

I've always loved antique tart pans.  I have NO IDEA why... I just do!  Then.. they decided to make them into adorable note holders... you could use them for anything... hold a recipe card, photos, use them on a buffet telling what each dish is, name cards at a dinner table... the ideas are endless. 

They took heavier gauge wire - twisted a piece like the photo shows... then drilled two holes in the bottom of the tart pan.  Inserted the two ends of the wire - twisted them together and cut off any excess wire.  Then placed a glob of clear drying glue over the twist to hold the wire solid and straight... so it wouldn't tip or wiggle when you place your tag in it.  LOVE IT!!!

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Now... I don't travel with little ones anymore... but I thought this was something I just had to share with all of you.  Clothespin tags were made for each child... they are attached to the visor.  During the trip... if each child's pin was still on the visor when they stopped for lunch, special place, etc., they each would get a small treat.  If, however, they acted up in the car, didn't share, talked back, etc. (parents set the guidelines) their pin would come down and they didn't get a special treat.  Once they were back in the car... they got to start over.  Isn't that a cute idea?  You could use your imagination and use this style of reward anywhere...even at home. If you only had one child... give them 3-5 pins... if they act up during the day...the pin goes away... at the end of the day... they could get a reward if 1 or whatever number of pins were still "there"... maybe with magnets on the backs of them... on the refrigerator.   Let your mind go wild!!!

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I just found this adorable table runner from Kansas Troubles BLOG!!  Isn't it cute...?  I love the spools of thread.  Here's her Blog...Kansas Troubles Blog     Hey... did I tell you Jack and I are going with Lynn (Kansas Troubles) and Pam (Heartspun Quilts) and their hubbies on a cruise to Alaska??  Yep... in August... and we can't wait.  My hubby has never been on a cruise before,  he's never met Pam and Lynn (or their hubbies) and neither one of us has been to Alaska!  It's a quilting cruise... the days I'm in the classroom... he'll be out playing with the boys.  It will be our first HUGE vacation since we went to Hawaii so many years ago... I can't even remember the year we went!!

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Okay... I'm now off to the paper hole punch process... for my phone manual... I must get busy!  Then I still have sewing to do... of course... don't we all.... it never ends!

Organize yourself today:  Let's just do something easy... (can you tell I'm just about over this organizing stuff... ick!!)  Let's go through the drawer in the kitchen that holds our hot pads.  Do you have some like mine - that are just down right embarrassing to look at?  I ask you... How do they get so darn ugly looking?  It just amazes me... they look like someone has dragged the snot out of them... beaten them up and cooked them to death!  Ok.. here's what we are all going to do. 

THROW THOSE NASTY LOOKING ONES AWAY!!  They do NOT cost that much at the discount store.. or better yet... MAKE SOME... It's so much more fun to cook when you have "pretty" hotpads. 

Have a great Sunday... see you tomorrow!

Gloria

February 18, 2012 - Saturday

Yippee... it's the weekend!!  I did that cheer for those of you that have to work ((sorry))... Everyday is like the weekend to me now... aaahhh... life is ssssssssssssssoooooooooooo  good!

Today... we are going on a field trip to Best Buy and getting NEW PHONES!  I can't wait... we're going to get the new Iphones... the the ones you can talk into... and see each other when you're talking.  Now...don't get me wrong... I don't need anything this fancy!  But guess what???  We're getting them anyway.  It's time to splurge and enjoy the wonderful technology in this world.  Although...this seeing each other thing..that's a little scary to me!!  Does that mean I have to keep my hair combed all the time... lipstick on??? NOT...that will not be the case.

Anyway...I like the talking into the phone deal.  I wonder just how far it will take me if I give it commands.  Now...when they can turn a phone into a MAID... that will be the BEST SELLER in the world.  Talk about trying to meet supply and demand... whew!  We need to buy stock with that company.  I wish I had the brains to make it happen!

Hey... Look at this silly little fellow!  Don't you want to burst out laughing and saying..."aw... poor baby" at the same time!  Have you ever ripped your pants on a fence?  I HAVE!!!  Isn't it funny how the rip goes into that "L" shape that you just can't repair????  I've never been able to figure out how that happens.  If you tried to rip it in that shape yourself... it would NOT happen!

I've found some NEW yummy recipes.  I'm telling y'all... these are killer dishes for you...  LOOK!!!

I love pears, apples, watercress and Roquefort cheese... so tell me..how in the world could this not taste anything but wonderful.  I showed it to my Jack and he thought it sounded wonderful too.  Now here is my delima.. I love pears...but I only like the type that are soft, juicy and sweet.  Not... the kind that you try to bite into and they are like rocks!  So...does anyone know the NAME of the best pear?  If so... leave me a comment!!  In the interim.. I think I'll google that little issue and see what they tell me.  Then.. this recipe and I are going on a date together!!  YUMALICIOUS!!

Here's the recipe!

Pear Roquefort Salad:

 2 pears, thinly sliced (using a mandolin)

 1/2 apple, thinly sliced (using a mandolin)

 100 grams Roquefort, crumbled

 1/4 cup watercress leaves

 2 tbsp. pistachios, roughly chopped

 sea salt and cracked fresh pepper, to taste

 FOR THE DRESSING:

 1/3 cup sour cream

 1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar

 2 tbsp. mayonnaise

 pinch of salt

1 garlic, turned to paste

1 cup Roquefort cheese

2 cranks on the pepper grinder

 Prep:

 1.  Using a mandolin, thinly slice pears and half an apple. Place in a bowl of water with a few tablespoons of lemon juice to prevent browning and keep aside.

2.  In a medium bowl, combine all the dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth.

 3.  For plating, stack the pear slices one atop of the other, with a couple apple slices added in. Dress with watercress leaves and chopped pistachios over top and along the sides and crumble Roquefort cheese over top. Lightly pour dressing over top and around the stacked pears. Season.

 4.  Serves 2.

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What about these two???

Don't you just want to dive your face right into this soup????  Potatoes, bacon, green onions... OMG!!! 

What could be bad about this?

Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup Recipe

1 bag (32 oz) frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2 cup frozen chopped onion (from 12-oz bag), thawed

1 medium stalk celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 carton (32-oz) Progresso® chicken broth

1 cup water

3 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour

1 cup milk

1 bag (8 oz) shredded American-Cheddar cheese blend (2 cups)

1/4 cup real bacon pieces (from 2.8-oz package)

4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In 3- to 4-quart slow cooker, mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth and water.

2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 8 hours.

3. In small bowl, mix flour into milk; stir into potato mixture.   Increase heat setting to High.   Cover; cook 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture thickens.

 Stir in cheese until melted. Garnish individual servings with bacon and green onions. Sprinkle with pepper if desired.

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Then we have this scrumptious dessert!  I think I might have to take this to my sewing group!  What a fun treat for everyone.  NO CALORIES....DON'T PANIC!!

Rocky Road Chocolate Cake

1 (18.25-oz.) package German chocolate cake mix

1 (3.9-oz.) package chocolate instant pudding mix

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup sour cream

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 1/4 cups milk, divided

1 (3.4-oz.) package chocolate cook-and-serve pudding mix

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels

Preparation

1. Beat cake mix, next 5 ingredients, and 1 1/4 cups milk at medium speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Pour batter into a lightly greased 4-qt. slow cooker.

 2. Cook remaining 2 cups milk in a heavy non aluminum saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes or just until bubbles appear (do not boil); remove from heat.

 3. Sprinkle cook-and-serve pudding mix over batter. Slowly pour hot milk over pudding. Cover and cook on LOW 3 1/2 hours.

 4. Meanwhile, heat pecans in a small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.

 5. Turn off slow cooker. Sprinkle cake with pecans, marshmallows, and chocolate morsels. Let stand 15 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly melted. Spoon into dessert dishes, and serve with ice cream, if desired.

 Note: This cake will look like it needs to cook just a little longer, but by the time the topping is set, it's ready to serve.



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Okay... today has been all about cooking!  Do you cook?  I can tell you that since owning the store for so many years... I just simply stopped cooking.  My honey traveled all the time and when I got home I was so tired...I was a happy girl to have cereal, or peanut butter sandwich, or popcorn... you know... all of that high carb sugar stuff.  BUT... now that I'm dieting and have more time to prepare things... I'm loving cooking again.  I've been collecting recipes from Pinterest and let me tell you... I have enough to fill MANY binders.  Of course... the majority of them I can't eat (too many calories) but I'm collecting them anyway.  You know... kind of like all the quilt and project patterns that we all buy ((collect)) and put into our pattern library.  Same deal... only this time it's recipes!  LOVE THEM!

Speaking of recipes...it's time to get some more coffee and work on a pattern on the computer I'm designing.  aaahhh.... my fun work is never done.

Have a great Saturday... I'll report tomorrow how the new phone deal is working out!

Chow...  Gloria

Oh... almost forgot... Tip for the day!  Find all the old phones, cords, car jacks... and take them to your local phone store.  If you plan on trading in your phone... many of them give you $$ credit for them.  If not.. donate them...they use them for all kind of great charity projects.  Now you have all of those extra cords out of your house.  Hey...have you ever noticed...that even when you stay with the same phone carrier...just switch phone models... you have to buy all new cords?  It's what you call a pain in the pocketbook...BUT very smart business for them ((even though I hate to admit that)). What a cool, slick way to get into your pocketbook and/or wallet for some more buckos!  Ah.... the American Way!