Bloggers Block

I have started and re-started this post about ten times.

I may have a case of blogger-itis.

You know how it goes:

You haven't been posting as frequently, because you've been just trying to keep up with the fast pace of life.

You sit down to the computer half-heartedly. You have fifteen minutes until the timer goes off, letting you know that dinner is ready. It's Sunday night, you might not get another moment to sit down before next Friday.

You haven't really written about anything of great significance. You've already talked about your hair. 

You lost track of where you saw that great Meme that went around two weeks ago. But that would be old material by now anyhow. 

You already took a break. Made deeper commitments to post. You even tried pre-posting a weeks worth of blogging on the weekends.

You haven't complained about laundry, but with aroma of Thanksgiving still lingering in the air, it doesn't seem right to complain. 

So you sit. 

And look at the screen.

And pray for something relevant. Something funny. Something original to type. 

Yep. A severe case of blogger-itis.

Is there any cure?

Black Friday: A Crowded Kind of Day

I don't know about y'all, but you would would sooner find me sitting in the dentists chair for eleven root canals than find me in a mall today. 

I like to shop, but in all things there are limits. I guess my problem is crowds. Well, actually, it depends on the crowd.  I like the crowd of a race, all lined up at the starting line. I like the crowd at a theater. I like crowds in the right time and place. I guess you could say I like friendly, peaceful crowds.

Shoppers on Black Friday may start out peaceful, in those wee hours of the morning when they are waiting in line in the dark and the cold. Bleary eyed and clutching a cup of hot coffee they are sweetness and light. But once the store doors unlock and the lights come on, it's every shopper for himself.  Grasping and pushing for that last Talking Elmo or Wii.

It's just not worth it for me. 

I have some dear friends who brave the Black Friday sales, and I will admit, they have gotten some good deals. But for me, it's like eating sunflower seeds: too much work for such a little nut.

What about you? Do you shop or stay home?

It's Gonna Be Good, Y'all

You might want to sit down for this post.

Y'all, there has been a Thanksgiving Miracle at the La Vida Household. I can barely type through my excitement.

I could've entitled this post When I Found Her I Knew but I am hoping that this post isn't entirely about my hair.

My appointment went exceedingly well yesterday. Not only did she give me a fabulous hair cut, but she also trimmed The Girl's hair and I didn't have to take out a loan to pay for it. Then, when I asked about whether or not she might be able to help me out with my unfortunate "grey hair" issue, she said, "Yep, I do it all."

It was then I sheepishly asked, "Um, what about unsightly facial hair? Do you take care of that too?"

"You bet."

Hallelujah! 

As it turns out, I knew her. Her boys went to the pre-school that I taught at when we were here last time. 

She has the cutest little shop attached to her house. I'm going back in two weeks to get my roots done and to tame the eyebrow.

Moving on to other things....

The Girl had her first horse riding lesson on Saturday afternoon.

My little animal lover has been asking for riding lessons for a long time. We have a sweet gal at our church who owns two horses and has generously offered to give The Girl some lessons. We bundled up and headed out in 40 degree weather for a trial lesson; just to let The Girl get a feel for being around such a big animal, and to see if she really did wanted to continue after seeing all the work involved in this hobby.

She loved it.

I knew she would.

So after the New Year she will be taking a weekly lesson. 

On Sunday The Mister celebrated his 40th birthday.  I had envisioned big plans for this day. (Which he would've hated since he is the don't-bring-attention-to-myself type of guy.)But, with the move and an already full schedule, I decided on a quiet affair.  Which was probably best since he will be working without a weekend for the next couple of weeks. 

He chose the menu for his day. We dined on grilled hamburgers, french fries, and homemade chocolate cake. Then we watched the old re-make of Maverick.  All in all, a birthday success.

In keeping with The Mister's request to be anonymous on the blog, here is a picture of The Boy lighting the candles on the cake.  I chose this picture only to demonstrate what happens to normal, sweet, kindhearted, eleven year-old boys when given the opportunity to play with fire. Look at how crazily happy he is to just be playing with a lighter.

Last, but not least, I present, The Impromptu La Vida Dulce Thanksgiving Celebration. 

We had our feast last night: roast chicken (thanks to Sam's Club), green bean, mashed potatoes, cranberries, and stuffing. 

Every Thanksgiving The Mister's has two very important jobs: to get the wine and to carve the bird. This year our bird was small but he carved it just the same. I swear I felt a little tryptophan action, but then again it may have been the Pinot Grigio.

This year, although not quite as decorated, or fancy, or planned, or fussy, was just as sweet. 

I am so very grateful.

La Vida Dulce!

Apron

I made an apron this week that turned out so feminine and beautiful. 

A friend of mine,  NC Mama, celebrated her birthday this week. She is a tiny southern woman with a huge heart and a gift for hospitality. 

She needed a La Vida Apron.

It's funny. I have spent the better part of three years making and giving away aprons in various styles and colors, but I don't have many myself. I have two that I use all year long. And I have a couple of seasonal ones I use at Thanksgiving and Valentines.

It's very rare when I make something I contemplate keeping.

This was the first. 

I just loved the pale colors of pink and mint. And it's totally reversible. Here is the reverse side.

(Do you like the annoyed look on my face? I was trying to get my pint sized photographer to get a photo without all that crazy unkempt hair! However, her tiny hands cannot hold the heavy camera without shaking, so this in the only one that isn't blurry.)

I did make a mistake on the straps at the shoulders, but I was able to fix it without it looking too horrible. Although I did seriously contemplate starting over and keeping this "mistake".

In the end, I was able to part with it. There was far more joy in watching NC Mama open it up and put it on. It looked amazing on her.

So now I am ready to tackle another project. Oh, the possibilities.....

La Vida Dulce!

Choosing Gratitude

I was so motivated to finish this week strong, but it didn't exactly go the way I planned.

The week of Thanksgiving is one of my favorite weeks of the year. In anticipation I had scheduled in advance to take the entire week of Thanksgiving off from school.  In all honesty, I am need of a break. 

Thanksgiving week is fun for me because I can organize with an end in mind. It's when I get my menu all put together, and my favorite holiday recipes pulled out. 

It's when I anticipate the setting of my Thanksgiving table and where I will set things.  It's when I dust the full service china settings and remember how much I love my dishes.

It's when we decide what movie we will watch on Thanksgiving night. 

It's when I get to anticipate a full day with the family. 

Even when it's just the four of us, as it would have been this year, I bake and cook and celebrate as if I am having the dinner party of all dinner parties.

I enjoy Thanksgiving. 

So, when The Mister came home and told me that he wouldn't be home for Thanksgiving because he had been pulled for a week of Administrative Duty, you could say I was deflated. 

I went from Martha Stewart to Oscar the Grouch in 2 seconds flat.

At first I was understanding. Then I was angry. Now, I'm just disappointed.

There have been a number of things happening around me that remind me to be grateful.

The family of a friend of mine buried a loved one yesterday. Next Thursday they will sit around a table and give thanks with one forever-empty chair. 

Another friend of ours lost his job. He had no idea it was coming. He just walked into work, was told to pack up his desk, and was escorted out, along with several co-workers.  They will eat turkey with their family and give thanks without knowing what their future holds.

I have friends with spouses fighting in a war.  Thousands of miles from home, they haven't seen their loved ones for over six months. They will give thanks that their husbands (and wives) are fighting for freedom, even though that means missing family milestones and many holidays.

I'm trying to keep things in perspective. Trying to remember that life goes on...even when I don't get my way! The flesh cries out to be heard. To be soothed. To be answered.

Deep in my heart, in that place that never speaks out loud, it cries "This isn't fair!"

But the rational part of my grumpy old self is remembering to choose gratitude.

God has blessed me with a tender-hearted and loving man; two healthy and sweet kids; we have family and friends who love us and care for us. We have a warm home and food to eat. We are, in comparison to many places outside of America, rich and spoiled people. How could I possibly forget to be grateful?

So, there won't be a Thanksgiving event here at the La Vida household this year.  It may be lasagna and salad on Sunday. But I'll remember to give thanks all the same.

Isaiah 51:3 - 

Joy and gladness will be found in her, 

Thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

I Really Am Alive. Really.

....although it may be hard to believe.

Here are some random facts:

- For you blogger-friends, I have yet to make it to your posts. Sorry! I really am going to get there! I've missed reading you!  

-For you friends IRL, my phone is D-E-A-D. Dead. Actually my friend,  K1, called me on Saturday and according to my phone, she is still calling me. Only I cannot answer the phone, nor turn it off. Which is ironic since this phone hasn't held a charge for more than two hours in several months. I could unhook the battery pack to turn it off, but the last time I dropped the phone the backing cracked, and it's currently being held together with duct tape.  

-Do you think it's time for a new phone?

-Speaking of phone, I made an appointment for a haircut on Monday. It's the first NC haircut with a new stylist. I've seen her work, and she's good. At first I was sad because she wasn't taking new clients, but now she is. I'm thinking she could be The One. Pray for me.  

-Today I am working on a the most beautiful apron I have ever made (if I don't say so myself), but I can't really talk about it until the weekend.

-I have to figure out the best way to harass The Mister. Because on Sunday he will be 40 years old!!!!

-The beautiful apron is not for him. He's not the apron wearing type.

-Do you remember when forty sounded older than dirt?  And here we are...(although I still have a few years.)

- Among the piles of things that must be done around here, I have to figure out what to do with these:

-These are Rome and Gala apples from West Virginia. We have a friend from church who can get these apples from WV at $24 a bushel. I had no earthly idea how big a bushel was so I ordered half.  

-FYI: Half Bushels are still pretty impressive.

-Got any good apple recipes.

-I'm not a big apple pie fan. (but if you have a killer recipe, pass it on)

-I'm in a lunch rut.  I really wish lunch could just be skipped. I love lunch when I am with a friend or something fun. But daily, it's seems like such a waste of time and energy.

-Back to the cell phone...all my numbers are programmed in that baby, and have been for years. If I need to find a phone number any time soon, I'm in trouble.

-I finally did something I haven't done in years. I bought socks. Real, wear with your everyday shoes, not running, kind of socks. I bought 6 pair in black, and these babies:

-Am I living on the edge or what?

-My feet are toasty, and this is good because as I type it is SNOWING OUTSIDE!!!!  

(According to the weather guy, it's not really snow, but a flurry. And before I finished with spell check, it's over. Bummer!)

La Vida Dulce

Giving Thanks

I'm sneaking out of the Time-Out chair to share a quick recipe with you.

Today I had The Carolina Gals over for lunch. We dined on Tortilla Soup, Nutty Apple Salad and homemade whole wheat bread (Thanks Vickie!). Oh, and chocolate cake, which tasted all right but looked horrendous, so i almost forgot to mention it.

But on to other things.....

Jen with One N, my friend in Texas who doesn't have a blog but who I talk about from time to time, used to make the Nutty Apple Salad al lot for summer salad luncheons. I enjoy this salad, so I pulled out her recipe to find out what ingredients I needed. 

I had everything on hand except Sugared Walnuts, but I figured it couldn't be all that hard to make some since I had walnuts and sugar on hand. I found this recipe online.

Now, I just want to tell you that I don't actually recommend these sugared walnuts. As a matter of fact, you probably don't want this recipe. Because quite honestly, they are so tasty you may take my name in vain after you eaten the entire batch. They are addictive, and they tasted great in the salad too.

Anyway, the group of ladies today was smaller than anticipated because the weather is so dreary and wet. But I had a fantastic time with the gals that did brave the weather. We didn't end up needing the second little table which is just as well, I like when we can all sit around the table together.

Ok, I promised myself to not take more than fifteen minutes to post this, so I will quickly share Jen with One N's recipe for Nutty Apple Salad. I hope it's not a secret family recipe....if it is, you didn't get it from me.

9 cups mixed greens

1 small granny smith apple

1 small red apple

1/3 cup sugar roasted walnuts

Dressing:

3TBL apple cider vinegar

3TBLS olive oil

1/4 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 tsp sugar

Tear lettuce; chop apples; Mix Dressing; Pour over salad; toss; and sprinkle nuts on top.

Enjoy!

OK, I'm going back to time-out. But just between you and me, I have managed to get mostly caught up, although I still haven't gotten to my "blog reading" stack yet. But it is on my list for tomorrow! Yay! See you there!

Happy Friday!

Blogging Time Out!

Hi Y'all,

I have gotten so behind in correspondence, both telephone and email, that I am putting myself in blogging time-out. 

Actually, I pre-posted all of last weeks posts in an attempt to catch-up, but unfortunately I need more time. 

As soon as I am done with phone calls and emails. I am going to get caught up on ten days worth of blog reading (y'all are prolific, I tell you!) 

I am tempted to read and not comment, but i can't stand that idea at all. Not one bit.

So, it may be quiet around here until I get caught up. 

Until then, Happy Monday!

Ice Maker Mystery

Three years ago, right before we moved to Arizona, our ice maker died.  A low blow to this ice chewing, cold drink drinking, frozen water lover. 

I knew that getting the ice maker fixed would be expensive, and that a new fridge was out of the question, since the fridge works quite well. But I've had this secret dream of a free standing ice maker for most of my adult life. 

In high school and college I use to babysit for a family that had a free standing ice maker with a little plastic scooper.  I babysat for them often and when I arrived to work the first place I would go was to that ice maker. I would fill up a gigantic plastic tumbler cup to the top and munch ice while playing with the kids. 

Just talking about it makes me want some.

Anyway, I had this dream that maybe, since my ice maker was broken, we might put a free standing ice maker in the kitchen of this house. 

Saturday I woke up very early and was sipping coffee and checking email when I heard rumbling in the kitchen. With the dog at my feet and everyone else sleeping soundly in the bed I bravely walked around downstairs anticipating something big and rodent-y creeping in my dark kitchen.

But nothing could be found. 

Then I heard a whirring of the freezer and I walked over to investigate. Sure enough the ice maker had come back to life and the ice was almost overflowing from the bin.

Bummer. 

There goes my free standing ice machine with the cute little scooper. 

Of Falling Leaves and Fire Pits

I wanted to share with you the amazing talents of The Mister. Now, among all the things that he can place behind his name, he can add master fire pit builder. Although he would tell you that isn't true, because he isn't actually finished with the pit. He has some decorative ideas that involve hauling in some rock to keep the mud down to a minimum, and some sort of rustic benches made out a huge dead tree that needs cutting down in the front yard.

Which brings me to another topic. Why do men think they can cut down a GI-NOR-MOUS tree all by themselves? Oh, but he says he is going to do it, and he's been looking for just the right chainsaw to do it with. (can you just hear that old Tool Time man-laugh? Ar! Ar! Ar!)

Anyway, that Mister of mine is a good man for making me such a fine pit. Even when he arranged that flagstone in a certain pattern that didn't appeal to my high need for symmetry and orderliness. So he let me tell him how I wanted them. It's a good thing he's got muscles. 

I also wanted to show you the pictures of the tree's in my yard. Yesterday I walked by the window and was suddenly was taken back by the fanastic-ness of the trees in my back yard. 

Y'all, the leaves are putting up a show that makes me almost want to weep and laugh all at the same time.

These pictures aren't even good. They look so much better in real life!

I had something else I wanted to tell you, but for the life of me I cannot remember what it was.

Oh well! La Vida Dulce!

Meme Tuesday!

(In an attempt to keep up with an already busy week I have  pre-scheduled this post. It was actually written on the morning of Sunday November 2, 2008! 

I stole this meme from Mer over at Life at 7000 feet.)

WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My full name is Kellianne Lillian. 

i think my mom liked Kelli and my dad liked Anne, so they put them together. Lillian is my maternal grandmothers middle name.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Well, I get veklempt about every other day for various reasons or the other. But the last time I really cried the ugly cry was about a month ago. I think the stress of the move and the feeling of homesickness, combined with hormones was just the right mix for about two days worth of crying. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, yikes!

DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING

When i take the time to make it neat.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Turkey

DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

Two. The Boy and The Girl

IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

I think I would.

DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Sometimes, when I get into one of those moods! 

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS

Yes.

WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Nor for a million dollars. Uh well, maybe for a million dollars. But not a penny less.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

Kashi Go Lean Crunch.

DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

No.

DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STRONG?

About somethings, but in other things, not so much.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Do I have to pick one? Ok then, Chocolate Chip Mint. 

WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

There countenance. 

RED OR PINK?

Pink.

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Today, my gray roots that need some serious attention.

WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Pants: Red flannel christmas Pj's with skiing reindeer and snowflakes.

Shoes: Barefoot and my feet are freezing.

WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Kashi Go Lean cereal.

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Listening to the kids watching Hannah Montana. The Boy is sick so the kids and I are staying home from church.

IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Mauvelous

FAVORITE SMELLS?

Coffee, baking bread, Christmas trees

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

Mr and Mrs Moofish

FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Basketball

HAIR COLOR?

Dark Ash Brown #42

or 

Espresso 

EYE COLOR?

Brown 

DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

Yes

FAVORITE FOOD?

I don't really have a favorite, but my Dad's Albondigas soup sounds good right now. 

SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS

Happy endings

LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Kitt Kitredge during girls night with The Girl on Friday.

SUMMER OR WINTER?

DEFINITELY summer!

HUGS OR KISSES?

hugs

FAVORITE DESSERT?

Creme Brulee

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

Where Yesterday Lives - Karen Kingsbury 

WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

It's a Dell pad that we got free from some where!

WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LATE LAST NIGHT?

Didn't watch TV. We christened the Fire Pit!

FAVORITE SOUND

The sound of the trees when the breeze blows through them gently. It reminds me of this verse:

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and the trees of the field will clap there hands. - Isaiah 55:12

ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Way before my time. ;) (Oh, I think I am so funny!)

WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Southern AZ

Halloween Fun

Halloween was interesting this year. 

Two years ago we took our little Darth Vader and Pegasus to a neighborhood down the street. Our neighborhood is an older neighborhood with homes on wooded acre lots. Not great for trick or treating, unless your training for a marathon.

Anyway, in this subdivision down the way, we had hit the mother-load, coming home more candy than we could possible eat before Christmas time.

I don't know if the economy kept people from wanting to spend to much money on candy for trick or treaters, or if Friday night opened up the evening for parties and football games. But there were more dark doors than lit on Friday night. 

It was OK though because we got to trick or treat with some freinds, and it was fun to visit and chat while walking the neighborhood begging for treats.

It seems hard to believe that it was only one year ago when I took my kiddos out in the streets of Arizona dressed in a short sleeve shirt and capri pants!  This year, in jeans, a sweater, and long coat, I was sorry I hadn't brought my gloves. But the sweet smell of fall is the best reason to trick or treat in this part of the country.

Fall in NC is incredibly rich. I'll have pictures tomorrow.

Anyway, we came home with just enough candy to assuage our palette, until I start baking all things ginger and sweet.

Let the festivities begin!!!!!

La Vida Dulce!

Giveaway Winner!

Wow! I loved this giveaway.

The last time I gave something away I had over 800 comments and that was fun. But, this time I really enjoyed reading all 168 comments, because you took the time to really tell me what you love!  That was a treat for me.

So, I drew a random number, I think it was like 96, or something, and it turned out that my Mom was the winner.  So I called her and let her know that I couldn't give her the apron because that might look a little suspicious. She said she understood, but as a consolation gift she got to choose the winner by giving me a random number. 

That random number was 35.

So Four is Crazy, you are the winner of the La Vida Dulce Apron!

Please email me me your snail mail address and I will get that mailed to you soon!

Thanks again for participating!

La Vida Dulce!