Suburban Hooker

2011-03-22T07:19:00.001-04:00

Meet Buddy!!

2011-02-06T07:22:00.001-05:00

Thanks to a wonderful friend we have made an addition to our family.

Meet Buddy our new little pal.......

We adopted a neglected and abused 14 month old chi. He wasn't housebroken or socialized and had been living alone in a utility room with a brother at first and then all by himself for awhile. He's been here with us for only 3 weeks and has been housebroken and is starting to feel more safe and I hope loved because he is. We have a lot of work cut out for us to get him socialized. He's scarred but I just know we can change the bad stuff and make his life fun and happy. We're very happy!!

Merry Christmas!!

2010-12-26T08:06:00.004-05:00

I do hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!

It was very busy around here.....it was wonderful to have all or most of my family together though. I live for those times!! Family, friends, good food.........what could be better??

Merry Christmas......

God Bless Us, EVERYONE!!

SuburbanHooker

Double Tail Santa Hat available HERE

Workin Hard

2010-12-08T07:45:00.000-05:00

On HATS that is!!!
I have made 8 hats and a neckwarmer this past week.
I LOVE making hats but after this week I think it will be time to move on to armwarmers or something??
Have to put my hooks up and get some cookies made.
What kind of cookies do you make for the holidays??
I'm going to exchange cookies and I want to make 2 different kinds for that.
I'd love some suggestions!!!

New Hats and Links to Patterns!!

2010-11-07T12:41:00.002-05:00

Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE making hats!!!!

Just lately I've been back into it with the help of my friend April the wonderful pattern designer!!

Here are a few of my latest projects with links to where you will find the patterns should you be interested!!

Kistune Fox
by April Draven

My Stash Hats
by Sara Shalom

Fairy Ear Flap Hat
by April Draven

Owl Hat adapted from
Holy Julie Newmar Batman!
by Geraldine Lemay

Prairie Pillbox
by Jess Hampton

Pretty Pixie

by April Draven

Snow Day

by Elsie Flannigan

and finally some

Owl Mitts

by Jessica Spencer

I'm working on more too....there's nothing better than crochet on a chilly fall evening!!

My most sincere apologies.........

2010-09-16T19:53:00.000-04:00

It's been such a bad summer.....only a few more days and it will be behind us!

We lost our Chico on May 1st

On June 25th we lost my beloved Grandmother.

The week after my Grama's funeral we attended the funeral of one of my husband friends from work. We had just spoken with him, it was a surprise. 3 days later anther work friend passed away.

About a month ago hubbys sister's heart stopped. We got her back thank God.

10 days ago I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack, I'm fine....just arrhythmia which runs in my family....I got meds to control it. (Did I mention that we're unemployed and uninsured?)

My car has broken down....am awaiting word on that but I'll bet it ain't gonna be pretty!

Yesterday my husband lost his dear Mother to lymphoma.

She lived in TN and we are in MI and we aren't traveling to the funeral. My husbands arms (especially his elbows) and ribs are so sore. I think finally I can get him to go to the doctor tomorrow. It's pretty bad when you're in too much pain to attend your own mothers funeral.

See???? I really haven't felt like blogging or crocheting or cooking or anything else. I stuff my nose in a book and I don't pull it back out till I close the cover. Can you blame me??

Hopefully better days are ahead for us.

Sorry to be such a downer.....just wanted you to know why I've been gone so long.

Goodbye Sweet Chico

2010-05-01T15:20:00.000-04:00

So sad........goodbye to our very best friend.

This is a terrible day, we just had to have our beloved Chico put to sleep.

I'm dying right now....my heart is broken!!!

Goodbye Chico, we love you!!!!

Howdy from the Invisible Woman!!

2010-04-28T17:43:00.000-04:00

Well how is everyone?? It's been over 3 weeks since my last post. My sil asked me when I was going to update my blog yesterday. Now my sil NEVER talks to me on Facebook so I figured it must have been way too long since I posted. She was right.....lol!!! Thanks Kim!

Well my past 3 weeks have been busy and I like that. I was sick over Easter and got behind on spring cleaning but that's back on track now. The weekend before last I went to the MI woman's bowling tournament. I didn't do too bad. I was under the first two games and then over for the next 7. Not a total wash out, but nothing that will do anything for me. My friend bowled a 245 and she was well....to say tipsy would be nice but a pretty big understatement.....lol.....she was over 100 pins over her average and she could barely even stand up.....too funny!! She had lunch at Don Pablos and kept telling us she had margueritas at Cabo San Lucas.....we laughed so hard!! She thinks she had a good time too, we've assured her she did....lol.

I haven't been doing too much hooking lately. Just a couple of exchange squares but the ones I received were very nice and will look GREAT in my afghan!! I have found some GREAT patterns lately though. Like these...

Garden Party Sunhat

Pretty Floral Trinket Box

The Stars and Stripes Tote from this months issue of Crochet World (scroll down)

Cute Little Bird

and incredibly cute Mary Jane Slippers

Whatcha think??

On the weight loss front, I'm not doing too bad. Progress is very slow but I guess it's just that sluggish metabolism. It's slow but steady. I've lost 15 lbs now and I'm starting to notice a little. Yay me! I also get physically hungry for breakfast which I have NEVER been into. I was a coffee and cigarettes for breakfast girl for most of my life. Now that I don't smoke it's just lots of coffee but in the past few months I've been having 2 cups of coffee and an actual breakfast or smoothie every day.

Today I had a green monster smoothie

(in my magic bullet 1 1/2 cups organic baby spinach, 1 cup light soymilk, 1/2 banana, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder) which I originally found on a nice blog called Running Leaner and Greener. I get quite a few recipes through her. Love the 3 Min Oatmeal Raisin Cookie

Well, time to let you all get back to your lives.....I have to go make dinner.

Thanks for waiting, I've missed this!!

I'm off like a prom dress!!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T05:13:00.001-04:00

Look, I'm just saying that somewhere between Jesus dying on the cross, and a giant bunny hiding eggs there seems to be a gap of information. ~ Stan/South Park

Be vewy vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbit...

I just ate a pack of peeps and I didn't hear a sound....I want my money back!

from Suburban Hooker!!

Following your friends.....

2010-04-03T10:15:00.000-04:00

It's a good thing right??

You never know where you will find inspiration, motivation or salvation.

Am I right??

Can I get an AMEN brothers and sisters!!!

Today I followed my new friend Beth to a weight loss challenge/support post on Shortmama's blog.

Just click the button if you want to join along.

I don't know about you, but I can always use a pat on the back or a kick in the ass whichever has the most impact, now I will get it in full view of all my friends in blogdom!!!

Let the games begin!!

Who's with me?

A Thousand Words Thursday

2010-03-25T08:46:00.000-04:00

It's that time again......ATWT!!!

I thought this week I would share a couple of my latest finished projects with you.

This is Bgun, my goblin.

He's such a ham, has to get into every picture I take.

And this is the Lucky Slouchy Hat I just finished.

Patterns are available from April Dravens Etsy store.

For more ATWT fun, just click on the button and visit Jen at Cheaper than Therapy!

New Kid on the Block and A Thousand Word Thursday

2010-03-11T07:44:00.001-05:00

Hey ya'll, how's tricks?

Yeah I know....I've been slacking but my good friend is getting me all jazzed up about blogging again.......yay!!

He's just started his own blog, he's The Knotty Male and you should stop over and see him, tell him Suburban Hooker sent you!!

Someone's turning 9 on Fri....this was sent to my phone last night....I think her daddy got her a new electric gootar for her birthday?

She's come a long way since her first gootar

For more Thousand Words Thursday action, click the button!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2010-03-02T07:15:00.006-05:00

I know it's been a while since I posted last. I got busy again, sorry. I'm still working on my goblin and now I have some orders for a few things and I'm reading my way now through the Anita Blake Vampire series. Also, I've gotten myself shamefully ADDICTED to Facebook.....oh the horror!! Between that, working, logging in all the food I eat and working out, I've been pretty preoccupied. My apologies....again!! I'm sure I'm losing all my friends and wish I could get my poop in a group.

I figured I could get in the McLinky blog hop for this week and hopefully get some interest going again. This weeks theme is "Favorite Recipes". Now I know I've posted many favorite recipes in the past but I've been living differently lately. I'm eating better and have found some good better for you recipes so I would like to share one of them this time!

My latest favorite recipe is......

The 3-Minute Oatmeal Raisin Cookie and can be found HERE

Now I've made many versions of this cookie already. I always use whole wheat flour and 1 egg white instead of the substitute. I currently am using up the canister of quick cooking oats so I have added 1 T of granola and I have to nuke it for 1 min 10 sec, but microwave cook times vary so you best try the 45 first. I have added vanilla protein powder and eaten it with greek yogurt for breakfast. I've omitted the vanilla and added 1 T cocoa and 1/4 tsp almond extract and 1 T of sliced almonds. I've used dried cranberries and walnuts. However you make it....it will get you over the need to eat baked goodies.

Come share your favorite recipes!

Having fun with my Goblin!!

2010-02-11T20:02:00.001-05:00

I have gotten April Draven's Goblin pattern and am busily and very happily working on my 3rd stuffie EVAH!!!

I made a fuzzy bear for Grama one year for Mothers Day and I made my neice a stuffed airplane as part of her baby shower gift. I'm a nightmare for stuffy stuff. I detest sewing parts on. My days working with crabby ass bridezillas have ruined all things sewing for me I guess. I put my machines away and lost the cords.....lol. Anyhow, I always seem to sew stuff on sideways or lopsided. I'm much better at hats and bags and ghans...Oh My! Well I've seen so many wonderful stuffies and though I wouldn't mind trying them I wasn't ready to lift my ban on things requiring sewing.....until now that is. I have given the Goblin a try and I'm having so much fun!!!!! Who'd a thunk?? Turns out I don't absolutely HATE sewing his parts together. Now bear in mind that I spent all day yesterday on his head and I haven't added the spots on his eyes or the eyebrows yet, he's flawed....seriously flawed but I like him anyhow!!

Thanks April......seriously.........THANKS!!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2010-02-09T07:42:00.001-05:00

Well I thought I would get in the MckLinky blog hop again this week. This weeks Theme is "Valentine Memory" and I have a doozy!

On Valentines eve 1986, my brother was kinda kidnapped.

He stupidly went to a bar after work in the company vehicle and a couple of thugs grabbed him and tried to get him to open up the place where he worked. He stranded the truck in the median of a busy road so they couldn't take it then took off but they grabbed him. He broke the key off in the lock of his work and ran away but they grabbed him again. He got away again and got to a 7-11 where my grandfather and a police officer finally got him.

He got to a pay phone and called my mom, before they found him again. That was about 10 or 11 pm. Mom called the police and then she called in the troops. Grampa went in one direction, mom and our step dad in another and my brother and I in our own vehicles. Our other brother got in trouble for using a red cop light on his car, Mom saw him being pulled over but kept looking for Steve. I got pulled over for looking suspicious but that one wasn't hard to get help with....I DID look suspicious and the cop already had been looking for my brother. He told me to go home but of course I didn't figuring like the rest of my family that we would find him faster ourselves. My hubby stayed home in case they made him go home so they could rob him. He lived with US!!! We did find him ourselves, well Grampa did and the whole thing was over by 3:30 or 4 am.

Now my brother did a stupid stupid thing.....granted.....but no one deserves that!!! Our cousin either owned or operated that business at the time and he called the next morning and the first words out of his mouth were "tell your brother he's fired"....ah WRONG!! Don't get me wrong I would have fired him too that's inexcuseable but you have to care for people before things. I told our cousin to fire him his self and the first words out of his mouth should have been is he alright and I hung up on him. People first right!! I can't tell you how that set my hair on fire. My cousin is a good man, he was just upset but I set both him and my brother straight, don't worry....LOL!

Feb 14th, 1986 was my most memorable Valentines Day!

To tell us about yours come join the blog hop!

Punxatauney Phil and An Award!

2010-02-02T08:35:00.001-05:00

Of course the little devil saw his shadow.......how could he not??

Even on a dark snowy winter morning he's going to see his shadow.....it's all the damn lights!!!

Turn off those camera's and lights and maybe, just maybe, we'll have an early Spring!!!

6 more weeks.....I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!!

I'm starting to hate that rodent!

Lucky for me I received a Sunshine Award from my friend Shana at Blaze n Crochet!

Oh yeah, sunshine, lolly pops and rainbows everywhere (well, not Punxsutawney, PA)

That's better, I'm feeling better this cold morning.......Thank You Shana!!

Now the rules of the road......

- Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
- Pass the award on to 12 bloggers.
- Link said bloggers within your post.
- Let those bloggers know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I nominate for this award...

1. Renee from G*L*O*W Academy

2. Tina at Beansie Babbles

3. Sherry at Gramcracker

4. Keri at Greyt Balls of Yarn

5. Laura at Goose Hill Farm

6. Kar at Kar's Down Home Bliss

7. Bev at One Yarn After Another

8. Susan at My Hook and I

9. Katt at Kattwings Knits

10. Dandy at Purple is a Fruit

11. Pammy Sue at Scotty's Place

12. Bridgette at Life's a Beach

These blogs are all on my regular reading list when time permits and each have brought sunshine into my life, including Shana's blog. Thanks to all of them for being my bloggy buddies and Thank You Shana for sending me some sunshine!!!

Happy Blogging!

A new neighbor!

2010-01-27T15:13:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to take a min to tell you about a new neighbor here in blogdom. Her name is Natalie and you can find her at
Every Day Life.
Thank you to Shana and Tina for introducing me! Natalie is hosting a giveaway if you're interested in a $20 Walmart gift card then by all means enter while you're there saying hello but whether you enter to win or not, stop by and introduce yourself!

Shana incidentally is hosting a giveaway of her own, be sure the check out
Blaze and Crochet
for more info!
Tell em Suburban Hooker sent ya (wink)!

Lasagna for the Lazy Cook

2010-01-25T15:39:00.002-05:00

My Quick and Easy, yes you read that right.....

Quick and Easy Lasagna recipe

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs ground meat (beef, buffalo, chicken, turkey, sausage, your choice)

2 jars of your choice of spaghetti sauce (I usually get tomato basil)

1 box of lasagna noodles

16 oz ricotta cheese

1 cup parmesan cheese divided
2 eggs

2 T dried basil divided

1 t sugar
2 cups of shredded mozarella.

Directions:

Brown ground meat in skillet till no longer pink. Add spaghetti sauce, 1 T dried basil, 1 t sugar (this cuts down the acidity and can be omitted if you don't have a problem with that). Heat through.

In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 T basil, 2 eggs and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

Spread 1/2 cup sauce on bottom of 13 x 9 pan.

Layer a row of noodles, spread with 1/3 ricotta and then 1/2 cup mozarella, spread with 1/3 of sauce

Repeat layers topping with the last 1/2 cup of mozarella.

Cover but vent a corner or you'll be sorry (I'm speaking from experience!!)

Microwave on high for 15 min, turn and microwave an addl 15 min.

Remove cover and place under broiler till cheese browns up a bit.......optional!

I added garlic, cuz we likes it and didn't even bother with the broiler.....yummy yummy in my tummy!

Bon Appetite!

I have no excuse!

2010-01-24T18:11:00.003-05:00

Wish I had one honestly. I haven't been sick or on vacation or even particularly busy. I've just been gone......not anywhere but maybe my lazy boy with my nose stuffed into books. I've read quite a few lately. No crocheting at the moment......not a stitch. Christmas time tuckered me out I guess. I just finally got the very last of the holiday stuff put away today. Just some towels that were in the bottom of the hamper waiting to go into a full load of red colored things, but they're washed, and put away now. I'm starting to want tp make things again though so I imagine I'll be back to hookin soon enough!!

Hasn't this winter been weird??

I mean we usually have all kinds of snow by now but we haven't had hardly any, seriously like maybe 3 - 4 inches total. Heck it's raining today and 45 F out, all the snow that was there is gone now!! I know people in TX with more snow than we have here in Southeastern Lower MI!! Tell me that's not global warming weirding it all up!

Well kids...thought I would leave you with a crock pot recipe I'd like to try this week......

Boston Brown Bread

Description
Amongst New England brown bread recipes, this Boston brown bread recipes ranks supreme
because of its simplicity. Make this regional specialty in a crock pot for the best crock-pot recipe
around.

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoon cooking oil
• 2 tablespoon raisins, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup warm water

Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking
powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a small bowl, combine egg, buttermilk, molasses, sugar, and oil. Add egg mixture to flour
mixture, stirring just till combined. Stir in raisins.
3. Pour mixture into 2 well-greased 1-pint straight-sided wide mouth canning jars; cover the jars
tightly with foil. Set jars in crock-pot.
4. Pour 1/2 cup warm water into the crock-pot around the jars. Cover; cook on high setting
about 2 hours, or till a wooden toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean.
5. Remove jars from cooker. Cool 10 minutes. Carefully remove bread from jars. Cool
completely on rack before cutting.

No pictures yet but I'll post when after I make it!

Well that's all for now folks....be good to each other!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2010-01-14T09:18:00.000-05:00

The poorist country in an entire hemisphere......leveled!!

Let us Pray!!

Please help!

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.94aae335470e233f6cf911df43181aa0/?vgnextoid=15c0c5a210826210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

A Thousand Words Thursday

2010-01-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

Some days are just like that, you know?

For more ATWT fun, visit Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2010-01-05T10:00:00.001-05:00

This weeks theme is Christmas Pics

I hope you're not too sick of seeing them!!

My favorite pics of this season.....

My nieces having fun.......

My mother making a brunch casserole.

Right before she fell down and broke her shoulder :-(

Young ladies dressed up like young ladies...

My best friend

Our Tree

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T09:26:00.002-05:00

Good Bye 2009 and Good Riddance!!!

In fact.....so long to the first decade of this millennium!!

I do hope for better things, signs of progress, of healing.

For myself and my family and friends, for my State, my Country, our World, Mother Earth.

I believe that better things happen in even #'d years and I'm looking forward to a new year and a new decade. My hopes are not high as our world is in such unrest but I will continue to be hopeful.

In preparation of New Year I am making "lucky" foods for our Holiday dinner.

On the Menu and the reason for it....

Ham ~ pigs symbolize progress. The animal pushes forward, rooting itself in the ground before moving. A pigs rich fat content is supposed to signify wealth and prosperity.

Collard Greens ~ It's widely believed that the more greens you eat the larger your fortune next year because their green leaves look like folded money making them symbolic of economic fortune.

Hoppin John which is black eyed peas and rice and is considered very lucky ~ This traces back to the legend that during the Civil War, the town of Vicksburg, Virginia, ran out of food while under attack. The residents fortunately discovered black-eyed peas and they have been considered lucky ever since. Dried beans are considered lucky garnished or plain because they represent the changing over of years, since they can be stored throughout the winter and then be planted to create the harvest. Beans are symbolic of coins and they swell when you cook them.

Foods to avoid eating on New Years Day

Lobster, Chicken or any fowl for that matter. Lobsters walk backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks. Fowl scratch backwards for their food which could cause regret or dwelling on the past. Birds that can fly are discouraged because then your good luck could fly away!

I feel good with my menu......LOL!!!

On a more personal note......I have really enjoyed getting to know each of you and have had more fun blogging this year than in the 4 that came before it. I enjoy visiting your blogs, seeing what you're up to, the blog hops, those that I participate in and those that I find while trolling around. I love watching your families grow and change. It's like magic!! It's been my extreme pleasure to get to know you all and I hope that our friendships will continue to grow through the coming year.

May you all have Peace, Health, Prosperity and most of all Happiness in the New Year!!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-12-31T08:14:00.000-05:00

Family Christmas gathering......they're texting EACH OTHER.....seriously!!

Cape Cod Cranberry Bread

2009-12-27T07:30:00.002-05:00

My cousin's wife shared this recipe with me several years ago.

You MUST try it, it's FABULOUS!!!

Even non lovers of cranberry think this bread is the bomb!!

Cape Cod Cranberry Bread

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cup butter (melted and cooled)

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 1/2 cup flour

2 cups (1/2 bag) fresh cranberries

1/2 cup chopped & toasted pecans or almonds (optional)

Powdered sugar for dusting top of bread

Beat sugar & eggs until slightly thickened (about 2

min) Add melted butter & almond extract. Add flour,

cranberries & nuts, blend well

Pour into a buttered 9 inch square pan and bake at 350

for 50-60 min. Dust with powdered sugar when cooled.

Double recipe for 9x13 pan.

Chico says......

2009-12-25T20:40:00.000-05:00

Check out my new sweater!!!

Hope Santa was good to everyone!

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-24T22:52:00.001-05:00

Dear Suburban Hooker Readers, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Good times with family and friends, great food and spirits and warm fuzzy feelings. Make lots of memories my friends, travel safely!

I'm not ignoring you!!!

2009-12-23T08:39:00.000-05:00

I'm so sorry I haven't posted, but like all of you.....I'm BUSY with a capital B!!! I promise I'm not ignoring this blog on purpose. I'm just WAY behind and now it's crunch time.....lol. I'm not stressed about it, I'm actually having a WONDERFUL time. I've been shopping with a couple of my young nieces and that was great, I'm making gifts and candy and cookies and well....I guess it's just the magic of the season!! I went to 2 holiday parties last weekend and will have them now spread out right through Sunday. I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!!! I hope all of you are enjoying this holiday spirit as well. Have a GREAT DAY!!!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-12-17T07:33:00.002-05:00

I needed a hat model the other day.

My niece takes the word model seriously!

Of course when modeling hats for your auntie, you must always choose one for yourself.

This one looked like a Kit Kidridge hat so she kept it.

The others were for her teachers!

For more ATWT fun, join Jen at Cheaper than Therapy!

Scottish Shortbread Recipe

2009-12-13T11:14:00.003-05:00

Thank you Pammy Sue for pointing out that the link to the Scottish Shortbread was not working. It's fixed and I've added it here as well!

I will offer my experience with this recipe here as it was fabulous and it filled a large cookie sheet.....I got 5 dozen and enough cracked on the edges to fill my belly!!!

Scottish Shortbread

Take 1 lb of butter out a day before you need it to come to room temp.

In a HUGE bowl ( really, a small bowl make a large mess), mix all of your dry ingredients.

Now you can add your butter which you cut into small workable chunks. Now, I just dive right in with clean hands and get it all incorporated. This does not make a dough but rather doughish pebbles or sand, don't worry it will stick together when you smash it into the pan!! Make sure you have all the dust on the bottom of the bowl worked in or it will end up on the top of your cookie lump (which is what happened to me....grrr)!! Dump the whole mess onto a cookie sheet and start working it all nice and even. I cheated and used a small rolling pin to get it as even as I could. Prick the top with a fork at 1" or so intervals.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with sugar or powdered sugar or even colored sugar (I'm going to use cinnamon and sugar on the next pan I make)

Allow to cool in pan 10 min then cut (oh the sound of the knife slicing through will have you drooling, try not to drip) but leave in the pan to completely cool...if you can.

Make these, do it, do it now!! You'll love them......and that's a promise from your local Suburban Hooker!!!

Cookie Exchange Time!!

2009-12-11T17:05:00.002-05:00

My mom wanted to have a cookie exchange this year so badly!!!

She bought Christmas mugs and everything....lol.

We were all to make 5 dozen of a certain kind of cookie and pack them up so there would be one dozen for each person. Then when you leave, you will a dozen of 5 different cookies.

Yesterday I made and packaged up some

Snickerdoodles

and this afternoon I made some traditional

Scottish Shortbread
(thank you Pammy Sue for pointing out the bad link!)

I also whipped up some spinach dip for nibbles!!

Have a great night, stay warm if you're in this cold snap that we're in.

Heck I got an ice cream headache just walking from my house to my car!!

Blog ya later!

Saturday Plans...

2009-12-05T10:32:00.000-05:00

Going Christmas Shopping with my niece.

I love Christmas Shopping with Taylor....she always tries to get everyone on her list something cheap so there will be enough money left to buy herself something wonderful. Her dad said she's not allowed to buy herself anything so she has to spend her money on those on her list. It gives me ideas of what she wants for Christmas....and anyhow....it's FUN!! She informed me that we're going out to lunch and it's on her....lmbo!! So that's my plans for today. Hope you have as much fun as I'm planning to. I'm off like a prom dress!! Hola!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-12-03T06:44:00.005-05:00

The newest addition to my Christmas Tree.

A birthday gift from my bro and his family.
Thank you Andy, Kim and Taylor...he looks great on the tree!!

For more ATWT action, visit Jen at
Cheaper Than Therapy

Mmmm....!!

2009-12-02T07:38:00.000-05:00

I was just cleaning up my email and I found a link to a recipe for

Chicken Carbonara Deluxe.

I think I might have a use for the last bits of my Thanksgiving Turkey!! Guess I will make it for dinner tonight but will make some changes to lower the fat content. Like instead of the heavy cream I will use fat free evaporated milk and maybe a bit of reduced fat cream cheese melted into it. I will use turkey bacon and whole grain pasta as well. I think it would be good with a green salad and maybe some beer bread. I'll let you know how it turns out!!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2009-12-01T07:42:00.000-05:00

Today's theme is

"FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION"

and while I adore them all...making cookies with my mom, shopping with my young niece, Christmas movies and the music (which is all I listen to from Nov 1st on), my very favorite tradition is spending Christmas Eve with my beautiful Grandmother. I have never missed one....ever. I have cut other family visits short so I could be with my Grandparents. Grandma Ginny turns 95 in 2 more weeks and I'm making her pink elf slippers to wear for Christmas Eve.

Isn't she gorgeous!!!!!!

I Love You Grandma!!

How you doin?

2009-11-28T09:40:00.001-05:00

Well...Thanksgiving is over, time to decorate for Christmas!!!

Unfortunately I've got mountains of laundry to do.......boo hiss!!

I HATE doing laundry!!

So for today, I'm going to do some laundry, work on hats.....as always. I'm going to go and visit Mom, Grama and the Aunties sometime today and do more laundry. Not too much cooking to do today since there is still so much leftover from Thanksgiving.

I should probably start putting out the Christmas decorations and I can finish with the tree tomorrow or Monday. It's so hard when you live in a shoebox!!! There is no place to put anything!! I have to move my recumbant bike somewhere for the season and it's HEAVY!! If I don't, there's nowhere to put the tree. Oh well, ya haveta do what you haveta do right??

So, I will leave you with one of my favorite hat patterns from one of my favorite designers
April Draven's
Queen of Hearts Sloucy Hats

which is what I'm working on now
AND
my friend Ree Nee Bopper's
Turkey Salad

which is what I'm making for dinner!!

Happy Saturday Blog Buddies!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2009-11-26T10:55:00.002-05:00

On the Menu

2009-11-25T19:34:00.002-05:00

For Thanksgiving Dinner

Beautiful Turkey

Mashed potatoes

Gravy

Sausage and Sage Stuffing.....done

Green Bean Casserole....done

Scalloped Cabbage....done

Corn

Sweet Potato Casserole....done
Cranberry Sauce....done

Hot Rolls

For Dessert

Sour Cream Dutch Apple Pie with Cream Cheese Crust....done

Chocolate Pie....done

Busy Busy Busy!!

2009-11-25T08:03:00.000-05:00

Holy Schnikes!!!

It's hard to miss a week of work to illness.

It's harder to make up the missing week and not miss anything from the usual week

AND COOK FOR THANKSGIVING!!!

So, you know where I've been and where I'll be for the next 36 hrs or so!!

More later!!

I made it!!

2009-11-21T14:59:00.001-05:00

I'm on the other side of the abyss........and I've lived to bitch about it!!

I really do have an excellent immune system, it only fails me once in awhile.

This wasn't a good time but I guess it never really is. I'll tell you what though....

It takes a lot to keep me in the house for a fricken week.......and I was in my house for a fricken week!!!

I got a lot of hats made......like 7 or 8 and I made my sil a pair of fingerless gloves too. I'll take pics later.

I'm better now......whew.......long week!!!

This morning I took my niece to the Holiday Parade and then we went to Kmart so she could buy her grampa a can of spam for his birthday. She's 8 with a great sense of humor......lol. Just got home about an hr ago and I'm tired. Maybe I'll take a nap, or maybe just finish watching Michigan get beat by Ohio State.....nah......I'm going to put in a movie and crochet!!!

Ugh....how did this happen??

2009-11-17T19:42:00.000-05:00

I don't know how this happened.

I'm soooo careful too!!!

Didn't matter though.

I got it anyhow......the flu!!!

Been in bed for 2 days and counting.

See you on the other side.
Hope you all stay healthy!!

Hello my bloggy buddies!

2009-11-14T07:43:00.001-05:00

Just a quick pop in to let you know that I've been busy making hats.

Sorry for my lack of blog posts this week.......my bad.

I've made 4 hats (2 delivered and 2 to deliver today), worked 2 that suck and are in the frog pile and am working on another now and about to start a Bella La Push hat for my niece's birthday.

It seems the slouchy style is very popular this year. Here's a couple that Taylor ordered for her Aunt and Grama. I'll get them to her this weekend and she can make her deliveries......lol.

Yesterday I made a chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting for McG and Dad.

I also made a shoefly pie which I will take to share with my mom, aunts and grama today after mom and I get back from visiting a few local craft shows!!

Anyhow, just wanted to let you know what I've been up to!!

Until next time!!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2009-11-10T07:48:00.000-05:00

Today's blog hop theme is "Ask A Question", so here's mine....

What is the one dish (besides the obvious turkey, mashed spuds) that your Thanksgiving feast wouldn't be a Thanksgiving feast without?? Does your family have a special stuffing, veggie dish or dessert or even some fancy dinner roll that your great grama used to make, then grama, then mom, now you or your daughter??

For us it's Scalloped Cabbage which is just boiled cabbage and onion with a medium white sauce poured over, topped with buttered cracker crumbs then popped into a moderate oven and baked till golden on top. Grama always made it, and my mom and now I do and one of my brothers whose Thanksgiving isn't complete without it too.

(photo borrowed from taste of home, we don't add the cheese to ours)

What about you?? What's your old family favorite??

Oh mommy......you all HAVE to make this!!!!

2009-11-09T17:44:00.000-05:00

The Sour Cream Dutch Apple Pie recipe I posted the other day.........oh mommy!!!

Seriously you have GOT TO TRY THIS ONE!!! It's going to be the star on my holiday table this year for sure!! One of the neighbors called right away to beg for the recipe......lol.

I made 2 small pies with this and shared with our neighbors and my dad and this is what's left for dessert. Wish I didn't have to share it.......lol!

I followed the recipe pretty closely. I used 3 Paula Gold and 3 Honeycrisp apples. I had only had 1 cup of reduced fat sour cream and it calls for 1 2/3 cup so I added 1 6oz cup of fat free french vanilla yogurt that I drained a bit of the whey out of. I also used less flour in the topping cuz I only had a little bit left. Other than that, I followed the recipe.

ATWT

2009-11-05T08:41:00.000-05:00

I asked my niece to model a hat for me last year

and she went alien on me!

For more ATWT fun, visit Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy

AWESOME GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

2009-11-04T06:56:00.000-05:00

You don't want to miss this one, oh no you don't!!!

Kristen over at La Dolce Vita is giving away one of her wonderful pieces in anticipation of the New Moon release!!! You MUST hop over and have a looksie!!! Her blog is great so even if you're not interested in the giveaway you should check her out, I'm a huge fan of her wearable art!!! I'd own a ton of it if we had a cash flow but alas........maybe I can win one?? So go on over and say hello, and tell her Suburban Hooker sent you!!

Oops, forgot to show you.......

2009-11-03T15:17:00.001-05:00

The new Fall Tapestry Crochet bag I just finished......very FALL!!

2009-11-03T07:57:00.000-05:00

On Halloween I had the most delicious apple pie EVAH!!!

Sour Cream Dutch Apple Pie with Cream Cheese Crust.

OH MOMMA!!!

This morning I got the recipe.....I will be making a trial run this week.

This pie will most DEFINITELY be on my Thanksgiving table this year.

Deb, if you're reading......THANK YOU!!!

Enjoy!

Sour Cream Apple Pie

Crust:
1 cup Flour
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ pound of butter

Filling:
1 2/3 cups sour cream
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
6 large apples, peeled, cored and sliced

Topping:
1 cup chopped nuts
½ cup flour
¼ pound of butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Combine crust ingredients and blend with pastry cutter. Press into a 9” deep pie dish. Set aside.

Combine all of the filling ingredients except for the apples. Stir the apples into the mixture and pour into the crust.

Bake pie at 450 degrees for ten minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake an additional 30 – 35 minutes.

While the pie is in the oven, loosely mix the topping ingredients. Spoon over the baked pie and bake an additional 15 minutes.

Note: Filling is enough for two pie. Double crust recipe and prepare 2 pans.

Sour Cream Apple Pie
Source: Kathleen Buday
Tested on: December 1997

Open During Construction

2009-11-01T17:29:00.001-05:00

As you may have noticed, I am doing a bit of construction to my blog here.

I am open during construction of course. It's Nov 1st and I only get a few weeks

of Thanksgiving decor before I have to get out the Christmas stuff, so I decided to get started. Tomorrow all the Halloween stuff will be packed up but today I'm revamping my blog!!

Did you notice that I managed to make a new favicon without running crying to my friend Renee to ask what the heck I did wrong......again....LOL. I also managed to make a new blog button and ......AHEM.....a button code!!! Yep, that's right I finally learned how the devil to do it and there is now an actual code if you use buttons on your blog.

It's been fun learning new stuff. My brain just happened not to be too fuddled up today I guess....LOL!!!

So anyhow.......whatcha think???

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T14:11:00.001-04:00

Chico is ready for Halloween

So am I

Here's something for your party

Nelsons Blood

8 parts champagne

3 parts red port

Pour the champagne and port into a chilled champagne glass.

Happy Haunting!

Hallobowling 2009

2009-10-30T19:17:00.000-04:00

My aunt the bird watcher, me....the witch and my hippie mama

This is the few who dressed up for bowling.

The baseball player on the left by smarty pants and hippie mama is my little sister.

MY new hat

2009-10-30T09:00:00.001-04:00

I'm going to be myself this halloween

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-10-29T08:12:00.003-04:00

Don't you just love Vincent!!

My favorite horror flick!!

Norferatu 1922 Silent

The creepiest vamp EVER

Visit Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy for more ATWT fun!

Thankfulness Tag

2009-10-29T07:45:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by my friend Renee

I am not tagging anyone as I have done quite a bit of tagging lately.

Feel free to snag this and post it to your blog and tag your friends.

I encourage you to, it's great to find out about our wonderful blogging buddies.

Don't forget to let me know so I can come see what you're thankful for!!

On the Menu

2009-10-27T20:08:00.000-04:00

Tonights dinner is...

Chicken Enchiladas

Black Beans and Rice

For Dessert...

Mixed fruit cobbler with whipped cream.

Jealous??

Lookie what I got.....

2009-10-26T18:04:00.000-04:00

My lovely friend Renee has passed this award on to me.

Thank you Renee!

The rules for accepting this award are fairly simple.....

I am to tell you six things about myself that you don't know and then award it to six other gorgeous bloggers.

Ok, let's see if I can think of 6 things that I haven't already told you....hmmmm

1. I'm an old hippie

2. I HATE HATE HATE shopping malls!!!

3. I HATE the color BLACK

4. I got married when I was 18

5. I was matron of honor at my mothers wedding and best man at my fathers.

6. I like to burn candles and incense.

Now to pass it on.....

BEANSIE (if you have time)

SHANA

BEV

KERI

THE BEAN

MARIA

Crockpot Peach Cobbler....YUMMMMMM

2009-10-26T17:42:00.002-04:00

My friend Renee at G*L*O*W Academy posted a recipe for Crockpot Peach Cobbler which I made yesterday and oh my lord, thank you Renee!!!

Now let me just tell you...I LOVE coming home to dinner already done in my crockpot but this was actually a first for me....SWEETS that cook themselves!! Good Lord, ready made, HOMEMADE desserts.

I'm dizzy with possibilities!!

Check it out, this was the before shot. There is no finished product shot cuz it didn't last long enough...sorry!!

Just click the pic to get the recipe!!

Pumpkin Crunch Recipe!!

2009-10-25T10:54:00.000-04:00

You've got to try it, it's wonderful.

Just click on the pic to go to the recipe again!

I think it will replace the traditional pumpkin pie at our Thanksgiving feast this year....DELISH!! Thank you Laura and Laura's sister, excellent recipe, we loved it!

Yummmm......PUMPKIN!!!

2009-10-24T14:21:00.001-04:00

Doing a bit of baking this chilly Saturday afternoon!!

Turning a pumpkin from this.....

To this.....hopefully!!!

Pic property of Goose Hill Farms

(borrowed without permission, sorry Laura)

This is a recipe for Pumpkin Crunch that I got from my friend Laura. She has it posted on her blog Goose Hill Farms. I made some changes as we all do. I used brown sugar instead of white and added 1/8 tsp ground cloves to the pumpkin layer. I made a homemade yellow cake mix that I found at Chickens in The Road blog. I added vanilla to the melted butter (since it's usually in a yellow cake mix) and made 2 8" square pans instead of a 9 x 13.

I'll let you know how it works out!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-10-22T08:16:00.001-04:00

My niece and I last Halloween

Dead Cheerleader and her Fairy Gothmother

For more ATWT fun Join Jen at Cheaper than Therapy!

TAGGED!!!

2009-10-17T11:03:00.002-04:00

The lovely Renee from G*L*O*W Academy has tagged me for the

ABC's of Me Survey!! Thanks Renee....here I go.......

A - Age: 48.....argh
B - Bed size: Queen (just like me)
C - Chore you hate: LAUNDRY (don't mind the washing just HATE the folding and putting away part, can't wait for the rolled up wrinkled just pull it out of the basket and wear it look to come into style)
D - Dog's name: Chico (he already had his name, I would have named him Hoover or Kirby)
E - Essential start your day item: Coffee (it makes waking up worth it)
F - Favorite color: ANYTHING BUT BLACK (Fat people shouldn't wear it, it doesn't make you look skinny, wear a bright color and get over it...we're fat)
G - Gold or Silver: Silver, unless you have white gold!
H - Height: 5' 1.75" (you think you're short Renee....HA)
I - I am: In need of a shower!
J - Job: Domestic Goddess, Delivery Driver, Banker, Chef, Accountant, IT, Laundress, Seamstress, Travel Agent, you get the picture!
K - Kids: None (mom said one day I'd get one just like me so I jumped out of the gene pool, dried off and stayed out!)
L - Living arrangements: I've arranged to keep living as long as possible!
M - Mom's name: Mom...duh
N - Nicknames: Sissy, Auntie, Sal, Sallymander

O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: I was there pretty late with my brother once!
P - Pet Peeve: those great drivers who have to speed up to get in front of you and then immediately slow down to turn, yeah you got there faster for sure....IDIOT!!
Q - Quote from a movie: From Dumb and Dumber: "Expected the Rocky Mountains to be a little rockier than this. That John Denver's full of sh*t man."

From Elf: "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup"

R - Right or left handed: right but I can point and hold stuff in my left!
S - Siblings: you ready?? 3 natural brothers, 3 step brothers, 4 step sisters and a half brother from Honduras!
T - Time you wake up: usually around 6 am
U- Underwear: Yep
V - Vegetable you dislike: The idiot who passed me in the car and then slowed down so he could turn!!
W - Ways you run late: Procrastinating generally over my attire
X - X-rays you've had: Lungs...yep got em oh and Dental

Y - Yummy food you make: EVERYTHING!!
Z - Zoo favorite: EVERYTHING, I love the zoo and go all the time. Love the extra stuff, summer concerts by local artists, 3 D adventure rides, this summers Dinosaur exhibit, last night I went to the ZooBOO.....great Halloween fun, I LOVE IT ALL!!

Guess I should tag someone....ok, here goes

Bev from One Yarn After Another
Shana from Blaze and Crochet
Nikka from The Life and Times of a Stitch Witch
Vicki from Purple is a Fruit
Young Bean from A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE BEAN

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-10-15T08:16:00.001-04:00

For more fun ATWT entries, visit Jen at

Cheaper than Therapy

Time for the MckLinky Blog Hop!! PIC OBESE!

2009-10-13T07:53:00.001-04:00

This weeks theme is Anything that Feels Good.

My Family

Going to the Zoo

CROCHET

FALL

HALLOWEEN

CHRISTMAS

I'm Back!!

2009-10-12T08:24:00.001-04:00

Well I'm back from my weekend with Mom,

I had a wonderful time!!

We went to the lighthouse festival (people selling stuff to help in maintaining/restoring their lighthouses), we took some pictures at the local cemetery, we ate good food, we shopped, we went to Bronners (the always christmas store), we played canasta (mom kicked my butt, royally). It was a GREAT weekend. It was great to get away and it was a pleasure to spend it with my mom!!!

I used McG's old camera and it had managed to get out of focus so my pics aren't great. I wish I had just taken my old one, I can see it better and would have noticed the focus. Anyhow, the colors were fabulous!! Here's a couple of my pics from the cemetery.

I love Fall!!

So long, farewell........

2009-10-09T01:18:00.000-04:00

Just a quick pop in to let the kingdom of blogdom know that I am going away for the weekend. My mother and I are heading up north to the 14th annual Lighthouse Festival. Never been, but saw it in our AAA Living magazine last month so figured it was as good a reason as any!!

See you on Monday, ya'll play nice!!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-10-08T08:48:00.001-04:00

Join in the ATWT fun with Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy!

Come grab my new button

2009-10-07T19:01:00.001-04:00

Come grab my new button....my friend Renee made it for me!!!

It's right over there ---->

It looks just like this

Thank you Renee, I love it!!

Did you know today is my birthday??

It is and I love my gift!!

Self imposed computer ban.

2009-10-06T08:55:00.000-04:00

I'm not ignoring you I PROMISE!!

I sat here too long on Sunday/Monday and my chair wasn't adjusted properly. I probably hit it while I was cleaning back here on Sat. Anyhow, my neck is KILLING me. Feels like I have whiplash. I'm going to take a day off.......if I can......I will be checking me email occasionally. I hope it's better tomorrow. I'm going away this weekend and I NEED it to be better by then. Please don't think I'm ignoring you!!

I'll try again tomorrow!!

Decorating for the Holidays!

2009-10-04T12:05:00.002-04:00

What do you think??
I like this one....learning some other cool stuff too!!
Please pardon my dust while I try things on!

Time Sure Does Fly

2009-10-02T07:30:00.003-04:00

Doesn't it??
Sure doesn't seem like a week since my last blog post.

Our kitchen faucet has been dripping forever so on Tues I took advantage of a sale and some gift cards and picked up a really nice one for basically 50% off!!! The ensuing plumbing problems (as often happens with plumbing) have eaten up the savings and today we have to take it apart for a do over!!! Oh the joys of home ownership. When it's all said and done, we'll have new pipes down to the main and a nice shiny new faucet. It will be worth it to me....that drip made me furious I can tell you that!!!

I've been busy crocheting. I'm making another tapestry crochet bag and of course always working on hats. My friend Renee has found a pattern and we're going to swap with each other. I don't know about you but I just LOVE seeing how other people interpret the same pattern. We all make things that are alike all the time but sometimes it's the little differences that are so fun to see. I'm excited!!

I'm doing pretty well on the fitness front. Not sure I've lost any weight but I'm definitely getting fitter. I am up to 30 min a day on my elliptical in addition to any normal cardio activity and I'm working out with Comcast on demand/my stability ball/weights on Mon, Wed and Sat. I have more energy already!!! I started a group for my family and a few friends so we can push each other along. We call it the muffin top marathon......lol. Oct 1st to Jan 1st we'll compare our digits and the biggest loser will win a small prize. If I don't get skinny it will make me happy to have helped someone else on the way to their goal!!

So, that's it in a nutshell. I'll show pics of my tapestry crochet project as soon as I get one more band on it. Today is bowling day.....I'm going to do good today, I can just feel it!!!

Blog ya later!

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!!

2009-09-26T15:44:00.008-04:00

Do you know the legend of Johnny Appleseed??

Johnny Appleseed spent 49 years of his life in the American wilderness planting apple seeds. His real name was John Chapman and was born September 26, 1774 in Massachusetts. He created apple orchards in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio. After 200 years, some of those trees still bear apples!

Johnny Appleseed’s dream was for a land where blossoming apple trees were everywhere and no one was hungry. A gentle and kind man, he slept outdoors and walked barefoot around the country planting apple seeds everywhere he went. It is even told that he made his drinking water from snow by melting it with his feet.

Johnny was a friend to everyone he met. Indians and settlers -- even the animals -- liked Johnny Appleseed. His clothes were made from sacks and his hat was his old tin pot. He also used his hat for cooking. His favorite book was the Bible.

There are many tales about Johnny Appleseed. It is said that once Johnny fell asleep and a rattlesnake tried to bite him, but the fangs would not go into his foot because his skin was as tough as an elephant’s hide. Another tale describes him playing with a bear family.

Johnny Appleseed died in Ft. Wayne IN in 1845. It was the only time in his life that he had been sick -- in over 70 years!!!

http://www.applejuice.org/johnnyappleseed.html

Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman
(September 26, 1774 – February 18, 1845)

Thank you Johnny Appleseed!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-09-24T09:06:00.004-04:00

Taking inspiration wherever I can find it.....oh and guess what.....I'm at it again!!
Getting healthy that is. I'd like to lose weight but my main goal is just to be healthy!

For more ATWT fun visit Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy!
Do it, do it now!

Makin Hats!!

2009-09-20T14:40:00.003-04:00

Random hat, turned inside out

Anarchy symbol from Stitch n Bitch Happy Hooker done in Bernat Glow in the Dark green

Convertible Hats pattern by April Draven

Bobble Beauty pattern by Dot Matthews

Flower Center Slouchy Hat free Ravelry Download if you're a member

Just a kids lid. RHSS Black and Mexicana

Today is International Talk Like A Pirate Day!

2009-09-19T10:16:00.004-04:00

Avast Ye, Mornin' mateys!
Let's start our day with a black jack o grog shall we?
Yarrr, today be international talk like a pirate day me hearties!
Arrr, have any great plans for the day?
Ahoy, maybe watch a bit o' college football for me?
O'course I'll have me duffel full a crochet by me side, argh!
Aye, me parrot concurs.

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-09-17T07:56:00.005-04:00

This cracked me up so of course I had to use it for this weeks entry.
For more ATWT fun, visit Jen at Cheaper Than Therapy....do it, do it now, you know you want to!!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2009-09-15T07:55:00.008-04:00

This weeks Blog Hop theme is Show Off Your Art Well, I'm Suburban Hooker......guess you know what I'm going to show off!! Just a few of my favorites......

Sunday Dinner with Recipes!

2009-09-13T16:38:00.003-04:00

It all started on Wed when I broke the lid to my crock pot....oh the horror!!!!
I had an old Rival 5 qt removable crock which is only the second one I've ever had. My first was the same model, just the late 70's color scheme. I got it at my bridal shower and it lasted 15 yrs so when it came time to get another one well.....I got the same one and guess what.....It's lasted 14 yrs!!! Believe me I use it too.....on an average of once every 10 days or so. Both of them still worked when they were retired, they just had broken lids...both of them!!

Well I was beside myself......I didn't really want a new one, they're all bigger now and I have no where to store a larger one. Maybe I can find one on freecycle, craigslist or at a garage sale or flea market?? My mom offered to buy me one but I felt I could find an old one somewhere that would have an acceptable lid. Well....I got home from mom's yesterday and my dad had just left. McG says I just missed him, he brought over some chicken boobs and a new crock pot. This one is smaller....3 qt size and it's MUCH lighter and fits better on the shelf. I have chicken boobs in there now.....they're done but my new pot has a "keep warm" button!!!

So....thought I would share tonight's menu while my oven preheats.
Here we go, I've linked any recipe I used in tonight's menu.....

Crockpot Roasted Herb Chicken (garlic and fresh sage w/ chicken broth)
Brown Rice Pilaf
Fresh Tomato Salad (tomato wedges, fresh basil and mozarella rounds with italian dressing)
Grandma's Buttermilk Cornbread
Iced tea
and for dessert.....

My Grandpa Stout's Peanut Butter Fudge

Butter or spray an 8x8 or 9x9 pan

Combine in large sauce pan

2 cups sugar (white, brown or combination of both)
2/3 cup milk (ff, skim, whole, canned...heck I've even used powdered milk and water, just DON'T use the sweetened condensed kind)

Bring to a boil, boil till soft ball stage (stuff should still be a ball when it gets to the bottom of a tall glass of cold water. Remove from heat.

Add 3/4 cup peanut butter (crunchy, creamy, honeyed...heck once I made it with nutella)

Beat in the peanut butter and spread into an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 pan.
Allow to cool, cut and ENJOY!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-09-10T08:02:00.008-04:00

Hatred is the madness of the heart ~ Byron

How am I spending my alone time??

2009-09-06T08:37:00.002-04:00

It's Labor Day weekend here....it gives us a long weekend since Monday is the actual holiday.
Hubby doesn't do much since he lost his job, but he is on vacation this weekend!!
He went to his brothers house 3 hrs away and his other brother and sil went up too. I'm sure he's having fun.

I have 3 days with NO NOISE, NO HUBBY. What's a girl to do?? Well....I'm CLEANING!!!! You know like really cleaning.....the kind where you dust down the walls and ceilings and move all the furniture and all that stuff!! I haven't been able to do that while he's home.....and believe me....he's ALWAYS home!!

So yesterday morning I got up early, and Mom and I went to the farmers market, then out for some brekkie. Got home at 10 something and I opened the door, got a good look around and headed for my vacuum and bucket full of supplies and got down to it!!! I did my bedroom and the living room, they're completely done, I even vacuumed the front porch!! I started on the bathroom, all that is left in there is the tub and floor. I still have to do the kitchen. I'll get that knocked out today. Tomorrow is just for me.......to enjoy the cleanliness. Hubby will be home on Tuesday. He'll try to keep it clean, but we all know how that works out.

I hope you're all enjoying your weekends.....I know I AM!!

A Texas Chili-Eating Contest

2009-09-03T14:42:00.002-04:00

Warning – If you can read this whole story without laughing out loud, then there’s no hope for you. I was crying by the end.

Note: Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better.

For those of you who have lived in Texas, you know how true this is. They actually have a chili cook-off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot at the San Antonio city park.

The notes are from an inexperienced chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cooking contest. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (native Texans) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy and, besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.”

Here are the scorecards from the event: (Frank is Judge #3)

Chili # 1 Eddie’s Maniac Monster Chili…

Judge # 1 — A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.

Judge # 2 — Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

Judge # 3 — (Frank) What the hell is this stuff?! You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put out the flames. I hope that’s the worst one. These Texans are crazy!

Chili # 2 Austin’s Afterburner Chili…

Judge # 1 — Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge # 2 — Exciting BBQ flavor; needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge # 3 — Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

Chili # 3 Ronny’s Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili…

Judge # 1 — Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.

Judge # 2 — A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge # 3 — Call the EPA. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting pie-eyed from all of the beer…

Chili # 4 Dave’s Black Magic…

Judge # 1 — Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge # 2 — Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish, or other mild foods; not much of a chili.

Judge # 3 — I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the barmaid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-lb. bitch is starting to look HOT…just like this nuclear waste I’m eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

Chili # 5 Lisa’s Legal Lip Remover…

Judge # 1 — Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge # 2 — Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 — My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead, and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning my lips off. It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. Screw those rednecks.

Chili # 6 Pam’s Very Vegetarian Variety…

Judge # 1 — Thin, yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.

Judge # 2 — The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.

Judge # 3 — My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I shit myself when I farted and I’m worried it will eat through the chair! No one seems inclined to stand behind me anymore. I need to wipe my ass with a snow cone.

Chili # 7 Carla’s Screaming Sensation Chili…

Judge # 1 — A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge # 2 — Ho-hum; tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress, as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge # 3 — You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing; it’s too painful. Screw it; I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

Chili # 8 Karen’s Toenail Curling Chili…

Judge # 1 — The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold, but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge # 2 — This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild, nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge # 3 farted, passed out, fell over, and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor fella, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot chili?

POWER OUTAGE DURING A MAMMOGRAM

2009-09-01T18:15:00.003-04:00

This didn't actually happen to me, thought I should let you know that!

I actually kept my mammogram appointment. I was met with, "Hi! I'm Belinda!" This perky clipboard carrier smiled from ear to ear, tilted her head to one side and crooned, "All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown. Everything clear?

I'm thinking, "Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science." Belinda skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors. With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, "Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?'

Fine, I answered. I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck and finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other boob wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when we heard, then felt a zap! Complete darkness and the power went off!

"Oh, maintenance is working. Bet they hit a snag." Belinda headed for the door. "Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?" I shouted. Belinda kept going and said, "Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back."

Before I could shout "NOOOO!" she disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, maintenance men extraordinaire, found me, half-naked and part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life and the other part smashed between glass!

After exchanging polite "Hi, how's it going" type greetings, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off. Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible "Uh, yes, yes I did thanks."

"You bet, take care" Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin and making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, "Oh I am sooo sorry!" The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?"

And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps....

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2009-09-01T08:08:00.003-04:00

It's that time again.......Blog Hop Tuesday!
This weeks theme is Baby Pictures.
This one is mine.........

Hop along won't you?

Baby, I'm back!!!

2009-08-31T14:48:00.007-04:00

Took awhile but this hooker has finally got her groove back.
I spent some time this weekend working on various crochet projects.

This is my unadorned Starling Bag.
Free pattern is available from FutureGirl

I will be decorating it and then lining it.
I have some plans, but not quite sure what I want to do with it yet??

This is an Adorable Apple Cozy

It is adorable, isn't it??
Maybe Taylor would like one to give to her new teacher??
Hmmm.....Kim if you're reading this....ask her!!
It's author needlenhook is offering it as a free Ravelry download if you're a member!!

I'm also....with the help of my friend Bob....FINALLY finishing the straps on my tapestry crochet Vulture bag. I'm using Bob's single infinity strap design. I like this strap, but Lord, what a mess!!!
I'm just taking a short break from that now......shhhh.....don't tell Bob!!
Pics of this one will be along shortly!!

Ok, I'm done.........here it is!!

This is the "locked in" infinity strap

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-08-27T07:29:00.005-04:00

I looked all over for him that day......guess he was cold?
Click the button for more ATWT fun!

Thank you to Jen...@ Cheaper Than Therapy for hosting ATWT!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2009-08-25T07:30:00.003-04:00

It's time for the MckLinky Blog Hop....this week's theme is "TIME TO LAUGH". We are to post our favorite funny story, joke, cartoon, picture....you get the idea. Click the link at the bottom and join in the fun!!

This has to be one of the funniest and most God-awful scenarios I have ever heard of... Bless this woman!!!

All hair removal methods have tricked us with their promises of easy, painless removal. The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair and now.... The Wax!!

My night began as any other normal weekday night. Come home; fix dinner; played with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours; "Maybe I should pull the wax out of the medicine cabinet?"

So I headed to the site of my demise; the bathroom. It was one of those cold wax kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand and then they get warm and you peel them apart, press it to your leg (or wherever else) and hair comes right off!

No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm no girly, girl, but I am mechanically inclined enough that I can figure it out. *YA THINK!!!*

So I pull one of the thin strips out. It's two strips facing each other, stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. Cold wax my rear end (Oh, how this phrase haunts me!). I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull.

OK... So it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this!!! Hair removal no longer eludes me!! I am She-Ra, fighter of all wayward body hair and smooth skin extraordinaire!!

With my next wax strip, I move "north". After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the wax strip across the right side of the bikini line, covering the right half of my vagina and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip). I inhale deeply and brace myself.... RRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!

I'm Blind!!!!! Blinded from pain!!!!!!... OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half of the strip. S**T!! Another deep breath and RRIIPP... Everything is swirly and spotted. Do I hear crashing drums????? OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - A wax covered strip with my hairy pelt that has caused me so much pain, sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it!

Where is the hair?? WHERE IS THE WAX? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair... The hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. S**T!!! I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair.

Then I make the next BIG mistake . . . . . . . Remember, my foot is still propped up on the toilet. I know I need to do something, so I put my foot down. DAMN!!! I hear the slamming of the cell door.

Vagina? Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut!!! I penguin walk around the bathroom, trying to figure out what to do and think to myself, "Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off."

Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right?? *WRONG!!!!*

I get in the tub - The water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse that having your nether businesses glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub. In scalding hot water!! Which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub!!! God bless the man what convinced me I should have a phone in the bathroom!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she's waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter, "So my butt and who-ha are stuck to the bottom of the tub!" There is a slight pause. She doesn't have a secret trick, but does try to hide the laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located on bottom, "Are we talking cheeks or hole or what?"

She's laughing out loud by now... I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!! Right!!!!!! I would be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions, I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water, and then dry shaving the sticky wax off!!!

By now, the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I slip into glazed donut land. My friend is still talking with me as my hand reaches towards the saving grace... The lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point. I rub some on and OH MY GOD!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids, scared the dickens out of my friend, but I really don't care!!

"IT WORKS!! IT WORKS!!" I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice, to my grief and despair... THE HAIR IS STILL THERE... ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I shaved it off. Heck, I'm numb at this point.

Next week I'm going to try hair color . . . . . .

Owliver Fuze Pattern

2009-08-23T08:52:00.009-04:00

I heart my Sansa Fuze in a big way. I protect it as much as I possibly can. I got a clear plastic hard case to keep it in which is great when I'm working, you wouldn't believe how many tables I've knocked into.....lol. When not in use though, I wanted something soft to store it in so I made Owliver Fuze here. I sewed a pocket on the back for my earbuds which are plugged in through a stitch in the bottom to keep things neat and tidy...button and loop closure.

Here's my untested pattern if you're interested.

Owliver Fuze (Sansa Fuze mp3 Cozy)

Here's an Owliver made by Nikka @
The Random Ramblings of a Teenage Girl

Here's an Owliver (named Barney)

made by Aprilrain on Ravelry

Stitches Used:

American Terminology

ch=chain
sc=single crochet
hdc= half double crochet
dc=double crochet
sl st=slip stitch

Materials:

(I'm just using scrap balls left from other projects)

Small amount for body and back pocket
Small scrap finer yarn for eyes
Small scrap for Wings
15" scrap for beak
Crochet hooks size G and H
Yarn Needle
3 buttons
Sewing needle and thread
Sansa Fuze or other piece of personal electronics of similar size.

Directions:

BODY:

With body color, chain 10.

2 sc's in second chain, sc in each ch until the last one, 3 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of starting chain...sc in each loop, sc in beginning ch (the one with the two stitches in it)....DO NOT JOIN!!

Continue working even, in the round until it is tall enough to just cover your player. Mine has 13 rounds. Don't finish off yet!!

EARS:

Sc in the next 3 sc, turn, skip 1st st, sc in the next 2, turn, (don't chain 1 like you would normally, you are actually decreasing here), skip 1st st, sc in top of last sc. Slip stitch down ear. Sl st in next sc, chain 15, sl in next sc, sc in next 3 sc, turn, skip 1st st, sc in the next 2, turn, skip 1st st, sc in top of last sc. Fasten off

POCKET:

Ch 8, turn, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each, ch 1 turn. Continue working even for 8 rows.
Position on back of piece and sew in place leaving top open.

WINGS:

Left wing:
Chain 10, turn, 3 dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, sc in next 2 ch, slip in last 2. Fasten off leaving a LONG tail for sewing onto body.

Right wing:
Chain 10 turn, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next 2 ch, hdc in next 3 ch, dc in next 2 ch, 4 dc in last dc. Fasten off leaving a LONG tail for sewing onto body.

Position wings on front of body, sew in place.

EYES:

Make 2

With finer yarn, (I used baby cotton) make magic loop, ch 3, put 14 dc in loop. Pull to close and finish off.

Position eyes on front, sew in place.

BEAK:

Thread beak color onto yarn needle. Embroider onto face

FINISHING:

Sew buttons onto eyes.
Sew button on back of pocket for loop closure.
Weave in all ends

*This pattern hasn't been tested.

Please feel free to link to this pattern, and/or print it out for your own personal use, but do not copy it in any way to put on-line, pass out, or re-write without my permission. ** My disclaimer: There are only so many stitches and so many ways to use them, I have tried to be original. Any resemblance to any other pattern like this is purely coincidental.

This pattern was written
August 22, 2009
Thank you,

Suburban Hooker

Something smells yummy!!

2009-08-22T17:18:00.005-04:00

I woke up this morning to drizzle and it was so blessedly cool!!! I love days like today!! I was at the farmers market by 8 this morning for my fix. Did I mention that I'm addicted to these little yellow grape tomatoes?? Well I am...badly. I have a $6 a week habit but I'm doing my part to stimulate our local economy, that, some carrots, spinach, peaches and a gallon of milk and I've done my part and then some!!

Came home and since McG was already up and about we went and picked up a lawnmower that was freecycled to us for pick up today. Stopped at micro center and found a refurbished Car Tunes, it's an RF modulated mp3 that you load up, plug into your cigarette lighter hole and tune both it and your car stereo into the same frequency and voila......tunage!!! I've been wanting to get one so I don't have to carry around all the cd's anymore, I'm sure it will be safer if the neighborhoodlums don't see any tunes. Still figuring it out, fun fun fun!!

Since it was so cool today and I have some enormous zucchini, I decided to do some baking!!
I made zucchini bread.....YUMMY!!!

Want the recipe??

Zucchini Bread Suburban Hooker Style
350 F / 50 - 60 min

Ingredients:

3 large eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
2/3 cup applesauce
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups unpeeled grated zucchini
2 t vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 T cinnamon
1 1/2 t nutmeg
1 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1 t sat
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I had slivered almonds and a few walnuts so that's what I used)
1 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F
Generously grease and flour 2 9 x 5 loaf pans
Beat eggs with wire wisk, add oil and applesauce, stir. Add sugar, stir. Add zucchini and vanilla.
In a seperate bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Mix dry ingredients into wet, add nuts and cranberries.
Divide between 2 loaf pans, place in center rack of oven and bake for 50 - 60 min. Mine took 57 min. Toothpick inserted in center should come out clean.

McG likes his warm with butter on it, I like mine with homemade "cheese".

I take nonfat, plain, natural yogurt and seperate out the whey by placing a coffee filter into a fine mesh strainer and filling it with yogurt. Put it in the fridge overnight and in the morning you have "cheese". Great on sweet breads. If you like yours sweetened, try a bit of cinnamon and honey in it....YUMMM!

Enjoy!!!

5 Things Friday

2009-08-21T07:56:00.005-04:00

I'd like to thank Jean Stockdale for inviting me to take part in
5 Things Friday
which she hosts on her blog.

Stop by and check it out and if you're interested, join in!

5 Favorite Sayings
(I might be kicked right out of this meme, I kinda cuss like a truck driver)

Ok, so here goes....

1. Fish On!

I love to fish! I go with my brothers and this is one of my most favorite things to say....of course you holler Fish On before you actually land said fish but c'mon....how fun is that!!!!

2. No Way!

Used of course as an exclamation as well as a refusal!

3. WTF?

Not pretty I know and never uttered in public or around children but since we haven't got any of those and the dog doesn't repeat us....I use it a lot....too much!!

4. Honey, I'm home!

Used of course when honey saw me pull in from grocery shopping, open the trunk, pull out 5 heavy bags and cart them up the steps to the porch, use my key to enter house and lug heavy bags to kitchen and still hasn't gotten out of his damn recliner which incidentally is located right next to front door just because he's playing XBox Live!

5. I'm off like a prom dress!

When you're on your way out the door.

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-08-20T07:21:00.004-04:00

I went to the zoo yesterday with my cousins family. His wife, his 12 yr old son and his 5 yr old son. The 5 yr old wasn't too happy but he seemed much better when I showed him how to use the camera. He wanted to take our picture in front of the giraffes. He even posed us......LOL!!

More ATWT fun found here!

Blog Hop Tuesday!

2009-08-18T08:22:00.002-04:00

Well it's that time again.....time for the Tuesday Blog Hop!!
This week it's favorite recipes.
I am submitting my recipe for Cold Brew Coffee....great for making iced coffee or frozen coffee drinks. I've been making it like this forever......I love my iced coffee!!

Cold Brew Coffee

In a glass pitcher, large glass bowl or jar (I use my french press)

1 cup of course ground coffee (use flavored if you like, I like Kona)
Add 1 cup of cold water and stir to wet all the grounds
Add another 2 cups of cold water (don't stir too much this time) and let sit on the counter for 12 hrs
If using your french press, just plunge otherwise, run through a seive.
I then use my drip coffeemaker top (the part where you put the coffee) and stick a filter into it and filter it into a wide mouth glass mason jar.

This will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.

To make iced coffee.....

Fill glass with ice
Add 1/4 cup concentrated coffee
Fill the rest of the way with milk
Add sweetener if desired
ENJOY!

You can also use this to make a cup of hot coffee 1/4 cup concentrate and then fill the rest of your mug with boiled water or use scalded milk for a cafe au lait!

Rainy days and Mondays........

2009-08-17T07:49:00.003-04:00

Sorry for my absence......for anyone who noticed. I've had a very busy week. We have the Woodward Dream Cruise here every year and I get very busy right before it. If you live anywhere near Woodward Ave, you will be having guests for the cruise and quite a few of them want their house cleaned before hand.

The Dream Cruise started on a Sat in 1994.....we didn't even know about it we were just in awe of all the old cars and trucks on the ave that day. In the 15 years since it has changed from a 1 day event to a weeklong event. It generates a lot of revenue for our stricken local economy and it's just an all around good time. You would be amazed at the cars and trucks there. Many are driven across country and there's one guy who shipped his from Honolulu to CA and then drove it here for the cruise!!! We used to have a 1973 Alfa Romeo Spider that we drove in it. We sold it last year but it was fun while it lasted!!!

Here's Taylor with her "score" card, yelling at people to "light em up".

Her Aunt Michelle took this picture........cute eh?

McG, Dad and I went to the Ferndale car show early Sat am before the heat set in too bad. I usually don't miss too many Dream Cruises but it was supposed to be 90F with high humidity and I'm already suffering with a heat rash, so I passed this year.

Oh happy day, all those people last week who needed help for their cruise parties have paid our cell phone, cable and water bills for this month. Thank you to them!! Didn't leave me too much online time and my computer is acting up so I haven't been online much. I think it's primarily the heat back here. We got a heat wave for the past few days and it gets SO hot back here.

I've spent most of my off time reading. Books....the old fashioned kind with pages you turn...with you fingers.....lol. No books on cd or kindles here. The library is my new best friend and it has free air conditioning....lol!!!

Yesterday I took an outfit and a couple of Junie B Jones books over to Taylor for her first actual trip. They are currently in the air on their way to FL. I hung out with Tay until about 8 and then her parents and Debra (their neighbor and tays friend Andrew's mom) and I chatted for a bit. It was a nice evening!!

No plans for today....it's dark and will probably rain. Only supposed to go up to 83F today....I'm debating turning off the AC and opening the windows?? What to do, what to do?? Well, anyhow, that's what I've been up to. What about all of you?? How did you spend your weekend??

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-08-06T08:08:00.003-04:00

My Paternal Grandmother around 1918 in her Sunday best at her home in MI.

Want to join in?

Visit Jen and Cheaper Than Therapy for more ATWT fun!

It's Blog Hop Tuesday!!

2009-08-04T07:37:00.003-04:00

Once again it's blog hop Tuesday!!

This weeks theme is Encouragement.

My entry into this weeks blog hop is the one piece of encouragement that has been constant in my life.....the one that has spoken to me always since the first time I saw it.....the one that has at times helped me do things I didn't think I could.

Oh yes we can Rosie.....and we always will!!!

Come join the fun, you know you want to!!

I HAVE to have this!!!!

2009-08-03T08:07:00.002-04:00

I found the most awesome hat and scarf pattern today......

Check out THIS hat......must find yarn for it......I absolutely HAVE to have it and there's a scarf to match.....I'm dizzy just thinking about it!!

Taking a Break

2009-08-02T08:20:00.003-04:00

Sorry folks....I've been taking a bit of a break.

I've spent almost the whole last week outside on my porch or out back with a coffee or iced tea in hand and a book in the other.
It's been WONDERFUL!!!

I hope you haven't missed me too much. Just wanted you to know that I wasn't sick or anything!!

Be back soon!

McLinky Blog Hop for 7/28/09 Favorite Kid Photos

2009-07-28T17:43:00.003-04:00

Hop around and visit other fun kid pics and join in the fun if you wish!

Here are my entries for this week.....

My Dad and his older and younger brothers

Some of my favorite pics of my neice
Daddy daughter dance this past year

Her 1st big catch...before she hooked her ear
The band she followed when she was young...her first groupie experience...The Candy Band!!
The girl LOVES to sing!
Learning how to put out a fire. Here she is with her first hot fireman.....and the little man in the background has been her "boy" friend since kindergarten. They moved right down the street from him. His mother is a very good photographer, she took this pic and the one above. Thanks Deb!