Must See TV

Growing up, Thursday night was the best night to watch TV with The Cosby Show and Family Ties.

Then I went off to college, and Thursday night was again the best night on TV with Friends and Seinfeld.

Now I'm a homeowner, and I've found my favorite shows are on Thursday night as well with Divine Design with Candice Olson and Colour Confidential with Jane Lockhart.

However, I'm looking for some good family sitcoms again. Can anyone recommend any? Or any good TV shows for that matter?

New York Sparkle

This weekend I'm going to New York with all the ladies in my mom's family (except for Noe, tough decision!). I wanted to make a little surprise for my mom, aunties, sisters, and cousins so I whipped up some sparkly bracelets. Instead of just passing them out to everyone, I'm thinking it will be fun for us to play the White Elephant Game. I hope all the gals like what they end up with!


Scarlet Passion


Orange Crush

Sunshine Yellow

Serene Green

Turquoise Seas

China Blue

Purple Rocks


Pretty Pink


Basic Beige


Shiny Bling

Sophisticated Black

Unbirthday Party

This week I threw an "Unbirthday Party" for our Laurel class activity, and decided it was time to break in my little flower cupcakes. Aren't they cute?


Games, cupcakes & ice cream, and gifts- who wouldn't want to come? Well, my 2 superstar Laurels were the only ones that came and we delivered a special gift to one of our gals whose actually birthday it was. We missed the rest of them, but what can you do?

Which would you choose?

A tempting slice of St. Etienne cake?


or a juicy bowl of fruit and berries?


Yep, I chose the St. Etienne cake. Actually, I had a bowl of fruit too. Don't get me wrong, I love fruit, but it doesn't satisfy my sweet tooth the same way french pastry, thick custard, luscious whip cream, and mini chocolate eclairs do. And this is why I'm chubby- ugh!
I should just remember the scripture from Isaiah 55:2, "Eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Is that how you interpret this scripture?

Another Anniversary

Last week marked Leonard's and my wedding anniversary, and this week marks a year of owning our first home, although we still have a few months to mark one year of us living in it- tee hee. Anyway, here's an open house tour of the projects we've been working on. The list is neverending though!


Everything looks so clean after it rains.

The main floor consists of the living room, dining room, kitchen, dinette, family room, and powder room (laundry room not pictured).







The upstairs consists of the master bedroom & ensuite, the 3 kids' rooms, and the kids' bathroom.







The basement is our PLAY room (and has 2 storage rooms as well). I love it, except for the fact it's in the basement- tee hee. I NEED sunlight, so this would serve me better if it was a second floor lounge, oh well we can't have everything we want, right?

Our backyard is in dire need of some playground equipment, but we are so glad to have a backyard again!

Seriously, there's still a ZILLION projects to finish, but we love our little home sweet home!

More Books

This was last month's book club selection. It's a modern-day Ruth & Naomi story. It made me wish I knew my mother-in-law better (she's in heaven), but also confirmed that I do not want to be a widow ever!


This is this month's book club selection, but I can't read it until I finish...


This is interesting about 3 women- Muslim, Christian, and Jewish exploring the similarities and differences of their religions. It's made me explore my own faith and religion. Can't wait to finish it!

I haven't read his other book yet (Len did), but I want to someday, and I want to read this one too.

I'm caught up on the Fablehaven series and now anxiously waiting to read the conclusion in book 5!

What to do with a Strawberry?

Strawberries are delish all by their lonesome, but when you buy a bunch on sale it's fun to try some new recipes.


Cookie Pizza
CRUST
Preheat oven to 375*F.
Beat 1 cup sugar, 1 cup butter, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 egg in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually stir in 2 1/4 cups flour.
Press dough onto round pizza pan so it's 1/4 inch thick.
Bake 10-12 minutes, or until edge are just golden brown.
Cool before adding toppings.
SAUCE
Mix 1 cup milk with 4-serving size pistachio pudding.
Add 1 cup cool whip.
Spread over cooled crust.
CHEESE
Sprinkle pizza with shredded coconut.
TOPPINGS
Besides sliced strawberries, peaches, pineapples, bananas, kiwis, and raspberries are great to put all over the pizza.
ENJOY!


Palachinkas (aka Crepes)
Mix 2 cups flour, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 cup water, and 2 cups milk (gradually).
Pour thin layer of batter over entire surface of round frying pan.
Cook on each side until done.
Top with strawberries & whip cream, butter & maple syrup, lemon juice & sugar, or Nutella.
Enjoy!


Berried Delight
MIX
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares), 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup butter.
Press firmly onto bottom of 9x13-inch pan.
Refrigerate 15 minutes.
BEAT
1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 tbsp milk in large bowl.
Gently stir in 1/2 of an 8 oz tub of cool whip.
Spread over crust.
TOP
With strawberry halves or other berries.
POUR
3 1/2 cups cold milk into large bowl. Add 2 (4-serving size) packages of lemon pudding. Beat 2 minutes, then pour over strawberries.
REFRIGERATE
4 hours or until set. Just before serving, spread remaining cool whip over pudding.
ENJOY!

Love the Library!

Tonight is book club and we'll be discussing this book, "When Broken Glass Floats." It's a terribly sad memoir of a girl who grew up in Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge. How did I get so lucky to have lived such a peaceful life?


This book, "Marked" was last month's book club selection, but unfortunately it had one really bad scene and lots of bad language. I wish authors could leave that junk out, because the actual story of a girl going to a "Vampyre Finishing School" was kind of interesting. It's the first book in the House of Night Series which there will soon be 7 of.


I requested this book "The Lost Symbol" several months ago and was like person 1,636 requesting it from the library- no joke! I thought I'd have to wait a couple of years to read it, but now it's in my home anxiously waiting for me to read it.

I suffer from anxiety, depression, obsessiveness, anger, and occassional impulsiveness. I hope I can "Change My Brain and Change My Life."

This book is not from the library, I bought it because it was written by an old friend of mine from high school. I want to give a shout out to Mr. Dean Badillo- CONGRATS! I look forward to reading "Molly and Wally Molecule" to my kids.

I also finally got Fablehaven 4 from the library and can't wait to read it either. I love good books!