So you think you can dance?!

Let's start the week off right, shall we?!

With a really fantastic, spitting my coffee out on the screen, tears running down my face, my kids think I'm hysterical because I can't even speak...cause I'm laughing so hard, kind of laugh!

I'm the Highest High Techie?!

What is wrong with you people? I am lame! I am lamer than lame! I'm old and lame. Computers were these huge machines that were housed in cold rooms to keep from catching fire when I was a kid. That and we made fire using flint...but I digress.

YOU, don't know the codes for the heart symbol...the copyright sign...the "dagger"...trademark...spade symbol...etc...???!!!

I'm scared, now! I am going to have nightmares that I live in a world of high techies and I'm the Highest High Techie in the land. This is not right, people!

At any rate...I'm happy...no make that overjoyed to be able to share how you make these little symbols.

When you are composing your blog post...go ahead and write it all in the regular compose area. Just use the word "heart" for where you'll want you're symbol to go. I also capitalize it...so when I look in that gobbledy gook html code I can find it a little easier. When you're ready to convert your word to symbols click onto the "edit html" tab, find your words, change them to the correct code, hit Preview to see if it worked and then sit back and admire you're new found knowledge. Watch the reflection of your head on the computer screen as it grows bigger. Knowledge is a wonderful thing.

So when you want to say I'm with stupid and have an arrow next to it. You would write "I'm with stupid and put in the code (& larr;) to show the arrow

The rest of the codes that I found are:

&; dagger; † dagger symbol
& spades; ♠ spade
& clubs; ♣ club
& hearts; ♥ heart
& copy; © copyright
& reg; ® registered
& trade; ™ trademark
& larr; ← left arrow
& uarr; ↑ up arrow
& rarr; → right arrow
& darr; ↓ down arrow

† ♠ ♣ ♥ © ® ™ ← ↑ → ↓

I hope this has made some sort of sense. Let me know if you have any questions. But, please don't ask...bc {short for because} I really don't know anything.

Updated: Amber has very wisely told us you don't even need to go into html. If you just type the code it will automatically convert into the symbol for you. Thanks Amber!!

trying out html

So I've decided to try out some new html that I've learned. Let's see...this should have a heart symbol ♥

OMG it worked!! ©...just did the copyright...woo hoo!! I'm feeling crazy here :)
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♠ ® © † ™

Hahahahahahahaha..I'm positively giddy. Please cry for me tonight, that this is what makes me happy. This and the fact that someone came up with menthol for a cough. It's way better than the habaneros I was going to have to eat to clear my sinuses.

xoxo

Building a kitchen

If you build it...she will come.

I am joining Jane from Out Of The Crayon Box and some of her followers to build a play kitchen just in time for Christmas, for my little darling Kell!! You can see some of Jane's beautiful and creative creations here and here.

I know!! She's amazing, isn't she?! I can only hope to come up with a decent copy. Luckily she is actually inviting you to copy her as well. Not only that, but she'll walk you thru it. Step by step. What could be more perfect?...besides flying her out to my house and having her actually do it?...nothing!!

I got my lovely little nightstand at Goodwill for 5 Dollah!! Did you hear me? 5 Dollah!! WooHoo!!

So it's not too late to get started. You can join us at flickr...or just watch me and be jealous when it's all said and done. And my response to your poor tortured soul {with no cute kitchen for your cutie patootie} will be "Ha, remember when I told you about it?" Cause I'm mean that way :)

Use me up!

If you're like me...you're Jack O Lanterns sit around after Halloween, until they start to have more wrinkles than the grandma from The Beverly Hillbillies.

Well not this year!! Dammit...Not this year. Growing up we always had fresh pumpkin bread and pies throughout the year. How? My dad would cook the pumpkins and then freeze the pulp to be used year round. I was never really interested in doing this, because I could always get a few quarts from him, when I wanted. But, I like the tradition that he started. I'm all about tradition.

So I asked him how he did it and it turns out that it's really pretty easy. The hardest part is that it takes some time. So plan for a few hours...but once you make pumpkin bread or pie with fresh {not canned} pumpkin you will never want to go back.

You will walk into grocery stores and laugh at the outrageous prices they charge for canned pumpkin pie. You will stroll your farmers market that has pumpkin butter and think, "Ha, I could do that." You will just shake your head while a sly smile spreads across your face as your neighbor compliments you on the most delicious pie she's ever had.

So, I'm going to share with you just how easy it is. Ready?!

Okay...first things first...Chop'er up!! Be careful. Pumpkin is thick and hard {hey, don't even go there, this isn't Top Chef} and doesn't slice easily, you will have to use some pressure. Please don't slice your finger off. I can't stand the sight of blood.

Put pieces onto a cookie sheet with a little water. Really only a little...it doesn't even need to cover the bottom. I'd say about 1 1/2 cups.

Cover with foil and bake for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. You can pull out after an hour and poke it with a fork {just under the skin} to see if it's really soft. Once it's soft and I mean really soft, it's done. Pull out, uncover and let it cool.

Now comes the fun part. I tend to slice the pieces again, just so I can peel them a little easier. Just hold in your hand skin side down and using a paring knife slice as close to the skin as you can and put pumpkin into a large bowl or food processor. You just need to pulse this a few times...you'll see how quickly it breaks down.

Those of you without food processor's {like me}. I put the chunks into a bowl and use a hand blender. Then place into a colander and let it sit for at least 20 mins. {longer if you have the time} You need to let the water drain out.

Can you see the water collecting on the side? It will slowly make it's way out and into your sink.

Well, that's it. Put into jars, air tight plastic containers, whatever! I happen to use my plastic sandwich containers {also it perfectly holds 2 Cups of pumpkin, which most recipes will call for} of which I have many.

Then go ahead and make a pumpkin pie. I'll be back with a recipe. Just try and take a picture BEFORE your family eats it.

It really is easy. I may have made it sound a little more difficult than it actually is. I hope not :)

Mama loves me some fresh pumpkin pie :)

You'll notice that the color isn't that weird orangey {sp?} brown shade. Uh, that's cause you used real, not from the can pumpkin :)

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

When Twilight and Halloween decor meet up in a spooktacular giveaway!!

What do you need that you don't even know until you see it?

Answer: This glorious shimmery Edward pumpkin from my friend Jen at Harried Mom Of Four.

Edward all lit up.

Okay, she made this. Go and read all about it here. I can't even believe she's willing to part with it...so hurry over and enter for a chance to win this yourself...before she changes her mind!

Whoa...what happened...

Okay, I found out why my blog was unreadable for awhile there. Evidently my background had expired...fixed with a spooky Halloween one :)

BOO!

Please see below if you missed out on the great kitchen remodel :)

The cheap kitchen makeover

Welcome all DIY'ERS

Have you been wanting to paint your kitchen cabinets? I'd been dying to do it for a few years. Yes, I'm a procrastinator, too!! I finally got up the nerve and just went for it! I lurve them!! Here's a little more info!

I've painted my kitchen cabinets....FINALLY! Do you know what it's like to walk into your kitchen everyday and loathe your kitchen cabinets. Feel like you've walked back into the eighties and wonder Why? Why? Why did someone think this was a good look?! I was being overrun by Oak. It was everywhere. Every cabinet in my house is the same cabinet. Oh, yes, you heard me right. Every. Single. Cabinet. Let's see...that would include all 3 bathrooms, the mud room and of course the kitchen.

Would you like the ugly tour?

Here you go...

Blech!

Gross!

Uh, forgot to take the picture until half the cabinet fronts were off. Don't judge :)



Dear Lord, please don't make me look at these cabinets another day.

Lovely shot of the drill case in the forefront. Tune in another day for photography tips.





I don't know why people are against child labor. I mean, hey it's cheap! And they are begging to do it!!

What technique!! Tune in another day for painting tips!


Here's the glazing technique. Brushed it on (door on right), waited for about 5 mins. and then wiped it off with a damp cloth (door on left). This spread it around in a really nice thin layer and then I could rub harder where I needed more white to show through.

Here's a close up of the texture I put into the paint. I added some dry joint compound mix that I've had hanging around and that made the paint really thick. I brushed it on very haphazardly and let it semi dry. Then went over it lightly with the bristles of my paintbrush. So essentially I was wrecking the paint. You know when you wanted a smooth finish, but then you try to paint over it again and it hasn't quite dried so it looks all bumpy.

I did this so the glaze would look old and worn. It really worked out well!!

The rest was just a matter of getting out the sander before glazing and going along the edges of the cabinets and the corners in a very random way.


Soooo...here's the reveal:

I'll just say that I'm thrilled with how it turned out!

I chose a distressed look for the obvious reason that it's kid friendly. When the cabinets get kiddie fingerprints on them...it won't be so noticible. And because no matter how much I would've sanded and prepped those cabinets, that paint would've come off somewhere. You. Just. Know. It. Would.

Finally, I received the best compliment I could have. Finn came in after I'd rehung a few of the doors and said "Ewww...they look so old and dirty." Bingo!! My job here is done!

To see lots more transformations and ideas, head over to The Shabby Chic Cottage's Transformation Thursday and over to Kimba's Diy Day

Up and coming

Well, I've been a little preoccupied lately. Mostly about Maggie. Thank you to everyone and your kind words. Off tomorrow to do funeral...ugh. It's about a 2 1/2 hr. drive...this will be one long emotional day for the whole family.

But on to brighter things...

I have a big reveal to bring you on Monday. Oh, yeah baby. It's the other thing I've been preoccupied with. Let's just say it was a huge undertaking. HUGE!!! Bigger than I realized.

Looking forward to seeing what you all think :)

Have a great weekend everyone!!

xoxo

A New Angel

Thank you to all of you that have been praying for Maggie and her family. Sadly, she passed away early this morning at 7am with her mom who had stepped away to put on her bathrobe, her dad in the bathroom, her grammy getting ready to come upstairs and her biggest brother on the bus riding to school.

I think she chose that time of peace and quiet. I think she wanted to spare her family the memory of watching her very last breath. I've been thru that and it can be extremely difficult and hearwrenching.

If you can, please continue to pray for the ones she left behind who will be suffering so greatly.

Goodbye dear, sweet Maggie. Your life was too short, but you lived it to the fullest. Godspeed!

Prayers Needed

I post this with a heavy heart today. I've been away from the blog world for awhile. We've just had a lot going on here. My post today isn't about me. It's for a dear friend. Maggie Medvitz. She's 2 1/2 and is going home for hospice care after a 4 month battle with brain cancer (ATRT). The prognosis for this rare agressive cancer is...simply put...horrible, if you are under the age of 3. For some reason, after 3 the odds of survival are 80%.

Unfortunately my friend Maggie was diagnosed when she was 2 and 4 mos. she has endured more than I, as an adult, would be able to put up with. Lived in a hospital for over 3 months and is how she has spent the last few months of her tragically shortened life. We still pray for a miracle, but I am asking for prayers to ease her and her families suffering.

You may read Maggie's story and her mother's inspirational daily posting's here.

I'll miss you all!

Well I'm off. I'm headed to Dallas for an annual girlfriend getaway. Will be back Sunday. I'm packing my last lunchbox...at least for a few days :)

It's the devil, I tell you!!

The Devil and The Pioneer Woman!! They made me make these delicious, scrumptious, gooey, fresh and finger lickin good cinnamon buns!!

Now, let me tell you these are made from scratch. With yeast. I know, I know, you think it sounds like a lot of work...but truly it isn't. And yes, I, too used to be afraid, running out of the room afraid of using yeast. It was never ever my friend, until I did this recipe. So please, please, please...don't be afraid of the yeast.

Well, them and my family!! And after making them for 3 weekends straight, and doing them a little different each time, here's what I recommend. Not that you have to listen to me, because really, what do I know?! I'm just a lover of gooey, gooey goodness.

First, unless you have an army to feed {which you may have}, I would halve this recipe. If you're lazy like me and want the easy conversion just go to comment 82...she's kindly done it for you!!

Second, don't be like me and think..."Oh, I'll be so clever and use softened butter, so I don't make such a mess by spreading melted butter all over the dough". I'm a dope! Please, stick with the melted butter to pour over the dough. My third weekend of making these heavenly rolls, I tried to make the cleanup job a little easier and tried using softened butter to spread over the dough. They don't turn out nearly as gooey. Don't get me wrong, their still delicious and your family will beg you to make them. But, you...the cook...will notice a difference.

Third, this "halved" recipe will make 2 pans of rolls and I HIGHLY recommend making the sticky bun type topping that can be found here. I just omitted the apples and halved the recipe, since I was only going to do the topping for one pan, not both.

Fourth, make the dough the day before, cut and put in pans, let rise and refridgerate. Just get them out early the next morning {say 2 hrs. before you want to cook them} and let them sit on your counter. This brings them to room temp and will cook like you just made the dough that morning :)

I hate to even admit it, but yes, by all that is good and cinnamony...I will be making them again this weekend.

Yeah, baby, they're that good!! They have now replaced "donut Sunday".

My first 5k

I had 2 goals for this race. I tried to keep them realistic.

I wanted to run the whole thing. No matter how slow I had to go, I was going to run that sucker!!

I wanted to finish under 37 mins {originally it was going to be 35 mins}. But....My thinking was that if I had to slow down so I could run the whole time, I'd have to allow myself a little extra time in my goal.

So after coming really close to running the entire thing. I only walked for about a minute one time {uphill}. BTW, I ran the first 30 mins {Yeah, I still wasn't finished}. I ran the rest of it.

I literally was ready to throw-up that last 1/2 mile {Had already seen evidence of this earlier in roadway...aww, poor runner}. I can't believe I didn't. Mama would be so proud :)

Anyway, I look at the big time clock at the finishing line {I'm about 100 yds. away} and see it says something over 40 mins. Ughhhh!! How can this be? I ran the whole thing, dammit! I'm about to hurl and I've run the worst time ever for myself?! Well if that doesn't just totally blow!

I've never been able to run that distance all at once during my training. I have always needed several walking breaks.

Yet today, today, I pushed myself. I ran and ran and ran.

Now, I'm thinking WTF!!! 40 effing mins +.

So, I'm feeling totally dejected. I just want to cry knowing I'm a huge, massive failure.

Thank God, none of my family could make it that early in the morning to watch, or I would have definately been an enormous wad of tears.

I tried coming up with various excuses reasons why my time was so slow. I blamed figured all the slower people starting out ahead of me for making my starting pace even slower than normal.

Here is my official race result:

980 78/112 1077 Lisa S. F Germantown MD 41:09 36:19 11:42

This translates into 41 mins and 9 secs. it took for me to run 5k from when the gun went off and the 36 mins and 19 secs. it took ME to actually run the race. All at a pace of 11:42 per mile. Read on to find out why there are 2 different times!!

Whew!! Oh, relief. Joyous rapture!! I am slow as a tortoise, but I am wiping the tears and sweat out of my eyes after seeing this. I shaved almost 5 mins. off that damn clock time. I knew if I felt like I was gonna hurl, that I damn well should've done better than the 40 mins I saw!!

Turns out I'm just not the sharpest stick in the woods. I forgot to figure in that the race started in waves. I started in the 4th wave. Translation...4 mins. behind the start clock. DUH!!! If only someone would explain this to us newbies.

Really, I know it seems like common sense, but I just didn't have any during such an emotional day. Is it too much to ask for someone to announce "Hey to all you idiots. Let's not forget to alot the correct time difference off the clock, depending on which wave you started in. You're personal net time will be posted later today."?

I don't think it's too much to ask.

Now, I feel like I'll definately do it again. I just won't go an hour ahead of time and stand around gawking until the race starts.

John Kennedy had it...

Sooooo, I'm taking Callahan to the vet for his rabies shot when an older lady walks in with her 2 basset hounds. One of whom promptly climbs up onto Kelly (uh, she's 3) who's just sitting on the waiting bench, and the lady sits next to Kelly saying nothing to her dog. Her dog with the big paws. Her dog who is extremely friendly, but has put his front paws on Kell.

WTF?! I would never ever let me dog get up on someone, much less a small child. Even if that child seems comfortable around dogs. So I put my arm around Kelly while saying it's okay honey the dog isn't trying to hurt you, he just wants to say hello.

Well, since I left my brick at home and couldn't drop it on this woman. I promptly showed her how my dog was made to sit...when the next person came in. Clearly saying by example..."I have a puppy and even HE doesn't just climb and jump all over people. "

Next the basset hound lady starts telling me all about her dogs:

BHL: "Poor Duchess she has to come every month for her shot"

Me: "Oh?! What does she get a shot for?"

BHL: "She has Addison's Disease"

Me: "I'm not familiar with that. What is it?"

BHL: "John Kennedy* had it"

Crickets Chirping

Yup, still chirping and now she notices the {still} confused look on my face.

Me: "Uhhhhhhh....."

BHL: "It's an adrenal problem. She gets a steroid for it."

Me: "Whatever."

Okay, so I didn't say whatever. But I really really wanted to.

*When did the answer of John Kennedy {the President, not JohnJohn} had it, actually tell someone anything about anything? Holy shit!! Was this really meant to explain what the disease is? Does this woman think everyone in America knows every detail of every Kennedy that ever existed. Not to mention the man was killed right after I was born. Do I look old enough to even have a fascination with John Kennedy and the fact that he had Addison's disease?!

Google Addison's disease. Go on, I'll wait. No, nevermind, I'll just tell you. John Kennedy isn't even mentioned. Now if you Google "John Kennedy Addison's disease", sure you'll pick up some stuff on him.

So this lady just really irked me with her ill behaved canine's and then the whole Kennedy thing. Sheesh.

Sometimes I really can't stand being friendly. Somedays I'd really like to be Sophia from The Golden Girls. Then I would've just said something like. "Hey Lady...you're obnoxious dog is crawling all over my kid. You don't see me letting my kid crawl and slober all over you?! Oh, and how the hell am I supposed to know anything about Addison's disease just because John Kennedy had it!"

It's a Boy!!

Our family has missed our best friend since March of 2003. He was an American Black Lab, named Fletch. Yes..after the movie :) We had him for almost 10 years until he got cancer and left us for doggie heaven. Everytime we thought about getting a new puppy...I had a baby. Well, now Kelly is 3 1/2 and we thought maybe it's time for a new puppy. Well...

Meet Callahan

The newest member of our family.

Good thing puppies aren't any work. Good thing school isn't starting in just a few days and summer assignments aren't finished. Good thing puppies come all housebroken. Good thing this little fluffy ball of furious fur is so damn cute!! Good thing I already have "keep your sanity" medication. This could've put me over the edge.

Who Me?!

My new BFF (bloggy friend forever) MiMi from Living in France has bestowed this adorable award on me, because she thinks I'm adorable.

I'm overcome with gratitude. Thank you! It's not enough. Not nearly enough for me to say, but, it's all I can muster. I'm just so verklempt. I know, that shouldn't get in the way of my thankfulness, but it has. I just love the bloggy world. Especially MiMi. She is just soooo funny. She thinks exactly like I do. If you aren't already a fan, please check her out. I promise you will not be dissapointed.

I am sending this to these fab 5:

The Sky Is Pink

3 Peas In A Pod

Fat To Fit Mommy

Sugarplum Creations

This Is The Year

I also have her button on the side, so you can click that as well :)