Like mother...like daughter

I was finally taking some pictures off of my camera and I had a funny flashback to high school basketball. My fellow teammate K.S. told me-- "You dress like you are straight up homeless!" It had never really occurred to me but in fact was quite true. My sweats never matched and my family always has had a box of hats, scarves and gloves to pick from before you head out the door. It would be a rarity if you could find a matching set--so in fact I usually looked quite...well, homeless. I hadn't thought of that day since it happened until I got my daughter ready to play in her first dusting of snow. She looked straight up homeless. I laughed till tears were in my eyes. Thanks for the memory K.S.!

And as a side note for my own mother-- no worries snow boots were ordered right after I snapped this picture and came in time for the 20+ inches here in Virginia.

A perfect Thanksgiving gathering...note I didn't host-ha!

Okay, so if I didn't love my mother-in-law I might have to hate her. She and my father-in-law hosted the perfect Thanksgiving dinner. She had a boatload of people over and although most brought a dish to share a ton of cooking had already been done and the house was immaculate. Fast forward one week and she has jump-down-turn-around transformed the entire house to Christmas and prepared to have a party for 60+ people! Eat your heart out Martha--you have nothing on Susan!

Etsy Front Page 10/29/09 KimsCraftyApple

Okay...this list has me ready for fall. Crisp leaves under my feet and the smell of the wood burning stove in the air (hey...I live in the country) and sipping some warm cider. Yes, I am officially ready.

My parents are now at their beach cottage at OBX. So needless to say I am green with envy. As I trudge into work everyday I just get to dream of that lovely beach smell and sinking my toes in some sand. Oh summer…I already miss you so! I would be remiss without mentioning my favorite eatery Tortugas Lie. If you go--get the fish tacos and a Corona. Mmmmmm. Delicious!

**Okay, so the picture my seem a bit random but these beautiful little fuzzy buds were everywhere in North Carolina this summer. I just had to show them off. I have to figure how to work this bud into some earrings!

Etsy Front Page 10/9/09 moonovermaize

This is sad to admit but here goes nothing...(saying this in one big gulp of a giant breath) when I saw myself on front page I watched it for the entire hour it was up. "You're so vain--you probably think this song is about you..." I know! I feel so narcissistic. It is just such a rush to watch the clicks and heart go up. There. I said it.

Blonde Chocolate Chip Brownies

I have a delicious recipe to share from some fellow colleagues of mine. So yummy and so simple. Get ready to hit print cause you are going to want this recipe.



Blonde Chocolate Chip Brownies

You will need:
1/3 cup margarine, softened ( I use butter)
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup chocolate chips (go ahead--you know you want to add more)

Preheat your oven to 350
Spray an 8x8 pan

Put the margarine in a mixer (medium) and mix well
Add sugar and mix well
Add egg and vanilla to the butter mixture and mix well
In a separate large bowl, mix flour, soda and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix well with a wooden spoon. Stir in the chocolate chips. Spread mixture using a rubber scraper in the greased 8x8 square pan.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Yum--Trust me…you will love.
PS--I find it funny that I am posting this after writing about my dog and his weight problem. Oh the irony!

Okay…I have a confession to make. My dog is overweight. I know I know…bad pet owner. It has gotten to the point of being so bad that I dread going to the vet for his yearly shots. I don’t want to get yelled at. I already know we should walk more and I should feed him less but those big liquid brown eyes looking at me while I eat dinner…I just have to share. I know--for shame!
Things aren’t so bad that my dog looks like this

but then again he isn’t like this either.

But in my defense even if I don’t share-he garbage hunts. My dog has a nose! I know the situation is bad when our dear friends call him Porker instead of Parker--ouch. Well Jake and I had a moment of genius last night! Next time we have to take Parker to the vet (insert past due cause I fear them so much) we will suit him up in his doggy spanx. Yup. A girdle for my pup. It can be made to match his fur color etc--you know so it just blends in with his natural coat. Google! You let me down! I thought for sure someone else would have had this idea and you would have a nice little picture for me to insert. Alas no luck. So you will have to imagine the scenario.

Stage: In a room at the vet office

Me: Okay Parker…Hop up on the scale
Vet: I don’t understand--your dog has gained 8 pounds since last year…yet he looks so svelte.
Me: Turns to the camera and breaks the fourth wall like old school Fresh Prince episodes-- smiles, winks and whispers “Thanks Doggy Spanx!”
Me: Turns back to vet--Well you know muscle weighs more than fat so I am sure that is the reason…