Sorry I haven't been here......

That little knome has been a little high maintenance but I think he's settling in and his traveling days are over....he's decided to stay here.  One of his cousins is taking over for him at Travelocity so you'll probably be seeing a lot more of him around here.

Maenwhile, life has been very exciting and emotionally charged for me lately.  I came in contact with my Father's family who I never knew.  I really never knew my Father either because my parents divorced when I was 18 months old.  He has since passed and I never even had seen a picture of him but once and it disappeared under mysterious circumstances.  Anyway my new family is SO NICE....they are just delightful, so kind and receptive and welcoming and I hope to meet them all some day.   AND.....I found out (this is pretty exciting for an only child)...that I have 2 half-brothers too!  One has already passed away but there is one still living out in California and I have his phone number but I'm a little hesitant to call since I am sure he doesn't know about me and surprises at our age could send you to the hospital!  LOL!  But here is a picture of my father, the only picture I have....pardon the candlestick in front of him.  He is SO handsome!  I think he looks like George Clooney!!!!

You'll NEVER guess who stopped by yesterday!?!?!?!?

Do you believe it????  The Roaming Knome from Travelocity!!!!!  I heard a knock at the door and there he was!  We visited awhile and then had a light supper and he retired early.   All that traveling around the world I imagine does tire one out.  He didn't mention how long he's staying but I have a feeling he likes it here so we'll see.   I need to go the grocery store...does anyone know what knomes like to eat?  Any special dietary requirements? 

Moving right along......

I forgot to take the BEFORE picture!  So I had to take it after I placed it in the oven...almost melted my camera!  I LOVE before and afters and hope you do too!  I will try and do more of them especially decorating and cleaning and landscaping! 

YUMMO!  As Rachel Ray would say.   Actually, I haven't eaten a bite of this YET!!!!  But I have made this before and there is not a quicker, faster, more delicious, easier, warm from the oven over ice cream dessert on the face of the planet!  See if you don't agree.....here follows the recipe...I make a small pan but you can double for a regular rectangular pan and you can change the fruit or pie filling and the cake mix flavor:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Into a 8 x 8 inch pan or 9 x 9...whatever....I put a regular size can of pie cherries with the juice, then I sprinkle over that 1/2 box of yellow cake mix, then I cut a stick of butter into 16 pats and place it on top of the cake mix in the pan, then I sprinkle on 1/2 cup chopped pecans and pop it in the oven for 45 minutes!  I feel like Samantha on Bewitched!  Too cool and tastes divine!

 

 

 

 

 

Okay....I'm reading more books!  I went to the public library and got the first 2.   I finished Anne of Green Gables book #6 and tonight will start book #7 Rainbow Valley.  I have the whole set in paperback. I couldn't sleep last night ...VERY rare for me....uh oh...is this old age?  Anyway...I tossed and turned and finally gave up and started reading Into The Wild which is the true story of Christopher Johnson McCandless who walked into the Alaskan wilderness and met his maker at a very young age.  I could not put the book down!  I read half of it last night,,,very well written and it was made into a movie so I'd like to see that after I finish the book.  I've been reading Sylvia for years and her prophecy book was written in 2004 so she was RIGHT ON in a lot of her predictions and more to come!  

Cleaning.....it's too hot to do anything else.

Summer in Arkansas is like Winter up North....you close the curtains to keep out the heat as opposed to the cold, all the windows are shut because you have the AC on 24/7 and so I light candles too!  Just like Winter in the North....too cozy!  Of course, the heat from the candles is probably not too energy efficient but it smells GREAT!!!

This is the salad that I made this morning in my Lock n' Lock ....after all these years I have finally learned from the great chefs of the world to prep in the a.m. so by evening when I am exhausted, either my dinner is ready or it is so "prepped" that I can just throw it together with little or no effort!  Tonight is leftover stuffed pasta shells with shrimp accompanied by this great looking salad!  The shells were Bertolli frozen dinner and I was going to have garlic bread with it but I made tomato bread for lunch ( little french bread slices with tomato slices and parmesan on top under the broiler) so I don't need any more carbs for today.

This is just one of my collection of Lock n' Locks...way better than Tupperware which if you have arthritis like I do is impossible to work with...in fact I'm thinking maybe Tupperware caused my arthritis...LOL!  Just joking Tupperware Corporation....don't sue me but I LOVE Lock n' Lock....easy on the hands, quick and I DO SWEAR my food keeps way longer in this stuff!  You can get it at Walmart and also more sets and options and deals on QVC.

This is my linen closet...I know....you're not impressed...I really should have taken a Before and After....trust me....it looks much better now.

Ok..usually my Sundays are R n' R days but I couldn't STAND my linoleum floors anymore so I vacuumed the laundry room, kitchen and family room and washed them all and the rugs that adorn them....WHEW!  My dogs and cat shed more than is normal and the cat throws up and until just recently the dog that I SAVED and wasn't house trained just got with the program...FINALLY!!!!!   I won't even tell you what the carpeting looks like.  Did I tell you I abhor carpeting with a capital "A"!