Snow, Smoothies and...................

Snow, snow everywhere.....this picture was taken from my kitchen window in the morning and we still had more snow coming all day. The drive way got shoveled and snow blown about 3 times. We got about 8 inches.....that's enough for one day!!! A big semi got stuck on our street  and could not get out, he had actually Jack-knifed, was kind of scary cause he was pretty close to the electric pole. A couple of good Samaritans came by and tried digging him out. FINALLY the city came and plowed him out and he was on his way to make his deliveries. Hope he made it.

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

My smoothie for the day was:
3 strawberries
slice of lemon
2 tablesp. chocolate chip Chobani
1/4 avocado
water
All ingredients were enough to make 1 cup.

My review? Not bad, was going to put a banana in it to thicken it up, but did not need to as the avocado did the trick. Color of the smoothie, a lovely creamy pink.

www.atticfullofclutter.blogspot.com left me a recipe for a smoothie, which I shall have to try, not sure of the proportions, so I will just list what ingredients were:
Blueberries
broccoli
orange juice
yogurt
Sounds good, a must try for this girlie!!!

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

So I went to Biz's blog today, www.mybizzykitchen.com which is on my regular "things to do list" and she was talking about going back to Basics today. Journaling, calorie watching, exercise and using a diet site on her computer which she pays $$ for. She found that after one day, her calories were about 1600 for the day but when she looked at her sodium intake for one day she was amazed at how much sodium she consumed: 3700 mg of sodium............wowzers!!!! Here is my comment to her as follows:

 
Oh man Biz…..sodium is the killer for me. If we only knew how much sodium and sugars were in everything we ate…..it would probably chock a chicken. When I went to Inches A Weigh they told me I should keep my sodium intake to 1500 a day and even that was high. I know when I have taken in too much sodium my ankles swell. (water retention) When shopping I read A LOT of labels…sometimes sodium is so high, you can get your quota of sodium in one meal!!!! Yikes! I immediately put that product back in it’s place!!


In Inches A Weigh, I thought I was eating too much (breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack, gosh and don’t forget the smoothies and protein bars, writing everything down, WI on Mondays and measurements once a month and riding those toning machines every day….deep down, I hated it)…then one person would tell one thing and another person would tell me something else….I would get so confused. they all had a lot of good to say. But there was so much stress not to mention the politics amongst the trainers that went along with trying to lose weight. I was glad when I left. The place is closed up now, maybe that says something about the place.

I think you are doing good, keep it up and you will make your goal. Hey, it takes us years to gain weight and it will take years to take it off and keep it off….it’s a total “lifestyle” change!!! One day at a time. LOL…..I should copy and paste this for my blog today

An added note: in the two years that I went to Inches A Weigh I lost 10 pounds and 20 some inches. Not bad, but then, not good. OH and I probably spent about $3500 ~ NOT GOOD!!!!!! There is no way at this time that I could afford those prices now as I am not working. At this point I am not really interested in trying another weight loss fad. I'll just watch Biggest loser and get some tips from them and read Biz's Blog and a few others that have lost lots of pounds......true, tried and tested!!!

French Peasant Bread

MMMM is this ever some good bread. Biz had it in one of her blogs and I followed it to the tea and was it ever delicious. I found this recipe from the http://www.recipeshoebox.blogspot.com  You will have to go to  "Top 12 Recipes of 2012" (Tues. 1/1/12). Peasant Bread will be #8. Hopefully the above address takes you to her blog, if it doesn't, just type it in, I seem to be having a problem getting addresses right. Anyways back to the recipe.

I have added flax seed flour, and this last batch, flax seed flour and graham flour, such a good bread, then I brush with butter and sprinkle parsely and sea salt. A delicious bread, toasted with a little cream cheese.........I know, I know, doesn't sound like a nutritious meal, but with a smoothie not bad!!!!

Well, I guess it is time to close this blog for today.......last blog of January 2013........See you in February and OH Valentine's Month.............YAYYYYYYY!! Take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh!!! Cheers ~ Louise

Monday's..........

I dedicate this picture of the above squirrel to Biz and Tony at: www.mybizzykitchen.com  could not resist his sweet little face. His little paws must be cold, he needs some mittens.

Well, I started this blog last night and had some technical difficulties. Soooo, I am back today to try again. I suspect if you tried to click on my blog using the above little squirrel it would take you back to the panda waving and saying HI. This little guy here, he is soooo cute!!!

Tried doing my blog in IE last night. For the longest time I could not up-load pictures, so I would go to Google, there I could do the picture thingie and things actually moved along faster and smoother. Last night for some reason IE decided they would let me up-load pictures onto my blog. I thought....wow, okay...lets do it. Well, forget that noise, sure I got the pictures up in my blog and did a little bit of writing, then BAMM everything got discombabled (bet that word is not in spell check). I gave up cause it was getting so late.  I noticed that what I had wrote with the squirrel was still being posted, but it took you back to the previous post..........oh well......just a glitch in IE, this too will pass. I guess I just have to remember...."Louise, you cannot do your blog in IE!!! For now on just go to GOOGLE!!!" For some reason Etsy does not communicate with IE either and I have to do my listings in Google....guess I might as well stay in Google, but then I don't really care for Google's start up paging, I prefer IE. That's just my preference though.

Made a smoothie today and some toasted Artisan Bread with cream cheese.......oh yum!!
The smoothie:
3 strawberries
1/2 banana
handful of kale (minus the stalk)
1/2 cup red peppers
2 tablesp. of chocolate chip Chobani (my favorite)
1/2 cup water

I like to try and make my smoothies with 2 fruit and 2 vegies (my rule of thumb). But I guess according to all the recipes out there, you can do most anything you want and it still would come out great and nutritious.

One thing I have noticed, the last couple of days, my blood sugars were low, yesterday 122 and today 128. Hope I can keep this on a role, I do feel better, but when blood sugars get too high, I don't feel so very good.

Rode my stationary bike 15 minutes last night and put on 9 miles. I think for now on I will ride 15 minutes a night instead of 5 miles a night which was probably 7-8 minutes a night, maybe I will get some wheres faster...lol!!

Here are some Valentine's I made and added to my Etsy store this past week.  This card is very simple and the main focus are HEARTS with the bottom being embossed with "Valentine".

This Valentine card is actually a copy of an old Vintage Valentine (the little girl and crow which I picked up in an antique store). Copied them off on the printer and turned it into a modern day card. "Valentine" again is embossed at the bottom. Both cards are selling on: www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com  for $3.00 + postage.

I made some Artisan bread over the week-end, and wow do I love making it.........it's a no-knead bread and does it ever rise to the occasion. I thought my yeast would be old, but no, it still had some "OOMPH" I will post some pictures in my next blog, once I get them downloaded.

Well, gonna close this blog for now, it's getting kind of late and I need to get some things done around here. JP leaves for work in 2 1/2 hours, so I need to get something in the oven for him. You all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Funny, Fun Picture Today.....♥

It's Friday, but Saturday and Sunday's a comin'!!!!

Not much going on this week, which is okay by me. More snow coming and probably more cold but, that is Winter in Wisconsin. Gotta take it as it comes.

Been working on making Valentine cards and getting some cards in my Etsy store. Even turned a few into Anniversary cards for family in Chicago. Have one special birthday card made for Evan, now the other two kiddo's, goodness, they will be 1 year old in April and July..........my how time flies!!!

Made half a turkey (7.25lbs @ $10.02) last night, oh my, did it ever smell delicious while cooking. I thought to take a picture of the turkey all baked, but alas, forgot. Because after baking, I immediately made a turkey sandwich with mayo and cranberries, (huh, not even a picture of that sandwich????). The combo sounds ridiculous but tastes so very good.

What's nice is that I now have a few meals to feed JP and not have to wrack my brain, "what shall I make now????" So I found a recipe on  http://www.Chobani.com  for "Turkey Potpie" that I shall try, maybe tonight. Perhaps there will be a picture of that one............maybe!!

Well, I need to close here, JP is getting ready for work. So I need to make sandwiches and something for him to eat and a fruit smoothie (today I added some kale, don't think he could tell). Talk to you all later and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Cold, Cold, Cold and Winter Smoothies

Buuurrrrrrrr..........Baby it is COLD out there!!! I think I want to hibernate for a couple of days.

Although, winter is actually good for us. It gives us time to do the things that get overlooked during Spring, Summer and Fall. Right?!?!?! I know there is always something that gets pushed aside, wish somehow there was a happy balance though. When I was 20 years younger I got those things done......but now, it seems to take a little longer to get all the things done and then I seem to find more things to do.....guess that keeps life interesting though.

Made another interesting Smoothie today....I am starting to like this new, hummmm, what would you call it, new lifestyle, regime, life change, diet, exercise, not sure, but it seems to be working for this old lady.

I call it "Coconut Chocolate Chip Chobani Green Smoothie"

1/2 cup coconut water

3 large strawberries

1 1/2 stalks celery (stringless)

handful of spinich

1/2 banana

2 large tablespoons Chocolate Chip Chobani yogurt

Mix together and enjoy!!

I am really having fun doing these smoothies and have lost 1 lb. YAY!!! (4 since I started). I know, I know it is probably water weight, but hey, I will take it!!! Still ride my bike 5+ miles every night and now have added my rebounder trampoline, maybe 1-2 minutes until I can build up to 5 minutes.  I read where 5-10 minutes a day works every muscle and organ in the body including the fat that bounces around too!!! Let you know how it works after about 20 days. Hopefully by the time I have to go see the Doctor, a few pounds will have been lost since the last time I saw him.

Well tonight is "Bachelor" and "Biggest Loser" have to record one of them, probably will be biggest loser as it is right by my stationary bike. So what would be natural but ride and watch BL at the same time...works for me.

Time to close, you all take care and keep warm  and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh!!!
cheers ~ Louise

Valentine's and Smoothies

Something new added to my Etsy store. A sweet little candy or cookie box for that special person or lover♥. It's the only one I have, so it would be considered a "one-of-a-kind" Valentine box. I priced the Valentine box at at $10 + $4 shipping.

I will be adding these Valentine cards to my Etsy store today. I think I will sell them for $1.50 a card or $9.00 for the set + shipping which will bring them to $12.00. Three of the cards say "Happy Valentine's Day" inside the card. One is blank and two cards say "hugs and kisses". I am working on a few other Valentine cards and will have them up in my store this next week. Hopefully in time for someone to see them and buy one or two cards for their lover ♥.

Today JP and I made a trip to "Pawn America" and finally picked up his new "used" accordion that was on lay-away since November. He is a happy camper now, and is going to see if he can play it at church tomorrow. We also hit EyeMart (an hour wait to get my glasses fixed), Woodman's (busy, busy place), Citgo to pay the Electric bill  (whew~that's off my mind) and Post Office (mailed a Netflex Cd back). When we got home, JP pulled out his accordion and started playing...nice!! Then he took off to go to church to clean and play his accordion.

Left alone, I made myself a smoothie for lunch...........I am getting a little daring with these fun drinks.
1/2 can coconut water
1 large mushroom
1/4 cup red pepper
1/4 cup avocado
Wasn't bad at all, not sure what the benefits were but it sure was fun to drink. I really needed to use the avocado up cause when I cut it open there were a lot of brown spots..........oh well, froze the rest in Saran plastic, hopefully it won't turn brown.

Well, I guess it is time to take down my Christmas tree and Village...(sniff, sniff) I am actually thinking of leaving up my tree and just take the Christmas stuff off and put Valentine hearts up....sound sweet??? I like the lights.........oh I'll see. Here is a picture of my village and Christmas tree, just in case you are interested.

My little village...I like to add something new every year, whether it is a building, people. tree  or accessories.  This year I added a building. See the garage, far left with the man on top the roof shoveling snow. I picked up the garage for $1.50 at the thrift shop.......not a bad deal. 

  Here you see my little Christmas tree. Not even sure how long I have had this tree.....it sure has been handy, it's a fiber optic tree and this is the first year the optic lights did not work, I thought I would miss them, but I strung lights on the tree and I think I actually enjoyed the tree more this year....guess that is why I don't want to take it down. If I decide to leave it up for Valentine's I will take another picture of it so you can see my "Valentine's Tree" and who knows.....maybe I might make a "St Patrick Tree" and an "Easter Tree".......hummmm that might be pushing it though :)

Well, I guess I will close this blog for today, you all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Going With the Green and Gold

Soooo, you are probably wondering why the title "Going with the Green and Gold"?? I like those colors for one thing, don't you?? Who can not love the color green, when you look all around, (during spring, summer and fall) what do you see....Green grass!! Must be one of God's favorite colors, also blue and white for the sky and clouds.

Another reason for liking green....it stands for life, living, new beginnings..........fresh, lively, healthy, oh and not to forget "green smoothies" that to me is what green stands for.........good words, huh? Gold stands for bright, shinny, rich and there is a street of Gold in heaven that we get to walk on. Gold also reminds me of the sun, money, crowns and jewels that never tarnish. Who could possibly not like those colors????????

Green and Gold also stands for the GREEN BAY PACKERS!!!!! GO PACK GO!!! Now I suppose you are wondering WHY in the world is Louise writing this blog about the Green Bay Packers???? I have been following the Packers ever since Bret Farve......sure did like watching him, but, didn't really care for the shenanigans he pulled. But, then along came Arron Rogers and everything was okay. It was so exciting to watch the Packers win the Super Bowl in 2011 against the Steelers 35 to 25. Ever since then, they have come so very close. Hey, at least they have come close to winning again, there is always next year!!!

One of my favorite blogs to visit is http://mybizzykitchen.com  I love all of Biz's ideas with different foods and exercise, her ups and downs with diabetes and inspiration for others to keep on going. TODAY she let her husband TONY loose on her blog, here is what he wrote:

While watching the Packers go down in flames over the weekend (They were humiliated 31 to 45), I remembered back to the days when I lived among them.

The company I worked for wanted to open an office in Wisconsin. I was newly married (first wife) and we looked around the Sheboygan area. We settled on an idyllic home a block from Lake Michigan. In those days the lake levels were very high, so storms would claim a house or two a year. It was near a little town, and that town hated us, so we shopped in the next little town over. They seemed to enjoy our money.

I then went out among them. They seemed friendly enough, but they spoke oddly. They had a different accent that was new to me. It is now immortalized in the movie Fargo. I slowly got to know more of them. We made friends with a Chiropractor and his wife who shared my office. We learned new words like bubbler (drinking fountain) stop –n-go lights (traffic lights). We learned that if you wanted a cola you did not ask for pop, soda is the correct word. I was quite often referred to as a FIB, I suggest you look it up in the urban dictionary, as unlike Biz, I won’t use such language, my Mommy reads this!

I don’t mean this is an insult to all of the Wisconsinites, but some were a tad….slow. I actually had to call the library to prove to my secretary that Sheboygan’s name was not an Indian Chief’s reaction to having another male child.

It was a simpler life, no traffic but to my first wives horror, no Marshall Fields. The malls largest store was Sears. They did open a Wal-Mart right as we left; it was big news in town.

Parties always and I do mean always included bratwurst. I don’t mind brats, but after a while c’mon, daddy needs a friggen Italian beef! Pasta was not widely understood. I learned that ordering it was suicidal. Pizza, oh don’t get me started on the pizza. Also, my Chicago connection automatically made me a mob member. I went to a few Brewers games, and was introduced to tailgating. This is where you bring a grill and drink so much you really drunk before you get inside the stadium. Also, fires rage all around as people dropped their hot coals into trash bins. This was before they spent over $300 million to build Miller Stadium.

My son Joey was born in Sheboygan. We got out pretty quick after that, I was afraid the boy might grow slow. This could cause him to like the Packers. This is not something I could live with. Sexual orientation, hairstyles, whatever makes him happy, but I will not have a Packer fan spring for my loins!

To the Wisconsin readers…I will type very slow now…I HATE THE PACKERS!

Also, to Louise. I know the Packers utter destruction at the hands of mere children must hurt. In my house it was awesome!!

Oh Tony, you crack me up :)

So, here is my comment to Tony on Biz's blog:

Tony, Tony, Tony….everytime I read your posts I crack up. You make Wisconsin people sound like aliens….when you lived “among them.” I think you moved to the wrong place in WI!! Appleton is another story, we have everything your little ♥ would desire even great Italian beef sandwiches, Pizza's and Chicago Style Hot dogs, Macy’s and the Fox River Mall, oh and LOT’S of traffic to make you feel like you're in Chicago.

We left the “rat race” of Chicago to “slow down” a bit and smell the roses We’ve been in WI longer then we lived in Chicago and we were born there (uge).

**As for the Packers…..did you know the Packers have appeared in the Super Bowl 5 times and won 4???? Your little bears have appeared in the Super Bowl 2 times and won ONCE !!! HA!! I’d rather be a GREEN BAY PACKER FAN……..GO PACK GO!!

And remember there is ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!!!!

Biz…..that smoothie looks great shall have to try it for sure and the naan bread is another thing on my list to try!!

**I did look up that stats "how many Super Bowls won" by the Packers and "bears" and the bears appeared in 2 Super Bowls, 1986 and 2007 winning in 1986~46-10 over New England. The Packers were in 5 Super Bowls, winning 4. 1967, 69, 97, 98, and 2011. In 1998 the Packers lost to the Broncos 31-24

Finally added a picture of Arron Rogers (so Tony can see his favorite colors of Wisconsin). You all have a great day and keep lookin' up for your redemption draws nigh!! Be sure to come back!!! Cheers~Louise

Icicle's and Smoothies

Icicle's hanging out the back of our house. I took this picture from inside the kitchen window. 

Here you can see the icicle's dripping from the gutters. We're suppose to get some rain in the next few days. Hope we don't have "leaking roof" problems.

Well, I have been on the hunt for some smoothie recipes. Found a couple that I would like to try.
Had decided that I was going to do a smoothie a day (to keep the doctor away...lol). I make smoothies for JP everyday....do you think I would make one for myself??? NOT!! But I guess I shall change that and start making one.
The Doctor's office called today,
they want to check my blood and see what my numbers are for the AC-1~3 month check up.
That can be a real motivator to get me going on some kind of diet....
nothing seems to be working for me at this point.
Watching the salt in-take, sugar grams, carbohydrates, drinking more water, less coffee,
more exercise, ride the bike...etc. Sometimes I get frustrated and have a "fat day" and just want to EAT!!
No fun getting older and even harder to lose a few pounds as we age.
Maybe I should go to the Mall and walk around.
PROBLEM.....I need money, cause I would be wanting to shop and stop and look at things.
Something to think about though, I sure do feel better after coming back from a shopping errand.....where I have be doing a lot of walking. Maybe I should keep "walking at the Mall" in mind for 2013.

SMOOTHIE RECIPE
Orange Dreamcicle
1 navel orange (bought some cuties, no seeds)
1 cup of skim milk or vanilla yogurt
1/4 teasp vanilla
4-6 small ice-cubes
(I think I might add 1/2 banana and some spinach)

Well time to close this blog for a few days. It's 2:23 am and time to hit the pillows. You all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

Eggnog Waffles Anyone???

Made some "eggnog waffles" today for JP's lunch. Here are some pictures of those yummy little treats. Got the idea from Biz's blog for today. Visit her at: www.mybizzykitchen.com  She made "His and Her's pancakes" and gave her recipe for "His Pancakes". So I started thinking maybe instead of milk I could use up the eggnog in the refrigerator............so here is my take on Biz's pancake recipe as follows:

His Pancakes
1 cup milk (+ 2 T for thinner cakes)                    
2 eggs                                                                
3 Tbls. oil                                                          
1 1/2 cup flour                                                  
2 Tbls. sugar
2 teasp. baking powder
1 teasp. salt
Mix everything together and let sit for 15 minutes before making. Let the baking powder bubble up as the pancakes will be more fluffy.

In this picture the waffles are made. I layered mixed fruit on the top of the waffles then poured  the vanilla yogurt on top. JP gave this dish the "seal of approval" so we are good to go today and JP is a happy man and should have a good day at work!!!!

Eggnog Waffles
1 cup eggnog + 2 tabls.                                        
2 eggs                                                                  
3 Tabls.  oil                                                          
1 cup flour                                                            
2 teasp. baking powder                                        
1 teasp. salt
                                                         
As the eggnog is thicker, I used the extra 2 tables. Omitted the sugar, as there were 19 grams of sugar to 1/2 ups of eggnog. I used 1 cup of flour as the mixture was very thick. Mixed all the ingredients together and then let it sit so the baking powder could do it's thing. There was some bubble action but not alot. I poured the batter into the waffle iron (1/4 cup) and baked till the light went off on the iron.

So one of these days soon, I shall make some pancakes using Biz's recipe. If they are anything like these waffles today.......they were DELICIOUS!!!!

Well you all have a great day........I am going to be busy tonight watching the Biggest Loser and The Bachelor, one has to be recorded......not sure which one yet. As for the Biggest Loser, Every season I try going on a diet and do more exercise with the contestants, but to no avail.......just not sure I could sustain the regiment they do. I'd have a hard time getting yelled at all the time!!!!! So I will just continue riding my stationary bike and jump on my trampoline and get a few new tips along the way with THEIR journey to lose weight. :)  Maybe I could lose a few pounds.

Till later keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.  Cheers ~ Louise

Funny Picture Saturday and Snow Blowers

Found this funny picture the other day on the internet. Poor puppy dog, hope he didn't get into too much  trouble with his owners that day. We had a dog named Alvin who pulled the instillation out of the walls......gosh did we get upset with him. Hyko had the garbage thrown all over the kitchen and then they look up at you  with their big brown eyes and say like.........."I don't know, who did that, must have happened all by itself...."

Well, I kinda got upset today........our electric/gas bill went up $20 bucks a month......yikes. We have been on a budget of $113 a month for a couple of years........we could manage that. Now it's $133 a month, guess we will have to cut something out......I am sure this is an OBAMA thing, some how he caused this with his tax cuts, "fiscal cliff deal" and ObamaCare. Food does not seem to be going down, but up, up, up!!! Where I used to spend $40 - $50, now I am spending $60-70 on food. Should be an interesting year for all of us, hope you have a faith in knowing that all things will work together for good to those that love God and are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). LOVE GOD......not Obama!!!!

We found a snow blower in Menasha. JP wanted an Ariens electric start. There was a second hand one for sale for $250. They took a trade-in for our old one with delivery ($40) which brought the total to $210 and that was including taxes!!!! JP was going to give the old snow blower to a man at church for free.........I said, "NO, see if you can get a trade-in and get something for it"........yay, he actually listened to me and we did get something off for the blower. Well, hope this one lasts a couple of years and will be easier to start for JP. It won't be delivered till Tuesday, so after that, it can snow.

Well, time to cut this short, have a few things to do. Just love Saturdays and they just don't seem to last long at all. So you all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Happy New Year ~ Happy New Year!!!

Well........hope your not feeling like this cute little turtle above. I found him on one of the websites I was on tonight. Will be using him for a card in the near future. The site I was on had alot of "free digital stamps and svg. die cuts" soooo, got lots of great ideas to play with.

Today we had a nice day. Went to Sandi and Doug's place on the river, had ham dinner (yum) and basically relaxed while watching the water and ducks float by. There were even some ice chunks that passed by too.  Sandi gave me a few sites to check out and download some die cuts, which is how I spent the evening. JP spent the evening having arm pains........I don't know, something has got to give with those pains, I sure could not handle them as much as he does. He struggles alot with them especially Sunday evenings for some reason. Wonder if part of it is stress and his neck is all tensed up which causes the nerves to constrict. The tension comes from his worry about work.......he moans and groans an awful lot!!!!

I found out over the holidays that I am allergic to shrimp.....boohoo......my mouth itches, and now also crab. I only had just a real little bit, coating on salmon and my mouth started itching.......oh well, I guess that also means lobster too, not that I have had much lobster lately, nope, it's been years! So I guess, don't give me shell fish, a shot of penicillin, sting me with bees or mosquitoes or spiders, I will break out.

Well, guess it is time to close this blog.......just figured out that I must be that turtle at the top of this page....hope my new year won't be up-side down and will finally turn the right way. Or maybe this world is just up-side down and I am really right-side up.......who knows, shall have to figure this out.

You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

So Long 2012 ~ Hello 2013

Yeppers........Dashing will be completely out of the question for 2013! Going to enjoy every minute (or so I say)!! Been reading a few blogs today, 1) some wish you a Happy New Year, 2) some list "the 12 most popular", (which I truly love especially when it comes to FOOD) 3) and some just continue on as if it is just another day. Me, I think I will go back to January 1, 2012 and see what my expectations for 2012 were and if I met them........

Did you all make any resolutions for the New Year??? I thought about it, but sometimes they are just too hard to keep. I might just try continuing what I started in 2011.

1. continue on my journey to lose some weight and reverse diabetes.
Still working on that and probably continue on into 2013.

2. paint a room or two this year....been awhile since I painted and redecorated.
Nope, no room painting in 2012.

3. this spring, paint the porch floor.
Nope, no porch painting...thought about it though.

4. get some cards into a few beauty shops.
Nope.

5. get the kitchen ceiling fixed.
Nope.

6. these are long shots.........get a new or used stove and couch.
Got the couch and did look at a used stove, but nope, did not get one.

7. more mini-vacations on Lake Winnebago and a vacation this year.
Nope, no vacation but many mini-vacations on Lake Winnebago.

8. more blogs then last year.
Yes, I did manage that by 22 more blogs........2013? 25 more.

9. learn something new.
Guess I didn't, cause I can't think of anything.

10. lose an old habit, what that is I don't know as yet.
Ha...probably gained some old habits, but lose, Nope!

11. continue on in my personal relationship with Jesus.
Yes!

12. make a new friend.
Not sure I did. Oh wait, I did make a blog friend, does that count???

13. weed through the house, get rid of stuff not used for a couple of years.
Yes!

14. garage sale this summer?
Yes!

Well that is 14 things to work on, there probably are more, but this is a good start. Will have to remember these resolutions are here so I can keep reading them every now and then.
Guess I did not read them enough, cause many were not accomplished. So there you have it, shall I continue my quest for perfection in 2013......kinda' hard to attain perfection, very unattainable to me.

What to expect for 2013???
 I have no idea what to expect. Peace would be a good thing to expect, but with the way this world is going, it's hard to foresee. I find it very hard to understand how people can continue living without a relationship with Jesus Christ and still survive living in this barbaric way of life. Killing and being killed, and sometimes for no reason at all, then to just kill!!! 
A very sad commentary for "modern" man!!! Everyone blames the other guy and sadly does not look into the "mirror of truth" to see one's self-deception. We deceive ourselves daily, thinking we are good, when in reality we all are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. There is a scripture in the Bible that says to this affect. "Whoa to them that say good is evil and evil good..." This is fast becoming very familiar in our society. Very sad, very sad indeed.

Well, guess it is time to close this blog for 2012.....see you all in 2013 Lord willing. So you all keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Cheers ~ Louise
 Hello 2013

Friday Ramblings........

Hi there, how you all doing?? I am fine and surviving the Christmas and New Year's activities. Plus doing some resting too. Caught some kind of cold, the residue is a bunch of flemmy junk and cough in the morning, but once that is out of the way, everything is fine. Sleeping in has done wonders, guess that is why we are told to drink lots of water and get plenty of rest. You might get rid of the cold quicker, instead of it lingering for weeks on end.

Well, I found the above picture someplace on the internet and thought it was worthy of being placed on this blog, so here it tis. ENJOY and I hope it brings a smile on you face!!!

 Listening to the radio while typing. My favorite talk shows are Rush, Sean and Mark........they talk so much of this "fiscal cliff" I wonder what it really means. Is there really a fiscal cliff or is it all just a scare tactic, getting people all worked up for nothing. I don't know, these politicians sure can make up stories to cover up other stories. They should be ashamed of themselves. What is so hard about speaking the truth??? Guess truth does not make money.....hummmm?!?!

Weather is snowy today. I was going to go to the store today, but JP said the streets are slippery. We can go store hopping tomorrow and pick up his meds and some food.

I think I finally got my computer fixed, it was running soooooo slow. I knew there was something plugging it up, but just did not know how to get around it. Finally clicked on Norton again and there is a program Norton has that finds virus's that are deeply hidden and fixes the problem. Plus let's you know if there are other things not working right. So I jumped through those hoops and now things are running better. For now. Have to check out a few other programs I was having problems with before the "big fix".

So what are you doing for New Year's......I think we are going to a friends house, they live on the Fox River. From their home can be see the fireworks and the ball dropping....that should be fun watch, can't remember ever seeing fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Well, time to close this blog for today, probably will say hi again on the 31st and say "Good-bye" to 2012 via my blog.

You all have a great couple of days and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day



Christmas Eve dinner was steak, shrimp and red pepper grilled on the George Foreman grill. The steak was to perfection and was still pink on the inside. No special seasoning except for my "no salt Greek seasoning" also on the plate was fried mushrooms. I tried to plate it to look tantalizing, not sure 'Gordon Ramsey' would be impressed. Also, on the menu was "Crispy Mashed Potato's" (you will find the recipe in the previous blog) salad and celery with dip and onion rye toast. JP had a bowl of fruit and yogurt for dessert. We enjoyed our dinner very much.



Christmas Morning ~ this is JP looking at his new scrape book I put together for him. The original scrape books were falling apart after 40 years!! I thought I would just get a couple of pages done, but managed to get 23 pages done from 1972 and into the start of 1973. Over the years, pictures and newspaper clippings were taken out and misplaced. So I had to really work hard at piecing it all back together again. (just like humpty~dumpty)

I really enjoyed doing this scrape book, so now maybe I won't be so fearful to try another one. I do have plenty of pictures that can be scrape booked using many themes.....my next book, (which I started about 4 years ago) are all my dogs. Now that Hyko has left us, I guess it is time to get that started again.



Here is a page from the scrapbook, I took a picture cause I wanted to see how it would turn out. So maybe during the course of the next couple of months I will take pictures of the scrape book, so you can see the lay-outs and what the book looks like. I know, I know, "you say.....I have seen plenty of scrapbooks" Ah....BUT, you've not seen this one!! Anyways, this is a picture of JP winning a feature race in his old car "169" in 1972.

 As I said, I really enjoyed putting this together as it brought back lots of memories. I was really looking forward to giving it to him......now I can finish it without being rushed. Christmas eve I received some racing paper and stickers that I had ordered last week. So I was able to organize the book a little bit more before giving it to JP for Christmas.



Christmas Day we spent a few hours at Jim and Arlene's house. Ham, dressing, peas and carrots, baked potato, pear salad, berry pie and tea. Then we opened some gifts....Arlene likes to go "thrift shopping" so I got a cook book full of cookies, JP got a doggie calendar and a picture frame with a picture of a cut-out doggie that looked like Hyko. The didn't know Hyko had died, and so the dog looked like Hyko. (sniff-sniff and sigh)

It was a nice visit, as we sat around talking about the Lord and reading and speaking scripture. JP and Jim can really banter back and forth pretty good and JP usually knows what address that scripture comes from. They both know the Word really good.

We left about 3:30pm and came home.......I guess I was tired, cause about 5:00pm I closed my eyes and did not wake up till 7:30pm...........whew, where did that time go?? So about 8:00pm I made a lasagna in my new little casserole dish from Kylie....can you imagine she paid $3.99 for it. Guess that is another picture for another time. (smile)

You are going to like this........so I made the lasagna and put it in the oven about 8:20, set the temperature for 400 degrees and FORGOT to turn the "ON" knob, soooooo needless to say the lasagna sat in the oven for 1 hour without being baked...........GOOD GRIEF where were my brains!!! So when I realized the lasagna was not baking, it was about 9:20pm. So about 10 minutes after 10pm we were eating lasagna............it sure was good, and well worth the wait or should I say weight....I think it was the new casserole dish that made it taste good.

Well, I guess this blog is getting a bit to long and no doubt you are getting bored with all my rambling. So I shall close for now. Hopefully I will get another blog in before the New Year. So you all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wanted to wish all my blog friends a Very Merry Christmas.

Well, the busyness of shopping, making cards and sending them, decorating, making gifts and cookies, (still working on JP's Christmas present) is coming to a climax. Whew, so, so busy. Plus I was dealing with some kind of cold that put me down for a week. Still not feeling that well, but much better then I was.

Tonight for dinner I am making a little steak and shrimp, salad and crispy mashed red potatoes........sure do like this little recipe, here it is:

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

4 ~ 1 1/2 inch red potatoes
olive oil
salt and water
seasoning (your choice) or kosher salt and pepper

Scrub potatoes and in a pan big enough to hold the amount of potatoes you want, add water and some salt. Bring to boil over high heat. Then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes or until "fork tender" or until the fork meets little resistance.

Preheat oven to 450. Add olive oil to a nonstick baking pan with an edge. Use enough to have it "pool" a lit not just coat. Add the potatoes and "smash" to about 1/2 inch thick. I used a potato masher or fork.

Brush top with more olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and anything else you want.
Bake until brown and crisp. About 20-25 minutes. I like extra crispy, so I leave them in a little longer.

Takes about 1 hour to make but very worth the time.

Happy eating and enjoy tonight and tomorrow, Christmas Day. We are going to Jim and Arlene's house for ham dinner at noon. Probably spend a couple of hours with them. Then home and relax.....not sure when we will open gifts between JP and I, maybe when I get his present done????? Gosh, that could be next week.....hahahahaha

Well you all have a great Christmas and enjoy the season, it will go all to fast. Keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

BIG Storm "Briana" Coming Tonight and Hibiscus

Hi everyone, how is your day going this dreary day??? No funny pictures today........probably one of those days that we need a funny picture to brighten our spirits. Will have to look for a funny picture, do you have any ideas????

Well, the above picture was of a lovely pink hibiscus flower. I say "was" because I had used www.picmonkey to change the flower into a black and white photo album ready picture. Kind of cool, huh? The program is free to play with....which makes it my kind of program. The next picture you will find what the hibiscus looked like originally, down a paragraph.

OIE!!!!! The weatherman says 6-12 inches for the Fox Cities........well, as long as I don't have to drive in it.  Looked around for some pictures of snow, but could not find any. So, no pictures of snow today, maybe in a couple of days. Weatherman says this will be a big storm..........and guess what ????? our snow blower does not work. JP called Northside to have it picked up $35 and then to work on it, who knows what that might cost. Nothing like waiting to the last minute......procrastination!!!! Well, I guess we weren't the only ones waiting till the last minute to get our snowblowers fixed. Looked like there were 3 other blowers on the trailer also. Our neighbors are coming home today from their trip to Michigan..........soooooo he will be happy to know we are without our blower. Maybe the spirit of "kindness" will fall upon him and he will do our side of the driveway also. JP and John usually take turns doing the drive, as it is connected, so we will see what happens.....when "Briana" makes her appearance.

Pink Hibiscus flower.

Getting a lot of my Christmas planning done. Decorations finally all up, just have to light my Christmas Village. Was debating on whether to bring a box of figurines up, might still do that yet. Still working on JP's stock car racing album. It has been a real 'kick' and I'm enjoying doing it....brings back a lot of memories, that I kinda forgot. Hope JP likes the album. Want to make some pumpkin cookies and a cherry pie yet, the stuff is on the counter waiting to be prepped into what they are supposed to be. Cards are all out, except for one card........Biz, I am still waiting for your address!!!!! Otherwise, maybe I can just kick back and enjoy Christmas now, what there is of it to enjoy. 

Wonder if "Christmas 2012" will be the last Christmas as we know it..........like, what is ahead of us in 2013 with Obama getting a second term, will his agenda roll out into reality? If you saw the movie "2016" our future is not very bright.......and I have a foreboding of what will come of "America" in the next few years if Obama has HIS WAY!!!! Not a very pretty sight. Sad, how the agenda of one man can destroy the lives of many. (like the CT shootings of all those children) I wonder sometimes, where God is in all this, but, HE IS. Do you think that it may be possible that the people of America are getting exactly what they wanted, a dictator??? God allows things to happen for a reason, hopefully in the end it draws all men to HIM and what better time then now......At Christmas time!!! 

Well, I think I shall close this blog for today. Time to get JP off to work, he has been worrying all morning and afternoon about the storm, I keep telling him, there is NOTHING you can do to stop it so just relax!!! His worry sure does drive me crazy!!!!

You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh! Jesus may be coming sooner then we think............of course if that "end of the world" Mayan prophecy comes true on the 21st............that would be Friday, but then NO ONE knows the time and day of HIS return. 

CHEERS ~ Louise

Pleassssssssssssse Can I Come In?????

I know, I know, another animal picture, but I like puppies and kitties, so what can I say. 

Well, today's agenda is to make some "pumpkin cookies" and get the rest of my Christmas cards out. Finally got my stepfather's Christmas present mailed yesterday, a $3 stuffed doggie and a box of homemade cookies. $9.50 to mail that box and he will get it by next Wednesday.......well at least it's arriving before Christmas this year....hahaha. Things to still accomplish, 1) finish decorating my little tree and 2) put up my mini village and figurines. It will get done this week-end, 3) then I can concentrate on making JP's "race-car" scrapbook. 4) Wrap presents.

Just heard on the news about the Conn. school shooting, 18 kindergartners and 8 adults. The shooter is dead, but a 2nd person is being questioned. A parents worse night-mare. A school is supposed to be a safe place......not anymore. Why in the world do these things happen??? More and more I am beginning to see, it's true, if a person does not have a faith and belief in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, these things WILL happen. When the Bible and prayer were taken out of the schools, that is when everything went down the tubes. When will people learn, "you cannot run from God, cause he will eventually catch you"!!!! No one is exempt from God and everyone needs HIM.

Well, it has been a week since we put our sweet dog Hyko down. I still miss him and have sudden crying jags every now and then. Hyko had so much personality and I miss those big brown eyes looking up at me, he sure had a will to live. Maybe in the spring, I will make a walking stone to mark his little grave, right now there is a big blue ornament and orange rose to mark his spot. My other dogs Anna, Poppy and Truffles had daffodils planted on their graves. I guess eventually, the walking stone will be for all our doggies. (sigh)

Well, time to close this blog for today, you all keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

PS I promise to be more up-beat and newsy in my next blog!!!

♥Wordless Wednesday♥

Doggies can be counted on...............

Keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.........Cheers~Louise

A Funny Picture Today

HaHaHaHa..........I needed a fun picture today and found this in my stored-up pictures saved on the "stick". Sooooo today is MONDAY!!!!! What have you got planed for today and for the rest of this week???? Fifteen days till Christmas and I still have lots to do.

Made some peppermint cookies last week and some cut out ginger and butter cookies yesterday. Today I need to decorate them. Will be putting a little box together for the step-father out in Las Vegas along with a stuffed doggie. Picked him up for $3 at the thrift store. Pops usually complains. "Don't send me money, don't send me crossword puzzles, don't send me candy".................maybe someday I will not send him anything, see how he likes that. Sometimes situations like this, can take the joy of giving out of Christmas.

Still have some cards to make and a few gifts to make. Still have JP's gift to make, his race car scrapbook. Hopefully I can get a few pages done, so he gets the idea of what it will look like, wrap it up and put it under our little tree.

We have been invited out for Christmas dinner, so that will be nice, don't have to cook Christmas day. The pastor and his wife treated JP and I to my birthday (Nov. 21st) dinner yesterday, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and carrots. There was enough for take-home and another meal, so I didn't have to cook yesterday either. AAHHH those little bonuses in life, aren't they grand?

Well, there is no sense stressing over Christmas, it is not worth it, if things get done, they get done, if not, there really is no one to impress, I still have our little tree to decorate and put up my Christmas village. So I guess in the next 15 days will be busy. Then comes January and TAXES!!! Uge, that is when I shall stress!!!! You all enjoy Christmas and have a great time but still keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

R.I.P. Dear Hyko ♥

Hyko standing on the word of God.

Fall time in the backyard.

Enjoying a summer day on the front porch.

Hyko and Kylie looking pretty, they both had their grooming session so they looked especially
nice for the camera.

So Hyko, I will miss you very much, you were a great little dog, a bolognese from Bolognia, Italy, a purebread, your papers said. We got you from the Animal Shelter in Appleton back in 2005. You seemed so lost and looking for your previous owner. We found out you were abused and not taken care of, your hair was all matted and you had to be completely shaved down.....you looked so funny. You had your own personality, a tough macho dog and nobody, or no other dog better cross your path and you were not afraid of big dogs either cause you gave them a piece of  your mind. Not much of a snuggler but you had your ways of letting us know what you wanted. You sneezed so much, Kylie started copying you....and we would say "God Bless You Hyko" You know what.....I think God did bless you and now you are running around in "Doggie Heaven........where ever that might be. Missing you very much and looking for you in this house and all the places you slept, in the bedroom on the old quilt, on your pillow, on the couch, the lazyboy, on my trampoline. Now you will be sleeping in the backyard, forever along with Truffles, Poppy and Anna.
Sleep well my little friend, see you again someday.

Glimpses of Thanksgiving, Birthday and Pizza

 Glimpses of Thanksgiving Dinner. Oh it was a wonderful meal!!! I talked about this wonderful meal we had on Thanksgiving, but did not post pictures to this blog. The turkey was so moist, with gravy, mashed potatoes, squash, cranberries, in the forefront you see the asparagus that was baked on the crescent rolls with lots of mozzarella  and pumpkin pie....a very good meal set for a KING!!!

Glimpses of my Birthday cake 6 candles = 66. Don't often make a cake for my birthday, but this year I did. A very moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting........what can I say, delicious!!!



A glimpse of "hash browns potato pizza" Now this was a great pizza!!
1 package of hash browns, oil pan well, even leaving extra oil on pan. Spread hash browns out evenly on pan and sprinkle a little oil on top of hash browns. Because you will want the hash browns to brown on the bottom at 400-450 degrees for 10 minutes.
Spread some pizza sauce or tomato sauce on baked hash browns.
spread, chopped onions, peppers, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and cheese....whatever your desire.
Bake till the cheese melts (vegetables are done) and you have a crispy bottom.
Not sure how I came upon this recipe but it sure is delicious!!!



Glimpses of my cards the votive, made this collage on a new site I found. www.picmonkey.com  Take a peek at the site, you might enjoy playing with it.

Etsy, oh Etsy why are you causing me so much grief???? Yes, it is true. Since Thursday, I have tried listing some Christmas cards and a pretty votive and cannot seem to list. I go through the motions, jumping through all those hoops, answering the questions, uploading the pictures, and writing the description..........which all takes time, then I go to "list preview" and NOTHING happens. I am really bummed, 9 times I have tried listing and to no avail. Emailed Etsy to let them know the problem. It seems it is not their problem but on my side. This is the 1st time in 5 years that I am having this problem. Have upgraded Internet Explorer and now have to upgrade Google Chrome. They told me I would have to find a new browser..............no............these are the only two I will do, not adding any other browsers like AOL, Foxfire, or whatever they are promoting. I find it hard to understand why other people are NOT complaining............very strange.

Well I guess I shall close this blog for today.......need to see about upgrading Google Chrome and try getting a few cards in my shop. Talk to you later and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise