Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Hurricane Sandy


Though no longer a hurricane the skies murky look looms the effects of, "post-tropical" super storm Sandy that packed a hurricane-sized punch as it slammed into the Jersey Shore on Monday and as it reared its ugly head here in Massachusetts. It hit us hard here in Mass, lots of trees down, floods and power outages. Certainly not the devastating affect it had on others.

Sandy whipped torrents of water over the streets of Atlantic City, stretching for blocks inland and ripping up part of the vacation spot's fabled boardwalk. The storm surge set records in Lower Manhattan, where flooded substations caused a widespread power outage. It swamped beach fronts on both sides of Long Island Sound and delivered hurricane-force winds from Virginia to Cape Cod as it came ashore. Making me wonder how my Grandpa would have been preparing his beach front house with his boats in the water…miss him :/ 

To be honest when I saw the prompts to evacuate certain areas I thought “this can’t be real” There is always that doubt when they hype up a storm and we get, well, NADA! Unfortunately, the fun in missing work and staying in with my little family turned quickly into mournful, feel bad, wish it were a regular day, type of attitude. As I watched countless homes and businesses being literally washed away. People’s pets nowhere to be found and the death toll on the rise…as accident after accident took the lives of people’s loved ones. Imagine running out for a gallon of milk “before it gets worse” and having a tree fall on your car, killing you instantly …Leaving a wife and kids at home wondering why “daddy” is taking so long and Not answering his phone?!? {{Insert the “ugly” cry here}} Heart wrenching!! 

The aftermath of Sandy hangs on every street corner as you see branches and debris scattered throughout. Wondering where this will leave the UGLY presidential election. Wondering if it will bring some sort of comradery between the torn apart sides. It’s as if voting for one over the other is like questioning whether there is a God or if you are even a human being. Can’t someone just prefer one over the other, for their own personal beliefs? Hoping the ugliness dies down on social media networks such as twitter and Facebook. Hoping America comes together, among our differences to help those who are now in need. One of the perks of being “involved” in Hurricane Sandy is {WE} are close. We live in distances close enough that we are able to drive out to help people. When devastation hits, such as Katrina all we could really do is send money. The thought of really getting out and helping others makes my heart smile. This weekend we will be helping those in need. Everyone can get involved. Send your kids over to an elderly neighbor’s house to pick up branches, offer those you know that have no power a place to stay, go to areas that suffered devastation and be a volunteer. Do something worthwhile!

Ralph did manage to get our pups out a few times before the winds really picked up...as you can see they were drenched within minutes!! Luckily I prepared Homemade beef-stew to warm up my boy...and lots of cozy blankets for all four of us! 
 Wishing you all a Happy and Safe Halloween!!!

Friday, October 26, 2012

We are one Unbroken Promise.

We are one unbroken promise.

We are ONE. It still amazes me where we stand today in our relationship, We had made a promise when we first started dating that we would love with everything we had and we are still hanging on to that unbroken promise. We believe in our happiness and are so steadfast in our ways, unbreakable. I never wonder or doubt his love. It will always be enough for me. I hurt for those that don’t get to experience the bliss of {Real} love, or those who are afraid of it. It’s everything that is pure and beautiful in this sometimes wicked world. Ralph and I want to live life uninterrupted of any form of hurt but when it comes, sometimes like a storm we are so ready for it. Having faith, not only in God but in each other is undeniable the root to our steadiness, the core. Knowing that if God decides to throw us a few curve balls we will be ready for them…Joshy would be that perfect example. Thankful our little dog is better, especially Thankful for all the love we have in our house. 
Happy Weekend EVERYONE!!! 



 I think of the verse:
For where your treasure is, 
there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Menu


I know it’s only Thursday and the weekend hasn’t even happened yet but I’m putting in a BIG peapod order for next week’s menu. Confession: I haven’t cooked all week!! It’s been a busy/sick couple of days. So I need to get back on track…Joshy is finally done with all his medicine. I’m feeling better after a weird two day cold and Midterms are over! The calm is settling in and I want to take full advantage of it, here is what next week’s menu looks like :o)
Monday: Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Alfredo Pasta

 Tuesday: Mini Beef Tacos made using wonton wrappers in muffin tins (350' for 8 min)

Wednesday: Weight Watchers Ham and Potato Soup It will be a busy night with Trick or Treater’s so I wanted to make something we can sit in our garage with *Big winter Mugs make my heart smile! 

Thursday: Quick 30 min. meal from this list….HERE
Saturday: Take out from our Fav’ restaurant… Alicante 

Sunday: Family Sunday Dinner….Hmmm I want to make it special. I’ll have to think about that one. 

Cranking through the next two days.... wearing my invisible crown, of course.  



Sunday, October 21, 2012

DIY; Orange Playdough for Halloween



We have a lot of different age groups in our neighborhood; I’m so excited to get a bunch of Trick or Treaters this year! With the varying ages I decided to give them options, I made Orange Play Dough and printed off cute tags/recipes for the topper.  For the plastic baggies I used the ones that I use for chocolate pops. You can find them at your local craft store for a couple of dollars for about 50-100 bags! On each one I attached a different design cookie cutter. I think the toddlers will Love these!! I’m working on a few things for the Trick or Treaters that have allergies, something “peanut/ Gluten Free” and then Goodie Bags for the rest of the Kids! 

 Playdough recipe
- 1 c. flour
- 1/2 c. salt
- 2 tsp. cream of tartar
- 1 c. water
- 1 tsp. food coloring
- 2 tbsp. oil

Combine ingredients in a large saucepan. Stir in water, oil and food coloring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms. Remove from heat, store in an airtight container. I like to add a teaspoon of flavored extract to the dough to make it smell nice. I used pumpkin pie spice instead!! Smelled Great!! 


Friday, October 19, 2012

1 Year Blogaversary


I can’t believe 12 months have passed since I posted my 1st public post…even more so I can’t believe what this blog has turned into…and is still turning into! It seems surreal to me to know that I now get a solid 2,000+ visitors a day and some days in the highs of 5,000, WHAT!  I’ve had amazing companies reach out and send me free products to try and have met people from all over the world…How Amazing. If the numbers remain solid I will hit a half a MILLION views this December!! I’m happy my ordinary everyday life has captured the interest and hearts of so many! I don’t want to give a long drawn out speech but I did want to say THANK YOU!!!! Thank you to all of you who follow, stop by, try out my crafts, recipes, Date Night Ideas, supported my boutique and purchased Tutu’s (Sold Out!!)  Thank you to all the websites that have featured me and my blog.  And to those of you who fell in Love with {our} Love. It means so much to know y’all are following our Journey! 

...and to you Ralphie, I love you something crazy...

 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

CrocksPots and Cheesecake*

    I've been so busy lately and somehow have still managed to cook dinner almost every night...I think this is due to my efforts of NOT wanting to order take-out 3+ times a week. I have to admit its a little easier to cook at home once we get into the cold months...The CrockPot becomes the "real" cook in the house...I just throw food at her before I go to work and come Home to Magical Meals!! I woke up 15 minutes earlier than I had to this morning so I went downstairs and whipped up this SUPER easy Philadelphia No bake Oreo Cheesecake!!! I know Ralph will be excited when he gets home!

 OREO No-Bake Cheesecake

What You Need


1pkg.  (15.5 oz.) OREO Cookies, divided

1/4cup  butter, melted

4pkg.  (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

3/4cup  sugar

1tsp.  vanilla

1tub  (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Make It


CHOP 15 cookies coarsely. Finely crush remaining cookies; mix with butter. Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.
BEAT cream cheese, sugar and vanilla in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Gently stir in COOL WHIP and chopped cookies; spread onto crust.
REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm.

 WHATS PLAYING???

Kinda Obsessing over  "Of Monsters and Men" Little Talks.

 


Hope Y'all are Enjoying this CRISP Fall Weather!!

Preparing for "Treaters"

I think this may be the first year that Ralph and I actually get to hand out candy….every year we NEVER get Trick or Treaters. I know this is due to location…the lake house was not as “kid” friendly as we thought it may have been, every place before that was either a main street or dead end. Our new neighborhood is beautiful, full of children and dogs…literally dogs at every single house! I think we are planning on opening up the drive way setting it up “spooky” and handing out candy together with our pups. I’m looking forward to seeing all the kids costumes! I think I’m going to do gift bags…I’m even going to make a bunch of “peanut free” bags labeled!

I have yet to construct the treat bags but I did find my {Pin}spiration.....
 These are Super easy, Pretzel bags from AcMoore, Ribbon and a Black Permanent marker! I also bought fabric treat bags that look something like these....
So I will be busy this weekend stuffing treat bags....I get so excited for these things!!
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