Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Have I Told You

Have I told you how much I love these flowers? Really? I can't get enough of them. Due to the torrential downpours we've have in the past 5 days, I was happy I picked these. Last Thursday and Friday we got up to 11 inches of rain. Depending on the area, 10-11inches. Hard to believe? That doesn't include the 3.5-5.5 inches we got Sunday night and Monday. We are just about rained out here. It's hard to believe there are some places that would give anything to have rain. Our ceiling in our living room is feeling it as well as the roof by the chimney. Unfortunately, the insurance adjuster is checking out everyone else too. Hopefully no more rain for awhile. So, I will continue to gaze upon my Casablanca until the last petal falls. Gosh I love these flowers!!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Chocolate and Peanut Butter?

This morning I actually baked the hubby some cookies. His favorite. Actually, they have to be his favorite because they are the only cookies I can bake. They are Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies. I'd like for him to hang some new curtain rods for me. Around here you have to give a little to get a little!


Here are just some of the ingredients. (See the white plastic mixing bowl? I don't think I can part with it. My cousin Bonnie gave me this set of mixing bowls when I got married the first time. It used to have a rubber gripper on the bottom. Plus all the bowls have these handy dandy lids.)

This recipe calls for quite a bit of cocoa. I prefer to use Hershey's, it seems to be a little stronger and works well.

I'm relieved when I get here. I can add the peanut butter chips and I'm almost home!

To stir this big gooey mess, I like to use a big wooden spoon. I love my wooden spoons!


This batch is big. I think I can usually get 4-5 dozen cookies out of it. Of course it all depends on how big you like 'em! I'm tired of baking by the time I'm done.

Don't they look yummy?

If you like the taste of a chewy, moist brownie with a little peanut butter, then this one is for you!! The recipe is on the back of the PB chips package.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Reynaldo

Remember Annie's post on Reynaldo? Here he is. He's about 18-19 weeks old. He's funny. He has a good personality. I've warned the hubby that I want a lover cat, not a fight cat. Hubby likes to play rough. Reynaldo has the instinct to be a lover, but I'm afraid when the hubby grabs him by the head and pushes him around, he'll learn to enjoy that aspect of life a little more than the other. Oh well. He knows who feeds him. When he wants to be held he hangs on my feet and cries until I pick him up. He loves to cuddle while I type on the computer. He also likes to trapse around my keyboard too. Notice his legs, he's a little bow-legged. He's funny to watch run across the room. Annie and Kia finally have come to terms he will not be snatched by the local coon brigade.
Yesterday I broke the news to ReyRey. He will soon be going in for the big snip(s). No scratching my legs anymore and never will he be chasing the female felines for a little "friendly stuff". What he doesn't know won't hurt him. heehee. Say goodnight 'naldo....

Monday, July 21, 2008

My Favorite Things Game by Susie Q.





I've been tagged. At first I thought there was another Lisa, but I think she's talking about me. So be prepared to be bored again. You ladies must really love this stuff huh? LOL. I know I do. It's the little things in life that are important isn't that right Susie Q?

It's Susie Q's Game, she made the rules.... here it goes...

There can only be ONE, count it, ONE answer for each question. Aha...you have to pick one!
I myself am very bad at this but let's try it! We will keep it all simple...just one little answer to "My favorite _______ is:" Uh huh. That's it! ('cept I had to add a few extras)
I like to think of this game as an exercise in focusing on those sweet things that make us extra happy. We all need *happy* right? Even on a real downer of a day, there has to be *something* that could bring a smile to your pretty face. YOu know...your favorite things! At the very least, we might find out a new tidbit or two about our friends!

~Susie Q's "My Favorite Things" Game~

Sport: Watching my hubby get out of the shower. With 2 dogs and a kitten, this can be challenging and quite entertaining!! If this doesn't count as a sport, baseball!
Game: Triple Yahtzee
Color: Red
Movie: The Illusionist (the one with Ed Norton)
Broadway play I have seen: I'm so sad, I've never seen one.
Broadway Musical I have seen: Ditto again, but if a movie counts, it would have to be Phantom of the Opera
Song: Wonderful Tonight, Eric Clapton
American city I have visited: Chicago
Foreign city I have visited: Cancun, Mexico
Book: twilight, as if you couldn't guess that answer right now!
Children's Book: Little House on the Prairie, I used to get lost in these books!!
Classic television show: Leave it to Beaver, I think I still have a crush on Wally!
Recent television show: Don't Forget the Lyrics
Actor: Tom Hanks
Actress: Sandra Bullock
Perfume: Miami Glow, by J.LO. Why doesn't she make this anymore? I'm almost out!!
Food: boiled spiced shrimp
Dessert: My Aunt Helen's Sugarfree Peach Cobbler
Chain Restaurant: Red Lobster
Local Restaurant: Los Jimadores
Car: That sporty 2 door Lexus, don't know the name.
Condiment: Dill pickles, LOTS of dill pickles
Kitchen Appliance: stove/oven
Home Appliance: Does computer count?
Beauty Product: Mascara - That's DITTO for me, I don't leave home without it!!
Piece of clothing: nightshirt
HGTV Show: Design Star, oh, it's hard to pick just one, oh Susie :(
Food Network show: Ace of Cakes
Author: Dr. Suess
Male Songwriter: Andew Lloyd Webber
Female Songwriter: I have to think on this one...
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Ballet I have seen: N/A
Disney character: Tigger
Flower: Casablanca Lily, see 2 posts below...
Alcoholic drink: Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Non-Alcoholic drink: Iced Tea with key lime!
Magazine: Quick and Simple
Animated movie: Shrek
Television network miniseries: The North and the South???? I'm not too good at following more than one show in a series.
Season: SUMMER
Male vocalist: Kenny Chesney
Female vocalist: Stevie Nicks, just to have her voice for one night!!
Day of the week: Friday
Household Chore: organizing the kitchen, which I can't seem to do enough lately
Ice Cream: Bunny Tracks
Candy: Milky Way
Artist: William Holbrook Beard
Quotation: "...sing as if no is listening, dance as if no one is watching, love like you've never been hurt, live each day as if it were you last..."

Now, how about YOU playing too?
For the first 5, I challenge:Farm Chicks Kitchen, Cranberry Crossings, 3guysagirlandaprimplace,
Brown English Muffin, and you get to pick the fifth!! Anyone else who wants to play, jump right in. I look forward to seeing your lists of favorites!!

Technical difficulties...

Is anyone else having problems trying to post things? For some reason tonight, I cannot get text to type in for my lily pictures. So I added this "addendum" for my last post. The very last picture is of white coneflowers. I was really disappointed when I realized they were white instead of pink or red. However, accidents sometimes happen for a reason. I truly love the white ones more than the red. I have two clumps of the white, one red, then I bought one from a garden club that is a very pale pink. I will transplant it next spring.

Lilies in Bloom









Over the weekend my Stargazer Lilies began to bloom. Voila, today I had three Casablancas in bloom. I'm going to have up to 4 blooms on each stem. Big improvement over last years single bloom. An ugly mole knocked over one and it has grown sideways, but has three blooms, can't complain. At least it didn't die on me.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Happy Saturday


Don't cha just love Maxine. If we could really have one day a year to let everyone know just how we feel...

Thank you Farmchick for awarding me once again. I feel honored to be awarded by someone who has quite a terrific blog herself. Thank you again.

I must say to everyone, I have been blogging since March and I cannot believe all the wonderful people out there. I love to read about your lives and see how talented everyone is. I am so amazed by your creativity and imagination. You gals are what makes life so worthwhile. I can't wait to see daily posts to find out how things are going, who's created what, who's cooking what, and where I can get some fantastic ideas for my own life. All of you guys are the best!!!!

Now I'm off to hopefully finish a book a friend at work gave me to read. "twilight" is fantastic. I'm over half way finished and am chomping at the bit to get there. Vampire stories are not my cup of tea, but this one is quite the read. I understand the movie is coming out in December, I usually don't want to see movies after I've read a book, but I may have to on this one.

Have a great rest-of-the-weekend everybody!!

Thursday, July 17, 2008

In Memory of My Dad...

In loving memory of my father who passed away on this day July 17, 2006. Every night in my prayers I ask God to tell dad, "mom and I love him and we miss him very much". Our hearts still ache when we think of that July day. I love you dad. When it's my time to pass, I hope you are the one that opens up the gates for me.


J.D.F.

November 10, 1948 - July 17, 2006

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

My First Award(s), Thank You Pam(s)!

My Very First Blog Award - WOOHOO!!!

My friends Pam at Farmhouse Primitives and Pam at Antique or Not have both given me this award. My very first blog award. I am very happy and very proud. You can read their blogs at FarmHouse Primitives and Antique or Not. Of course they gave me rules to follow, here they are:

*Put the logo on your blog.
*Add a link to the person who awarded you.
*Nominate at least seven other blogs.
*Add links to those blogs on your blog.
*Leave a message for your nominee on their blogs.

There are so many great blogs out there, I wish I could twitch my nose and everyone would get one just like that.

Here are my choices:
Back Porch Musings - Talk about one crafty little lady. I look forward to your posts Pat!!
Abby Sweets - If you haven't checked this one out, please do. April knows how to post some terrific recipes, YUMMEEEE!!
Cobblestone Farms - Cathy, if I only had a green thumb like you. You should be in the calendar business too!
Oatmeal and Whimsy - For Gayla, my inspiration. I'm afraid she cringes at my writing ability at times, but I do adore this woman!!
Rabbit Run Cottage - I'm sure everyone knows this lady, Susie Q. She makes me feel like an old friend!
Tomatoe Creek Primitives - She is a woman after my own heart. I love her creativity too!
Rue's Peanutbutter and Jelly Life - It's just plain fun to be living vicariously through Rue, I really enjoy your blog!! Yes, you get another award!!!

Congratulations everyone and thank you so much for making life so interesting!!!

Monday, July 14, 2008

8 Things MeMe

My friend, Cathy, at Cobblestone Farms tagged me for this "8 Things MeMe" She's getting me back for tagging her and I don't blame her. Except I do think she is much more interesting than I. But, I'll give it a try.

So here are a few things about me!

8 Things I say alot:
*"What?" This mainly occurs when my caseworkers ask me if they can have a day off or leave early. I disappoint them if I don't respond with this.
*"What do you want for supper tonight hubby?"
*"Are you kiddin' me?"
*"I'm really am going to lose 10 pounds."
*"I'm bored."
*"Man, that guy needs to brush his teeth", referring to offenders who talk to us throughout the day.
*"Have the dogs been fed?"
*"What's going on?"

8 books I have Read Lately: ( only I need to change it to: or intend to read)
*twilight - I just started this, not my kinda read, but I'm liking it so far.
*At Home in Mitford
*Playing for Pizza
*The Mermaid Chair - the book was much better than the movie of course!
*90 Minutes in Heaven - I'm still working on it.
*We Are All Welcome Here
*Marley and Me
*Jim the Wonder Dog - at the hubby's request, yes I intend to read it dear hubby, just not now.

8 movies I've seen 8 times:
*Sixteen Candles, I really love this movie
*Hope Floats, I love the music
*Fools Rush In, too cute
*The Illusionist, I love Ed Norton, there's just something about him
*The Christmas Story, the Chinese Waiters singing FaLaLaLa, cracks me up everytime
*Dirty Dancing
*When Harry Met Sally, my very favorite Meg Ryan movie!
*When a Man Loves a Woman, I show this to a group I do, it encompasses so many issues in life

8 Things I Am Working On:
*As always, cleaning my house.
*My attitude, it needs to be better.
*Being a better wife and daughter.
*The new landscaping in the front, I don't want anything to die or drown.
*An idea for a children's book, I'm too lazy to get it off the ground, but would really love to.
*My goal of reading 3 books this summer. I'm off to a late start.
*Drinking more water.
*Walking more miles.

8 People I Invite To Do This: I'm afraid I'll lose my blogging friends if I keep tagging people, but I invite everyone to be tagged. It's always fun to learn the little things about people. Thanks Cathy!!

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The Gateway to the West

Due to arriving at the baseball game at a very early time. We strolled over to the Arch. We love the arch. It's really pretty amazing that someone could create something so magnificent many years ago. It is a whole whopping 630ft. tall.

Since we were so early, the hubby had an idea to go through the museum at the base of the Arch. I wasn't sure I wanted to as I've done it many moons before. However, it was really cool. I'm glad we did. I think I appreciated all of the information so much more than I did when I was 18. I took a few pictures to share with you. If you ever get the chance to go through the museum, you must also go to the top in the little tram. We discussed it and decided to do it the next time we are in the city. I was in the top when I was 18. Getting there was a little rickety, but once I got to the top I was fine.




The park is absolutely beautiful. This is where the St. Louis Fair is held. Due to the flood, they moved it downtown.

I couldn't get my spacing right to write in between the last picture. But that's the courthouse. See the big piece of paper on the ground. A little girl was lying above that paper on the ground. We walked up to see what it said and it had her family's last name on it. They must've been up in the Arch getting a cute picture.

The swollen Mississippi.

Inside the museum. A story about the architecture and construction of the Arch.

Comparatively speaking, the Arch is taller than all the pictures here. The Washington Monument is only 555ft. Which I learned that day.
People waiting for a ride on one of the tram stations.
I had to snap this picture. It's William Clark. Doesn't he resemble George Bush entirely too much?

The Hubby said this wagon is from the Flinstone Era.


The pictures remind me of Little House on the Prairie. It's amazing that we did not need anything more than this to survive back then. Honestly, what 6 year old now a days would want to go hunt buffalo with dad? Very few I bet ya. We thought the boat would sure be fun to test on the lake.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

7 Songs

Rue at over at Rue's Peanutbutter and Jelly Life had a tag she posted for anyone to play along. I thought it sounded like fun. THAT is until I had to narrow things down to "7". Wow. Here's the rules:

"List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they're not any good, but they must be songs you're really enjoying now, shaping you summer. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see whay they're listening to."

Instead of tagging seven people she just asked for anyone to play along. So here it goes. I didn't really stick to the "this summer" rule. I like a lot of hard rocknroll and did not want to offend anyone. But I did add a few extra to my playlist in case you're curious.

The first one I heard last week in the car while I was listening to the radio. (Darn the luck, Itunes does not carry Kid Rock.) I love his take on Sweet Home Alabama called "All Summer Long". I day dream Kid is singing about me in 1988!!

Second is a song from the soundtrack to "Hope Floats". I heard it just 10 years ago when 2 friends and I went to see this movie. I think it relates so well to the beginning of a new relationship, "Chances Are" by Martina McBride and Bob Seger. Who would've ever thought to put these two talents together.

Third, "You Save Me". Kenny Chesney just nows how to sing about life. I love Kenny, I don't care what anyone says about him.

Fourth, "Cherry Bomb". This song, by John Cougar Mellencamp, always takes me back to my "growing up years" in my hometown of Bevier.

The fifth song is by Queen. I had never heard it until this Christmas. "One Year of Love". The hubby was listening to a greatest hits album and this was on there. Somewhere between very beautiful and very sad. God bless Freddy Mercury!! There will never ever be another you!!

The sixth song is "Hound Dog" by Elvis. Come on it's Elvis. Elvis was in my family before I was ever born. Plus, this song reminds me of summer because my friend Dodie got called on stage to sing this with a nashville performer during the Bevier Homecoming about 15 years ago. Her best friend confided in me, "I was so happy she knew all the words!" I laughed to myself because there really aren't that many words to remember. Dodie was in her element, oh if I could turn back time.

The final song is a little freaky to say the least, but I love it. It's called "I Kissed a Girl" by Katy Perry. This one along with ole Kid Rock round out my summer!

All of these and more are on my Ipod. Can't go anywhere, but work, without it!!!

Just a side note, I would've been the perfect candidate to go on American Bandstand. Remember that show? We watched it every Saturday. Remember when they'd have to rate a song and it was always the same answers, "it's got a good beat" and "I can dance to it". That's how I judge every song before I even hear the words. Seldom do I listen to words the first time around. If it makes any part of my body move, it's got to be good. I don't really have to hear the words. (Unless your Brad Paisley, his words crack me up, like "Ticks".)

That's my list. Let me know if you play along, I'd love to see your list too!!

Jenny is having a Giveaway.

Do you love candles as much as I do? Head on over to Daily Dose of Motherhood and take Jenny's candle scent poll. If you leave a comment, she'll put you in a drawing for some great candles.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Monday, July 7, 2008

The Game We Almost Didn't Get to See.


What my hubby had been waiting for, for days or even weeks. It really didn't rain until game time Thursday evening. We got to the stadium incredibly early because the hubby claimed he's never gotten to see batting practice. I attempted to correct him, recalling the times we had seen batting practice, but he said and I quote, "you're wrong". Whatever, I know my memory serves me correctly. Not that I minded. I know the routine, it doesn't bother me to watch batting practice. But since we got there at least 3-4 hours early, we strolled around the Arch and looked in the museum and watched the river. It was a nice day considering the weather. I'll post more about the Arch later. Here's the stadium at arrival time.

At the time, the scoreboard had a neat quote on it. Luck would have it with these dang digital cameras and the board began to change as I snapped the shot.

When the hubby and I first started dating, this was his dream. To hit a ball as far as Mark McGwire in Big Mac Land. We watched many games provided with Mark hitting homers to "other" lands than this. It was fun when he played. The hubby gets so meloncholy thinking about those homers.

This is what we saw for the first 30 minutes. These guys work hard, I'm telling you. They really do. Talk about great exercise. My heart grew stronger just watching them. Back and forth, back and forth.



Now, check this guy out. The hubby pointed him out and told me to take his picture. I almost missed it. I hope he's wearing boxers or briefs under that coat.

This is the guy my hubby came to see. Albert Pujols. We were suppose to get to see him hit his 300th homerun. Guess what? Nada, nope, nothing happened. To top it off, he came out of the game at the 5th or 6th inning. The hubby said they had to pull him and save him for the Cubs series. The hubby's heart was broken. He was bothered. I watched him tapping his foot like he does when he's thinking. I'm sure he was holding back tears. The next night, when we were at home, he came screaming into the room, "Pujols hit it!!!" Excitement wasn't the proper term for the enthusiasm the hubby had that evening.

Here's Fredbird. He's giving direction to the Warner Brothers' Crew on how to slingshot a t-shirt into the crowd. This was a hoot. Tweety didn't do bad. However, Foghorn Leghorn didn't fair to well. Look at him, he almost looks perplexed waiting his turn. Well, I was too busy laughing to catch his picture. When it was his turn, he sling shotted the t-shirt into the dirt about 4 feet away. Fredbird buried his beak in his hands and walked away. Nothing like good friend embarrassing you in front of a crowd!!