Olympics

So, I'm watching the Olympics .... Apolo Anton Ohno is going to be on soon and I can't wait to see if he wins another medal.


Back to the purpose of my post.

Ever since they told me on Friday that they would have to remove Fluffy's eye I've felt sick & I'm  horribly sad. 
Now that she's home I can't help but get tears in my eyes everytime I look at her (just remember.....my kids joke & say I cry watching Barney...but I say I don't watch Barney).

As I'm watching the Olympics they shared a story about a dog named Isabelle. She's been blind for five years and although she can't see she has lots of strength.

Fluff will adjust to not having her left eye...now we're waiting to find out the results of her biopsy. 

I love watching the Olympics because they shared all the amazing stories about all the trials everyone has in their life....and hearing them makes me feel normal after all :)  Kwim??


Take care!


p.s. can you tell I'm feeling incredibly guiltly....I kept complaining about all the noise Fluff makes every day and now she's sick.  I take it all back!!  If you hear her barking in my videos ....we'll just have laugh about it :) 

Update on Fluff

I dropped Fluff off this morning and the blood work they did on her Friday came back with some not so good news.  She had some levels that were really high so they needed to do an ultrasound, a biopsy & something else.  After the long day I've had I can't keep it straight.


They went ahead with the surgery and I should be able to pick her up tomorrow and we'll just wait to hear about the biopsy.


Thanks for all the well wishes!! As soon as it's all over I'll post more details. I'm just not feeling very well....it could be a result me having trouble sleeping.
Remind me to share with you my dream about Fluffy & Sissy driving down the road :O


See ya!

Chloe perfume

Oh my gosh....I'm so excited!!

My sister Kim just called me and the March Glamour magazine has an advertisement for Chloe perfume. 
Here's what it looks like......

That has been my perfume since the 80's and several years ago the stores stopped carrying it. 
I searched high & low for every bottle I could find....... and was able to get several bottles.  I'm down to two half bottles & I only use it on days I leave the house :)

I've tried to stretch it out to last me forever.  When I take trips... I bubble wrap the bottle twice just to be safe.  (I'm sure the airline people think I'm weird....tissue paper around my clothes & bubble wrap on my perfume, hair dryer and curling iron.)


It looks like Macy's Department store is bringing it back & it's been re-bottled.  Sounds good to me....I just pray it really is the original scent :)


I Googled it and it looks like some other stores may start carrying it too but I wasn't able to find a link to order it (I'll keep trying).


Warning......TMI  (too much info)
My sister will call me and say "oh my gosh, the box you sent me smells just like you".  I never know how to take that comment because she's not the only one that says that to me :)
I can't smell it but I can safely say it's either Chloe or Gain Detergent & Fabric Softener :)  Both of which smell good to me and don't give me headaches.

When I find something I really like ....I'm loyal to the end!!

Later :)

how to reply to a comment

Help!!! 
When someone posts a comment on this blog....how to I reply back to them? 
With a  typepad blog I just hit reply.   But when I do that with Blogger it says noreply-comment@blogger.com.  If I send a reply to that where does it go?

Thanks!!

Fluffy aka Fluff & Stuff

Sad news today!!
I took Fluffy to the vet and they told me they need to remove her left eye. 
Monday I'm taking her in and they'll do the surgery.  They'll keep her overnight and if they can get the pain managed, she'll come home on Tuesday.

I know it could be a whole lot worse...but I'm still very sad. 
Out of our two Bichons, Fluffy is the prettiest.  Sissy has a little head (clearly we was the runt) she's also the funniest.  I swear I think I could teach her to do somersaults..... when it comes time to eat......you should see how she runs around when she hears the food. 


What do I do when I'm sad?
Sleep, eat or shop...... & I've done all three today.

Here's a picture of Fluffy & Sissy sunbathing on our deck (they're pretty dirty...they spend a lot of time outdoors and it's hard to keep them looking nice & white).

Dream Cookies

Dream Cookies

Cookies: 
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cp sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp cream (or milk)
2 eggs (well beaten) 
1 1/2 tsp baking powder 
3 to 3 1/4 cups flour

Cream together butter and sugar in mixing bowl.  Dissolve baking soda in the cream(or milk) and add to creamed mixture, mix well.  Add eggs & baking powder and mix.  Add flour in 1/2 cup at a time, add enough to make the dough stiff.  Roll dough 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick and cut with cookie cutter.  

Bake at 350 until lightly browned. (my old stove used to be 10 to 12 minutes, my current one anywhere from 9 to 15 minutes)  Usually makes around 45 cookies, if you make them thinnner you'll get more but remember to reduce your cooking time, the cookies are more like a shortbread, not a thin sugar cookie.

Frosting:  
3 oz cream cheese (softened) 
1/2 cp butter (softened)
2 Tbsp milk
1tsp almond extract 
Powdered sugar

Blend 1/2 cup butter, cream cheese, milk & extract in bowl (this is also when I add food coloring).  Beat in enough powdered sugar for spreading consistency.  (I usually get a knife and practice spreading on one of the broken cookies, if it's too thick I add more powdered sugar, the more sugar you add the thinner it gets.)

Frost cookies and store in airtight container in fridge!!

Warning!!!!!  Give some of these cookies to a friend or otherwise you'll find yourself having them for breakfast, lunch and supper!!  

Let me know what you think if you make them.  This is my most favorite cookie ever!!!

Italian Sausage & Pasta

Italian Sausage and Pasta

1pound of Italian sausage
1 bag of broccoli
1 can roasted garlic chicken broth
1 box bow tie pasta
Parmesan cheese and Mozzarella cheese

Brown sausage, cook pasta and broccoli according to directions on package (yes, I used the microwave to cook the broccoli).

  Combine ingredients and pour the broth over it (I usually heat the broth in a bowl first).  Everyone can add as much parmesan and mozzarella cheese as they want.  (Since I can't have dairy I try to leave it off most meals and let my family add it if they want.)

Shrimp & Rice Dish

Shrimp & Rice
1 cp raw rice
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 can Rotel
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup water 
1/2 stick butter (melted)
1 1/2 pounds of shrimp (pre-cooked & cook in half)
One garlic glove or garlic powder

Saute onions in a little butter, Spray your casserole dish with Pam, Combine all the ingredients, bake @350 for an hour.
Optional.. 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. 

My purse :)

Yesterday I was out & about running some errands I had three people comment about my purse.  Wow!! I knew I loved it but now I know other people do too :)
It's the little things in life that bring us joy!!!

One of the biggest reasons I started making video tutorials for my stamping projects & sewing is I love to help others.  You've heard me say "the greatest gift in life is to give"  I've always been uncomfortable with the receiving part.
The reason I'm bringing this subject up is I want to help in other areas..... not just stamping, sewing & quilting.

I've often found that in helping others....you end up helping yourself in the process.  If you don't have a hobby or something that brings you joy.....you need to find it.  I've love to help you find a hobby & it doesn't have to be anything with my business stuff.


Over the years I've tried:

Gardening - I love it!  When it would storm in the middle of the night you would find me outside making sure my Rose a Sharons didn't bend over and break.  I used to have the house that people drove past & admired. I've since lost the drive, mainly due to my allergies and that after spending hours bent over my whole body would hurt.

Scrapbooking - I also loved it and can't tell you how thrilled I was to discover scrapbooking.  I've always been a picture taker and a journal keeper and a Scrapbook is just that.   I have 17 completed albums & sad to say I've lost my drive for that too.  Several reasons I lost interest...  the pages look like artwork instead of about the pictures.  I've just started the Digital stuff and I love it.  But my way of thinking (as crazy as it sounds) is my scrapbooks are private.  For my family & I to enjoy.   The other reason I stopped is I've had trouble sorting & organizing my Digital photos.  Ever since I got a digital camera I've stopped printing pictures. I need to work on that!!  And the last reason I stopped is....the photo opportunities are fewer and fewer.  When Chase & Brook were smaller I took a camera everywhere.  But now.... they both turn their heads or make faces.  I've told Chase for a few years that there's going to be a huge gap in our scapbook and he needs to remember those were the years he kept making faces :)

Reading - I read every single day and can't live without it. I've read ever since I was in middle school (Brook followed in my footsteps). I read so much...I can't even tell you the names of the characters in the book I'm reading. This will make you laugh....I used to be afraid that I would lose my eyesight and what would I do if that happened.  I've since gotten over that fear.......  the Kindle will read to you :)


Cooking - I love to eat so why shouldn't I love to cook?  But after years & years of figuring out what to cook ... I am sick & tired of it.   Not sure I'll ever enjoy this one again.  (Every day for 20 years...talk about burn out!!)


Stamping - Do I need to say anything about this suject?  7 1/2 years and still going strong :)

And of course my latest is Quilting (or Sewing) -  I'm so hooked it's scary.  Even Dave said the other night he can't believe I'm sewing.  For years I made him sew his own buttons :)  I never tried this one for two reasons. One I thought it would be too hard and there's no way I could do it.  Two...I was afraid I would get obsessed with it if I found I could do it.  I guess I was right.....I'm obsessed :) It wasn't hard at all. I do need to take some classes & get the terminology down.  But I like it and that's what's important.

I think that's a good place to end ....I like it & that's what's important.

Find what you enjoy & hopefully it will bring some joy into your life!


See ya!

blog design & a story

Don't you love my new blog design?  Veronica did a great job!!


Are you ready for a new story?   It should make you laugh!


This weekend I was cleaning my stamp room (getting ready for stamp club) and I decided to vacuum under that mat thing.   I'm not sure what the mat thing is called.  You know you use it on your carpet so you can roll your chair around.   Anyway, there was some paper under it and I decided to flip it over so I could get to it....but in the process I fell.   OMG (aka "oh my gosh")  Both of my knees landed on the pokey things and I had to get myself off them.   Of course I screamed & cried.  Dave rushed down to check on me and when he saw my knees he laughed.  How the heck did I get 2 holes in my right knee and four in the left knee.  And they're spaced apart  ....it looks like a vampire bite :)))))
So, yes I have vampire knees.  Would you believe those things bled like crazy?  And they still hurt!!!

See ya!

Survivor

I'm so happy I have this site where I can dish the dirt!! 

 I'm a huge Survivor fan....never missed a show (& if I did I watched it online).    I want to be on the show....but I've never applied.

Why?  I'm afraid of water and I hate to get my hands wet.   And I could be the girl that cries at everything (especially if I was cold & wet....& what would I do without all my electronics?)

I loved the first episode this season!  Broken toe & dislocated shoulder all within the first 30 minutes.  Wow!!

And ....did you see the previews for next week?  Boston Rob was on the ground and it looked like he wasn't breathing (I'm hoping it's the way they edit what we see & he's really okay).


Who would I like to see win?  I'm not sure but I like JT, James & Colby (aren't all three of them from the south?) & I like Stephanie but I'll be good if any of the Heros wins.

  I really liked Coach better last night than the entire season.   But then again ....it's just one night.  Brooke & I decided that we don't want Russell to win but we're in favor of keeping him around.  Everything he says cracks us up...although in person it would be a different story!! 

See ya later :)

Two Wolves

I just can't resist sharing this with my friends & family!!

My favorite soup :)

Dave has a cold and I made soup yesterday.  

It was so good......I decided I would share it with everyone.  

I'll update this post with a picture the next time I make it (we've already eaten it all).

If you've eaten at the Olive Garden you may have tried their Zuppa Toscana soup (is that how you spell it?).

This recipe is similar but not exact (but my whole family loves it).

We call it Italian Sausage Soup.

Ingredients:

1 lb Italian Sausage

1 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Peppers

1 Large Onion

4 Tbsp Bacon pieces

2 tsp Garlic

2 Cans Chicken Broth

8 cups Water

2 Tbsp L.B. Jamison's Soup Base

1 cup Heavy Cream

1 lb Russet Potatoes (4 or 5 large potatoes)

Bunch of Kale

1. Brown Italian in large stock pot

2.  Add crushed red pepper

3.  Saute onions, bacon & garlic until onion is tender

4.  Mix Chicken Broth with water & add to pot

5.  Add L.B. Jamisons soup base

6.  Wash potatoes, do not peel.  Cut in half and then slice thin.

7.  Add potatoes to pot and boil until potatoes are done (do not overcook....under cooking would be better than over cooking).  Takes around 30 minutes

8.   Stir in Heavy Cream

9.  Wash Kale, cut it in strips (I cut the vein out of the center and slice it in thin strips).

10.  Add Kale right before you serve it.

We usually eat salad and french bread with it.

Enjoy!!

p.s. let me know if you try it and if you like it :)

p.s.s. it has a kick to it...you can leave out the crushed red pepper if you'd like.