BARBIE BIRTHDAY CAKE

This weekend we attended a birthday party in Phoenix for a 1 year old. The cutest and yummiest cupcakes. The coolest thing....she asked everyone to bring a donation for the Phoenix Crisis Nursery instead of buying her daughter a gift, as she has had a year of love, laughter and presents.

VINTAGE DRESS

I thought this was a cute dress....I purchased at an estate sale. I am going to have it shortened to make it more modern. This vintage dress would be perfect for a prom or party. I will post pictures of the finished piece when it is done. I will probably list it on ebay.

HOMEMADE EGG NOODLES

EGG NOODLES DRYING

I made this recipe for my son Joe. It' s not in my diabetes cook books, but I have to admit...I did eat some & YUM!!! After the noodles dried, I added to the broth from a chuck roast that I had cooked in the crockpot. I shredded some of the meat, boiled a few potatoes, added carrots, celery and onion. The noodles only take about 10 minutes to boil. You can add these noodle to any of your favorite dishes. The recipe follows.

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 pinch salt

2 eggs beaten

1/2 cup mild

1 tablespoon butter

Stir together the flour and salt. Add the beaten eggs, milk and butter.

Knead dough until smoth, about 5 minutes. Let rest in a covered bowl for 10 minutes.

On a floured surface, roll out to 1/8 or 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired lengths and shapes.

Allow to air dry before cooking (I waited 30 minutes).

To cook fresh pasta...in a large pot with boiling salted water until al dente.

"SISTER CARRIE" THEODORE DREISER

I am now reading "SISTER CARRIE" by Theodore Dreiser published in 1900. This novel is on the list for top 100 books. I am working my way through this list in a random order.....party due to the non-efficient library in my small town. After I finished "PERFUME", I brought my "100" list to the library to check out another book and you wouldn't believe how many of the books were not in, misfiled or they didn't have. So this is how I ended with "SISTER CARRIE" because I told myself to take the first one that was available (I was having a hot flash and sweating profusely even though everyone else was cold from the remaining snow). Luckily, I am enjoying this novel very much and would like to not put it down. So far, a small town girl moves to Chicago, lives with her sister & brother in-law, finds a job in a shoe factory and is realizing there must be more to life than the shabby existence she sees around. Well, I have screwed around enough this morning...back to reading. ~~~ ANOTHER complaint about our library......not enough parking!!!!!! Sometimes you have to park blocks away and they do not do a good job of shoveling the snow & ice!!!!!!

ANNA KARENINA & PERFUME

ANNA KARENINA & PERFUME

Recently, I finished reading ANNA KARENINA. I enjoyed the book until the last few chapters. After Anna commits suicide, I would have liked to have known more about her son and Alexey Karine's thoughts. Instead, Tolstoy's focus was on Levin (who's character was my favorite in this novel) and his religious quest.

I am now reading PERFUME The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind. This story takes place in 18Th century Paris. An orphan is born with no body odor of his own but with a highly developed sense of smell. He attempts to create the ultimate perfume by killing virgin women and taking their scent. I became interested in this book after checking the top 100 list. Approximately six months ago, I found out that Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, was inspired by PERFUME to write the song SCENTLESS APPRENTICE from his IN UTERO album. I couldn't wait to tell my daughter & her friends as they were obsessed with Nirvana (since then she is now obsessed with The Misfits). The next day I went to the public library ready to have a great read. To my dismay, the only copy had been checked out! I had made sure the book was available via on-line, so I was a little confused. When my daughter came home from school, she told me they went to the library on their lunch hour & checked out the book! I thought this was really funny.

I would recommend both novels.

AL 3 WEDDING

ALLEN III The Groom
ME

JENNIE & GABE

JENNIE & BRANDEN

JANICE & JENNIE


We had a great weekend attending a wedding, for my nephew Allen, in Mesa at the historic Wright House. What a beautiful setting with gazebos, the original homestead and gorgeous gardens. The photos are of myself and my children, minus Joe who was unable to attend. It was great seeing everyone and lots of good dancing memories.....Aya was a big hit!

HELP

HELP..... I am on some kind of weird non-sleeping schedule. Up every night until 3:00. It's really starting to wear on me.

This week I have been sticking to my plan of eating healthy, reducing calories and drinking more water. I have worked out 4 times and plan on 5-6 times per week.

Help is also needed with being addicted to Facebook, especially Farmville. How sick!

GINGER CHICKEN with RICE NOODLES

GINGER CHICKEN with RICE NOODLES

Mix together: 6 tbs chopped green onion, 3 tsp fresh grated ginger, 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 tsp olive oil, and 1/2 tsp salt.

This mixture is used as a chicken rub. Use 6 chicken breast. Grill for approximately 15 minutes.

Meanwhile boil 2 cups chopped carrots and 1 package rice noodles for approx. 6 Min's.

Drain & add 3 tbs. lemon or lime, 1 cup chopped cilantro and chopped peanuts.

Serve with the chicken on top.

DIABETES DUNGEON

I WILL BE USING MY BLOG to make myself accountable for eating healthy and working out. I am a diabetic and overweight. I have tried many times to get my health under control & maybe if I make it public, I will be more accountable for my actions. This week I have been using the Core Rhythms DVDs and following my diabetes cookbooks. I will be posting some of the recipes. My post will also include whatever is on my mind.

CUTE ESTATE SALE FINDS

Kitchen towels with a vintage look.

CUTE ESTATE SALE FINDS

HAIR

It has occurred to me that my hair is pretty much the same as when I was 9 or 10 as in my blog header (this is a 1970's photo of me in front of our house in Missouri, with my dog Brownie). This is a little scary being that I am almost 47!!!

VINTAGE FUR COAT

On Friday, I was able to attend one of the most incredible estate sales that I have been to in years. Sadly, one of our fellow antique dealers passed away in 2009 and this was a partial sale of all her antique store items. I purchased several vintage clothing items, hat boxes, hats and other nice items. The photo shows one of my "finds"........a fur coat with the most beautiful button. This coat is from Washington D.C. My mannequin does not have hands, so the sleeves look a little funny. Today, I have spent most of the day adding items for sale on my eBay store site. I also made myself exercise to Core Rhythms. I got through the whole routine. My face was so red from being out of shape, BUT I MUST DO THIS. I really need to start taking care of myself.

PORK & CHILI STEW

QUICK PORK & CHILI STEW

• Heat 4 tsp. olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat
• Add 1 lb. pork tenderloin cut into 1 inch cubes
• Cook approx. 4 min.
• Add 1 med. onion sliced
• Add 2 poblano peppers diced
• Cook approx. 3 mins.
• Add 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Add 2-4 med. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• Add 14 oz. broth
• 1 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne
• 1 tbs. lime juice

Bring all ingredients to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer & cook until potatoes are tender.

You can substitute green bell peppers for poblano.

My family loved this dish. It is low cost and low calorie. Filling and satisfying.

JULIE/JULIA

TONIGHT I watched "Julie/Julia". If you have read the book, you will not be disappointed as the movie follows the book closely. The actors and scenery are first rate. Be warned.......it will make you want to cook.