Quote of Yesterday......

Keith Richards would not be the rich man he is today without Mick Jagger's walk!

-Kimberly Wells

...... Don't ask!

Taking a quick break from "mumming" to say HELLO!

Had to borrow a "Freshman" model!!

Homecoming in Texas is AWESOME!

Are you ready for some football.... Food?
I am so sorry for this picture. I just couldn't resist. I do have to be careful sometimes when it comes to Jerry since his grand kids go to school with Race, but he does loves him some stadium!

Now, on to the good stuff. I am going to share my favorite dip. This dip has put 10 pounds on my hips, so I want to share the love with all of you! Fluff like misery loves company. About a year ago I had this heavenly concoction at a Mexican Restaurant, and I have been trying to replicate it since. When it comes to my favorite restaurant meals, it is not enough for me to be able to go out to eat them. I have to know how to make the meal myself. I have to own the recipe. I have to tweak it and make it divinely mine. This is my obsession! This yummyness they called CC dip was covered by a melted white cheese. Okay, simple enough, off to the Central Market Mexico cheese shelf I went. After trying each and every white cheese created, even the processed white American cheese, nothing worked. They would not melt to the right consistency, they were stringy or gummy, and all turned to rubber as they cooled even with cream added. I spent a Fortune. I almost gave up. One day while on the chip isle of Walmart Market I noticed a very plain looking jar of White Queso, medium heat Dip. Their "Great Value" store brand label. This $2 jar was something I would never buy, but something compelled me. You have to know what I'm going to tell you. This was it. This was the illicit cheese. Oh happy day!!!! So here you go....

In individual bowls put 1 scoop guacamole (recipe follows), poor the white queso cheese dip that has been heated in the microwave over the guac. Just enough to your taste. Don't swamp it. Then top with freshly made pico de gallo. Serve with chips or on home-made buttered flour tortillas!!!! For this dip, I do not put the jalapenos, cilantro or lime in the guac. The pico has these in it, so there is no since to.

Guacamole: 3 avocados mashed
3 jalapenos seeds and membranes removed (I leave some seeds, we like it hot) finely chopped
2 or 3 crushed garlic cloves (or to taste. We like lots of garlic)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Cilantro chopped amount to your taste
a squeeze of fresh lime juice

Pico de Gallo: Finely chop and stir the following together.

Roma tomatoes, Jalapenos (membranes and seeds removed, keeping some seeds for desired heat), small white onion and cilantro. Amounts to your need.

Happy Football Season, from my kitchen and couch to yours!!

Anthropologie has me begging... I do desperately need a new shower curtain. We also need groceries. It's a shame we have to eat. With all that extra allowance $$, my house could be so wonderful. Oh well, another addition to my Christmas List.

Have you heard???

The lights are on!!! She is open!

She is back!

I don't know how Noah did it. I have three dogs refusing to wade out into the water-logged yard to go to the bathroom. This has gone on for five count them 5 days! Where are they going?? When are they going?? Will this ever end?? Yes, I know I was singing with joy the other day, that was before my animals became neurotic. My kids became neurotic. My husband became neurotic...

"There are four questions of value in life........ What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for?

The answer to each is the same.

Only love."

-Johnny Depp

Via Magnolia Pearl

There is so much to love...

My back yard birds.

My dogs, all three.

Animals, in general.


The beauty of dance and Chanel Number 5.

Old Carousels.

Texture and tone.

Cotton Candy.

Creative People.

Friday Night Lights.

Silly Teen Agers.

The damp, drizzly weather makes me want to be in the kitchen, so... The dogs and I have baked a cake.

German Bundt Cake to be precise. Ettouffee', Boudin & Bean think I should share the goodness with you.

1 yellow cake mix
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup oil
1 3-oz package instant vanilla pudding
1 tsp butter flavoring
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs added 1 at a time

Beat the above for 8 minutes @ medium speed.

Mean while mix the following for the filling: 1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup crushed pecan pieces

In a well greased bundt pan, put in another 1/4 cup crushed pecan pieces, topped with half of the cake batter, sprinkle in the filling evenly and finish up with the remaining cake batter.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.

Cool 8 minutes then glaze with: (mixed together)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 TBL milk
1/2 tsp butter flavoring
1/2 tsp vanilla

The pups also wanted me to let you know this picture is not them. They are much better mannered, and would never climb on the table. This precious pic. is from Paul Costello.

We are singing in the Rain here in Texas!
It is a blessing!!

PAPER DOLLS

Hours and hours of snipping

Tears over tares

Drawing my own

Glitter and Glue

Accessories too

Boxes full

Always affordable

Mixing and matching

Saved through the years

Fancy, cute, old, new

I Love PAPER DOLLS

If you're lucky enough to live in Connecticut, you can check out Jennifer Paganelli's Paper Doll class on October 10th and know how jealous I am.

I stole some time this Labor Day weekend to sew for myself!!
This is a horrible picture of me (I think I had just gotten puppy nipped), but it shows off my new, super cute Minnie Edmonson Peasant Dress/Top.
I stumbled upon Minnie and the wonderful shop she teaches at, Domestic Bliss, while googling my favorite fabric designers. In fact this is how I discovered all my favorite blogs. Unfortunately, Minnie, Domestic Bliss and all the great fabrics are in Mesa, AZ. I am not, but not to fear, they were kind enough to let me order. Check out both of their blogs here and here. They are so much fun, and delicious eye candy. My new obsession is getting to Mesa to actually take one of the classes. My travelin' mister's office is in Phoenix. I might have to tag-a-long on one of his trips (he'll love that. hahaha).

Domestic Bliss carries Heather Bailey, Amy Butler and Jennifer Paganelli among others. You would think I could find these fabrics somewhere in Dallas, but I have had no luck. Just look at this cabinet full!! They also host all kinds of special events check out their Blissful Living blog for a schedule of upcoming festivities. You Arizona girls are so lucky to have these talented, creative people near you.

The fabulous Minnie in one of her darling creations. This looks like such a fun group!!

Thanks, Minnie for putting together my patterns and fabrics. This pattern was so quick and easy, and it fits like a dream. My hubby even likes it! I can't wait to see what you're up to next!!!

I hate the first few weeks of a new school year.

So many meetings. So many appointments. So many supplies to buy. So many teachers to meet. So many lunch accounts to fill. New bedtimes. New carpool times. New homework philosophies. New expectations. New responsibilities. New reading lists to buy. New athletic schedules. New activities. New clubs. OVERSTIMULATED kids. OVER INVOLVED parents. Still so hot. Take me away already!

I hope to get back to my own life soon.