RAINY SATURDAY MORNING

I will not let it get me down.

Today is my dearest husband's 43rd birthday.

No, I did not get up and make him breakfast in bed. I did not make him coffee.

I chose to do what I know he loves most...sleep in.

He's snoring behind me right now.

I will wait until tonight to begin his birthday festivities.

In the meantime, it's raining.



But like I said. I will not let it get me down. I will tackle the monstrous pile of laundry and brave the messy living room.

I will fight the fur balls that are taking over the house from my 2 shedding dogs.

I will save the bedroom for last since the birthday boy is sleeping in.

Why do I do this?

Because I adore his almost totally grey hair.

We laugh together when he stands up and his bones creak.

I lovingly massage the BenGay into his sore muscles because he's not the young man he used to be.

Yes, he's changed quite a bit from the young, dark haired, adventurous soul I married many years ago.

But I'll be forever incredibly, stupendously, head-over-heals in love with him.

Why? Because he brings sunshine into my gloomy, rainy Saturday mornings.

Happy Birthday, My One True Love!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I know I've been absent.

I'm sorry and I have missed you all.

My daytime job is leaking into my nighttime jobs.

I'll be back soon.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving festivities.

I'll be back soon.

Stay tuned!

MY ANGELS

These are my angels.

They have hung somewhere in my home since I was a kid.

When I lived with my parents, the angels hung in my parent's bedroom.

They've been blue, mauve, grey, white, gold and now brown.

They hung in my bedroom until we moved to our current home.

Now they grace either side of the window above my front door.



I realize the picture is really poor quality but when the light shines through that window, there's just no way to get a decent picture.

They'll hang in my house for as long as I live. Then I'll pass them along . Hopefully one of my kids will love them as much as I do.

I LOVE MY SHELVES!

Several years ago, I had an idea.

I know, they don't come often but when they do, look out!

I wanted to hang several pictures on one wall but I'm lousy at measuring and positioning them so that they have some resemblance of being even.

My slight OCD doesn't help in this respect.

So I came up with an idea for a shelf that would hold all of my pictures. The picture wouldn't need to be nailed to the wall, just leaned on the shelf.

This is where I'm extremely lucky. I shared my idea with my oh-so-crafty husband and shortly thereafter, I had the shelves.

He made me 3 in different sizes. It wasn't long after that I decided I needed more. I now have 4 and they're pretty much full.




We have a split level so they hang in the entry way. The first picture was taken from the top of the stairs. I apologize for the lousy lighting but we have 2 windows there that are impossible to block the light from.


This is another angle of the same shelves. As you can see, I have more than just pictures on my shelves.


A bonus of these shelves is that they don't stick out from the wall enough to get bumped as you walk down the stairs.


These shelves are on the wall going down the lower set of stairs to the downstairs.


My friend loved my shelves so much, she asked Tim to make some for her too. Since her walls have color, she wanted them in white.


I absolutely adore how she accented her shelves with word stencils. I think it turned out amazing. She's having him make more shelves too. He's going to make some that will go around a square pillar she has in her entry way. I can't wait to see them finished!

If you'd be interested in having some shelves made, let me know. I have just the fellow that can make them for you.

BED HOGS

Not only do I share a bed with my darling husband but I seem to also share it with my 2 furry sons.

Anytime I'm in the bedroom doing anything, whether it be cleaning, getting dressed, or sitting at the computer, the boys think my bed becomes theirs.



Dexter is more of a side sleeper. I don't think I've ever caught him sleeping on his back. He doesn't even like to have his tummy rubbed so maybe that's why.



Ranger is a total back sleeper. Anywhere he chooses to sleep, you'll find him belly up. He, unlike Dexter, absolutely LOVES to have his tummy rubbed.

I don't mind sharing the bed with them. There are few things better than curling up with my pups for an afternoon nap, even though they both hog the bed.

BURGER SAUCE

Remember this:

Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun?

When I was a kid, if you didn't know this line, you didn't know squat.

We used to have contests to see who could say it the fastest. Yes, we were nerds.

In case you don't know where that came from, I'll tell you. It was only one of the best advertising campaigns McDonald's ever had. It's what is on a Big Mac.



I have my own version of the special sauce. For all I know, this could be THE special sauce but since I don't know everything they put into theirs, I'm calling this one mine. Plus, I think mine is a tad bit spicier than theirs.

This recipe makes about 3/4 cup sauce. I keep it in a container in the fridge. I don't know just how long before it goes bad because it usually doesn't last long in my house.

Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
4 slices kosher dill pickle (or sweet if that's how you roll)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
a pinch of cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary.

This is what it looks like at work:

JUICY SURPRISE BURGERS

Summer is not complete until you've had burgers cooked on the grill. Whether you prefer charcoal or gas, you can't go wrong with this recipe.


There are 2 different surprises in my burgers. Each has a purpose and help to make this a spectacular hamburger.



I use 73/27 Ground Beef. Grilled hamburgers need that extra fat to make them good. Extra fat makes everything good. I'm just sayin'.


The first of my unique hamburger making steps involve bread. I use 1 slice per pound.


Break up the bread into your mixing bowl. To this add 2 tablespoons of milk per slice of bread. Let the bread absorb the milk. At this point I add my seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, my favorite hot sauce, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Mix this big sloppy mixture into the burger. At this point it looks nasty but believe me, it's good. Get in there and use your hands. It's the only way.

For each patty, divide your meat in half and make 2 thin patties.


Put about 3 to 4 pieces of cheese onto the thin patty and put the other patty on top. Seal the edges and complete your patty.

I had a helper today. The Kid played the Cheese Man and placed the cheese pearls onto the patty for me since my hands were a mess from making the patties.



I used mozzarella for that fun, stringy effect. It doesn't hurt to have fun with your food.



Once all the patties are made, generously pepper the outside. I don't think you can ever have too much pepper on your meats.

Next, send the hubby out to the grill to do the hot work. I do this because Daddeee has amazing grilling skills. By amazing, I mean awesome, spectacular, and incredible.



See. I told you. Do those burgers look amazing or do they look amazing? Daddeee, you outdid yourself on the grill tonight.


And you can't have grilled burgers without some homemade French fries.


Am I making you hungry?


The burger is so big it wouldn't fit into my mouth so I had to do a little smooshing.

And surprise! There's the melted cheese in the middle. You can see the juices oozing from the meat too. Fat, bread, and milk worked together to make that possible.

I'm so full I must go take a nap...for a week.

BACON, BURGER, MAC N CHEESE

How could you ever go wrong with a recipe that includes some of the most wonderful foods in the world?

The Teenager and I visited Noodles & Company again last week and this is what I order. It was really good but I thought the bacon to burger ratio was a little off for my tastes.

I decided to make it at home and do a little adjustments.



Ingredients that I used (no exact measurements because you'll just have to adjust it to your own liking):

Ground Beef - I just used the basic stuff. I cooked it in the skillet and drained the grease from it. I seasoned the meat with some light Italian seasonings such as garlic and oregano but once again, go with your own tastes.

Bacon - I can bring it home and I can fry it up in a pan.

Pasta - I just boiled up a pasta. At Noodles, they serve it with rotini. I used mostaccioli because it's what I had.

Shredded Cheese - Again, use what you have. I used colby-jack.

A fresh diced tomato - Mine came from the corner stand. I wish I could say they came from my own garden but I just don't have one this year.

Pile it on. Grab your plate or bowl and put in the pasta, ground beef, bacon, shredded cheese and diced tomatoes (not necessarily in that order - use your imagination!)

Thank you, Noodles & Company for the idea. Don't worry. I will still come see you because when you cook it, I don't have to do dishes!

THOSE PESKY FELLOWS

GERMS!

Last Thursday the babysitter called as I was leaving work to let me know that The Kid took a nap and woke up with a 101.1 fever. She said he had complained earlier in the day of a sore throat.

I picked him up from her house and took him to Urgent Care.

Strep. Not fun but at least we diagnosed it fast and a few doses of amoxicillin later and he's as good as new.

Fast forward to this morning.

I awoke with a sore throat and an awful headache. I showered hoping it would make me feel better but no such luck.

I called in to work and went back to bed.

Now I'm up and I still have the sore throat and the headache.

Thanks, Kid. I know I taught you to share but this is going beyond.

So now I'm waiting for the doctor's office to call back to see if they'll just call something in or if I have to make an appointment.

In the meantime, I'm going back to my bed. My head feels better when it's comfortably resting on my pillow.

SHARING THE CAR

Since The Teenager has his driver's permit, I have to share the car. That means adjusting the seat every time I get into the car, moving the mirrors back into place and, most important, making sure the vents are blowing on all the right places. It's been really hot here lately so that is an essential part of driving.

Now, this one thinks he should get to drive too.

I told him his paws couldn't even reach the pedals and he laughed at me.



I told him he couldn't even see over the steering wheel. He laughed at me again.


I told him we were going to the groomer and he jumped from the car.

I still made him go to the groomer but I drove.

He's still mad at me. I just don't know if it's because I took him to the groomer or if it's because I wouldn't let him drive.


On a side note, did you notice the cup? Yes, I am a Twilight fan. I admit it.

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY, DAUGHTER!

Yes, I said daughter.

I've adopted a little girl. Ok. So she's not so little.

She turned 16 on Friday.

She's The Teenager's friend that's been spending a month with us this summer.

She's been such a good kid. It's been nice not being the only female in the house for a change.


So since she turned 16 while she was with us, The Teenager decided to throw a surprise birthday party for her.




Lots of friends, lots of pizza, and too many 2 liters to count, I think everyone had a good time.

I lasted until about 10pm. I think the kids lasted much longer.

There's rumor of a trip to Quiktrip around 3am.

I don't want to know.

Happy Birthday, Daughter.

I've enjoyed having you here.

REPEATING A GOOD THING

Yesterday Daddeee and I decided we needed something different to drink.

We hadn't made Red Apple Sangria in a long time so we made up a pitcher and shared it with the neighbors.

It was delicious!

It was delightful!

I'd forgotten how much I love Red Apple Sangria.

Seriously, I think I love it as much as I love my dogs.

And those of you that know me know that I really love my dogs.

I drank 3 glasses of it. I was happy.

I was tipsy.

I had a good time.

I think I talked a lot.

I'm going to share the recipe with you again so that you can be happy.

I love to spread happiness.

Red Apple Sangria

1/3 cup Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon
1 1/4 ounces apple liqueur (schnapps)
1/2 ounce grenadine
1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
1 1/2 ounces pineapple juice
Lemon-lime soda

Mix all in a 16 ounce glass and garnish with your favorite fruits.

LET'S TALK TOILETS

I hate public bathrooms. I hate them but yet it seems I always have to go while in public.

I can pretty much tell you where the cleanest bathrooms are near my house.

The front bathroom at my Wal-mart is usually cleaner than the bathroom in the back of the store. I do not know why.

I think it's hilarious that people will flush the toilet so that others using the nearby stalls will not hear them poop.

We all poop, people. Don't be embarrassed about it.

And, please, please, leave a buffer zone between stalls. If I'm in the bathroom in stall 3 and I'm the only other person in there when you come in, I beg of you to not use stalls 2 and 4. It's just common courtesy.

And now for some interesting facts about toilets that I'll bet you didn't know:

The film “Psycho” was the first movie to show a toilet flushing – the scene caused an in pouring of complaints about indecency.

Over $100,000 US dollars were spent on a study to determine whether most people put their toilet paper on the holder with the flap in front or behind; the answer: three out of four people have the flap in the front.

I prefer mine with the flap in the front. It comes from the days when toilet paper came with patterns (remember the flowers?). The pattern was on the top so therefore the flap needed to be in front.

The average person spends three whole years of their life sitting on the toilet.

Now that there aren't as many White Castles around, I'm sure this figure will go down.

The first toilet stall in a row is the least used (and consequently cleanest).

Good to know. I'll have to remember that.

The Roman army didn’t have toilet paper so they used a water soaked sponge on the end of a stick instead!

I cannot imagine life without toilet paper. I'll admit I use a lot. I don't skimp on price for toilet paper either. That's one item on my shopping list I will not be frugal.

In a 1992 survey, British public toilets were voted the worst in the world. Following quickly behind were Thailand, Greece, and France.

The survey obviously didn't include The Teenager's bathroom.

And last, I'll leave you with this:

The toilet handle in a public restroom can have up to 40,000 germs per square inch.

I'll never touch another toilet handle again.

PRE-JULY 4TH FESTIVITIES

We had our 4th of July party a little early this year.

I made pasta salad and potato salad.

Daddeee made apple-smoked pork burgers.

Dinner was scrumptious!

Afterwards, we retired to the drive way for some fireworks and visiting with friends and neighbors.

I've always heard that you know it's been a good party if the police show up.

This was a good party.

The police came and confiscated our fireworks!

Evidently, if it goes up in the air, it's illegal in Kansas City.

Oops!

No harm done, though. We continued to party until the rain headed in.

Today, I slept until almost 2pm. The older kids are still asleep. The younger kid and his father are napping right now.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Independence Day.

And I hope the police don't ruin your party!

DREAM SUMMER

I live in Kansas City. It's hot. It's humid.

I think if you look up Kansas City in the dictionary, that's the definition.

I've lived here all my life and I hate Kansas City summers with a passion.

Yet I still live here.

I dream of spending my summers in other places.

I dream of places like this:

Beautiful blue water...

Palm trees...

Spectacular views...

Peacefulness...

And what do they all have in common besides water, palm trees, and views?

A place to sit and relax.

I can just feel the sun on my skin and a pretty pink drink with an umbrella in my hand.

Oh how I love to dream.

FAVORITE LUNCH

My all-time favorite lunch ever since I was a kid has been grilled cheese and tomato soup. It's the favorite lunch for both of my children.

We like to have it for dinner too. It's quick and easy.


I don't like my tomato soup made with water, though. I prefer to use milk and butter. I prefer to use Campbell's Tomato Soup but the off name brand will do in a pinch.

The milk and butter make for a creamier soup. Thicker.


I use plain sandwich bread for my grilled cheese. I don't like the thick Texas toast versions. I butter the bread and place it on the hot pan. Then I add the slices of cheese. Then the second piece of buttered bread. I give you this information because when I first met my husband, he melted the butter in the pan and put the bread on the buttered pan. That's just wrong. I've trained him better since then. The result is so much better if the butter is on the bread first. Trust me.


I also prefer to use 2 cheeses: American and Provolone. Not only does it make for an excellent flavor, but the color combination is simply beautiful.


And lastly, the proper way to eat grilled cheese and tomato soup is to dip the sandwich into the soup. Ah, it's just yummier that way.


So I hope I've succeeded in making you sufficiently hungry for some grilled cheese and tomato soup. Make some soon. Let the kids help. They're really good at buttering the bread. And they'll have fun eating it, too.

Subnote on this post: The Teenager got on to me for using my cell phone for the pictures. I know, my camera would have been much better but I was lazy. The cell phone was handier. I told him if he'd get out of bed before 3 in the afternoon, he could have taken them for me. So on behalf of The Teenager, I apologize for the lackluster photos.

RENEWED LOVE

A few weeks ago, we had some friends over for our usual Saturday night fun night.

I had the taste for spaghetti and meatballs so I made some along with a new recipe that I had wanted to try: herbed olive oil.


I first tried the dipping olive oil at an Italian restaurant that Daddeee took me to for our anniversary. It was yummy.

So I attempted it on that Saturday night. My attempt wasn't as good as theirs but I discovered a bread that I really liked.

Mind you, I'm not a huge bread person. Too many carbs and all, you know.

But that bread was amazing.


It was a simple French baguette. I know, I served a French bread with Italian food. So wrong but I don't care. I'm a rebel.

The bread was just perfect without the oil. I spread a little butter on each small slice and it was the perfect size for a few bites. (We had it again last night with our steaks and baked potatoes for Father's day.)

So my new bread obsession took me in another direction this past Saturday.

Years ago, there was a deli near the City Market called LaSala's. They made the most amazing sub sandwiches.

The Poor Boy was my favorite. Slice off the size of sandwich that you think you can handle and munch away!

Even though their website still exists, sadly the deli does not.

So we decided to make our own. Not quite a LaSala's sandwich but we enjoyed them just as much.

All that bread! It was so good. So filling!

I've found a renewed love for an old friend.