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Friday Favorites

What took you so long?

I love My Fridays!  And My Friday Favorites!

 

Favorite # ONE

It’s typical to include food into my weekly list of favorites.  This Friday I’m introducing a snack food with ingredients that are actually good for you…

Veggie and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips

They probably don’t seem to be all that appealing, but are so good!  You can find them at ALDI.

 

Favorite # TWO

My Daddy’s favorite “little cousin” Robbie is my Facebook friend (you may know him as Dewey).  He is more special to me than he knows.

This week his FB post made me LOL…

Seems to me, you’re doing okay Robbie.  Keep on keepin’ on!

 

 

Favorite # THREE

National Love Your Pet Day was this past Tuesday.

I love my pet EVERY Day!

  If you have a Fur Baby, I know you do too!

 

I love My pet Elvis… LB loves Elvis too.

My kids love their pets:

Stephanie loves Aymie.  Amanda loves McCartney.  Richard loves Lenny.

  It runs in the family!

 

 

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

 

The Woodstock Adventure

Recently, Lydia acquired a stuffed Snoopy.  Almost immediately she decided that Snoopy needed a Woodstock.  A few weeks ago my Mama volunteered to bring Woodstock into the family ASAP.  Woodstock was scheduled to arrive by way of Mema’s mailbox very soon.  By the Galentine’s Day event, Woodstock was not here and Lydia was well aware of this.  Glammy stepped into action and ordered that Woodstock on Amazon.  All the way from Japan, Woodstock arrived on February 21st.  Glammy inspected him, wrapped him in a pink bag and deposited him in Mema’s mailbox for discovery by Princess Lydia.

This story has the happiest ending ever!

Woodstock is discovered, loved immediately, and reunited with Snoopy.

All is well with the world!

 

Favorite # FIVE

This baby girl loves her baby sister!

My daughter-in-law Emily posted a video of Lydia kissing Rory with the caption: #lydiaruth has really exceeded my expectations in her role as big sister. I love these girls so much I could explode.

These sweet baby girls are precious.  I hope Emily knows what a precious mother she is!

#BlessedFamily

 

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

 

 

It’s Chili in Here!

Here is a good question for trivia lovers: In 1977, what state designated chili con carne as their official dish?

Stay tuned.

According to The National Calendar Day website, every day is a special day, and you are invited to

“Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!”

As with every fourth Thursday in February

today is

National Chili Day

It’s also National Margarita Day, but we won’t talk about that.

 

Most chili recipes include such ingredients as beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapenos, chili powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, garlic powder and sometimes corn

 

 

However, my cave girl recipe is SIMPLE. And plain.  And occasionally lacking in flavor.  To compensate I have often over-seasoned my chili and brought LB to tears (and a runny nose).

Today LB and I are celebrating National Chili Day at home with my recipe for turkey chili from the cave girl diet I often follow: Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat: The Paleo Chic Diet by Esther Blum.

This is dinner on day 2 of that diet:

“Turkey chili: In large skillet, brown 1 pound ground turkey in 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Add 32-ounce jar organic tomato sauce. Simmer 30 minutes and remove from heat. Stir in spinach leaves from 1 bunch, cover, and let steam for 2 minutes and serve hot. Serves 4.”

Excerpt From: Esther Blum. “Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat.”

Of course I’m going to add onion, cumin, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, and a little salt.

This particular photo is an example of how LB enjoys my cave girl chili… complete with shredded cheddar, crushed corn chips, and sour cream.  And no spinach.And who wouldn’t enjoy chili this way?

 

The National Day Calendar suggests the following recipes on to observe NATIONAL CHILI DAY

Enjoy the following recipes:

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
Chili-Corn Chip Pie
Spicy Slow-Cooked Chili
Spicy Chicken Chili Stew
Biscuit Bowl Chili

Then take a picture and use #NationalChiliDay to post on social media.

 

 

 

What state designated chili con carne as their official dish?

Texas

 

 

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

 

Shoe and Tell Tuesday

“…I’m definitely a shoe lover.  The right pair of shoes can change the feel of an outfit, and even change how a woman feels about herself.  A woman can wear confidence on her feet with a high stiletto, or slip into weekend comfort with a soft ballet flat.”

~Fergie

(source)

Her version of the National Anthem may not make much sense, but her relationship with shoes does.

Thank U GIF by Fergie

My relationship with shoes, however, is complex.

It is difficult for me to rid my closet of shoes that are no longer on trend.

Because of this affliction, I appear to be a hoarder. I’ve run out of roomI know… it’s horrible.

It is the one area of my life that appears to be completely out of control.

And why do I still have those COVINGTON SHOES?

 

Nevertheless I continue to shop for shoes.

Whether I have merely added to my cart for a short time or eventually purchase, I am currently coveting six pairs of shoes.

It all started with a search for dress heels to wear to the Alhambra last week.

This is the pair I chose, but have not yet purchased.

This is a classic dress shoe that will likely find it’s way into my overcrowded closet.

I can’t say the same for the others which are mostly just trendy.

For example, this shoe, although it is somewhat of a classic, appears to be a seasonal trend which began last fall.

 

Nine West Women's Byron Leather Mule

The mule trend began again last season with heeled mules, but is continuing into the spring with flat mules.

I came across this shoe while looking for a flat mule/slide that would work with several outfits.

Mavirs Women's Fashion Backless Flat Sandals Pointed Toe Slip On Dress Slide Mule Shoes

In contrast is the Blythh Mule that it adorably cute, but will work with only a few outfits.

Lucky Women's LK-Blythh Mule

 

The mule/slide trend travels with the white shoe trend.

Sam Edelman has given us a white slide with laces.

 

 

Sam Edelman Women's Tai Sandal

It is perfect for spring!

With Slides and Mules on trend for spring and summer 2018,  I can’t help but appreciate this particular pair.

The Fix Women's Brystal Frayed Cross Strap Slide Dress Sandal

 

I saw a similar pair while shopping for pants at loft.com

I WANT THEM ALL!

But alas, I have nowhere to store them.

 

Adding these to my overcrowded closet, would be a precarious mission…

if I chose to accept it.

Tom Cruise Wow GIF

I may regret it.

 

 

I agree with Fergie that the feel of an outfit can be completely altered simply by changing shoes and I’ll likely continue shoe shopping until I can shop no more!

 

 

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

Kim

XO

Little Shop of Horrors

This past week, LB and I had the opportunity to see Little Shop of Horrors at Alhambra Theater & Dining.and as the name Alhambra Theater & Dining suggests, there was dining involved.

The Menu

offered several choices that I have not seen in the past.

LB chose the Jambalaya

I had the Chicken

and cake!

Little Shop of Horrors

is a Sci-Fi/horror/comedy/musical.

It is the story of a docile and hapless florist shop assistant (Seymour) who pines for his co-worker (Audrey, a.k.a. Audrey I), and loves interesting plants.  Seymour discovers a plant that is speculated to be from outer space.  He names the plant Audrey II, after his co-worker.  When the plant doesn’t thrive, Seymour discovers that it feeds only on human blood. Later in the show, Seymour feeds Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin, to the hungry plant.  At this point, he must come up with more bodies for the increasingly bloodthirsty plant.  Becoming suspicious of Seymour’s strange behavior, the owner of the shop, Mushnik, become victim number two.

The growing plant becomes an attraction generating a great deal of business for the previously struggling florist shop. In addition, Seymour is suddenly regarded as a hero while Audrey secretly longs to be with him and live happily ever after.  Instead of living her dream, Audrey falls prey to her carnivorous namesake.  Ultimately Seymour becomes the final victim in this production.

Hungry Feed Me GIF

Although she triumphs in the stage production, the 1986 movie Little Shop of Horrors ends with Audrey II’s defeat.

“The music swells. Seymour emerges from the dust and debris, adjusts his glasses, and whisks Audrey I to the common comforts of 1960s suburbia”

(source)

Our Alhambra experience ended with vines falling from the ceiling above the audience after a buyer has just taken cuttings of the enormous Audrey II for distribution to other florist shops.  The final number is performed by Audrey II’s victims (Orin, Mushnik, Audrey, and Seymour) dressed as cuttings from the Audrey II plant.

 

Not romantic… but still fun.

Believe it or not, I would recommend.

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

 

 

 

 

Friday Favorites

Friday is

My Favorite Day of the Week

because I get to stay up late and I DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO WORK THE NEXT DAY!

(Breathe)

And everyone who knows me, knows this!

Friday is also the day that I regularly share my favorites.

So here goes…

Favorite # ONE

Laughing at Wendy

She keeps me entertained.

This week my friend Wendy kept me afloat with her unintentional humor.

Among other things, one day she did a poor job of mixing her coffee.

After she took a sip, this is what I saw…

 

 

I SO needed that laugh!

She was mortified when I told her about Napoleon Dynamite, but I was in no way insinuating that she looks like him.  I was merely suggesting that her reaction made me remember this scene.

Favorite # TWO

Pants from LOFT

Recently I ordered a pair of pants from Loft.  At the time I didn’t realize that along with different pants styles there are also different pants “FITS”.  For LOFT there is the Julie Fit and the Marisa Fit.  The Julie Fit is a curvier fit which means it is smaller at the waist and rounder at the hips.  The Marisa Fit is a slightly straighter cut from waist to hip.  My order included Slim pants in Julie fit (in Vivid Red).  They were on sale for $23.99 and I couldn’t say no to that price.  When they arrived I tried them on and found that my normal size 4 was not so normal.  Thinking everything runs large at LOFT, my first inclination was to exchange them for a size 2.  Being a sale item, there was no size 2, so I returned them.

Since then I learned that there is the Marisa fit and I’ve found another pair of red pants on sale.

Skinny cuffed pants in Marisa fit (in Lava Red)  on sale for $24.30.  I’m not sure if it is the Marisa fit or the Skinny style, but these size 4 pants are perfect!

I love the way they fit!

 

 

Favorite # THREE

My Rockabilly Prom dress

from Amazon $32.99

 

Favorite # FOUR

For quite a while now it has been all about Halo Top.

Move over Halo Top… there’s a new kid in town!

Breyers Delights

Indulge without the guilt!

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

This one goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway…

RORY

She came home from the hospital today, and Glammy got to hold her.

She is BEAUTIFUL

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

 

 

 

 

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day

It is celebrated annually on February 14th.  Valentine’s Day has been recognized as a notable traditional, religious and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world.

The day first became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the ritual of genteel courting flourished. In 18th-century England, it developed into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by giving flowers, sweet treats, and greeting cards. (source)

Whether it is rooted in paganism (i.e. Lupercalia) or Christian martyrdom (i.e. Saint Valentine), today Valentine’s Day is a day to lavish attention on loved ones.  This year people have lavished Valentine’s Day attention on their loved ones contributing $19.6 billion to the economy. (source)

My LB contributes to the economy as well.

He never fails to light up my day with a bouquet of flowers delivered to my office.

He will typically present me with an article of jewelry or two, which, in the past has been a set from Brighton.  This year he changed it up and I now own a floating heart from Underwood’s Jewelers

and a box of chocolates

and a Valentine’s Day card that communicated a strikingly similar message to the card I presented to him.Today.  Tomorrow.  Always.

He always lets me know that I am his forever Valentine.

*****

This year’s Valentine’s Day

was unlike any other.

I left work midday and made my way to the hospital (labor and delivery), to await the arrival of a sweet new GlamBaby.

On February 14, 2018

Rory

came into the world.Being that she was about three weeks earlier than expected, I was surprised to learn that she weighed 6 pounds and 18 3/4 inches long.  She is very alert and is obviously taking in her world.

She is a sweet little Valentine baby and I am in love!We are blessed.

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

A Baby Shower for our Galentines

Galentine’s Day

is a pseudo-holiday that has gained widespread popularity since invented by Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler’s character on Parks and Recreation). 
Galentine’s Day is typically observed on February 13th and also the weekend prior to that day. 
The premise is “Ladies celebrating Ladies”.  More simply put, it is a day to celebrate non-romantic relationships with your best Gals.  According to Knope, Galentine’s Day, celebrates three important things: waffles, women, and Leslie’s wise words.
 (source)
One of the “wise words” of Leslie Knope was displayed in the décor at our Galentines themed event:Very nice.

 

 

There are many special Galentines in my life… and two more on the way.

My daughter-in-law Emily is expecting her second baby in March

and

my sister’s daughter-in-law Chynna is expecting her third baby in June.

What better reason to have a

GALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION

To help them prepare for the arrival of these baby girls and to commemorate Galentine’s Day… we had a baby shower!

Planned and hosted by my sister and my daughters

who demonstrated their dexterity in decor…

and their culinary cleverness.

There was the Mac & Cheese Bar

Shirley Temples

and an assortment of delectable treats.

However there were no waffles.  No frittatas.

 

 

The event took place at Mama’s house

So she asked for God’s blessings over the day, the event and the ladies who were gathered to celebrate.After lunch and a couple of girly games, it was time for presentsThere were onesies, tiny socks, lots of pampers and a couple of unexpected surprises for the “big” sisters.

Case in Point:

the Cinderella Cross-Body Bag

Modeled by my lovely sister Gina.

With all of the Disney enthusiasts in the family, it was agreed that the

Danielle Nicole Disney Cinderella Cross-body Bag

was the perfect accessory for a day at the Magic Kingdom.

Although it was suggested that the chain was much to long for Lydia and Thea to comfortably carry these bags, there will be no chain manipulation to better fit little girls.  After all, the mamas may want to borrow these little beauties.

I found this bag at Nordstrom and Amazon, both currently unavailable.

It was nice to be able to enjoy time with family and friends as we ready ourselves to welcome two new little ones.

Thank you MY Galentines Gina, Stephanie, Amanda and Mama, for hosting a lovely event.

You are clearly a group of poetic and noble land-mermaids.

 

 

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

Kim

XO

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