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Friday Favorites Valentines Day Edition

Today has been a GREAT day.  Not only because it is Friday, but because it is a day away from the office!

This week my Friday Favorites are all about

Valentine’s Day

 

Favorite # ONE

Conversation Hearts

While conversation hearts candies are cuteAnd Conversation Hearts donuts are a real treat

A Conversation Hearts Cake is a work of art!

Last Saturday, I made one!

Favorite # TWO

A Work of Art

Found on Pinterest and commissioned by my daughter-in-law for her Valentine’s Day baby’s first birthday.

It is a heart shaped chocolate cake [Duncan Hines] covered in the best homemade buttercream frosting ever and “decorated” with red sprinkles!

Favorite # THREE

Flowers and Chocolate

Who wouldn’t want flowers and chocolate on Valentine’s Day?

LB always makes sure to let me know that He is My Valentine and I am His!On Valentine’s Day LB sent me a beautiful arrangement of daisies and roses!

Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flowers?

In addition to the flowers, LB surprised me with a box of Pecan Delights.

I’ll be hiding these in my closet.

 

Favorite # FOUR

This

Red Blouse

that I FOUND in the back of my closet.

Although I look like a toy soldier in this photo, I was happy to find something red to wear on Valentine’s Day.

Favorite # FIVE

This Valentine’s Day Baby

Rory was born on February 14, 2018.  We celebrated her birthday on Saturday.

Hey Girl!

This is a photo of her enjoying her very own pink cake…

with a special photo bomb [under the highchair] by Levi.  Not sure what that was about, or if anyone else noticed, but I thought it was too cute and worth sharing!

Thank you for the cake Glammy!

Here’s some for your face!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Valentine’s Day

Do you remember this scene from the movie You’ve Got Mail…Kathleen Kelly: I love daisies.

Joe Fox: You told me.

Kathleen Kelly: They’re so friendly. Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flower?

~

When I laid eyes on my Valentine’s Day flowers, my first thought was “daisies are the friendliest flower”.

Thank you LB!

There was an attached card which read…

“You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you.  Your LB”.

~

If you are a fan of classics and romantic movies, you recognize that line from Pride and Prejudice.

As I’ve mentioned before, I will watch this 2005 version of that movie just to enjoy that single scene and the lines delivered by Matthew Macfadyen.

Included with the flower arrangement was a “Happy Valentine’s Day” balloon.

Sadly, I lost my balloon.

Apparently it wasn’t tied down well (or at all) in the flower arrangement.  When I leaned into my car to place my arrangement on the floor, the balloon tapped the car door and was floating away before I knew what had happened.  It was a sad moment and I pouted all the way home.

~

LB and I will enjoy dinner and a show at the Alhambra a few times during the year.

Last February we saw Little Shop of Horrors which was, strangely enough, the featured Valentines Day show.  You can read that post here.

This year for Valentine’s Day the Alhambra featured an Elvis impersonator in a sold out show titled Elvis Aloha.

“Elvis” did a great job

The Chef

did an excellent job!

The Tuna Poke Salad was good, the Kahlua Pork was good, the Peanut Butter & Banana Pie was SO good. 

The treadmill would be beckoning after this meal.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

It has been a less than satisfactory week.

Even Friday was a disappointment.   Nevertheless, I DO have

Friday Favorites

to share.

Favorite # ONE

Groundhog Day

was a good day.

Groundhog Day is a celebrated tradition that is based on superstition.

Observed in the U.S. [and Canada] on February 2nd and originating with the Pennsylvania Dutch, it is said that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its burrow and winter will persist for six more weeks.  However, if it is cloudy, and no shadow appears, the spring season will arrive early (source).

On February 2nd, the groundhog predicted an early spring.  It was the 19th time in the past 133 years that an early spring has been predicated by the little furball (source).

Instead of celebrating as the good folks of Punxsutawney do, LB and I gathered with some of my favorite people to celebrate a special birthday… which brings me to

Favorite # TWO

Mama’s Birthday

Although we celebrated this special day on February 2nd, her birthday is January 31st. She appeared to be having a good time.See that cake???

Favorite # THREE

Lemon Pound Cake

I made two this week.

The first was a special request by my coworker and friend Wendy who celebrated a birthday on January 29th.  The recipe I used came from Add A Pinch which you can find here.

It was so good, I made one for Mama.

Favorite # FOUR

Birthday Selfies

Everyone needs a photo-bombed birthday selfie.  You haven’t been shown adequate love without one.  In my family, we are experts at bombing the birthday selfie…and it is fun…

Favorite # FIVE

A Concert

starring two Princesses (Thea and Lydia) and the Dinosaur Whisperer (Levi).

With a special solo by the littlest Glammy’s Girl (Rory).

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

TBB Asks: Relationships

The Blended Blog “Asks” series is always a fun Q&A.

Today’s TBB Link Up post is about relationships…

1.  Who is your oldest friend; how did you meet?

My sister is the friend that I’ve had since 1970.  No other friend has been mine for that many years.  While she isn’t “old”, she is the friend I can claim to have had the longest.

I love her.

2.  Tell us about your circle of support.  Who are your people?

At home there is LB.  Next door there is Mama.  My extended family gathers together very regularly for dinner.  Kathy and Wendy at work.

3.  How did you meet your partner?

FMBC

sometime in the 70’s

4.  How is Valentine’s Day celebrated in your home?

In my world there are flowers, jewelry, and a night out.

There is always a sweet message.I’m never disappointed.

5.  What is your love language?

According to Gary Chapman (1995), there are five ways we express and experience love (he calls them “love languages“): Gift Giving, Quality Time, Physical Touch, Acts of Service (Devotion), and Words of Affirmation. We all “speak” one of them most fluently in each of our relationships – especially in a marriage (source). 

Mine is Words of Affirmation. 

My Partner speaks this to me fluently.

6.  Do you prefer receiving flowers or chocolate?

When flowers are delivered to the office for me, I’m completely impressed.

7.  What is the most meaningful gift you have ever received or have given?

Although he was a Christmas gift, I’d have to say that Elvis is my most meaningful gift ever!

My sister calls him a “Mama’s Boy with a high pitched voice”.  To me he is Purrrrfect!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.


Filed Under: TBB

LB’s Birthday Weekend

LB’s birthday is on January 26th.
January 26th happened on a Saturday this year, so I was able to be home with him and start his special day with  a special BREAKFAST.
Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes were on the menu.  Courtesy of Mrs. Butterworth’s and a can of Dole Sliced Pineapple!He loved his pancakes!
And he loved opening Birthday Gifts!He looks SMASHING in his new jacket…
And is very excited about his new GOOGLE Home Mini!The Birthday Boy spent his day playing with ‘Hey Google’.
I assumed we would go out for dinner and live music later that evening, but he didn’t want to venture out in the cold.  He requested homemade pizza for dinner.
And he chose the German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake from a list of cakes that “you MUST TRY”.
It is delicious!

I’ve included the recipe courtesy of Taste of Home so we can make it again:

German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 package chocolate cake mix
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 1/4 cup rum
  • 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions, using a 13×9-in. baking pan. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk milks, 1/2 cup cream and rum. With a wooden skewer, poke holes in cake about 1/2 in. apart. Slowly pour milk mixture over cake, allowing mixture to absorb into cake. Let stand 30 minutes. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.
  • In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over top of cake. Sprinkle with coconut and pecans.

 

The LB Birthday Weekend theme song was When I’m 64.

It was completely appropriate for the occasion.

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

 

Friday Favorites

It has been a long and arduous week.  But there is no better way to forget the negative than to focus on the positive.

This is why I blog… to focus on the positive.  It is great therapy and a great way to remember what I’ve been up to.

That said, it is time for My

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

On Sunday evening, LB and I headed to the Florida Theater to see the original boy band…

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

although these Four Seasons weren’t the original boys, they did an excellent job backing Frankie and entertaining with their fancy dance moves.

We heard hits like “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”, “Rag Doll”, “Walk Like a Man”, and “Sherry”.

Frankie Valli is 84 years old.  I was impressed with his performance and I’m happy to have had the experience.

~

Favorite # TWO

Turkey Cheddar Bacon Sliders

Because I have to keep my LB fed!

This is how I made them:

Turkey Cheddar Bacon Sliders

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package King Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • Dijon Mustard
  • Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • Cooked Bacon
  • 1 (12 ounce) package turkey deli meat
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/8 tsp dried parsley

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In a package of King’s Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, there should be 16 rolls.  Without separating the rolls, take a sharp serrated knife and cut them in half. Cutting them this way speeds up the assembly process.

Spread the Dijon mustard along the inside of both the top and bottom halves of the rolls.

Layer turkey evenly over the rolls.

Layer cheddar cheese over the turkey.

Layer slices of bacon over the cheese.

Carefully place the top half of the rolls back over the top.

Spray a deep 9×9 inch pan with cooking spray and carefully place the sliders into it.

Melt 1-2 Tbsp of butter and mix with 1/8 tsp dried parsley. Brush it over the rolls.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the rolls are nice and toasty.

Use a serrated knife to cut the rolls apart. Serve warm from the oven!

 

 

YUMMY!

~

Favorite # THREE

My Latest LOFT Outlet Finds

which I revealed in this post.

As I mentioned in that post, I am an avid shopper and will continue to shop until I lose my job.

The entire order (including taxes, shipping, and handling) cost $104.85.

So much for cleaning out my closet.

~

Favorite # FOUR

An Inspiration Outfit come to life.

Blouse // Pants // Shoes

~

Favorite # FIVE

The

Ladies in My Family

enjoyed a “Girls Day Out”  and luncheon today.The Garden View Tea Room is located in The Grand Floridian Café in Orlando, Florida.

“Disney venue with an airy British feel attracts young princesses & the public for traditional tea.”

(source)

The photos of the day trip adventures were fun to see.

And the babies got to meet Princesses and Fairies.

I know I missed a great time!

Maybe they’ll do it again and give me 2 months advance notice.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

My LOFT Outlet Finds

Although it hasn’t even been a month since Christmas… I went on a shopping spree.

My name is Kim

and I am a Shopaholic.

JK – I’m not even trying to quit!

I am an avid shopper and will continue to shop until I lose my job.

It is no secret that I love Ann Taylor LOFT and the LOFT Outlet.  If you log onto outlet.loft.com you will find different specials than you’ll see at loft.com or in the store.

My latest outlet.loft.com finds include the following:

$9.99

This was the first item in my shopping cart.  The color description is “fig” and I like how it is paired with the blue/gray pants, but it was the price that grabbed my attention.  With the code SOGOOD, my price was $7.99.

$14.44

I have an eye for a good deal.  These corduroy pants were too good to pass up.  My target item was blouses, but I had to get the pants when I found this

$16.99

The blouse appears to be very similar to the floral long sleeve tee, but has a completely different look when worn.

 MODERN SATEEN SLIT CUFF SKINNY ANKLE PANTS

$23.79

At this point, all four of the items in my shopping bag are in the same color family.  Although I could wear these olive ankle pants with either the blouse or tee pictured above, I have other plans for them.

$11.99

Saving for spring… this blouse is pictured with red pants, and although my brain would’ve never put the two together, I like it.

and another

$11.99

I love the tiny pink flowers in this blouse.  Also, it pairs nicely with my pink pants, pink shorts, pink skirt, white pants, white shorts, white skirt, black pants, black shorts, black skirt and jeans.

By the way… LOFT Outlet is not paying me for this advertisement, I just can’t help but share when I find a good deal!

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

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