Sunday, July 31, 2011

asian adventure

from: their homes in Phnom Penh, Philadelphia and Fort Collins . . .



off to: Mumbai, Delhi, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap,
Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Bangkok, Phuket, Kep, and Seoul.






My oldest three children {with their spouses and girlfriend} and my grandson are having an Asian Adventure in some or all of the above cities. My prayers are with them for a safe trip and my well wishes are with them for an amazing time together.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

hair styler

This hair designer/dryer let's me straighten and dry at the same time!


infiniti hair designer by conair {model bc173}

My hair is fine & thick with some natural curl wave and quite a bit of frizz, especially in moisture. This is a 3 in 1 one tool that really does cut styling time in half. It has now replaced my hair dryer, round brush, & flat iron. It's so nice not to have to blow dry with a brush & then straighten with a flat iron. It makes your hair shiny and straight in one step. The built in brush is easier to use than holding a brush separately in your other hand. I used the styler on the hot setting, when my hair was damp. Not only does it leave my hair straight, it gives it a decent amount of body and bounce.

Place the dryer at the root of one 2-3 inch section, leave it there for 2 seconds, then slide slowly to the ends. At the ends turn the dryer a bit to get nice looking ends. I do this process at several times on each section, depending how dry my hair is to start with.

On really humid days I use a humidity resistant smoothing creme before drying. Wonder if this would work on my return trip to Cambodia {where my hair was wild every day}?

Some reviews said it overheated but I have used it for two weeks now and not had that problem. Just saying . . .


I bought one of these to see what it was like...and actually just bought a 2nd one that's still in the box! I don't want to be without one so now I have a spare.

I have seen this product online for $30+ but it was $19.99 at our local Wegman's.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Asian Salad



Last night we had an Asian Salad from McDonald's {it was too hot for us to cook anything}.

Here's the scoop: it you get with grilled chicken - 270 calories, with crispy chicken - 420 calories! {I made the wrong choice - whoops}

I think this salad from Sunny Simple Life would be an even better choice.

Friday, July 22, 2011

cheek wrinkles

Many of my friends are beginning to turn 60 and in 5 months I will join them. I do have mixed feelings about it but my life is pretty happy right now so I am not fearful.

Just recently I looked in the mirror and noticed new wrinkles on my face - cheek wrinkles! I have many other wrinkles but somehow these just cry out old.



And to make it worse . . .
We have been trying to eat healthier lately and I have lost 5 pounds. I ran into a friend yesterday who said, "You must be losing weight girl, I can see it in your face." I just know she was talking about my cheek wrinkles. Argh!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

detour

Our little village has had our Main Street torn up for most of the summer.
It is quite a challenge to navigate around town getting here and there.



One convenient short cut that helps out is right thought this poor church's parking lot. Something I'm sure they are not thrilled about.



They put up this great sign up the other day.
I'd call this making lemonade out of lemons wouldn't you?


Saturday, July 16, 2011

tea sandwiches

Turkey Tea Sandwiches
8 to 10 servings



Ingredients:

Scallion cream cheese:
3/4 pound (12 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
4 minced scallions (white and green parts)
(For a little variety next time, I may substitute chopped seeded cucumbers for the onions )
Pinch kosher salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Sandwiches:
1 loaf dense fruit-nut bread, unsliced (I used apple nut)
8 thin slices fresh or smoked turkey breast
Fresh basil leaves

Directions:
For the scallion cream cheese, combine the cream cheese, scallions and the salt and pepper in an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Do not whip.

For the sandwiches, have the store slice the bread 1/4-inch-thick slices. (If that isn't possible, you can slice it crosswise with a very sharp knife.)

* Lay out the slices of bread and spread them all with a thin layer of scallion cream cheese.
* Place a single layer of turkey on half the slices, cutting the edges to fit the bread.
* Place the basil leaves randomly on top of the turkey.
* Top with the other slices of bread, cream cheese side down.
* Return the sandwiches to the bread wrapper.
* Refrigerate until the cream cheese is cold and firm.

* Place the sandwiches on a cutting board and, with a very sharp knife, cut each large sandwich in half crosswise, and then cut each half diagonally, twice, to make small triangles.



Serve chilled.

{adapted from a recipe by The Barefoot Contessa}

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

restless sleep

My friend Debbie P. and I are worriers.
Try as we might it is a hard thing to break free of.



Gracious God,
You have filled our night with safety, but we lie down with anxiety and wake unrefreshed. Open us to your spirit and blow through us like a fresh ocean breeze.
{a prayer from the church bulletin last Sunday}

Sunday, July 10, 2011

fountain

In our house I am the say-er and Jim is the do-er so when I saw
this fountain on a bog {that I follow} I talked Jim into making it for us.









Now our nightly sunset "deck-sit" is accompanied
by the sound of a babbling brook.
How fun is that!



And . . . since it wasn't very difficult to make my
sister-in-law and I made one for Grandpa Jim.

For detailed instructions visit frillydetails

Thursday, July 7, 2011

fishing

father's day wishes



How is it our friend always catches the biggest fish?


Monday, July 4, 2011

independence day

how fun does this look ? !


some thumbnail photos are from google images

menu

hors d'oeuvres
Lauren and Seth: spinach dip hors d'oeuvre
Dave and Debbie: Texas Caviar
Julie and Kenny: Buffalo chicken wing dip
Tracy: vegetable platter
Mike and Marty: cherry tomato hors d'oeuvre

beverages
Ben and Lindsay: beer
Jim and Mary: wine
Matthew: soda

dinner
Jim and Mary: variety of hot dogs and a condiment bar
Linda and Dale: potato salad
Doug and Leslie: fruit salad
Dave and Barb: baked beans {including a meatless version}
Amy and Andy: Orange Creamsicle Delight {side dish for dinner}
Dave and Debbie: Mortonian coleslaw with Ramen Noodles

dessert
Mary: fireworks cookies
Dorothy and Clark: brownies
Mike and Marty: red, white and blue trifle
Amy and Andy: Jello Cake
Doug and Leslie: red velvet cake with strawberries and blueberries

schedule
2:00 hors d'oeuvres, chat, swim and games
4:00 dinner
5:00 softball / kickball game
6:00 desserts
7:00 chat, swim and games
9:45 community fireworks

Friday, July 1, 2011

movie passes

fun gift from a fun son



What movie would you recommend?