Pick your winner!

Having grandchildren is really just another excuse to have MORE fun. William and I were at Target last night and he picked out this 'way to have fun when the grandkids come over' toy. We set it up this morning.

This sweet little mustang is my pick. I think it's a sign if it wins. :)

We will have an official 'race' when Tamera comes over later this morning to try it all out. We need to make sure it all works well before we try it out with grandkids.

Pick your winner! The prize will be your name and pix on my blog later today!!

Brain dead, but dreamin' on.

I had this great idea for this week...I've been discussing and talking and chatting and thinking over and over about some home remodeling. I really had no idea how much 'stuff' would cost. So this week, while I had 4 days off, I thought I'd get started on my budget. REaLiZiNG that I will need to do this in stages, I started gathering info. Oh my. I am so much about the 'picture' but not the details. Like measuring. Like making phone calls. Like driving to places that sell tile, carpet, granite, sinks, etc. etc. To top it off, today I had the bright idea of a trek to IKEA. So much stuff to look at. I'm loving the Luftig vent hood for gas tops and the counter depth Nutid refrigerators...both in stainless steel.

I really have been having fun, though. This year, the plan is to put down new flooring. The best time to put down that new flooring will be in January. Tamera will be moving into her own place and the deal I made with her is :YOU take the dog that sheds black hair that we gave to YOU when you were 13 and I will sweeten the deal for you. I will give you our couch and loveseat for your new place! So, when the couches are gone, the carpet will be ripped up and new put down. I'm loving Martha Stewart's selections at Home Depot...but more on that later. I also have decided on large 20x20 tiles for the other half of the house...a light porcelain limestone'ish look. I'll post pix on final decisions later.

BUT today...a good friend put me on to a source for granite countertops in my kitchen. I love this St. Cecilia look. What do you think? The cabinets will remain white. I'm actually considering a beadboard type back splash rather than a stone or tile. I can be pursuaded for a change to white subway tiles, though! The estimate came out as a reasonable cost, but since I have so many things on my wish list for the kitchen, it will need to wait until much later in 2011. BUT just look at this pretty stuff. She gave me a piece to play with.

the boys

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mother's 70th birthday. We celebrated last weekend at my brother's home and pool with a family dinner...We also interviewed Mom and videotaped her responses to capture some of her memories as a young girl.

I am grateful, Mom, for all you have done for us. I hope your day is wonderful today!

Marilyn, Sue Anne and Richard in front of grandparents home in Dallas, TX.

Marilyn, Richard, Sue Anne and David

Marilyn

Richard and Marilyn

So you don't like spinach?

Try this:

Spinach Rigatoni

I make this a lot...so you know it's easy.

16 oz Rigatoni or penne pasta

1/2 pound or more of fresh baby spinach

8 oz block of cream cheese

1 (14.5 oz) can of petite diced tomatoes (Italian style)

2 (14.5 oz) cans of petite diced tomatoes (regular)

1/2 -1 cup of shredded Italian cheeses ( I use a 5 -blended Kraft variety)

Bring water in dutch oven to boil for pasta... Add fresh spinach last few minutes of cooking. Drain in colander.

Return to dutch oven, add cream cheese and stir until melted in hot pasta. Add cans of tomatoes. Heat thru. Salt to taste. Sprinkle grated cheese on top.

You can also put it in a casserole dish and bake for about 20 minutes, but I am usually in too big of a hurry. It is very filling, great w/ or w/o salad, and crusty french bread.

Miracles

Last night, Papa and I offered to care for the girls while Mommy and Daddy had a date night... or at least a quick dinner out. It really went well. Except for the miracle blanket. Kristen assured me that if Meg became cranky, I could just wrap her up like a burrito and 'poof', like magic, she would relax her little body and go to sleep.

Do you think this worked for this Nana? Not so much.

That smile on my face is rather forced. I'm really thinking, oh my, how long will she really cry. She was not happy with me at all.

On the other hand, her Papa had the real miracle touch. I reluctantly handed her over to him at his request (thinking...he's a man, what will he be able to do. I WORK with babies and if I can't figure this out, he sure won't). Annie and I decided to go on a little run/walk and when we got back, this is how we found Meg and her Papa. She is totally chilled out and fascinated with the tree branches and blue sky. Way to go, Papa!