It's the Holidays!!

And I'm off work!!  It's so nice, I tell ya.  I would like to take a moment to remind everyone that I do like my job...it's awesome that I have a job where I can take time off, and get summer off and still get paid.  :)  It's awesome.

But -- that being said... I'm really glad to have the next 2 weeks off.  Just saying!  It's awesome.  And today, we're getting new windows!  If only we could have afforded to replace ALL of them, but we don't have thousands of dollars, ya know?  OR I wouldn't be working, lol.

As it is, it's going to take over 5 years to pay off these ones.  :)  Kind of like a car...sigh.

Anyway - coolness.  We made candy the other night, that was fun.  I tried caramel (again...) and it tastes good, but it isn't cutable.  So...messed up again.  I don't know what it is about me and caramel...I think I might be too impatient and not let it cook long enough.  I also think I might need to get a real candy thermometer.  What do you think?  lol.

Anyway - today is fried shrimp day!  Unfortunately, we won't be having that...we're going to have homemade mac and cheese with leftover ham in it.  AWESOME!  so...just saying.

Hope you're having a great day!

Today in the Light of the World challenge, is seeing the potential in others.  That can mean anyone - building anyone up and reminding them that they are children of God and have the potential to do whatever it is they want to do.

We are all capable of fulfilling our dreams.  It takes determination and faith in ourselves.  In ourselves and in Jesus Christ...He makes it possible for us.

So - I hope you have a marvelous day, find your potential, and remember that Jesus loves you.

Can't go wrong with that!

Cat Herding day!

okay - in case you have nothing totally to do today, and need something to make you laugh...this is good.  :)





I was hoping there would be something else besides this commercial, but there isn't besides IKEA trying to say their store is comfy enough for cats to make themselves at home...lol  Which we all don't believe...you've been there right?  And gotten lost???

Anyway...
it's also National Cupcake day - which I don't find that exciting because I don't really like cupcakes.  Give me a piece of cake you eat with a fork!  I mean...cupcakes seem to come in three or four varieties...  either too much frosting...

I mean really....  Hard to get your mouth around that.  At least it's chocolate...lol

Or they're not enough... 
and perhaps they are saying the
cupcake speaks for itself...
Who knows.

 Or sometimes they are dry!! 

I don't know that this looks dry, but it was one of the only pictures I could find without frosting, lol. 

Anyway -
have a great day and try to enjoy.  There's lots of chocolate available this time of year...

Happy Wednesday....only 11 days left...

I can't believe how fast the days are going!!  sigh.  I think I already commented on this, so I'll leave it alone.  lol

But - I feel the need to spread some cheer, so I'm posting one of the funnest versions of this song.  Hope you enjoy!!




They do another one that's fun too...



Have a good one!

Only 13 days left...who are you going to teach?

Till Christmas Day!  I can't believe how fast it's going.  I've been watching the days with anxiety, because I know that they're going faster than I want them too!!  sigh.  So much to do...so much I want to fit in.  Like the Light of Christmas challenge....today is #12...and it's teach someone - that's sooo much of what Christ did, was teach.

How do you try to teach?  Do you teach your children, grandchildren, neighbors?  There is a lot of options out there...  I'm still trying to figure out what to claim, lol.

First...last Friday I got to be Grandma!!  It was the first time my granddaughter was performing in a Christmas program for kindergarten. It was sooo much fun!  And she did such a good job.  I was as proud as I could be!  And then there was her sister...lol  She was such a cutie!

Don't you think?

Today has a couple of things to celebrate from Brownielocks.com  ...
Gingerbread House Day - someone shared a video on making one out of chocolate...  I like the idea of making them with graham crackers - much faster than making the gingerbread, and it's not like anyone actually EATs one of these, right?  I mean...right??

National Cocoa Day - one of my favorite things!  I made some homemade hot cocoa for the party saturday, and it's made in a crock pot.  Everyone was more thrilled with the cider, but I thought the hot chocolate was the bomb.  It wasn't low fat by any means...and it's not a cheap version, so I won't be making it often.  But you ought to try it at least once.    This is the recipe I made.
http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/creamy-crockpot-hot-cocoa-best-ever/

and last...
it's National Poinsettia Day - somehow poinsettia's have become totally connected to Christmas.  For some people, the season wouldn't be the same without those bright red leaves...or white ones now...  My hubby always gets one for my mother-in-law so she'll have fresh greens in her home.  We have a tall fake one someone gave us and I always have to remember to dust it, lol.  In looking up it's history there's a little story about a girl who wants to bring a gift to Christ and doesn't have anything.  She picks some wild flowers and when she presents them at the altar, they burst into beautiful red blossoms.  Here's a link...
http://www.aboutflowers.com/flower-holidays-occasions-a-parties/christmas/poinsettia-history.html

I'm not a big poinsettia fan...but ya know.  A bit of trivia for the day... 

Well..have a good one!! be sure to have some hot cocoa!!

Happy Friday!! Day 9 of service....

I know...I kind of skipped days 3 thru now, but I've been sick.  :(   May I whine for a moment???  I know everyone talks about the man cold...but we don't get to complain, right?  Well, I'm complaining.  I've had this cold for a week now, doing everything I can possibly think of to get rid of it...  It's finally feeling like I might be getting better, but I'm still not able to sing, so I'll be missing out on our Evening of Music that is Sunday.  dang it. 

Oh well...there are other things, right?  Like today...is National Pastry day!!  That's a day to celebrate...especially if your into pastry, right?  lol.

And, it's day 9 of light of the world service...  Jesus visited the Lonely, and so can you.  What would you like if you were feeling lonely?  A visit from a friend!  Know someone who is going to be lonely for Christmas or who you know is lonely now?  Take some cookies...stay and chat for a minute.  Or, invite them over to spend Christmas day with you.  It's all good...and you'll feel even better.

             “35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:
             I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
             36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison,
               and ye came unto me.”

                 Matthew 25:35–36

I love the new movie that came out on BYU TV after Thanksgiving based on Leo Tolstoy's book Martin the Cobbler.  The Winter Thaw.  I highly recommend you watch it, it will totally melt your heart.

The even brighter spot in my day is that I get to see my granddaughter in her first Christmas program!  I get to be a proud grandma today - I'm so excited!!!  lol

Have an excellent day!

Happy Friday and day of service 2

Greetings all!!  Today is the second day of service...and this one honors parents.  Have you spoken to your parents lately?  Since mine are all dead, can't really do that, but I can honor my mother-in-law, who is awesome -- and perhaps my step mom, check in on her, though I'm recovering from a cold, I don't know if she'd want me to come cough on her in person...lol  I might have to just call.

Well, in order to celebrate life, let's look at a couple of things.

first - it's National Mutt Day.  I like that...though it's sad there has to be such a thing.  Mutts are the best dogs!  They don't have all the quirks that some of the breeded dogs do, lol.  Anyway.  We have a couple - we like them.    Here's a spot from Studio C and dogs...  


 

And - it's Special Education Day!  Since I work for special education, I figured this was a special day to commemorate.  If you know someone who works in special education, they do a lot of hard work!  Give them a pat on the back next time you see them -- I promise they'll need it.  :)


And just to be on the healthy side, today is Eat a Red Apple Day.  I'm not a big apple fan unless it's sliced, lol.  But I love applesause!  Do you like red apples?

Yesterday was National Pie day...and tomorrow - lest you forget - is National Fritter Day!!  I wonder who thought fritters up?  I thought I'd look it up real quick, and it's a mixed bag.  The early colonists used to do apple slices and dip them in batter and fry them.  I don't know where it came to what we have today - large fruit and dough fried and slathered with sugar.  ...
oh well, to each their own. 

Have a great weekend!

Christmas Day of Service 1

Well...I had so many plans for today - and then I got sick.  I tell ya...sometimes your body has it in for you, know what I mean?  At least it waited till I got Nano out of the way...

For those of you who haven't seen it yet, the church has this great program starting today...  Christmas Light of the World - 25 days of service.

I had hoped to do something amazing, and it's not going to happen.  But at least I can share it with the world - well, the small part of the world that reads my posts once in a while, lol.

https://www.mormon.org/christmas/in-25-ways-over-25-days/jesus-lifted-others-burdens

I hope you are able to lift someone's burden today and make it lighter. For those living in Tennessee, perhaps you can help those who have lost their homes in the fires.

For those in Utah, perhaps you can help the homeless feel warmer in someway.

Whatever your situation, it's time to honor the Savior by helping others.  It's what he would love for you to do.

What's your plan for today?

It's Wednesday...and baby it's cold outside!

But it's also gorgeous.  I can't believe it's the end of the month already.  :)

But we leave behind thankfullness and head onto precursor to all the commercial insanity.  I thought we could take a moment to be grateful for all that has gone on...especially to add the thought for today --

Stay Home Because You're Well Day!!  Did you know that was a thing?  I wonder if we could convince our supervisors, lol.

It's also National Mousse Day - which is my hubby's favorite thing.  What's your favorite flavor?  Have you ever tried the lemon?  MMmmmmm 




Anyway - hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and enjoyed time with family.  Now we get to look forward to the craziness that used to be Christmas, lol.  I think the focus has gotten too much on the whole buying thing.  But that's probably the scrooge in me. 

To help get you in the holiday mood, here's a clip from one of our favorite holiday movies.  Got to love Michael Caine!



have a great day!

Welcome to Cold Friday...

Personally, I love this time of year.  It's cold enough to wear warmer clothes and not melt...the air is crisp and the leaves are gorgeous and especially when it snows!!  I love snow.  Now if we could just have another storm...

Anyway - It's also FRIDAY!  For some reason that always brings joy to my heart, even when it's not that big of a deal - like nothing going on.  But that is the best reason this weekend...we finally don't have anything big we have to go to!  We can work on our projects at home.  :)   I'm sure my sons will not be excited, lol.

It's kind of scary to realize that next week is Thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner.  I'm a grandma and I'm totally NOT prepared!!  ARGH. It's okay...we just stay calm and keep shopping, right?

Well..there's just a couple of fun things I want to point out for today...

Mickey Mouse Day - 

 

For those of my friends who love everything Disney and Mickey, it's Mickey Mouse Day!  I figured the one with him holding pumpkin pie was the best, since Thanksgiving is next week.  :)

 

 
National Apple Cider Day - That's always good - I love warm apple cider on a cold day.  So, when work is over, go home and warm up some apple cider, grab a doughnut and wrap up in a blanket in front of the fireplace.  Life is good.

just to be on the totally not related side...I just heard of a group yesterday that is totally awesome.  I'm probably behind the rest of you, but have you heard of Home Free?  They are an a capella group and wow...  here's one of my favorite songs:



aren't they great?  sigh.

Have a great day!!

Celebrate Life and Nano!

Celebrate life because how can you not?  It's a glorious day!  I love warm fall weather where it's still cool and yet, not bone chilling.  Ya know...winter.  But I love winter better than summer, so I'm not complaining!  We're supposed to get some snow this week, we'll see if it happens.

It's Tuesday, and we can always use a bit of cheer, right?  Since I can't hand you a hot cocoa through the internet, I'll try and send a smile.  :)

 ( And for those who like them...sorry I missed National Pickle day yesterday...have a pickle today.) 

Today is I Love to Write Day.  I find it interesting that this is in the month of Nano.  For those who I haven't bored to tears with the information, Nano is National Novel Writing Month...or Nanowrimo to those of us in the know.    It's where you have 30 days to write 50,000 words and try and come up with the great American novel.  It's great for people who love to write!  Helps you make it a habit (hopefully) to write every day.  Most people try to get these novels published.  Me, I'd rather just store them in my computer and say that I finished, lol.
sigh.

National Bundt (Pan) Day - I think the best way to celebrate this is to use the pan...make an awesome bundt cake that your family will enjoy!  I usually make one with pudding and drizzle it with chocolate, and hmmmmm                                  

                                This looks very similar to that one... 


And for those of you who need an excuse...it's National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day - we don't usually need an excuse...it's grocery shopping time, so our fridge is pretty bare. 

Well..  that's it.  Hope you have a great day, and remember to have some chocolate!!

Veterans Day!

Today is Veteran's day, which is being marked all around our country.  My cub scout troop honored the Vets in our neighborhood by giving them a little plaque thanking them for their service last week.  This week the youth in our neighborhood honored them at a dinner, and I know that there are several areas that are honoring them today.



After a day that we all practiced our rights and voted for our next president, we honor the people who sacrificed so much to give us that right and made it possible for us to be where we are today.

Along with that...how best to celebrate and honor them than to have a Sundae!!  Today is National Sundae day, and I grew up thinking these were one of the best desserts ever.  What is your favorite?  I just saw a meal version...they did it with mashed potatoes and roasted meat...interesting.  I would never have thought of it.

Well...it's also Friday, and I think we're all VERY glad it is!  Hope you have an awesome day and great weekend!

Day After...

Well, I figured most of us could use a little bit of brightness in the day...last night was a disappointment on many levels, lol, but it is what it is.

So - I thought I'd see what food holiday it was.  Ever heard of scrapple?  I hadn't...it's national Scrapple day.  It's a sort of meat product that's apparently popular back east...I think they can have it, doesn't look very appetizing to me. 

Since that didn't give me anything to cheer over, I figure we can fall back on chocolate and call it good.  But if you really need a chuckle, then Studio C is always there...
For the few of us who have a hard time remembering the right word...



and for those who sympathise with teachers...



but to start out the morning right, we all need snoopy and the Peanuts gang.  Have a good one!

It's Friday!

and there are only 7 left till Christmas - can you believe it??  I can't - I am not ready! 

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?
I had a thought this morning - on a random note - I remember hearing about thanksgiving dinner and the turkey and everything, and how turkey meat has chemicals that make you sleepy, explaining why so many people want to take a nap after dinner.  My thought was well, if that's true, why don't we feel sleepy EVERY time we eat turkey?  I mean, we have turkey burgers, turkey meatballs, turkey lunch meat...  and that doesn't make me feel sleepy.  So I think the whole thing is how much we eat for thanksgiving dinner...lol.  That's my philosophical thought for the morning, a little tooo much thinking on my random end...sigh.

Anyway - today we don't have a lot, but we do have National Candy Day - which you would think should come on Halloween...or the day after when you're trying to get rid of all the leftover candy... we always made our kids save their candy (what wasn't eaten on Halloween) and then the next Friday we'd have a scary movie night and put ALL the candy in a big bowl and everyone could eat all they wanted.  What was left we threw out!  It was a tradition they remember fondly - and my autistic son bemoans because we no longer do it - we never get trick-or-treaters so we don't buy bags of candy and don't need to add to waist lines.    Man, I'm being a little verbose today...
This is a great clip of what it means to have hyper kids on candy...



anyway - we also have Love Your Lawyer Day.  Since my lawyer is my sister, she's easy to love!    I'm sure if she wasn't I wouldn't be so fond, but ya know.  We need to have charity for the ambulance chasers, and she would agree with me, lol.

It looks like it's going to be a gorgeous weekend - and just a heads up, if you know anyone with red hair, tomorrow is National Love My Red Hair day, and you can help them appreciate themselves!!

For some reason I also had on my calendar that tomorrow is stress awareness day...as well as gunpowder day, and I'm not sure how well those two go together, and I'm not seeing them on Brownielocks site, so I'm not sure where I found them...but try not to think of one when thinking of the other...lol.

Have a good one!

The Cubs Win!!!

Okay - I can't stand it - have to cheer for the Cubs!  I mean, this team hasn't made it to the world series since 1908!?  how sad is that??  And they won!!  It was an awesome game!  I hope you had a chance to watch one of the world series games.  We didn't catch the first one, but we watched the ones after that.  It was amazing fun.  I was basically the only one rooting for the Cubs...my hubby decided to root for the Indians.  This is only because we weren't big fans of either team as they started, lol.

sigh.What a night.  Anyway - on to more fun stuff.

First - it's National Men Make Dinner Day -
How could you loose on a day like that??  My hubby has already cooked dinner this week, so I won't make him, lol, but it's a fun thought. 

Public Television Day - this is a sweet and sour type thing...on one hand the television is awesome, and it's come a LONG way since it's beginning.  I remember watching cartoons in black and white people!  But it has become too large a part in our world today - but that's just my opinion.  We don't watch much TV - (Except the world series! lol)  We watch movies.  :)  Do you have a show you watch together as a family?


And finally - what everyone needs to know... today is Sandwich Day!  If you haven't seen it advertised, Subway is doing a buy one get one free bit.  I guess last year was too big a draw with a free sandwich, so they are doing a buy one get one, which still is pretty good.  I don't know if anyone else is, but you might want to look into it.  Good stuff!


have a great day!!

NANOWRIMO Is Back!! And New grandchild...

Well...for all of you who are clueless, lol  today marks the beginning of Nanowrimo, or in other words...

Yee haw!!  Tine to get those fingers moving and those keyboards burning up.  Word count is the item of the day, people.  Word count!!!  For the next 30 days you will eat, sleep, write!  (well...some of us will work...lol)

And, interestingly enough...today is also
 National Authors' Day - which is a great day to have it on...and since I'm an Author, it counts!! 
  and...
National Family Literacy Day - which I guess is an enouragement to read, right?  And my family all reads (except youngest son is not a big reader...sigh.).  And most of them write...so we're all pretty anti social this month.  :)

And for those of you who focus on food (like me...and most of us)

November 1: National Bison Day November 1: National Deep Fried Clams Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-november.asp

November 1: National Bison Day November 1: National Deep Fried Clams Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-november.asp

It's National Bison Day - Hm...I have some bison my brother gave me after his hunting trip last year.  Perhaps we'll pull it out of the freezer and cook it up.  :)  If you've never had bison, it really is good.


And National Deep Fried Clams Day - Personally, I love clams!!  I love clam chowder, fried clams...sigh.  Wonder how I can get some of those today...  my son-in-law was telling me that my granddaughters like oysters.  Really???  Ugh...  Don't know where that came from...but it wasn't from Grandma!

And have I mentioned yet that I have a new grandbaby??  (where are my priorities!!??) a baby boy!!  Our first grandson, and he's a doll!!  :)

 

He was quite the howler...but has calmed down a bit when he's fed.  My daughter is discovering that boys are much more hungrier than girls!!    I'll try and post a better photo later...he's getting cuter every day.

Well - have a great first day of November!

All Things Chocolate!!! Okay...well, most things?

Okay everyone!!  It's time to party and be crazy and eat all the candy you want and dance like no one's looking and...Oh, you mean that's only for kids?  Hm.  Well...not at my house.  My 'adult' kids think it's for everyone. 
So...  in my attempt to help you get in the mood for the coming weekend, here's a REALLY short clip of Michael Jackson's Thriller...





although, for those of you who aren't Michael Jackson fans (yes, there are a few) - here's Studio C's Halloween take this year...




This one's a little strange - but it's good too, if you're into the horror stuff, lol



of course the best thing about today is that it's National Chocolate day...and my favorite author/illustrator had this to say on Facebook:

For those of you who don't like chocolate...there is counseling... injections...  group therapy, lol.


Well...I hope you have a great day and enjoy the wonderful weather!  I know I will.  Just try not to eat too much candy... 

Have a good one.  :)

Happy Wednesday...and Friday rolled into one!

Yes, I'm excited.  This is Wednesday on the calendar, but it's actually a first Friday...then tomorrow is second Friday and then there is a third or real Friday...  :)

I love long weekends and fall breaks.  Especially this year, I don't know what it is, but I'm beginning to wonder why I'm working.  What's with that???  I have an awesome job - it's flexible, I have a great boss, and coworkers, and don't have someone watching over my shoulder every day.  What's not to love??  But I'm soooo tired of going to work.  I just want to stay home and sleep and write and play with granddaughters...sigh.  Soon grandson...  :)

Oh well...until the day I decide we can afford to have me do that (which hubby says is any time...isn't he amazing???)  I have a 4 day break.  We're going to have sooo much fun.  :)

Today there are a couple of fun facts that I thought I'd share before running for the mountains and throwing fall leaves in the air:
 
Evaluate Your Life Day - okay - but isn't this usually what happens on January 1st?  I guess some of us like to re-evaluate where we are later on, but this is really close to the end of the year, so ya know...running out of time to meet some of those goals.  I thought it reminded me of this scene in Star Wars...





Information Overload Day - I think most of us will agree that this has happened and it's time to de-stress!! Especially moms whose kids are going bonkers ready for Halloween!  Un-plug from all that is electric and go sit in front of a fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa and a nice book!!  Now that's the way to combat the blues!  Of course, it helps if the kids are locked downstairs with the tv and/or game console so they can be as entertained as they want...this is about your stress level, right??  lol

National Seafood Bisque Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

National Seafood Bisque Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

National Seafood Bisque Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

and last....National seafood bisque day!  I love bisque.  What is it about that type of soup??  I would imagine it has something to do with the cream content, lol.  But my favorite is mushroom bisque...sigh.  Of course, I can't let this day go by without a clip from Studio C...



It was fun to see how many people dressed as the Bisque family for the opening season show at the theater.  Where do you get those glasses???  :)

Anyway - there you have it.  Have a great day!

It's Monday...can I go back to bed??

I mean really...it feels like I haven't gotten a decent nights sleep for a week...and over the weekend my hubbies step dad died...so we have a funeral this next weekend...  My hamstring is driving me crazy...and I've still got another 6 weeks??  (average time to heal is apparently 8 weeks...)  And I feel like I'm in a brain fog today.  :(

So... decided that we need a couple of things to brighten the day.

First I want to mention, since my hubby went to Canada on his mission, we celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving every year.  So, Happy Thanksgiving!! 
And yes, we do the whole bit...except we forgot to get an extra turkey last year and are doing a couple of turkey breasts and thighs...dang it.  Hopefully everyone will be nice and not throw a fit at no legs... lol  Lots of fun pie....I think all the kids are coming too, so it's going to be a full house.

National Handbag Day:  For those of the female gender...an excuse to go buy another purse!  I know a few of you out there...
Native American Day - in honor of my son-in-law...kind of works with Canadian Thanksgiving, right?  :)  Didn't they help with the celebration??  I'm thinking we need to paint faces for dinner tonight, lol.  
 
Angel Food Cake Day - If you have to have a food day, then here ya go.  If only it wasn't just sugar...I don't mind it so much with other things, it's just tooo sweet by itself.  We usually make Triffle with it.  Yum.  :)

this is my oldest granddaughter for halloween last year...  Isn't she a cutie??  Her dad (the part Native American one) just kind of loves her a little... lol

Well...hope the rest of the day goes better for myself and everyone else out there.  
Enjoy the turkey!!

Happy Birthday to me....

I have to say, I think my birthday yesterday was probably one of the most low key I've had in a LONG time.  sigh.

I guess when you get to be my age (which is unmentionable) you shouldn't expect big parties or for everyone to remember (because you don't remember everyone's!! lol) but you'd think all your children would at least comment...and your siblings.  Well...5 out of 7 isn't bad, I guess, and 1 for 2 isn't that bad either...right?  Oh well. My youngest daughter made me a yummy cake on Sunday, which I've been munching on every day since...and we had cheesecake last night that my hubby and I split for days because his bday is always 5 days before mine, and we were waiting till Sunday for the cakes, so we got cheesecake for the 'day'.

It's kind of strange how birthdays are so much different as you get older.  There was a time when you were young, that you wanted the whole world to know it was your bday.  Then as you get to be a teen, you want everyone to think you're older...  then when you get into your 20's, it's not as cool to celebrate...and then when you get past 30 you don't want anyone to know the numbers and you avoid the day.

Once you get past 50, it's like you're on the downhill slope of life, and everyone expects you to die soon, so why bother?  lol

Well...I'm on the nether side of 50, (sigh) and I'm looking at it as the glass is half full type thing.  I still have lots of good years in me, and God and health willing, I'll be here to enjoy them and my wonderful grandchildren.

So - hope you have a great bday when it's your turn.  Have a piece of chocolate cake on me.  :)

It's October!

I hope everyone had a great weekend...it sure was nice weather! You can definitely tell fall is in the air!  I wanted to go up in the mountains and get some more pictures of the gorgeous leaves, but we just didn't have the time.

October 1: Pudding Season Begins October 1: Homemade Cookies Day October 2: National Fried Scallops Day October 3: National Caramel Custard Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

October 1: Pudding Season Begins October 1: Homemade Cookies Day October 2: National Fried Scallops Day October 3: National Caramel Custard Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

October 1: Pudding Season Begins October 1: Homemade Cookies Day October 2: National Fried Scallops Day October 3: National Caramel Custard Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

October 1: Pudding Season Begins October 1: Homemade Cookies Day October 2: National Fried Scallops Day October 3: National Caramel Custard Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

October 1: Pudding Season Begins October 1: Homemade Cookies Day October 2: National Fried Scallops Day October 3: National Caramel Custard Day

Read more at: http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/holidays-october.asp

Hopefully you have your own wonderful view...I tell ya, these mountains are something else. 
There isn't much by way of crazy holidays that I wanted to mention, so I'm just going to the food.  (which is always good, right?)


Saturday was Homemade Cookies day...and I actually made some with my granddaughters!  Well, I should say my oldest daughter did, and I watched.  They were so much to babysit! 



Saturday also started off Pudding Season...which I didn't know there was such a thing...so if you like pudding, now is your time!  I love homemade puddings.  What's your favorite?


and lastly....today is Caramel Custard Day.  What you all probably know, and I didn't have a clue, was that's another title for Flan. I'm not a big flan lover, but I love custard, so that's a tempting idea...
 

So which ever you like, hope you make something that helps you enjoy this wonderful fall day. We're going to have soup for dinner, and that's one of the reasons I so enjoy fall...the onset of soups!

Have a great one!

It's Wednesday! and I need chocolate...

I haven't had the time to post as much as I would have liked.  One...because playing volleyball is not always conducive to your health...sigh and two because after one hurts oneself, it's hard to sit at the computer. 

For some reason, September has gone by like a breeze...quick, fleeting and pleasant.  We're staring at the last couple of days with a sense of disbelief.  Where did it go??  And I still have so much to get done!!  When the leaves started to turn I was like, wait!  It's not time for fall yet, is it??  Hello!  It's the middle of September!  sigh.  I had a conversation with a friend the other day...the older we get, the faster time goes.  When we were kids, Christmas always took FOREVER to get here.  Now we blink and realize we have less than three months to be ready for it!  ARGH!


Okay - so enough of that...onto the good stuff!    After a quick visit to Brownielocks...there are only a couple of items today...

International Bandanna Day - this reminds me of the story of the man on 9/11.  Have you heard the story of the man in the red bandana?  They are making a movie about it (of course) that looks like it might be good...a bit sad, and you already know the ending, but ya know.  You might want to look at it, it's really amazing.  I'm sure it wasn't created for this, the online site said it usually is on the last Friday of September, but not this year.    Apparently it's a fund raiser day for cancer and all sorts of things.  I always thought it was just a cool way to hide my bad hair days when I was a teenager.  Go figure...

National Breadstix (Bread Sticks) Day - If you like breadsticks, then today's your day.  I'm sure they're talking about the stupid skinny sticks you see in some Italian restaurants, but I'm thinking of the yummy ones slathered in garlic butter and parmesan that we eat with spaghetti...  YUM!  Anyway - whichever you like them, they're good.  Think Olive Garden...lol

​National Chocolate Day - and of course the best for last... I think September has had several days dedicated to Chocolate, but I don't think many of us are going to complain.  We're celebrating my sons bday (a week late...long story, lol) tonight, so I'm sure we'll be seeing some chocolate.  I saved him the last piece of the cake I made Sunday...  Chocolate cake mix with chocolate pudding mix added and dark chocolate chips sprinkled into it, frosted with chocolate frosting made with heavy whipping cream.  It was awesome....

and just to add a bit of humor...  one of my favorite scenes from I Love Lucy...

 
So - now that we're all on a chocolate high, have a great day!! 

Arr! It's Calm Seas today!

Greetings matey!  Today's talk like a pirate day, didn't ya know?  And arr'll be drawlin along as much as ah can, you best be followin the trend and lettin' the regular folks know who's boss! 

Yesterday was Cheeseburger day, and the whole ship celebrated!  The crows were gatherin for scraps but there weren't none to be found after the crew finished them off.

It be my youngest crew member's birthday today.  How be it that these young'un's get so old and we're the same? No knowin that, but arrgh if the lad isn't 21! 

Well, best be gettin back to steering the ship - can't trust the scallywags to keep on course. Good luck in yor searchin' for treasure!

I made it to Friday!

Has this seemed like a long week to you?  Perhaps it's just been crazy, but I'm really glad it's Friday, and for once, we are staying home and working on stuff around the house!  How about you? 

Theres several fun things I'd like to point out or recommend today...


First, I'm sad we missed National Cheese Toast Day yesterday - I mean, how do you beat cheese and toast??  We had veggies with cheese for dinner, so ya know, best of both worlds, lol.

National Guacamole Day - how can you not celebrate this day??  I'm so excited, I'm going to be buying some avocados on the way home.  :)



Play-doh Day - and finally, a reason to play with grand children!  If I were going to be seeing them today...this would be fun.  Is it crazy how many colors they have today than when we were kids?  I mean, black?  Purple?  awesome.  

Well...have to run.  I'm hoping to post some other thoughts when I get the time this weekend...but at this point,we're done.  Have a great one!

Happy Wednesday! thanks heavens....

Okay - needed a bright spot in the day at work, and as usual, bring it to you all!!  :)

We needed something to smile about, things are just a little crazy right now.  I think the whole world is a little crazy right now, but ya know...
so - running over to brownilocks site..


Today is National Chocolate day!  so everyone get out there and snarf some chocolate down!  I'm tellin' ya, we need some serious chocolate.  What's you're favorite kind?
It's also...
Kids Take Over The Kitchen Day - this is a good way to get some chocolate going.  What would your kids like to cook?  Have them make dinner!  My kids get to take over the kitchen several times a week - even if they don't want to, lol.  Being an adult is such a pain, right?  

National Peanut Day - this would be my hubbies favorite.  He loves peanuts...especially the kind you eat at baseball games. 


Roald Dahl Day - did you know he turns 100 today??  Wow.  You can just imagine the kind of book he would write for that, lol.  Time to enjoy Matilda tonight.  Do you have a favorite?  My son loves James and the Giant Peach too.  Of course, who could ever forget Gene Wilder's Charlie and The Chocolate Factory movie version??



and last...Scooby-Doo Day - Scooby Dooby Dooo!!  For those of us who grew up watching those Saturday morning cartoons, we all know Scooby, and he's the most amazing dog ever.  Some of the movies they've made are a little lame...but I guess if you need a scooby fix, that's what you can do.  At least go eat a burger in his honor, right? lol  Here's some scenes for nostalgia....


Well...hopefully something made you smile for a moment.  Life's good and it just keeps getting better all the time.

9/11 .... 15 years later

If I were really on the ball this week, I would have had this post ready to be online by 7 this morning.

Obviously I wasn't (and rarely am) and so, I'm getting the post out in the middle of the afternoon.
Not that it's a bad thing...at least I'm commenting on the DAY...but sometimes I wish I were a little more proactive.  I did contemplate what I'd like to do today...make a bunch of cookies and take them around to the fire and police stations in gratitude.  I wonder if they think it's stupid or if they appreciate it...last time we did it (about 4 or 5 years ago) they appreciated it, so perhaps it doesn't matter how long it's been.

What I find interesting is that it's difficult to express sometimes how that day has changed something inside each of us.  And it's difficult to truly SEE the images and take it in when we weren't actually at ground zero...  Sometimes I can't get enough of the pictures...and sometimes it's too much.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir did a tribute this morning that was lovely.  (that makes me feel old...using words like lovely, lol)



anyway - It's my strongest hope that we teach our children about this day.  That the sacrifice and service that happened will not be forgotten.  Our country has shown that when we are facing our worst, we come together for the best.  Unfortunately it doesn't seem to last...and Satan works at everyone until they are all fighting and at each other's throats.

I hope it doesn't take another incident like this one to bring us back together.

Regardless...

Never forget.

Happy Friday...and three day weekend!

Hi everyone! This is the first chance I've had to see if there was anything silly to think about for a long time.  Now that I'm back to work, I've been so busy with that the silly blog stuff hasn't had much either.  I don't suppose many of you have missed it, lol.  If you have, well, we're back!!  lol

First, we're all excited to have a three day weekend to finish up all those summer project that didn't get done, right? lol  NOT...some of us will be doing stuff all weekend.  My hubby is bemoaning the fact that he hasn't really been able to get much done around the house because we have been busy almost EVERY weekend!!  good grief!  Next weekend will be the same because of granddaughter bdays...so ya know.

Anyway - there are a couple of fun things in case you are bored and need something to occupy yourself from Brownilocks.com site:
For today...
National College Colors Day: Did anyone watch the games last night? I hear it was quite the night...  Utah won theirs, haven't heard about anyone else.  We have a neighbor that likes to remind us that there is more than 2 schools in the state, lol.  He's a big Utah State fan.    Personally, I'm a BYU fan, but I'll root for anyone else that's playing someone from out of state.  Do you have a favorite team?

National Lazy Mom's Day: Now this is my kind of day!  Although, now that my kids are all "adults" I can pretty much be lazy and tell them to cook dinner, lol.  It doesn't always happen, but it's way easier than when they were little.  I think it should be lazy moms weekend!

Sand Scuplting Days: all weekend!  Sand sculpting is so cool.  I don't have the patience for it, but I think it's awesome to see what people come up with.    


It's also National Blueberry Popsicle day...which sounds yummy if you're into popsicles.  Yesterday was National Gyro Day, which I would SOO have celebrated if I'd known, I love Gyros!  sigh.  We might have to have them for dinner tonight.

This weekend is Bacon day, so be sure and appreciate that yummy thing!  You could have bacon burgers on Monday...or bacon omelets for breakfast...lol

Anyway - Hope you have an awesome weekend! 

Greetings Blogging friends!

How the heck are ya??  I feel like I've been out of touch for so long, but it really hasn't been...I've just been busy going back to work.  And boy...have we been busy!  I'm looking forward to this week because we aren't as busy and we might actually get to breath when we get home from work, lol.

Just to aid in that whole breathing thing...today is National Biscotti Day.  Problem is....I like my biscotti with hot chocolate.  That doesn't work when it's hot and I don't want to drink anything hot...sigh.

How do you like your biscotti??

Well...two weeks ago I was at the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival up in Eden.  It was great fun...got some faces painted

..watched the balloons go up...it was awesome!!

and got to spend the weekend with my hubby, so it was all good!

It was also the County Fair - and my painting got second place...sigh.  I have to say that I'm not that excited, there were lots of second place ribbons...  :-/

I liked it...it was a new way of painting with a palet knife for me, and I had fun.  Still need to add the ladybug...but that's easily done.  :)

Well...need to get something else done.  Have a great day!!

Summer Olympics!

Okay - normally I'm a big Olympic fan, as those who have read my blog in the past will attest to (lol). But this year I'm in a bit of a funk over the whole thing.

First - Rio.  Okay, I'm not against  Brazil at all, I think it's awesome that they got the games.  I'm just worried about how this is going to shake out.  Between their struggle to keep security personnel, getting rooms ready for the athletes, and the water issues (let's not even comment on the zitka stuff), I'm worried that this might be a backlash they will suffer from for a while.  I hope the games go well for them and that they profit from them.  I really do.

I'm not looking forward to the opening ceremonies, and I'm not able to record them, so that won't be a worry.  Just an FYI if you were planning on watching them as a family?  They have been billed as the sexiest opening ceremonies ever.  Remember this is the party capitol of the world for carnival type events, and the usual is the less they wear the better.  They toned it down quite a bit in RIO the movie.



I'm also upset (AS USUAL) with the politics behind the games.  sigh.  Already there's a big to do about the Russians and the drug testing... (kind of not really a surprise, but really?)  And then there's the US Women's Gymnastics team that isn't letting the 5th member compete in certain events because of some kind of maneuvering.  I'm wondering if there isn't something about race, but I don't want to go there.  Gabby is a sweetheart, and I don't think she has a lot of say.

My hubby says they ought to take the games back to Greece and leave them there.

I like having them in different countries!  I like seeing bits about their culture.  When our family was younger, we used to commonly eat foods from where ever the games were happening, etc.  We had quite the tea party when they were in England.

However, I do think the world economy is not what it was, and that it's really a struggle for some of these countries to have the cost of the games.  And I think it's ridiculous how much they charge for tickets!!  Is it about the games and the athletes or about how much money they make???

Oh well...I don't continue on that vein, it's not pretty.

So...

If you're like me you're going to end up watching as much of the games as you can (as they're all on tape delay if you don't have cable, dish, or whatever) and enjoying every minute of them.

Try not to plot murder against the stupid judges and just enjoy the evens and the idea that these athletes have dreamed about this moment for years.  Some of them since they were little children.

I think some of the food sounds fun...here's a site that gives some ideas.  I want to try the pastels!!