Thankful Thursday

So I posed a question on facebook today.... do you have mashed potatoes with chicken and noodles... or no? Well what a discussion that started.  I grew up in northern IL.  In northern IL we had chicken and noodles... but not with mashed potatoes.  Not the case in southern IN.  In southern IN the definite vote was that of course you have mashed potatoes with your chicken and noodles.... what were you going to put your noodles on if there weren't any potatoes?  I'm thinking um.... a plate?  ha!  However I must admit... now that I am a southern IN girl and now that I've eaten the noodles and potatoes together?  I have definitely been won over. So yes.... our dinner tonight did consist of both the chicken and noodles... and the mashed potatoes.  It was a good thing. 

I had such nice plans for the day.  I got to sleep in, which is a good thing for Monogirls and I for once woke up feeling rested.  I thought I could have a quiet, restful day... .silly Monogirl. Never say the "Q" word.... its a sure sign that things will head in the other direction from quiet.  I had some anxiety issues, I had pressure cooker issues which made the making of the dinner take like 9 times as long, I had a headache and yes... now the fatigue has found me.  I did manage to go over my song for Sunday but I never got to work on my scrapbook page.  Monogirl doesn't handle stress as good as she used to and it wears her out!  So thankful for my awesome husband who knows how to calm me down... who knows how to talk to me... and who has that perfect spot on his shoulder that just makes everything better. 

What else makes things  better?  Remembering all the reasons I have to be thankful such as....

• scripture and the many things I see God teaching me lately
• singing
• mashed potatoes :)
• gel manicures that last 2 weeks or better
• that its almost date night
• scrapping again
• the pretty pink Vera B. business card case I found on Ebay today (mine is in Very Berry Paisley)
• sleeping in
• getting to order a Silhouette last night!  Scrapbook Steals had a great bundle that includes a pink rolling tote.  That is not why I finally caved... honest. 
• dove promises.... they just seem to make everything better too.  ha!
• signs of spring coming soon
• wanting to get back outside and walk
• good hair days
• using my sewing machine on layouts again.... I thought I forgot how!
• managing to figure out and get thru some reporting I had to do at work this week
• my Kindles
• pizza and Baskin Robbins at home for date night last week
• Saturday pancakes
• God's protection
• lots of books on my "to be read" list
• ideas going thru my head to try with the Silhouette
• my diet Pepsi
• pink stuff
• my husband for many many many many reasons
• space heaters
• Miss Sophie
• that my pretty pink clock can be fixed
• pjs and ugg slippers
• my valentines bracelet
• favorite perfumes

Maybe... a miracle will occur and I will actually have a finished layout to share sometime this weekend?  Hope you will check back and find out.  Have a great weekend.  Blessings!

Ten on Tuesday

1) Yes... since I do not yet have a completed layout to share... I'm slow.   What can I say?  I am providing you with proof that the actual scrapping has been happening.  AND I have actually been enjoying it. 

2) Yes... I know it looks neat.  That does not mean I've not been working.  I am physically incapable of working in a mess.  I blame my mother.  And actually at one of the last crops I attended I won a prize for the neatest crop space.  They wanted to know if I had even unpacked yet.  Neatness.... it just makes me happy. 

3) I am on the schedule to sing for special music for church this Sunday.  I had in mind exactly what I wanted to sing.  Just needed to find my music and I was all set.  Apparently God had other ideas.  It's like He thinks he's in charge or something... kidding.  I am digging through the drawer looking for "They Could Not" which was Deanna's plan.  As I am digging I see "My Fathers Heart" which is a song I've had around for a while... so long actually that I don't even remember how the song starts or what the words are.  But I felt that nudge.  You know the one... when God is tapping you on the shoulder saying "um that there.... that is what I want you to do."  I of course obeyed immediately pretended I didn't notice and kept looking for the song I wanted to do.  Then.. I felt the nudge again and THEN went back and picked up the other CD.  I open it.  I look at the lyrics.. and wouldn't ya know, they go along with the sermon for this week like perfectly..... How come I don't learn more quickly when God had a plan and gives me that nudge.. .life is much better when I listen the first time. 

4) Speaking of God's nudges.... Sunday there was an announcement in the bulletin that a volunteer was needed for our Kids Hope program.  Soon as I read it... there was that nudge again.  I prayed about it.  I thought about it.  I did this all through church and Sunday School.  By the time Sunday School was over I prayed... OK Lord if you want me to do this, put the director of this program in my path and I will talk to him.  After that prayer I thought well that likely won't happen because he normally doesn't stay through Sunday School time.  We had a luncheon on Sunday and as I headed down the hallway, guess who is standing there..... yep.  The director.  He was talking to someone so being the obedient girl I already pointed out I am... right... I kept walking thinking I can't talk to him right now.  He's busy.  Um right.  Got in the Family Life Center and turned around to head back to the hall for something and guess who I practically tripped over?  I'm like OK God... I'll talk to him now.  And I did... and now meet Monogirl... your new Kids Hope mentor. 

5) My husband said my OCDness was showing the other day. He was adding and subtracting keys from my key ring and I totally needed him to change several around afterwards so that all my house keys were together and all my car keys were together, and then my most used house key next to my most used car key.... because I totally cannot have a car key right in the middle of all the house keys and they must make sense and order.... you understand right? I mean you did read the neatness requirements up there under #2  right? My husband?  He just shook his head at me... and there may have been a little muttering under the breath...but now the keys are all in their rightful ordered place and Monogirl is happy. 

6) And to further prove that apparently Mono has permanently affected... effected.... I never know which one of those words I am supposed to use.  I could look it up... but who has time and patience for that?  Anyway.... Mono has permanently affected my brain... because... Darrel was busy ordering new clock works for my pretty pink clock that hangs in my scraproom... cause it stopped working.. obviously... and um when he showed me the styles of clock hands to pick from I asked him why was one short and one long?  And yes. That was a serious question. He is currently still shaking his head at me and that was a couple of hours ago.  To my credit... I did figure out the answer to that question right quick because I am smart like that. 

7) Oh... And um we do need to fix the clock in the scraproom soon because it is perpetually running 40 minutes late and I think we all have sufficient proof here that Monogirl does not need ANY help in being confused.... am I right?  I mean I can do math... but who wants to have to add 40 every time they look at the clock?

8) Did you see the announcement for the Dancing With The Stars Cast for this season?  Would you believe me if I told you that one of the "celebrities" was the Homecoming King for my SR class back in oh 1983?  True Story.  His name is Andy Dick. Show of hands if you want to see proof by way of yearbook photos. 

9) Did we all know that Resurrection Sunday is about a month away.  Did we further know that Monogirl has made no mention of an Easter dress?  I know... I was shocked too.  I of course had to remedy this quickly so before blogging I might have wandered over to the Dressbarn web site and ordered a thing or two.... Why can I never seem to just pick one?   Let's hope they work.  I mean I have shoes... stop laughing... I have the purse... I am thinking the dress would be a good idea since I am also thinking yoga pants and Danskos are not the fashion statement I want to make that day. 

10) Date night!  We were supposed to go out.  I dressed to go out.  I curled my hair people.  Then I had the most stressful day from beginning to end at work and stress seems to tire out Monogirl just about as quickly as a 5 mile walk.  Well I am guessing since I haven't actually completed a 5 mile walk in sometime.  Anyway... the husband took one look at Monogirl and told her to get comfy and rest while he fetched a pizza and some Baskin Robbins and we would cuddle up at home and watch some movies/shows together. The pizza was GOOD.  The ice cream was yummy.  The shows were Amazing Race season 17 on Amazon Prime and the movie Life of Pi.  Both quite good and the perfect remedy for tired, stressed Monogirl. 

And with that my friends... I bid you goodnight!  They say we may have snow tomorrow.... sounds like a good day for some uggs and warm comfy clothes as I head to work to hopefully be very productive... Hope your day is great!  Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

Well so first of all I am thankful I actually managed to remember it is Thursday... and therefore we blog.  Good place to start don't you think?  I am also thankful that being Monogirl which means struggling with fatigue and a sore throat today ... that I actually managed to remove myself from bed and function today.  Remembering what day it is and getting out of bed... now there are two things to be proud of.  Is it a sad state of affairs to come to that conclusion?  Or shall we embrace being Monogirl and go with it?  Show of hands for choice #2. 

I am also thankful for spicy tomato sauce covered pasta tube goodness otherwise known as Deanna's homemade Mostaciolli.  I had two choices for what to cook for dinner.  Actually three.  Choice number three involved not making dinner at all and going with the husband's idea not to worry about it.  Choices number 1 & 2 were to make either Chicken and Noodles or the aforementioned Mostaciolli.  I almost went with the Chicken.  It's easier.  Throw some chicken breasts in the pressure cooker with some stock and seasonings, boil a few noodles when its done... viola!  Chicken & Noodles. Almost went that route.. for that reason.  But darn it... I was wanting the Mostaciolli.... And when you realize you did such important things today like getting one's self out of bed and remembering what day it is than why not go all the way and cook something yummy for dinner?  And it was.  Yummy that is.  Darrel and I voted on it and proclaimed it to be unanimous. 

And since its the little things that count... I am also feeling pretty thankful for..

• the heart shape logo on my diet Pepsi can.  It makes me smile.
• that although our church was broken into last week, the damage and things missing were much less than they could have been.
• lunch at La Carreta
• Sunday afternoon naps.  Monogirl's best friend.
• Scrapbooking again... even if its just a little bit.
• sparkly pink manicures
• our pizza sliders dinner
• getting some things accomplished this week
• finishing my work today from home
• Darrel getting home safely today in the sleet and ice
• Miss Sophie
• my Sunday School class
• our Valentines chocolate cake
• my new corner chomper.. it makes such cute little corners
• the fact that I can work from home when needed
• God's healing
• Focus 40
• hearing God and learning thru scripture
• our home
• pink roses
• my new bracelet
• still loving longer hair
• doing some more cooking lately
• my new sparkly, shiny, pink, coach key chain.  It is SO cool.
• reading
• crafting
• talking with my husband
• hugging my husband

Can you believe it's about to be Friday?  Where did the week go.  Every week I have all these grand plans and by the end of every week I am just happy I got thru the week.... grand plans still intact for perhaps another week.  Is that a Monogirl thing or um.. am I not alone on that one?  Next week could be an improvement right? 

Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday.... or um Wednesday

1) So yes... OK.  I missed Ten on Tuesday.  Monogirl got tired.  What a shock.  She had to give herself a manicure.... she forgot it was Tuesday because she can't seem to focus and think straight some days... and um yes.. then there was the tired thing. She could have blogged.  She could have drug herself to bed.  Guess which one won?  Who knew a fresh sparkly pink Gel manicure could be so exhausting. 

2) Are you wondering about the picture?  Yes.  This blog post is brought to you by the force and the letter J for Jedi.  I am thinking our number would be 3... since we have Yoda, R2D2... is that how one spells R2D2?  and I forget the other guys name.  What they are is a collection of jump drives owned by my  husband.  What they are doing is being models for his photography assignment on which he had to show different levels of focus... or something like that.  I don't speak photography language.  If I did I am sure I would be explaining it to you with words like aperture or F-stop or some kind of stop.... but we will leave that to husbands who are currently busy learning all those things in photography class.  Why am I sharing the picture with you?  Because it cracks me up!  How funny is little Yoda standing there looking all wise and solemn making you wonder if at any moment he might whip out his light saber on you....

3) Um have you seen these shoes on Shoe Dazzle?  Oh. My. Goodness.  They are screaming my name.  I am totally drawn to them.... however... if you can believe it.... I have NOT purchased them.... yet. I put them in my cart yesterday.  I looked at the nearly $50 price tag.... I waited.  I repeated that procedure today.  So far... I have not caved.  It's a Wednesday miracle. Guess we will have to wait and see how Thursdays are....

4) Have you seen the commercial for the Pizza Hut sliders? I was intrigued, so last night for dinner, you guessed it, Pizza Hut Sliders. Not bad.  I'd give them 2 thumbs up.  My fav were the ones we had made with Italian Sausage, Pepperoni and Green Pepper.  Although I am curious why small hamburgers at Bdubbs, small chicken sandwiches at Cheesecake Factory and now small Pizzas at Pizza Hut are called "sliders?"  My Dad used to call White Castles sliders.  Is that the connection?  Or is small food just supposed to slide down your throat perhaps?  Although in my head that implies a consistency like an oyster which ewww... would not be the best visual if you are wanting me to buy your food cause it tastes good. 

5) Now that I am a grow my hair long again kind of girl... I seem to have a keen eye for long hair styles.... so much so that I keep stopping to watch a commercial for a lifetime show with Jennifer Love Hewitt.  She has great hair.  Am I right?  I mean the show she is in, totally not up my alley and I really couldn't care less about the promo for the show... yet here I am watching the commercial every time I see it just so I can drool over her hair.... I am thinking either I have serious issues or Mono has permanently affected my brain.   

 

6) Guess what happened at my house?  I walked up to my scrap room.  I pulled out a piece of cardstock and a picture or two.  I picked out a few pretty pieces of paper..... and I glued them down.  What's that called again?  Oh yeah... I remember.  Scrapbooking.  Yes.  Scrapbooking happened at our house.  Am I finished?  No. But it could happen. 

7) See now that I'm a scrapper again its a good thing that my newly purchased Corner Chomper arrived from HSN today.  I knew I would like that thing.  This particular one makes the cutest little tiny rounded corners in 1/8" and 3/8" sizes.  Sooooo cute.  I must go round something immediately. 

8) And while we are still on the scrapbooking subject... have you heard of this book?  I saw on Goodreads that a few friends were checking it out... so of course I had to right?  Then I heard that there is a book one... so of course I had to check out book one which is called Friendship Bread.  Apparently its also good... so now yes.. add 2 more books to the must read soon list. 

9) WHY is it Girl Scout cookie time and not one little person in a little green uniform has tried to sell me a Thin Mint?  I have money.  I like Thin Mints. I tend to think that the box holds oh like 2 servings... you know... 1 serving per roll of cookies in the box right?  I am thinking I am the perfect Thin Mint customer so why oh why can I not find a Girl Scout when I need one? 

10) Do you observe Lent?  Our church does something we call Focus 40.  It's a time of prayer and fasting during the 40 days leading up to Resurrection Sunday.  It started today.  There are daily devotions that go along with it.  If you'd like to read along with me they can be viewed online here. I have been looking forward to this and am hoping it will be a time for renewal and recommitment and regaining my focus which honestly has been struggling and lacking since all of this Mono stuff has become a part of my life 

And OK... so now it's 30 minutes into Thursday so you know have Ten On Tuesday... Wednesday AND Thursday.  That seems like a bonus to me.   

Blessings!

Thankful Thursday Valentines Edition

OK... before we talk about Valentines day, I am sitting here watching Something Borrowed, Something New on TLC.  Have you seen this show where the bride has to decide between wearing a new dress or her mothers dress?  This Mom today just said that the new dress her daughter was wearing didn't look as "young" and new as her dress... her dress from the 80's.  Did she seriously just say that?  Cause I'm an 80's girl too.  I get wanting your daughter to wear your dress.  I am even a vintage lover... but um hello? 80's, formerly white, now yellowish, sad little turtleneck dress.... Let's say it together... It's her wedding.  It's not about you.  OK... see, I feel better now. That was infinitely better telling you rather than continuing to talk to myself and the TV since we are the only ones here to listen. 

Now are you saying um it's date night.  It's after midnight.  Why are Monogirl and the TV the only one to talk to at Monogirl's house? Well that would be because Mr. Monogirl is currently at a male bonding ritual youth guys lock in at the church. I am sure once he heard of the plans for multiple Xboxes....I'm sorry, how does one refer to multi Xbox games?  Xboxi?  A gaggle of Xboxes?  Perhaps it would be more manly if we call it a pack of Xboxes... ha!  Anyway... there were promises of video games... boxing... and some sort of occasion where one needs this giant Q-tip looking thing to knock over other Q-tip wielding opponents.  Whatever the thing is... it was pretty stinkin' funny to see our Youth Pastor come walking through the front door with it slung over his shoulder today. We had date night for a bit first with dinner at the Chinese place in town... not the Big City... and then.... wait for it... a fun shopping trip to Home.  Depot.  Yes.  Date night at Home Depot.  Darrel thought it was a great idea.  :)  After a little TV time and dessert together at home, he headed for the youth event for a bit leaving night owl Monogirl to her blogging and perhaps scrapping while she waits for him to come back home in a few hours.  Was worried about him driving because he falls asleep driving when he is tired... and he's been up since 5:30 this morning.  Since I was worried, I had asked him to text me when he got there.  He of course forgot... so when I texted him I had to tell him he now had me wondering if my text just distracted him in mid joust causing him to get knocked in the head with a giant q-tip.... bwa ha ha ha ha....

Valentines Day... well judging from the picture are you thinking it was pretty perfect?  You would be correct.  The day started with a little baking project for my husband.  I mean actually I should just say I baked a cake... but um trust me.  This cake is a project.  Take a look.

This would be the chocolate cake that I first made for my husband 3 days before our wedding back in 1987.  It was for his birthday.  I've told you the story before.  My young, in love, wants to please her man, self decided to make a 3 layer chocolate cake with real whipped cream filling and from scratch icing on a 100 degree day in a mobile home with no A/C.  It was not my best decision ever.  The cake part involves mixing and cooling a cocoa mixture.  Sifting things.  Beating things for 5 minutes at a time.  The whipped cream of course prefers coldness and chilled bowls and beaters and um NOT being made in a 100 degree mobile home in June.  The icing?  Melted chocolate, cream, butter cooked and then whisked together with powdered sugar in a bowl sitting in another bowl full of ice in a 100 degree mobile home in June.  Did I mention that part?  I thought that icing would NEVER turn into icing... now that I've made it again I see why.  It takes time, and cooling for the chocolate to set up and even begin to approach something resembling icing.  No wonder I added like a box of powdered sugar back in 1987 trying to turn it into something resembling anything that would stick to the cake! ha!  I mean... was I young and in love or what?  Now I'm all oh Monogirl.. what were you thinking? 

Well... now I'm old and in love and my husband has talked about this cake for years so I wanted to make him another one now that I know what I'm doing... right.  I sifted. I melted.  I beat.  I chilled.  I stacked the perfect 3 layer cake.... right up until the end.  As I am finishing icing I notice the layers have slid a little. I try to gently.... slide it back.  This of course causes the layers to almost completely slide apart causing me to tilt it back the other way causing me to look like I am playing one of those little games where you have to tilt to get the little BB in the hole.  Not so good for layer cakes.  I manage to get it straight... but realize what has happened is my whipped cream got too warm... and slippery.... and I need to get it back in the fridge.  My outside icing?  Not looking so good.  So I chill.  I try to repair... I get one side looking half decent.  The other side?  Has a lip of whipped cream sticking out all the way around.  Lovely.  Oh well.  I figured it would taste good.  I mean chocolate cake, chocolate frosting and whipped cream?  What's not good about that no matter how smooshed up you get it?  Darrel was thrilled with his Valentines cake and we enjoyed a yummy dessert together after dinner which was at home with carryout from Olive Garden.

My gift was this lovely Swarovski Crystal tennis bracelet.  LOVE.  Is he good or what?  Picked it out all by himself he did.  He also gave me two cards, one of which was left for me in the morning with this little bottle of Jessica Simpson perfume.  He said he didn't know what it smelled like but it was pink, it was Jessica Simpson, what wouldn't I like about that?  I told you he was smart.  The day before Valentines he had another little fiestaware bowl for me full of dove chocolates.  This time the bowl was yellow.  LOVE.  Oh!  And he sent the pink roses to work on Wednesday.  :)  LOVE again.

My gift to him was 2 filters for his camera lenses, a hand strap for his camera, and a lens cleaning pen thingy.  He is all about the camera right now so I am thinking that was the perfect fit.  After recovering from the cake adventure, I got myself cleaned up and fixed up for our "date" while he picked up our dinner and I also found some time to whip up this valentines card.

Not too shabby for a quick card making session?  The strips in the center are washi tapes.  The heart punch in kraft was from a Martha Stewart anywhere punch.  The border punch is also Martha.  The "love" metal word was one of my gifts from Darrel during Valentines month and the papers were left over from our vow renewal wedding favors.  Cool right? 

It was a good day and a great month and we had so much fun.  I pronounce the creation of Valentines Month very good.  And... I am so thankful for the fun we had all month, for the romance, for Valentines Day and for a husband that knows how to speak my language and continues to sweep me off my feet after 28 years together. 

And as if all that weren't way more than enough, there is even more to be thankful for this past week such as....

• Date night in Kentucky
• relaxing at Barnes and Noble
• Sunday lunch at La Carreta
• my Sunday School class and the sweet ladies that are a part of it
• flowers.  I love flowers.  Especially pink roses
• fiestaware!
• actually creating something... even if just a card.  Hey its a start!
• reading
• my favorite gray sweater
• gel manicures
• the new Survivor season to watch together
• this verse:  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10.  God has put that verse in my path several times lately.
• chocolate cake
• new scrapping supplies
• music
• a new doorknob for the garage.  The old one will NOT let you put your key in to unlock it without a major struggle which is made even more fun when Miss Sophie is doing her trampoline act on the other side of the door hitting the window. 
• and with that I am also thankful for Miss Sophie. 
• my new tool carousel. 
• a husband that shops
• diet Pepsi
• long hair
• my parents
• compliments from my husband
• kind words from a friend
• understanding
• pink label makers

So many blessings.  God has been good to us.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Monogirl is probably going to need to rest some.  She is feeling the fatigue today.  Maybe she will rest at the scrapping table.... 

 

Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) It has arrived.  I actually managed to fill it.  It is sitting on my credenza... and I am LOVING it.  Not only did it manage to hold everything that was in my tool tote (with the exception of 2 portable paper trimmers) but I also had room left over for bunches of my pens that were previously not so accessible.  Yes.  Just call me happy Monogirl all because of my new Hobby Lobby tool carousel! 

2) Did you know it was scrapbooking day today on HSN?  Did you further know their Today's Special was a set of We R punches? If you did, then you would also likely be shocked to know that I did not buy them.  They were in my cart... I almost checked out.... I almost caved... and then I had a talk with myself and Monogirl convinced Deanna that perhaps she should try to actually scrap something with what Deanna has first.  See Deanna has lots of supplies and knows how to scrap.  Monogirl?  She seems to have forgotten what scrapping supplies are for. 

3) OK... so I didn't buy the punches.  I did however buy one of these.  See Monogirl decided Deanna deserved a reward for not caving and buying the punches.  Made total sense to Monogirl.  I think I like her.  She knew Deanna wanted that corner chomper last year.  She has such a good memory. 

4) Are you like really scared right now that Monogirl has totally gone over to the pink side now and has become some kind of fatigued, pink loving, wanna be scrapper with a split personality that just likes to sit in her chair and nap a lot? 

5) Have you ever met a guy that not only manages to know what Fiestaware is but he actually goes to the mall and somehow manages to find and come home with this cool new little rice bowl?  I mean how cute are these?  HOW did he even manage to think of getting a Fiestaware bowl?  My oh so intelligent.... and cute... husband bought me one of these, put little Dove chocolates in it and left it for me this morning for Valentines month. He is the greatest. And of course now that I am seeing that picture on Dillards website I am wondering if he bought one in every color because how cute would those be in my kitchen?

6) Were you wondering why he was at the mall?  He went to the Big City on his own last night to shop for Valentines Day.  He was gone for like almost 4 hours.  Shopping.  For Monogirl.  And... he came home bearing a big bag of cinnamon crunch bagels from Panera.  Best. Husband. Ever. 

7) Friday for Date Night we headed to Owensboro KY for some BBQ.  It was so good and we had such a nice dinner.  It was worth the hour and 15 min drive.  They have kind of the normal buffet kind of selections but then meat wise they have ribs, chicken, pork, beef brisket, mutton, fried oysters and 2 kind of catfish I think.  Pricey.  But meat wise you get a pretty out of the ordinary selection and the BBQ sauce?  YUM.  We need to do that again. 

8) After dinner we headed home via The Big City and my husband decided that for Valentines Month we would stop at Barnes and Noble and I got to pick out a couple of magazines to bring home with me.  Now how creative of an idea was that?  So I got myself an armload of magazines in one arm, my Kindle in the other and we found ourselves a seat.  Sounds heavenly until we realized we sat down by the two nosiest people in the place.  Just as I was considering shushing them... one of them got a call on their cell causing them to leave.  I wanted to ask who had called just so I could call them back and say God Bless You....

9) So who is excited it is Survivor and Amazing Race Premier week?  Yes.  You saw my hand in the air there! We love those 2 shows and are excited that Survivor will be another Fans vs Favorites season. Do you have a favorite? 

10)  OK I went from not being happy with any book to starting two.  I make no sense.  So currently I am reading furiously to get thru this one... so I can then finish this one.  Then I heard on Goodreads that this book was really good... so I am wanting to get to that one.... so I can read the sequel that is coming out in April.  Apparently so many books.... so little time. 

I hope to be back for Thankful Thursday?  BUT as you know it's Valentines Day! Yay.  I *heart* valentines day... which I guess is fitting.  ha!  If that post is delayed I shall try to reappear by Saturday to fill you in on all the Valentines Day fun.... well most of it anyway ;)

Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

I am quite thankful that my ambition to make a Lemon Meringue Pie today lasted thru the actual making of the pie since I was mistaken that perhaps I was remembering wrong about how much work it is. Did you make it all the way thru that sentence?  You are good!  I was ready to sit down after the grating of the lemon peel and the first bout of cooking and stirring constantly.  Monogirl was wondering what she had gotten herself into at about the 1/2 way point but she persevered and managed to produce a decent version of an actual homemade Lemon Meringue pie.  It was my husband's Valentines gift for today. 

This was only the second time ever that I made one.  YEARS ago... like 16 years maybe?  I decided to make my Dad one for either Father's Day or his birthday or some such occasion... I can't remember.  Darrel was working shift work at the time and between the making, and bestowing the gift on my Dad, Darrel didn't get to taste it.  He loves lemon stuff so over the years it has been mentioned that I need to make another one of those pies so he can try it.  Well I don't like lemon pie and so I hadn't tried the first one and really had no idea if it was even any good since most likely at the time I had no idea what I was doing.   ha!  The only thing I remember about it was that my sis-in-law had said that it was "the best meringue she ever tasted."  See.... I remember nice compliments like that.  The only other thing I remembered was that it was a lot of work!  So today I convinced myself that maybe I only thought it was a lot of work because of my young bride lack of experience at the time.  I discovered that although I might know more of what I am doing these days, it's still lots of work.  SO glad I had pie crust already made and in the freezer.  That was the easiest part.  But the rest?  Juicing the lemons, grating the peel, mix this and cook and stir forever, mix that and cook and stir forever, separate eggs, beat eggs, cook and stir part of the meringue, etc etc etc....

Was it worth it?  Yes.  The smile on my husbands face was very worth it.  And... he did this thing he does with his eyes when he really likes something he is eating.  I am sure he is not even aware he does it, but I know when I see it, I made something good.  And for that look?  I am very thankful.  Apparently Monogirl did good today and she didn't even need to collapse in a chair when she was done, strenuous as it was for Monogirl to cook for a few hours straight. 

Also feeling pretty thankful today for...

• my last gel manicure lasted for 2-1/2 weeks before chipping at all!  Love it!
• my new gel manicure is with this very cool color.  Does that scream my name or what?
• extra pie crust that turned into a chocolate pie
• that my husband cooked and stirred the pudding for the chocolate pie when Monogirl pooped out
• my new tool caddy for my scrapping stuff!  Now I just need to fill it!
• China Wok for dinner
• date night
• watching Project Runway and The Apprentice old episodes with Darrel
• my job
• my husband.  LOVE him so much. 
• the desire to scrapbook again
• helping Darrel with his photography class
• Miss Sophie
• valentines month!
• danskos
• homemade bread from the Amish store
• cheese popcorn
• longer hair and getting to wear the "messy bun" look
• God's patience with me
• my husband getting this cute little grin on his face when he walks over and asks me out on a date for tomorrow.  Still gets me all fluttery like it did 28 years ago
• my church family
• La Carreta lunches
• the beautiful weather today
• that the Amy Tangerine mini books are on sale on peachycheap today
• my pink and white fossil watch
• space heaters at home and at work
• prayer
• the hope of spring in the air

So how was your Thursday?  I hope it was good.  Tune in again on the weekend and I will try to reappear with a date night report. You are on the edge of your seat now aren't you.  Blessings!

Ten On Tuesday

1) Yes this would be a flute and yes... that would be me at the other end of the flute.  One of my husband's photography class assignments was about depth of field and photographing something creative to showcase that. I was trying to help him come up with some ideas for that and wondered if showing my hands on the flute keys would work.  He loved that idea... he seems to have some affection for me and the flute that I wasn't quite aware of.... so here you have the results.  I am thinking what a great plan for future photos of me.... being blurry in the background that is. 

2) So the other day I said I was wandering over to Amazon, or was it Goodreads, to pick out my next book to read.  I was thinking I was going with Healing Stones but the first chapter just did NOT grasp me... so moving on I landed on this one... but not loving it either so I may be moving on again.  With like 500+ books on my Kindle you'd think I could find something right?

3)We were watching Chopped this evening.  Anyone watch that?  It's for the Chopped Champions and this was to pick the 4th person to compete.  Their entree basket? The first two things they pulled out were calves liver and fava greens..... Darrel and I looked at each other and busted out laughing.  I'm like what?  Is this the Silence of the Lambs basket... "I ate his liver with some nice fava beans...."  Ewwwwww

4) Another of Darrel's assignments involved motion and he had to figure out something to take photos of to try and catch the movement.  It could have been anything from the cars going by on the highway to the ceiling fan in the bedroom.  I wondered if he could catch flipping the pages of a book, which again, he liked, so here you have Monogirls fingers flipping thru her pretty pink Bible.  I love the blur of the pages which implies and shows the movement yet the Bible, hand, etc. are all in focus.  Cool right? 

5) Darrel also took a few photos of Tanner and Miss Sophie trying to catch them in action.  I thought this one was pretty cool because you can see Miss Sophie's paw batting at her toy.. and yes... I am the foot model in this photo with my lovely PJ pants and uggs.   I am liking this kind of modeling.... either blurry in the background or just showing my cute shoes. 

6) While he happened to have his camera in his hands to get the motion shots, he just happened to be able to catch this daily scene.  Tanner, minding his own business goes in the kitchen for his food and water.  The minute he gets in there Sophie runs over and stations herself out of view of the doorway, by the dinning room wall just waiting to pounce on Tanner as he comes walking back by.  If you click on the photo to see the bigger image you may be able to see her paw on his back.  Sophie thinks this is a fabulous game.  Tanner?  Not so much.  See in our house Sophie thinks she and Tanner get along just great.  Tanner?  Not so much.  And just because.... here is another cute picture of Tanner that Darrel got. 

7) Speaking of Tanner, I have mentioned his affection for baby carrots before correct?  Well he is also a creature of habit.  After dinner, every night, he expects to go outside to take care of his business.  When he comes back in, he expects his carrot.  If you don't give him his carrot, he will NOT rest until either Darrel or I get the message that um "HELLO you forgot to give me my carrot and I CANNOT rest until I have my carrot."  He comes and stares at me and sits up and stares and sits up some more.  If that doesn't work... repeat the same moves for Darrel.  If one of us then happens to head towards the kitchen?  He races you in there and stares at the refrigerator and starts "talking" and giving us his little woofs until he gets his carrot.  If you think he will just give up and forget about his carrot?  Well you would lose that contest because when it comes to carrots, he has a one track, stubborn little mind.  Carrots.  Who knew?

8) Valentine month continues.  This morning I found a tube of mini M&M's on my vanity.  I had left my husband a gift of heart shaped snickers, heart shaped York Peppermint Patties and a Hallmark Love coupon.  :)  Oh, and a little package of Key Lime cookies.  He has a thing for Godiva Key Lime truffles so I thought he might like the cookies I saw at the convenience store.  He said they were good but needed more Key Lime.  I told him next time I'd buy two packs and he could scrape all the lime stuff off package #2 and add them to package #1.  It would be like those people I see on facebook that made an oreo that had the filling from like 100 oreos.... As much as I like oreos?  That would require WAY too much patience for Monogirl.

9) My niece texted me this photo to show me that we made a good call on the birthday gift we gave our Nephew last weekend.  It was Anywhere Ping Pong.  Did I tell you about Anywhere Ping Pong?  I think I did.  I saw it on The Price is Right and immediately decided Darrel needed one for Christmas.  We all had fun playing it at my Mom's on Christmas Day.  I decided then that Ethan needed one for his birthday. I asked Lauryn who was winning and she said "Dad is king."  I told her I'd have to disagree with that remark... I mean he is my little brother after all.  

10) I have not yet scrapbooked anything.  I did however print my photos and print an image onto the card stock I want to use.  That is huge progress if you haven't scrapped since like August!  I also managed to dust my room and put several things away because Monogirl cannot scrap in a dirty messy room... but you knew that right?  I also surprised myself with the supplies I forgot I had.  I guess that would happen when you abandon your room for 6 months. 

Viola!  There you have it. Ten thoughts... on actual Tuesday.....well it was when I started.    You. Are. Welcome.  :)  Blessings!

Merry Valentines

Here you have Miss Sophie enjoying a Sunday afternoon nap.  I'm thinking she picked the best spot in the house.  She sure loves Darrel.... or the chair... maybe Darrel is just in her favorite chair?  Nah... I am thinking its the other way around.  She loves the chair because Darrel is in it!  What's not to love?

So Friday on the way home from work I stopped at Shopko to pick up a few more things for Valentines month.  As I am wandering the chips, nuts, and candy aisles I spotted a bag of these.  They were left over from Christmas but um my husband loves those things.  They were originally $8, on clearance for $4.99 or so the shelf said.  When I got home I was checking my receipt and I didn't see the $4.99 anywhere.  I saw a .79 entry with a description that seemed to match so I checked the number with the bar code and guess what?  They were .79!  OK.  I should have bought more.  When I gave them to Darrel Saturday morning first he said a resounding YUM and then when I told him the story, he said... we need to go buy more. A while later he headed to town... not to be confused with the Big City.... to take the garbage to the collection place.  When you live in the country... you get to do fun things like that.  Or perhaps I should say you hope your husband will do fun things like that.  I had described to him where I found the candy in the store and he said he was going to stop.  When he came home?  He sheepishly walks into the living room with 2 bags full of Peppermint Bark.  He bought NINE more.  He said he took a couple up to the register to check the price.  The girl scanned them and said they were .79.  He said... I'll be right back and went to gather the rest of the bags.  Apparently he has more of an affection for Peppermint Bark than I realized.  Ya think?  Too funny.  He said that just a few days ago he had eaten his last one for Christmas and had the sad thought that he guessed he wouldn't get anymore of those till next year.  I'm thinking if he didnt' already... he is loving Valentines month at this point. 

This... was my gift for Friday.  Now how cute is that?  I was in love with the box to the point I didn't care what was inside.  ha!  My second thought was "I wonder if that will fit in a project life pocket?" It's filled with chocolate stripe cookies.  That could be good.  I haven't sampled them yet.

For date night this week, my husband declared we were spending the evening at home.  He thought his wife... I guess that would be Mrs. Monogirl.... had been too tired all week and we needed to stay home and be restful.  Works for Monogirl.  He brought us home a pizza, bread sticks and dessert!  A chocolate pie from a local Amish place.  We watched an episode or two of The Apprentice season 1, and then a movie... or so we thought.  We have been streaming movies via Amazon and our Blu-Ray player.  Not so much this week.  It would NOT load and we spent like an hour monkeying with it.  NOT our idea of a fun date night because um Mrs. Monogirl?  Well patience is not her best thing.  Finally got it to work.... sort of... and watched Trouble With The Curve.  Not bad... I'd give it maybe 6.5 out of 10 stars. 

I have still been on the hunt for a Making Memories tool caddy... or something close.  My husband offered to build me one, which I would LOVE but I know he isn't going to have time to do that any time soon and I think we already mentioned my patience level... So in the meantime I came across this model by Hobby Lobby.  I've seen other scrapping ladies mention it on the 2 Peas message board and the consensus seems to be that the MM model, the Michael's Recollections model and the Hobby Lobby model are all fairly similar.  Since I had a 40% off coupon and Hobby Lobby had a $2.95 shipping special I said SOLD.  A little concerned it will be too small since dimensions are not listed on the web site but hoping it will be the 12" or so size like the MM? Supposed to be here by Wednesday.  Let's hope the post office person doesn't try to cram it in the mailbox...

And now I plan to wander on over to Goodreads so I can figure out what I want to read next.  Book 1 for 2013 has been completed.  Only 49 more to go.  I am thinking of going with this one. 

Blessings!

Thankful Thursday

This is what your dinning room table looks like when you have a post office person that you are ready to hunt down and hurt... or at least beat an apology out of... or OK... I'm not that mean but could I at least yell at him/her for a while?  Why?  Because they keep cramming packages into the mailbox that are a) far too big for the mail box and you can barely get them back out and b) are 12x12 scrapbook paper in between two sheets of cardboard that is NOT easily bent, yet are bent and then crammed into the mailbox. I mean seriously I bet it takes more time to get the package to bend and then fit in the box then it would to just stinkin' drive up the driveway and leave it on the back porch which is what you are supposed to do!  This time the bending and cramming resulted in the end of the package being open just enough that all the rain we got yesterday could get in.  What does rain in a package of scrapbook paper mean?   WET scrapbook paper.  Completely wet.  It also results in unhappy, wants to hunt down the mail person and do some serious yelling Monogirl.   Especially since the folding and cramming has been happening a lot lately AND sometimes the cramming results in the back of the mailbox opening which then exposes all the mail to the weather... and the highway traffic.  NOT happy about that either. 

I bought this kit of the My Minds Eye The Sweetest Thing Honey from scrapbooksteals.com recently.  They usually have limited quantities and really reduced prices.  This made me afraid that they wouldn't be able to replace my order. I was right.  They have no more paper.  I could buy just the paper on another site, but it costs way more.  From scrapbooksteals.com I bought the paper, 2 sheets each of 10 designs plus all the components except for the stamps and the washi tape.  All of that was only $18.50.  I priced just the paper on another site today and just the paper would be $20.  Apparently it really was a steal!  Scrapbooksteals offered a complete refund if I wanted to return the whole kit, or a credit for the paper.  I went with a credit for the paper because I can still use all the rest of the items and they are cute....and pink... did I mention pink?!  The paper?  It may be a total loss... not sure yet. I laid it out to try and see if it would dry but as you may be able to tell from the photo, it's quite puffy and wrinkly and a few of the designs are smeared/faded or are showing a water mark.  On the other hand... since I like the whole distressed look perhaps I should just look at it as pre-distressed?  ha!!  Maybe I have discovered a new distressing technique.  Just send your paper on a ride with your favorite post office person.  Guaranteed to come back completely distressed... ha! 

So thankfulness wise?  I am thankful that scrapbooksteals took good care of me and offered me a partial refund.  I am thankful I did not hunt down the post office person and hurt them in a fit of fatigue induced Monogirl rage and.... I am thankful that at least part of the kit survived and there is hope that a scrapbook page may actually be created at some point. 

I am also thankful for Valentines month.  Yes.  Again.  This morning once Monogirl finally hauled herself out of bed (after waaaayyyy sleeping in because the last 2 weeks she has been zombie Monogirl again) she was greeted by a box of peanut M&M's waiting for her on the bathroom sink.  Chocolate.  What a nice way to start the day. 

I am very thankful for this guy.  Look how cute he is.  I am quite thankful for the cuteness.... 28 years later and I can still go all weak in the knees.  Now I'm all distracted.... what were we talking about?  Oh yeah.. thankfulness. So thankful for my husband.  Yesterday he had an eye DR appt. after we got back from yet another funeral.  I had to get to work for a few hours so while I was doing that he headed to his appointment.  He is now in need of bifocals for the first time and needed to pick out new frames.  He didn't want to do this by himself so for like 20 minutes he was trying on the frames and then texting his wife a picture.  It was very cute and yet an interesting way to shop.  The upside?  I now have lots of cute pictures of my husband on my phone.  And in case you were wondering, this is the winning pair.  So thankful that he wants my opinion and help.

 

Other thankfulness this week would definitely include...

• spell check... cause tired Monogirl fingers seem to be getting in a knot fairly frequently here lately
• shelter in this weather!  From heavy rains, winds and storms on Tuesday to wind, snow, ice and frigid temps today!
• a day of rest.  The fatigue stuff has been BAD the past two weeks. 
• warm ugg slippers on cold days like today.  I swear there is a cold front coming thru the living room from the front room.
• our feather bed.  LOVE our bed.  Sleeping on the feather bed under the goose down comforter and jersey t-shirt sheets.... heavenly
• reading on my Kindle.  Did some of that today in between the resting and drying out of the wet scrapbook supplies
• a husband that cooks me dinner
• Celebrating my nephews birthday with family
• the 2 cute pairs of silver hoop earrings that were cast offs from my sister on Sunday
• safe travel too and from the funeral in IL this week
• Paul Mitchell extra body finishing spray.... my stylist turned me on to it.  Cool stuff! I love big hair....
• watching movies and our favorite TV shows with my husband
• Saturday pancakes
• Olive Garden carry out.  We did that for date night last week.  YUM
• the new hot chocolate machine
• pink label maker
• that the worst of the storms missed us when the sirens went off the other night
• umbrellas at the funeral yesterday
• good friends
• my Sunday school class
• Mexican food!
• the desire to work out
• wanting to scrapbook again
• longer hair
• my husband enjoying his photography class

And yes... I am also thankful it is once again bed time because Monogirl here is once again out of steam.....

Blessings!