Dear Santa

She's making her list...she's checking it twice.

My precious daughter has been working on her Christmas list for a couple of weeks. She declares it is finished, but then needs to add just one more thing. I thought I would follow in her footsteps...and who's kidding, give my hubby a helping hand.

It's really never too early to start shopping.



Every girl needs a sassy red flat. I just love this Jessica Simpson red flat with the animal print lining. Very sassy!

Of course, my problem is that I wear a size 5 which are hard to come by. And contrary to what Scarlett thinks, a size 5 ain't all it's cracked up to be.


Calvin Klein Eternity...my all time favorite. I could bathe in this stuff!


Just what this Food Network junkie needs in the kitchen.


I really, really need this...since I'm a blogger and all.


If I have to explain my need for this, then you haven't been to The Pioneer Woman. Go!


I absolutely fell in love with the house in Something's Gotta Give. All that ironstone! A girl really can not have too much. Luckily, I've just started my collection so no one can use the "you have too much" excuse anyway.


This gorgeous chandelier print can be found at the even more gorgeous store The Beautiful Life. I just love the blue and orange...so stylie. This may just end up being a gift to me from me...I love it that much.


I dream of a Pottery Barn 3 cushion slipcovered sofa.


How cute would this plaid jacket from fredflare look with the red flats and jeans!

Well Santa, there it is, but I reserve the right to add just one more thing if need be.

Thank you

Thank you to all the men and women, past and present, who have dedicated their lives so that we may enjoy all of the blessings in our lives.

Thank you to 3 very special Veterans in my own family...my father, my brother, and my nephew.

Thank you...it is such a simple thing compared to what I am getting in return.

Homework Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

What I thought would be my last stint at homework was a final exam paper my senior year in college. This was way back in the day before everyone had their own computer, so the computer lab at the library was a happening spot.

I turned in my computer pass at the front desk and walked out with my freshly printed paper in my hands. I was sooo excited because I was done with homework for the rest of my life...not!

No, when you decide to have children, you decide to start homework all over again.

Most weekday afternoons I spend checking homework, reading directions, googling some term I haven't used since I was in 4th grade and basically listening to my children complain about all this homework they have. Every once in awhile, I'll pipe up and remind my children that I have already done all my homework, and I'm just here trying to help them so stop all the complaining. After all, I'm not the one who assigned them all this homework. Sigh...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

So yesterday was just more of the same...until I rounded the corner of my dining room table to check my son's homework and CRACK! I heard it pop and down I went.

I broke my pinky toe! Trying to check my child's homework, and I broke my toe!




And wouldn't you know it...I break my toe on a day sans pedicure.

On a sidenote...we had a yardsale this weekend. OMG, am I glad that is over! Huge check off the "to do" list. I also had several people comment that my children took good care of their toys. LOL! Yeah...they're OCD like their mama.

Presto! Pesto!

I'll admit that there are days that I just can not get it together and prepare a made from scratch dinner for my family. For whatever reason, dinner has snuck up on me again, and I've fallen down on the job. What in the world am I going to fix for dinner and on the fly?

Presto! Pesto!

A few weeks ago, I gathered all my basil growing in my little container garden and made fresh pesto. I then froze it in ice cube trays...each little cube is the perfect individual serving size. Now all I have to do is cook some pasta, add a few cubes of pesto, toss a salad, and dinner is served.

It is that easy and so yummy.


Here's what you will need...a big bunch of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, shredded Parmesan cheese, olive oil and salt and pepper.



Toast 1/4 cup of pine nuts in a dry skillet on low heat. Don't walk away because these suckers will burn quick. Just shake the pan every once in a while.


Break out your food processor and load it up with all your goodies minus the oil and cheese. And if you don't love garlic like I love garlic, stick to one clove.


Give it a few pulses to mix up all the yummy goodness.


Add your oil while the food processor is on. Don't forget your lid!


And finally the shredded cheese. I add just enough to get the consistency I want. The more cheese you add, the thicker your pesto will be.


Have some now...


Or save some for later.

These little cubes are just the thing to give chili, soup and spaghetti sauce a little extra somethin, somethin too. Just throw one in the pot. Or thaw a cube, spread it on a loaf of French bread, top it with shredded Parmesan cheese and broil it until the cheese is melted and golden brown. YUM!

Basil Pesto

2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, more or less for desired consistency


Place the basil, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the oil. Turn the processor off and add the Parmesan cheese. If you want a thin consistency, add less...if you want a thick consistency, add more. Pulse to blend, and it is ready to serve.

To freeze the pesto, divide it among the cubes of an ice cube tray and freeze. The pesto freezes nicely for up to 3 months.

10 Years Old!

My precious son celebrated his tenth birthday the week both of us had the flu. It was not fun. He tried so hard to enjoy his birthday dinner and tried even harder to enjoy his new mountain bike, but it just wasn't fun. I completely understood.

And then we had to postpone his big celebration...eight boys sleeping over and celebrating into the wee hours.

So this past Friday, we celebrated! Eight boys...eating pizza and cupcakes, playing football and plotting the plans for the big Nerf dart gun fight...them vs. the mom and dad. It was loud and fun!





I'm finding darts everywhere! In plants, under tables, behind curtains, stuck to windows and mirrors. I have a feeling I will be finding these little suckers for months to come.



The boys also camped out in our backyard with my hubby as a chaperon. I snuggled in my comfy bed and listened to laughter and my husband saying "Come on guys! Quiet down!" 10 or 20 times. And finally, around midnight, there was quiet...until 6am the next morning. Where do they get the energy!



What a night! Eight boys! I couldn't do it every day, but the smile on my son's face and all the hugs he gave me...well, every once in awhile isn't so bad.

Happy Birthday Bubba! You are well loved.