DON’T FORGET

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I’ve Created a Monster

The Scmenkmans have long known about the joys of fondue. They have introduced me to the feasting in the past, and most recently this past October when the Capris and Bermudas were treated to a gut-busting extravaganza.

So imagine my joy when on a recent run through of Ross Dress For Less I came across this major bargain…

In case you can’t make out the price tag… it was only $14.99!!

When Mr. C. came home and saw it sitting on the counter he was a bit… sceptical. He remembered his mom doing fondue way back in the day and didn’t remember being impressed.
I explained to him that this was different, not cheese fondue, but oil fondue… basically fried food!
THEN I added the information that various dips were involved and I could see in his eyes that he was intrigued… still sceptical, but intrigued nonetheless.
He also may have been a bit concerned if fonduing was considered a ‘manly’ thing to do… you know, kinda like that ‘real men don’t eat quiche’ controversy from way back.
I assured him that Mr. Schmenkman (aka Honey) was a seasoned fondue-er and that eased his mind.
So last weekend, once I began the preparation he was quite enamoured with the whole idea… pre-cut fried food with lots of different dipping sauces… how can you go wrong?

We had chicken,steak,shrimp,scallops, and okra with a variety of dips.
Mr. C indulged in the breading process while I skipped that step.
NOW he has ordained himself “The KING of Fondue”

I told him that ‘Honey’ just might challenge him on that… and considering that Honey actually prepares the fondue and doesn’t just eat it, I’ll be on Honey’s side!

So anyway, while at the grocery store yesterday, I called Mr.C. to see if he needed milk…. he said “yes, and don’t forget to pick up all the ingredients for the fondue tomorrow!”
Yes, I’ve created a monster!
I’m pretty sure he plans on fonduing every weekend now… I’ll have to break it to him that it is supposed to be a special occasion kind of thing.
Of course he IS spoiled, so we’ll be fonduing this evening just because I love him.
VOTE HERE FOR SUZANNE!

Happy Thanksgiving

I made a centerpiece for my boss’s Thanksgiving table.
I thought I’d share it with you all and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

I’m thankful for all of you.

Don’t forget ONE CLICK to VOTE for Suzanne.

PLEASE !!!!!

CLICK HERE to vote for Suzanne! She has lost her lead!

Product Review/The Slip ‘n Grip

Our couches are big brown cushy leather. They are not really intended for people that are ‘dainty, delicate’ sitters… they are for floppers
and that suits Mr.C. and I just fine… we are definitely floppers… neither one of us would ever claim to be delicate or dainty!
We also have hardwood floors.
That presented a problem because when we flopped onto our couches, they tended to slide across the floor all helter skelter.
My first solution was to cut little circles of that grippy shelf liner or the stuff that is supposed to keep your rugs from slipping on hardwood floors. I placed the circles under the feet of the couch and love seat and it did work for a couple of days, but it wouldn’t be long before I would see the cats dragging them around the house.
I was pretty much resigned to just having to adjust the furniture daily.
BUT THEN…
as I was perusing the isles of our local Big Lots store, I spied these little beauties…

The Slip ‘n Grip Dual Function Furniture Pad made by Shepherd Hardware Products LLC

The inner ring is made of an anti-skid material so the furniture grips and stays put when it’s flat on the floor.
BUT if you want to move the furniture, you tilt it and it slips easily across the floor.

I snatched up two sets of four for a mere $3.50 each.
Then I had my handsome handy-man install them

(While the couches were tilted up I took the opportunity to vacuum up an embarrassing amount of kitty-fur dust bunnies!)

AND THEN we test-flopped them!


Mr C. and I both did highly exaggerated flopping and the couches stayed put! Never moved!
Four thumbs up from Mr.C and I

Don’t forget to CLICK HERE TO VOTE for Suzanne!!

Life Goes On

It’s no secret that I’ve not been myself lately. Aside from having the never-ending head-cold from hell for the past couple of weeks, I’m still working through the loss of Paddy.
It has really been a struggle for me. You all know that I’ve lost a good number of much loved pets in my life. Each of those losses left a scar on my heart, but losing Paddy has been much different.
I’ve been looking out into the gardens and seeing all of the clean up that needs doing, but every time I go out in the yard I’m overwhelmed with memories.
Paddy under her apple tree

Paddy in the pond

Walking with Paddy

Teaching Paddy about picking raspberries

Paddy fixing up her house

And how empty that house is now

The memories made my heart hurt, so I’ve been just turning around and going back into the house. Too sad to do a thing.
Yesterday I went out and again was tempted to turn around and go back inside but I forced myself to walk around and take inventory of things. Talk about overwhelmed! The weeds… the work!
But I told myself… “self, just weed this one little section and then you can go back inside and be sad”

Look at those weeds!
I did it though, I knelt down and pulled those weeds and stood up and surveyed my work…

I felt the healing begin, with each weed I pulled my heart felt a little bit lighter.
I got motivated… I PULLED me some weeds! I cut back those dead perennials

And then I started noticing that the frosts hadn’t killed everything… the chipmunks planted this sunflower for me and Jack Frost didn’t kill it!

Other flowers are hanging on too…
A purple coneflower

the pot of million bells on the back deck

Salvia May Night

And this Angel wing begonia only half gave up…

While I still don’t understand why God chose to bring Paddy home to Him, I’m seeing that life does go on no matter how cold the air is or how cold our hearts feel, and even though we may have sad times or hard times that Life Is STILL Good.

P.S. Don’t forget to vote for Suzanne… EVERY DAY until December 7th!
CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

I Can BREATH! and Other Stuff

Finally, the snot has lifted! I will never take breathing for granted again.
Life here on The Hill has been kind of quiet. I haven’t felt inspired to write about anything lately either.
I’ve begun the Christmas decorating at Chesley already. I can’t believe that December is almost here!

Seymour the rooster, who lost his flock in a bloody coup has come back home and is living with Mr, Kowalski’s hens. He has completely lost his sight in one eye and I’m wondering if he isn’t going completely blind. I know he can see some things but he seems to run into things more than he should.
It’s nice to hear him crowing out there in the morning.
The weather report today is calling for a nice sunny, mild day so I’m going to try to get some things done out in the gardens and get a few weeds pulled or something.
Have a good weekend everyone and please don’t forget to VOTE FOR SUZANNE!! CLICK HERE TO VOTE

Help!

Suzanne has lost her lead in the contest! Please vote, it only takes a couple of seconds!
http://www.sam-e.com/job/profile/718

The vote counts and contestants…
http://www.sam-e.com/job/entries

Another quick vote a day if you would…

A while back I asked y’all to vote for Suzanne at Chickens In the Road.
She is in a contest for a paying job!
She won the first round!
Now she is in the finals and she needs your votes to win.
She is one of my favorite feel good bloggers so please
vote here for her!You can vote once a day from each of your computers until December 7th.
She really needs this so help her out please… every day if you can!

Check out her blog too… it’ll make you long for the simple life!

Something is Fishy

The latest government study is now saying that women should only start getting mammograms at 50 years old and then only every other year.
This study comes out right before the government is getting ready to take over health care… coincidence? I don’t think so!

Checking In

10 days and counting… still full of snot,coughing, and sneezing but trying to live the day-to-day with heavy amounts of decongestants and neti pot rinses. (Couldn’t find the hose adapter Warren… maybe you could make me one?!) lol
I kindly ‘gave’ my germs to Mr.C. but after only three days he is already throwing it. (Must be the beer)

Sorry I missed your call Sister Laura-belle… thanks for worrying about me!

Got rained out of work today. Mr. C took the day off too and we went to Costco, The Big Cheap Store, and The Trough! A good day.. although Mr. C made out way better than me at all three places.
SOOOOOO not fair!

I’m still struggling with the loss of Paddy every day, but it’s not as hard to look at her pictures and I’m able to remember her without falling apart…. most of the time.
Last weekend I went to the “Call Of the Wild’ rehabilitators conference in Waynesboro Virginia with my friend Stacey. It was very interesting and I managed to tell Paddy’s story to a couple of wildlife vets (without breaking down)… they both agreed that it was a totally unforeseeable tragedy. I did put my name on the updated list of rehabilitators with the notation that I can take orphaned beavers. I’m not sure that was the best decision… but then again, if not ME… than WHO? I guess I need to risk my heart in order to have the pure JOY that Paddy brought to our lives. As long as I have the wonderful support system of Mr.C, my family and cherished friends to support me I’m able to say that I’ll do it all again. Thank you all for your prayers and support. I love you.

It’s Snot a Good Thing

On Sunday I developed the worst head cold I’ve had in years.
Neti pots, Mucinex, Vicks Vapo Rub, steaming, cold medicine, NyQuil…
nothing is breaking up the nastiness filling my head.
Where does it come from??? Is my brain melting I wonder?