acabar

Pretty sure that is how you say "finish" in Spanish. "Acabar"

Shorty is finished with the yard....beautiful! Over to the left of the walkway is an herb garden.

Is that a hint for me to cook more? Wonder if they will taste better than the McCormick "Italian" seasoning I put on everything. ;)
Here is a little closer of the herbs. A certain variety of basil, a low growing rosemary, and something else I think. Love my specifics?
He still talks about those damn "pink buttons"

Whatever that means. ;)

Enjoy the pictures of the beautiful yard....I sure am!

Chatty Cathy

Sometimes, I wonder if we should change our daughter's name to Cathy.

No joke...I would venture to say I was asked over 100 questions today.

"Mommy, why do sharks bite?" "Mommy, what is this table made out of?" "Mommy, who gave me this plate?" "Mommy, why did the Queen turn into an old woman?" "Mommy, did that tree fall over because it didn't get enough to drink?" "Mommy, what do squirrels eat?"

I was asked all of those and then 90 more. No, I am not complaining...I feel guilty.

At night...when the busy chatter box is in bed....she calls for one of us to come in so we can give her a sip of water. Then, a random question is asked. "Mommy, why do turtles swim?"

I have to kiss her on the forehead, give a sip of water, and say "just because dear....I love you! See you in the morning."

Because, if I stayed in her room and answered every question....every random question...I would never leave her room.

Thankful for my chattering and curious little kid.

The End.

Has anyone seen Shorty?

That's right....he is in the yard. Shorty has been a yard workin' fool. Going to far away nurseries just to get a certain plant....working at night...his entire day off....

It looks beautiful. Like I have said a million times before.....Shorty does not work in the yard...but, seems as if he has proved me wrong.

You can see the path he built and the flower bed that he is working on...
Here is a little closer up shot....
And the other side of the yard. Still a work in progress.

We have laughed so hard....about Shorty talking about yard work. He told me he wanted some "Pink Buttons" apparently a kind of plant that I had never heard of.

Something about hearing "Pink Buttons" come out of his mouth just didn't seem right.

So I told him I would deck him if he said it again. ha ha ha ha!

You must understand Shorty and me....I was kidding of course.
Here is my contribution. 3 potted plants.

Gee, aren't I talented?
Lantana are my favorite flowers. I could get all mushy on why....but, I will spare you today.

Happy Planting!

Shorty...you do good work.

Hurry up!

Not too much longer....I will be laying in one of those chairs....looking at that same water.

We are going on a trip...with another couple....and I just can't wait.

Been collecting muffin top concealing swim suits, SPF laden hats, and vats of sunscreen.

4 nights away...does a body good :)

FORE!

Doesn't look all that great in this picture....but this was the prettiest golf course I have ever played.

We went to Kiawah Island last year...and I kinda wish we could go back.

This was on the Ocean Course....they played a Ryder Cup there....and they had a Rolex clock on the driving range...my way of knowing it is a nice course. ;)

This course was right along the ocean....you had to walk....and have a caddy.

VERY rarely do I play golf without Shorty. I am not a huge fan of ladies golf...and I am not good enough anyway. Just good enough to keep up.

My point being...I am playing without him tomorrow.

Shorty donated a round of golf at Carlton Woods to be bid on for my friends Multiple Sclerosis fundraiser.

Lindsay is my childhood friend that was diagnosed last year. She is coming along tomorrow as well.

Looking forward to it....and hoping I play well.

Maybe my Dad's two recent HOLE IN ONES might rub off. Please notice HOLE IN ONES is pluralized. The man had 2 in 8 days. The odds are incredible....

Tee it up!

delightful.

There is this little food magazine that I read every now and then....it's either awesome or horrible...really no in between. But, when I find something good...it enters my mind and I cook it from memory...kind of tweak it to my own liking.

It is called "Everyday Food" it is Martha's deal.

So there was an article for fish tacos that made my mouth water...here it goes. (MY way)

Serves 4

1 lb of fresh tilapia cut into 2 inch pieces

8 corn tortillas (best ones you can find) *I used organic made ones from HEB

Chopped white onion

Shredded purple cabbage

Bunch of cilantro

Olive oil

salt and pepper

GREEN GODDESS "Kraft" dressing

(nothing like paring organic stuff with Kraft) ;)

Pre heat the broiler, line an edged cookie sheet with foil, spread the fish across, drizzle with oil, and salt and pepper.

Broil fish for about 5 minutes. Until cooked...slightly crispy in parts. Watch for burning

Best way to warm tortillas - parchment paper between each one and stack wrapped in foil. Warm in a 400 degree oven. When they are warmed correctly...they won't crack.

Drizzle the fancy Kraft dressing in the tortilla, put in a few pieces of fish, cover with onions, cabbage and cilantro.

I mean it...they are GOOD!

And actually not all that bad for you either.

When I first heard "fish taco" I cringed. Just like my Dad did when he found out that is what we were eating for Mother's Day dinner.

Let's just say his plate was clean. ;)

Stay tuned for a YUM rice pilaf to go with.

Eat up!

The cheater way

Strawberries on sale for 97 cents, an Angel food cake display, and a 30 something Mom of a 3 year old who is supposed to be on a diet.....equals "Cheater's Strawberry Shortcake!"

I found the cake and berries at my last trip to the store....came home, rinsed and sliced the berries, covered them in what seemed to be a cup of sugar, and let them sit at room temperature until they looked.....

Like this! All gooey, shiny, and full of the sweet strawberry syrup that I could drink out of a straw.
Notice...I had already eaten some of the cake before I actually assembled the cheater way to make strawberry short cake.

And here is the final product. See how much hard work that took in the kitchen?

I have made "real" strawberry shortcake before...with the homemade short bread and every thing....well, I prefer this. Hands down.

Must be because of the Angel food cake. I dig it.

Every time I see one, hear the box of one crack open, or taste the yummy deliciousness of it...I think of my Muvvie. (my grandmother)

She always had Angel food cake.

I am not a huge sentimental person...but a few things make me that way.

As one of my favorite bands Pearl Jam says in one of their songs "All that's sacred comes from youth" so very true.

OK...that is sappy enough for the day. Just wanted to share a quick and easy and cheap way to serve a fresh and "fairly" low calorie dessert. For real peeps....Angel food cake only has 130 calories per serving, Redi Whip has 15 calories per 2 TBS, and the berries couldn't be that bad...even with the sugar. So eat up.

*Disclaimer* These pictures may resemble the same "idea" that Pioneer Woman uses on her blog. I am not trying to copy her...I simply have no creativity of my own. So, I have to copy other people and replace magnificent work with blurry, out of focus, over and under exposed junk.

With that being said...hope you enjoyed the post. ;)

sexy mama?

We are headed on a trip that requires swim wear pretty soon. My bathing suit from 4 years ago has bit the dust.

I have come to realize that I will never wear a bikini again...no matter how skinny I get...

My 10 pounder of a baby did a number on my stomach....not the food I eat. ;)

So, I went online to shop today....my new favorite way to shop....and found just what I was looking for.

Victoria's Secret.

I like a little sexy at the pool and the beach....don't you think this will look good when we get back....when I take my kid to the community pool?

Now that's hot.

;)

Let it all hang out?

Every Tuesday and Friday morning...I have been going to this pilates class that kicks my behind.

Every Tuesday and Friday I shower and dress at the gym to save time.

If you know me...you know I lean a little on the side of germaphobeness....but, this is a really clean place....

I digress...

Back to my point.

It is an open air locker room divided into sections with lockers and benches. Every single time I get dressed there I am exposed to and over load boobs and butts. Me no likey.

All sorts of people....and the ones that you would think should be hiding under a towel are the worst.

All while I am hiding in the corner and dressing myself in the shower....

Trying to put your freshly showered legs into a pair of dry cleaned khaki pants...all while balancing on one leg....not so easy.

But, I do it because I refuse to "let it all hang out"

Even if I had a perfect pair of surgically enhanced boobs and a butt that looked as if it did pilates 7 times a week...I still wouldn't do it.

I grew up in a pretty modest household. No free nudity or anything. Not saying that nudity is bad...because it isn't....let's just try a LITTLE modesty people....

Cover your business up!

I want a medal.

100% sure I deserve a medal.

On this lazy Sunday afternoon...I spotted this creature on the floor in our living room....while I was on route to take the kid for a potty break.

I screamed like a girl. Stood there and stared at it....contemplating what to do.

Do I kill it? Do I save it? Do I vacuum it up? (My preferred method of removing unwanted insects)

With the looming Tarantula twin in my living room...I called the person who usually knows these things....my Mom.

She claimed it was a garden spider and that they were good.

So the inner Peta member in me came out...and I saved the creature.

He is still sitting on my front porch. I think my screaming may have disrupted his hearing.

Yikes!