Category: Restaurants and Food

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My Crock Pot Is My Best Friend

I don’t know what I would do with out my slow cooking Crock Pot, now that I know so many ways to use it, I find myself pulling it out from under the counter more and more as time goes by. Today is a perfect day to put it to use, they way it spills the aroma all through out the house in wonderful and keeps everyone from wondering too far from the house come dinner time, puts a smile on my face.

Today I am cooking four nice pork chops (boneless & lean) along with 2 cans of candid yams and a couple sliced apples with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a bit of brown sugar. I’m browning the pork chops right now in the oven before putting them in the crock pot, I like that texture much better and I’m always concerned that I’m going to serve some one an under cooked piece of chicken or pork, so I tend to over cook them both, but the family still enjoys them all, along with me.

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Jitters

This morning I had gone to the little gas station down the street from my house, and purchased a drink called Monster thinking it was just to boost you up a little bit for the day ahead.

Well after about 5 hours after drinking it, I had experienced jittery bursts out of no where, and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything at the quick speed it was going. I got so ahead of myself that I dropped hot coffee all over my white blouse that I had on.

Now I’m worn out and I feel like I ran 8 miles with no break, about to pass out. Be aware of these drinks – they cant be too healthy for you.

I’ve never had any problem with caffeine before, but now that I am more aware of how it can affect me, I’ll read the labels of all those energy drinks and maybe only drink half of it at a time.

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Fixing a Lunch Buffet

Had no idea I was going to have a house full of kids today but I’m glad I took the rest of the week off to be with the kids. We were hoping to get away for a couple of days, but hubby is busy with work and the kids seem more interested in staying home so they can play with their friends, so that’s fine, too.

With all these girls at our house I decided to fix a Mexican buffet for their lunch. I  cooked a big batch of ground beef and set out all the different fixings for a taco bar. I put out chopped tomato, chopped onion, shredded lettuce, salsa, shredded cheese, sour cream and both hard taco shells and soft tortillas. Since I love avocados, I made some fresh guacamole and put it out with Doritos chips.

Now I can let them fix their own food and disappear upstairs for some peace and quiet.

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House Full of Little Girls

Our youngest asked if a few of her girl friends could come over today and play and then spend the night tonight, of course I said yes, even though it is a Sunday and tomorrow is Monday, it is no problem, school is our and I have off tomorrow and won’t have to worry about the kids being at the house by themselves.

I must say though, that she has a great group of friends, very low maintenance kids, noisy at times, and always hungry, other then that they are no problem to have over and it is good to hear the laughter of little girls all over the house, it makes me giggle hearing them all.

Ah too bad that youth is wasted on the young, isn’t it?

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How Romantic Is This

My husband had planned out the most romantic celebration for our 20th anniversary two days ago, and I will never forget it for as long as I live. He called me at work early in the day and had told me that he loved me and couldn’t wait to see me later that day and of course it made my heart melt.

When I had came home, I walked into the door and there laid a beautiful cocktail dress he had wrapped up in pretty paper and gorgeous bow ties. It had a note on it telling me to change into it and meet him at a beauty parlor. So I had gotten dressed and went on my way to the beauty parlor where three girls were waiting outside with a sign up with my first name on it. I had walked up to them telling them I was Darlene and they had said “Lets get to work!”

They took me inside to where it was set up for a complete make over, which I have always wanted and they got to work on me. I was so excited to have a make over done, I mean what women wouldn’t be? After 2 hours of primping, they had put me in front of a huge mirror to where I could see the results. I was so shocked on how much of a great job these girls have done, I gave them a big hug and had thanked them, and they had relayed me a message from my husband telling me to go outside where a limo was waiting for me to take me to him.

We pulled up to a extraordinary and beautiful hotel where another woman was outside waiting for me to take me to a room. Well the room as soon as I came in, I had noticed over hundreds of rose petals scattered through out the room along with dozens of white candles every where lit up. My husband was waiting at the bar with a bottle of champagne and strawberries, which are my favorite, and had serenaded me for the rest of the evening. It was like a dream, and I loved every moment of it.

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Glitter and Flash

I found a kit to make a very cool cake. The instructions call for a lot of supplies that I don’t have at home, like cake glitter and sugar sparkles, so I ended up spending almost $50 on different tools and sugars. But it’s going to be an awesome Cinderella’s castle when I’m finished. I’ll make sure to take a pic and post it here when I am done.

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Happy Birthday Sis

My sister is celebrating her birthday today. I wish she could spend the day doing everything fun and nice for herself to pamper her body and relax the mind. Wouldn’t that be anice way to start the next year of your life?

But she doesn’t have that luxury, what with the economic times we are all in plus the fact that her hubby was hurt in a car wreck and can’t work until he recovers. So it was off to work she goes, and her dinner plans include Chinese take out that she picks up on her way home from work. So at least she doesn’t have to cook.

Sis – I love you and hope you manage to have a happy day on your birthday!

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Holiday Getaways

This is the first year that we didn’t manage to get a way for a week or at least a long weekend before school started. Between all the non-stop drama that seems to be never ending around here and the lack of any extra money in the budget we have pretty much stuck here in town and at the house.

But there is hope that we might be able to squeeze out enough money and time to do a winter getaway. There is always a first time for everything they say. I have been check out some of the groupon getaways that I was told about and I feel myself getting excited about actually being away for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. At first I found myself getting all sentimental about not being with all our other friends and family members during these crazy and hectic holidays, but after giving it more thought I really think that it would be a good thing to try for once.

It is always such a pain trying to prepare for the usual holiday festivities that take so much time, energy, money and emotion. Trying to please everyone, even knowing darn well that is impossible, but I seem to keep on trying year after year after year. And to be honest I really get tired of eating so much turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy at each and every family members house that we are compelled to visit each Thanksgiving and then a month later do it all over again for Christmas.

I’ll get you posted on what I come up with and when.

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Choreographed Wedding Dance Lessons

I’m so glad that Sharon is being pro active in organizing the wedding dance lessons santa monica as she was advised to do. It can take up to six months to get all the people and the dance all choreographed, even more if the people involved lived farther out than some of the others. I’m lucky that it is only a short trip for me to get to the dance studio. I usually get there early so that I can stretch out and limber up. If I didn’t I don’t think I would be able to be much good on the dance floor. The older I get the harder it is to stay in shape. Dancing is a wonderful way to exercise. I miss going out and dancing on the weekends like we did back in the day.

Hubby isn’t half bad on the dance floor, as long as he has a couple of beers under his belt. Before the kids came along we went out dancing at least 2 or 3 times a month. So being invited to participate in this choreographed wedding dance is right up my alley. I can only hope I do it justice!

Our Local Dance Doctor
John The Dance Doctor
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A Starting Harmonica?

I really didn’t know that there was even a “starting harmonica” on the market! But then I certainly know everything when it comes to today’s musical instruments. It’s just weird that coming from a very musical family that is still multiplying that I wouldn’t have at least heard about it or read about it online somewhere!

Be that as it may, I managed to find a great last minute deal with a starting harmonica so that I would have it in time to take over to my sister’s house for the “Family 4th of July Holiday Dinner”. This is the first year that my sister has hosted such a large friend and family gathering (we are expecting about 26 people) so I have been trying to help her with some of her personal 4th of July gift shopping errands. It’s been a blessing that we live so close together and are on good terms at the moment.