Friday, January 30, 2009
back in the day......
I want the Kurt Russell from Overboard..... "Arturo!"
The only Patrick Swayze I want is the one that says "Nobody puts Baby in the corner".
(OK....sometimes I will accept the Patrick Swayze from Ghost but only because he comes with Whoopi.)
The Val Kilmer from the terribly awesome movie that is Willow. Val as Madmartigan is pretty much the bees knees for this little lady.
(slightly embarrassed that I know the character name....but I'm a sucker for sci-fi!)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tonight I need something else to warm my soul.
Something with a little umph, a kick, a pop.....something worthy of jazz hands
(in case you don't know exactly what jazz hands are)
What is that something you ask?
Well it's my old friend Chicken Corn Chowder of course!
served with a toasted sliced of Cheddar Cheese Bread
Looks good huh?
It just so happens to NOT be a secret family recipe so here you go!
GROCERY LIST:
*2 T margarine or butter
*1 small onion (finely chopped...1/4 cup)
*1 1/2 t ground cumin
*1/2 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1 inch pieces)
*2 large sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces)
*1 can (14.5 oz) of ready-to-serve chicken broth
*1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
*2 t chili powder
*1/4 t salt
*1 can (16 oz) of CREAM STYLE corn
*1 can (4 oz) of chopped green chilies (drained)
*1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
*chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
HOW TO
Melt margarine/butter in dutch oven over medium heat. Cook onion, cumin & chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken is no longer pink in the center.
Stir in sweet potatoes & broth. Heat to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer about 8 minutes (or until potatoes are tender).
Stir in remaining ingredients (except cheese & cilantro) and cook until hot.
Gradually stir in cheese just until melted.
Sprinkle with cilantro (optional)
ENJOY!
(NOTE: this is a recipe that is GREAT for doubling and feeding lots and lots and lots of people)
(SIDENOTE: I definitely always think there isn't enough liquid at first.....stick it out and once you add the cream and cream style corn the soup will get more "soupy")
Not to worry Kitty....I saved you a container full of this golden goodness.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Why I'm Kicking Myself Right Now......
WHERE: Nordstrom
WHEN: the day after Thanksgiving (madness!)
WHAT: the Free People "Grandpa Cardigan"
WHY: I'm trying on the sweater I have been drooling over for 3 months
sorry for the tiny pic
(the girl in the other picture I found had a scary look on her face)
Court: "Is this not the greatest thing ever!?!?!? It fits perfect! I can wear it with leggins and the brown boots Stone is giving me for Christmas."
Madre: "Court, you HAVE to get that."
Court: "I really really really want it."
Madre: "Get it!"
Court: "I can't."
Madre: (gives me the shocked face)
Court: "I really shouldn't be buying anything for myself right now since we are Christmas shopping."
Madre: "Is it on sale?"
Court: "Yeah. It used to be $160 and now it is $70."
Madre: "Case closed.....GET IT! I'll even go halvesies on it."
Court: "MOM! Get real...you are NOT going halvesies on this!"
Madre: "It's really cute and you need it!"
Court: (as I remove the sweater) "No, I'm buying for others today...not myself."
Madre: "You're gonna regret it."
Damn right I regret!
I spent an absurd amount of time online today (while at work) searching for this sweater.
Oh, I found it! NOT ON SALE AND NOT IN MY SIZE!!!!!
Mothers really do know best!
BBBBRRRRR!
Seeeeee!.....doesn't it look tasty??? (I didn't think one photo did it justice)
Go here if you would like to make this goodness too.
OH, I also attempted to document Stone digging a path for my car to get out of the garage this morning.
I failed....too many flurries and I was in a hurry due to shivering in my undies at the door (the neighbors got a show!). If you look really really really close you can see Stone working his little heart out (in a grey hoodie).
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
holding pattern.....
I'm waiting for something to happen.
I don't want this to be confused as me being bored because I'm not.
(well, sometimes on a random Monday night when I have nothing to do and any show that I would want to watch...."How I Met Your Mother"....is a re-run then I might be bored)
I'm just waiting patiently for......
My girlfriends to get serious (or more serious) with their BF's and take the next step, whatever that might be for them.
My brother's wife to announce she is brewing a little person in her belly.
My job to go one way or another.
Friends to tell us they are going to have a baby.
Spring
Mostly though, I'm waiting for me to get baby fever.
My current "baby fever temperature" is at about 99.5....nothing to seek a doc about
Monday, January 26, 2009
almosts......
CJ & Jennie (my bro & his wife/my friend) getting ready to hit some pins!
Abby celebrating her STRIKE!....her and her mad skills kept the girls team afloat
Kitty, me, Abby and Jennie....holding our "balls". (I guess Jennie didn't get the scarf memo)
Sunday:
*I almost had a Butterfinger Blizzard from Dairy Queen but due to my #1 UN-resolution (to get in shape) I thought it best to pass.
(plus DQ was closed....that is the real reason)
On a completely non-related note:
Isn't this a silly picture of The Bitch?
Well done Kitty!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS
It's WAY to big for the room.
I should probably fill you in on what sort of home we live in.
We live in a little 3 bedroom 1.5 bathroom bungalow. The upstairs is an "attic conversion", which equals the ceilings upstairs are a bit lower than the norm.
(aka: I have no problem standing up, raising my hands above my head and touching the ceiling....I'm 5'7")
I would love nothing more than to walk upstairs right now and take a hammer to the Big Bertha of a ceiling fan hanging in our bedroom.
Sadly this is not an option.
Due to our upstairs' dark, hot, muggy past (as an attic) a fan is a must.
I have decided to replace Big Bertha with a lightLESS ceiling fan (just a simple white wooden discreet diddy).
For a light source in the room I have chosen bedside lamps.
This little beauty is one of two which can be found at this Etsy shop.
Check here for this little sweet pea of a lamp.
This curvy lamp is from here too.
(note: not buying the shades in the pictures with the lamps....that's a whole separate fiasco!)
PS: Stone is watching the boob tube while I am typing this post. He just got sucked into an infomercial, leaned over to me and said:
"Court, we need a ShamWow."
ha!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Used to be $50.00 marked down to $19 and I got it for $6.....that's right SIX DOLLARS!!!!
I remembered on my way into Macy's after work that I had a little cash left over on a gift card from a Christmas return.
Oh how the sweet taste of a bargain pleases me so!!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE....
Question?
HHHMMMMM.....
Something to ponder.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Goodies....
such a cute little scalloped edged cake stand I couldn't pass it up
I couldn't NOT purchase this tea cup!...it has a beautiful Asian scene painted on it (Kitty has already called "DIBS" that this is her cup)
this little diddy is oh so classy
I actually purchased the little birdie cup at Anthropologie after we left Midland....cute huh?!
I also purchased an antique 6 drawer dresser for my Madre, but I failed to take a photo of it before dropping it off at her place. It was only $55.00!!!!....WHAT A STEAL!
Oh, and I almost forgot!
A few months back I posted about a little photo project I had planned for my dining room wall......
I finished it last night and I am tickled pink with the result!!!!
All of the prints (which are of doors) are from different Etsy shops and I love love love everyone of them! I'm so happy with how it turned out. I might add one more print to the bottom left corner but I'm not sure yet.
A Conversation:
Court: You look great!....have you lost weight?
Banner: No, (in a whisper) I had a little work done.
Court: You did! Oh my gosh....now that you said something you do look refreshed. Not too much and not too little...just right. Who did you go to?
Banner: Well, this other banner that I comment with (over at Saskia's Spot) had some work done by Lyndsay and I thought it looked super cute so I thought I would get a little spruced up too! I contemplated doing a complete overhaul and having my background done too but I was afraid that might be a bit much at my age. I decided on just a little dye job....what do you think about the blue? To retro? To vibrant?
Court: Oh goodness no! You look H-O-T! Well done Lyndsay!
Friday, January 16, 2009
"Shake your groove thang....yah yah!"
We went to Antigua and it was AMAZING!!!....this is the view from the pool
Yup, that is what you think it is on Stone's arm. A little seagull pooped on him while we were at the pool. To be perfectly honest, that is the reason I wouldn't mind being back there right now. It was HILARIOUS!!!
(sorry for the topless shot of my man...hee hee!)
*The very first "discussion meeting" for my book club was last night. Members of this book club are: Me, Katie Jean, my Madre and two of her friends (Karen & Julie). Things escalated and the book we read (Water for Elephants) was pushed aside to discuss "other things". All you need to know about said "other things" is they involved:
-old people.......naked
-cooking with just an apron on (WOAH!)
-machetes (not in relation to nude cooking mentioned above)
The meeting got WILDLY out of control.
HAVE A ROCKIN WEEKEND!!!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Not the same at all...but sorta
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
BITS & PIECES
*I would be pleased as punch if I could put Liam in my pocket and carry him around all day.
*We are getting ALL CHANNELS free right now from our cable provider (AT&T U-Verse). IT IS THE GREATEST THING EVER!!!!!!!! HBO I heart you!!!!
*Yesterday on my way TO work I passed by a house that had done some remodeling. They left a few odds and ends on the roadside for random peeps (like myself) to help themselves to. Thank you, people down the street, for providing me with an old window pane that I will hang in my guest bedroom. NO thank you, for also leaving a dirty old toilet on the roadside.....GAG! I passed on taking that gem home. UGH!
Monday, January 12, 2009
High Roller....
They do however allow "Casinos".
Confusing huh?
The "casino" has to be on water (aka: riverboat casino) or has to be electric (as in, no actual chips/cards are used...it's all digital on a computer screen)
It's dumb.
I for one am not a gambler....I'd rather actually buy something (ie: shoes) with my money.
I will however take a trip to a "casino" for/with my dad.
Saturday landed us at a "casino" about an hour east of Indianapolis....it was my pop's birthday and that is what he wanted to do so we all loaded into the car (madre was our DD) and off to the "casino" we went!
By the way, the slot machines these days are CONFUSING! Gone are the days of the ole cherry, a gold bar and a number 7!!!!
Things started to go south so I cashed out at $0.40 (ha!...I'm absurd).
I then attempted to find a slot machine that didn't look impossible hard to manage. I happened upon one with dinosaurs on it and put my $0.40 in.
How hard can that be? I mean come on dinosaurs?!?!?!....piece of cake!
In reality I had no idea what I was doing and just kept hitting random buttons, all the while my sister stood behind me laughing/cheering me on.
(I'm sure we were a site to see)
I won 13 free games, learned that multiple dinosaurs in a row (up, down or side to side) are good AND that the machine RRRRROOOOOAAARRRRs T-Rex style when you win.
Lady Luck was on my side and I won $7.87!!!!
Oh yeah...you can bet your bottom dollar I cashed out and called it a night with those winnings!!!
note: sorry no pictures...the "casino secret service" said they would take my camera away if I took any pics.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
BIRTHDAYS, BIRTHDAYS and more BIRTHDAYS!
His name is Michael (Mike) and I think he looked DASHING at my wedding.
yes, I really have curly hair....I'm currently growing it out, so I'm in between hairstyles right now.
My dad....I can't say enough about this fine fella.
He is always good for a laugh (and he has the best laugh).
He can fix anything, and I mean ANYTHING.
He is the best dad a girl could ask for.
I love you to the moon and back!
MUAH!
Friday, January 9, 2009
System Overload:
Does that make sense?
I wish I were.
What I can do however is see someone else's masterpiece and try my damnedest to recreate it in my own (not as awesome) way.
Is it possible for one's head to pop off due to overload of borrowed ideas rolling around inside it?
If yes, I better tighten the scarf around my neck to keep my cabeza in place (sorry to be so graphic).
I am being taken over by other people's creativity!!!!
THANK YOU PEOPLE OF THE WORLD WIDE WEB!
Don't these painted ceiling medallions look so fun! I've wanted to recreate this in our guest bedroom for about 2 months.....I think it is time to get real and DO IT.
You've already heard about my (almost crazy) love for this lady and her designs. Here is a taste of what I want the pillows (I will be making for my new couch) to look like.
OH! Stone, did I not tell you we are getting a new couch? It must have slipped my mind! OOPS!
I'm going gah gah over the broaches I found here. I tend to steer clear of patterns when choosing my wardrobe (they make me a bit nervous). I usually accessorize with funky earrings or shoes. I've decided to add a few lovely broaches to my repertoire. I'm going to seriously try to make a few myself....this should be interesting!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
MISMATCH THURSDAY
To match that is.
It's cold, I was tired and I work with a bunch of men....what do they know about fashion?
I have on this shirt:
With these boots:
HA!
TIDBIT: I have found this to be most interesting over the past few days.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I'm not calling it a resolution....
Lets get serious.
Resolutions are NOT usually kept.
Therefore I thought it best to not go around labeling the following things I hope to do.
Seriously try to get in shape. Once the wedding was over with and I no longer had to fit into the dress I was in hog heaven. Literally. I pretty much have been eating whatever I want just like a little piggly wiggly.
The biggest incentive for me to whip this bod into shape (other than the obvious: I can't afford to buy all new jeans if I go up a size) we are taking a little vacation with friends to Hilton Head, SC this spring. I'm having a minor panic attack at the thought of squeezing myself into a swimsuit and our friends running in terror with their arms flailing when they see me.
Learn to sew.
I feel slightly cheated that I was never taught as a child (oh, think of all things I could be making now).
Madre, you were cheated too so no hard feelings....I still love you.
I have recently become completely obsessed (not psycho style, but close) with Anna Maria Horner's fabric and pretty much everything she makes.
Is this dress/fabric not the cutest thing you have ever seen!??!?! I'm completely drooling over it.
I've been day dreaming about getting a new couch (solid color) and loading it with pillows made out of these fabrics:
Then covering our settee in one of these:
If you want to see more of what this amazing lady has to offer you can go here or here.
So here is to a new year and to attempting (heavy on the attempt) to better myself.
Cheers!
HOLY BIRTHDAYS!
Stone age 10 months
This picture says it all!
Happy 29th Birthday my love!