Thanksgiving 'How To' Series featuring Dylan!

Welcome to Dylans First 'How To Series' Thanksgiving featuring Yummy Pilgrim hats. First you put out all your ingredients. Chocolate frosting, large marshmallows, yellow m&m's, fudge stripped cookies.

Place your cookies on a plate, stripes down.....

Put a marshmellow on each cookie and taste one to make sure they are good :0

Using a shisk ka bob scewer, dip your marshmallows in melted chocolate frosting and place the chocolate marshmallow on top of the face down striped cookie....

Place a yellow m&m on the front of the 'hat'

Share with family and friends!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Fun Florida Friends

Steve and I were able to get away for a long weekend to visit our dear friends in Florida. (History - Steve and Scott worked together and I met his wife Tracy we all became friends; their daughter was about 2 or 3 and our daughter babysat her and we had family fun time and fun couple times too. Scott took a job in Jupiter, Florida =( and we took a 'vow' that we would take turns going to see each other every year. We have kept up that vow for 10 years and it will keep going for as long as we can. Thru Scott and Tracy we met Frank and Karen who also live in Florida. They became our good friends too and we would all do things and we took vacations/cruises together and Karen would come out for girls weekends too. Tragically and sadly, our Frank passed away last July, but he is still with us when we get together).So it was our turn to head East to the 'other coast'. We used to take the Southwest flight right into West Palm and it was direct and was 5 hrs. Well, Southwest on Nov 1 ended that direct and we then were routed to Ft. Lauderdale via Baltimore on the way = 10 hrs of flying, but boy are they worth it! Adam took us early to the airport on Thursday and we flew all day.....

We got in Thursday night and chatted up the car ride all the way from Ft. Lauderdale to our fave Cuban restaurant in Jupiter where we enjoyed a cuban feast!!! We ate baskets of cuban bread, had mojitos, pork, rice and beans (christiano & negros) and of course yummy fried plantains. Saturday we had a lazy and relaxing morning and then headed out on their great boat for a day on the water - up the inner coastal (by all the rich golfers house - Tiger, Greg Norman, etc) and then they took us up the Locahatachee River (everglade like) to see 'Trapper Nelson's cabin. This guy in the 30's to 60's had was a trapper and had all these buildings and they turned it into a national park....legend has it that he was shot by the husband of some rich West Palm Beach lady who he enticed into his cabin....but after looking at pictures of him and the cabin and seeing all the bugs, I think that is an urban legend! After we looked around we headed back and of course we took turns driving the boat and it was so fun! In a place where we had to idle slow Eagle Eye Captain Steve saw an alligator sunning - it was awesome. We also saw lots of Osprey nests (huge) and Spanish Moss hanging everywhere - which of course I had to get some as I pay a fortune for that at Michaels! We stopped at a great place on the water and tied up and enjoyed some appetizers and the view and then hopped back in the boat back to 'Burt Reynolds and Friends Boat Launch'. We laughed so hard because Tracy and I were in the front of the boat and we had mimosa's but we were going so fast and bouncing on the water so hard they would spay and spill and it kept hitting Steve and Scott behind the wheel. When we stopped for lunch we noticed the entire windshield was covered with orange juice! We got home and did a few things and then headed over to Karen's for one of her fab gourmet dinners. This lady could run a cooking school and she entertained us with her culinary skills....we made Steve and Scott get in the kitchen with her to learn how to cook the wonderful spaghetti cabanara she cooked....and then she set a beautiful table with her wedding china - it was so lovely and nice and we teased our wedding china was paper plates! We laughed and talked for hours and had such a wonderful night. Saturday it was guys fishing day and girls shopping day. Steve took the camera so the only pictures I have are of the big fighting fish they caught. Us girls caught our fair share of bargains as we all love Bealls and all the Bealls outlets , the Vintage stores and of course my other fave, Nautical & Nice which I always find something. It is all seashell and beach stuff and this year I got a seashell garland - lovely. We stopped for lunch at 'Harry and the Natives' and it was as fun and crazy as it sounds - I love that place. It was a great day for the girls - just shopping and taking our time (so rare for the 3 of us). The guys got home from fishing and cleaned up and Scott bbq'd some great steaks while we all played Bahama Bimini - a rope and ring game (frustrated, but addictive). Tracy made her wonderful green bean casserole and a salad and potatoes, and we also had some yummy left over spaghetti carbonara and of course more of that delish banana cake Karen made. Sunday it was the guys golf day and Karen was busy planting flowers so Tracy and I headed to Boca to the big indoor swap meet there. It was visual overload for me....literally so much to take in and see and you have all heard about the Boca ladies and their love for Bling - I am hear to tell you that is true, true, true. We shopped and shopped and I got some fun things and even found a Valentino knock off purse my sister has been looking for (thank you verizon phone camera) and got me a Valentino too! At one point (hours into this) we looked at each other and we both knew we were done (but happy)! We made a few more stops on the way back to their place and the guys were still golfing. We were suppose to go to Jetty's a great place on the water, but Karen came down and we chatted then we showered and got our PJ's on and ordered chinese for the guys to pickup on the way home....ahhhhhh....it was perfect. We also got to watch a movie (can't remember the last time I sat and watched a movie!) Queen Latifa - The Last Holiday - so cute. Monday morning came to early and we headed out a little after 4 a.m. for our flight back - this time via Chicago (yea, right) and got home in the late aftenoon and Kristen picked us up and we rushed to see our boys. Happy to go and Happy to be home. Thanks Scott and Tracy and Karen for a wonderful time.....your turn to come West next!

Holidays....Passing the Torch and the flame explodes

By genetics or behavior I have passed many things to my children - so good, some not so good. One thing I know for sure and it is a very good thing is that both my children have a love of family, travel and holiday fun. I am oh so proud of both of them and the lives they have created for themselves, sure they all have their challenges, but that is life and perseverance and attitude are everything - and they know and live that.

Adam and his wife Shannon decorate their place like a showroom, so precise and to perfection. I love to go to their place on any holiday and just stare in awe - it is a feast for the eyes. They too have it down, even to costumes for my grand-dogs, Cosby and Benson.

Kristen and Brian also love to decorate and get every bit of joy out of any holiday. Kristen has always loved art and projects and mixes the two and the creativity soars. The boys are lucky to have such fun parents. They have an annual Halloween party and it gets bigger and better every year.

I think every year since we moved to California we have gone to a Costume Party or had one on Halloween. Someday I will post all our costumes - very advant guarde I must say.

This year we were also invited to another Halloween party besides Kristen- with an 80's theme. We were suppose to dress as our favorite icon of the 80's so Steve and I decided to be the absolute ultimate icon of the 80's - Ron and Nancy Reagan. So with my red thrift store 80's dress and my 'just say no to drugs' sign; his suit, jar of red, white and blue jelly beans and Reagan mask we headed out.

Kristen's party was phenomenal/over the top/the torch has been passed and is on fire good - she and Brian had all kinds of scary food, lots of fun activities, costume contests, pinata, pumpkin painting and lots of fun adult talk and most adults were dressed up too!

Then, like the hip party couple that we are - we left there and headed to party #2 - this was also a young crowd like Kristien's group they were all kinds of fun costumes, Glenn Close from Fatal Attraction, Magnum PI, Mork & Mindy, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Chuck Norris, and a whole bunch of rock stars. Between you and me, that Nancy Reagan likes her some red wine =)

I was still exhausted from the week before, but it was fun to get out with good friends and family!

The Week that Was.....and the wonderful lesson it taught me....

At 3 a.m. Tuesday morning I got a call from work and that is never good....it went downhill from there and I literally did not leave the house or get dressed until Friday. I was on calls and status updates every 2 hours and watched 4 sunrise and sunsets over my laptop screen. It does have a happy ending - no business was lost, my findings were validated my SUPERB team was there by my side every inch of the way and I am so proud of all of them. I don't like the political portion of these kinds of things so I will just leave that alone. I tell you this is one time I wish I was a dog with a tail to wag as I sure would of!!!

Between the every 2 hour status/calls I would make myself get up from the lap top and at least look out at a distance as my eyes were all but gone. My ears hurt from having 2 (yes 2) phones up to both ears most of the time....I was done....but what also kept me going was when I did look around I saw things that are priceless to me and made me choke with love and pride and they were really the little things that meant so much....

The way my husband puts all his valuables and important 'stuff' in one corner of the kitchen counter

The half played with Ark that Brody loves

The lighted pumpkin that Adam gave me when he worked at KMart when he was 16 (he is 32)

The picture Dylan drew for me that has our names and a big heart and he even drew Rocky in it

.....and Rocky, constantly by my side, encouraging me, staying close, caring.

I am so happy the problem a work is resolved and I would never want to go thru that again - but my lesson was worth learning....precious things I treasure about my life.

Wednesday Thrift Store Finds

Yes, today is Wednesday and that means Thrift Store Shopping!

I did well today!!! Found 3 great buys! Total $12.95

1 - Brand new condition and perfect style red dress from the 80's for $3.00 (Not to worry, you won't see me in it other than for a Costume Halloween Party - more on that later.

2 - A very cute 1940's wooden childs chair (oak) for $5.00 - and made quick use of that by my front door entry with a fall leaf bow and a sparkling pumpkin on it.

3 - Fisher Price Alphabet Ark and Animals- for $4.95 for my sweet boys...who by the way came by tonight after I had it all cleaned up and loved playing with it.

Have you found any fun treasurers this week???

A BitterSWEET surprise!

My wonderful, talented and thoughtful cousin, Elizabeth (Biz to us) send me the nicest surprise via the mail!

Background: She lives in a fantastic vintage home in a very small town in So. Illinois. She is lover of all creative things....she is an avid collector, has an eye for just the right thing,, makes you feel loved and often does random acts of kindness in the most special way. For years our family has supported the Spoon River Drive. Biz knows every nook and cranny in every little town in the beautiful fall colored drive. I was lucky enough once to go with her and treasure many wonderful memories from that day. My cousins mom, Connie, and my mom went with us. It was visual overload - each and every stop more and more beautiful and I bought so many things. From a hand carved walking stick to a salt box painting to craft decorations to sampling each and every home made sandwich and treat that each stop has as their speciality. The Amish have booths and sell the most wonderful hand made items and mums they grow....old carts filled with colorful gourds and on and on and on - too much to list in my humble blog. I wish I could take you all there! This wonderful event is where I held and purchased my first wonderful branches of Bittersweet. I still have them dried and displayed at home. The children used to take it to teachers and it only can be harvested about this time of year - I think it is around the first frost. I have seen the silk and plastic varieties but never the real deal and it is so beautiful (to me).....so.....

.....today when I came home from work there was a wonderful white PO box on my doorstep! Inside the box was a sweet note that said 'Spoon River in a Box' (told you she was creative). Inside were the most wonderful treasurers - A handpainted Spoon with ghosts and pumpkins (what a perfect Spoon River souvenir), a couple of wonderful hand painted pumpkins, a Spoon River 43rd Annual Program showcasing each and every stop and a fantastic Spoon River cookbook with several of the stops's recipes....and the most sweetest branch of fresh bittersweet.....I am such a lucky girl to receive such a wonderful package - THANK YOU BIZ!!!

I had to share this picture with you ...I am still smiling for the thoughtfulness and kindness...

Has anyone made your day lately when you least expect it?

The Witches at Gardner Village

For years I have had to go to SLC for business. And, years ago some of my SLC friends took me to Gardner Village and I fell in love with the place. It is an old Grist Mill and has many historic houses surrounding it and each one is a different kind of boutique gift shop. If that isn't enough, during the holidays they decorate with the most wonderful themes. On a recent trip up to see my parents and to care of them, I drove thru SLC and of course made the stop at Gardners. The Witches were out and they are one of my favorite designs that they do. They are about 8 feet tall and I have included a few and click on the link on my favorite places to shop to see more. They even do a Witch a Pallooza (play) and many children and ladies dress up as Witches and browse around. At the main restaurant, Archibalds, they do a mean fried green tomato, but the wait was over an hour so had to pass this time. At Christmas they do Elves, at Easter they do Bunnies and on and on for the holidays. Hope you get to enjoy a stop there someday!