"classy and fabulous"

This is so my style.

Went to Macy's in Bend yesterday and bought myself a few things on major clearance. You can look fabulous on a budget.

Purse I am carrying right now is very similar to this one. LOVE.

Bought a very classic black sweater that is very figure flattering. (kam, I am wearing it to Celebrations of Trees next week).

Got some sexy new jeans. Calvin Klein to be exacty. Regular price = $80.00. Missy's bargain $14.90. I am a kick-ass bargain shopper. Pun was intended and yes this is my ass. (in my dreams)

Got some gorgeous patent-leather short boots. Also going to wear next week with the sweater.

Now I just need to find some fabulous jewels.

"Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup"

If anyone is wondering what to do with all that leftover turkey. Here is a recipie to try. I found in on Recipe Girl. Sounds delish.

Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup

Great for leftover turkey...

1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or turkey stock or broth
1 can diced green chilies, drained
2 cups 1% milk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
2 cups shredded turkey
¾ cup corn, fresh or frozen
3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Add chiles.
In a bowl, whisk together milk, flour, salt, chili powder and cumin. Increase heat to high and whisk milk mixture into soup. Stir until thick and bubbly, about five minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add turkey, corn, cilantro and cheese; stir until cheese is melted and soup is hot, 5 to 10 minutes.

Servings: 6

"black friday"

I will NOT be among the 147 million people shopping. I loathe this day for shopping. Ironic, I know since I do LOVE to shop. Just not at 4 a.m. with half of the population of America. Looked thru the ads and found nothing I couldn't live without. Twilight Movie Review:
Took the girls to Redmond Theater. Not too many people there.
Movie was good. Book was WAY better. Movie should have been extended to at least 3 hours. So much of the good stuff was left out of the movie. Edward should have been more hansome. I am glad I read the book so I knew what was going on.
Would definatley recommend reading the book 1st. Can't wait to start the next one "New Moon". it's waiting for me at home.
Bff, have a story to tell you about today but can't blog it. Or email. I will try and call you tomorrow night since you are among the shopping elite tomorrow :)

"happy turkey day"

I was going to write this thoughtful, meaningful post about how we should be grateful for everything in our lives. (as we should).

But right now my kids are fighting and my husband is yelling at them. I probably should have waited until this all settled down before I posted. So I could have had a "perfect" little post about how great life is (really, I do have it pretty good), but this is real life and real families and the way it goes.

On a good note. We had Thanksgiving catered this year. Who does that? The restaurant was offering to have a complete dinner made and delivered for 8 people for $95.

Score.

We got turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potatoes, rolls, green been casserole and a whole pie. We couldn't have made dinner for $95 and we had NO prep. I even went to Walmart and bought Chinet paper plates so we don't have dishes either. Very NON-TRADITIONAL. But my reality this year. I am very ok with that.

After dinner I am taking the girls into Redmond to see Twilight the movie. I finished the book last night. I was ssssssooooooooooooooo good. I read in in less that 3 days. Can't wait to get home to start the next one.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Yes, I am grateful for family (even thought right now they are driving me crazy), friends and our health. And not having to cook today. And that the sun is shining. And that I am still on vacation. And that I get to to watch Twilight. And I miss my best friend (hi homey), and my blog friends. Have a great day. gobble gobble.

I am definately making cosmo's tonight.

"and the winner's are"

Brooke & Derek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called it yesterday. I am always so happy when I watch this show. I loved the last 4 couples and thought they all deserved to be there. (look at Brooke's rockin' body). Who looks like that? Only about 6 people on the entire planet and the rest of those bi-othches are victoria secret models). I am not jealous, just in awe. I am TOTALLY obsessed with the Twilight book. Almost done. I am sure I will finish it tonight.
It has almost 500 pages and I started it Monday night.
I layed around today until 2:30 pm (that's right, 2:30 in the afternoon) and read.
I then took a shower and went on a walk with the hubby.
Kids went to game room to play pool, air hockey and ping pong. (I am sure there was a little bit of fighting going on there too) ( with each other) ha.
Came back to blog, say hi to my peeps.
Going to BBQ for dinner, make Cosmopolitans, and finish my book.
Oh, how I am acting like I am on vacation. (it takes me a couple of days to wind down and start enjoying myself). I actually slept in this morning. Earlier in the week I was up and showered by 8:30 am. So by the time vacation is over, i have to get back to reality, work, normal life. blah.
Kids are having a blast. Girls are reading alot like me. The week is flying by..........

OMG. Bff. I found BRAVO last night!!!!!!!!!!! I watched the Atlanta smackdown and OC premier. Two words. HOT MESS.
So much to talk about.
Kim's fake-ass hair. (it scares me)
Ne-ne. Love her.
Sharee. Hoity-toity (not a fan)
DeShawn. Boring.
Lisa. Acts tough, but I think she is a poser.

Orange County.
Where do I start?? Claws are going to come out with the new hot housewife. I kind of liked her, but we will she her true colors as the season goes on.
Very enjoyable. Can't wait to start watching them together again!! Our dirty little secret. Oh, not really, because I just exposed it to the 3 people that read my blog!! tee hee.
Ok, going to stalk everyone's blog. Better be some good stuff!
I will have a cosmo for ya' all..................................

"vacation day 3"

This is one of my favorite places to spend time with my family. This is the 11th year we have been here as a Thanksgiving tradition. Nicole was 2 years old the 1st time we came here. Tyler has been coming since he was 8 weeks old. I LOVE IT HERE! (we missed last year because we went to Mexico instead, I was ok with that) We went on a beautiful walk yesterday and had a gorgeous view of Mt. Jefferson. It's cold 15 degrees at night with highs of 40 during the day. But I love it.

To all of my friends who got a little scared about my comment of moving over here. I have a solution.

If we move we will get a compound for all of us to move. And have a craft wing, gourmet kitchen, workout room, home theater, hair salon (with a personal massage therapist names Sphin), and be one big happy family!! Yeah!

I am so sad that it is Tuesday at 12:30 and I am not with my BFF at Burrito Tuesday :(
I am making homemade tortilla soup for dinner tonight.
Just got back from playing raquetball with Tyler.
The girls just took a class and made tye-dyed shirts.

Now Tyler is putting together a puzzle and the girls and Leroy ran to the store to get soda and lottery tickets. If we win, we are buying the amazing 5 million dollar mansion Leroy sent Kam a link to and will live together.
Yes, this tradition is amazing. Funny how the kids are old enough they are saying "remember when we did.............................." here at Eagle Crest.

They have memories no one can ever take away! Tyler told me the first night we were here. "mom, I love our tradition of eagle crest every year, and I love you." Priceless.
Sorry Maddy is sick. Poor thing. Give her hugs from me :)
Yes, strange that you (BFF) shops the day after Thanksgiving and I loathe that shopping day. That's why you are ying and I am yang :)
We will get back on track with losing weight and exercising. Bitch aunt flo came to visit, so I am not eating anything because my cramps are so bad. I have been active with the kids, so I feel like I am not gaining weight as we speak.
I did watch dancing with the stars last night. I am sad and think Lance and Lacy missed the chance to WOW everyone. I didn't like there routine and they had the potential to bust it out!!!!! I think Brooke will be 1st, Warren 2nd and Lance 3rd :(
I started Twilight last night. OMG. LOVE. Stayed up until 1:00 am reading last night. I will have it finished in a day or two. We might go see the move on Thanksgiving day.
I am going to go blog. Miss you bitches. :)

"jumping on the bandwagon"

Ok. My daughter has read all four books of this series.
BFF has read twilight (I stole this pic from her blog). And the movie is out. I must be "in the loop".
I am starting the book tonight.
After I take the kids swimming.
And eat steak for dinner.
And stalk some blogs.
And drink some wine.
I have a lot to do tonight.
I am on vacation after all.
(I miss my bff. I did call her today. I think we might both be moving to the Bend area soon, both of us) :) (I just wanted to see how closely people read this blog, or just skim over it, tee hee.) The idea of moving is very appealing. But we are a package deal. Get one of us, you get both of us.

"success"

SUCCESS:
At age 4 success is . . . Not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is . . . Having friends.
At age 17 success is . . . Having a driver's license.
At age 35 success is . . . Having money.
At age 50 success is . . . Having money.
At age 70 success is . . . Having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is . . . Having friends.
At age 80 success is . . . Not peeing in your pants.
Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way;BUT NEVER forget the blessings that come each day.
Have a wonderful day with many smiles
Take the time to live!!!
Life is short.
Dance naked
And eat dessert first!

"fundraiser"

I know most of you are probably "fundraiser-ed" out. I am having a purse party to help raise money for Nicole's trip to Washington DC in June. She is going with her 8th grade class and it's expensive, but such a great opportunity. Here are the detailsand I would love for you all to come! And who doesn't love handbags??
Designer Inspired purses (ex. Coach, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vitton, etc.)
Friday, Dec. 5
6:30-9:00
At the salon (call me, email me or blog me to get directions if you need them)
All handbags are cash and carry. Visa, mastercard, cash accepted.
Please come and help support the cause. Thanks!

"bff"

I am so lucky to have the BEST BFF in the ENTIRE universe!!! :) Thanks for always being my friend. Love ya.

"jessie!!!!!"

Jessie. I was doing some retail therapy today (Kam, knows I needed it today) and was in Payless Shoe Source and saw this bag!! You and your sis need one! I thought of you guys as soon as I saw it and took a pic with my phone. I forgot to look at the price. Heritage Mall. Payless shoe source! Love ya.

"lemon glazed mini cakes"

OMG...........i die. These are the best dessert I have ever had in my LIFE! I saw these on Suzanne's blog and decided to make them. Lemon is my favorite if I'm going to be bad. Forget chocolate. These are the bomb!! So easy, moist and yummy. I shouldn't have because I will not be able to stay out of them. I really don't like to bake, so I don't do it often. I am sure I will be regretting this later, but right now I have one more batch ready to be glazed. Oh my. Don't know what my obsession is lately with desserts? BAD....

Ingredients

18 1/2 ounces yellow cake mix

3 1/2 ounces instant lemon pudding mix

4 large eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

Glaze

4 cups confectioners' sugar

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice1 lemon, zest of

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons water

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Spray miniature muffin tins with vegetable oil cooking spray. Combine the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs and oil and blend well with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. (The batter will be thick). Pour a small amount of batter, filling each muffin tin half way. (I found a small cookie scoop the perfect thing for making them a uniform size).

3. Bake for 12 minutes. (I baked 4 dozen at one time, so it took a little longer--be sure to reverse places in oven for even baking if you cook this many. Also, they come out of the tin better if you cook a little past the golden brown stage so the cake is more firm). Turn out onto a tea towel.

4. Make the glaze while the cakes are baking. Sift the sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest, oil, and 3 tablespoons water. Mix with a spoon until smooth.

5. With fingers, dip the cupcakes into the glaze while they're still warm, covering as much of the cake as possible, or spoon the glaze over the warm cupcakes, turning them to completely coat. Place on wire racks with waxed paper underneath to catch any drips.

6. Let the glaze set thoroughly, about 1 hour, before storing in containers with tight-fitting lids.

"pumpkin cake"

This time of year ANYTHING pumpkin is appealing to me. I want to make this cake right now and eat it. But I'm too tired, so looking at the pictures will have to do. I found this on Noble Pig. There are some very lovely recipes on this site. So EASY. Two ingredients!

Two-Ingredient Pumpkin Cake with Apple Cider Glaze

For the Cake:

1 Yellow Cake Mix

1 15 ounce can of pumpkin puree

For the Glaze:

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 Tablespoons apple cider

3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Empty the contents of the boxed cake mix and pumpkin puree into a large bowl.

Using a hand-mixer or stand mixer beat until well incorporated. The batter will be very thick, but will come together nicely.

Pour batter into a greased 7 x 11 X 2 pan.

This is the small, rectangular-sized pan from your Pyrex set. You know, the set you had to have when you got married and rarely ever used all the pieces. Finally, you have a use for it.

Bake at 350 degrees for 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake.Let cool for 5-10 minutes in the pan, then flip onto a platter.

Make the glaze while you're waiting.

Combine powdered sugar, apple cider and pumpkin pie spice.

Glaze should be thick but pourable. Add more sugar or cider if needed. Pour over the cake while still warm. Reserve some to pour over each slice when served.

Serve warm or room temperature.

"porkrind"

Your "I-DA-HOE" CD is ready.
Love,

"i'm bored......"

.....said my 9 year old. Well I said "then you can go outside and rake leaved in the backyard". At first I had some resistance. Then he piped up and said "ok". So off the the shed we went. Got the rake. Changed shoes. I put a roast with potatoes and carrots in the oven and off we went. He didn't want me to take any pictures. I assured him I was just taking pictures of all the leaves. (not sure I pulled that one off). He did such a great job and was proud about how happy daddy would be when he got home. Then I let him go ride bikes with his friend down the street. I wish everyday was like this.............

"candy corn cookie bark"

I had good intentions of making this yummy treat for Halloween. But that is already done and over. And I never got it done. So I have all of the stuff and am going to make it for Thanksgiving. I was printing off the recipe that I found on Recipe Girl and thought I would share with everyone. I will let you know how it is. How can you go wrong with these ingredients. Candy corn is my weekness. But I am back on my "healthy eating" today, so no candy corn until Thanksgiving.
Candy Corn Cookie Bark

14 to 16 whole Oreos, broken up
1½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces
1 lb white chocolate (chocolate wafers work best... try Wiltons or Guittard brand)
1 cup candy corn
brown and orange colored sprinkles
1. Place waxed paper on large cookie sheet. Spread cookies, pretzels and about 3/4 cup of the candy corn into a 13x9-inch rectangle on the waxed paper.
2. Place chocolate in glass measuring cup and heat in microwave for about 1½ minutes. Stir and then microwave for about another 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
3. Drizzle melted chocolate immediately over cookie mixture, spreading with spatula (if needed) to coat evenly. Top with reserved candy corn and colored sprinkles. Work quickly before chocolate hardens.
4. Place into refrigerator until firm. Remove and gently break apart into small pieces for serving. Store in airtight container.
Yield: About 2 dozen pieces

"is it ever ok.........."

To give your 9 year old son Skittles for breakfast and not care?

" i die "

I have heard some of the funniest quotes today.

*I hate fake-ass girls

*Obama won- now we need to move to South America

*Go with the flow (and hope it's not aunt flo)

*I hate your granny panties *I know but I can't afford to buy new ones

*Our reputations are being tainted by Tommy Lee

LMAO. Probably not funny to most, but I am laughing my real ass off right now. These quotes are all from people I dearly love.

"rock the vote"

Hope everyone voted today! Monumental day in history!!!

"metallica madness"

Ok. I know this is suprising to some, but I went to a Metallica concert for the 2nd time in my life. Yes, I did say second. My hubs is a metal-head. I wasn't really thrilled about going, but it ended up being fun. We went with some friends, Mark and Becky. We made the most of it. The concert was AWESOME. They really do put on a great show. The people watching was great too.

We had GREAT seats. Very close to the stage.
When we were standing in line to get in, it started RAINING hard. Becky and I found some cover, but the die-hard rockers (aka. dumb husbands) stood out in the rain and got DRENCHED! They didn't care. They were going to see Metallica. YEAH!!!!!

We got in early because Mark is cool. Something about a fan club, tickets??? Not sure, but was nice to get there before the crazies. It was a PACKED house. Lazer light show, LOUD, wine, beer, ROCK-N-ROLL. What else could a girl ask for???????????????????????????????

Took pics on our cell phone. They actually turned out pretty good.

So after the concert we met up with some people Becky knows from WOW. We went out to a bar in downtown Portland at about midnight. Rode the Max for the 1st time. I only had one glass of wine. Everyone else (except LeRoy and I) got pretty lit. The conversation was about gaming on-line and politics. At one point I wanted to go join the cute gay couple in the next booth over. They were pretty entertaining. So when the bar closed at 2:30 we called a cab. Everyone else wanted to walk back to the hotel. Not me. (I had no idea where we were and how far back it really was, seemed like a long ways on the Max). So at about 3:15 am LeRoy and I were standing outside the closed bar. In downtown portland. Freezing in the rain. With drunk Hobo's and hoodlums. Waiting for a cab. Nothin'. Not even knowing how to get back to the hotel. One of the waitress's from the bar was still there and called another cab for us. It was the best $10.00 i spent all weekend. Safe and sound back to the hotel. The party got moved to our room. By 4:00 am I was tired and sober and done. Ready to go to bed. Enough WOW talk. I was very quiet and tolerable. Got about 4 hours sleep. Over all the weekend was great. (motel was questionable). On the way back on Sunday we stopped at IKEA. Shopping with my husband is about as fun as going to the dentist. Spent $2.32 at IKEA. Oh, and ate lunch. And had a $1 frozen yogurt. Glad to get home and see my kids.

"happy halloween"

Halloween is already a blur. I went to the pumpkin patch with Tyler's class in the afternoon. Fun and the weather was great. Even went on a hayride with BFF's hubby. (he happens to be the priciple of Tyler's school, ha ha). We came home and frosted sugar cookies. Tyler thought they were for the beaver game on Sat since they were black and orange. I told him "yep" they are. No reason to burst his bubble and tell him they are halloween colors. The Three Muskateers.........ummmmm.............I mean 3 M & M's. They looked awesome in their costumes. They wore them to school and everyone loved them. The girls went to a halloween/birthday party on Halloween but had to come home early because the had basketball tryouts early on Sat. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSANDRA!!!

Tyler didn't want to trick-or-treat, he decided to stay home and hand out candy. After about 10 trick-or-treater, he just wanted to go to a few houses and get some candy. After a few houses, he wanted to go a little further down the street. So I stood out on the sidewalk while he went (it was still light out side). I was laughing so hard. He didn't really have an official costume (just beaver stuff) and he was wearing shorts and flip flops. His hat is a santa hat with a white ball on the end. He was running from house to house and his little white ball was bouncing up and down. SO funny. Then he begged me to take him around our entire block. So I put on my shoes and off we went. We had so much fun. I would have been a little sad if we hadn't trick or treated just a little.

Yummy cookies. Didn't last very long.

"soggy saturday"

Had to get one more rockin' blue mascara pic on here. I have halloween pics from last night, but don't have time to post them right now. Will do it later. Peace out, cubscout!