2 Days

Thats right, I said 2 days. I have 2 more days of work this week and SCHOOL IS OUT!!!!

Happy Monday everyone. I just thought I'd share this information with you.

XOXO

Olive

Just a little update on this little girl. She came home on February 14, 2011, Valentine's Day, at around 11 weeks old. I know, she looks big....because she was. She was too big to sell as a puppy, but not to my daughter. She really wanted a puppy.

And I wanted a grand baby.

First day out of her crate of her whole life.

Can barely walk on the outside.

Discovering the human touch.

Discovering her new human and new surroundings.

Getting bigger and learning kisses.

Trying to pose and sit still, discovering how big she is "not".

This was tonight. Still a baby at around 6 1/2 months old. Yes, I'm babysitting. So what's the big deal? I have a horrible summer cold~~what else am I gonna' do?

She looks really calm right now, but she was out of control! So I spanked her and put her to bed. NOT.

Have a great weekend!

XOXO

Happy World Oceans Day

Today is National World Oceans Day, so I decided to post some beautiful pictures to honor this day. There are some gorgeous creatures out in the massive waters!

Happy Hump Day too! I hope your having a wonderful week. Hot, hot, hot here. Near 100 degrees here today and tomorrow! Would love to be at the ocean right now.

XOXO

Graduation Treat

With all of the graduations going on, I thought this was a perfect treat to make and bring along if you are going to a party. Not only are they so simple to make, they are also cute! I was also thinking chocolate covered graham crackers would be good if you didn't want to use the thin mints. Either one would be delicious!

• 24 Servings
• Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

25 25

Ingredients

• 24 miniature peanut butter cups
• 1 tube (6 ounces) decorating frosting in color of your choice
• 24 After Eight thin mints
• 24 milk chocolate M&M's in color of your choice or 24 semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

• Remove paper liners from peanut butter cups; place upside down on waxed paper. Place a small amount of frosting on each peanut butter cup; center a mint on each. Using frosting, make a loop for each cap's tassel. Place an M&M on top of each loop. Yield: 2 dozen

Have a wonderful weekend!

XOXO

Hi again

Hey everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend! I'm back to work today after a nice long weekend to say Happy Summer. It certenly was very warm around here this weekend. I consider the 90's summertime! I've been slacking around here lately and have a feeling it won't be getting much better. I do, how ever, have some pics to post when I get a chance. Have a great week and don't work too hard!!

XOXO

Hello

Just sneaking a break at work to stop by and say hello to all of my cyber friends. It is a very gloomy Monday here, and I think it is suppose to continue to be nasty the rest of the week. Weather sure does play a big part in your mood. Not much to post on, as all of my pictures are on my home computer. Have a wonderful week, and will see you soon!

XOXO

Taco Soup

I cannot begin to tell you how delicious this soup is. I know it seems like there are a lot of ingredients, but really it is just a lot of opening and dumping....soooo easy! I used organic ground turkey, but you can use whatever you prefer. I also added a block of cream cheese, which made it over-the-top creamy and decedent. This makes a nice big pot of soup, and everyone loved it! If you like any kind of Mexican food, PLEASE try this. It is one of those recipes that you can add or delete what you like.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 cups diced onions
• 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans
• 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles
• 2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
• 1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional
• 1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional
• 1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
• Corn chips, for serving
• Sour cream, for garnish
• Grated cheese, for garnish
• Chopped green onions, for garnish
• Pickled jalapenos, for garnish

Directions

Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.

Let me know what you think!

XOXO

Recipe adapted from Paula Dean

Cheers!

Ingredients

• 1 cup white-cranberry juice
• 4 ounces vodka
• 2 ounces Cointreau

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add cranberry juice, vodka, and Cointreau. Shake to combine well. Strain into two large martini glasses. Serve immediately.

I thought this cosmo was not only pretty and easy, but sounds delicious!
Had a very busy week this week, but just wanted to say hi and have a great Friday! Now I have to run out to get some white-cranberry juice!

XOXO

P.S. This cocktail is from Martha Stewart

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to wish all of you Amazing Mother's out there a very Happy Mother's Day. I hope your day was special in every way.
I'm back from my trip to Kansas City, and had a wonderful time!

I will see you later in the week with some wedding pictures.

XOXO

Happy Monday

Good Monday morning to you. I really need to get cracking today and start packing! I leave at 5:00a.m. Wednesday morning for Kansas City. I have so much to do, but I will try not to stress. Grocery shopping, laundry, pack, make arrangements for Stella, etc...My niece Megan is getting married to her long time beau, Cory. I'm so excited for her, and can't wait to see all my family! I will get pictures to share with you.

This is Megan, (on left) a few years ago down at the shore, and my sister Susie. She (Susie) told me as soon as I land, I will be glued to her hip as her personal assistant. I told her I will help as much as I can. Hopefully, most of it is in place since the wedding is on Saturday!
Have a wonderful week if I don't see you before I leave. I am NOT bringing my computer with me this time.

XOXO

Hoppy Easter

Just passing through to wish all my friends and family a very Happy Easter!!

Stella sends her love too.
Have a wonderful weekend and stop on over to the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop to meet some new furry friends!

XOXO

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day and Friday too!
I hope everyone has a glorious weekend.

XOXO

Happy Birthday

I want to wish my sweet little Stella a very Happy 6th Birthday today.

I also want to wish her brother Teddy a Happy Birthday too. They have been a joy to have around and I couldn't imagine my life without them in it.

I hope everyone is having a great week, and ready for a nice holiday. The weather is starting to cooperate around here, and I only wish it would stay this way. I have been busy the last few weeks. Oh hell--who am I kidding? I have been busy the last 20 years! Spring break started today for me and I'm loving it so far, feeling relaxed for the moment.
Any big plans for you this week? I'm heading to Kansas City next Wednesday for my niece's wedding and I can't wait!
Have a great day!!

XOXO

Jack

"J" is for Jack....as in Jacked Up! I totally messed up this A-Z Challenge by posting K before J. Silly me. I have been so busy lately, and this silly game I'm playing isn't going the way I had planned. I hate to be a quitter, so I will try and continue. I won't be committing a sin if it doesn't work out, will I?

Anyway, Happy Hump Day! I hope you all are having a nice week. Rainy and gloomy here.

XOXO

Kitchen

The "K" word of the day is Kitchen! I totally skipped the "I" on Sunday--too busy. I apologize in advance for all of the pictures, but I wanted to show you all of the long awaited progress. There is still a lot to finish up, knobs and handles, some trim work, etc...And the rest of the house just got painted, so it is all in disarray. Remember the kitchen above? I sure do.

I got my dream double oven. My husband made me think it just couldn't happen, but on Christmas he surprised me by giving me the drawings. I already used them twice this weekend, and I love them! Clams casino in the bottom while a chicken was roasting in the top oven.

Also love the new stove top! High heat burners, griddle, and grill.

Lots and lots of storage, something I had none of in the old kitchen. I'm in Heaven.

Beautiful tile floor.

Now the frig is a funny story. We got this on e-bay and it is a BIG beautiful Thermador. Wasn't cheap either. It took 4 big guys to get it in. This is my nephew helping my husband.

Isn't it beautiful? NOT! It arrived without any panels or handles! It is suppose to be all stainless steel. Evidently, we can either get stainless or wood to match the cabinets. It came with neither. So this is waiting to be resolved with the seller. In the mean time, it does get really cold and has a great freezer.

Love my new counter tops. Can't really tell by these pictures, but the colors are really pretty.

A shot from our new entrance. Where I am standing, there is a huge window and table behind me. I'll show you that later.

Another shot, you can look into the living room now.

Freshly painted dining room and living room.

Looking into the kitchen from the dining room. So there you have it----A preview of my new kitchen. I really love it a lot and can't wait until everything is finished and all put back together! I hope you all had a nice weekend and are ready for a new week! XOXO

I'm....

"I'm" too busy today to make a quality post today, so that is my I word for the day. (Just being honest). Trying to move everything back into the new kitchen and clean. Will not be done this weekend, but I'm getting a good running start! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back soon.

XOXO

Help Me Ronda

"H" is for Help! Help me get through this kitchen renovation! I got down here today (Thursday) and there is soooo much to be done! It will look so nice when you see it. I hope I get the chance to show you the progress tomorrow. What you see here is what it was, kitchen door to the left, refrigerator and wall to the right. That is it. In the mean time--Happy Friday!!

XOXO

"G" is for Giraffe

Don't ask me why, but I have always loved Giraffes. I just think they are a beautiful animal. Every time I went to the Zoo growing up, the first animal I wanted to see was the Giraffe.

They are so unique, and pretty I think.

And seem loving and caring too.

Sometimes even a little goofy and oh so cute!

They really make me smile.

I hope everyone is having a nice week. I'm heading down to Maryland after work today, so I hope I don't break this ABC Challenge, which is becoming a challenge itself! I thought how easy it would be, and it is. It's just the daily posting every morning can get tough when you have to go to work. I think from now on, I might be posting the night before during this silly game!

Have a great day!!

XOXO