Wishful Wednesday - Easter memory

'I wish' .... I could re-live one Easter memory from my childhood, and it would be the Easter that my mother hid a golden egg!


That Easter was celebrated out on the "ranch." My dad owns a ranch (no livestock or anything, just a lot of land) and I remember one year we went out there and she hid a "GOLDEN EGG." Ohhh how we all wanted that egg. She would run behind us and telling us, "Find the golden egg!" over and over. It had money in it! If I remember correctly, it was $20. My oldest sister ended up finding it because it was up in a tree, and I was mad because there was no way I would have found it because it was too high. I also remember that was when we'd all wear puffy dresses with big bows in our hair. Then we'd come back inside and eat all our candy :D

That's a good memory.

Head over to The Seattle Smith's to read what memories other bloggers would want to re-live!

Top 2 random facts about yourself

 

Top 2 random facts about yourself

1. I. Love. Lucy.

Now.. let me elaborate.

I have a fairly extensive collection of I Love Lucy memorabilia.Mugs, books, calendars, Monopoly games (two, actually. One is still in plastic), lunch box, salt and pepper shakers, tins, puzzles, movies and DVDs out the wazoo (which includes The Lucy Show, the entire I Love Lucy series, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, and several of her movies), metal signs, Barbie dolls, post cards, a pillow, an alarm clocks, casette tapes of her entire My Favorite Husband series...

*whew*

As a child, I always got Lucy items for my birthday or Christmas. My dad would purchase and save them until a special occassion. I'll always hold a special place for Lucy in my heart. Watching her shows or being reminded of her is like a sweet flashback to my childhood.

2. Nobody believes I'm half Mexican until I speak Spanish.

I'm as white as could be, but my mother taught us, her daughters, Spanish and English. We're all fluent. It's funny showing someone that I CAN speak Spanish and helping them pick up their jaws.

Random ramble.

Have you ever read the fine print that they show for like .7 of a second during a commercial? Like for mascara... they'll let you know lash inserts were added to add thickness/fullness and then they go on and talk about (in their commercial) how this certain mascara adds thickness? Um.. no. The inserts did. But thanks!

My favorite channel, Lifetime, is showing informercials. Is it too early or something for regular TV? It's .. oh.. NINE AM, not like 4 AM.

I feel like my homework or "things to do" will never ever.. EVER.. end. I'm only taking two classes this semester (that's all I needed to graduate May 15th!) and in those two classes alone, I almost want to pull my hair out.Not just a few strands... ALL of it. Online quizzes, discussion questions that include reading long chapters, essay questions, case studies.. *sigh* Then there's things like graduation invitiations, my departmental exit exam (yes, I have to take an exam to graduate), cap and gown, etc. THEN there's work.. which really isn't that stressful.. but I wonder about what to do for Easter, what crafts, what games, having an Easter egg hunt... Then there's what to do after I graduate. So far I know I'm getting my teaching certificate. Then what? Then I have two years to teach for a year to pay back my dues. Do I stay here? I don't want to. Do I move? Where? What do I do in the mean time? Look for jobs elsewhere? What pay would be high enough to get up and move? What am I willing to settle for job wise until I teach?

These are things I think about or do on a daily basis. Matt got me a lovely full day at the Spa for Valentine's Day that's good for a year. I should use that ASAP.

Thanks for reading. Hope I didn't stress you out just by reading ;)

Top 2 things I can't live WITHOUT

Top 2 Tuesday -- things I can't live without!

Undomesticated Momma's Top 2's are so fun! Go on over and check out what others answered.
 
Here is what I pick:

 

 
My laptop. I cannot live without this thing. I keep all my pictures on my computer, my contact with friends and family via email/facebook, my beautiful BLOG, and not to mention my "Favorites" is just chalk full of things I want to make or do.

.

The other thing would be.. chocolate. Dark chocolate to be specific, but trust me, I won't complain if I have milk or white chocolate in my hot little hand. Ohh and I usually *crave* dark chocolate every..so..often, if you catch my drift. No particular brand/type though, but I do enjoy ferror rocher, lindt, ghirardelli, just to name a few. Not only do I devour chocolate by itself, but it's practically a staple in my baking! I cannot live without chocolate. No way. No how.

.... All this talk about chocolate makes me want some! Thank goodness for the lovely bar of German Milka sitting beside me.

A couple of things I would have posted would be my day planner, my cell phone, photographs, LOVE, but you know, I figured you'd rather hear about chocolate and get your mouth droolin'!

Hope y'all have a terrific Tuesday!

Getting to know YOU

This is my first time to participate in "Getting to know YOU" from MannLand5! If you're interested in participating or just reading answers - check out the link.

1. What year did you graduate high school?
I graduated from Lampasas High School in 2006 :)

2. What part of your body do you neglect the most?
I'd say my arms. At work, I'm usually running around with the kiddos so my legs/stomach gets a decent workout. My mind is always working due to my classes.. so what's left are my arms. Poor arms. I'm sorry.

3. Beach house or Lake house?
Beach house. I like the idea of living in an inn/house like Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks. I'm sure both would be beautiful, but a beach house fascinates me. A nice, secluded, warm house with the beach as your backyard.. ahhh.

4. Mac or PC?
PC. I've never had a Mac. I've seen them like at Best Buy and what not.. but eh. They seem overrated.

5. Did you wear braces?
Negative.

6. If you could be one person for a day..living or deceased..who would you be?
Lucille Ball. She is my IDOL. I'd love to have accomplished so much just by being funny and beautiful :) I wouldn't smoke though so my voice wouldn't be raspy.

7. How many times have you moved in your life?
I moved when I was 9 from San Benito, TX to Lampasas, TX. Then I moved from Lampasas to San Angelo, TX for college. I've moved from the dorms to another dorm, to an apartment, to another apartment, to another apartment. Six times... 2 cities.

8. Would you rather cook or clean?
Clean, clean, clean. Matt is the cook of the house. He's my chef! I love that he tries new things and always does a great job; however, I'm lucky if something doesn't burn. Plus, cleaning isn't that bad.. the hard part is motivation.

Wishful Wednesday

This is my first Wishful Wednesday from The Seattle Smiths! I had a flashback typing "Wednesday"... I thought of how hard it used to be for me to spell that particular day. I didn't understand why it wasn't Wensday.

Anywho....

This weeks topic:

'I wish' .... I could win the lottery REAL soon, and I would hope to ________.

**The real question is would you

1.) quit your job/career

2.) continue working
 
 
In order to answer that question, it depends on how much money I just won. If it was enough to NOT work again, then I wouldn't. If it wasn't enough to not work, I'd take a SUPER long vacation because my job really isn't *that* bad ;) Once the fun (traveling) was over and done with, I don't think I'd be very happy with myself if I just sat around all day doing absolutely nothing, so that's when I'd go back to work. part. time.
 
:) Now I could go on and ON about what I'd do with the money... but that wasn't the question!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! WEAR GREEN!... because I got pinched this morning.

Top 2 Tuesday -- Celeb Style

Top 2 Tuesday -- Celeb Style

1. Jennifer Aniston. I LOVE Jennifer and will always love her. I love her in Friends to where I used to be able to say their script right along with the gang, and I love her in her movies. She can dress up or dress down, and she's always going to look ridiculously perfect.

2. Scarlett Johansson. She doesn't have to have short shorts or low cut shirts to be beautiful or attractive. She looks beautiful simply because she IS Scarlett Johansson. I love her oversized shades as well :) I love the overall simplicity of her outfits.

If you mosey on over to The Undomestic Momma to see who others chose as their Top 2 Celebs!

Weekend

I had a fun-filled weekend. Matt's birthday was on the 9th (Tuesday) so some friends came to San Angelo to celebrate. Here are some pictures!

Here's the birthday boy on the left, and his BFF Polo. They were reeeeeally happy to see eachother.

Me posing with the birthday boy. Notice my decorations (birthday sign and balloons).

My BFF Lasca and me. Yes, we're posing in the bathroom. I got my necklace at the antique mall! :)gg

The boys. Oh wait, excuse me. MEN.

Out 'n about. Cheyenne, Polo and me.

my style background blog makeover giveaway

I hope I win! How neat would that be? I'm already using one of her *freeeeeeeeeeee* backgrounds and header so it'd be awesome to have a custom header :D head on over to my style backgrounds and ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out!

Wish me luck!

A surprise for a friend

Here is the end result of home made toffee candy.

FAIL.

I let it get too hot... to where it burned. To where I'm surprised my smoke detector didn't go off, but I'm sure my opening a window and turning all my fans on helped. In my defense, I did buy a candy thermometer and did what the recipe said to do. Guess it just got too hot! Have no fear, for I have not given up. I am determined to make chocolate covered coffee toffee.

Then I went in a different direction and tried these, Better-than-Brownie chocolate cookies. They're super gooey and chocolatey. I would have taken picture of all of them together, but lets just say... these were the prettiest. The others didn't want to stick together and maintain its cookie shape. It's okay though! I don't mind eating a huge, ooey, gooey, sticky glob of brownie cookies.

But these four ginormous cookies were for a friend of mine as a thank you gift/gesture.

So I wrapped some up in plastic wrap.

Wrote a little thank you note, cut it out with my pretty sissors, inked the edges, pllaced them in a plastic baggie, stuffed some tissue paper inside and sealed it all with a lime green bow!

She was happy :)

... and my apartment still smells like burnt toffee.

Have a good one!
*Sarah

doodle origami

I have this problem..

Really, like it's a BIG problem...

When it's the weekend, I just can't bring myself to do much of anything that's productive.

On that note, I did accomplish something this morning. I made doodle origami! I highly doubt I'm the first to do this, but I got a sheet of my origami paper and cut them in fourths, measuring approximately 3.5 inches each. I tried doodling on all four, but I guess I'm not a very good doodler, as I only liked the way two turned out.

Here's how they started out. The circles took a lot longer, but I actually really enjoyed it. It took my mind off everything, and it was quite relaxing. I like the overall effect of both of them. :) If you're bored, you're more than welcome to count the circles!!

These flapping birds are definitely ready for their close-up.

Top view

Oh... and I didn't use any particular website's instructions. I learned how to make these flapping birds years ago from a book that was given to me as a gift, but unfortunately, I can't seem to remember the title. They are basic and good for beginners, I've made these with the after school kiddos.

Feel free to think of names for these guys!

I've also been doing a bit of this...

Drinking my coffee and reading Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. I like to read the book before I see the movie (eep!), although I know the movie will be quirkier and darker than the book, but I just wanted to read it, as I haven't seen the Disney film in years. :)

*Sarah

my tuh-do.

I suppose it would be smart to make a to-do list of what I want to make and create; get it all down in one place and then mark off as I go. Some will be projects I want to make, others are just thinks I need to do around the house. Some boring, some fun. The thing we call life ;)

1. Homework -> study/paper(s)/online quizzes.

2. Doodle origami (pictures up)

3. Vacuum. Clean... in general.

4. Bake Matt's cake (yummm!)

5. Try to find bundt pans and candy thermometer (um.. would Wal-Mart have a candy thermometer?) for Chocolate Covered Coffee Toffee... not the bundt pan, of course, just the thermometer! :)

6. Organize Avon paperwork and what not

7. Clean craft room (AKA spare bedroom)

8. Contact iTeach about my questions for teaching certificate

9. Toys for a special someone (it's a surprise!)

10. Reusable lunch bag set for a couple of people.

11. Reusable snack bags for meeeee.

12. Easter gifts? Look up what to make for a 9 year old. Suggestions are welcome.

13. Photoshop goodies for my blog.

14. Wrap Matt's gift

15. Make almond milk... maybe?

16. Bake something in the midst of all this. <33

17. Smile and be happy.

There we go. I think that covers it. Hopefully I'll get all these things done soon. *whew* There's my attempt at organization.

previously baked goodness

I just wanted to share some yummy goodies I've made in the past.

First up, florentine cookies from The Cookie Bible.

These cookies came out great if you like crunchy. I'm not particularly a huge fun of the crunch, but it was tasty with its semi-sweet chocolate inside! Next time I want to experiment with hazelnut spread, dark chocolate, caramel, and maybe some others. I'll let you guys know if I do!

Next are Matt's favorite. Raspberry. Marble. Cheesecake. Cupcakes. From Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. That book has some rad cupcakes!

These are awesome, they just take a while to make from scratch. I've also tried the same recipe with blueberries, and they came out just as scrum-diddily-umptious! No photo though. Boo.

These cheesecake pops from bakerella.com are also high up on the list. Totally to die for if you're a cheescake fan. chocolate fan. fun size fan. on a STICK fan.

These were dipped in milk chocolate, then drizzled with white chocolate, and I tried different "methods" of drizzling as well as various toppings. I used sprinkles and powdered sugar.

These were a bit more on the WhAcKy side. Dipped in white chocolate, drizzled with milk chocolate. Some have sprinkles, some aren't drizzled, one has chocolate shavings, one has marshmallows, and some have walnuts. Yummm!

"Creepy Crawlers" from Hello, Cupcake! for the kids at work. They liked them, and they're fun to look at. Not only that, they were fun to make! Also a bit time consuming because you have to pipe the chocolate and then strategically place your m&m's, but hey, it's good practice for piping.

Here they are all together. Caterpillars, spiders, ticks, and bees.

And a closeup. The book gives a template, so that made it way easy. I tried to make a dragon fly (didn't work) but I thought my bee came out cute! (bee not included in template). I think my favorite was the caterpillar. Too cute! These cupcakes totally make creepy crawly insects cute, yeah?

If anyone wants the recipe, let me know. I'll post it here.

Thanks for reading!

first post :)

This is my first post - welcome! I'm not really going to introduce myself because either you know who I am already, or you just happend to stumble across my blog. If you just so happened to stumble, you could learn more about me from the Info section :D

I'm going to start off by showing some goodies I made not too long ago. I plan on making more of these babies!

Here is a sandwich wrap (tutorial =http://www.towards-sustainability.com/2008/03/homemade-sandwich-wrap.htmlsustainability.com/2008/03/homemade-sandwich-wrap.html ) all bundled up. Protecting my ham sandwich. Nice and cozy. Plus I feel very "go green" and that, my friends, is a good feeling. I unfortunately used to use many sandwich sized bags that would end up in the trash.

Here's my ham sandwich -naked!

So as you can see, it's essentially just two squares of fabric with food-grade plastic on the inside (which I used a big ol' ziploc bag) and then I sewed in four velcro squares and done! :D Easy peasy!

That's not all, folks...

Yep, a reusable matching sack! It kind of looks a bit sad in this picture, but it makes ME very happy!! (exclamation happy?) I got the tutorial from http://www.urbanthreads.com/pages?id=537 but I didn't use the grommet for closure, just a magnetic snap.

This isn't a great picture, but you get the idea. I used snap closures for the first time.. that was interesting. It can fit my sandwich, a small ziploc bag of grapes, my water, and some almonds! In this picture though, just an apple and my sammy. I plan on making reusable (smaller) bags with ziploc lining for my fruit and what not because I don't like wasting ziplocs.

Let me know what you think. I had fun making these guys.