WOW - Monday already.....amazing how fast the weekend goes!!

THE GOOD.....the good definately had to be Friday - I have some girls that I volunteer with at the women's shelter - and while we don't do alot of things together - one thing we do every year is attend the BYRON NELSON GOLF TOURNAMENT. We pick one hole, plant out behinds in our chair,sit,watch, talk, eat, drink and have the best time. People watching is amazing, not to mention the fact that we are attending a major sporting event. It was a good day.....

THE BAD....My oldest son called to let me know that one of his best friends from high school had lost his mom Sunday morning. This is always a bad thing. It was unexpected and my heart goes out to him.

THE UGLY....I CLEANED house and I do mean CLEANED. My hard work left me in some major pain. What was I thinking? I think I waited to long, hoping some little house cleaning fairy would come along and lend a hand.....hoping and wishing...

Now it is a new week, and I have a 3 day weekend to look forward too! We will be heading down south to see my oldest grandson play teeball and spend some family time with my son and family. Can't wait!!

Happy Monday......

Weight Watcher Wednesday.....

I confess, I am a "chip-a-holic"....especially Lay's. Oh, and I can eat just one - ONE BAG - that is. I don't buy them for that very reason. Even if I am not hungry, I can eat potato chips. In my quest for healthy and satisfying foods......I discovered KALE CHIPS. Never eaten kale, wasn't even sure what to look for in the produce department. But I found it, pre packaged and ready to go.

Simply, simply, simply and GOOD.

Wash and pat dry with a paper towel. (either the packaged or the do it yourself tear apart)
Place the leafs on a cookie sheet, that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray
Spirtz with butter or virgin olive oil
Sprinkle lightly with salt (I used seasoned salt)
Bake at 350 until crispy, about 8-10 mins

WALLLLLLLLAAAAA - chips - and they were good. I ate the whole cookie sheet. For WW points - 0 and for other calorie counters......very little and a great source of green veggies!

Gotta Love That Man....

I am a simple girl. I married a simple man. This is one of the presents he got me for mother's day.

When we got in the car Sunday, (leaving the second of 2 weddings we attended this weekend), he handed me this....(this is a local lumber yard)

I opened it and in it was this.....(cast iron)

And it will go here........

Gotta love that simple husband of mine !

Thanks for my present!

Love you !

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Linking up today with Kati from http://incorporatingcolor.blogspot.com/ for the weekend review.

THE GOOD....2 weddings and a graduation. Sounds like a movie title. I am blessed to have 3 nieces with major milestones in their lives.

Cayla, graduating from college on Friday night. Good Job Girl !

So proud of you...love ya!

Chelsea married Aaron. A very country wedding. Her entrance into the ceremony - the theme from the.....drum roll please....

THE GOOD, THE BAD and THE UGLY..priceless!!

Congrats to you both - love you !!

At last, but certainly not the least,

Katie and Jacob tied the knot on Sunday.

Blessing and love to you both!!

THE BAD......Mother's Day was very un-eventful. Hubby had to work. My kiddos were not home and I spent most of the day by myself.

THE UGLY...one of the things I do - that I love - is to volunteer. I think you can't get a greater since of knowing you are doing a good thing than to volunteer your time. I volunteer at both a women's shelter and as of last month have taken on the task of volunteering with an organization that sits with babies and toddlers that are in the hospital - as the result of domestic violence. On Sunday morning, I sat with a 2 year old little boy with a severe brain injury. He was removed from his family last Friday, completely. How UGLY is that - how in the world can anyone beat and abuse a child?

The children's hospital is amazing and wonderful, have the most loving and caring staff I have witnessed. This is a small blessings in the tragic/ugly lives of those little folks.

 

Happy Mother's Day

My High 5 For Friday is dedicated to all the MOM'S in my life.


1. First I need to thank my amazing daughter-in-laws....Jennifer (Chad)

and Robyn (Corey)  

 

for being such wonderful, loving moms to my precious g-babies. I could not have hand picked any more perfect women for my son's.  They are both very loving, kind, thoughtful, hard working, dedicated Christian wife's and mom's and daughter-in laws. LOVE TO YOU BOTH !!

2. Second I need to send love my mom. Even though she is no longer with me (and I miss her terribly) - she was a fantastic mom. She was a single mom at a very young age (my dad passed away) and raised 4 children all by herself. She worked hard, taught us greats values and was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. I LOVE YOU MOM !

3. Third to my grandmother - Mimmie -. She too was an amazing women. A business owner and mother. She was a single mom, owned and ran her own business for many years and did a great job on rasing my mother. I think the values began there and have carried own through the years. I LOVE YOU MIMMIE !

4. Fourth to my mother-in-law - Alene/Mammaw. She was a great mom and did a wonderful job on raising my husband and his sister. She was a hard worker (telephone company) a great wife, a loving mom and grandmother. She was a blessing in our lifes and in the lifes of her grand BOYS (5) We miss her everyday. LOVE TO YOU ALENE!!

5. And finally to all the moms I know and who are blessing in my life.

Happy Mothers day to all the Great Mothers I know
Real Mothers don't eat quiche;  
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils  
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,  
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough  
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what  
The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'  
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth  
Is not measured by height or years or grade...  
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...
*******************************************************************
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,  
Because  that is the doorway to her heart,  
The place where love resides.
    The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,  
But  true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
  
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!
* I'm praying each and every mother I've that reads this has a Blessed Mothers Day, today,....tomorrow,....next week,......next month,.......next year,......because Mothers Day is not just one day out of the year. Mothers Day is 365 days plus............every year.
 

Weight Watchers Wednesday

On my not diet, diet...I am looking for healthy, easy recipes. I will call it Weight Watcher Wednesday.....that is where I find most of my recipes and the diet I am using as a guideline.
My hubby is my taste tester..if he gives it a thumbs up...then it gets a place of honor in my "recipe file".

I am not a big breakfast person. I like a grab and go during the work week. This recipe fits the bill...
Will be trying it out this weekend on the hubby.....do real mean eat quiche??




Prep Time:25min   Cook Time:15min   Serves:48
1 PointsPlus per serving

Mini Zucchini Quiche

4 spray(s) cooking spray
2 small uncooked zucchini, finely chopped
1 large uncooked onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, about 3 ozs.
6 large eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup basil, fresh, finely chopped
3 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Pre-heat oven to 375. Coat 2/24 hole nonstick mini muffin pans with cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl; spoon about 1 heaping teaspoonful egg mixture into each prepared hole, making sure to stir mixture after filling each one.

Bake until bottoms are golden brown and quiche are cook through, about 15 minutes. Remove pan(s) from oven and let quiche cool for a few minutes in pan(s); remove quiche to wire rack to cool more. If using one pan, repeat process.

If you give it a try, let me know what you think.

I never watched this show until several weeks ago. I was thumbing thru my NETFLIX - saw this and watched the first show, first season....I was HOOKED! I love this show, I love the theme, the clothes, the MUSIC, it so brings me home. I have visions of my parents, looking and acting just like the characters in this show. The clothes, LOVE THEM.  The thing that amazes me is that EVERYONE, drank and smoked. At work, in the elevator, at home, eating lunch, sitting at the dinner table, pregnant, in the hospitals, doctor offices, standing, sitting,walking, working, EVERYWHERE.
And the other amazing part is - they survived......
The one that I don't like, but it was the way it was in the 50 and 60's, the men were chauvanist pigs - and the women didn't think anything of it. Girls.................we've come along baby!

            

I am up to Season 4, Episode 1. Been recording the new season - 5 -........can't wait to get caught up !!

Glad to see you Friday........

1. Officially, I know it is isn't summer, but in Texas...it is summer - most of the time. We really don't have 4 seasons. With the Easter decorations down, I am trying to get in gear. I started with my door decorations from last week and now to my dining room table. I love the theme of "watermelon" for summertime and I LOVE Hobby Lobby......this is my latest buy....

2. Kitchen floor making great progress....I can't wait for the finished product. Hubby is doing such a GRAND job.

3. I participated in the CRAFTERS SWAP with Danielle over at http://www.blissfulanddomestic.com/. I got my goodies this week from Kimberly at http://bktribe.blogspot.com/ - SCORE !!

4. I started, then I stopped, now I am starting AGAIN. I miss getting my BIRCHBOX - so I re-enrolled and can't wait for the box to arrive.  http://blog.birchbox.com/

It is a great way to try new stuff and I really do love getting surprises in the mail....

5. ANDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD on my  I am at -10lbs....so I have met my first goal. It has been 8 weeks and it sure is a lot harder to get off than it is to put on......think I deserve a dessert today!

HaPpY FrIDay EvErYOnE !!

SUMMER FEET 

Thanks to my blogging friend - Pam http://pjgraves51.blogspot.com/ I was reminded of this. I went yesterday - stepped out of my comfort zone - and painted the hand nails too....I LIKE IT !!

A version this goes around when summer begins. It really is true all year long. I have seen women wear sandals/flip flops in the dead of winter. Heed the warning ladies…..

Rule for Summer Feet
1.  I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang
over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the
sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.
 2.  I will either be polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and
 chip-free. I will not cheat and just touch up my big toe.

 3.  I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and
yellow.
 4.  I will shave the hairs off my big toe.
 5.  I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed
 girlfriend/co-worker/mother/sister tells me the toe seam really will
 stay under my toes if I tuck it there. (who wears pantyhose anymore??)
 6.  If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape (my husband would totally do this)

 pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss them --
no matter how much it hurts.
 7.  I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend
 Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.
 8. I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes (they still make those things??)

 at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough

to fit into the kids'  sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others.
 No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat, and I would
hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle.
 9.  I will take my toe ring off toward the end of the day if my toes
 swell and begin to look like Vienna sausages.
 10.  I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/co-worker when
 she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell
 her that her toes look like they've been dragged behind her car on the way
 to work and no sandal in the world is going to make her feet look good.
 11.  I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will swear NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.
 
12.  I will promise to have a real pedicure before putting on my summer sandals.
 And finally . . .

13. I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show
 signs of wear . . . nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals ...

I recently did this for myself and for a wedding present.
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/FrittsCreative

OM Gosh.....would these not be adorable on my two grand girls....HMMMMMM

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mytutucute

My daughter in law loves to wear aprons, I think I might have to start myself..http://www.etsy.com/shop/theglamfinale

Love this.......http://www.etsy.com/shop/PTInspires


Father's Day gifts......HMMMMMMMMMMMM
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PositiveMessages

GBU

 I'm linking up starting this week with Kati from Incorporating Color http://incorporatingcolor.blogspot.com/ and Kate from Classy Living http://classylivingblog.blogspot.com/. The GBU is exactly what it says. A short version of the weekend....the GOOD, the BAD and (ugh) the UGLY. Everyone has some of those over the weekend.....I am no exception. Link up with us and tell us your GBU.

The GOOD....Had a high school alumni golf tourney,(next year will be my 40th reunion.) I don't play golf and neither does my husband (well, he plays once or twice a year) so we volunteered to help. We manned the registration table and then got on a golf cart and followed everyone around. It was so GOOD to see so many from high school. My husband graduated 2 years ahead of me, so many of our mutal friends were there.....one thing I did notice - EVERYONE looks so old !! Whewwwwwwwww - glad I don't (LOL)

The BAD....attended the funeral of my sister-in-laws father. This is always a bad occassion, but then there is good in knowing he is finally free of his pain and suffering. He was a good man, raised an amazing 3 children and made a difference in my life. Rest in peace, J.E.

The UGLY.....oh my gosh....I so fell off my NOT ON A DIET - DIET. Saturday was a stressful day and when I stress, I eat. EAT I DID. But today, I put the weekend behind me and start fresh.......

Happy Monday !

1.       To start my week off, my “baby boy” turned 32. Corey has turned out to be an amazing man, husband, father, friend and SON.

His dad and I are very proud of him and all his accomplishments.

(not to mention those adorable g-babies of mine!!)

HAPPY BIRTH WEEK COREY !!

2.       After a few weeks of the kitchen remodeling being put on hold, we are finally back on the road. The cabinets, remodeled and moved, new countertop, new sink, new faucet all in.

The floor is the next big thing (the new floor is on the right)

Then a new stove and dishwasher….

can’t wait to get back to “normal”..(if that even exist in my life)

3.       I have had my Easter decorations still up. Decided it was time to put up the summer stuff (especially since it has been in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s this week)

I found a similar one on PINTEREST. I made this wreath for my front door from scraps I had. Turned out pretty good……

4.       It is ADMINSTRATIVE ASSISTANT week, Wednesday being the "DAY". I have an amazing boss, and besides daily "thank you's" and "you do a great job", he gave me a gift certificate to OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE.....can't wait to put that to good use!

5.   And in keeping with my

                       ....I am down -9lbs. I think the fact that I push mowed 3 hours last Saturday probably helped. Proof that sensible eating and exercise are the key.

Yeah for me!

Happy Friday Everyone....

   

The Liebster Blog Award

Liebster is a German word meaning "dearest." The Liebster Blog Award is given to blogs with less than 200 followers, and recognizes the blog author's creative writing and dedication. It also helps to bring blog owners together to exchange ideas and information.

I am really excited to announce that I was nominated byLyndsatthttp://www.theallmylove.blogspot.com/to receive the Liebster Blog Award.  I had never heard of this but thru our swapping connection, I have come to love her and her blog.

Lyndsay

I am quiet honored and makes me feel great about something I have truly have learned to enjoy doing. Thank you Lyndsay !!

My Duties

As a Liebster Award recipient,

it is my honor to pass the award along to five fabulous bloggers.

Who Do You Love?

Please visit the following blogs.

I am sure you'll love them as much as I do!

http://crayonsandkeyboards.blogspot.com/

http://robynwheat.blogspot.com/

http://pjgraves51.blogspot.com/

http://recordingcourtanddave.blogspot.com/

http://www.designedbydawnnicole.com/

Liebster Award Rules—Spreading the Love:

To accept the award, you are asked to:

Thank and link back to the person that awarded you.

Reveal your five selections for the Liebster Blog Award.

Inform the other five bloggers by leaving them a comment on their blog.

Copy and paste the award to your blog.

Baby Boy.....

Today, my "baby boy"....turns, let's see....32 !

What.......can't be - I'm not that old !!

Happy Birthday Corey........