More Simple Joys

Things that bring me joy...

Making lists! Yes, it does bring me joy,

the crossing off of jobs accomplished...ahhhhhhhh.

Heating Pads! Again, yes it does bring me joy.

You see, I am almost always cold and feeling that

warmth on my back is simply delightful!

Holidays! Oh, but maybe not for all the reasons

you may think!

Of course, family is the main reason, but...

I love to cook and decorate...I kinda get a high

from the planning, just how my table will look

and how expressive I can get with food,

weird, I know, but for me, JOY!

Dreaming! Well, looking forward to smooching

my family again, which will be at the end

of this month!

Celebrating Family! North bound in a few short weeks,

up to family, celebrating the graduation of "T".

How did THAT happen??? Really???

I mean, wasn't he JUST born???? Sigh.

Family = Joy, joy, joy.

Look What I Found In My Back Yard!

And how was your weekend?

Wisconsin

I am heading to Wisconsin in a bit,

to take mia madre to the Dr. for a six month check

and to get a shot for her "working overtime" R.A. that is

causing her great pain in her arm.

Here I am with her (and "L") at Mardi Gras two years ago!

My Mom likes to have fun! She is up for about anything and

loves it all!

It makes me sad that she is in such pain every day, and I pray

for her to have some relief today.

If you feel so led, please pray for our safe travel

and that the Dr. will be able to give her relief.

Have an amazing Friday!!!!



Jalapeno Popper Sandwich

This is a sandwich that the men in my family would LOVE!

Go to Closet Cooking and find the recipe...

Who will be the first to try it???

http://www.closetcooking.com/2011/04/jalapeno-popper-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html

Random Thoughts

Life is crazy! I mean, like really, crazy!

How did things become go, go, go, all the time?

I suppose that I would not like it at all if I were bored either,

so I will take crazy if you please.

My plants are growing...not as many as I would have liked,

but they are growing, so I will not complain.

Did you know that if you put a dried chili pepper into your

flour, beans, grains, etc., that you will not

get weevils!?! Who Knew???

I knew that if you used a dried bay leaf for this

that it worked, but I had no idea that a dried chili pepper

would do the same thing! Cool!

I am loving this weather that we are having! 

70* with no humidity, total sunshine, is simply perfect.

I find that the closer I get to a big holiday, the more

I decide I need to do. Why? I have no earthly idea!

I find all sorts of things that "need" to be done.

Do they? Not really. But it sure will be nice to have

sparkling windows when our guests gaze out at the

beauty of God's creation flowing along in our back yard.

My husband and I are contemplating a short (time wise)
trip sometime next month...to New Orleans.
We have been there many times, as we have loved ones
in that crazy town. It is a fun city to visit, filled with
so much history and great places to eat.
I mean, if you love sea food, it is heavenly.....
If you love fried foods, it is amazing....
If you love music, it is superb....
We are a very musical family, who loves sea food
and (me, not so much) love the treat of fried things
on occasion, so it is a fun place to visit.

Well, I must get back to my "to do" list. It is beyond
calling me. I believe I hear it screaming at me.
Should I add 'wash the curtains' to my list?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Budget, Smudget! Or Budget Time, WooHoo!

Giving you all a link that is actually quite timely.

During this time of the year when we are all getting or paying

income tax, we all need to be keenly aware of

how our income is being spent.

Budget sheets are a great way to "see" where all the money

goes, stays, is given or overflows.

Martha Stewart has a very easy to use sheet, and I am sharing that with you all today!

http://images.wholeliving.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2009Q2/bs_0509_expensesworksheet.pdf?xsc=eml_2012_03_26&om_rid=DlB4ow&om_mid=_BPcFtvB8d-4kCe

Pretty, Pretty Vases

I am back to working on my Easter Table.

This weekend was a wash for me as far as being home,

with the exception of about 1 1/2 hours yesterday.

I took advantage of that short time slot and did paint 3 vases!

 These are two 79 cent & one 1.99 vases from Ikea

 These are the paints, color matched to the eggs that I am using for the table.

I bought the "sample" jars of paint from Menards, which they will tint for you.

 If you do try this, an up front warning: you will have waisted paint!

So be prepared to loose a bit of your paint, but it is not substantial.

 After pouring the paint into the vase or bottle that you are using,

swirl it to cover all areas.

Hold it over the paint can to drain the biggest portion of paint out.

Then, you must allow it to drip for approximately 1/2 hour.

If you wait too much longer, you will have to scrap drying paint

rather than wiping wet paint from the top of the vase.

 I decided that using bamboo skewers as a "drainage system"

would be the most efficient, and it really did work well!

 And voile'! I do very much like them and they will be a great addition to the table,

with a few buds from the bush in my front yard!

 Here they are sitting with a couple of antique vases that my mother is letting me use for the cause....what do you think????