Let's Compile a List Because...

I don't know about you but I would love to be able to send my blog friends a birthday card, maybe a thinking of you card, a get-well card when they're under the weather, a christmas card...

I'd like to put together a list of names, addresses, birthdates, and/or any other information you would like to share. Do you want to be included on this list? If so, you can e-mail me your information and I'll start putting our list together.

You can e-mail your info to chasins4@yahoo.com. I'll make this list available to anyone who wants a copy, just let me know.

Crockpot Wednesday

Italian Chops

16-oz bottle Italian salad dressing (use less if cooking only 2 chops)
2-4 pork chops

1. Place pork chops in crockpot. Pour salad dressing over chops.
2. Cover. Cook on high 6-8 hours.

Variation:
Add cubed potatoes and thinly sliced carrots and onions to meat before pouring dressing over top.

(Recipe from Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

SPT - Something Blue

Lelly's challenge this week: Something Blue

I always thought pink was my favorite color but I sure have alot of this in my home...

Monday Miscellany

Today is Memorial Day. I had to work on Saturday so we stayed home this holiday weekend. It turned out for the best though because we don't like fighting all of the crowds on major holidays and it seems like we've been gone alot lately too. It was nice to have no plans.

Today is Monday and it was filled with miscellany. It was a blog reading, ebay bidding, house straightening, bill paying, thank you card writing, grill cooking, cupcake baking kinda day! Yep, miscellany with a capital "M"!

Even though I don't cook regularly anymore, I like cookbooks and kitchen gadgets. I picked up this cute thing at Crate & Barrel a few weeks ago. As a matter of fact, I picked up two. Hey, I think I feel a giveaway coming on! I had the second one ear marked for a friend's birthday but a giveaway would be so much more fun don't you think!?!

This is my newest kitchen gadget. I was surprised at how sturdy it is. Can you tell what it is?


And this is what it looked like at the end of the day. I think I may have even figured out my convection cooking dilemma because these things turned out scrumptious...no hard crust tops on these babies!


In case you're wondering, all of my ebay bidding efforts today proved fruitless...no milk glass dessert cups, no Vera Bradley tote bag, no Tiffany goodies of any kind, nothin'...but I'm still holding out hope for my Wilton Armetale cabbage design soup tureen!!

52 Blessings

This day I am thankful, and eternally grateful, for the brave American soldiers, men and women alike, who have sacrificed their lives for the USA, their homeland, and it's citizens.

I am thankful, and blessed, that they have sacrificed their lives and their safety...for mine.

Remember Them in Prayer

Steven Curtis Chapman is a talented christian singer/songwriter whose family was hit with a devastating tragedy last week. Maria, his 5 year old adopted daughter from China was accidently killed. Steven and his wife have 3 older children and 3 young adopted girls from China. This beautiful song was inspired by his little girls. Take a listen to Steven's interview after he sings this song...but be prepared to shed a few tears.



Please keep this family in your prayers.

Any Requests?

I live within walking distance to a public library and approximately 4 times a year this library has a book sale.

Each book sale last for 4 days and I generally go about twice each time they have the sale. Over the years I have found so many great books...fiction, non-fiction, religious, gardening, cooking, educational, children's books. You name it and it's offered.

The books are usually $1.00-$3.00 each (paperbacks maybe less than a buck?) On the last few days of the sale, it's $2.00 a bag. You can take home as many books as you can fit into a bag for $2.00. I go to every book sale offered and get so giddy when I walk into that large room filled with all of the books. Books make me happy.

The next book sale starts June 5th. If you enjoy reading as much as I do or if you are looking for a certain book or books by a particular author, let me know and I'll keep my eye open for you. Any requests out there?

Retail Therapy

My daughter (little sis) and I felt like doing some shopping today...it has been a very long time since we have done any shopping together with her being away at college and all. We started off our day with a self portrait.


As usual, we had a fun time together...and as you can see, she and I can do some serious damage to the checkbook in a very short time! Her Dad was a bit concerned when he saw all of the packages...but it was worth it!!


Hope you had a fun Friday too!

It Was a Good Day!

Yesterday was one of those days where you got alot accomplished yet had fun in the process. I just love days like that!

My Mom and Jim are in town, so hubby, handsome son, and I met them for lunch. We met at our favorite mexican restaurant but just had a light lunch (hubby and I are trying to cut back on the carbs). This is a picture of my Mom, Jim, and handsome son. In the last year my mom has lost 40 pounds. She looks great but was complaining yesterday because her size 4 pants are a little big. I wish I had that complaint and her will power.


I have read from so many of you about your great Goodwill, thrift shop, and garage sale finds. I'll be the first to admit that I'm kind of a snob in that area because I don't shop any of the 3. Well yesterday I decided I'd give it a try. After lunch I stopped at the Goodwill and to my surprise I walked away with a few items. It'll take some time to get used to the idea but aren't you proud of me!?!

I found these glass goblets for $1.50 each. They are a vivid green and nothing like I have ever purchased before. I usually don't go for much color but I couldn't walk away from these. We're having family over for dinner tonight and they are already set up on the dinner table. The green salad plates are new too.


I've decided I need to spruce up my cooking skills a bit so I was delighted when I spotted this cookbook by Sandra Lee. She has a cooking show on TV that I have watched in the past. I like her cooking style, it's semi-homemade. Her recipes include alot of store bought items to make the cooking process easier and less time consuming.


I stopped by the mall on my way home for more of these. I've mentioned before that my new candle scent for the summer is Sun and Sand. I bought one for my mom and sister who are coming for dinner tonight, one for a friend who is moving to Seattle tomorrow (I thought she might want to think of the California Sun and Sand when the Seattle weather gets her down), and of course, another one for me!


A little retail therapy makes any day a good day doesn't it! Speaking of retail therapy, I need to get my act together this morning and head out the door. We're having dinner here for my mom/Jim, sister/hubby, 2 guests, and my family of 4. We haven't entertained in awhile so I'm looking forward to it.

Look What a Month Can Do

You can see really well if you click on the photo, but the flowers have filled in nicely after one month.

To me, it's as important for the outside of my home to look as nice as the inside of it...and flowers can easily do the trick.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

OK, I've been home for less than 6 hours and I want to either pull my hair out or pull out all of my daughter's hair! She's not using the brains that God gave her and she needs another lesson on respect. Where did my sweet little girl go...I don't know the one that's here.

(It's going to be a long, long summer!!)

Newport Dunes

Newport Dunes is sandwiched between what is called the back bay and PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy and the ocean beyond.) This is the view of the back bay from some of the campsites...isn't it amazing! The homes across from the bay are multi-million $ homes.


Each month one couple is in charge of the weekend and all of its festivities. Our wonderful hosts this month were our great friends, Joe and Linda. They went above and beyond and just did an incredible job. The joke this weekend was how they're gonna make us all look terribly inadequate when our hosting month rolls around. The couple who hosts next month's campout joked that next month we will see the contrast, the other extreme...too funny!

Cinco de Mayo was our theme of course. Hubby and I don't drink but margaritas were freely flowing with dinner and Joe even designed and built his own salad bar for all to enjoy. In addition, each family brought a main dish or dessert to go along with the salad bar that Joe and Linda prepared. I always over eat at these potlucks! This is a picture of the mobile salad bar that Joe constructed, complete with netting to keep the bugs out. This guy can build anything!


We always have a 50/50 drawing where you can win some of this...


This is a picture of myself and my sweet friend Becki. Becki is deaf but we have always been able to communicate beautifully. She never learned sign language, she reads your lips and truthfully, makes it look effortless. Becki is very friendly and talks with everyone...until it gets dark outside. Once the sun goes down or the lighting is bad, Becki retreats to her 5th wheel for she can no longer communicate with you when it's dark...because she can't read your lips anymore.


You won't believe it but Becki just turned 51! She looks incredible doesn't she!?! Last year Becki became a member of The Red Hat Society and she's darn proud of it (Red Hat Society is a social club with chapters throughout the US for ladies over 50.)

Some of us decided to skip breakfast today and head out for lunch to one of my favorite places to eat...Katella Deli! I must say, these people are getting used to the self-portrait idea and even requested it today. This is a picture of us at Katella Deli.


When I called home this morning and told handsome son that we were going to stop at Katella's on the way home, his response was to PLEASE bring him home some of these...


Some of the best cookies you've ever eaten. I was happy to oblige.

I know this post is long but I wanted to leave you with one more picture. As I was walking around the Dunes this morning I came across this glorious sight...the biggest, most beautiful bougainvillea tree you have ever seen. God's creations continue to astound me!

Company's Coming...And They're on Their Way!

I talked to my mom on Mother's Day and she gave me some good news...she and my step-dad Jim are coming to California to visit for a week! They left Colorado yesterday and will be at my sister's house when we get home Sunday. It's been 8 months since I've seen them so needless to say, I'm excited!

I have been blessed with a kind, caring, christian mother and God gave her a new life with a wonderful husband over 10 years ago. Jim is the sweetest, most loving person you will ever meet. I've never heard Jim say a negative word about anyone...and I mean NOT ONE NEGATIVE WORD. He is always optimistic and sets such a great example for our family. Jim loves God...and my mom with all his heart! I love them both and can't wait to see them.

What has me even more excited is that both of my kiddos are in the same city now and so my mom and Jim will get to see and spend time with BOTH of them together...it's been awhile since thats happened. It will be a fun week with all of us together. I'll be sure to photograph the week so that you can put some faces to the names...and you can see for yourself just how adorable they are.

On The Road Again

Yes, we're heading out again tomorrow because this weekend is...



Yep, Camping Club weekend!

I'm very excited because we'll be spending the weekend in Newport Beach at The Newport Dunes. Newport Dunes is comparable to a 5-star hotel only it's a 5-star resort for RV's. I grew up less than 10 miles from Newport so whenever we go to the Dunes, it's going home for me. What's even more exciting is that my sister still lives nearby so I'll get to spend time with her this weekend, along with our camping buddies.

Now that little sis(daughter) is home from ASU for the summer, she and a friend will hopefully be joining us on Friday...unless she gets the summer job she interviewed for today. She was told they would call her by noon on Friday so keep your fingers crossed.

Unlike last weekend when we were out of town, the Dunes has internet! I'll try to take lots of pictures so you can see just how beautiful this area of Orange County is...you'll love it as much as I do!

Crockpot Wednesday

EASY TERIYAKI CHICKEN
(I'm a lover of the 5 ingredients or less recipes)

2-3 lbs. skinless chicken pieces
20-oz. can pineapple chunks
dash of ground pepper
1 cup teriyaki sauce

1. Place chicken in crock pot/slow cooker. Pour remaining ingredients over chicken.
2. Cover. Cook on Low 6-8 hours, or High 4-6 hours.

Makes 5-6 servings

What's Up With That!?!

So I get a call in the unit today, from our lobby phone, telling me that one of our patients in the lobby is falling out of his wheelchair. I rush out into the lobby and sure enough, a man with no legs is just about out of his wheelchair...he's literally hanging on by a thread. I'm embarrassed to say this but the first thing that rushed through my mind is "man, you had better not fall out of that wheelchair because I don't feel like paging the doctor and/or sending you to the hospital!" I tell the transportation driver to watch him while I go get the machine lift so that we can get him properly back into his chair...and without hurting our backs in the process.

I grab a few other employees on my return trip, along with the machine lift, and back into the lobby I run. We get the guy back up into his chair finally and all the while he is ranting and raving, in spanish no less, that we are doing it wrong, that he's not in his chair right, that we need to straighten him out more, etc., etc., etc. In the meantime, his voice is getting louder and louder and he is making more demands for us to reposition him again and again and again.

"NO" I finally said over his yelling. We are not positioning you again...you have strength in your arms...lift yourself up and move your butt back to the end of the seat...we're not doing it again.

Well...have you ever been cussed out in spanish and called really really bad names!?! Geez, what's up with that...you try and do something nice for someone!!

Evidently this guy doesn't know who he's dealing with...doesn't he know that "nurses call the SHOTS!" Oh boy I can't wait!!

To You My Friends...

I didn't know what to expect when I started this blog a few months ago and I don't even really know the reason why I started one to begin with...but the truth is that I've met some wonderful, talented, and sincere ladies along the way...ladies that I now consider friends.

So friends, today is Mother's Day and what a fitting day to say "thank you" for all of the encouragement, laughter, and support you give to me regularly. You have enriched my life and you continue to touch the lives of others daily. Friends, thank you for your Christ like qualities and your loving, giving hearts. You ALL are wonderful mothers and your children are blessed beyond measure.

I will be thinking about you today and wishing you all a beautiful day...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Monday Miscellany

We have a full week ahead of us so today was busy with errands and much needed housecleaning.

First off, I started a diet today. This past weekend, every meal looked something like this. This is Joe and Linda and they are holding a pan of carne asada which we had Saturday night for dinner. Let me tell you, every meal cooked by Joe is gourmet and an unbelievable taste sensation!


I finished boxing up some spring good mail goodies and thank you notes to be sent out and took them to the post office today...and waited 50 minutes in line! The line was incredibly long but I still think we have the slowest post office employees around. I swear they move in reverse.


I received a nice thank you card from Andie and her daughter "Boo" thanking me for a good mail package I sent to Boo. Yay, Boo is now completely potty trained! Andie is also the one who gave us the heads up about this candle. Yankee candles have been a favorite of mine for years but this scent is new and we're lovin' it.



Thought I'd show you a picture of my new reading/blogging area. I came up with the idea last week to make a little sitting area on one side of our patio and this is what we came up with. We saw this at Costco on Tuesday and thought it would suit our purpose perfectly. I'm really lovin' this!


Our son took hubby back to Costco to pick it up in his truck. On the way home, on a VERY BUSY STREET, this loveseat slid out of the back of the truck and right into traffic. Luckily, for one, it was very well packaged so no damage was done and secondly, no car ran into it!

I work on Tuesday and Wednesday so I have been busy today getting ready to leave town on Thursday for Arizona because guess who is coming home for 5 weeks???


Our daughter (little sis) is finishing up her freshman year at ASU this week and we go pack her up at the end of the week and bring her home for awhile. It seems like yesterday that I was crying the whole 8 hours home after we dropped her off at college...man that year zoomed by.

Well I guess I'd better get in there and finish cleaning (I'm sitting in my new sitting area outside right now.) My son has a friend from Brazil named Vivianne that is coming to our house for a few days on Thursday. We are sooo sad because we're leaving on Thursday for Phoenix and won't get to spend any time with her. Vivianne is moving back to Brazil permanently from Maui and wanted to see our son before she goes. Maybe it's good that we won't be home because it's going to be a sad good-by. I was hoping someday she was going to be my daughter-in-law! I just keep thinking...YOU NEVER KNOW!

52 Blessings

It is Sunday once again and I have so much to be thankful for today. I feel blessed to know this bunch of people. I'm thankful for their friendship, for the fun times we always have when we're together, and for the beautiful weather we all enjoyed this weekend.

This is our attempt at a self-portrait. At first they weren't too sure about my idea but as you can see they came around. They now think a self-portrait should become a regular part of our get-togethers.




As you can see, by the 3rd attempt, we got pretty good at getting everyone in the picture...even my little Jake!

We Made It...

and yep, the fun has started!

We got off to a slow start yesterday because we woke up to this...


Of all days not to be able to pull out of your driveway! Our streets were being redone and they had just put new tar down when we were wanting to leave. We ended up leaving about 1:00pm but then that put us right smack in the middle of afternoon traffic. Oh well, what can you do. We made it to the RV park and our friends were waiting. Look at the view we have from our site...


We are in San Dimas at Puddingstone Lake. The RV park is immaculate and hugh with lots to do. We had a nice dinner last night and then hubby and I made a steak and eggs brunch for everyone today. We all consume so much food on these camping trips, it's amazing. But that's what it's all about, relaxing with good friends and good food. It recharges you and is good for the soul!

Happy Friday!!

Friend Time

We're heading out today for a weekend with friends! Going RV'n with 2 families from our camping club. We've got good food lined up and the company will be the best. Guaranteed, this weekend will be fun from start to finish!

I hope you all have a safe, fun-filled weekend!