A ROMANCE WITH FAST FOOD

 

Once upon a time there was a little girl, she lived in a big city, on a street block, in a neighborhood filled with excitement.  She rode her bike, she played in the backyard, and chased her brother where ever he ventured, when she could keep up of course. Winter brought on ice castles, and igloos built by her brother and herself, with hours of playing that seemed never ending.  She took piano lessons with her sister riding to her destination on the back of a Schwinn bicycle passing busy streets...so exciting! There was the mall on those Saturday afternoons and the summer visits to nearby camping grounds with lakes, where she defied the elements of "floating".   Yes she was a strong willed little dreamer,  hearing music on a radio that wasn't there on her sisters Schwinn, the one she would borrow to go around the block.  She would lay on the grass in her front yard under an apple tree, gazing at the planes going by and would immediately be swept away in thought to a place she had never been.  Paris, France or Mexico, such a wild imagination.

And then......... she was swept away to a barren land, a land she had never seen before even in her wildest imagining.  The animals were different, the plants were different and even the insects had no resemblance to what she was used to.
  Such a change, brought on a change. A change in this little girl.  I'm sure she couldn't tell you the exact time or place it started happening, it just did.  Her curiosity and imagination was still there...... only emanated itself in a different manner now.
And that's when it happened, slowly at first, but then took solid root in this little girls life...... her romance with fast food.  Now this fast food romance didn't start with the big chain restaurants as her new City did not occupy the big guys just yet.  But fast food none the less.  Ding Dongs, Twinkies, candy and chips filled her empty days, after all it was too hot to go play. Did I mention the heat in her new barren land?  This heat was ridiculous and  brought on a craving for frozen treats.   Neapolitan ice-cream and bullet bars were just a few of her favorites.
As time drew on, she grew on, which became quite unfortunate, because these days were quickly becoming the ones of boy wonder, and she differed from no other young girl as she quietly dreamed of her prince charming.

Well that wasn't happening just yet due to all those snacks. The double dipping during school lunch didn't help either, brown bagging it and buying off the lunch wagon.  It all played it's ugly tole, and she soon became the queen wallflower at school dances often wondering why that title fit her anyway, after all it was the corner she was standing in and she never wore flowers.

Colonel Sanders was his name, the kind Grandfather type, he was the first of many. And having no grandpas to speak of in her life she quickly found him to be a  comfort with  his savory yet salty taste.  And he was charming to the females, even though he was up there in age.

 

 

 

 

She was well aware that he had others in his life that he gave special attention to, but that didn't matter, he made her feel warm and fuzzy, and that special recipe? It had her at hello.

 Then suddenly, Ronald came out of nowhere, hitting her blindsided with his double decker Big Mac and Fries.  He knew what he was doing, that charm, that smile.

 

 

 

 

 It didn't take long before she was seeing them both on a regular basis.  She tried to make a choice, but she just couldn't. While Colonel Sanders provided her with feelings of stability and warmth, Ronald had a silly way of bringing out her fun side. She did what any young, confused girl would do. She two timed them both.  Feelings of shame and guilt after every rendezvous would sink her poor little heart deeper and deeper into guilt.  It was time to tell them both. It was time to make a decision.
This led to a terrible fist fight, and the outcome was ugly real ugly.

 

 

 

 The Colonel became history and Ronald begged for her to come back, but she had made up her mind. Never again.

 

With that behind her, she sought out a healthier companion, one that would keep her on the right track.  Yes you guessed it none other than Popeye himself.

 

He was perfect for her, he treated her as an equal, and allowed her to feel secure, strong and healthy. She was once again beginning to think clearly and sound, and was happier than she had been in years.  He was the one to keep her on track.  Then one day it happened, his new found business. 
 

 

 

It was too much for her to handle, memories of the past were flooding through her mind. The Colonel..... Ronald...... and before she knew it, she slipped back into bad behavior and two timed  Popeye with none other than.....

 

THE KING HIMSELF

 

 

 

  So hot, so flame broiled, she couldn't resist.  She knew it was wrong, she knew how it would make her feel, but she saw him anyway, day in and day out.  Oh he knew exactly what she was craving. It wasn't long before Popeye was completely out of the picture.  How far she had sunk. Her feelings of shame and poor self image kept her in this cycle of dysfunctional romance over and over again.

 

 

There was Wiener..... need she say more, so spicy and hot between that bun.

 

He took the dump hard. real hard.

 

 And then stooping as low as to three time it with the D.Q. brothers.

Yes they were all a little chilling, but she needed something to cool down the heat.

 

And then Carl.... who could resist those beefy burgers and star quality personality.

 

Arby (who requested to stay anonymous) was something else all together. With his cowboy style meat slung in a different way.

 

And last but not least of her disgusting self indulgence, was

Jack, that's right, Jack.  So sophisticated, so much to offer, she no longer felt a need to go else where.

 

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And then one day it hit her like a ton of bricks

 

.

 

"These men are controlling my life" she sobbed drowning in a bed of tears. And then her eyes were opened! "It's time to dig up this root".

 And immediately she decided to control her own destiny.

She decided to dump them all.

The little girl with the strong will and imagination came back, and she soon realized she could have that Prince, one that would balance her and nurture her and help her grow into  the strong woman that God intended.  And that is exactly what she did. 

She visits her old flames from time to time just to drop in for a quick hello but it's always only for a short while and she remains in control. 

The End

SEASONED GROOMS SALAD

SEASONED GROOMS SALAD!

Most of us have heard of the famous quick pasta dish called "Bride Salad" originally designed for that

new bride willingly wanting to cook for her brand new husband! Willingly? How quickly that starts dissapating.

Of course it's never intential, it just ..... well happens, and the honeymoon softly fades in the distance.

 Most of us become mothers, and before we know it, we are lost in baby land with a home that doesn't  quite resemble better homes and gardens, not to mention being  up to our ears in banking and bill paying.  I'm sure you can add 50 more things to that list!
 In fact these days most of us, and especially if we aren't careful, can find ourselves revolving our days solely around the calender.  For instance:  If any of you read Martha Stewarts magazine, she has a monthly calender with her fun and interesting " to do " list for each day.  Mine is just like hers... except each day on mine is parelled to what "Bill " is due, and there never seems to be enough to pay them! Once you fill up your tank and buy minimal groceries your checking acct is some where around a $1.00  and that's if your fortunate to have a positive balance!

 I have seen this awesome new found economy leave even the most devoted "I will never be caught dead  holding up the grocery line with a folder of coupons people"  actually, desperatly grasping at what ever coupon they can get their hands on , myself included! In fact more and more of us are actually now grocery shopping at the local 99 cent store! That's where I got most of the ingredients for this dish by the way, excluding one of the spices.
 My husband was so impressed with the cost of our meal, he actually asked me to take him to this so called 99 cent store to prove such a place existed.  I did , and he was like a kid in the candy store! He found reading glasses, chips, nuts, drinks, and the great thing is..... he had about 4 bags and spent 20 bucks! 

Now that my kids have all grown up with families of their own, I technically have no more little mouths to be responsible for, unless I want too, perks of being a grandparent! And well ... it looks like were back to square one, the two of us and a tight budget!  So I'm sharing this dish  for all of you  trying to save a dollar, its's named after my husband, who absolutely loves it! So find a budget place to shop, and get started!

 It's fast, easy, and best of all no oven!  Who needs to heat up the kitchen....... save all that heat for later!

First you will need:

A big bowl!



4 eggs!

 

 

 Boil your eggs : Then set your eggs aside to cool.

 

 

 

Boil water for pasta

 

 4 cups of pasta your choice (I prefer Rotini)

Place in boiling water and let cook till your desired softeness.

Start on the following directions below, and when pasta is done

drain and set aside!

 

 

 

 

 Cube  your ham and then set your ham aside!

 

 

 

Cut your spinach in small pieces then set your spinach aside!

 

 

 

 

 

2 tomatoes cut and then set them aside!

 

 

 

2 Avocados cubed and then set aside!

 

 

 

Now start putting the ingrediants in your bowl! Then add the pasta and sliced eggs!

 

 Gather your spices!

 

 

 

Olive oil, sea salt, pepper and garlic powder. I like the Pasta Spice

I get it at Tuesday Morning, its pretty spicy so it can be optional!

Just place your spices in your mixed ingrediants and start tossing, taste as you go, you might want

a little more or less, depending on your preference!

 

 

 

Finished product! It looks just like the photo below right?

Best to all of you out there! Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to make a light weight baby beanie

 

This baby beanie style works well for newborn babies. Although they are really super cute on stuffed animals too!

 The soft cardigan sweaters are petite and thin, perfect for coming home from the hospital, or birthing center!  The one shown here has a small tail, much like the beanies on some of the Ann Geddes photography. You can easily find these throughout the year at any second hand or thrift store, or use your own for sentimental value.

 Also,  use your imagination for style, color, and texture. Just make sure the sleeves are "expandable" to your desired width of the precious little noggin your preparing if for!

 To start, gather your materials, you will need:

A cardigan style sweater ((light weight)

Small to medium  buttons ( these can be found at Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or your favorite fabric store. And remember to keep your eye out for cute buttons that can be found on garments at the thrift stores!

Thread

Sewing machine

Scissors

Fabric pencil (you can also use a regular colored pencil, or a sharpie)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 LETS GET STARTED!

 

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1: Turn your cardigan inside out, then lay it on a flat surface.

2: From the bottom edge of the sleeve, measure up about 5 to 6 inches and place a pin on both sides.

3: Start from the pins and draw up to the armpit just like the photo below.

4: Now cut along your lines ,leaving about 5/8 of an inch out side the line for sewing seam.

5: Place your pins along both edges.

 

6: Now it's sewing time! Sew along the lines on both sides.

 

7: Sew all the way to the end on both sides.

9: Trim your threads.

 

9:  Now trim your seams to about a 1/4 inch.

10: Turn your cap inside out now and it should look like this photo and be about 12 inches long!

 

 

11:   If you go to my HOW TO MAKE ADORABLE BABY BEANIES blog it will show you how to make a pom pom, if you want to add a pom pom do that now, this is what  it will look like.

 

12:  Now place your buttons in whatever position you prefer and as many as you prefer.

 

 

 

 

 

13: Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end. (I always double tie the two threads together when sewing buttons, doubling this creates a stronger thread base and uses less time!

 

 

 

14: Sew on your buttons!

 

15:  Your beanie should now resemble the photo below! So precious! you will be hooked!

 

BLOGY CAT!

 BLOGY CAT!

You’re just hanging out at home doing whatever you do, or browsing somewhere downtown. You could be asleep dreaming. Walla!!!! A eureka moment, it just comes to you and you say to yourself "what an awesome idea"!

I realize there isn’t a soul that doesn't actually exist who comes up with totally original ideas, after all we each have these brains, and more than likely what we think to be our original "genius discovery", has already been an idea, or better yet a patented product or design somewhere else in this big world we live in! But hey isn’t it nice to know that you’re at least on the "Invention Train"?

Throughout the years, I have had these great marketing ideas and haven’t put a one to use. This particular one stands out in my mind.

Eleven years ago I was in the grocery store looking for taco shells. I had an open bag of nacho cheese Doritos in my cart (yes I am one of those people), and the thought just came to me, wow why doesn’t Doritos make flavored taco shells, wouldn’t that be so cool? They could start with Nacho Cheese, and eventually get all the flavors! My head was spinning with recipe ideas ! I even had one of my daughter in laws with me at the time to attest to this. As I shared my super cool idea with her we both wondered why this hadn’t happened yet. Was there maybe a financial or  FDA rule prohibiting it? As the days went by, we brainstormed on how to market these shells and still use the Doritos Brand flavors. How would we get the money? Maybe we should contact Doritos? Or maybe Taco Bell? I came to the conclusion that they would just steal my super cool idea, after all, I am just one of the "little people" right? So I did nothing. Well It took a while, but lo and behold Doritos and Taco Bell have finally  jumped on the band wagon, a few months I was driving down the street and  there it was, big as day, right on the Taco Bell window ….. Doritos Nacho Cheese taco shells! I think I called everyone in my family with the news! Part of me felt elated as I knew I had been on to something, yet most of me started  regretting the "little people" mentality I  unfortunately have.

I have been recycling old sweaters, and for those of you reading my blog, this is not hot news. From baby beanies to who knows what! In fact, my next blog was going to cover these  adorable dog sweaters I have been creating from sweaters purchased from the thrift stores both old and new! These are just a couple! Aren't the models precious?

 

 

Guess who jumped on the old recycle train and marketed it? You guessed it!  

Simplicity!

 They have a pattern for dog sweaters in their new "Go Green "section?  I guess now I don’t have to post those step by step directions after all, thanks Simplicity! Now granted I haven’t purchased the pattern yet to see just how "simple" it is, so when I do, and if it’s not……well then maybe I will have another blog! In the mean time…… lets all try to put our cool ideas into effect and purchase a piece of that train. What's your cool Idea?