Penny B.: August 2011

August 29, 2011

LISTENING TO: Tech N9ne - One Good Time

This song is so touching. Worth listening to in full. Absolutely haunting lyrics.

August 26, 2011

FABULOUS FINDS - Fruitti Tutti

Love this fruit-filled patterned paper from Papertrey Ink. An 8" x 8" pad contains 36 sheets and is $8. Purchase here.

August 25, 2011

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Life is a Celebration

Today is my 21st wedding anniversary! WOW!!!

Had a very nice visit with my mother-in-law this past weekend including a yummy dinner at Olive Garden. My first time ordering clams and mussels and it was very good! We played some Yahtzee and watched "Race to Witch Mountain." Other than that I just enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible.

I did some clothes shopping at New York & Company on Saturday. I bought three tops and a pair of ballet flats. I have been wanting to downsize my wardrobe but I got to a point where I have to make some more tough choices on what to keep and what to give away. You know that stuff you keep in your closet just because you might wear it one day? Yeah, I still have that to deal with. However, I have decided to limit any new purchases to raspberry, teal, chocolate brown, black and white. By staying in a fixed color palette it should be much easier to mix and match pieces.

I also had some early birthday surprises over the weekend. My mother-in-law had me pick out a new curling iron and blow dryer to replace my old dying ones and I love the cute new tools!! Haven't been excited about blowing my hair in...well...forever!

My son came up to me in the mall and placed a small votive candle under my nose and asked me how I liked the scent. To be honest, I was trying to finish up my clothes shopping and didn't care for the distraction, but I sniffed and then he had me smell another, and another. I looked over at him and see his small bag and ask him why he's carrying a bag of candles. He tells me that he bought them.

What? With your own money? I ask.

Yep.

Why would you do that?? oh, wait, my birthday's coming up. Did you...

With a look of realization that his surprise was just ruined, "Ummm....happy birthday." he says while handing me the bag, now with an adorable sweet smile.

I couldn't believe it. He thought to buy me a gift with his own money and without prompting?? Priceless I tell ya. It's my best birthday ever, and it hasn't even arrived yet. ;o)

Sunday was a treat as well. Our friend Ben came over for his last supper prior to departing for ~~death row~~ California. Seeing as how the state is going to drop into the ocean at any moment we wanted to make it a special one.

We made peppery steak Bearnaise and mixed vegetables and shared a bottle of Beaujolais.

After that gourmet feast we decided to head to Olive Garden for dessert. We ordered one of everything - nine desserts for four adults and two kids. The link I've included does not list the pumpkin cake we had as well. We drew quite a bit of attention from many of the servers asking to join us. It was our first time ever ordering "one of everything" and we had lots of laughs and sugar highs before it was over. We actually ate almost all of the dessert.

Adelita at 3 months

Here's some more pics of the chicks. They are starting to feather and fly a bit already. It is so cute watching the three of them together They sort of get going like little popcorn kernels in a hot pan.

Smore's (left) and Espresso (right) at one week

My chick (who still doesn't have a name) at one week

Have a great week!

August 22, 2011

LISTENING TO: Krizz Kaliko feat. Tech N9ne - Rewind

August 19, 2011

FABULOUS FINDS - Floppy Disk Sticky Notes

Other than their smaller size, these look so realistic don't they? Look here for more images!

August 18, 2011

THURSDAY THOUGHTS - Peep peep!

The rest of our chickens finally arrived this week! Here they are at four days old. They are still a bit afraid of us so it's hard to get a good picture and they are soooo tiny!!

My chicken (no name yet)

Smores (My son's chicken)

Espresso (Hubby's chicken)

Adelita looks and feels like a giant compared to them.

In other good news, I was able to visit with my younger brother last weekend. We don't get to see each other often so it is always special to me when we do. It was one day after his birthday so I asked if I could make him a special treat and he requested cinnamon rolls so I woke up bright and early and made the best rolls ever! So light and fluffy and not doughy tasting at all. With all of the work involved in making breads from scratch it sure is awesome when they turn out!

In not-so-good news, our dishwasher is having a tantrum and only works when it wants to. We will have to get it serviced because I will not do without a dishwasher!

On top of that, our water softener died and our refrigerator needs a new seal. I tell ya, why do these things always happen in waves?

Quote for the week:

You don't develop courage by being happy in your relationships everyday. You develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.
Epicurus

August 13, 2011

TUESDAY TRIGGER - Luminous Layers

I love the rich colors and pattern of this week's trigger on Moxie Fab World.

so I had to jump in on this challenge. I actually have another card idea I am going to try at a later time.

Here is what I came up with:

Title: Beautiful Bella

Supplies: Studio Calico Kit Boardwalk
                Studio Calico Add-On Kit Tide Pool
                Martha Stewart punch
                Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist
                Markers - Zig and Uni-Ball
                Adhesive - Scotch foam tape and AdTech tape runner

August 12, 2011

FABULOUS FINDS - Milk Art

How much would you pay for a gorgeous piece of art like this? The colors are so luminous!

Believe it or not, this masterpiece was formed using Milk Art and requires only four ingredients: a deep plate, vitamin D milk, food coloring and dish soap. You can read the full instructions on Evie S.'s blog. I know how I'm going to spend my next Friday night!