Runaway Time!

Happy TGIFriday!  Sorry I have lots of posts planned and projects in-process but nothing completed yet.  Its prom-festivity weekend and my mom is coming for a visit so I've been busy trying to get my work done and chores done.  And hubby is away until tomorrow night in Boston so its just me here trying to man the homestead LOL.  Time doth' run away from me lately!

Sooooo that has not given me much time to finish ongoing projects and get blog posts done!  But I promise next week to have some goods up here for you all.  End of school year is tough on parents and especially when your kids get into high school like mine.  Its been nothing but chorus rehearsals, AP exam reviews, tests, projects, field trips, prom stuff, etc....I'm tired and I'm not even IN school! Oy!  June 6th is last day of school...that is my mantra...I keep repeating it LOL!  Then in August I will be repeating Sept 4th is first day of school...I cannot wait...LOL!  And I will get to say I have a senior and a sophomore in High School...I don't know that I like saying that so much :(

Anywho here's a few pics of stuffs that has been going on:

Cleaned out my walk-in closet...pics above are what I'm giving away.  I was holding onto so much stuff that was years old, wrong sizes, not in style anymore and for WHY? LOL! So that chore was finally done...not for the faint of heart that's for sure and took me a few hours.

Got my new family room furniture in...after 10 years our other couches had given out!  Still searching for a chair for other corner...my large chair (not in pic) is only a few years old and holding up great.  My chair fits me and 2 dogs and a few cats and is a recliner...its where I blog from each night :)

Broke two of my toes on my right foot tonight...just recovered from a broken toe..the universe seems to NOT be on my side lately.  I've broken them so many times that they are just numb most of the time...but thank goodness for sandal weather.   I had just gotten a pedicure with Alexa today (I'm the aqua toes...love that Essie color) and Alexa got a sparkly nude for prom!

Still working on backyard projects and next up is my mudroom...then we will move downstairs to finish up Riley's bedroom.  And of course many more projects down the line to come....

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Some Nights....

Some nights...its a Friday night...its storming & raining hard outside...the dogs are trying to climb on your head because they're scared of storms...the boys are gone for the evening...its just you & the teen daughter...all your sports teams have won that night...everyone is safe & warm and happy...you whip up some No Bake Cookies...and put on your fave movie....

Yeah some times its a REAL good night....

****************

No Bake Cookie Recipe 

(the one passed down to me from my mom & gram) 

1/2 cup shortening/Crisco

1/2 cup cocoa 

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

3 cups Oatmeal

(1) Mix everything except oatmeal over high heat in pan to a rolling boil

(2) keep stirring and boiling for 2 mins (no less than 2 mins so TIME IT or they will be runny, ick)

(3) Remove pan from heat and mix in oatmeal till well coated

(4) place spoonfuls on wax paper & cool

(5) EAT & ENJOY....yummmmm

A Vintage Affair!

A Vintage Affair!

If you like vintage items or like to alter things....check out my crafty post on

 ScrapBitz today!  I turned an old cigar box into a recipe/decorative box for my kitchen.  So much fun to do and I love the way it turned out!

 So it went from this.......to.........

This!!  An altered recipe box for my kitchen!

Have you altered any items into something ELSE lately???

A Birthday Story!

A Birthday Story! 

So Thursday kicked off my birthday weekend...I like to tell the family I get TWO back-2-back weekends all about ME because Mother's Day is next week too, hee hee.  Works for me!!

 And I RARELY take off of work...I work from home so its just hard you know...but I took off Thursday and Friday....I really did (I did work out though...shhhh)!  Saturday I did clean the house and do some laundry and ran errands with the hubby.  Today we are out in the yard doing some gardening and then grilling out for dinner.....its been a great weekend!!  I am blessed with wonderful friends and a fabulous family in my life...I'm a very lucky girl!

 

We went to DC on Thursday night for a Washington Capitals hockey playoff game against the NY Rangers.  We stopped off to have some Chicago Pizza beforehand...I didn't eat any...it makes me horribly sick so I refrained LOL (but it sure smelled good...note the other diners in red...yeah cuz Caps fans rock the RED all the time). 

The teens were with us of course...we cannot escape them...they are everywhere LOL.  That's Riley's bestie on the left, Tariq.  You will see him in lots of our pics...he's my other child too...I have a ton of children I didn't birth it seems and they are always with us...can't shake em ;)

And our seats are front row-center on the ice...nothing like it...INTENSE...LOUD...and so much fun!
And YES YES YES the Capitals won...and they won on Saturday too....whoot!  Stanley Cup here we come....PLEEEEEEASE LOL!

My Design Team kicked off my birthday with a fun blog hop....err roast...I mean toast LOL!
And they sent me some pretty gifties too!  Love those girls so much!

Me & Alexa before going out for my birthday dinner!

My favorite restaurant in Leesburg is Lightfoot...I love it...always good!  Its in a very old bank and the building is just beautiful and we always get the same waiter too.  But the food is BETTER! This is my favorite...Oysters Rockefeller...no one does them better and trust me I've tried them in MANY places around the US.  They put some Sambuca in there and it gives it a kick!

Then I finish it off with filet mignon (medium rare, I like it to be pretty rare...anything more is a disgrace to the meat LOL) topped with crab meat and hollandaise sauce....yummers.  And one of my fave veggies asparagus!

And guess what???  I got a box....hmmmmmmmm?

Guess what I got TWO boxes from hubby....yup TWO...OMGEEEEE!

Yep, he got me my earrings...that I blogged about...I might have emailed him the link a "few" times hee hee...but he got the hint!  Whoooohooo, I love them even more ON ME :)

And he went one better...he got me the infinity love bracelet too...I LOVE IT!  Just my style...not too flashy and can be worn everyday!  **note the indentations on my arm are from a cuff I had on, I'm not that wrinkled at 39 yet sheesh LOL*

And I finished it off with a Thin Mint Sundae...pretty good...but I only ate half, seeee I was good!

And last night we saw Iron Man 3....let me count the ways I love Robert Downey Jr...I have loved him since the Brat Pack Days.  Loved him on Ally McBeal...loved him thru his down days...love him as a singer.  And he just GETS HOTTER as he ages...phewww wheeeee! LOL!
But seriously, I loved the movie...he makes me laugh...I think I jumped & screamed once...and covered my eyes once or twice....so all in all a great movie!
We went to the Alamo Theater here that just opened....it was AMAZING....the seats are fabulous, you have a bar in front of you and no one is directly in front or behind you (that means NO ONE CAN KICK YOUR SEAT...just sayin)
Then you have a full menu and waiter to bring you whatever you'd like...whoohooo.
So the Dean clan decided to try a bit of everything hee hee
(wine for me, a cheese plate, warm-made-to-order cookies, bottomless popcorn, gummies, pretzels & milkshakes)  yeah we's gots issues LOL!  I loved it...I will be back...hmmm that sounds like Arh-nold huh? :)

So outside the theater they have these sci-fi light games on astro turf.  OMG it was midnight and we were racing around screaming & laughing our heads off...so much fun.  And its great cardio...we did it in twos.  I played everyone and Alexa twice....and I won...IN HEELS no less...cuz I'm awesome like that on my birthday...ahahahahaha!  It was hysterical!

Good Times...that's what its all about...living life with the ones you love, the best way that you can and making the most of each day!!   

LIVE LARGE & LOUD & HAVE FUN

Juicin'!!

JUICIN'

I love to juice...sounds bad doesn't it lol..but I'm not talking about the steroids kinda juicin' folks.  I'm talking about homemade, yummy juice that you make.  I am always trying to find good ways to keep my body healthy and ready to get through each day...cuz' man life sucks it out of you so you have to work at keeping the good in!  And I found that a giant juice every morning helps keep me on track.  Three years ago I researched all kinds of juicers and found one that I liked, it had good reviews and wasn't too expensive and best of all NOT HARD to clean...because let me tell you that's REALLY important.  If you have to go through multiple steps to clean something and it sucks time from your day you won't want to do it anymore...am I right?  So if you are in the market for one make sure to read the "REAL" reviews from folks online about quality, ease of use, noise it makes and ease of cleaning...those are important.  Mine is either 850 or 900 watts...you want a higher wattage motor because you want to SQUEEZE as much juice as you can....veggies and fruits aren't cheap so you don't want any juice left in those babies after they go through.  PLUS have you priced those fancy, gourmet juices at the stores and Starbucks?  They are super expensive for the amount you are given and you never know what ELSE they may be sticking in there.  At least when I make it, I know EXACTLY what I'm drinking KWIM?

I have a Breville that I got off of Amazon for about $180 and I'm extremely happy with it...it wasn't the $300 model but it does exactly what I want  it to and its lasted well after 3 years.  I wanted something I didn't have to peel all the fruit and veggies carefully.  Also make sure it is able to do loose lettuces and spinach...some of them have issues with juicing those items.  The only thing I do on this is core my apples and cut up oranges & lemons to get peel off before putting them through.  I love it!

And homemade juice is EXCELLENT for your body and health....it doesn't get better than that.  There are a ton of juice recipes online and you can find ones that will help with immune systems, weight loss, muscle strength, gastritis, brain boosting, etc.  I have my faves I make daily and I always use a ton of veggies in them as well....good way to get those extra servings of fruits and vegetables in.  I tend to graze a bit during the day...supper is my big meal most of the time.  I'm never too hungry during the day so I might have a Greek yogurt, a banana with peanut butter, a handful of nuts or a bagel.  But I drink a juice I made each morning...that's my breakfast every day!

The thing about juice is that when you juice veggies and fruits you extract all the antioxidants and vitamins out into your juice and you drink it instead of eating it and NO chances of slathering those veggies with sauces or butter LOL.  Plus fresh is best...so use fresh when you can!  I use organic if fresh isn't available as much as possible...obviously in the winter where I live fresh fruit isn't the easiest to find.

For me I noticed it helps:
-my skin look vibrant and clear
-give me the energy I need to start the day and is filling
-helps with my Chrohn's, keeping it stable and healthy
-helps give a boost to my immune system
-I take vitamins and supplements but I always feel that you get the best does of vitamins from the foods you choose to eat.

These are three of my favorite combinations to drink although I mix it up all the time depending on what is in season and what taste I want.  I HATE CARROTS though so I always stick a few in my juice so I get their benefits without the taste LOL.  So if you hate some veggies or fruits this is a great way to get them in your body :)

Fruit Juice
-2 apples
-1/2 cucumber
-handful of small carrots
-3-5 large strawberries
-1/2 cup blackberries or raspberries
-1/2 cup of blueberries
-cup of spinach
-coconut water

Citrus Juice:
-pineapple chunks
-2 oranges
-1 lemon
-grapefruit chunks (I hate grapefruit but its good for ya)
-kiwi
-1 banana
-coconut water

Veggie Juice
-2-3 med sized tomatoes
-1 apple to cut some acidity for me
-1/2 a cucumber
-garlic clove or two
-3-4 celery stalks
-a few carrots
-some lemon juice
-spinach or broccoli

Research the veggies and fruits that give you the most bang for you buck as well.  I know lemon is great for helping keep your kidneys clear & for good digestion, blueberries are high in antioxidants, and carrots great for your eye & heart health.  So research what you think you need the most and make sure to add those things in to your juices.

I usually make a double batch so I can have one in the morning and one the next morning.  Sometimes I make the kids some juice too although Riley isn't too hip on it LOL but Alexa does like it!  But it really is easy to do, no big deal to me and I love knowing that I'm drinking some good stuff that is homemade.  I feel like I'm drinking a giant dose of HEALTHY after I've drank up!

Do you juice?  What's your fave combo to juice up?

What's in the box?

What is in the box?

Yeah you all know that's a Tiffany box...have you gotten one before?  

I have not in my almost 39 years so I'm thinking this is a great year for one right?

So I think on my birthday this Friday I should get one...from the hubby...he's been notified ;)

I'm not big into fancy, expensive jewelry...I have a nice watch, my wedding rings, diamond stud earrings and a diamond-white-gold necklace that I wear everyday.  Then I just like costume jewelry most other times especially for trendy items (say hello to Charming Charlies for those goodies).

But seeing that this is my LAST birthday in my 30's I want something to commemorate my 30's.

I have loved my 30's...the past 9 years have been amazing to me.  I've traveled, made new friends, started a business, started blogging, watched my kids grow, fell in love with my husband again & again and just enjoyed life as much as I can.  I've grown as a person, I really like myself LOL...I like who I see in the mirror and I like who I am inside.  So I can only hope that the next 10 years bring more of the same.

So I'm asking hubby for these to commemorate my 30's--

Tiffany Sterling Drop Earrings...not too fancy...something I can wear daily or dress up.  You won't ever see me with big jewels hanging off of myself...not my style.  I like simple, classy & elegant...jewelry that is always in style.  Plus these remind me of small globes...I always say I'm part gypsy and I love nothing better than to GO...travel...see the world...meet new people...try NEW things!  So I've done a lot of that in 10 years and these remind me of those good times!

I've been emailing the link to these at Tiffany's to my hubby for 3 weeks now....you think he got the hint yet?????  We shall see on Friday if he did LOL!

Happy Birthday!

17th Birthday Wishes for Alexa

Today is my daughter Alexa's 17th birthday!  She was the first born and was born 17 years ago at 6:50 pm in Maryland.  She didn't cry for the first 2 weeks...she just mewled like a kitty. She was a great baby...always happy, playful and super smart.  She started sleeping thru the night at 10 weeks but never really liked to go to bed....or nap...oy vey LOL.  She was one that just didn't need a lot of sleep much to her parent's consternation!  She STILL doesn't sleep much but she will go up to bed if she's super tired...but most nights she can be found sneak-reading her Kindle after her 10:30 pm bedtime ;)

My wishes for you my darling daughter:

-be happy in whatever you do
-do things that make YOU happy
-do things to help others be happy
-enjoy life & live it the best you can
-believe in yourself & follow your dreams
-don't let anyone tell you are less than you are
-respect yourself, your family, your world & your future
-find true love, the kind that will last forever
-travel & see the world
-make friends and spend time with them
-don't let anyone hold you back
-laugh, giggle, snort and act goofy everyday
-mind your manners & stay classy
-be strong & self-confident in who you are
-don't ever stop learning or loving
and follow that rainbow wherever it might take you & enjoy the ride!

**NOTE: She may kill me after she sees this post ahahaha...but she knows to expect nuttin' less from her bloggin' momma :)!!!!

One of her first words was "NO"...we shoulda known then she was gonna be a bit of a hell-raiser hee hee!  And from the moment she could talk...she never stopped...still that way today.  She will talk and talk and talk and sometimes I start to tune out....then she'll yell "I know you aren't listening" and she will KEEP TALKING LMBO!  She talks to herself in her room...she talks to her friends via Skype...she texts...she just talks and talks.  She always has something to say!  I remember picking up her and her brother from private school when they were younger and they would FIGHT over who got to talk first...ay yi yi!

She has always loved school and excelled in school.  Her kindergarten teacher told me if she had to run to the bathroom she would leave Alexa in charge....she said "that girl can run the class all day" ahahaha...a born leader!  She is a straight A, AP class taking, serious student with her eye on the future and her goals. She has known since she was 5 that she wanted to work with sea animals, marine biology to be exact.  She's never wavered from that...ever...never.  She has chosen her colleges to apply to based on marine biology.  University of SC is her first and most favored choice.  For her 9th birthday we went to Disney & SeaWorld in Orlando and got to have dinner with Shamu and she got to chat with the trainers.  That really cemented the deal then AND this summer she will intern at SeaWorld as well.  And the story continues.....

She danced ballet for 11 years...she was a natural...beautiful dancer and on pointe early for her age. 

She danced 15 hours a week and then decided that she wanted to do other things.  So she did gymnastics and then cheerleading in high school.  And she has always loved to sing...she's been in chorus since the 3rd grade.  This year she is in the A capella Chorus at the High School.  She has never had a fear of being on stage...having a solo...no fear.  She has so much more self confidence than I did at that age and I'm HAPPY for her.  Being a girl is hard...going thru life as a girl can be hard...you gotta believe in yourself when you think no one else does and be confident in who you are.  I have no worries that she KNOWS who she is and I'm PROUD of who she is!

Her favorite color is blue...aqua to be exact although it should be RAVEN PURPLE.  She's a big sports fan...like the rest of the family of course.  And the Baltimore Ravens are her football team.  She has a teal and white bedroom but there is so much Raven stuff in there I swear we picked the wrong color ;)  She loves the Baltimore Orioles AND the Washington Nationals baseball teams. She loves the Washington Capitals (I think cuz she thinks they are all cute ahahaha).  And her Homecoming dress was purple too this year!

In fact she is such a fan that we are spending her birthday evening in BALTIMORE eating MD crabs *yum* with the Baltimore RAVENS while watching the NFL Draft.  She's super excited to meet her fave Raven Torrey Smith!

 She loves Disney...well I would say obsessed...she would go there everyday if possible.  She possibly thinks she is a Disney Princess...ahem...I think NOT LOL!

Oh and she's obsessed with Harry Potter...she's read the books multiple times, seen the movies multiple times and last summer we were able to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter...she pretty much ran thru the park to get there LOL!

She shares a GREAT LOVE for Luke Bryan and country music in general with her momma (and grandma too)...yeehaw! And we can count a lot of concerts we have traveled miles to see, waited for hours in line and put out some late nights!

Grace, Alexa & Sophia

Grace & Alexa....in 5th grade & today above!

She's had the same BFFs since we moved to Virginia when she was in 5th grade...the Three Musketeers...crazy girls...but good girls! I believe they will all be here AGAIN this weekend ;)

She has an odd & crazy sense of humor...she MAY have gotten some of it (ahem) from her momma...just sayin' and we love to goof around.  Life should be fun...you get one life, live it well I always say!  And I've taught my kids that too!

She's diligent...intelligent...sweet...compassionate...funny...crazy...beautiful...witty...studious...amazing...loving...

competitive...loud...talkative...friendly...STUBBORN...energetic...and just plain wonderful!!

She is my Partner in Crime....hear my hubby groaning...that's right dear there are now TWO of us in this world....WORLD BRACE YOURSELF!!!  We have a lot of fun together....I'm blessed with a daughter who is my heart, my friend, my everything!  She is a fellow Taurean and a bit stubborn like her momma too ;)

She's a Daddy's girl...she will admit it...she knows how to work him and he's been wrapped around her finger since the day she was born!  I'm lucky to have a husband who is involved with the kids (from day 1) and loves to hang out with them...who loves them wholeheartedly period!  He may groan at her girly outbursts, roll his eyes at her "wants" but he loves her more than anything...that makes her a very lucky girl indeed!

I can't quite believe that the pigtailed little girl is going to be 17 and off to college next fall.  My how time flies...you gotta pay attention to every minute, every moment, each hour...because before you know it those babies you brought home are off on their own.

Happy Birthday Alexa.....you couldn't be loved more!!