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Air Frying Anything

As I mentioned in a recent post, I received two Air Fryers for Christmas.  I am in No Way complaining about that.   This was an opportunity to contrast and compare something that I wanted, but had not put a lot of thought into.

The

Nuwave Air Fryer

was pinned to my Pinterest Wish List

and my Mama made sure I would find it under the Christmas tree.

It is large and complex just the way I expected.  I was very excited when I opened it.  LB was not as excited.  His argument was that we already have a convection/toaster oven that will produce the same results.  In addition, another appliance will take up space and clutter my kitchen in a way that I will eventually not appreciate.  He did have a good point.  Minimal clutter is of utmost importance.

My son and daughter-in-law also gave me an air fryer.  It was the smaller of the two and they were pretty sure that I would keep the larger one.   After YouTube reviewing, my decision was ultimately based on the size of the appliance.

I kept the smaller one.

Here is the

Dash Air Fryer

in a nifty little demo:

My first objective was to see how well this little device could cook…

Chicken Wings

I am not going to complain about the taste of these wings.  They were just as crispy as fried, but not greasy at all.  It takes about 20 minutes to fry 4 to 5 wings (depending on the size of the wings).

I was very pleased.  LB thought they were good too, although he still questioned whether or not the air fryer necessary (we have a TOASTER OVEN after all).

Because I wanted to settle this, I decided to have a contest between the toaster oven and the Dash Air Fryer.

Jalapeño Poppers would be the deciding ingredient.

Two poppers went into the toaster oven, on the convection setting at 350° for 20 minutes.Two poppers went into the air fryer at 350° for 9 minutes.

LB thought they [pretty much] tasted the same

although the toaster oven poppers didn’t have as much time to cool as the air fryer poppers did.

Jalapeño Poppers are best right out of the oven!  In fairness, we decided that it was most likely the brand of popper that made the whole event not nearly as exciting as it could have been.

In summary, I like my air fryer, and LB likes it because I like it.

I’m so lucky!

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

Kim

The Dreaded Vet

This morning I checked an item off of my to-do list that I have anticipated with mild horror all week long.

The dreaded visit to…

The Vet

scared jim carrey GIF

[for the Christmas Eve episode follow up].

You can read about that event here, but in brief, we were at the Pet Emergency Clinic for nearly six hours on Christmas Eve.

The poor baby has a bad reputation at his vet’s office…  and they greet him with Kevlar gloves.

Although he loves the two people who live with him, he does not like the people at the Whitehouse Animal Hospital, the people that come to his house to visit, or ANY other people.

Let me add that I like and appreciate the staff at the Whitehouse Animal Hospital and feel that we have had excellent attention and nothing less than professional care from this establishment.

THANK YOU Whitehouse Animal Hospital (from Elvis Cat Starling)

As it turned out, in contrast to the Christmas Eve episode, the only displeasure experienced this morning was a moment spent on the scale for the poor baby.  He has gained 12 ounces since December 24th.  Although it would have thrown his Mama into despondency, Elvis didn’t seem to mind.

The Prognosis is Good

It seems that Elvis has asthma and possibly an allergy or two that will trigger an attack.

On December 23rd he began to experience difficulty breathing which was likely brought on by something in the house.  The only thing we can attribute this to is new kitty litter or possibly Christmas decor dust.  Bless his little heart.  Since Christmas Eve, he has been taking prednisone, which we will now be able to wean him from,  and a capsule that he doesn’t have to take anymore [at all] unless there is another occurrence like the one we recently experienced (thank you Dr. Susan).

Here is a picture of Elvis in his kitty carrier.  His death grip is even bigger than his eyes.

this is the only picture LB took today because he was as stressed out as everyone else and didn’t feel that picture taking was of value at the time.  Also it was a little scary.

 

 

 

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

Kim

 

What’s Up Wednesday

Many bloggers are posting about New Year’s Resolutions like “Getting fit in 2018” or, better yet, “Goal Setting for Better Blogging”

however…

I am being random

Happy Wednesday GIF

 

And with that, I bring you another edition of

What’s Up Wednesday

Here goes…

 

What We’re Eating This Week

While LB can eat anything he wants, Kim has to watch what she eats or she will pay the price.

(I have fat genetic material in the mix)

While I haven’t made any resolutions, I have been following a diet inspired by Mary Vance.  My interpretation of her plan involves starting the day with a cup of warm lemon water (and a dash of cayenne).  Then green tea and a bowl of vegetables (leftovers) for breakfast.  Lunch is usually a salad with chicken or salmon (and a plethora of little tomatoes).  In addition to that, I snack on unsalted mixed nuts all day.

I downloaded her book 3 Weeks to Vitality last year and found that the “diet” works well for me.  It is a little stricter than Paleo, but the results are unquestionable.  Of course any plan that is adhered to will work, it’s just a matter of finding something you can live with.

 

 

What I’m Reminiscing About

Although we’ve set no new fitness goals, I’d like to share LB’s photo story (from 2014) to encourage New Year’s Fitness Resolutions:

When you’ve had too many cookies…And the scale begins to tip…It’s time to hit the treadmill…

It will SO be worth the trip…

 

What I’m Loving

This picture of Lydia and Thea taken on Christmas morningsitting together in Mema’s chair and enjoying their new tablets.

Priceless

 

What We’ve Been Up To

Taking care of holiday exchanges/returns.  LB’s shoes are too small, my sweater is too big, and believe it or not, I received two air fryers for Christmas.  After a discussion with LB about the necessity of air fryers (he’s not a fan) and thorough YouTube research, I made a decision to keep the smaller of the two, for the sake of kitchen real estate.

This weekend I’ll be trying it out by air frying chicken wings!

 

 

What I’m Dreading

Driving to work tomorrow.

It is expected to dip down to 27° tonight.  With the 100% chance of rain today, that will make for dangerous driving conditions on my 40 minute commute to work.

 

Also, I’m not handling the North Pole weather very well

Freeze Sticker

 

 

What I’m Working On

Cleaning out the clutter.

And if I do a little bit every day…

I’ll be finished by next year.

 

 

What I’m Excited About

Getting my hair done (because it has been more than three months)!  It seems like it takes an act of congress to set up an appointment time that works for everyone involved.

And while I don’t enjoy the actual process, I love the results.

Saying goodbye to my sad roots and silvery sparkles tomorrow night!

 

What I’m Watching/Reading

Anything in the newly furnished TV room!  After making an appearance at a local restaurant on New Year’s Eve, LB and I came home and finally watched a program on the new television.  We rang in the new year as the Times Square Ball dropped.

 

 

What I’m Listening To

Sometimes LB will send me a text that includes a song… just because.

He sent this one today:

Love Me Do

by The Beatles

 

 

 

What I’m Wearing

On New Year’s Eve I had the opportunity to wear my new WHBM blousewhile we were at Wild Wings Cafe to hear the Party Cartel band.

Today my ensemble included a sweater, vest, coat, gloves, boots, and a warm scarfnot nearly as much fun.

 

 

What I’m Doing This Weekend

Taking Elvis to the vet.

He is NOT going to be happy!

The event could have easily been labelled “What I’m Dreading”

 

 

What I’m Looking Forward to Next Month

Valentine’s Day happens next month.  LB has already made reservations to see “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Alhambra Dinner Theater.  What could be more fitting on Valentine’s day than a story of a floral shop associate and his much-loved, melodic plant?

I’m really looking forward to it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Kim

 

The Year in Review: 2017

Fashion over Forty blogging is big business, and something I’ve followed and have always been interesting in doing.  Blogging for me began on a day that I had taken off from work to babysit for Lydia.  At the time I was hoping to gear  my blog toward fashion and style.  However, when Lydia left with her Mommy to go home that afternoon, I felt that I needed more than a Facebook or an Instagram post to remember that sweet day.  Rather than keep a traditional journal, I decided to incorporate the day into my new blog.

You can read about it here.

Since March 2017 I have been publishing a few posts per week.

“Pretty Is: My Life and Style”, is my blogging journey, i.e. What I see as Pretty.

Whether it be an experience, an event, a memory, or an outfit, my hope is to share something that will be interesting, useful, and/or make others smile.

On this first day of the new year, I’d like to share my ten most popular posts from 2017.

Here they are:

# 10

Mary Duckworth Reid

# 9

4th of July Fashion

# 8

How to Wear White Pants

# 7

 Shopping at Ross

# 6

Shopping at Target

# 5

Father’s Day

# 4

Happy Birthday Lydia

 

# 3

Happy Birthday to ME

# 2

Trunk Club Tuesday

 

# 1

Liberty Furniture

While it hasn’t been a full year yet, since I began my blogging expedition, I’ve gained a new perspective on life;  I’ve learned to focus on the positive;  I have begun to realize how blessed I am.

Many of you have encouraged me with your comments, on the blog, or in person.  Thank you Mama, Sylvia, Richard, Laurie, Amanda, Stephanie,Wendy, Debbie, Stuart, Gina, MaryAnn, Mariet,

and

[OF COURSE]

My LB

 

 

happy new year GIF

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

Kim

Friday Favorites

Is there anything better than FRIDAY?

Only one thing comes close…

CHRISTMAS!

For this edition of Friday Favorites I am combining the two and sharing a few of my Christmas Favorites!

Favorite #ONE

Watching this little girl open wrapped gifts.

Last year she was barely able to open a gift on her own.  This year she would accept a gift and look at it with anticipation.

Before she began to open the gift, she would declare, “I don’t know what it is.”  Then I would tell her “I don’t know what it is either, let’s open it and find out.”

After showing her where to start, she would begin by tearing a small piece of wrapping paper and, rather than throw it aside, she would offer it to me, and then begin again.  I could have participated in this process all day!

It will Never happen this same way again.  Next year, she will be 3 1/2 at Christmas, and she will have a baby sister that she will be concerned about.  She will be different… Life will be different… it is constantly changing.

I know I will remember what a blessing it was to open Christmas gifts with a little girl named Lydia, Glammy’s girl,  who was 2 1/2 years old on Christmas Day 2017.

 

Favorite # TWO

So glad that Mama is creative!

She has a new hobby…

decorating…When she asked me to pick the one I would like to keep, I chose the one with the most pink.

 

Favorite # THREE

BEAUTIFULLY DIVINE CUSTOM DESIGNS & MORE

Entry to DIY Wood Sign Painting workshop for Two People

Thank you Richard, Emily and Lydia for this sweet gift.

Mama…it expires on April 4, 2018 so we will need to make an appointment to exercise our creativity.

 

Favorite # FOUR

MAKEUP!

I believe all the girls got one of these.

Never again will I run out of eyeshadow!

Thank you Mama

 

Favorite # FIVE

…that my sister and I still think alike.

She gave me a pair of blue Kate Spade post earrings…and I gave her a pair of Kate Spade Peridot earrings (her birthday is in August)

She sent me a pic of herself styling those “Kate Spade earrings and Fancy Nancy lipgloss”.

Isn’t she lovely?

 

One more…

Favorite # SIX

Accessories by Betsey Johnson

on display in my garage…

as I was about to leave for work.

There was also a weekender travel bag…covered with kitties!

Thank you Stephanie and Amanda for finding those pretty things that you know your Mom will love.

 

 

 

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

Kim

The Best Christmas Eber

It was a Merry Christmas indeed.

Although there was an Elvis episode to undergo, LB and I were able to get back on track to enjoy our usual Christmas traditions together.

As if still a little girl, I typically wake up early on Christmas morning… excited about what Santa left under the tree.  He is always very generous, and much better to me than I deserve.

It was around 6AM that I woke up and headed to the kitchen.

Elvis [my all time favorite Christmas gift] came down from his “lookout” and met me in the kitchen.  He was feeling much better and was ready to eat, which was a wonderful start to my day.

After feeding him, I lit the trees and made coffee.

LB joined me shortly thereafter.

He and I presented Elvis with his kitty stocking

and then exchanged our gifts to each other.

LB is one smart cookie.

He will take me shopping when we are out and about and let me pick things that he can save for Christmas morning.

For example…

my jeans and tops that were discovered at White House Black Market  while visiting the Golden Isles

My Navy Blue Hobo we found at Classy Crossroads when we kicked off our Fall 2017 trip to the mountains

And a Clara Sun Woo dress and jewelry from Mariani’s purchased during a weekend trip to South Carolina…

which I never published a post about!

Although I have seen some of the items I unwrap, I am still surprised when I see them again.  In addition, I am blessed with the opportunity to reminisce about the time my gift was purchased.

The memory is a gift in itself.

And…My LB is too!

 

 

The Whole Family

was planning to meet at Mama’s house by 10AM.

Mama had a special surprise of her own.

Gina and I sat together on the sofa as she stood before us with two little boxes and said

“This is from my heart”

We took the boxes from her hands and opened them to find…

two items that were part of her story of love, loss, and ultimately joy.

She gave my sister a pair of gold and diamond earrings that my Daddy had given her for Christmas shortly before he died.  She gave me a bracelet that she purchased [at the urging of her sisters], for herself after my Daddy died. Reason being: “he would have bought it if he had been here”.  She wanted to share what had special significance to her with the daughters who are precious to her.

She then sat down between us and we remembered Daddy together, whispering sweet memories, being thankful for the life we shared, as Mama described how God has restored joy to her life.

It was a heartfelt presentation that I will always remember.

 

My Kids

came to visit that afternoon.

We exchanged gifts and drank egg nog.  It was a happy time to lavish gifts upon my children

Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Emily

and my GlamBaby Lydia.

In Lydia’s words it was…

“The Best Christmas Eber!”

 

 

 

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

Kim


 

 

Isn’t there ANYONE who knows

…what CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT???

Some of us know!

Before the mic was dropped, Linus dropped the blanket.

As he speaks the words of the Angels who announced the birth of the Savior…

Fear Not

he lets go of that security blanket and explains the true meaning of Christmas

 

That little clip is one of LB’s favorites.

The full story can be read here.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Josef, Joseph, Maria, Donkey, The Holy Family

 

 

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

Kim

 

 

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