Slacker

Just a quick note to say I'm still around.   I have a couple of posts that are half done and either waiting for pictures or recipes and I hope to finish them soon.  Should of done it this weekend but I was busy spending some time with my mom for her birthday, spending way too much time and money at Costco and Target and watching the Oscars!  Ha!


Then again perhaps nobody has noticed I haven't posted in a while........

Heart Day Craft

Happy Heart Day to all!

Although there have been many a Valentines day that I was not thrilled about - now that I have a valentine the day does not loom.  I had a friend once who had a black party at her house on this day for all of us single girls.  It was a hoot and a fun night to make fun of it all.  I know I know its what we used to call at "N" as a hallmark holiday.   But I now consider it a fun day to do a little something for those in your life - husband included.  G is coming out to take me lunch today and then tonight I will make us a dinner of steak and lobster with aspargus (its what we have every year for the last 10 years).  Thinking our new tradition for the next 10 years should be chinese take out.

When I was at Bridgeport this weekend I stopped by Paper Source a great stationary store to get some ideas about another project I have in the works but more on that another time.  I came across flat enevelopes that you can put together and some reds hearts and my Vday craft was born.  Super simple and hopefully brought a smile to my girls faces when they arrived at their desks this morning.



this is what they look like to begin with - have to do some folding and glueing



Another handy use for clothes pin...I really should do a post - 101 things to do with clothes pins



For the insides




Finished product!



I hope that you too have a wonderful day today!

me ke aloha.......

Date Night

So last night G took me to an early Vday dinner.  I got to pick the place so I picked Verdict I had a massage early that day at Coldwater and wanted to stay close to home and go someplace casual. If your wondering where the name came from its right across the street from the Clackamas County Courthouse. 

via Verdict website

On the cocktail list they had Gimlets!  I forget I love gimlets but that was my drink of choice for the evening.    G had a 7 and 7.   We started with an appetizer (known here as 'Opening Statements') of hot artichoke dip served with tortilla chips and pita bread.  This was definitely homemade and was yummy and rich - couldn't finish it.   I had the Blue Cheese Sirloin and G had the Surf and Turf (turf being a skewer of shrimp).   The dinners came with soup or salad (the salad was wonderful - a heaping pile of fresh greens with cucumber, tomato, and croutons), starch (mashed, au gratin, or rice) and veggies.  G had the mashed - yum and I had the au gratin which was good the potatoes could of been cooked a smidge more but that just proved to me it was made in the kitchen.  The steaks were cooked perfectly and had a great peppercorn crust - mine had the added bonus of blue cheese.  The veggies were a fun little combination cabbage, spinach and zucchini - odd combination but it worked.   One of the best things about this place is the prices.   Both of those steak dinners were under $20 which is hard to find lets be honest. 

Let's just say we are going back.   I want to try a couple of other things on the menu and you can't beat the prices.  They also have a private room you can rent out upstairs called The Holding Cell - cute yes?   Come complete with bars on the windows.  So bottom line is you are in and around Oregon City and looking for someplace unassuming and quaint for a good little bite to eat.  Or if you've been called to Jury Duty in Clackamas I would recommend you stop in and give this place a try.dd

Wednesday Wisdom

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I think this pretty much sums it up
Happy Hump Day!

Pop!

Ok so I have always been a lover of popcorn.   But lets face it.  All the microwaving in those pre made bags is not safe and is full of bad things.  Air popper you say - no I don't need yet another appliance in my kitchen.  So Dr. Oz claimed I could just put 1/4 of kernels in a brown paper bag (think of a lunch sack) and pop it in the microwave.  I use the "popcorn" setting on my microwave.  2 minutes is too long for my microwave - almost set off the fire alarm.  That bag had to go in the garage until the smell went away.  Then you dump it in a bowl and spray with some butter flavored cooking spray and sprinkle with some salt and viola! a great little treat.  There is some waste with this.....quit a few kernels left unpopped....but I'm cool with that.  Its a great healthy snack and filling to boot.

via here

If you like popcorn give it a try and I promise you will be hooked.

Super

So being that they week was a busy one G and I decided just to chill at home for the Super Bowl.  I knew it was going to be a good game but I didn't have a dog in the fight so I was fine with just hanging out at home.

We ate in "courses".

First course:
Smashed up a couple of avocados and added some cumin and salsa.  Served with some chips and a nice cold CocaCola.



not the prettiest dip but it was yummy


Second course:
Wings!  Just baked these at 375 for about 30 minutes with a little salt, pepper, and garlic powder.   Served with BBQ sauce & homemade ranch dressing (added some sour cream to make it thicker) and carrots and celery




Furry one LOVES carrots so that's what she was after

 
Third course:
Hot Dogs!  They are Nathan dogs - my favorite.   Cooked them in some beer.  Soaked some red onion in milk (makes them not so oniony), G grated some cheese, and sliced some tomatoes.  Yum! 

Then after the game we watched The Help. This again was one of those movies that I think you will enjoy more if you have not read the book.  If you read the book I think they missed the whole point of Skitter and her relationship to her "Nanny".  The cast however was great and really did make the movie for sure.   I would definitely recommend.

February

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It's February and you know what that means.  Its my birthday month!   Now I do not celebrate this all month long but I love all the little things that are arriving in the mail for me.

So far I have recieved freebies and coupons from the following:

• Anthropologie
• Chico's
• Sephora
• Famous Footwear
• Coldwater Creek
• Bridgeport (including free movie, free parking, free frozen yogurt, free cupcake)
• World Market
• Soft Surroundings

Whohoo!  Let the shopping begin!  Yea me!

Wednesday Wisdom

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To say this week has been crazy would be a slight understatement.   The good thing is the work day flys by and hopefuly by the end of the week the "to do" list will not be so long.