Some Days You Need a Treat!

There are those days when you just really 

need a treat, aren't there!?!

Like a fabulous Vanilla Bean Frappuccino!

Wow -- that is quite the drink!

My selection at Starbuck*s is generally

the skinny vanilla latte . . . with a birthday cake pop!

We had a recent early out day from school and

so we celebrated.

We like to celebrate the big and the little occasions!

Happy Wednesday!

Hello Monday Again!

Well, hello Monday again!

Somehow Mondays sneak up on me 

and I'm never quite ready to

give up the weekend, are you?

It's been extremely chilly lately -- 

where are our normal halfway warm February temps?

Maddy in my alma mater sweatshirt - Bradley University!

Maddy and I spent the weekend running errands,

shopping at Target,

walking the pup, 

and throwing out clutter.

Plus -- I cooked! 

 Yes, I made an incredibly delish

slow cooker bbq chicken!

While the bbq chicken is probably easy-peasy for

most of you, I'm the first to admit

that cooking is not my strong suit - 

I need easy, very easy,

and it was that and very yummy!

Yay me!

Speaking of cooking, 

last weekend when I was with the littles,

I introduced them to the Pioneer Woman shows

on Netflix.  Janie and I oohed and aaahed

over the dishes she made.

How does Ree make it look so easy?

Aha, Janie reportedly was taking notes!

The other day she made herself a little snack - 

some chocolate hearts layered on tostitos!

She told her Dad she learned about it on Pioneer Woman!

Smart girl -- always pay attention when chocolate is involved

 (though I do not recall that specific recipe).

Marble cheesecake!

This week we are hoping for warmer temps,

looking forward to celebrating a birthday

and a day and half off school for Mads due

to school conferences.

Love a day off, don't you! 

Scottie Spa Day!

In honor of the Westminster Dog show, I thought a post about our
incredible Scottie lass would be in order.
Miss Muffy rules the house.
She puts up with us only because she
can nudge that big Scottie nose and get treats rather easily!

Recently, she had a day at the spa and believe me, she needed it!

"Before" grooming

Justin, our favorite groomer, loves Muffy.  

He worked in puppy and doggie daycare
when she attended those programs and
then Justin moved on to grooming.
Muffy is the best Scottie he's ever met he says!

Here she is after her day of grooming.
She looked so pretty and smelled lovely!

And, did you know that February is Doggie Dental Month?

Yep it is -- so Muffy had her teeth cleaned last week!
That was a bit of an ordeal and took her a couple days
to recuperate from the procedure and the meds.
But now, her teeth are sparkling and
no cavities!

Doggie teeth brushing is commencing to keep those canine chompers
bright and clean!
Wish me luck! 

Valentine's Day Weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day Weekend!

Who doesn't love a holiday that celebrates with chocolate??

Perfect for me!!

We are spending the weekend with the Littles tomorrow!
Can't wait to see those cute little faces with their
chocolate milk moustaches!
Yes, there will be chocolate milk!
No rules when Mimi's there, right?!

And we may even have this for dessert or breakfast -
I haven't decided yet!  :)

Have a wonderful weekend!
XOXO!

Hello Monday!

Hello Monday!

Sometimes we refer to Monday as Manic Monday or Miserable Monday

or just Monday, Monday -- don't like that day!

You know, Mondays can be tough after the weekend.

But am trying to be more positive about Mondays!

So . . . . this week we are looking forward to:

Warmer temps -- loved the snow,

 love it more when its gone!

A haircut for Miss M -- think she is long overdue

as her hair is tangling on its own overnight 

and driving her a little cray-cray!

Janie at 3 months!!!

Little Miss Janie-boo turns 5 this week!

How can she be 5 already?!! :)

Also looking forward to some relief

from a terrible, horrible, very bad backache.

Have no idea what caused it, but please

pray for it to be gone.

And looking forward to 

spending some time with the Littles next weekend

while Philip and Catherine have a break

and attend a Marriage Encounter weekend.

It's going to be a busy week!

Thinking of Mom

I miss my Mom and think of her every single day.
Today marks the the 4th anniversary of her death.
A mass was said for her today at Cathedral.
I like to think she is smiling
and sending hugs.
 She was a great little hugger.

Her family meant the world to her, and
I know she would be so proud of us kids,
 the grandkids and
great grandkids!
Wow -- she would love seeing and knowing all the little ones!

One of my favorite things of hers to look at is her
recipes -- not that I am great cook -- we all know that!
She made it all look so easy!
But, I just love to see her handwriting on those scraps of paper
and recipe cards.

She really was the best Mom!

Hello February - Hello Snow Day!

Well, hello February!
You've got a tough act to follow after two weeks of
incredible January weather with temps in the 40s and 50s!
Way to start it off with an ice/snow storm dumping 8+ inches of snow
after some rain and ice first!

February is one my most favorite months as it is such

a nice, short winter month! :)

Also, my oldest son was born in February 

and his daughter, my first grandchild, was also born

in February!

Maddy crawling around the yard playing with Muffy!

Miss Maddy got her wish - snow and a snow day off school!

Wet, heavy snow with a lovely under-layer of  thick ice
influenced the school administrators
to call for a snow day!
Driving is very hazardous!
Even my big red jeep was sliding!  Aaack!
Wind and bitter wind chills too!

I know that sneaky groundhog will have something to say
about winter and spring!

Still hoping the groundhog predicts an early spring!
Ever the optimist, right! :)