No home is complete without the pitter patter

of Doggie feet! :-)
Here's a few updated pic's of "My Girl"......

"Miss Shelby" is always willing to share the love.......My sister in law loves my Girl and the feeling is mutual.

Last but not least...here's a close up of the shirt she's wearing......LOL

With her help maybe I CAN catch a man. ;-)

I am spoiled I guess....

 He said I could P-A-I-N-T.....OMG be still my heart!

Yep, My Papa (Mr. Whitewalls) gave me the O.K. to paint the entire downstairs where I live. That means, my Bedroom, the Bathroom AND my Family/Dining room. The family room I know for sure I am doing in a color at Home Depot called "A Couples Cocoa".....the rest I'm tinkering with in my brain.

I could just ShReAk! with excitement.

Now I have to call my Big brother Dan.
He's NEVER gonna believe it.

Ta Ta for now...... 

On a Monday morning THIS made me *Smile*

It's the little things......That make my heart *sing*

Ugh! I finally got started decorating for FALL, my absolute favorite time of year! :-)

I feel so far behind as I'm usually done by Aug 15th or so each year. It may seem early to you,

but my Gal Pals over at Girls Like Us say it's totally O.K. after Aug 15th. Muah!
So if they say it's O.K. , it's gotta be and I am all over it!

Here's a sneek peek of what I've done so far. Remember, I live in the basement so the lighting isn't the best,

but here's what I could get a fairly good shot of!

And here's Miss Shelby thinking she's a big helper! NOT!

Not a good pic but still cute of her. She will be TWO in 3weeks.

One of the pic's on here was this past Valentines Day. Her looks have changed and she's grown into a "Big Girl". And will always be Mama's Girl. :-)

Well I better scoot for now.....so much left to do.

Tonight is Trader Joe's and dinner with some very special friends.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend so far!

I will leave you with this quote to ponder over......

~A true friend is one that makes you laugh so hard

You PEE a little!~

Ta ta for now.....

We interrupt this program.....

To bring you a picture of what brings me *Happiness* in my new home.

This is the view I have on my patio looking out. See how green the grass is? Beautiful and totally unusual for the tail end of a Minnesota Summer. We can thank the Rain Man that has visited this year. :-) My Dad has only run the underground sprinkler once this year. Unheard of......I am going to miss being able to escape out here to relax at night. But oh! What I have to look forward to next spring! For now I am going to savor AUTUMN  and all it's glory.

Keepin it real......

Geez I've taken almost the whole week off of blogging!?! Sorry about that. Been kinda busy I guess.

I had to share this Cartoon with you all. Seriously, Maxine cracks me up! So true....so true (IMHO)

One thing I like about her is she tells it like it is! No beating around the bush....no candy coating. Honest and upfront plain and simple!

Ooops.....I think I hear my "All Men are Dogs" voice on my shoulder. LOL

So Tuesday night I attended a "Divorce Care" meeting at a local church. It wasn't just any Church, it was the church of my Father's GIRLFRIEND. Originally I was kicking and screaming I didn't want to go...but I gave in to the Father pressure! Geez haven't I had enough therapy?! Oh well.... I went, I sat, I listened, and I participated in group discussion after watching a video. I am *Proud* of me!

It really was more comfortable than I thought it would be. But Whoa! I met people whose stories were so similar to mine. Out of 13 people- 4 Men. Anyhoo..back to where I was going with this! One Gal sticks out in particular....Rochelle is her name and she is 68 years old and has been married for 49 frickin years to her Elementary School Sweetheart. Yep.....almost her entire life she has been with this man and what does he do? Somehow he took all their money (Don't have the whole story yet), and ran off with a younger woman!!
Good God...what is happening to this world?!?

I always had the dream that I would have a long and happy marriage. I wanted a love like my grandparents had. A love that lasted over 60 years. That dream was *Shattered* for me and to be honest I'm still bitter, angry, and deeply hurt. My heart was broken and I can say first hand it ISN'T easy to get over something like that. You're life as you knew it is gone in a flash and total devastation sets in. Oh....that's an ugly word
isn't it? Well it's been a long road but I've passed that part of the grieving. But crap other emotions have taken it's place.

**TO BE CONTINUED**

But I'll leave you with this to ponder.........

~Life was so much better, when Boys had Cooties !!~

Love it! LMAO

Ta Ta for now......

Are you a Bird lover?

Last night I went to my big brother Dan's house for a little birthday celebration! :-)
It was an extremely nice evening, especially since my other brother Ron was in town from Pennsylvania and my nephew Steve was in from St. Cloud, Mn!! There's something about a close family....I am blessed that's for sure!

My brother Dan surprised me with this.....

It is truly the most beautiful coffee cup I have ever seen! It's kinda 3-d as some of the items on the mug are raised. This pic does no justice really. Yep, my bro knows I love Coffee and Cardinals remind me of my dear Mother who passed away Jan 24th, 2002. He sure knows how to pick em.

Ever since my Mom passed away I have learned to appreciate even more the beauty of the Cardinal.
As I walk through my Father's upstairs everywhere I look I can't help but think of Mom. The decorative plates, the pictures, the figurines of porcelain Cardinals charm every nook. Just as she left them. Untouched.
I have found myself many times stopping in my tracks to look at a Cardinal item in a store though I rarely buy. It may sound weird, but I feel comforted when I gaze at them. I almost feel the warmth of her.......

I feel so blessed to have had her in my life even though it was not long enough by far. You see my Mom was taken suddenly at age 69....she got up from the dinner table and walked into the kitchen and dropped dead. Yep......shocker! I'll never forget that horrifying phone call. My Dad chose not to do an autopsy, but the Coroner said she most likely either had a massive heart attack or an aneurysm that burst. She concluded that she felt my Mom was dead before she hit the ground. So sad......no time to say goodbye or tell her once again I love her. But one thing I am thankful for is that she didn't have to linger and suffer with an illness. Even though sudden death was hard to take, I know in my heart I could not have survived THAT very well.

I miss her every single day...I wish I could have her back for even 5 minutes to feel her touch, to hear her voice and to kiss those soft lips one more time. *Sigh*

Man, I sure didn't intend for this post to be such a downer but it just started coming. For those of you that still have your Mother in your life.....CHERISH the moments as someday all you'll have left is the memories.
But memories can warm your heart on the coldest of days, and it's something NOBODY can ever take away from you.

Ta Ta for now......

Breakfast anyone?

Overnight Blueberry French Toast with Blueberry Syrup

French Toast:

•12 slices bread, cut into cubes (french or Texas toast work well)

•1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut in cubes

•1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

•12 large eggs

•1/3 cup maple syrup

•2 cups milk (I use 1 cup milk and 1 cup cream)

Syrup:

•1 cup sugar

•1 cup water

•2 Tablespoons cornstarch

•1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

•1 Tablespoon butter

1.Arrange 1/2 of the bread cubes in a greased 9 x 13 pan.

2.Sprinkle cream cheese cubes and blueberries evenly over the bread cubes.

3.Top with remaining bread cubes.

4.Mix together eggs, milk, and syrup.

5.Pour over bread cubes and cover pan with foil. Let chill in refrigerator overnight.

6.Bake covered with foil at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or until fluffy and golden. Top with sauce. Serves 8.

Sauce: Cook water, sugar, and cornstarch until thickened. Stir in blueberries and simmer for 10 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted. Serve over the french toast.


This is the "BOMB" :-) I hope you give it a try!

Photo and recipe from real mom kitchen

Today my Dad entered the 20th Century.....

Can you say High Speed Internet? Yes! It's here....It's here.... and I am so dang happy I could flippin do cartwheels! LOL

He'll never admit to me that he likes it, but I find it most interesting that he sat here for hours this afternoon exploring at the speed of lightning...how could he NOT like it?!  :-)

I've been here since May and DIAL UP was driving me totally INSANE. I'm sure you can imagine my frustration. At times I felt like I was beating my head against a wall, over and over again.
Why is it so hard for an almost 80 yr old to change?? Ha Ha

I am off for my Birthday Supper with my PaPa and his "Woman." Have a super Friday Night!

Ta Ta for now.....

In 1961 I entered this world......

Yep.....Today's my 49th Birthday. No big thang. This card was waiting for me this morning when I toddled up to the Coffee this morning with my eyes half shut!. It's from My sweet Father. Awwww....made me *Smile*


And then when I got to work, these were waiting for me.....

Again. Awwwww.....I am loved. :-) These were from my co-worker Mark. One of the nicer Union Guys......I know what you're probably thinking and stop it now! He's Married.

My Boss Tim surprised me with Pickle Dip and Garlic Triscuits.Yummmmmmm one of my favs!

And it also keeps Vampires away......LOL

Not sure what else is in store for today. So far it's been full of the unexpected. I kinda like that.

I think back to 1961. A much simpler time. Most Mom's were stay at home....

No X-Box, No Cell Phones, No Computers at home, No Dvr's, No Cable or Dish,

No texting, No Bread Making Machines, No "Boy's Toys" IE: Boats, Snowmobiles.

People lived with what they could afford. They SAVED up for it instead of buying it on credit.

If they couldn't pay cash then forget it.

As for us Kids, there was NO playing computer games, no X-Box or Nintendo on the T.V. We used our Imagination to have fun. We played OUTSIDE. We explored. If we were bored it was our own fault. So much to do.....swing, chase Ants, collect Rocks, jump rope, hopscotch, Bike Ride, catch a toad or just lay on the lawn facing the sky and dream. I just shake my head sometimes how most children of today have no idea how to entertain themselves. I grew up without all the hub bub and I turned out O.K. (IMHO)

My Mom used to have one day a week set aside for her baking day. She would spit out Pies and Cookies

like nobody's business. Nowaday's I'm finding alot of women that just don't care about Cooking OR Baking. What?!?! I can't imagine that. If I eat Fast Food for more than a couple days I crave GOOD FOOD.

Home made....not out of a box. I am becoming a rare breed.

"Everything I am or hope to be I owe to my Mother"

Mom taught me everything in the kitchen. I grew up to be a wonderful cook and baker and I enjoy it.

Surely not a chore. I know my way around a kitchen and I am proud to say it.

I better scoot for now.........Ta Ta

Whoa! Did I wake up in Kansas?

Wow! I certainly know how Dorothy felt. For those of you that don't know, I wake up each day at the "BUTT UGLY" time of 3:20. Ummm...yeah I said 3:20 as in A.M. (Bet you wish you were me don't cha?)

Anyways, this morning I could have easily believed Hurricane Earl was in my backyard! And with a vengence! Actually though, the high today is only supposed to be 62. Brrrrrr huh? These winds are bringing in the Fall Crisp air I so love and wait for every year. Ahhhh.....Fall is here and I can smell it! Jackets, Mulled Cider Candles, Chex Mix, Abdalluh Caramel Apples, Craft Fairs, Pumpkins, Bon Fires, Snuggling up with a blankie and my Shelbs in front of the fireplace, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, DECORATING! EeeK! I am so excited. Today I was able to drag out a pair of knee high black boots and my new Fall Jacket!!

Isn't it cute?!? The pic doesn't do it justice. Just believe me when I say it's adorable paired with black pants and my boots ;)

The "Boys" at work are back to calling me Nancy Sinatra.LOL I guess she was a fashion boot kind of gal too.I dunno....whatever makes them happy.

I better scoot for now. Here's another quote to ponder over.

~~ A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.
 Wizard of OZ 1939~~

Ta Ta for now........

I just worked a 14 1/2 Hour Day at the ole "Pop Shop"

I'm off to hopefully relax and take in the movie "Hard Candy." That is if I can keep my Peepers open. LOL
I've been up since 2 am. Yikes!

Almond Soapapilla Cheesecake Bars

These bars are FANTABULOUS (Is that a word?!)

I know you can't possibly eat just one :-)

Almond Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

2 – 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened

2 packages crescent rolls

1 ½ cups sugar, divided

2 tsp almond extract

1 stick butter, melted

2 tsp cinnamon



1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray and then line the bottom of the pan with one pkg of crescent rolls.

3. Pre-bake the bottom layer of crescent rolls for approximately 10 minutes.

4. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bottom layer of crescents cool while you are making the cream cheese mixture.

5. Mix 2 – 8 oz packages of cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar and 2 tsp of almond extract.

6. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the pre-baked (somewhat cooled) crescent rolls.

7. Cover the cream cheese mixture with the other package of crescent rolls.

8. Melt the butter and pour it over the top layer of crescent rolls.

9. Mix the remaining ½ cup of sugar with the 2 tsp of cinnamon and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly on top of the butter-covered crescent rolls.

10. Bake @ 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes or until the cinnamon sugar/butter mixture becomes bubbly.

11. Remove sopapilla bars from the oven and let cool.

12. When cool enough to handle, cover and put in the refrigerator so the filling can firm up.

13. Store bars in the refrigerator, but the bars taste best at room temperature.

14. Cut into squares to serve.

I'm entering the Blogging World......

Believe me when I say I NEVER thought I would be sitting in front of my computer.... sharing my innermost secret feelings, desires, fun times, recipes, and my Life in general with a blank page and cyber space. But here I am.....and I pray you're ready for me. LOL

My hopes for this blog are to make you laugh, tickle your tastebuds with recipes, keep you up to date on my life, hopefully teach you things about me you never knew....or thought was possible and so much more.

Thank you for following along with me.......

First off let me share with you a pic of My Shelby Girl. Soon to be two in October, and my saving grace.

She's the cutest thing isn't she? Of course I'm bias :-) I bought Shelby as a Morkie, which is supposed to be Maltese bread with Yorkie. Well Ummmmmm my Vet says he doesn't believe she has one stinkin bit of Yorkie blood lines in her! But you know what?! It's O.K. cuz it really doesn't matter and I certainly wasn't going to bring her back! LOL Shelby and me are thick as thieves for as long as we are together. She has licked my tears, listened to me mutter, kept me company over and over , been my faithful snuggle partner and made me laugh even when I didn't think I'd ever laugh again. She's the best $400 I ever spent. But I should mention she is a "Spoiled Rotten" little Girl and to be frank.....I wouldn't have it any other way! :-)

I've gotta scoot for now.....I will leave you with a Quote to ponder over

"Life may not be the party you had hoped for.....But while we are here we might as well dance"

Ta Ta -
Lynne