Friday before Christmas...

The last Friday I work in December.  Can I hear an AMEN!  or a Halleluiah?  (there was much rejoicing...lol)
Anyway - I hope everyone is ready for the next two weeks, they say we might even get snow on Thursday - wow, snow on Christmas?  AWESOME.  ;)
Just to get us all started in the right spirit, today is national Oatmeal Muffin day.  Hmm...  sounds good - though I stuck with cottage cheese and blueberries this morning..no time for muffins.  ;)  Would have been nice.
It's also look for an evergreen day, but I think most of us already have a tree that want one.  ;)
Next week is Festivus day (Remember Seinfeld? This is for those who don't like to celebrate anything...the 23rd)
National chocolate day (24th), national egg nog day (24th - big surprise) and national pumpkin pie day (25th).  I would have thought that would be thanksgiving, ya know?  I love pumpkin pie though, so I don't care.  ;)
The 26th is boxing day, which my family has always celebrated by going to a movie together.  My hubby lived in Canada for 2 years and boxing day was a big deal (sort of).  We still haven't figured out what movie we'll go see, but it will be fun.  ;)
However you spend the next two weeks, be it celebrating Hanukkah or the birth of Christ; shopping, partying or staying home where it's warm and dry, curled up in front of a fire and reading with a large mug of hot cocoa, I hope you relax and enjoy!
I wish you all the merriest of holidays and a happy new year. 
Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukka!

In case anyone is counting, 3 more days till the break...and less than 10 days till Christmas!  Are we all ready? hmmm....
Anyway - today is the first day of Hanukkah!  In honor of this holiday that's been around longer than Christmas, here is a song that we get a kick out of every year.  It drives my hubby crazy, but ya know... lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qSJCSR4MuhU

You would think sometime during the next 8 days it would be a national fried doughnut or food day of some kind...like Latke day, lol.
Anyway - today is also my favorite thing:  Chocolate covered anything day!!!
Isn't that the best??  Anything you want to cover in chocolate!  okay, my hubby heard of a strange one the other day.  Apparently Lays now makes a chocolate covered potato chip...not sure I'd be into that one.  I don't know that I like that combination.  I'm not a big chip eater anyway...
hm.
Well - let me know what your favorite chocolate covered item is!  We started the candy making last night, which was the usual chaos - I'm not sure what I'll think if we ever make candy without all the kids there.  We'll wonder if we lost our hearing, lol.  But as a result, my treat today is a chocolate dipped pretzel.  ;)  (No caramel this year!!)
Have a great day!  

It's Friday!!

and we have less than 2 weeks before Christmas, I thought you'd get a kick out of this one...
Today is National Ding-a-ling day. 
That's right.  Ding-a-ling-day.  I think someone was totally off their rocker, but ya know.  The site I looked it up on said they couldn't find any factual information, just a reference to it being a national day.  Go figure.
For some reason it brought to mind a song from when I was a kid...something about my ding-a-ling.  I don't want to look it up - it's probably something dirty.  ;)
anyway - I figure you can tell everyone they're ding-a-lings and have a legitimate excuse, lol.
Today is also national Poinsettia day...so if you like that red/white flower, you can go crazy with it.  There's a cute little story with it:
"According to Mexican folklore, there is a story of a little poor girl who had nothing to bring to church for Christmas. On her way to church, she picked some plants by the side of the road. As she entered the church, the leaves at the tips of the branches turned into bright, brilliant red flowers...Poinsettia's!"
So, you've had your trivia for the day.
Tomorrow is national ice cream day, so look forward to that!  Hope you have an awesome weekend!

More Craziness - Happy Friday!

Well...as I mentioned the other day, I'm trying to blog more on the lighter things in life, so here is today's post.  ;)
Happy Friday!  And boy, is there lots to celebrate today!! 
Not the least of which is International Ninja day!!  Coolness!  I think all of us have a bit of Ninja, especially us moms and grandmas...you have to be on your toes with kids in public places -- you never know what they're gonna do or when!!  lol  And don't they say that moms have eyes in the back of their heads?  I'd say that was Ninja like.  ;)
It's also Bathtub Party day...which for those of you who like to take baths...bubbles are required, lol.  Might be a little TMI for most of us...  ;)
Faux Fur Friday - I guess that's a promotion of the PETA people...sorry guys, I have a coat I bought at DI last year that has real rabbit fur on the hood!!  Anyone want to come to my house and feel it, lol?? (don't hate me!)
National Salesperson day...well, I guess that's for all those that work in retail during the Christmas season...smile next time you go shopping, right?
Then we have Sachertorte Day.  Anyone ever hear of a Sachertorte before??  I hadn't, so I looked it up on Wikipedia (the worlds most inaccurate dictionary, but user friendly, lol) and this is what they said:
"Sachertorte is a specific type of chocolate cake, or torte, invented by Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties"
(this is their photo by the way - all credit to them!!)

Hm....didn't know you were going to be educated, huh?....

huh - okay, a little too much of that - onto the last celebration of the day...
It's World Soil Day!!  Yes people, we are celebrating the dirt beneath our feet!  ;)  For those of us who are not really into dirt...that's like eww - dirty.  ;)
So I'd ignore that one, find some Sachertorte (or a cheesecake, looks awfully similar to me) and relax.
I mean hey, it's FRIDAY!!  and there are only 20 days left till Christmas!! (I sound like the little man on top of the building by the clock in The Grinch..."20 more days till Christmas!")

National Fritter Day!

Well, I realized that it's been tooo long since I've posted anything.  I'll be reading a foodie blog and realize that I'm apparently just not cut out to be a blogger, I guess.  At least not a consistent one, lol.  I do emails at work for silly thoughts on various days, and realized that it could be the same for this blog.  sigh.  Inspiration does hit sometimes. ;)

Hopefully you've all had a marvelous Thanksgiving!!  I know we did.  And my son has announced that he's engaged, so we have a wedding to look forward to next year!!  uh I feel like the Grinch "But what will I wear?" lol

Anyway - it's Tuesday!  Aren't we excited??  Well...sort of, right?  ;)  The second day of December, that month of months where almost everyday is a party...or stress, lol.

I decided I needed a holiday thought...so I looked it up and today is national Fritter day!  For those of you who like those deep fat fried confections, this is your day, lol!  Personally, they're just a little too much for me.  I might have to go make some baked doughnuts...  ;)
And - because I thought it was amazing as I work for SPED...today is also National Special Education day!!  Isn't that awesome??  Who knew? You would have thought we'd have heard more about that one.
Anyway - you should all have recuperated from the pie buffets and turkey comas and be ready for fritters, so go enjoy! 

I'm going to find my doughnut recipe and make doughnuts with my granddaughters.  ;)  Life is good!

Free eBook!

I decided to offer my ebook for free this Christmas.  So, if you're in need of something new to read, it's relatively short, and if I say so myself, awesome.  ;)  check it out! 
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/261673


And yes, obviously I did the cover myself...  ;)

I'm a Romantic....and Always Will Be ;)

Just in case you ever had any doubts....lol.  I am definitely a romantic.  I love romantic stories, especially true life ones, and I love romantic movies where there's a happy ending.  I don't like the ones where everyone dies at the end or where one of them dies at the end...ARGH. That's NOT a happy ending to me.

I just finished watching Letters to Juliet for like the 3rd time...lol and watching that woman find her first love and have him recognize her is such a wonderful story.  It makes the heart beat faster, makes you think of how wonderful life is, and how stupid the girls fiance was.  ;)

It makes me think of my husband and how supportive he is of me.  He loves my painting (he's always talking about the judges need glasses when I enter competitions, lol) he puts up with my writing -- though I'm not sure how much of my stuff he's actually read.  He loves my cooking, and is always willing to try a bite of whatever I'm making.  He's told the kids there's only been one time he didn't like something I'd made, and it was no wonder...I didn't even like it!!  ;)

But yesterday while we were driving, he was talking to me about how upset he is with the kids and how they are taking so much for granted.  We still have five living at home with us, (sigh) and they are all struggling in their own way, but yet - they can afford to go see movies, or buy fast food.  He expressed to me how he'd like to be able to take me to movies or buy me flowers, without worrying about the money.

Just knowing that he wants to do those things makes it all better.  Does that even make any sense?  Probably not, but it does.  Just knowing that he loves me and wants to do things for me is the most wonderful feeling in the world.  He jokes that if he dies before me, I'll be fine -- but if I die before him, he'll starve to death in a week because he's forgotten how to cook.  He hates being without me. 

I love him and he loves me.  And as long as we have that love, I'll be a romantic.  ;) 

Chao.

West is Best book review!

Hey all - I've done it again - Promised someone I would review their book on my blog for a chance to get a free read.  ;)  Well, if you have 6th graders who like to read, like horses and drama, well, you've got the book for them!  This would have been a better review for the beginning of summer, as this would have been a great summer read!  But since this is when I could post it, we'll go with that.  Perhaps you have a kido that reads fast and would finish it before school started anyway...lol.

Anyway - Have ya'all heard of the book series called the Ginnie West series by Monique Bucheger?  This book, Being West is Best, is the 4th in the series.  If you like series reading, you might want to start at the beginning, there are bits that mention things that have happened, and when that happens you feel a little lost, but otherwise, it's a great read on it's own.

The story is well written, and takes you into the minds of two 12 year olds with emotions and drama that give you a clear view of how they feel and the emotional turmoil of preteens, and what they're in for.  The subject matter is a little adult, in that it deals with parental abuse, just a heads up - but it deals with it in a steady and firm hand, no gratuitous scenes of bloody faces, etc.  You get to know Ginnie and her best friend Tillie and like them.  You come to like her large family and appreciate the safety and sturdiness of her uncles.

And horses.  I would have loved this book when I was 12 -- I was way into horses back then.  I wanted one for my own, but hey, I lived in the city and there wasn't any way I was getting one, so I read everything about them I could.  This series would have been tops on my list.  ;)

Anyway - if you've got readers, they'll want this book.  It's got adventure, fighting, friendship, romance (sort of), no pirates, but hey - it's a West-ern...lol.  Give it a look!  (I know, I sound like I'm promoting Princess Bride, right?)

Have a good one!

It's Raining and the Humminbirds are back!!

I love this kind of weather.  Not only does it take the temperature down a bit, but it greens things up for a short time.  I used to think August was such a hot horrid month, but then I realized a year or so ago that we get lots of thunder showers in August and September.  My granddaughter's birthday got shut out because of thundershowers, lol.  Poor girl...I'm hoping this year is a little less crazy for her.

And we finally got our hummingbird feeder back up!  We found a cool little hook at a yard sale last year and we got it put up last week.  It's been fun watching them come back.  When hubby and I went to Fish Lake a couple of weeks ago, it was so much fun watching them, that he was inspired to put it up for us at home.  He's just the best, ya know??  I kind of like him a little...or a LOT!  ;)

Anyway, just wanted to share some thoughts on life real quick, as I haven't been as consistent at writing as I would like to have been.

I've got a new critique group I'm part of now, which is great - only I haven't had time to read any of their critiques yet!!  sigh.  Fortunately that should change this week...(if I can get out of bed!!)  They are great, and I'm excited to be back with a group again.

I've only got three weeks left of summer vacation before I go back to work.  Sigh.  Have I mentioned how I like my job?  I work with some of the best people!  I just would prefer to be home, but ya know.  I told my hubby that I need to work till we pay off his student loans.  He isn't thrilled with the thought of me helping with that, but it's also a good thing for me.  If I weren't working, I'd probably get even lazier.  It's scary.

I have two paintings I need to get done before then as well.  One I need to get done this week and framed if I'm going to enter the county fair.  I'm not sure about the state fair this year...I'm getting a little discouraged with the atmosphere promoted by the judging.  I guess we'll see.

And so...I've been editing my writing this past couple of months, trying to get the three books in my Hibiscus ladies series ready to sell together.  I'm not sure that they're going to work with a publisher, but I promised hubby that I'd submit this year, so I've got to get going on that.

I haven't been cooking as much lately, I realized.  And it's interesting.  I'm not sure why that is.  I'll see if I can't get some photos of the zucchini that I've been adding to everything because it is almost literally coming out our ears!!  It's sooo crazy.  We haven't had zucchini like this in years.  It's awesome!!  We wouldn't be adverse to anyone that wanted some though...  ;)

So I will probably do a couple of posts on my cooking blog, so you'll probably want to check it out next week.

I was hoping to post a photo of my hummingbird feeder with a hummingbird, but I can't find any!  I'll have to take one so you can see.  ;)

Have a great day!!

Happy 4th!

Well, I know it's past the 4th, but I wanted to post a small bit about it.  It was gorgeous here, HOT, but gorgeous, and it truly made me thankful that I live in this beautiful country.  We have so many blessings here!!

We have many things that we take for granted that many other countries struggle to just live.  Like electricity, clean running water, indoor toilets, land that we can grow food on, grocery stores that carry an amazing selection of foods, protection from crime (for the most part, lol) and the opportunity to vote and elect our leaders.  While I don't think that is working very well right now, I do still love this country and am thankful for those that are still willing to fight for it.

Thanks everyone who ever has, and currently is -- serving our great country.  You keep America strong.  Thanks for all you do and your families for all their sacrifice as well.

My Dads

Yesterday was the day we take once a year to celebrate the men in our lives.  Mainly, our fathers.  Well...I've had several fathers.  My 'real' dad, so to speak, who I lost when I was 7, my first foster dad who tried his best, but didn't know what to do with a girl, lol, and my second foster dad who wasn't really there...that's why I haven't mentioned him before.  ;)  And then my second 'real' dad...at least in my book.

I have been very fortunate in having these men in my life.  They taught me about unconditional love, morality, honesty and integrity. 
My first 'real' dad was a Ranger back in the days when that was a new and big thing.  He was part of that regiment that is told about in Saving Private Ryan.  He was a radio operator and when they landed on the beach, he and another soldier ended up remaking bullets to fit the guns they had because they'd run out of ammo.  He got the silver star for it...and went on to serve in Italy and Africa.  He never told us about those times...

We found out that he was even in Italy from one of his old friends that I spoke with a couple of years ago.  His second wife made him toss all his souvenirs from WWII, which makes my brother fume to this day.  He was a carpenter.  He helped form a credit union for the carpenters.  I heard he actually helped build the Oakland Temple!  wow.  You're awesome, dad.

My last dad...he was amazing too.  He was in Korea.  He had to identify the bodies when they came in...talk about gruesome.  ugh.  But he never let on that it had been difficult.  He told a few stories, but not many.  He came home and went to law school and became an awesome lawyer.

When he and mom took me in, it was as if we'd been meant to be.  They were my kids grandparents.  Their children are my brothers and sisters, and my kids aunts and uncles.  There is no doubt, no questions... only confusion from outsiders, lol.  I remember one time when I was shopping with mom and she ran into someone who had known them before me.  She asked who I was, and Mom said her daughter.  They looked really confused, and then mom laughed.  "Well, our adopted daughter."  Though it was never official.  It never really needed to be until dad became an emeritus patriarch and couldn't give my kids blessings because he wasn't legally related to them.  sigh.
Oh well...a couple of them were able to receive them from him.
Anyway - one has been gone for almost 50 years, and one less than 8 months.  It doesn't really lessen with time...in some degree.  And yet, it does.
Well...Love ya Dad.  Both of you.  And miss you sooo much....
Thanks for all you taught me.