Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

a little rant...


I can’t explain why they make me so angry, but every time I come across an ad or article regarding the Snuggie my blood starts to boil. This was sent to yesterday afternoon - Snuggie Fashion Show

Unless you lived under a rock last year, you must have seen the commercials for the Snuggie. Apparently using a regular blanket to keep you warm is passé or difficult. You need to have sleeves on your blanket so you can stay warm while changing the channel on the TV, answering the phone or my favorite holding your dog. (Yea right, Lucy would not sit still for that)

The Snuggie was always a joke in my group of friends and I even had a bathrobe that my husband called my snuggie. Never once did I ever say, “Ghee, I’d really like a Snuggie”… Well that did not stop my husband. For our second anniversary, he got me not one but two Snuggies. SERIOUSLY. (He has now topped our friend Chris as the worst gift giver, sorry Hun!) First of all when I opened the package they smelled like raw potatoes (WHAT?!?), second thing, the material is not soft or comforting; I’ve had airplane blankets made out of nicer material. Lastly, the thing is humongous; the sleeves are double the length of my arms seeming to defeat their purpose.

For now the Snuggies have been banished to a box in the basement, probably only making an appearance at Christmas at a Yankee Swap.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The things my friends can get me to do…


My bestie Kiley asked if I would partner up with her to host a table at a craft fair taking place to benefit her Mom’s Relay For Life team, Friends for Friends. Since I want to support a good cause, I said yes but I must admit I’m a little nervous. Kiley is wicked creative and much better at sewing than me. Hopefully she’ll have some patience with me.

We have slew of ideas of what wares we will be selling; aprons, key chains, and luggage tags to name a few. I’ll post a couple of items as they get finished and if you like what you see we hope that you’ll come and visit the craft fair to buy something to benefit a good cause.


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Happy Halloween

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween Everybody!



Sweet Pic of the Week

Introducing Janelle Olivia, born 9/09/09. This picture doesn't need explanation - it's just pure love!
Congrats Kelly & Jack! You are going to be great parents and I can't wait to watch Janelle grow up. Love You!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Do good girls always finish last?...

I came across an interesting article in Newsweek last week that really struck a cord with me. In the article, You are your own glass Ceiling, Jessica Bennett discusses the how many women today are concerned with making sure they fit the mold of the good girl, worried that they’d be marked with the scarlet B for B**** if they are too confident or assertive.

What are your thoughts?

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Sweet Pic of the Week


This is my dog niece Sienna. Isn't she cute? Me and Sienna use to have a love/hate relationship. She loved to jump up on me and I hated when she did. She's calm down a bit and now we seem to have a pretty good thing going; if she manages to stay still long enough, I'll scratch her in her favorite spot right underneath her chin and then all is good in the world

Homemade Granola Bars


One good thing about the rainy weather this past Saturday is that I was able to catch up on some DVR'd episodes of Barefoot Contessa. These granola bars looked easy enough and the prefect thing to make for my breakfast for the following work week,

They were really easy and most of the ingredients I had in my pantry....

Make sure you keep an eye on these, start checking around 15 minutes. I managed to overcook them slightly at the recommended time of 25 minutes. They were still yummy but not as chewy as Ina's looked.

Ina choose to added a mixture of dried fruits to her granola bars but I'm guessing you could mix in what ever your favorites are.

Homemade Granola Bars by Barefoot Contessa
2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup honey
1/4 light brown sugar, lightly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 spoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates ( i left these out. I don't even know what a date is)
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350, butter and 8x12 baking dish and line with parchment paper (very important)
Combine oatmeal, almonds and coconut on sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to mixing bowl and mix in the whet germ
Reduce oven to 300
Combine butter, honey, brown sugar and vanilla in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 1 minute then pour over oatmeal mixture. Then toss in dried fruits.

Place mixtures in to the prepared pan and press the mixture evenly in the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes till golden brown.

Let it cool for 2-3 hours before cutting.