Good Morning!!  We are officially on summer break!!  Well from school anyways, I made a list of things I would like to accomplish.  At least I’ll have some free time in the mornings to get things done.  Hoping to get more writing in, AND getting through my Crayligraphy classes.  Today I plan to do just that, it is my birthday after all, but I will have to go to work in the afternoon.  Word Press informed me that I had an anniversary on the third.  I started this blog when I turned 40.  I cannot believe that it has been 8 years already, its come a long way, and I am so grateful for all the wonderful people I have met in the blogosphere!!  Have a great week everyone!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

WHAT’S FEEDING MY BOOK ADDICTION:
I am currently reading a non-fiction book called, The Power of Surrender by Judith Orloff, M.D. The cover says, Let go and energize your relationships, success, and well-being. It’s pretty interesting so far. Our summer reading program has started at the library, hope to read some for that as well.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

RECIPE I WANT TO TRY:
This looked really yummy to me. I’m thinking that all the cheese is probably canceling out the nutritious benefits of asparagus, but whatever. I’ll let you know how it turns out, and if my kids will actually eat it, lol.

Chessey Baked Asparagus

FAVORITE VIDEO FROM THE WEB:
This was just fun to watch, took me back to my high school days, these are pretty much most of my favorite rap tunes from that time.

FROM THE CAMERA:
Our new rain gauge in our backyard. The little bit of rain that was collected was after a downpour, amazing how only that much registered, it sounded flood-worthy coming down, lol.  The grass certainly enjoyed it.  The little gnome is our fun memorial to my dad. He had a white beard and mustache (not as long) but he used to lay just like this while watching TV.

QUOTES:

What a beautiful long weekend, the weather is gorgeous.  Kicking off the summer with some grilling today.  Yesterday I cleaned the garage, and got the grill ready.  I feel like today is the official start of summer.  Our town has a memorial service, to commemorate this day at one of the memorials in town, including the 21 gun salute, where they use rifles at the ceremony, and end it with the M80 blasts that are shot off just behind our house.  See video below, nothing says America like a 21 gun salute!!  Hope everyone has a great week, as we head into summer!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

WHAT’S FEEDING MY BOOK ADDICTION:
Still reading the book that I am reviewing. If my time wasn’t so limited, I would of finished it by now, it’s really good.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

RECIPE I TRIED/ONE I WANT TO TRY:
OK…so I didn’t actually make this, but I did “try” it, as in eating, and it was delicious!! My mom made a cake using just an Angel Food cake mix and Cherry Pie Filling. You mix the two together, and bake it. Top it with Cool Whip, and it is delicious!! The sweet fruity flavor, along with the light airiness of the Angel Food, topped with Cool Whip is just really refreshing, a great summer-time cake.

FAVORITE VIDEO FROM MY PHONE:

Our flag in front of our house blowing in the cool breeze this beautiful Memorial Day, as the 21 gun salute commenced.

CREATIVE CORNER:
I have yet to get into my hand lettering lessons, UGH!! I’ve signed up for a class where this guy teaches calligraphy using Crayola markers, he calls it Crayligraphy. I am planning on doing some today.

But my sons are always being creative with their Legos. Together they have been doing stop motion videos, and created their own You Tube channel for it, check it out or share it with your kids. It’s amazing how there is a whole community for the customizing of the Lego mini figures. Elijah has entered a couple of contests and has actually held a few of his own. Great outlet for kids!!

Find them on You Tube
MFC Studios

Stopthat Motion

QUOTES:

Good Morning!!  Enjoyed the weekend, finally got some warmer weather and sun!! Sunday was our Paint the Town Pink’s Battin’ for Boobies Softball Tournament.  I tell you what, it was the safest place to be in town, since one of the teams were the Firefighters and Police Officers (Guns and Hoses).  Either the ambulance in the parking lot was their ride, or it was on stand by, as the players gave it their all to raise money for Breast Cancer.  One of the players on the Guns and Hoses team did acquire a nasty cut on his leg, as he slid into home plate…wearing shorts…that’s gotta hurt, ouch!!  I guess it was worth it, since the Guns and Hoses are the reigning champs.  Always a good time!!  On to another week, this is our last full week of school!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

WHAT’S FEEDING MY BOOK ADDICTION:
I have sooo much to read, and not finding the time to do so!! I recently received an Advanced Review Copy (ARC) of a book to review as a beta reader, so that is my top priority at the moment, I am enjoying it so far. Plus how fun is that? To read a book and give feedback before it gets published!!

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

RECIPE I TRIED/ONE I WANT TO TRY:
I’ve been saving recipes on my FB page to try. Haven’t had time to do much baking or cooking for that matter, please do not revoke my mom card, LOL. I did make the bread pudding I’ve had a taste for!! My dear friend Carrie posted a recipe of a dessert my mom used to make, Toffee Bars and now I want to make some too!!

FAVORITE VIDEO FROM THE WEB:
Came across this video!! Aren’t these cakes gorgeous!! I have never seen this technique before, absolutely stunning.

You can read and see more about it here.

FROM THE CAMERA:
This guy…he’s protecting my chocolate stash in the fridge, lol.  This was shortly after we saw Captain America (which had Spider Man in it as well).  Always fun with boys in the house!!

QUOTES:

It’s late, but it’s still Monday 😀  I worked late tonight, came home, made myself something to eat, and watched Blindspot with my daughter.  One more episode to go!!  Have a great week!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

WHAT’S FEEDING MY BOOK ADDICTION:
I have the second book in the Tradd Street series by Karen White, The Girl on Legare Street. I haven’t had the chance to start reading it yet, ugh…hope to start it soon.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

RECIPE I TRIED/ONE I WANT TO TRY:
I made the Carbonara Mac & Cheese, and it was good!! Pretty surprising, since I had to substitute some of the ingredients. It calls for Campenelle noodles, which the store didn’t have, so I used Penne Pasta, and it also calls for Fontina chesse. I Googled that to see what it was, and what kind I could substitute it with. It said to use Provolone. So I just bought the Italian Blend cheese. Next time I make this, I will probably add more bacon. I served it as a side dish to my Italian Beef Sandwiches.

FAVORITE VIDEO FROM THE WEB:
Taking a minute to watch some adorable bunnies never hurt nobody!! The brown one…look at the brown one!!  I can’t even….I am unable to even…I will never be able to even!!

WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO:
Wednesday will be the season’s first Cruise Night, and they will have the Smash Cancer Car. I just found out that in June for Super Hero Saturday, we will have Iron Man, Captain America AND Thor!! Rumor has it that they are actually coming from Disneyland…we shall see!!

FROM THE CAMERA:
These trees line the walkway to our library, and I live right across the street. I love looking out my window when they are in full bloom. It only lasts a couple of days…they are all already green.

QUOTES:

Morning!!  Hope all you moms had a nice relaxing day yesterday, and got spoiled a little bit.  I Had a really nice Mother’s Day, see below on how I spent my day.  The weather was beautiful!!  Looks like warmer weather for us but of course with some rain.  Have a wonderful week!!

Linking-up with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

MOVIE REVIEW:
The boys took me to see the Captain America Civil War movie, and it was awesome!! It was nice that we were able to see it in town at the local theater, which was built in the 1930’s and has been restored. I just love the Avengers, especially Black Widow, and Hawkeye. There were a couple of new characters in this movie, including Scarlet Witch, she is also pretty awesome. This movie is action packed, and I really enjoyed it. I would suggest if you go to see it, check out the movie Ant Man before you do, he is also in this movie. I wasn’t too excited about watching Ant Man, I just couldn’t picture Paul Rudd as a super hero, but it was really good. He’s a lot of fun.

LOL CHUCKLES, AND GIGGLES:

RECIPE I TRIED/ONE I WANT TO TRY:
Nothing this past week. I really wanted to make some bread pudding, but didn’t get around to it, I still have the ingredients, so that will be in my near future 🙂

LOOKING FORWARD TO:
May is Paint the Town Pink month in our town, so we have several events to raise money for breast cancer that are fun. The “Smash” Cancer at Cruise Night where you can take a sledgehammer to a car painted by the students of the high school. It’s not as easy as it looks. Also the Battin’ for Boobies Softball Game where the Police and Fire Department play against a local business, as well as the rival high schools’ staff and alumni face off. Fun in the sun for a good cause.

FROM THE CAMERA:
My youngest son was on top of planning this whole Mother’s Day thing, he was responsible for getting me all of this:

QUOTES: