Boston Warehouse Brushing Beauties ....

Aren't these cute? Well, even kinda hot?

I found them at Tuesday Morning and at HomeGoods and had six of them in my arms to buy for each aunt and grandma. With one of these, we would feel very sassy washing the dishes! I have buyers remorse though - and it sets in before I leave the store, so I just bought one ... for me. Now I am regretting that I didn't buy the cute blonde one. I picked the edgy, black-haired girl with red lipstick and wonder to myself if this means something. Perhaps there is a black-haired vixen underneath this salon-blonde that is trying to get out? I am kinda sad I didn't get lots of them now and buy some hot pink leopard trim rubber gloves - because surely that is what those Real Housewives of Orange County wear while cleaning.

Another flavor of creamer...?

Yes, I bought another (ANOTHER!) flavor of creamer! Admittedly, I have been buying (a few) different creamers lately in a failed attempt to cut down on sugar. I have this teeny, weeny, little addiction to hot tea. Hot tea is fabulous for anti-oxidants and all sorts of other wonderful attributes, but the 2 tsp of sugar per cup that concerns me.

Back to the issue at hand - creamer, and International Delight Buttercream to be more specific. It is decadent! I am not sure that it reminds me of icing - but it is perfectly sweet and light - and it makes me happy, I think.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 tbsp
Calories: 40
Total Fat: 1.5g
Protein: 0g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Carbs: 7g

By the way, should you ever need a recommendation on which hot tea to drink, let me offer my assistance. First, do not drink "dishwater" - i.e., Tazo, Twinings, Lipton, etc. Emperor's Bride from the Tea Room is my preferred weapon of choice. However, you must go here to get it.

(What penance!) Emperor's Bride, a tin of it, will set you back about $20 or so. A smaaaaaaaall price to pay for such heaven! While you are here - stay for lunch, order the Lapsang Souchong Chicken Salad Sandwich!

(Do not be confused. Some say Savannah has two tea rooms - I beg to differ. This place below is The Gryphon, which is a cute lunch spot, but I wouldn't call it a tea room.)


The Republic of Tea Mango Ceylon a distant (DISTANT) second.

You can buy it at World Market and sometimes Publix. It costs about $13 for 50 tea bags, which if you know anything about hot tea, most bags can be brewed twice if you do it quickly and your water is extremely hot. I can teach you how to do that too.

My apron collection...

Coming soon... I am creating a page to show off all of my aprons! Some are from my Great Grandma and some are ones I've collected along the way - and additions from friends. Stop back in later this week to see them all (hopefully Jim will be willing to photograph me in them!)

One Inch Tall

If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school.
The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.
A crumb of cake would be a feast
And last you seven days at least,
A flea would be a frightening beast
If you were one inch tall.

If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door,
And it would take about a month to get down to the store.
A bit of fluff would be your bed,
You'd swing upon a spider's thread,
And wear a thimble on your head
If you were one inch tall.

You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum.
You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb.
You'd run from people's feet in fright,
To move a pen would take all night,
(This poem took fourteen years to write--
'Cause I'm just one inch tall).
~Shel Silverstein

Go Bakerella!

This is Ella - from Bakerella.com...


I have been following Bakerella for awhile - so I am pretty psyched that her cookbook is finally out! You can get it at Amazon for $11.66!

Got kids that have their own little schedules...?

Then like me, you might need this... A Busy Body Book! I can't remember where I found this website (www.busybodybook.com), but I am so glad I stopped in to check it out! Here is what I bought...

One to take along with me...


This is what the outside looks like...there are a few choices if you aren't into pink...



And another to keep on the fridge... you can't tell from this pic, but this is the same calendar style as a typical 1-year calendar that you'd buy at Walmart or a card shop. The top portion of the calendar (where the cutesie image would be) features the next week out, and at the bottom where the days of the month would be - this is the current week. This is superb for planning a week out.

Hangin' Tough...

We used to be soccer people. This year, we are football people. This is a transition.



There aren't any "football moms" - mamas yelling and snapping pictures like in soccer. If you have a camera - you hide it, because you will be the only one. Incognito is the idea. If your kid falls down, and he will - he is likely to be yanked up from the dirt by the face mask on his helmet. It is hard watching your kid start at the bottom of a sport after spending the last few years watching him soar at another.

We don't quit though - and so hang tough, we shall...

"Shopping Date" to Jacksonville's St. Johns Town Center

This is THE shopping mecca. Among many, many other stores, there is Anthropologie - and I could stop there, but they also have Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, White House Black Market, Forever 21 (which has killer jewelry!) Lucky Brand Jeans, True Religion, Cole Haan, J Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gymboree, Ann Taylor, Louis Vitton - the list goes on and on.

J Alexanders - and The RattleSnake Pasta!
We chose J. Alexanders because it came so highly recommended from the young, hip people that worked at some of the stores. As you sit down, the waitress tells you about the guacamole that isn't on the menu and she brings some. It comes in a huge and glorious mountain sprinkle with tomatoes, with super salty tortilla chips. It is divine. Jim orders a RedHook beer - which is really good...



and The RattleSnake Pasta. I order the Pork Tenderloin with Bang Bang Sauce and the Not Your Usual Mac n' Cheese (which wasn't so great actually) and a huge Diet Coke with lime because I felt like a camel!

Williams-Sonoma
Here I am outside Williams-Sonoma.

I have decided that the sales staff at St. Johns Town Center must get commission. We got followed and watched like 2 jailbirds wearing stripes! I could sort of understand at Cole Haan, but at Williams-Sonoma? Come on! And the newest tactic is not to offer you a bag or basket for your soon-to-purchase items, but instead to take them to the register for you ... this eliminates the possibility of early buyer's remorse in case you decide to put something down before you make it to the register.

Anthropologie
Sadly, I didn't have a pic of Anthropologie, I was just too mesmerized to even remember my name, much less take pictures of the heavenly store. Know this - once you get the opportunity to shop at a store you've been obsessed with via the internet - suddenly the realization sets in, that no matter what you buy from that store, your house just isn't going to look like the store itself and so you sort of give up in a way and shockingly only buy what you need (oh I hate that word!) I left with a new crock for mixing spoons, a new sugar dish, a set of beautiful antiquish pearl bobby pins and a ruffled rose blouse.

GAP
Score of the day - after trying on $98 jeans all day, I quickly and easily slipped into some "Sexy Boot" Gap jeans and they fit like favorites, so I bought 3 pair for only $35 each!

The Cheesecake Factory
Dessert came in the form of Hot Fudge Cheesecake (me) and Godiva Cheesecake (Jim.) Need I say more? OMG!

Pottery Barn
We sat on every single sofa - because one day we hope to buy a sectional, and I dream (irrationally) that it will come from Pottery Barn. I thought I was in love with the down-wrapped cushions, until we flopped and sunk into them and realized that they offered absolutely no support for us middle-aged parents. We continued on - Goldi-Locks style, trying out every sofa in the store. Somehow we left, unscathed and empty-handed. I bet Jim was smiling to himself! LOL!

Here is a cutesie decorated end table.


Pottery Barn Kids - Trouble. Period.

For some reason, ALL reason goes out the window (Jim's window) in this store. Something overtakes "the nerd" (Dave Ramsey's definition of the more financially sane person in the house) and "the free spirit" (the dreamer and spender - me)becomes the responsible one. I am not sure how it happens, but it does, in furnitures stores nationwide, and in Pottery Barn Kids.

This was a surprise!

And it's fuschia! Now I can blog anywhere anytime - I am very dangerous!

Why settle on just one?

I like to have a birthday week, sometimes it turns into birthday month. For your next birthday, try to stretch it out for a few days and see what happens!

This is Owen arranging the cupcakes - because no one should have to settle on just one flavor! Cupcakes make it possible for the indecisive to have a tasty array of options! Mine were key lime with cream cheese icing, caramel iced and buttercream with roses.

Salted Golden Caramel Bars

Salted caramel - it's all the rage in desserts. How could it be that much different than plain caramel? It just is - take my word. These are like grown up Rice Krispy Treats - and the trick is to keep them refrigerated.

Ingredients
Vegetable oil for greasing dishes
8 cups Rice Krispies
3/4 cup corn syrup
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
4 Tbsp Land O' Lakes butter
1 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted

1. Liberally oil a large mixing bowl and a 9x13 baking dish. Place cereal in bowl and set it aside.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, combine corn syrup, condensed milk, sugars, butter and sea salt. Allow mixture to come to a boil, while stirring continuously until light golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes.

3. Remove mixture from heat, stir in vanilla and immediately pour over cereal. Stir to completely mix and then spread evenly in prepared pan.

4. Set aside to let cool, about 45 minutes. Invert to release from pan. Drizzle with melted chocolate and refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator because they taste better.

Cheeseburger Chowder - it's that good!

For my birthday, I thought it would be fun to make Cheeseburger Chowder - and what would be better to go with it than fries?! So that is what I did... and it was a hit!

Ingredients
1 lb. ground chuck
3/4 cup chopped onion
4 Tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced carrots
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley (if you have it - I didn't and it was still great!)
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups peeled & diced potatoes
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
2 cups cubed process American Cheese* (Velveeta) see note
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup sour cream

Garnish
Chopped tomato
Chopped dill pickle

Serve with one or more
Salty fries
Tortilla chips
Saltines

Brown ground chuck, drain and set aside. In same pan, saute onion in 1 Tbsp of butter until tender. Add garlic, carrots, basil and parsley (if using.) Saute for about 3 minutes. Add broth, beef and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are very tender. Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a small skillet. Add flour and cook, stirring for 3 to 5 minutes. Gradually add in evaporated milk, stirring constantly for 6 to 8 minutes. Gradually stir the sauce into the soup. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Continue to stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream - do this just before serving. (If you make the soup ahead, hold off on adding the sour cream until just before serving.) Garnish each serving with chopped tomatoes and chopped dill pickles - or set out in bowls for a make-your-own soup station. Serve with salty fries, tortilla chips or saltine crackers. Yum!

Note: I compared several recipes before deciding on this one. At least one of them called for American Cheese from the deli - not the prepacked stuff. I should have read this recipe before going to the store, because as you can see, it calls for American Process (meaning a box of Velveeta) cheese. I thought this recipe called for the kind from the deli, so I spent a bit more money and 2 tired hands later, had some great soup. The next time I make it, I am going to try it with the box of Velveeta and see how it turns out. Just so you know, the real American from the deli was SUPERB!

Nine West - they wouldn't give me the time of day...

Yesterday, we went to the mall in search of shoes for Owen. The recent Sketcher's purchase wasn't such a good buy. After 3 weeks of school, the straps are already beginning to fray - not a good sign.

Sketchers Super Z Gripperz - not recommended:


These are the new ones we bought from Stride Rite - Nickelodeon LQD Vortex Slimers:


I am still a girl, I think... yet for some reason I am not such a fan of going to the mall anymore. Maybe it is because I have 3 boys with me every time I go (one of which seems to have an eyebrow twitch every time I pick up something over $20.) Maybe it is because I am working part-time and can't have everything I lay my hands on. Something has changed though.

When I worked full time, I had lots of pairs of Nine West shoes. I thought nothing of walking into the store and trying on whatever I wanted and sometimes their new shoes couldn't keep up with what I already owned. I would sigh and walk out empty handed.

Yesterday was different. I walked into the store straight toward cheetah print peep toes and not a single person asked if they could help me.

Nine West Sharina Peep Toes:


Later Jim asked if the salesperson walked past me without trying to help me. Ok, maybe I didn't noticed that, but yeah, I think he was right. We walked away and he held onto my hand to soothe me. What has changed? And can these salespeople see the change on the outside? What is this thing anyway? Does it have a name? Is it simply that I am not cool anymore? Do I look like a person who wouldn't be wearing Nine West shoes? What exactly was it that made it ok to walk past me without a second glance...? I will admit, I was a little bit sad as I walked away hand-in-hand with Jim. It has been 10 years almost (September 23!) and maybe I am going to be ok. Maybe I am not Nine West worthy anymore. As long as I have my 3 boys, I think I AM ok. I think...

Miles Murphy Vanilla Milk with Torani Syrup

Miles isn't such a big fan of milk most of the time. He isn't really in love with chocolate milk either. Today, I thought, why not use the same vanilla flavoring that the coffee shops use to flavor coffee? (We've tried vanilla extract and that soooo doesn't work!) We picked up a bottle at Walmart and they loved it! Only 35 calories and 8g sugar per tablespoon and for them I only needed 1. Win, win - yum yum!

Skyline Chili - ever heard of it?

I am betting that most of you have never heard of Skyline Chili. I bet those same people have never been to Cincinnati. Well, if you are ever there, do yourself a favor and stop by any of the Skyline restaurants and have a 3-way. It will change your life!

Note: You can actually buy cans of Skyline Chili at Kroger. It is actually pretty darn close to what you would eat at a Skyline Diner. Skyline Chili is not the chili your mom makes (unless she is Greek), not the chili your dad makes or any of the ones you've tasted at the FlightSafety Annual Chili Cookoff. It rocks the savory/sweet combination and with cheddar cheese on top - well, it is just a little slice of heaven - from Cincinnati.

Here is the recipe - you will want this. It takes two bites to fall in love. The first bite will confuse you - then go in for that second bite. You're hooked!

Skyline Chili (I should totally be charging for this recipe!)

2 lbs. ground beef
3 cups beef broth
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 bay leaves
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 onion (very finely chopped)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2tsp salt
2 tsp cumin
1 1/2tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp chili powder
1 1/2tsp AllSpice
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp cocoa
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Spaghetti noodles
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese


Serve over spaghetti noodles with LOTS of shredded cheddar cheese on top - this is known as a "3-Way."

Cook ground beef and onion, mincing finely with a spatula as it cooks - the meat should be very fine. When it is almost browned, add in beef stock, tomato sauce and all of the other ingredients. Simmer for 1 hour uncovered, stirring every few minutes. (15 minutes before the chili is ready, boil spaghetti noodles & drain.) Remove the bay leaves.

I mix the noodles in with the chili because I like the noodles to absorb the savory-sweet-cheesiness. Yum!