So caught up...

I've been so busy and have missed posting, and writing, and most of all reading about what is going on in all of your lives. I am down in Temecula right now, helping to lead the grand opening effort for our brand new store in Temecula, CA. I have been having a blast and have made so many new friends. It has been amazing.

Speaking of amazing, here is my beautiful niece Zoe - born on March 15th. She is just breathtaking!

I have to run, but I will be back home in a few days and will catch you all up on the latest! Hugs to you all.

Grace in the small stuff...

1. Laughing out loud.

2. Chatting with my mom about the most random things. (Like how I used to love to use our microwave when it was a cutting edge appliance. I would offer to make hot dogs for everyone, just because I could make them so readily. What a child of the eighties!! )

3. Friends that know you like the back of your hand.

4. A cold diet coke in the morning (because I'm just not a coffee girl)

5. Surprising people - with a gift, with a kind word, with a job well done. Nothing feels better.

It's that time again...

Oh, why are these cookies so irresistable? I bought two boxes from Vikki at work - you know, to help out the cause. I bought the Samoas (you know, the ones filled with coconutty goodness) and the new lemon ones that are shaped like lemon slices. Well, Tim and I polishes those boxes off in about a day or two. Ooops. I was actually relieved to get them out of the house and away from my sweet tooth. But those darn scouts, they can spot a sucker a mile away. Tim must have been their big sale of the day yesterday, because he came home from the grocery store with 6 boxes. Tagalongs, more lemons (my new favorite), more Samoas, and some new chocolate shortbread deal. There would have been thin mints too if they hadn't sold out of them.

What about you? Did you support your local girl scouts? Which ones are the hardest for you to turn down?

Great Advice

I was talking to my friend Gloria today - who just celebrated her 30th Wedding anniversary. They are the happiest couple I know. I asked her how they do it - how they have kept a happy marriage alive through thirty years and four children and all of the things that come in and out of their lives. She said their philosophy with their marriage is that it doesn't have a back door. You stay and work it through. I suppose that is what generations of people have done before it was okay to just call it quits. Imagine how many things would be a success if people only worked at them and stayed with them. It just made me think. What about you, married friends? How do you keep your marriage afloat?

When it's time to change, then its time to change...

Remember a few posts ago, when I talked about my important conference call, and how I really wanted to make my mark.

I think I did. Because my voice got shaky and creaky just like Peter Brady when he sang "Its time to change." Except at least Peter brady had an excuse. It was so weird because that has never EVER happened to me before. And I was nervous, but not that nervous. My boss said I did great.

Thank God I can laugh at myself.

All in a day's work...

Oh, this crazy economy of ours. You can't watch the news for five minutes without hearing about it. Tim and I are really lucky to have great, stable jobs. But, like everyone else, I have tried to cut back on unnecessary (aka fun) purchases. So when I saw this guy at Target for $20.00 a few weeks ago, I resisted breaking down and buying it. But last week, I finally cracked and bought him. I mean come on, he is so cute! And I did really NEED a watering can. I just know the nephews will have fun with him when they come over.
I also picked up this cute plant to put in my planter by my front door. It screams spring.

I pulled out my fun little St.Patrick's Day sign for my garden patch.

After I finished gardening, I went for a walk, visited with my neighbor and then went to the store to get stuff to make dinner. I got this great classic salad recipe from Debbie at work. She is Sicilian and swears by this salad. Just a bag of good european greens, with some huge fresh parmesan curls...

toss it with the juice of one lemon (I got mine from my tree) and olive oil. So good, so healthy...

And since the salad was healthy, I didn't feel too guilty making these (scalloped potatoes) to go along with my turkey sausages (stuffed with feta and sundried tomatoes). My mom used to make these all the time. We all agree that they taste best cold.

Then, for dessert, I made this classic. My mom used to also make this a lot. I used fat free milk for my pudding, so I added a few extra wafers. This is one of my favorite comfort food desserts.

I took a picture before a cut a big old bowlful out for Tim and I.

I would say that makes for a great day, wouldn't you?