Big Toe Mom

Pumpkin Bread!

2011-11-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

today is chilly and just PERFECT for baking! time to get busy :)

Have a Great Day!

I did a guest post!!!

2011-10-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

oh my goodness! this is uncharted territory for me! but, I love my friend Laura to pieces and I am happy to say that she is AWESOME, a really smart cookie, with pink frosting on top! :) So I did a guest post over on her blog.... http://pinkcakeplate.com/ Go on, check out her blog. ( I almost said, check her out, lol!! )

2011-10-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

Good Day Sunshine!

Here is a small recap of our recent adventures-

One Glorious Sunday Morning, not so long ago, My WONDERFUL hubby made breakfast. Pancakes and bacon, some of us have a 'thing' for bacon. In fact you might say, she loves it! I like how she found the piece that looks like 1/2 of a heart.

mmmmm yummy bacon

We also went to a wedding, I would show some pics, but, I need to ask the Bride for permission. this random head cut off foto, shows the chic belt we admired. we have no idea who they are. cute belt, huh?!?!! The temple was super busy and there were lots of weddings. some wonderful color combos, red and turquoise; royal blue and the flowers were all hot bright vibrant colors; Hot pink; we saw one lovely girl with turquoise jewelry and some ostrich feathers in her bokay. ( yes, that' s how I spell it- to many years in a flower shop.) Our bride had colors that remind me of the seaside, blues and greens with some silver. The biggest trend we saw was the feathers with the flowers.

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Our next big project is babysitting these DARLING whirlwinds! Twins. and yes it takes 3 people to watch them! LOL!!

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More hi lites from our family adventures coming up! I even get to do a guest post on a friends blog! I am so EXCITED!
till then, toodles

2011-10-18T14:01:00.001-07:00

busy busy busy!

2011-08-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

I am so suprised how busy we have been doing basicly nothing. All 3 kids have been to camp and back with out harm. (yeah) Honors homework is almost done, bedrooms have been rearranged, the living room too. We even had a YARD SALE, which I do NOT recommend. We were all cleaned up by noon, lol!
so now after staying up really late and all that goes with it. It is now time to get back to a rountine. groan.
Wish us luck! :)

Giveaways from Kim and Kris

2011-05-10T11:36:00.000-07:00

The DIY Dish, is one of my new favorite blogs! these girls have awesome tutorials and they are cute too!
check out their blog, and wish them a Happy Birthday. I did.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediydish.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fits-our-birthday-and-were-giving-you-the-presents%2F&h=95f67

Holiday Traditions

2010-12-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

Traditions are a great thing.
We have a couple, but to me,
the best one is all about food. Let me explain.
We got married right before Halloween,
and so we had a bit of time to think about what was
going to be "OUR" traditions. We decided that because
we are both Phoenix natives and we LOVE Mexican food.
"OUR" new family tradition was going to be eating
Mexican food for Christmas. It does not matter if we eat
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Just as long as we get to eat!

We have some favorites and we have been VERY blessed
with a Wonderful Neighbor, Dora, who shares
her Homemade Tamales-with us!
Now that IS Joy!
We have had everything you can think of, but the reigning
Favorite is 'Rick's'- better known as "Daddy's Tacos!"
One year he made 96 tacos. Can you believe it!????!
(but we fed alot of people)
to me, one of the best parts of this particular feast,
is that when Daddy makes Tacos, he also cleans up!
WAHOO!! YEAH! What a wonderful GIFT!

Another tradition that keeps getting better is our family
will go carroling. Not very easy when the kids were small
and did NOT sing. Some people don't know the words,
are to shy, or only want to ring the jingle bells.
This year should be fun! We always practice too.
We sound really great with "Far Away on Judea's Plains".
This year we are going to sing at an Alzheimers Home, with family.
I want to sing "I want a Hippo. for Christmas".
I wonder if I can get some Takers??
sounds like it could be fun, esp since we bomb on Feliz Navidad.
{the BAD bomb, not the good kind-and you would think, that song, would be easy}

What do You like to do for your Holiday Tradions? please share!

What Day is your Fav???

2010-11-29T18:20:00.000-08:00

I have really struggled with this one.... a Favorite day of the week??? seems like it would be so easy. Saturday because I can sleep in, sometimes. However, I really think I like Mondays because everything returns to the routine. I had a wacky thought though. What if I had to pick my favorite day based on the songs written about it? [ Help me fill in the blanks-and no showing off by googling for a song... just off the top of your head, Do you have any other songs? ]

Monday-"Monday, Monday, can't love that day" ( I think thats how the song goes)
"Just another Manic Monday".

Tuesday- is there a song about Tuesday?

Wednesday- what about Weds? I know how to spell it because I sound it out 'wed- nes- day'.

Thursday-???

Friday- "Everybodies working for the weekend"?
some local dj's have a morning show and their song says 'FR- -I- D-A-Y'...

Saturday- ok all you Bay City Rollers fans, sing it with me!
"S, A, T, U, R ,D, A, Y, NIGHT!
S A T U R D A Y NIGHT! " { and yes, I still do spell it that way in my head! }
for all of you to young to remember watching them on Saturday Mornings in their kilts, please have a listen down below on my playlist. (& those of us who want to enjoy a happy flashback)
"Saturday is a special day, its the day we get ready for Sunday".

Sunday- "Sunday, Monday, Happy Days, Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days, Thurday, Friday, Happy Days. Saturdays, what a day, cruisin all week with you"......

OHHH, I finally figured it out, my Favorite day of the week....( drumroll please) ... is a Holiday!

2010-11-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

There has been some excitement in a blogging group of friends, like maybe we should do some posting! Challenges are going to be made every week to encourae us to write...
let's see how long I last! muhahahahaha!

this weeks challenge... BOOKS. specifically, books that you loved as a child.

I remember my Parents got me the "Little House on the Prairie" books a beautiful paperback set in a yellow box. I believe for my 8th birthday. I love to read and these were great!
(then after the set, as many as I could find written by Laura's daughter Rose Wilder Lane.) I know that I loved learning about the past and Laura's unique perspective. I think having the TV show a few years after I read the books helped cement my love.

I love to read, and I can't really remember all the books I read, I know I read just about anything I could get my hands on, including the "Anne of Green Gables" series. Which inspired me years later as a mom how to name my children. ( long story for another day- or better yet, ask her! )
My parents also love to read and so I read alot of science fiction from my dad's collection.
Did you know that the man who wrote Tarzan, wrote a series about the future, called " John Carter of Mars." weirrrddd ;) yup, Edgar Rice Burroughs. I don't recall alot of that series, only that I read it. But my Dad had another series from Anne McCaffrey, a woman writer, shocked gasp. "THE DRAGON RIDERS OF PERN"
( alot more believable than Mr Burroughs. )
These are some great books!!! I think these are GREAT! I have been picking them up at the used bookstore and starting my own collection, and there are MORE! I can have great talks with my dad about these books.

I have tried as a MOM, to get my kids to read some of what I remember loving as a child. I have been told that my taste is to old fashioned. :) Seriously. so now what. How do I encourage my kids to read? I thought I was doomed to live among uneducated idiots. I read all the time, now what am I gonna do?

HORRAY FOR PERCY JACKSON!!!

and

A BIG HORRAY FOR THE BRINEGARS ,

for introducing us!!!
the writer, Rick Riordan is a Genius!
A book series for the whole family to LOVE!
the kids and I have read, no, make that devoured his books. Of course we own the 1st movie too. "The Lightening Thief" and now my life is content and filled with everyday references to Percy and his friends. We have dressed up for Halloween, had a Percy themed birthday party and a movie celebration. I even received Mr Riordan's book about Egypt for Mother's Day!

Now we search for more books we can read together. Brandon Mull is a fun author, He has written a series called Fablehaven. I like Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Cowlfer, but not everybody in the house does. We must not forget the Mother/Daughter bonding experience given to us by the Twilight books. Thanks Stephenie.

and so this concludes my post on books! let me know what books you enjoy!

I won't say I'm in Love ~

2010-01-16T21:06:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the Perfroming arts part of Youth Olympics.

This is Clarcy's number, the song Meg sings in the Disney classic...Hercules!

other members in the group, ie... the Muses,

are Kendra Eaton, Miranda Garcia and Danielle D.

and of course our wonderful Herc, was Spencer Katoa.

Clarcy wants all to know that she had a hard time

with the mike, it was her 1st time! lol!

also please excuse the poor video quality, its just me!!

I must say that I had a wonderful time and,

I am soooo impressed with my daughter! Rock On Clarcy!

hmmmm, over an hour and the video won't load....S T I N K !

Just some random pics

2010-01-16T13:37:00.001-08:00

Halloween

15th B-day

Tiny Toes, got a pedicure!

Love the "sunshine" of this one!

12 years old.

S C H O O L S T A R T E D !!!

2009-08-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

TODAY!!!
YIPPEE!!!
I AM A HAPPY MOM!!
'NUF SAID...
high school freshman, 6th and 5th grades...

2009-07-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Its a hot and muggy day.
I am doing LAUNDRY.
and all this equals...

"JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE!"

HAPPY 4TH!!

2009-07-05T22:15:00.001-07:00

a couple of days to late!! but o welll.....

We had fun! Hope You did too!
saw fun and free fireworks- enjoyed in our friends driveway!
( i took pics) maybe somebody will help me put them on here.
and by 9 pm there was a small breeze so not totally icky outside!

now the prep work begins!!! school supplies and etc!
since school starts so EARLY, i am gonna stock up on more shorts too.

and I am having a blast playing with my farm on facebook.

God Bless America!!! please and thank you!!!

In the good ol' Sumertime!

2009-06-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

WOW, what a trip... and I did not go anywhere.
Just disappearing from blogland.
some of my bestest friends now have blogs and
I have been invited to do facebook. hmmm.
I wonder if I could keep up on that?

some updates on me and mine,
We had a great Easter and have wonderful pics.
The kitchen is now painted a pale yellow.
I have a daughter entering HIGH SCHOOL!!
and now the other 2 will be in 5th and 6th grades.

and school starts on AUGUST 10th!!!
( but we do have fall break in October )
but still, sheese...

Have a great Summer everybody!!!

2009-03-05T05:23:00.000-08:00

The Dutch Iris have already BLOOMED!!!
I guess we have had the perfect conditions,
rains and now lots of warm toasty sunshine!
ahhhh! sooo sweet! I need to tell you that these
sweet flowers are a total surprise when they come
up because some years they do NOT bloom.
They are a remenant from the original homeowner
and were spaced about the back yard in the most unusual places.
It's almost like she is saying hello!

I've got Sunshine!!! and not a cloudy day

2009-03-01T17:19:00.000-08:00

OHHH! Glorious sun and heat!!!
its been in the 80's!! YEAH!!
(I feel so bad for my frozen friends)
I have a good friend moving from Florida to New York
to help with her aging parents. God Speed and God Bless.
because of course its a horrible storm she is driving into...
go figure...
My Iris are tall and I think the dutch will bloom by St Patty's day
and the bearded will wait till Easter (they have more shade)
a true sign of spring in these here parts!!

rain, rain go away

2009-02-17T05:41:00.000-08:00

I know I live in the desert and that we need the rain.
I have just had enough for awhile,
I want some SUNSHINE!
I need to bake my sinus'. lol.

Happy Heart Month!

2009-02-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

I was watching the early morning news yesterday and
everybody on screen had on RED, for Heart Month!
I am aware of breast cancer awareness month,
but this was new to me
(yes- i live in a bubble)
So in light of this, i want to help promote it,
or just raise a little bit more awareness.
As women, ( and i assume that mostly women read this )
we love and nuture everyone around us. I think we need
to make a little time to nuture ourselves and makesure
that we will still be here to do what we do best- take care of our loved ones.
So lets get to the Dr., get to the gym, or park and do something wonderful for ourselves!
Live a long and happy, healthy life.

( OH MY GOODNESS, did I just say that??!!??! )

Future Freshman Nite

2009-01-16T07:32:00.000-08:00

all i can say is WHOAAAAA Nelly, slow down.
its been a long time since i have set foot on a HS Campus.
not much has changed. (lol) or so i thought. we went to
an "assembly" before meeting the club and sports and etc.
i thought the assembly was nice, they had, ROTC, jazz band,
choir, the deans spoke, and the dance ensemble performed.
OH MY GOSH!!!
i was soooo embarrassed....... they had girls and guys "dancing".
i think they were doing "hip hop", not really sure what to call it.
some of the moves were great, the costumes were fairly decent
( they even had on silver converse shoes ) BUT, i thought i was gonna die
when the song got nasty and so did the dance.
now, i dont think i am a prude, and i LOVE to dance
(granted i would rather 2 step, but i still like to shake my groove thing)
it was beyond 'Dirty Dancing'. and it was on stage!!!
i guess i am officially OLD, not only did i NOT like the music, but i was offended!!!
i dont watch MTV, so i know i am behind the times, but please
tell my WHY its acceptable
at the HIGH SCHOOL to be so risque?!?!?!?!!
PLEASE TELL ME!

HaPpY nEw YeAr!!!

2009-01-04T06:33:00.000-08:00

Really, I hope everyone is enjoying all the New Year they can.
Things are CrAzY, WiLd, NuTsO, and purely ChAoTiC at my house.
We had a Wonerful Christmas, Hubby & kids have been on vacation
and I got a JOB!!!
Who Knew!?!
not me, thats for SURE! it really puts a new spin on things too. i am not a very organized person, so this is something i realllly need to work on since the Hubster goes back to work and the kids go back to school. My job is retail, not my favorite place ever,since i have alot of previous experience there. (lol) so far so good, nice people to work with. We'll see.

The MoSt ExCiTiNg thing happens Tommorrow,
its my Big Girls 14th B-day!!!!!
time flies...

I am also working on the new goals... isn't everybody???
GOOD LUCK YA"LL!!!

Important Holiday "Rules"!!

2008-12-13T06:42:00.000-08:00

I just recieved this in an email from my friend Jacqui.
I think this is important and TIMELY information,
so I am going to share it wilth all of Ya'll.
Christmas Cookie Rules...
1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.
2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.
3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free, rule #1 is yours also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.
4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.
5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.
6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!
7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.
8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage
9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!
10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule!

Those are the rules, I truly hope this timely message will enhance your
Christmas Experience. I know it help alot at my house.

The Polar Express

2008-12-06T22:42:00.000-08:00

Today we were invited to go with some wonderful friends
to a special screening of the Polar Express...
yes, we already own the dvd, but who could pass on IMAX!?! not us!
it was wonderful! As we walked in we were greeted by railroad workers, & we were served
( by Waiters and Chefs in costume)
HOT HOT HOT - HOT CHOCOLATE!
along with some of the best tiny cinnamon rolls and other nummies.
and my favorite part, the conductor PUNCHED our Tickets!!!!! ( yes, special passes)
we got to take our loot on in the theatre, and i was able to sit for a small time by my sweet hubby {who thinks of movie houses as a great place to take a NAP!!! }
but reality occurred w/ children ,as one should expect, and we were soon separated- I was able to sit with some of my favorite non related kids!!! and i got to hold a very precious stuffed puppy. sooo sweet. as the movie started i was a little afraid. i just got bifocals and add 3-d on top of that i was afraid i would 'upchuck'. but i closed my eyes ALOT!!! lol.
you KnoW i did NOT want to waste that yummy HOT HOT HOT - HOT CHOCOLATE!
as the movie played i found myself with tears running down my face. i could hear all the little children just in AWE! trying to catch snowflakes, touching the train, afraid of the cariboo.
so much anticipation ( & joy) filled that room. And we even got to meet with SANTA, and every child recieved a JINGLE BELL!
I have had a hard time getting ready this year for the big day, no inspiration, no oopmf, no joy, no motivation other than panic, etc etc ... I WAS ALMOST {GASP} GRINCH LIKE!
and I think THIS was EXACTLY what i needed.

So I challenge all of you. Go find your FAVORITE Holiday Movie and watch it in the
right "atmosphere" ( set the mood up, cocoa, eggnog, special cookies, or even a turkey sandwich. BUT no soda and popcorn... make this more special! ) don't forget a blanket to snuggle under.
Grab your buddy or family and sit back and let the memories take you to that special place you remember best.
Enjoy.... and let the Spirit of Christmas start glowing in you.
( then let me know, how it went - cause i am so nosy that way.)

December? already?!!

2008-12-01T07:22:00.000-08:00

so, i can't believe it. its THAT time of year again.
you know, when the mom gets to go CRAZY!
school concerts, church party,
grocery shopping, because you have just eaten
your family out of food in the last 4 days.
the kids have grown so new shoes and jeans too!
argh!! and then getting ready for the BIG DAY!
yup, my big girl has a big B-day coming.
she told me just 34 days to go!
WHAT!?! slow down baby. That is NOT a request, its an Order!

oh yeah, and don't forget Christmas in there too.

Did any of you try to shop on Black Friday?
i passed this year.
BUT, we did see Twilight, again. still,
not my favorite movie in the whole world.
But it was definately fun!!!
and we played games, and ate, and ate and ate.
and a funeral.
I think my most favorite memory will be
of the kids outside LAUGHING- almost hysterically.
they were swinging, spider monkey style. and having a ball!
fun to watch and listen to.
but we got some RAIN as well. What a blessing!

IT WAS GREAT!

2008-11-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

We had a BLAST!!
a friend had rented out the entire theatre... so only TWI-HARDS
were in there!
i think my favorite part, was when they showed the previews
and the one for TWILIGHT came on
and everybody was SCREAMING & OHHHING & AWwwwING...
and that 1st kiss! YUMMY! but sooo funny too!

i will tell more, but i am sooo tired.
this momma needs a NAP!
hope everyone has a great weekend!

TWILIGHT MOVIE!

2008-11-20T05:29:00.000-08:00

ok, I will admit it...
I AM SOOO EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVIE!!
I have NO IDEA, how my sweet girl,
is gonna make it thru school today!
all of her teenage joy is rubbing off on me~
and I couldn't be happier about it.
......
just think, I get all of this fun and,
the PLUMBER is coming too! yup,
major kitchen sink trouble and company coming today...
- oh, and before i fergit, my friend did
have her babies safely. all 10 plus lbs, no c-section for her!
CONGRATS TO THE NEW MOMMY!!

so much going on

2008-11-18T07:58:00.000-08:00

real life has been keeping me super busy.
the new and most exciting thing is that my daughter and I
{and a group of great friends} will be attending a
Midnite Premiere of "TWILIGHT".
the excitement in this house is palpable!!
I still need to make 'nametags' or something like that to save our seats. sigh.
we/she got a card in the mail from her Aunt J.
sooo funny- it states that she has E. C. D.!
Edward Cullen Disorder!!! its soooo funny!
my big girl has been telling people she has O. C. D., Obsessive Cullen Disorder....
and have you SEEN the calendar?!?!
even though we own the soundtrack I still need to hear it.
lots to do. Lots to do!!!
Don't even get me started on Thanksgiving.
plans are still up in the air, dear MIL has just
had rotator cuff surgery. it should NOT be this hard to pick a house, but it is.
and all the grocery shopping.....
Prayers going out to all our friends who have been laid off recently
and with severe medical problems.
and a BIG prayer going out to Amy and Derrick~
who should soon have 2 new baby boys!
to add to the other 4!!! yup, 6 kids under 6! {5 boys 1 girl}
and this is her 1st pregnancy! LOL!
so to all my friends,
Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the blessings of the Season~

Candy Recall

2008-10-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Just in time for Halloween...
the scariest thing of all-
A CANDY RECALL.
check it out on snopes.com for yourself.
chocolate coins made
in China and they have
melamine in them.
"Let's be careful out there."
( can anybody name that quote?)
Have a Happy and SAFE
H A L L O W E E N !!

Fall Break???

2008-10-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

WHO invented this???
and WHY did they???
This is punishment to all the mom's
who had to get their kids ready for school IN AUGUST!!!

while its been a lonnnnng week already,
it has been nice to sleep in. hee hee hee!

MY BOYFRIEND!

2008-10-09T10:24:00.001-07:00

I AM SO SMITTEN!!!!
His name is Trevor. He Loves CARS! He likes to hug and kiss!

only trouble is....
he is 1,
the cars are Mater & Lightning,
and he drools!
YUP, I am babysitting. snark.

boring? maybe to some.

2008-10-08T06:24:00.000-07:00

Have you felt like your life is just fine but nothing exciting enuf to post about? this would apply to me especially since i have no pics to show!
BUT, i went to a suprise bridal shower last night and
the poor bride was REALLY shocked!!!
she had a kitchen type shower and got 2 really pretty aprons,
it was super funny because we started calling them kitchen lingerie...
and made her blush! Aprons are getting to be a hot item.
Also did you the "RED"button over on the side...
talk about a fun blog. This sweet lady has found most of the
items i need for my Christmas shopping! i am so excited!
no bargain hunting in crowded, hot, stores w/ crying babies! wahoo!.

Also if you care going to be having company this holiday season,
go check out my friend Cathy, on her blog, CATNABARN.
She has some great ideas on how to get some extra beds in
your house without sleeping bags on the floor. I can't wait for my turn to go to her B&B!

a taste of FALL?

2008-09-30T17:57:00.000-07:00

it's not cool enuf here to feel like fall yet,
but here is a yummy recipe-
that helps to set the mood.

SUPER EASY BEAN SOUP
you need a big crock pot and a can opener!

5 cans of beans...
i usually use, ranch style, great white northern , normal cut green beans,& kidney. bush baked bean, pork & beans etc- depends whats on sale when i get ready to make this.

tomato sauce or a bottle of ketchup
brown sugar
brown, crumbled bacon. go ahead and burn it. so it crumbles good.

and / or browned ground meat...ie. hamburger approx 1 lb.

salt and pepper and some liquid smoke.

you can do sauteed onions{ my Hubby lourves his onions}

drain the water off the plain beans. keep the good sauces!
put then into the crock pot. add the ketchup and sugar. give it a good stir, and walk away.
now cook the hamburger or bacon. let it cool
( or do this in advance - just leave the crock pot alone for about 2 hours)
now add the meat and onions and liquid smoke if you want.
let it mix all together and cook till its all warm and gooey. say 2 more hours
( as long as nobody lifts the lid )
then you are ready to EAT.
serve with corn bread or whatever and again,
IF you are married to my Hubby more onion on top.

and this is wonderful the 2nd day as well. Enjoy...

Especially for my Daughter!

2008-09-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

http://blogthings.com/couldyoubeavampirequiz/

You Could Be a Vampire... If You Had To
Like most people, the thought of being a vampire has crossed your mind.
But you're not sure if you'd do it, even if you could.
Living forever doesn't sound half bad, if
you could live forever with the people you love the most.
But do vampires even love? And would the vampire version of you even be you?
It's all too much to contemplate.
Luckily, the chances of you ever becoming a vampire are astronomically low.
What you would like best about being a vampire:
Living forever
What you would like least about being a vampire: Blood stained teeth

Not quite like TWILIGHT... just for fun...

fun game from Cake Spy.com...

2008-09-26T08:33:00.000-07:00

1) Copy this list into your site, including the instructions!
2) Bold all of the sweets you've eaten!
3) Cross out any of them that you'd never ever eat.
4) Consider anything that is not bold or crossed out your "To Do" List.
5) Optional: Post a comment here linking to your results--or just post a comment letting us know how many you've tried, or what you're going to try next!

Red Velvet Cake ~ w/ cream cheese frosting, delish!
Princess Torte
Whoopie Pie ~ Whoope!
Apple Pie either topped or baked with sharp cheddar
Beignet
Baklava
Black and white cookie
Seven Layer Bar (also known as the Magic Bar or Hello Dolly bars)
Fried Fruit pie (sometimes called hand pies)
Kringle
Just-fried (still hot) doughnut ~ thank you krispy kreme, please come back.
Scone with clotted cream
Betty, Grunt, Slump, Buckle or Pandowdy
Halvah
Macarons
Banana pudding with nilla wafers ~ mmmmm
Bubble tea (with tapioca "pearls")
Dixie Cup
Rice Krispie treats ~ basically wonderful ( have you tried it w/ other cereals?)
Alfajores
Blondies ~i need a good recipe! please..
Croquembouche
Girl Scout cookies ~ THIN MINTS
Moon cake
Candy Apple~ almost time, yeah!
Baked Alaska
Brooklyn Egg Cream
Nanaimo bar
Baba au rhum
King Cake
Sachertorte
Pavlova
Tres Leches Cake ~ thank YOU Kenia!!
Trifle
Shoofly Pie
Key Lime Pie (made with real key lime)
Panna Cotta
New York Cheesecake
Napoleon / mille-fueille
Russian Tea Cake / Mexican Wedding Cake
Anzac biscuits
Pizzelle
Kolache
Buckeyes
Malasadas
Moon Pie
Dutch baby
Boston Cream Pie
Homemade chocolate chip cookies ~ who could live w/out these?
Pralines ~ sooo rich
Gooey butter cake
Rusks
Daifuku
Green tea cake or cookies
Cupcakes from a cupcake shop
Crème brûlée
Some sort of deep fried fair food (twinkie, candy bar, cupcake)
Yellow cake with chocolate frosting ~ not a fav, kinda boring
Jelly Roll
Pop Tarts ~ which one is YOUR fav?
Charlotte Russe
An "upside down" dessert (Pineapple upside down cake or Tarte Tatin)
Hummingbird Cake
Jell-O from a mold ~ again, not a fan
Black forest cake
Mock Apple Pie (Ritz Cracker Pie)
Kulfi
Linzer torte
Churro ~ YUMMY
Stollen
Angel Food Cake
Mincemeat pie
Concha
Opera Cake
Sfogliatelle / Lobster tail
Pain au chocolat
A piece of Gingerbread House
Cassata
Cannoli
Rainbow cookies
Religieuse
Petits fours
Chocolate Souffle
Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake)
Rugelach
Hamenstashen
Homemade marshmallows
Rigo Janci
Pie or cake made with candy bar flavors (Snickers pie, Reeses pie, etc)
Divinity
Coke or Cola cake
Gateau Basque
S'mores ~ My hubby does not like these, SHOCK! GASP!
Figgy Pudding
Bananas foster or other flaming dessert
Joe Froggers
Sables
Millionaire's Shortbread
Animal crackers
Basbousa

sorry about that..

2008-09-17T20:44:00.003-07:00

i am getting an error message so i wanted to make sure i saved what i had typed...

so onto the cutting mats... did you know...
that you are supposed to season it before you use it??? I had NO IDEA!
( i took notes) wink wink!
so peeloff the clear plastic protector, and play "patty cake" on you mat... touch all sticky surfaces... SHOCKING, I KNOW! the oil in your hands helps it work better.
and here all this time we were told the oil on our hands is NOT "acid free"
and therefore BAD for this hobby of ours.
not so in this case.
place a piece of card stock on the mat and press it lightly down. now, peel it off.
if you hear something similar to what the rice crispies commercial sounds like -
you need to touch your mat some more... keep doing this till your mat is mostly quiet.
then go ahead and cut. make sure you place the clear piece of plastic back on your mat
and play patty cake EVERYTIME you use it. again WHO KNEW??
( maybe the 5 people who read the directions, kudos to ya'll!!)
there is also a way to Refurbish your old yucky mats, ask me if you want to know.
if you are using the wonderful BAZZILL card stock. set the machine on HIGH and 5. yup, just like we teach our kids to give us a HI5! and if you are going to cut out a piece with alot of flourishes or curves.... S L O W D O W N the speed! to medium or 3.
i also learned how to change the blade and i learned that there will be a new blade coming soon, that allows you to cut chipboard. sooo much fun! and the software has some nifty tricks on it as well. and a way to check for updates and preview new cartridges to see if you want to buy it or not. i also learned that i reallllly want to get the paper doll cardtrige. so do YOU. there is over 3000 images on there. they are layered. try going to features, or accesories 3.
i got all my info from Cricut Dan... he seemed to be very knowledgeable and also somewhat tired of answering the same questions over and over and over..... poor guy.
i wish i had had even just a 1/2 hour to pick his brain. oh well...
so thats my helpful, handy dandy, tip for the day. hope it helps you as well.
have a great day!

about convention

2008-09-17T20:44:00.002-07:00

So we had a BLAST! as always its yucky food... ( pack a sack lunch, cuz you reallly dont want to leave the grounds & lose a good parking spot- lol!)
and there were none of the SKINNY COW ICE CREAM GIRLS...
i really wanted my MIL to see them and have a treat as well. they are the youngest, cutest, SKINNY-est, college age girls... with FABULOUS hair and makeup- made even the prettiest scrapper ladies look like hags. NOT that we are and i would never think this out loud, but i'm just saying... a better ad for DIET TYPE TREATS would be a NORMAL GIRL, who was slightly overweight or even just CURVEY.... who could honestly say she had been on a diet and that these treats are good and they helped to satisfy her cravings for chocolate etc...
Does that make any sense??!?! i sure hope so. cuz i am not out to hurt any feelings.

so anyways the make and takes have gone up in price! $ 10 bucks for a couple. granted they were awesome make & takes... but... we are in a hurry here... and we want a BARGAIN! don't have time to schedule an appt. to make a clear mini acrylic album. thats why they have CLASSES! sigh...... there is some really cute new product as always, and we were just 'lucky' enuf to run into the CRICUT BOOTH.
i gotta say i learned ALOT, like there is a cute Tinkerbelle cartridge coming soon. and that we have NOT BEEN USING OUR CUTTING MATS CORRECTLY.

Do you have a favorite "FALL" candy?

2008-09-17T20:44:00.001-07:00

I sure do... its the candy pumpkins! oh yeah!
i like candy corn too, and of course i LOVE chocolate.
But there is something so special about these sweet pumpkins.
i just found out that "spymommy" over at My tiny speck of a Life, loves them too.

BUZZARDS, BATS, & BUMBLEBEES

2008-09-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING....

THE BUZZARD: If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
THE BAT: The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placedon the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
THE BUMBLEBEE:A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
PEOPLE: In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

Sorrow looks back, and worry looks around, but faith looks up!
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.

scrapbooks!

2008-09-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

WOOO! HOOO!
ck scrapbook convention is in town! and its so much fun!
they have classes and LOADS of shopping. e even if you are not a crafty person a chance to go with your girlfriends and visit is worth it! i am going with my MIL. - S. ( yup, and her intials are the same as mine, tee hee)
i don't know what i would do with out her!!!
~ We love her to pieces!!! ~ and, wow can this woman cook!,paint, sew, do hair, craft, garden, etc... she has so many talents and i so love how her home is decorated!
i have pictures just for inspiration!!!
i'll be sure to let you know how much fun we had!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

What's Your Flavor??

2008-09-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Take this silly quiz and see what flavor ice cream you are... i can be Rocky Road or Vanilla.
kinda funny- but I love to eat Mint Choclate Chip and vanilla with LOTS of Hot Fudge!

http://www.the-n.com/quizzes/quiz_main.php?id=3243

make sure you let me know what Flava' you are. pretty please.

WHAT?!

2008-09-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOSH!
this morning my sweet neighbor is sick, and asked my to bring out her recycle garbage. no biggie, so i do. ( good thing she called so i could take mine out too! ) so while i am outside before 7 am {shock, gasp, dont let my hubby read this, he might get ideas, lol!} i hear DUCKS QUACKING. rememeber i live in the desert SW, on a normal residential street, i dont think anybody on this part of the street even has a POOL! ( weird i know) and i HEAR DUCKS!?!?! WhATs UP WItH tHaT!?!?! so when its time to leave with the kids, i drive super slow so i can be Nosy Nelly and lOOk. guess what, there ARE ducks in the FRONT YARD - 3 house down and they have strings around their necks.... so either they have dinner plans or new pets. i was sooo relieved it wasnt my hearing going bad. ;)

useless trivia....

2008-09-04T06:10:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Today in 1959, NYC, BANNED the song "Mack the Knife"???? ( sung by Bobby Darrin) evidently there was a rise is stabbings... W H O K N E W?!?!!?

How odd and useless is that.?

i wanted RAIN

2008-08-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

and i got a WEIRD STORM.
when you live in the desert you expect HOT, and summer monsoon rains bring the Humidity. BUT 90 mph winds?? now that sjust WEIRD! barely any rain on my side of town,but lots of wind, i have somebody's little kid plastic pool in my yard. and i had the bathroom cabinet doors outside and i am lucky they did not break/crack when they fell. but this is nothing... the downtown area is a MESS, and poor ASU. and still, i am blessed. i dont have to worry about Gustav, and Katrina only affected my heart. and so i am worried about my friends in Miss, and Fla. and everywhere else too.

nothing much

2008-08-28T08:10:00.000-07:00

i feel some guilt over not posting.
but- some work has been done in the bathroom, the toilet is in. YEAH!
and so is the floor!! and my MOM job was calling, nothing like11 loads of laundry to bust your Happy Bubble. heh heheh heh heh

so anyways - thats the basic scoop. the humidity levels are high right now in monsoon season and it drives me crazy... i cannot wait till it cools off. so yeah for November! really. its usually still hot on Halloween. no furry costumes in the sonoran desert. please, it'll kill the kiddos.

oh, and tommorrow night we are going to a wedding that i did the flowers for. i am looking forward to it. her colors are black and white and pale yellow- bzzzzzz. so GLAD it was silk. and i hope it rains. its GOOD LUCK here.

and thanks for all the wonderful comments. ya'll make me laugh. and i will try to visit everybody soon.
TTFN, S.

August 21st....

2008-08-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

so many goings on.
School Started AUGUST 11th! not sure if i really like putting sunscreen on the kids as they walk out the door to go to the school-the pool yes, school hmmmm. its only gonna be 110* today. and my baby's teacher said NO FROZEN water bottles, they are weapons. WHAT!?!?!
so now i have one in 8th grade, and she is on the morning announcements TV show there at the school. she's famous. the big boy is in 5th. and the baby girl is in 4th. time flies. but i have to admit, i sure am smiling alot this last week or so at the PEACE AND QUIET in the house.
- - - after 3:30pm, fergitit about it!!!! - - -
we have been to 3 weddings so far this month. hmmm. something in the air? it sure is fun to see the smiles on the happy couples. and to remember all the chaotic fun of my own wedding.
my good friend Kendra has had a new baby girl just yesterday am. i cannot wait to hold her and smell that straight from HEAVEN smell!

the bathroom is coming along. i had to stop. brain overload and the rest of the house is a disaster..... and i was hungry. ;) it was sooo funny, only A. thinks its pretty. She says it reminds her of s'mores. lots of chocolate! can't go wrong there!! lol! so she was "helping" me paint, and backed into the wall. and as she pulled away, she obviously had paint on her bumm, BUTT, the funny part is that she left an imprint on the wall!!! soooo cute! i have used a heidi swapp mask on the upper cabinet doors. the bird and twig one. i REALLLLY like it. ( a mask is basically the opposite of a stencil ) and i was having to hold back from doing it everywhere!!!

~*~*~and i went to Michaels last night, and I SCORED BIG TIME!!!! the best deal in a LONG TIME! they had these darling wall hooks and tiny metal wall hanging baskets. all about 3x5 inches. they are the palest blue and cream with French stuff all over them, cherubs and postcards, rive gauche, etc. maybe you saw them. well they were $3.99 ( a reasonable price ) and they were just hanging on a short wall and the sign said .39 cents..... WHAT? so i carefully put some in my basket and made my way to the front, asked the girl oh so nicely what the price was... explained and she walked back with me, "sure enuf says she, you can have them for the .39 cents!!!" WAHOO!!!!!! i bought all of them. i think i have 16. LOL!, rofl!!! , giggle!, snort!, snark!, squawk! i know, its silly, but i can sooo use them... think covered and altered w/ scrapbook papers & paint. seasonal, silly, girly, i can make one for THE BOY too!
and maybe, just maybe, i just might leave the cherub one alone and put it in the bathroom!
OH MY!!

soooo, i guess i have rambled enuf for today.... on Saturday it will be my dear mother's b-day. i have decided to embarrass her, kinda. i'll be nice Mom. promise. and i'll explain the big toe thing. maybe. i might might be busy helping to put in the new toilet.
( dont get me started, lol!)

uh oh...

2008-08-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

I just told some friends i have a blog...
NOW WHAT?!! says me with fear in my eyes, giggles too!
hahahahaha, SNORT!

day 3

2008-08-17T21:30:00.001-07:00

so, i showed my oldest daughter, C. the "blog". her reaction, "Mom, you need to get some pictures, this is boring. while you're at it find some pretty headers."

well, not to sound like a teeny bopper, but, DUH!!!!
i wonder why she didn't offer her years of practical experience??? lol!

We are currently working on a fun home renovation. The hall bathroom.
when finished it should be wonderful. i purchased the pretty shower curtain from target. and the colors are brown and aqua. a true move for me, since i am not a blue fan! so i am excited to see how it all turns out. i am taking pictures and hopefully i can learn HOW to add them.

day 2

2008-08-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

just watched Michael Phelps get his 8th gold medal....
so amazing. what talent. i wonder what his "real job" is? i realize training IS a real job, but still...

1st post

2008-08-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

Day one....
I just decided to run with the idea of a blog and here it is!!!
"lions, and Tigers, and Bears! OH MY!!!"