tomatoes

Hi ya'll!!!

Well, I normally post a ton about my summer gardening experiences, but this year has past by.... too much going on... we have gone camping about three times this year.  10 day vacation in England smack in the middle of summer.  Then right into football season.
But I can report on my tomato plants are still producing very nicely.
The rainy hot summer that we have had was perfect for these little red babes. 
I've been able to pick handful on my way into the house each day after work for a nice little snack.

Today, I pruned back the wild vines and picked as many as I could.
Some I cleaned and have been snacking on this afternoon, some of them are on the back porch to ripen.

Up north

Good morning all I am up north with RedDog this week. So far it has rained like crazy and put RD in a bad mood, but I brought my knitting so I have been happy. We watched the Clint Eastwood movie "Gran Torino" and it wasnt a bad movie. Clint Eastwood's character reminded me of RedDog, cause he was grouchy and he called everybody names.LOL.

I made Parmesan Chicken Noodle soup on Sunday, cause I was dreaming about it Saturday night and it turned out yummy. It is Crissy's recipe and it is really good.

Hey ladies it is Friday and payday for me Yeah... I went to the movies and seen Proposal LOVED IT. I can't wait to buy it. I am not much on going to the show but it was nice Erika and I went together. I am planning on going to see Lyle and Candy & Red next weekend I will be kidless....Crissy & Kathy keep up the good work wish I could be as motivated as you guys. Sorry have not been bloging lately I have been on facebook. Have a great weekend.

Changleling

Hi Ya'll....  I need to get back into the groove here.

Movies... good topic.  I watched Changeling last weekend.  I thought it was good.  It was a bit disturbing.  I was not very impressed w/ Angelina Jolie's performance.  Although, she is a fabulous crier and she looks really good in the '20s clothing.  This was directed by Clint Eastwood....  Not a bad movie, just not a WOW...  movie either.

Movie notes

Thanks Crissy for the movie notes. I thought the Julie and Julia looked so good, I would have been very dissapointed if I had paid big money to go see it at the movies. I am really wanting to see GI Joe, it looked exciting. I totally agree with you on the whole body image problem. I have been thin enough you could see all my ribs and I still thought I was fat. I dont know a cure for that other than your suggestion to celebrate who we are and just love ourselves. I have been having a problem with my knees aching all the time so I finally broke down and bought some Alleve. I take two tabs in the morning and I can go all day with just a few twinges of pain, I feel ten years younger just being able to get out of a chair and have no pain. Yeah.

Summer Life

Hey all,
So Kathy and I went to see G.I. Joe yesterday. It was action packed and fun. Last week we went to see Julie and Julia, rent it, not worth the money, it was really slow moving and had no point. The house is looking good, but we've been on a little hiatis with the heat advisory so high. This weekend I'm off to Chicago to help my friend pick out her wedding dress and the brides maid dresses for her wedding next May. It should be fun! Kathy and I are still losing weight although it is painfully slow right now. I hit 33pds and seemed to stop. I will tell you that I have finally changed sizes and am now wearing the same size I wore my senior year of high school. I still have 18pds to lose for my Christmas goal. When Candy was here, Kathy and her went to Walmart and bought an exercise bike and some free weights. I've been loving the cardio work out and I think my arms are finally shrinking. Since this a girl's zone, I thought I would ask the advice of you very intelligent ladies. When your losing weight and it seems to stop, what's the best way to jump start your body again. I really want to make my Christmas goal and I'm starting to feel discouraged. Side note- One thing I have learned about myself over the years is that my body image hasn't changed much. I've been looking at old photos trying to pick a goal picture and as I'm looking at myself I realized that I have always thought I was fat. I'm not sure that we are able to look at ourselves through unbiased eyes and see what we actually look like. Now that I am actually fat, I look back and think why didn't I rock that body and find happiness with it. So on my journey through weight loss I've been trying to step back and say " hey your sexy, look at the progress, keep going" So I have decided to give you all a little assignment.
1. Stand in front of a full length mirror naked ( i know scary but humor me)
2. Really look at yourself turn side to side, stare at you butt, take an honest look
3. And then tell yourself, somebody I love, loves this body, the one I have, and although I see flaws, I have accomplished so much in this body. I love my body, I'm gratefull for my body and my health.
4. If you see something you want to change, remember the change is for you, your body is not screaming at you hey get rid of this stomach fat it's ugly, it's your head, and if you want to change, not neccessarily improve, because your body is damn sexy, then do it because you would feel better
5. Put your clothes back on and look at yourself again, and remember that few people really see you naked and those people still love you, so why don't you still love you

I hope everyon takes time to try this challenge. I recommend making it a ritual. We are so blessed ladies. Some of you have carried children in those bodies, found lovers and soulmates in those bodies, and happiness in those bodies. It's about time that we love ourselves. Well off to work for me, but i think I'll stare in the mirror first!

Let's break the silence

Okay, this break has gone on long enough. It is time to come back to the blog. Kids will be going back to school, it will start to cool off which means less yard work so we had better start communicating sisters. Tell me about the latest movie you saw or a new outfit anything just start talking. I recently went to see Kat and Crissy and my mom and sister Stephanie, while I was at Kathy's house she had a couple of my friends over and we did Karoke and had a good time. It felt good to reconnect with my old friends and I remembered why I liked them so much. I just finished my first paying job on the quilt machine and she said she really liked it, but you know me I still think I could have done better.

Thoughts on turning 55

Yesterday was my birthday, sadly the older you get the less you look forward to your birthday. But on pondering the day I decided it was a good thing to be my age after all.

I qualify for Senior dinners
I can get cheaper car insurance
Maybe my husband will finally retire, since I am 55


If you can think of more things for me to be happy about, chime in.

Peppers

Hi!!  I bought two of these pepper plants and planted them out front.

They look gorgous, very healthy.... but, I don't remember what variety that they are.

They almost look like jalapenos, but I'm not sure.

I thought I kept the little tabs that come w/ them, but I can't find it... so, if anyone can identify this pepper, let me know:')

Happy 1st of July

I still am not able to view you alls post unless I go to edit posts and read them there. I am going to refrain from posting so many pictures since this does slow us down a lot. I thought about starting a mini blog for just pictures we want to post but dont want to say alot about them. I like to do random pictures a lot. I am still walking to the mailbox in the mornings, still huffing and puffing, but I am not giving up. I plan to be around to bug you for many, many more years.

Bored

Kathy you need to join us on the farm. It is so fun... You wont be bored.

A new plan

Sorry I havent been on the blog in a while. I am forming a new plan for myself. One that involves more exercise and a closer watch of my diet. This means more time outside and less time on the computer with the exception of this game called Farm Town that Tina has got me addicted too. Yes you heard me right why else would I get up at 1:00 in the morning to check my crops to see if they were ready of beg perfect strangers for a job on their farm to earn money. It is totally fun, but let me warn you hard to stop.

Rails and Ties

I watched a real tear jerker of a movie yesterday am...
It is called Rails and Ties, w/ Kevin Bacon.
It was a pretty good movie, really heart wrenching.
So, if you need one of those emotional roller coasters to get you in a good mood... watch this one:')

Hello Everyone

Kathy and I went to see the Proposal yesterday. It was the perfect funny romantic comedy. On Tuesday the movie theater offers free small popcorns and cheaper matinee shows, so Kathy and I have been taking full advantage. I recommend for all out there to see if you theater runs any specials and slip away for an afternoon movie with someone. It's been a great break in routine for us. As you all have probably heard we have been losing weight. I hit 25 pounds this morning. I will tell you all that I thought that much weight lost I would feel a significant difference. Not so much. No change in pant size or exciting new curves I forgot about, but hey it's less weight I'm dragging around RIGHT? So I'm on to wish everyone a happy summer and keep blogging it gives me something to do.

Side note

Tzatziki Sauce
(I love this as a mayo alternative!)

1 large (I like to use 2 of the small ones) cucumer peeled, seeded, and grated.
1 32oz container of plain, non-fat yogurt
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic (or more if you love it like I do)
small squeeze of lemon juice

The trick to this whole thing is controlling the amount of moisture. Drain the yogurt...I've used cheesecloth, a handheld metal mesh colander, and even a pair of Crissy's pantyhose! Don't skip draining the yogurt, you'd be surprised how juicy it is. You are supposed to drain it for 4 hours but I'm not that patient. Instead I let it sit for an hour and mush it around with a spoon occasionally. I even dry the grated cucumber with paper towels. That's it! It tastes fresh and crisp...just what I'm looking for in the summer.

The Bench

Don'tcha just hate when you type something all up then hit some button and everything dissappears! Anyway, this is the project I've been working on. The kitchen bench was driving me crazy so I had to reupholster it. This was before...

This is after, and an extra shot to give a better idea what the fabric on the back looks like. The seats look blue in these shots, but they are actually black. Yes, mom, I put three coats of Scotchguard on each piece. Not bad for my first try without Mom helping!

Alright Already!

Mom's been on my butt cuz I haven't sat on the porch for awhile...so here I am with a nice tall glass of ice water with a wedge of lemon floating in it. Mom might have mentioned to ya'll that Crissy and I are working on a "lifestyle change." So far I've lost 8 lbs. and Crissy's lost 16 lbs. We aren't drinking pop or tea with sugar, and we're trying not to eat anything we can't pronounce. Read the labels, it's harder than you think. I think I'm almost able to gauge how much a portion is! I would recommend reading "Eat this, Not that" to help pick the best options at the grocery store on the regular things you eat. The best advice I've heard so far is to stick to the outside of the store when grocery shopping; the inside aisles are where the "bad" stuff is. The best part is that we are trying a lot of new things and now we're out of that food rut. Jo, don't forget that summer is time for Tzatziki sauce...I've really been enjoying veggie burgers with feta cheese and Tzatziki! The most pleasant surprise has been the Smart Balance butter alternative made out of EVOO.

Grocery shopping

http://www.mommycoddle.com/2007/09/how-to-save-mon.html

I know that we are always trying to find a way to save money at the grocery store. I came across this blog and thought you all might be interested. I especially liked the idea of budgeting for white wine, cause you know we like our alcoholic beverages.

Hats from Wal-Mart Bags

I thought this was very interesting and something you would appreciate. This lady is crocheting Wal-Mart bags into hats!

http://www.kfvs12.com/Global/story.asp?S=10439785

I am finished

I got the little dresses done about 2:30 this afternoon. I am a little dissapointed in the pictures, cause they dont really show how cute they really are. Every one of the dresses is a little different, just using several methods to sew the bodice to the skirt.

Out of the sewing room

The sewing bug has hit me and I have cut out 5 little dresses for Abby girl. I finished one last night and hope to have the others finished today since it is raining and I cant mow. I think I will try to do each one of them a little differently or at least that is my plan at 7:30 in the morning who knows what the day will bring.

My meal time

When I get done cooking I place everything on our bar. If Kaylie is there we eat at the bar. If it is just Jerrod and I we make our plate at the bar and sit in the living room. I permanently keep a barstool in the living room and use it as my table and Jerrod just places his plate in his lap in the recliner. If we have a big crowd we place everything on the bar and eat at the table in the office/party room. For some reason we never, ever sit at my actual dining room table.

songs....

Candy, I love that song too... my favorite line is "He’s a six pack up when he walks in"
I used to always get a head start... not so much anymore! LOL..

I also love your pick, too, Tiff!

I'm still digging on Run to You cuz I like to belt it out in my car when no one can hear me.

Meal Time

My meal time routine is that I try to cook exactly the amount that we will eat, or I intentionally cook for two meal. I serve up the plates at the stove and serve. I do this for my own portion control and to ensure ease of clean-up. If I serve it all up, then the cookware goes right into the sink for a rinse!! I've been doing it this way for as long as I can remember:')
If I put food on the table, then I always eat more that I need.. UGH!
Also, I hate it when there is that one tablespoon of green beans left and no one will take it.

One question

I am brazenly stealing an idea I saw on another blog site. Just to ask a simple question like; What is you meal serving style. Do you prefer buffet, single served, dish up at the stove give me your feedback on your particular style.

All of you have eaten at my house at one time or another so you know that I go for the pick it up with your fingers or go get your own plate and start dishing up what you want. I honestly used to prepare real meals and have everyone sit down at the same time, but since it is usually just RD and me we tend to be very informal and to be honest I think I am out of practice. I would love to hear about your style.