Top 3 Tuesday

My quote for today.

Google Play

This is what I'm listening too, watching, reading, downloading etc.

Who needs itunes? 

p.s. they have a FREE song everyday to download! 

Ormis Supergreens.

This is what I'm drinking everyday.  It's not bad...quite good to be honest. 

 I'm hoping it cancels out the cookies I'm inhaling. 

Top 7 Tuesday

Things I've made on Pinterest:

Bacon, Apple Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette by Clusters of Carlyn

Wendy's has a version and I will admit to going there often if I'm out and don't have time to eat.  The homemade version is better and I add craisins and blue cheese and spinnach because it's oh-so-good.  I can live without the bacon but if I have it I'll use it.  Sprouts has the candies pecans in a HUGE bin that I splurge on but it's good with whole raw walnuts too - or both! It's a goodie - make it tomorrow for lunch.

(here's my pinned picture)

Pizza Rolls - The Gunny Sack

Friday is pizza night at our house.  We have a neighborhood joint that we love but when it comes down to it - homemade is best.  I went to a pizza class a few weeks ago and learned some great tips and tricks.  Things like, you have to have a pizza stone and good yeast.  I also bought some pizza seasoning that is out-of-this-world.  I'm serious...it makes pizza sauce so good you will want to drink it.  I did but don't tell anyone.

I saw this idea for pizza rolls from gunny sack on Pinterest and thought I'd try it. 

They are awesome.  I made a regular pizza then used the remaining dough to make these.  They were perfect for lunches the next day dipped in that yummy sauce!  It's great because you can custom make them for each person.  I made some with cheese and pineapple for Abby and some with extra peperoni for Cass.  I added bell peppers and olives for mine.  These will be a do-over for sure.

(Pinterest - no other source)

This has been so handy.  Who ever thought of this I love you.  Who ever pinned this needs to learn how to pin since they didn't do it right.  Anyway, I now keep a dry erase marker on my dryer and I write down reminders of what's in the wash.  Things like-  check stain on white shirt, don't dry gray sweater etc.  Then I don't have to worry about forgetting and shrink or ruin my clothes!  Brilliant♥

Homemade Dishwasher Soap

(DIYNatural.com)

I ran out of dishwasher soap and had not been to the store.  The dishes were piling up and I thought, 

1) I make my own laundry soap I'm sure I can make my own dishwasher soap.  

2) I'm sure pinterest has some tried and true recipes.  

And guess what.....they did!

There were several to choose from.  I just went to my Pinterest page, chose the everything category and typed in dishwasher soap.  I had many to choose from.  I chose the one that had easy ingredients I had on hand.  I had citric acid in the form of LemiShine.
 I love LemiShine because it keeps the hard water from building up in my washer.  

I have used this recipe twice already and am very happy with it.  I will make a big batch and keep using it instead of the expensive Cascade.

lindawagner

I'm drinking these bad boys twice a day and loving it.  I was making them pink or purple but to be honest I ran out of berries so the smoothies have been green all week.  I've been calling them my shamrock shake and the kids are even loving them!  If you go HERE you can see my smoothie page with lots of different recipes.  Enjoy♥

(link)

I want to do this to the girls bathroom.
They need shelves to hold personal items and an endless amount of toilet paper.
Who knew two little girls could go through so much TP? 

our best bites

The little  leprechaun came to out house.
He died the toilet water green and brought the girls lucky charms, candy and these rainbow treats.
He's so clever! (wink)

Well, that's it for now.  I know it is supposed to be top 10 Tuesday but I've only made 7 things lately.
This is a judge free zone right?

Thanks Pinterest and all the bloggers/crafty people for the great ideas!

Top 10 Tuesday

My Top 10 For This Week:

10. I'm so thankful Cassidy is better.  She was one sick girl!  Oh I felt so bad for her last week.  The worst was when I had to leave her all day long on Thursday.  She had to lay on the couch all by herself with no one to take care of her.  I'm sure it will come up as one of those "Mom stories" in years to come.  Talk about guilt!

9.  I found my favorite blue and cream striped sweater.  It has been missing for months!  I thought Cass took it and lost it.  But nope...it was on my closet floor in the back corner wadded up into a ball hidden beneath my coats.

8.  It was windy yesterday.  WINDY not breezy and I secretly loved it.  My hair was a mess, the dust was crazy but I loved the cross breeze that whistled through the house.  Last night I went to bed hearing the trees sway in the wind and it was pure bliss.  In AZ we don't have wind.......ever.  Sad but true.

7.   I'm addicted to Words with Friends on my phone.  One benefit is I now have a new vocabulary of words that aren't words.  HaHa.  Seriously, some of the words you can get away with on this game baffles me.

6.  There are six dogs behind our house.  Their barking is driving me nuts!  I can handle a lot but those dogs have got to go before I lose my mind.

5.  Spring makes me want to spruce things up around the house.  Clean out closets, re-arrange furniture, sew new pillows and curtains.  I'm making a pinterest list of everything I want to do to my house.

4.  I wish our backyard was big enough for this cottage playhouse from here.  The girls would love it!

3.  I'm doing a weight loss challenge with some friends.  So far in four weeks I've only lost two pounds.  But.....I've kept those off and am determined to lose eight more.  Keeping track of what I eat seems to be the key.  I was asked at the last meeting what type of exercise I like to do and I said....massage.  As in getting a massage not giving a massage.  I know that doesn't count but what can I say?  I hate to exercise and need to change my attitude.


2.  My friend Kim asked me for a punch recipe.  I went on Pinterest and wham!  I had every kind of punch recipe I could imagaine.  I chose this one to send to her.  What do you think?  I'm thinking it will be a hit!  Plus she needed a punch bowl and I have the exact one in this picture.  It's fate I tell ya - fate.

 

The Party Punch from Tiffany at NoBiggie

1 can frozen piña colada concentrate, thawed (Bacardi makes a good one) 

1 can frozen orange pineapple juice concentrate, thawed 

4 liters of diet lemon-lime soda (That’s two 2-liters for the mathematically challenged.) 

1 bag of pebble ice (You can buy it at Sonic Drive-In or at most grocery stores in the deli or meat departments.) 

1 bag of frozen raspberries

YUM!

1.   We are thinking of signing up Cassidy for volleyball and Amberly for soccer.  They don't want to.  What should we do?

Top Ten Tuesday

Top 10 Tuesday

Top 10

Things I did this weekend:

1. I was sick...in bed...for 4 whole days.
2. I watched, Dear John, Dirty Dancing, Rumor Has It, How Do You Know, and Hello Dolly.  I think I'm caught up now for the next year and a half i the movie department.
3. I've ingested NyQuil, nose spray, Sudafed, EmergenC,  and there's a funny taste in my mouth that makes me not want to eat.
4. Searched for a good hour for those mantle pictures swearing to myself that I need to organize my photo's better.
5. Washed the dished by hand because I didn't want to unload the clean dishes.  Plus the warm soapy water felt good on my hands.
6.  Had dinner brought in from my dear sweet neighbor.  Such a blessing.
7.  Woke up yesterday deciding I was not going to be sick anymore and got ready for the day with hair and makeup done.  I was a tad bit loopy but I think I psyched my body into thinking it was better.
8.  Until I went to bed and hacked and coughed and snored all night long.  My poor honey-bun had to listen to me (so gross).
9.  Got up today and again told myself I wasn't going to be sick.  I am hosting Bunko at 8pm and who wants to be sick for a Girls Night Out? (or in my case a girls night in?)
10. Looking forward to a much healthier, happier, week ahead.  My girls have two projects due on Friday and Mama can't be sick anymore!

Good / Bad

Top 10 Things That are Good and Bad Around Here

1. Bad- Since the kids have gone back to school they have been able to go out to recess twice - 2 times - dos - Due to the heat the kids are stuck inside which is not only hard on the kids but oh those poor teachers!  I guess if we lived where it rained or snowed a lot it would be the same thing.  It's just wrong to look out the window at a beautiful sunny day (even though it's blasted hot) and not be able to go out and enjoy it. (we have been on a heat advisory for more than a week - yes, it's that hot. 
2. Bad - I got a massage tonight and the guy literally breathed on me for most of the massage.  I can not tell you how gross and disturbing this was.  Makes me gag just thinking about it.  He totally ruined a good massage and I will never go back to that guy again.
3. Bad - I'm getting sick.  Again...how is it even possible that germs can live in heat like this? 
4. Bad - Because of #3 I am grouchy, in a funk and my body hurts.
5. Good - I helped Brooke organize her pantry and food closet.  I came home completely motivated to organize my pantry and laundry room. 
6. Good - I went to the grocery store on Monday and spent $81.80, bought 76 items and saved....$140.58!  I love shopping with coupons. 
7. Good - Tom came home tonight.  He has been gone a lot this week and we sure missed him.  It's not the same when he isn't around.
8. Good/Bad - due to the heat and me not feeling good I have not had an appetite.  This is good for my waistline but bad for my family who would love to have a nice healthy well balanced dinner instead of cold cereal or mac & cheese. Sorry about that family.
9. Good - the girls and I cleaned the garage this weekend while Tom was out of town.  I loaded up the back of my car with a bunch of stuff to take to Good Will and I can now go out there without hurting myself or feeling claustrophobic.  (and yes it was very hot while we cleaned which should earn us more bonus points)
10. Super Good - I just found out that the pictures I took of Berkeley (my nephew) and then deleted off the computer have been restored!  I have the best computer guy.  What a relief! I have been sick out it for weeks!

Top 10 Tuesday

1.  I read an article that talking to one another is going to go out of style.  People can't be bothered with the phone or having visitors stop by to say hi.  Texting and e-mail are the preferred correspondence.  I sure hope that isn't true.  I would much rather talk on the phone, get a real paper letter in the mail, or go visit a friend any day of the week.

2. Khon Academy is saving my hide. Cassidy is in Jr. High and the math she has to do while I'm sure is easy, I have no recollection of ever learning that stuff.  We used that site during the summer to keep the girls minds frsh and I'm using it now to help Cassidy and I do Jr. High Math.  The videos are a life saver!

3.  Our Electric bill was $420. last month.  EEEK!  It's never been that high.  $300 yes, but never close to $400.  I'm getting nervous because this month was a hottie too and I'm sure the bill will be another doozy!  I'm going to call an A/C guy to come see if I have a leak somewhere.

4.  I am missing the Monterey Bay Fog.  I would trade in 114 degrees for fog right this very minute!

5.  I did my visiting teaching and it's only the 23rd.  My partner is the new Relief Society President so I'm sure I will be going every month.  Good thing too since that is on my 40 before 40 list.  Here's the lesson if you want to read it.  It was a good one this month!  A Society of Holy Women.

6.  I have been organizing the office and PAPERWORK has been on the to-do list.  I went through all three file drawers and got rid of two BIG black garbage bags full of papers and one BIG black garbage bag full of shredded documents.  Good thing Miss Abby likes to shred.  She saved me tons of time!  I have the prettiest file drawers now ☺

7.  I have no idea what I'm making for dinner.  My friend Kim had dinner ready to go by 10am this morning.  It's now 3:38 and I've got nothing, nada, zip.

8.  I finally figured out Google Reader.  Six years of blogging and I just finally found the love.  I'm back to reading blogs again instead of spending all my time on Pinterest.

9.  I'm in the mood to take a class.  Any photography classes out there that you know of?

10. Bunko in two weeks and I have the cutest prizes to give away!  Thanks Brooke, Paige and Bridget for the advice.

Top 10 Tuesday

Top 10

Top 10

Top 10 of my favorite pins this week on Pinterest.

 

credit:skye johansen

 

so true isn't it?

credit: splashes of joy

 

the best kitchen shelves...ever

credit:old painted cottage

crock-pot freezer meals
credit: healthy mama

you should see the before pictures!

credit-decorchic

 

I bake-I need-I will print

credit:everybodylikessandwiches

I don't know about the shoes but I ♥ everything else - Cass ♥'s the shoes

credit:polyvore

candyland party

credits:parents mag

pillow love

credits: etsy

which one do you like the best?

Top 10 Tuesday

Top 10 Tuesday & 4th of July Update

Today I was getting my toes done and I read this little article in Woman's Day magazine asking how patriotic we are as individuals.  It was interesting and it sure made me thankful to be living in this free country and the blessings we get to enjoy that others do not.

For the 4th we were going to go out of town but had a change of plans at the last minute and had to stay in the Valley and suffer through the heat.  Saturday was 119!  Yes, that was no typo.....the girls and I were going to fry and egg on the sidewalk but it was overcast and humid and it wouldn't have worked.  I'm sure we will have plenty of extra hot days to test the "egg on the sidewalk theory".

Saturday night we went over to my cousin Amy's with all my cousins and Aunt Janet and Uncle Pete and all the kids and extended family.  We lit off a ton of fireworks and then watched the Mesa Firework Show right from her front yard eating popcicles and telling 4th of July parade stories and memories of our youth.  Fun times and what a memory maker even though it was blazing hot!  When you are with good company you can endure pretty much anything♥

So for today's Top 10 Tuesday I'm going to post the questions I read today in Woman's Day and see if you can answer them...."To become a naturalized citizen, immigrants have to demonstrate that they can read, write and speak English.  They also have to pass a 10-question civics test, the likes of which you probably haven't seen since 11th-grade History.  Here, are 10 of the 100 questions in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services database"..............are you ready?

Top 10 Questions: Could you pass the U.S. CITIZENSHIP Test?

1)  What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?
2)  How many amendments does the Constitution Have?
3)  How many voting members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?
4)  In what month do we vote for President?
5)  Who is currently the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
6)  Who is currently the Speaker of the House of Representatives?
7)  What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?
8)  Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
9)  Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States.
10) In what war was President Eisenhower a general?

How many did you get right with out looking at the answers?
What did you do this year for the 4th?
Was it hot where you were?

Answers: 1) speech, religion, assembly, press, petition the government.  2) 27 3) 435 4) November 5) John Roberts 6) John Boehner 7) The Flag and the United States 8) Thomas Jefferson 9) Mississippi, Missouri 10) World War II

Today's 10

10 on Tuesday

Top 10

idea came from here - I'm going to take the class!

Top 10 Tuesday

Top 10 Today:
Highlights of the End of the School Year

1)  The 2nd grade water party (I already posted about it but it was THAT awesome!)
2)  Cassidy getting an A on her Country Report (Japan)
3)  The 6th grade (Cassidy's class only) Awards ceremony and potluck at the water park.
4)  Cassidy's teacher this year was phenomenal!  I will be requesting her for Abby for 6th grade.
5)  The 6th grade vs. Teachers Kickball game on the last day of school.  The whole school went out to watch (it's tradition) and when I saw Cassidy's teacher right before the big game she had: her hair up in pig-tail-buns, shorts, knee high socks, a jersey with her name on it (the teachers have matching jerseys with their names - the 6th graders didn't) and she had black stuff smudged under her eyes.  When I saw her she said, "do you see this face?  It means....WAR!"  Alrighty then.
6)  The 6th Grade High 5's after the kickball game.  They start in the front of the school go all around up and down the halls high fiveing every teacher and student as a BIG Goodbye Send-off to Jr. High.  I have to admit, I got a little chocked up. 
7)  Amberly's tender hearted Teacher who loves those kids as much as her own.  The very last day it was a bawl fest in her classroom.  The 2nd graders were bawling, the teacher was bawling, the parents were bawling.  Amberly was sad for the rest of the day knowing she won't have her again.  And so was I...Sniff
8)  The girls wear t-shirts to school the last few days of school to have the kids/teachers sign.  Then they use that t-shirt as P.J's the rest of the year.  This year they had matching red ones.  They looked adorable.
9)  When I stopped in to Amberly's class to drop something off on the very last day all the kids were signing away with the teacher on her piano.  Pure bliss and precious memories.
10)  Seeing my kids faces at the end of the last day.  Cassidy with a HUGE smile on her face because a new chapter is about to unfold and Amberly with red puffy eyes from crying because sometimes ending one chapter to start another is hard.

Top 10 Tuesday

My favorite tumblr pictures this week found HERE

1.   room with a view via sweet home style

 2.  I want to throw a garden party like this: via deborah zoe photo

3. What I am going to be reminding my kids to do this summer via french knot

4.  Oh man I want this going into my backyard garden! via earthboundwinglessdream

5. I love how bright this room is without hardly any color.  

It soothes me...I could live here! via london vogue

 

6.  If my Mom was still alive she would have this and call it her "Grandma Room".  

She was the BEST Grandma ever!

via munger interiors

 

7.  Just darling!

via gracieswainson

 

8.  I think I will always have roses over my door. 

cote de texas

 

9.  My cute friend Lori's daughter is getting married in July and these are the colors.  

I love them!  via wedding talk

10.  We all need to remember this.  

via flicker

Top 10 Tuesday

My 10 Thoughts For Today

1)  I'm thinking of deleting my Facebook account.  I am about 75% sure I'm going to do it.  I love the interaction with my friends but don't know if FB is putting my personal info out there when I don't want them too.  Thoughts?
2)  I'm in purge mode.  With summer coming I can't seem to stop loading my car with things we don't use/need anymore.  Sadly it's not making a difference in our closet spaces.  In my next house (who knows when that will be) I'm dreaming of two pantries.  One for food and supplies and one for all my entertaining pretties.  You know, cake plates, platters, party supplies.  I think I have a problem in the party supply area. (wink)
3)  This weekend I sent most of it outside working on my pool area and garden.  I have a ton of pots out by my pool and the plants in them had all died this winter due to the freeze.  I donned my swimsuit in hopes of getting a tan and went to work.  I looks so much better and everyday I go out there to see how pretty everything looks.  I can't wait for the little plants to fill out and start cascading over the edges of the pots.  It makes swimming that much better when there's pretty things to look at (besides my darling girls of course!)  I only wish my pool and garden looked like this:

image credit - from greenwich

and this:

 image credit HGTV

4) My girls are getting excited about summer.  Today they asked what were going to be doing for "Fun Friday".  It's a summer tradition around here and gives the girls something to look forward to each week.  We are also going to have cousin swim day at our house which will be a nice way to see our family each week. *Fun Friday is where the kids pick out one activity to do each week and we get a bunch of mom's/kids to go have some fun.  The activities are things like: the Science Center, Mini Golf, Go to the Movies, Skateland etc.*
5) Speaking of fun things to do this summer...here's a cute project from "mycakies" you could do with the kids:

 And here's a copy of the e-mail I sent to my brothers about it:

I saw this and thought it would be so fun to have one of these for the kids. 
Then I realized my kids are BIG and it made me sad. 
Then I thought...........who cares and decided to make one anyway. 
Then I thought it would be fun to share the idea with you for your kids this summer. 
Think..."quilt frame fort...... but better!"
Love Cara

*when we were young (OK even when we were big) my Mom would set her quilting frames up right in the middle of the living room.  It was the only space big enough in our little California Cottage for her to do this.  Because it took up the entire room we would sit under it with our pillows and blankets and watch TV or make it into a secret fort (even though it wasn't very secret).  Good times were had under those quilting frames.*
6) Tomorrow I'm taking a Lightroom class.  I'm so excited!  I bought myself Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom when Tom graduated last year with his student discount and have tried to figure it out without much luck.  Tomorrow will be the day where I learn all the tricks.  I hear it's pretty awesome and you don't need much else if you've got this.  Can't wait........
7)  Here are some fun DIY tricks I've found over on tumblr...man I love my tumblr.......for more great ideas click here.

 Soda can picture hanger found here - apartment therapy

Since having computer issues I have been plugging and unplugging things more than I care to admit.  This would have been very helpful and is on my to-do list.  I just love clever people don't you? apartment therapy

image via winterwonderland

 

I have a silver platter like this and would love to do this!  Darling!

via inspiration for decoration

8) Along with getting rid of Facebook I'm thinking about getting rid of our satellite TV.  There's never anything good on and I would rather have the extra money to spend on something like........cute shoes or more cake stands hee hee.

9) Tom took the girls to Disneyland this weekend for the last time.  Our passes expired today so they wanted one more hurrah.  I think it's the end of an era.  The girls were talking about going to a park that had roller coasters for BIG girls.  The bigger and scarier the better they said.  Oh boy.......I think I may have some thrill seekers on my hands.

10) I need a good book to read.....any suggestions?

Top 10 Tuesday

The Top 10 Things I Need To Work On

1)  Being patient.  Normally I am a very patient, calm person.  However...when my life feels out of control and unorganized I lose that patience very quickly. 
2)  Making the end of the day as pleasant as the beginning.  I have been so tired lately that by 7-8pm I'm done.  I don't want to read bedtime stories, help get things ready for the next day, do dishes, clean up after dinner and so on.  I need to somehow make it until 9pm and then be done so my family doesn't start to hate me.
3)  I need to start checking off my 40 before 40 list.  The time is a ticking and I still have a lot to do!
4)  I need more hours in the day.  With summer coming (I am soooo ready!) I need to get this house & my life in order so we can have some fun around here!
5)  Checking the mailbox daily.  I am the worst at this.  Lets just say that I'm lucky if I check it once a week.  That goes for my voice mail too.
6)  Bring my camera back out.  I have not been taking picture lately (like in months!) and I am missing all the little things in life.  I love documenting our little life in pictures and this blog.  I'm not doing very well in either area.
7)  Spending time with each of my kids.  This summer I am planning on having a Mommy / Daughter date with each of the girls once a week.  It's been too long and I can tell they need me.
8)  My pantry needs HELP!  I have let it go and it's not pretty.  Tomorrow is the day if I don't get it done today.
9)  Eating better.  This week I decided to not eat any sugar.  So far I've done pretty good.  I can always tell a difference in my arthritis if I have been eating too much sugar.  It makes me hurt and how want's to hurt?  Right?!
10) Get this office in ship-shape.  It's a mess and has been for far too long.  I got our main computer back yesterday and I'm excited to get things up and running again.  I see blog books and my 12 on the 12th posts caught up!