Wednesday, August 26, 2009

little tear of 'wow' in the corner of my eye . . .

So I stopped by our Braft Club (Remember? Book and Craft. ;) ) tonight on the way home from a ridiculously busy day with all three of my girls right after their dance class. It was about 7:30. My husband travels a lot -- he works with NASA -- and I had a little evening flexibility. I knew I couldn't stay. The kids needed to be home. But, I needed to see my friends and had said I would stop by. :)

They were busy making Fimo Pens. (Oh, I have to make some soon -- they are so awesome! ;) ) But, I digress. So we were visiting for a couple of minutes and we began to leave. As we were leaving, someone was arriving and calling my name. She had a surprise for me. It was Abbie of Overflow creams, lotions and scents. She said her mother was so excited about our efforts for the craft fair that she wanted to help. She mailed a whole box stuffed to the gills with beading supplies to Abbie to give to me. Beads, glass, clay, lampwork, metal, spacers, toggles.

I have to say that tear of total surprise, joy and pleasure coming at the end of an oh so tense afternoon just rolled right on down the cheek. Too spontaneous to stop. I have never even met Abbie's mother. For someone to be that generous . . . well, it makes you want to go do nice things for others. Hats off to kind people everywhere . . .

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

impatient cow . . .

Knock, Knock.

Who's there?

Impatient Cow.

Impatient Cow Wh -- MOO! -- o?

I crack myself up everytime my daughters and I tell this joke to each other. Doesn't take much I guess :) . . . Today was "making people laugh" day. Happy hopping, my friends!


MckLinky Blog Hop

Monday, August 24, 2009

better late than never . . . i absolutely love Glee!

I finally got around to watching Glee on my DVR. Glee aired on Fox during the middle of the summer. Where have I been? I absolutely loved it. Every minute of it. I believe the show starts up in the next couple of weeks. I won't miss a minute. What a GREAT show! Loved it!

ode to my crockpot . . .


I made a wonderful recipe yesterday. It was my daughter's 10-year-old birthday party for family and she had chosen French cuisine. Not being experienced and still being a regular non-fancy person, I decided to try a chicken cordon bleu recipe. Sadly, I had been storing items in my oven and off of my counter, forgot and lit the oven last week, burning the plastic Pampered Chef nesting bowls inside. Huge bummer on many fronts! Well, still needed to make dinner. My mother gave me a Chicken Cordon Bleu crockpot recipe which was simple and came out very well. I thought I would share.

Need:

Large package of fresh chicken breast, washed, trimmed and pounded flat (relatively)
1 lb. package of baked ham slices
1 lb. package of swiss cheese
Dill weed
Basil
Parsley
Salt
Pepper
1 c. white wine
1 can of fat-free cream of mushroom soup

Lay-out in large baking dish chicken breasts, top each breast with a slice of ham and a slice of cheese, sprinkle liberally with dill, basil, parsley, pepper and a bit of salt. Roll each breast and carefully place in bottom of large oval crock. Repeat. Mix white wine and soup -- pour over chicken. Cover entire dish with extra swiss. Cook for four hours on high, keep until ready to serve on low or warm. I transferred them all to a white serving dish and spooned out 'sauce' from the bottom of the crock over the breasts. They were very good and super-simple. I served a wild rice mix and young asparagus on the side with crusty French bread. Served five adults, three children and left enough for tonight. Ah, so nice to have dinner already ready . . .

here it is -- my seven minutes of fame . . . oh so stressful!



Okay, friends, I promised! I have included the link of the interview about my moms' group. Normally, I would be too self-conscious to do this, but if I can't relax with my blogging friends, then well . . . ? Be patient, I am interviewed with my friend, Melissa, after a brief introduction of a few other stories to come . . . Click on the right side next to Today in Brevard, Previous Shows -- go to August 24th, Lifestyles -- woman in red shirt. Enjoy! :)

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS01/90126025&template=mogulus

Friday, August 21, 2009

the bedspread is in . . . so excited!


Morgan turns ten in a few days. Room painted, check. Stepstool, shelves and bookcases painted, check. Curtains purchased, check. Clock, check. Artwork, on its way from Aunts and Uncles. Lamp from grandmother, check. I can't wait! (And even my laundry is done -- it has been quite a week! ;) )

Now to paint the ceiling fan, hang the curtain rod and wrap everything else . . .

She has asked for french cuisine. I let the girls (and anyone else who is here on their birthday) choose the country of their choice for the food I prepare. Problem. My oven is not working. Sigh. I'll share that story next time. Off to Bunko! :) Have a great night!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

my television debut was taped today ;) . . .

Shhh! Don't tell anybody. Ha. Ha. I had my first television experience today. It was more fun than I thought it was going to be. A local television station interviewed me and a precious friend about our moms' group. I was nervous, but because the topic was one that I know inside and out, I couldn't help but have fun. No wardrobe malfunctions. No spilled coffee. No major "foot in mouth" moments. It was great to be behind the scenes, checking out how it all works. I have a tremendous appreciation for those who regularly appear on camera and are naturals. It is much harder than I thought it would be to come across like you want to. I had a ton of laughs and am really glad to have this experience under my belt. Plus, now I have major cool points with my girls because they think I'm famous! ;) If I can track down any kind of link, I'll post it . . .

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

beginning bloggers . . . i have found the answer to 'how do I get my treasured blogging badges to scroll?"! ah, getting misty again . . .

I love my bloggy friends' blog buttons. I think they are pretty and I love anything that showcases peoples' creativity. Over the two months or so that I have been blogging, I have developed quite a collection of great buttons of lovely blogs. I have been admiring the scrolling marquis approach on many a sophisticated blog for some time now and was keeping that in the back of my mind as My Next Great Blog Adjustment Project. Lo and behold, McKlinky sends me a note with all of the clues -- literally fell out of the sky. Love that! Here it is for everyone else that might want to give it a go . . . (Oh, and minor tweak -- I widened the pixels from 125 to 185 to fit the wider badges favored by some of my friends -- you'll see what I mean when you review the code.)
McLinky's Scrolling Marquis Widget Advice
Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

and why has it taken me six days to come relax on my blog? for shame . . . :)


1. Preschool and regular school began last week. Homework.

2. Had to find a family picture that I was actually in for my preschooler's Coconut Attendance Tree. (Unbelievably hard! I am the picture-taker.)

3. Had neighborhood kids over every day. Literally every day and I loved every minute of it. Everyone is so much happier.

4. Worked a "dancewear" yard sale at my daughters' dance studio open house. All day Saturday.

5. Church.

6. Girl Scout Meeting at the Police Department.

7. Anniversary Dinner at my parents' house.

8. PTO Meeting.

9. Painted my daughter's room, bookshelf, nightstand, two stools and rearranged her room. This weekend will be the "Big Reveal" for her 10th Birthday.

10. Made and sent out invitations to her "Une Soiree a Paris" party.

11. Met with my daughter's orthodontist about beginning treatment.

11. Colored my hair. (Part of my Fall Overhaul -- read more).

I had to write down this list. I have felt like I haven't accomplished much in my house this week. My living room floor is covered in laundry. Everything needs Fall Cleaning and I need a Fall Overhaul. Sometimes making a list of things you have already done as opposed to what you have to do will say "look -- you did plenty!" But, I have missed my blogging nest and my bloggy friends. If only I had a laptop that I could play with in the car line, picking up the kids from school . . . If only! (Oh, and the picture of my imagined Martha Stewart-esque organized self? If only . . . if only! :) )

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

tag, i'm it!


I love Smell the Coffee, Lisa. She is a great commenter, hilarious, quirky and fun. Simply great! I enjoy every minute I 'visit' with her! She's tagged me so I get to share. Five things that I love. Hmmmmmmmm. Of course, there are the serious answers. My family. God. My friends. Church. The list I am about to share is a walk on the wee bit less serious side.

1. Totebags -- maniacally (is that a word?) obsessed with totebags of any kind. I have a totebag for everything. I like shopping for totebags. I like getting them, filling them, looking at them -- everything totebags. Three of my happiest (jk) days were the day we made bedazzled tote bags in my moms' group, the day my moms' group gave me a Vera tote as a present and the day I found five beach tote bags that were normally $20 apiece on clearance for $1.48. Yes, I bought them all and I have used them selfishly just for me. Decadence!
2. Dance music -- I can get so much more done when Disturbia and Mambo 5 and Lady Gaga are playing in the background.
3. Caffeine -- I start the day with coffee and iced tea and don't stop all day. I love caffeine and it loves me.
4. Grosgrain ribbon -- I love the way it looks, it feels, the colors, the texture -- I would wrap myself in it and wear it everywhere.
5. Bread -- good, crusty, yummy warm baguettes with butter on it. Oh, I like bread so very, very much!

Wow. I had no idea this post would be so random. Hilarious! I am tagging two people who I would love for them to spend more time blogging. These women are WONDERFUL and I love them to pieces.

-- The Polkadot Fieldmouse
-- Laugh or Weep

Thanks, Lisa Anne, for making me laugh! Heather and Jesse, tag, you're it!

calm before the storm . . .


My girls returned to school this week. Ella began preschool for the first time. It is a strange feeling to contemplate having those few hours two times a week to myself. Sort of a guilty feeling, surprisingly enough. I can see myself filling that time quickly with obligations that are kid-related, like additional volunteering at my children's schools or my church, but am getting this weird vibe that maybe I should grab a little bit of it for myself. For so long, we have been running, running, running, would it hurt for me to have a little bit of "off-duty" time? I don't know. Perhaps leaving the door open during this calm before the storm is the right answer. There is nothing wrong with grabbing coffee with friends. There is nothing wrong with a little sanity break at the computer. Hmm. Hi, I'm Linda and I am learning how to be comfortable with seeing blank spots in my calendar . . . ;)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

thank you, 5 Sweet Peas, for my Fab Award!




A heartfelt thank you to the delightful Melissa at 5 Sweet Peas for this wonderful award! Melissa is full of great encouragement and comments. Please check out her oh so pretty! site. This award came at a simply delightful time -- can you see the sweat on my brow from yesterday's efforts? (LOL -- It was actually fun!) I appreciate the award and the sentiments behind it.

The rules for accepting this award are to post it on your blog with a link to the blog that gave it to you and tag 5 other fabulous blogs. I love so many that it is hard to choose. As I just honored many of my favorites a few weeks ago, I'd like to share with you some new discoveries -- I hope you enjoy them too! We also have to list 5 things we obsess over. Took me seconds to make this list.

1. Caffeine
2. My girls
3. So You Think You Can Dance (such a dufus . . .)
4. My moms' group
5. Chocolate, Travel, Great Wines, Wonderful Friends, Blogging (Oops! Couldn't help myself!)

Thank you again, Melissa -- very sweet!

Five of My Newly-Discovered Fab Blogs

Smell the Coffee, Lisa

The Blah Blah Blahger

Jesse Kate Designs

Pickled Pepper Photography

Carma Sez . . . There's Always Something

omg, is there no end to my ocd happiness?

I know I am in trouble when I found myself choking up with joy that I was able to figure out how to line up all of my buttons on the right side of my blog . . . Linda, step away from the blog! LOL! ;)

Monday, August 10, 2009

have you ever noticed?

Have you ever noticed when you tweak one thing on your blog that it often nudges another? Not a bad thing but it sure can take a bit of time to get everything 'just so'. My three column format is great! I'm thrilled! But, I did not like how my border and blog were not lining up perfectly -- I am a bit o.c.d., I admit. So I changed my border to one that worked with the three column format and then realized that I had to change all of my font colors. Then I noticed that my LinkWithin widget was off-color -- of course had to tweak that too. Finally, my playlist song is completely annoying me after listening to it off and on all afternoon so I am about to put on something fun! LOL! So funny. Well, we also enjoyed lots of fun in the pool this afternoon -- the kids had a GREAT first day back. What a wonderful Monday this was! Hope you had a good one too!

hurray! I did it, I did it! three columns, omg, I am too excited!

Thanks to html guidance from The Cutest Blog, I did it! I made my blog three-columns. Boy, it is so SPACIOUS around here! I love it, I love it! Three columns to play with! If anyone is interested in finding out where I found the information, please let me know. Probably need to tweak some of my edges to keep things looking tight but for now I am running with it! So much fun . . . now off to pick up my two oldest daughters and all of their friends from school. Happily, the minivan is cleaned out and ready to go! Happy Monday, my friends, Happy Monday!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

i found myself missing my friend today . . .

Did you ever have one of those friends that is just, well, different from all of your other friends? One of those friends who is that every day kind of friend. Lives several houses away. Has children the same ages. Simply looks at things the same way you do? You admire her devotion to her children, to her home. She truly loves you as a friend. Your children's birthday parties are complete just because she says she is going to be there. You look forward to her number coming up on caller id. You can't wait to tell her whatever just happened to you, good or bad. She makes the bad days better and the good days the best. She loves your children almost as much as you love them. She is kind. She is funny. She is intuitive. She knows just what to say. Even your husbands get along famously. Your kids are fast friends. You carpool together. You laugh together. You cry together. You attend funerals together as well as dance recitals. There is just something incredibly special about that best, best friend.

Until a couple of months ago, I had that friend. I still have her, a blessing for which I am grateful, but she has moved thousands of miles away. Even though I live in a community where I have scores upon scores of amazing friends in my life, I found myself missing her, my best friend, a lot today. I miss that every day friend, my blogging friends. I simply miss Mary . . .

Friday, August 7, 2009

our Fab Friday Winner is, da da da, drumroll please!

Mel B. at Wonder Mom Envy wins! Hurray, Mel B.! Very, very happy for you! I look forward to hearing from you. This giveaway got a bit messy -- ;) -- have to admit, my giveaway process is not very green. Little bits of papers all over, one for every one of my followers and one for every comment. Hmmm. Perhaps there just might be a slightly more well, efficient way of conducting my giveaways? No worries. This still is a lot of fun and you have to admit -- the odds are outstanding that you are going to win one of these days! :) Three winners over the past few weeks. Too much fun not to do another! Hmmm. I am making new jewelry this weekend. I'll chose something fun and post my next giveaway later in the weekend. Oh, and did I tell you? I won a giveaway at Kelly Ann's blog -- tear in the corner of eye! It arrived today! Yea, I smell beautiful, so fancy! What an improvement, lol! Fun, fun, fun. And, wink, wink, btw, did you notice just how much more spacious it is around here? Ha, ha. Squeezed in a bit of blog tweaking while digging out from under all of my scraps of paper. Next week's project? Should I? Could I? Yes, I am going to give it a go -- the dreaded three column transition week! Wish me luck, my friends. Thanks for stopping by. Congrats again to Mel B.!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

my three year old fashionista, dressed out of the costume box by her older sisters -- now THAT'S an expression . . .


I just dropped by Lisa Anne's blog, Smell the Coffee, Lisa and had to laugh at her recent post. She's great -- you'll have fun visiting her. Shared with her something Ella, the three year old said yesterday. I was in one of my well, fluffier shirts, I guess and she looked at me and said, "mom, i like your clothes especially the tu tu part" . . . I just love three year olds . . . ;)

Tucson. Sterling silver, ruby, red and blue turquoise and silverplate . . .

Leaf. Gold, polymer clay, potato seed pearls, goldplate . . .

Edge of a stream. Green ceramic lentils, silver . . .

Thunderclouds. Jet glass silver foil, silver, Naodelate . . .

Reef. Bali silver, jet shell round lentil, silver . . .

Starburst. Bali silver, potato pearl, polymer clay . . .

Smooth. Bali silver, silver and Leopard jasper . . .

ah, some more treasures to add to my collection . . . the craft fair will be here before we know it.

The craft fair is going to be held this fall. As you know, I am working with Overflow lotions and balms as well as The Polkadot Fieldmouse on a booth. Next week is our photoshoot -- we are going to put together our sample booth. Oh, I LOVE this kind of stuff :)!!!

sweet little maddie heading off to four year old preschool -- five years simply fly by . . .



My sweet-tempered, loving Maddie heads off to third grade this year. Look at her five years ago on her way to preschool. What a sweet pumpkin she is . . .

laundry. ;)

That last post made me think about something. My housekeeping nemesis is laundry. I do it all of the time, no kidding with a family of five. I wake up in the morning and before coffee put in my first load. It's often the last thing I do before I go to bed. I have a small laundry room, glad I have one, but I am one of those, yes I admit it, who pull the laundry out of the dryer and place it on the nearby couch, waiting to be folded. My every day friends know how much I loathe laundry. We've even named my laundry. It's name is Fred. My husband came home one night and said, oh, looks like Fred's moved in and has taken over my couch. Ha. Of course, the name stuck. Some of my friends with better senses of humor share with me when Fred comes to visit them. Jill has Ethel come and stay with her. I don't have the courage to publish pictures of Fred. The rest of my house is neat and clean. Today is the day that I will ask Fred to get back on the road and stay there! (At least for a couple of weeks ;) ) I knew I had laundry issues when I get truly excited to have a brand-new container of Tide. It makes me happy to open a new package of Bounce. So weird. Anyway, please wish me luck. And, btw, what's your housekeeping nemesis?

can't believe this first day of first grade was five years ago! oh, my. my little morgan on her first day . . .



Today is 'Meet and Greet' at my daughters' elementary school. Morgan is going into fifth grade and Madison into third. As I was hanging up all of the school clothes we bought yesterday (alleluia for a 40 percent of Justice card!), it hit me that this will be the sixth year I have been on that campus. Wow. My youngest, Ella, is just heading into preschool this year. I am simply going to be at the elementary school forever. We have pulled great teachers this year, for all of the girls. One of those homerun years. Tomorrow is physicals, school supplies, a playdate and some serious laundry effort. Oh, Summer, where did you go? ;)

thanks, brown couch, for the puppy! ;) (and the words of encouragement . . . )



Brown Couch took the time to make this little guy for her blog-hopping friends on the McLinky blog hop this week -- very sweet! You can pick up the code at her site at comfortjoydesigns. Thanks, Brown Couch, for spreading some love!

Monday, August 3, 2009

encouragement . . . to hop is to smile, to visit, to make new friends . . .



'Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." -- Mother Teresa

I am forever grateful for the wonderful people in my life that leave those tender echoes. Thank you for blessing me!


MckLinky Blog Hop

why do vacations have to come to an end? :)





This was a fabulous vacation. We relaxed, we played, we had a lovely time! Oh, to return . . .

Saturday, August 1, 2009

i am thrilled! Thank you, Chrissy, for my awards . . .



A special thank you to the talented and gracious Chrissy at DSL Kids for my blog awards! Thank you very, very much -- your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated! For a visual feast, please check out Chrissy's site, DSL Kids. What a delightful spot she has!

I am delighted to share with you the rules of this award.

1. Include the award logo in your blog or post.
2. Nominate as many blogs which you like.
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I would love to nominate the following blog for the Adorable Blog and the Uplifting Blog Awards:

Thoughts on Everything and Nothing

I smile every time I stop by her most adorable and uplifting spot in the world . . . once you visit her, I think you will see why ;) . . . enjoy!

For more super-special blogs, please visit my post from last week about the lovely blogs I have recently discovered. These blogs rock! I love exploring each and every one and hope you will too. I enjoy each minute I spend visiting these special places.

Thank you again, Chrissy, for the awards! It is so fun to discover new blogging friends . . . I look forward to seeing what lies in the weeks and months ahead!

i'm home!

After an oh-so-fabulous trip to the Florida Keys, I am home! It was an amazing trip -- I loved every minute! I am now busy scaling Mt. Laundry, peeking through giant blades of grass that need to be mowed and wondering how so much clutter can simply burst out of my minivan . . . whew ;). In between the mountain of chores, I just had to peek into my blog to see what had been happening and was thrilled to see all of the fun goings on! I won a beautiful perfume from the so very, very talented Kelly Ann at Kelly Ann's Studio (happy sigh, tear in corner of eye, ;) ) and two warm and lovely blog awards from the sweetest of sweet SITS sister Chrissy at DSL Kids! Thank you, Kelly Ann and Chrissy! I am just tickled . . . And thank you to all of my wonderful blogging friends who stopped by with a smile and a comment or two or three. You have made my week! Happy to be home, my friends, happy to be home . . .