Friday, March 27, 2009

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. that my cold finally went away
2. that I heard from a friend I was worried about
3. for Frank & JoAnne giving us their wok that. They didn't use it so asked if wanted it. I said: YES! And I have used it twice this week and plan to use it again tomorrow night.
4. for the wonderful gift that my friend Jessica gave me. It just made me smile and was so much fun! (pictures below)
5. for having several good movie nights with Michael this week
6. for getting my list together for spring cleaning - starting spring cleaning next week. Which probably isn't somethign to clook forward to but I am looking forward to cleaning the house out.

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

I got a present from a friend that was so much fun....it was a big ball of yarn that had a little tag on it that said: "unwind me...all the way" and then as I unrolled it little gifts appeared wrapped in it - buttons, beads, charms, stickers & other little emblishments. In the very center there was a teeny tiny handmade book.








The purple/blue one is mine that Jessica made! It was really the coolest gift. I want to do it for someone sometime.

**photos are Jessica's she said I could use them since I was just so excited to unroll it that I forgot to take pictures!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Proof that you can bathe a cat

As many people know, we have to bathe our boy cat Caesar every once in awhile to keep his allergens in check. He gets bad allergy attacks where he constantly works on a single area until he reaches his skin ... think what hives are to a human and you get the equivalent for a cat -- except that his condition makes him even try to dig or claw at his skin. The result of his condition is pretty miserable for the poor guy, but we have a medication that works for him and the bathing does help break the cycle a bit.

Darby and I have gotten the system down pretty good though:

1.) I cue Darby that the boy needs to bathe and I'll usually keep a close eye on him where I know where he's at.
2.) She'll clean out the bathroom sink and fill two large pitchers full of water and get towels -- a LOT of towels....
3.) She'll cue me and I'll scoop the boy up ... well ... he knows immediately what that means -- and he instantly becomes an unhappy camper.
4.) We start by putting him in the sink and dousing him with one of the pitchers of water to get his coat very soaked... yes - he complains during this time very LOUDLY I might add.
5.) Next comes the soap. We use a Neutrogena hypo-allergenic hand soap which works pretty well. We lather the affected spot as well as his remaining coat and give it a good once through.
6.) Next comes the rinse and by this time he is a VERY unhappy camper and wants OUT of the bathroom. We struggle and try to get all of the soap off of him.
7.) Finally after I'm done rinsing him -- I pick him up and bounce him up and down to get the bulk of the water off of him. Darby is preparing the towel for the wrap ....

and viola'!



Instant kitty burrito.

In all - I know we help him out - even if he really doubts that part of it. Ultimately though - as what happened today a few hours later - he comes for loves and I think deep down he understands. He's very unhappy about it - but he gets it.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful...
1. for the beautiful weather this week
2. for spring coming!
3. for jelly beans
4. for lists
5. for a wonderful day with my love

I recognize that I have much more to be thankful for in my life.

Insomnia....Surfing Etsy

I am having some insomnia and my insomnia brings me to Etsy.com to surf - which is probably a dangerous place to surf in the first place. Lately my obsession has been pottery on Etsy. Tonight I stumbled on to the perfect little gift - ESPECIALLY for those that need....SPOONS. (my 100 things about me - spoons)



The spoons are made by Scrumdidlyump.

Aren't they just the coolest?




Just a few of the others I surfed tonight...
Magpie Pottery - really love those plates. The style of collage on them seems very me.







Tina Rice - I love this necklace - really all of her necklaces but I am not sure I could wear it because of my skin allergies. But they are so fun that I keep coming back to them.






Cyrus Potter - I love the colors of most of his pottery. They just are colors that appeal to me. The lines and colors of the vases are my favorite though.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Blog Hopping




Newspaper Bunting @ Maya Made - a great way to repurpose newspaper - fun and easy!

Daffodil Napkin Rings @ Good Housekeeping Crafts - fun, easy and cheery for Spring and Easter!

Make Coasters from Paper Napkins and Tiles @ Curbly - I thought of my Mom with this one only because she likes pretty decorative paper napkins. And it is something I am sure I got from her too because my friends could testify that most packages they get from me has paper napkins in it.

And then one non-craft - more decorating that I just think is cute...

Bundt Pans on the Wall @ 2Modern - I have seen pans like that at thrift store. Even make them bright and new again by using magic erasers on them and maybe doing a coat of paint on them since they are just being decoration

Monday, March 16, 2009

Making Bulk Breakfast Burritos

I came across a link to an article about making "cheap" bulk breakfast burritos for quick morning breakfast. But their cheap, although might be cheap by some standards, weren't by mine. The burritos on that site came to .72 cents a piece. I made 20 burritos that ended up being .37 cents a piece. So Friday after dinner I realized I had all the ingredients and why not make some up.


$2.00 - 20 tortillas - I get tortillas from Sam's Club in a 36 pack (2 packs of 18)
$1.20 - 10 eggs (was going to use a dozen but only had 10 left in that carton)
$1.66 - 2 cups cheese - That is approximate that was in the bag. But I didn't use it all but just using the price for the bag. The cheese is again a Sam's Club purchase where I divide up a 5 lb package into smaller packages and freeze
$1.16 pinto beans - 2 cans - these were what I had on hand but of course doing dried beans in the crockpot would be easy and also much cheaper
.78 Rotel- 1 can - Sam's Club 8 cans in a pack
.62 green chilies - 1 can - these aren't in the package because I just needed a spoonful the other day for something so these weren't a full can but I would normally use a full can

Total = $7.42

So 20 burritos would be .37 cents a piece.


I cracked all the eggs into a bowl and mixed well. I then added the can of Rotel and green chilies. I poured into a pan coated with cooking spray. And cooked over medium heat.


Just before the eggs were fully cooked, I added the beans.



Place a good sized spoonful of egg mixture on a tortilla and top with some cheese.



Fold over the sides of the burrito so that they mostly cover the egg mixture


Fold over one end. And the roll up the rest of the way.


Fold complete after rolling it up the rest of the way.


On a tray to flash freeze* before putting into ziplocks.

To Microwave: I took straight from the freezer and microwaved for 1 minute. I am sure it will vary from microwave to microwave so that might be up to 2 minutes. In the other link it suggested defrosting in the microwave and then cooking. But the ones I made tasted good without defrosting and just microwaving for 1 minute on a plate.

Of course like stated at the link at the beginning there are many variations you could do to these. Add more veggies, different beans such as black beans or add some meat such as ground turkey or pork sausage.

* To Flash Freeze
Place food on a jelly roll pan in a single layer. Freeze until solid sometimes up to 8 hours. Just don't forget about it or it can cause freezer burn. After frozen, place in a zip-lock style bag and remember to remove all air. Label the bag usually with contents, directions and date depending on what it is that I am freezing. And then freeze bag for easy serving.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Weekend Update

Yesterday was really good.

It started off with me dying my hair but it didn't turn out. I used manic panic before - no bleaching of my hair and it came out just how I wanted it too. Anyway think blogger/twitter profile or I have one here too. So that is what I wanted to do with the purple well I should have went with this other brand the girl at Sally's told me about (can't remember the name at the moment but if I saw the box I would know it.) Or with manic panic again but I didn't and it was like I put purple water on my hair instead of dye. I mean it felt and looked like hair dye. It was REALLY bright purple but when it came time to wash it out - it didn't even look like I dyed my hair. It is like it didn't soak in. So next time I am going to use another brand a friend recommended and I am sure it will work out.

The good part of the day now...We decided to take the afternoon off and go for a drive. We went over the Colorado National Monument. We stopped for pictures along the way and just had a nice afternoon. And I can tell I was climbing on rocks as my knee hurts last night. But I know it was good for it. It was just a beautiful day out. Very spring like even up on the monument. It was a little chillier but still okay with short sleeves.

After we got home, I ended up being busy in the kitchen cooking. I made croutons, browned some ground turkey with taco seasoning and froze to take out for a quick fix meal and then I made breakfast burritos. I took pictures throughout the process and will upload them and the recipe soon.

I was so exhausted by the nights end that I just read for a little bit before bed. I am on the last Sookie Stackhouse book.

Today I woke up coughing. I have been a week behind Michael in his cold and it looks like what he had last weekend I now showing some symptoms. I slept so much. And I still feel worn out.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Friday Gratitude

1. For a beautiful day.
2. For being able to get out and take a drive on this beautiful day. We drove over the Colorado National Monument.
3. For getting my hair cut short - 8 inches off. And for being able to donate the hair to Locks of Love.
4. For time tonight to make up some bulk breakfast burritos.
5. For the library - I am on my last Sookie Stackhouse book. I am so thankful I can just order books online and pick them up.

Picture of my shorter hair...

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Wedding Congratulations...



Wishing my oldest friend Kerrie congratulations on her wedding...and I hope you and Jennifer have a beautiful wedding day and an even more beautiful life together! Sending you love!

Friday, March 06, 2009

Friday Gratitude with Pictures of Keystone

I am thankful...
1. for the beautiful condo we had at Keystone
2. for the beautiful state we live in - Colorado just takes my breath away almost daily
3. for being home where Michael can rest as his cold ended up getting worse while we were out of town
4. for New Earth giving me lots of food for thought
5. we were able to see Michael's parents while in Keystone. And for the gifts they gave us - wok, olive oils and chocolate - Thank you!

Some pictures of our condo in Keystone. We stayed at the River Run Condos.


One view from the deck of our condo


Another view from the deck of our condo - a night view of ski slope


Bedroom


View from kitchen and near door looking into living room


Fireplace in living room

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Leaving Soon....for Keystone...

We are leaving this morning for Keystone. Keystone is a beautiful mountain ski restort. We have work there so will be there until Friday. We both are getting over colds so although we are looking forward to getting away (even work-related) - I know it will probably set us back in our colds as we be so busy.

When we get back, I have several projects to work on. But hopefully I will get back into blogging more consistantly.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

New Earth Quotes

Reading New Earth so saving a few quotes....

"You do not become good by trying to be good but by finding the goodness that is already within you."

"To recognize one's own insanity is, of course, the arising of sanity, the beginning of healing and transcendence."

"...realize that how 'spiritual' you are has nothing to do with what you believe but everything to do with your state of consciousness."

"I didn't realize yet that thinking without awareness is the main dilemma of human existence"