Need a laugh...?

This site hasn't failed me yet. Maybe other people's ridiculous problems help make mine seem more insignificant, or maybe I should just admit to getting a kick out of the stupidity of others...either way, I highly recommend this site for a giggle or two throughout the day. Let me know if anybody orders a T-Shirt (you'll know what I mean when you get there).

www.textsfromlastnight.com

Kath

Green Smoothie, raw diet

I bought a big bag of washed and chopped kale at the food lion yesterday so I could try out a Green Smoothie! I've heard lots of good things about smoothies, but even more good info and health benefits for green smoothies. I didn't exactly follow any of the recipes online, not you expected I would:') I started with one cored apple, one banana, one peeled orange, a couple of handfuls of mixed frozen fruit, blended that up and gave some of that mixture to chuck and brett. I wanted them to have some smoothie w/out subjecting them to my green experiment. Then I added about 3 cups of water and as much of the kale that I could jam into the blender. Zipped it up and voila! Green drink! I actually like it a lot.. Charlie tasted and didn't seem entirely pleased, but he'll come around:')
There is tons of info on the internet about green smoothies, a lot stemming from Dr. Oz's appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show. I did find this neat blog that I like called Happy Foodie. The author has a few other blogs that are interesting. I'd like to eat a more raw diet, so I'm trying to learn some new routines...

salad table, baby spinach

it is so much fun to watch all the salad fixin's growing! Check out the growth on the baby spinach! I just can't wait to eat it up! The leaf lettuce and rocket salad is doing quite well, also.

Dad and Koda on the new porch

Red Dog has been working hard on getting the bump out finished on the back porch. The sun was shining so pretty today.

Chicken fried

I know I put the chickens on facebook, but I felt the deserved a spot on the blog. The first one I made was the striped one which is really cute, but the one I am really proud of is the rhode island red chicken. I made up my own pattern for the topknot and the beak for this one. They make me almost as happy as pink flamingos make me. I am working on some new projects for the knitting store will post pictures later.

Deoderant, Making Your Own?

I've read several blog posts about ladies who are making home made deodorant.
There are many reasons to do this, it is fun to make stuff, you can save money, but most importantly, it is healthier for your stinkin' ol' pits!!!

I'm seriously thinking about trying this out... check out this blog post:
http://simple-green-frugal-co-op.blogspot.com/2010/03/making-your-own-deodorant.html
This is a blog I follow in my google reader... the author, Melinda Briana Epler, also writes for another blog, just click on her name and you can head on over to One Green Generation, which is also full of interesting information!

Have you ever made your own deodorant? Did it work?

Spring Time, Salad Table

I read on a blog that I read often, I can't remember which right now.. but when I do, I'll post a link here for it, about a salad table. We found the plans on Martha Stewart's web site, so we went for it! Charlie and I built the table, loaded it up w/ soil and sowed our seeds. This past Monday, we had germination!!! We planted spinach, rocket salad and leaf lettuce. I'll let ya'll know how we progress w/ the growth!

Great Party Food | Ham and Cheese Rolls

One of my favorite appetizers are these cute little ham and cheese sandwiches w/ a super yummy glaze. They are baked and eaten while still warm... YUMMY.

Ingredients:

• 2 packages small party/dinner rolls
• 1 stick butter
  
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion (optional)
  
• 2 tablespoons poppy seed
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 8 ounces ham slices (deli meat works great!)
  
• 6 ounces shredded Swiss or Cheddar cheese

Melt butter; add mustard, poppy seed, onion, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook over low heat until onions are transparent.

Without separating rolls, slice party rolls horizontally. Spread both sides evenly with butter mixture. Fill evenly with ham and cheese. Wrap each package in tightly in foil and refrigerate until ready to bake. Bake at 375 ° for about 15 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted.

Ok... I never have poppy seeds on hand, so I just skip...
I also skip the onion. I do add some granulated garlic and some brown sugar:')

spring time....

... time for porch sittin'!

Bella

I cant stop thinking about how cute Bella was this weekend. Yes she is smart, active, full of imagination and just pure joy in a little package. We had a great time with Kathy, Crissy, Clayton, and Cara as well. I came home full of the Christmas spirit and I want to thank the kids for that. I love you all.

missed opportunies

Last week one day Tif and I met at Ms. Linda's for lunch. We sat on the front porch because the weather was so pretty and that way Tif could smoke(I am trying to quit AGAIN) Her uncle stopped by the table as he was leaving from his lunch. He started telling the coolest stories about her grandpa and him when they were young. After he had left, Tiffany commented that she found out more family history sitting there than she ever heard from her Grandma. I just thought how true that is that we forget sometimes to tell the old memories and they are special, too. Like how you all have a me who still says cool and doesnt apologize for saying it. I love you all.

new quilts

Been sewing and quilting this week and thought I would show off a little. The top picture is a new quilt top I made this week called Venetian Tiles and the other pictures are from Bryan and Linda's quilt. I got the binding on it this week.

Sleeping with the windows open

At last some decent days and nights for sleeping with the window open and the fresh breeze blowing in, I love it. The weather hear has been perfect since I got home from Franklin. Even the dogs seem more frisky since the weather cooled down a few degrees. Tina was here over the weekend and we had a good time, it just makes me miss her more when she leaves though. I got another quilt on the machine and today I went to Grand Chain to the little hardware store to buy a good extension cord, cause the cord on the machine is short and I kept having to unplug the machine and change plug ins yuck. I want to quilt.

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.