My Summer Tour

This summer I had many plans to travel, however I ended up only getting to two of the places. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to D.C. like originally planned. However, I did make it to two other fantabulous destinations. Both visits involved delicious food, lots of shopping, good company with family and friends, and more shopping. Oh, and I forgot to mention a little "danger". :) Yes, it was my summer tour of the "most dangerous" cities in America. lol! Not really, but it sounds more fascinating when I put it that way doesn't it? So, my first stop was to "Dae-toit" other wise known as "D-TROIT". My friend, Megan, has lived in D-city for many years now and as long as we have been friends, unfortunately I had never made a trip up there to see her. So, it was long overdue that I go visit her and her new baby, Rory! What made the trip even better was that my friend Carrie and her new baby, Henry, went with us. It was so fun to see the two babies together and putting the moves on each other! We had tons of photo shoots with the two little love birds holding hands and frolicking in the blankets. Can't wait until they are teenyboppers and we get to embarrass them with the pics;0 Anyhoo, I had a fantastic time there and didn't sense for one minute any sort of danger what-so-ever. What I did find was some fabulous little boutique shops in Plymouth, MI. Loved, loved, loved the little shops and great finds there!

My second stop was good ole' Crown Point, IN to see Mr.B's Aunt. This was another visit that was long overdue. Now, you are most likely thinking..."what is so dangerous about Crown Point". And you are correct in thinking that. I think the most notable dangerous thing occurred in the early 1930s there. This was the location of the jail that the notorious bank robber, John Dillinger, broke out of. (The new movie Public Enemies is about him and part of it was filmed in Crown Point) Me, being the history buff I am loved getting to see the old jail.:) That is what the picture above is. Okay, so here is the "danger" part...we were about 10 minutes from Gary, IN...yes the Gary, IN site of Michael Jackson's boyhood home. Again, being a history buff (and since we were there days after his death) I so badly wanted to go see the house. But, Mr. B and his family were not on the same bandwagon. So, that was as close as I really got to any sort of "danger"...the site of Dillinger's big escape. IN had some awesome shopping too. We made our way up to Michigan City where there is an outlet mall. I was slightly disappointed there because I heard there was a Waterford store and when we arrived I was bummed to see they had closed. I LOVE Waterford crystal and if anyone knows where I can find a Waterford store please fill me in. :)

Bottom line is that regardless of so called "danger" I had an awesome time on my summer tour! Next summer I will continue the tour in Vegas, Compton, & LA.

Cheers!

The 2nd Tuesday...

I have been a busy little "planning" bee this past month trying to organize a new recipe club for my girlfriends here in the STC and STL. I was in a recipe club about two years ago and some of the best recipes I got were from this club. It ended up dissolving and since then I have been wanting to start another one. So, after feeling out my friends for interest it's official, we have a club of about 14 members! I have finally finished the planning and we have decided to meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. I am really looking forward to this for a couple of reasons. First of all, it is so important to have a little "girl time" every now and then. Second of all, this is a venue for girls to try out recipes they may have seen, and for others to try out something they can make for their families. I would recommend any girl finding or starting a club of their own!
Don't worry...I am sure I will be sharing lots of recipes from the club. :)
Cheers!

"Let's Do Lunch"

The nice thing about not having to work over the summer is that every now and then I can call up my friends and say, "Let's do lunch!" Now, finding friends who don't work or who can take an extended lunch can sometimes be difficult. So, this doesn't occur daily or even weekly. Recently it dawned on me that someone who I don't call for lunch dates, is my mother. I decided that this is one person who I would love to have lunch with, just her and I. And, we did just that last week. It was so nice to go out to lunch and then do a little shopping. I talked a lot about my dad and all I have learned from him. In addition, someone that I equally admire and look up to is my mother. It's funny though, I think most would say (including her) that we are not that alike. For instance, while shopping I bought quite a few things whereas my mom only bought one item.:) I know that Mr. B wishes I was a lot more like her when it comes to shopping!

At any rate, my mom is so many things that I hope I am when I am a mother myself. Selfless, is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her. She has always put others before herself, especially my sister and I; and now her grandchildren. She was a stay-at-home mom for most of my childhood. Even when she decided to work, she was a pre-school teacher who was always home when we got home. My mom has always put family first. I remember as a kid when my dad would work late my mom would give my sister and I a snack and when my dad got home, we would all eat dinner together...as a family. Now that my sister and I are all grown up and moved out, my mom has still carried this value on. Every Sunday, we go to their house for dinner. We are incredibly blessed that we live close enough to do this. I know that this will be a tradition that will continue on for a long time to come. One other important attribute my mother has instilled in me has always been the golden rule. I can remember from when I was little my mom always telling me, "treat others as you would want them to treat you". Unfortunately, I know that there have been times I have failed at this; however I still try to live by this. One last memory to share of my mom...one of my favorites. She has always made sure that we knew exactly why we were celebrating Easter and Christmas. She wanted us to know that there were more than presents, stockings, egg hunts, baskets, etc... For example: every Christmas Eve we would come home and read the bible verse on the birth of Jesus. We would then place the baby Jesus in the manger with Mary & Joseph. This is also another "little" tradition that I will carry on with my family. There are so many little things I have learned from my mom, just too many too write about. One thing I have realized on my own though is that as long as I continue to "do lunch" with the girls, there is one girl I will always remember to call.
Cheers to you Mom!

My Dad!

Within the past month, two friends of mine have lost their fathers unexpectedly. While this should not be my prime reason, it has compelled me to really think about how much I appreciate my own father. I have a file full of memories of my father, all little things that have always stayed with me. I remember as a child my dad would swing us in between his legs and let us stand on his feet while we danced. I remember that when the bear claws (the arcade game that you could win lots of stuffed animals on) were the big thing my dad would come home from the bowling alley with a bag full twice a week for us. Within a few years we had trash bags full of stuffed animals.

My dad has always been surrounded by women and I am sure there was a small little desire have a son. But, he always supported my sister and I in all of our "little girl" activities never trying to push us into "boy things". He did anything and everything for us. I also remember my dad going along with my mom and I shopping and if I couldn't decide between two items he would always say, "get them both". He always gave us everything we ever wanted. He paid for our schooling, something I will always be very grateful for. As I grew up and moved out my dad moved me in and out of the dorms, apartments, and houses countless times. He has hung so many countless things in all of those homes and in my current house. Literally, I counted this morning and in our house now he has hung 46 things; not counting the garage openers, blinds, curtains, etc... He has fixed everything from my cars to my jewelry. Speaking of cars, I will never forget the time that I got a flat tire and my dad came to change it in the pouring rain. He has taught me so much in life, but the one thing I have really come to value is dependability. I can only hope that I become a parent that my children can depend on no matter what. I know that no matter what happens...I can always depend on my dad for anything and everything!
Cheers to you Dad!

The Power of Dance

I was a dancer for about 25 years (literally almost my entire life). I have always loved dance because it can express emotion without saying a word. I have been a huge fan of So You Think You Can Dance since it started and every year there is at least 4 pieces that will bring me goosebumps or even tears to my eyes. Last night, I was literally sobbing. The link below has a piece that was choreographed by Tyce DiOrio and it is the most moving piece I have seen in a long time. This dance is about a woman who is struggling with Breast Cancer and how her love is there for every step of the way. Even though he choreographed this to bring attention to Breast Cancer... I am pretty sure that anyone who has ever been affected by any illness, will relate to this dance and be moved as well. (Even the non-dancers)
xoxo



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKxoCxalyWw

Some Recipes...

Okay so last week I had a small little dinner party to watch the All-Star Game. Even though I would not consider myself a huge baseball follower (in fact I had planned the dinner party but didn't know it was the same night as the All-Star game...oopsie) I still tried to plan a theme of food around baseball. When I think of Baseball, I think BBQ. So, that was our main dish and it was nice because Mr. B was on the grill so all I had to do was the apps, sides, & dessert! I found a great appetizer recipe that I thought I would share courtesy of my adoptive Grand-lady, Paula Deen. And, I received rave reviews over my Grandma's sweet potato casserole that I will share also. Hope you enjoy!
Cheers!

Quick Guacamole~Spinach Dip

1 pkg. dry guacamole dip mix

1 8-ounce container soft cream cheese

1 10-ounce pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed

1 large tomato, finely chopped

Combine guacamole mix and cream cheese. Squeeze excess liquid from spinach. Add to cheese mixture. Add tomato. Mix well to combine. Serve with tortilla chips.

Sweet Potato Casserole

3 c. sweet potatoes, cooked & mashed

1 c. sugar

1/3 c. milk

1/2 c. + 1/3 c. margarine, melted

1/2 c. flour

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

3/4 c. light brown sugar

1 c. pecans

Mix potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla and 1/2 cup margarine and put in a greased casserole dish. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, four, 1/3 c. margarine and pecans. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potato mixture. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Date Night!

Most people would think that since Mr. B and I don't have kids that we would get out a lot for date nights. Well, that isn't always the case. Sure, we both love to golf and we do try to golf together once a week or every other week; but we don't get out as much as some would think. It seems that anytime we go out for dinner we are with our parents, which is fine don't get me wrong. This wife just likes it when her husband plans a night out for just the two of them. And that is exactly what Mr. B did yesterday. He sent me a text and said, "Let's go to dinner tonight, just you and me!" Ahhh, just a few words that really made my day! Anyone who knows me knows that I love~love~love any chance to get dressed up :) But more importantly I love my man who still finds simple ways to surprise me. We went to dinner at a Pan-Latin restaurant in the valley that had D-lish Sangria:) Gotta love date nights!
Cheers!

Who is comforting who?

Okay so I remember when people would talk about their dogs like they were children and I would always think "really...are you comparing a dog to a child?". I have always grown up with dogs and yes they were part of our family, but I am not so sure my parents considered them their children...nor did I consider them my "brothers". Well, this used to be my thought process. This all changed the minute we saw Lucy. We were at an auction for our nephews & niece's school when Mr. B decided that instead of bidding on a basket we would bid on a little Morkie (1/2 Yorkie & 1/2 Maltese). She was so stinkin cute that Mr. B (along with a couple beers) outbid himself to win her! She was only 10 weeks old and weighed 2 lbs. And we decided to name her Lucy. This is really what I wanted to name my daughter (if I ever had one) after my grandmother, Lucielle. However, I married someone with a last name that is synonymous for the female anatomy. :) This is how we came to name our dog.

Within the first week of getting Lucy, she became sick with a virus. I was literally in tears. I don't know if it is because we are having difficulty getting pregnant and having "real" babies or what, but I was a wreck that week. I took a day off of work and even Mr. B took a half day. Now his reason was completely different than mine. I just wanted her to know that I was there and that I would hold her and try all I could to bring her comfort. Mr. B's reason was none other than we had paid an arm and a leg for her and he didn't want to come home to no puppy. I know it was because he really does love her too with all his heart! He will make a wonderful daddy someday:) Whatever the reason was I was happy that he did go home because it brought me some comfort to know that she wasn't alone:) At any rate, she fully recuperated and is now just a week shy of 6 months old. It is so weird that I find myself talking to her and about her constantly. I was on a trip with some girlfriends who have babies and like a goofball I would catch myself interjecting into their conversations about Lucy...a dog! Mr. B tells me I have serious issues:)

But really, I think while I try to bring her some comfort in her times of need...she is really my comfort. I feel Lucy helps keep my mind off the obvious. If it weren't for her, I am sure that I would be sitting around sulking that I have yet to get pregnant. I wonder if my feelings will change once I do have a baby? Has anyone else been in this situation? I think one of my friends has and after seeing her with her new baby and her "older" one, I can tell that she tries to balance out the time between the two. I just hope that one day I don't forget how much I love this little girl of mine and how happy she makes me! Hopefully, I won't forget how much comfort she brought me:)

cheers!

My Lucy!

My Lucy! Found some great collars and accessories for her today by Mimi Green! I ordered her the little crochet flower she has to accessorize her collar! Hopefully Lucy will not try to eat it:)

cheers!

http://www.shopmimigreen.com/

I am a blogger...whaaat?

I know most peeps are falling over right now at the mere thought that I am an official blogger:) I highly doubt anyone will ever end up reading this so I promise it is not some way of me talking about myself as though tons of peeps care :) This really is a way for me to share some insight on marriage, friendship, puppies, cooking, cleaning, work, fantastic deals, decorating, and even preparing for children. I by no means am an expert in any of these areas...but I will share my experiences in hopes for advice in any of the above mentioned areas. And, my plan is to print the posts out so that someday, my kids will have an account of who I was past 30! Before then is a different story :)

First, I should mention that I was married a year on March 15th and we have a beautiful little puppy, Lucy. I will blog much more about her later. I will also be blogging much about my loving and fantabulous husband, "Mr. Budget":)

So what does the day look like for this real wife of st. charles? I am getting ready to plan out our week's dinner menu and then since today is Monday I have ironing to do. Yipee...not! After that, I will be in for some R&R at the pool! It is the only way I can get through the chore I loathe the most! :)
cheers!