Ice Storm 2010

Ice Storm 2010

This is what happens when the lights go out....

Yes, we have quite a storm headed our way. We had to stock up on supplies.:) The girls are so excited you would think we were going to Disney World! They are ready to camp out in front of the fire and dive into the junk food.:) I am not so excited. We had an ice storm last year and lost power for.... too long. I am not a camper, my friends. Not even when it's camping in my house. BUT, I am learning to "savor"! So, I believe I am ready for this adventure.:)

Personal Pity Party

My dear, dear friends- Why did I wait to tell you? What was I thinking? You

have all lifted me up out of my puddle of misery and given me joy, strength and

such power! My friend, Alicia (a wonderful Prayer Warrior), told me today that I

looked completely different than a week ago and I told her it was all because of my

sweet friends that took the time to comfort me, revive me and pray for me. Thank

you so much for your love and friendship. I have an Army of Prayer

Warriors and this gives me confidence and peace. God is in control and all IS

well.:)

I am *wallowing*. I miss you all, but I have been busy having my own personal pity party. I found out that I have a benign (thank the Lord) parotid tumor on my neck. I really don't want to talk about it, but I did want to let you know why I have been absent. God has a plan for me, but this is not a chapter that I wanted to have in the book of my life. God had other plans.:)

I will have to have surgery as the tumor can become cancerous (although 80%+ of the time it is not- another thank you, Lord!) and it will more than likely grow. It is unnoticeable right now but I was able to find it. There is a large part of my that wishes I had not. You know- ignorance is bliss!

The surgery is *tricky* as stated by my doctor and that is not something I want to hear. Facial nerves pass through your parotid gland (salivary gland) and there is a chance that you may lose the ability to smile and/or wink plus it is near your carotid artery and jugular so there is a chance of a heart attack and stroke. The surgery is 4-6 hours long. My doctor did tell me that a friend of his waited 35 years to have the surgery so I feel that I am not pushed for time, but I feel like I have a death sentence. The whole "adventure" is hanging over my head.

I will tell you that I am truly *savoring* each day. Perhaps that is part of God's plan? Stop taking things for granted? I will talk with my doctor and see if we should end up going to Mayo, Johns Hopkins, etc. Please keep me in your prayers, dear friends. I love you all so much! It is so good to know God is my team leader and he loves me. That is what helps me sleep at night.:)

Slumber Party Fun

We had two "investigators" at our house tonight. They were in disguise. (Here they are interrogating a suspect.)

Mandy and her dear friend, Faith, still have a wonderful imagination even though they are "tweens". (Hate that word) All too soon it will be replaced with boys, boys, boys- sigh...

Listening to them *giggle* makes me feel so good. I *think* they are asleep now?

Katie was away at an American Girl Slumber Party for her darling friend, Linden!

My friend, Kylie, even set up a table for the dolls. Can you stand the cuteness??!

Look at all the sweet girls with their dolls. I heard that they were going to make sleeping bags and pillows for the dolls at the party. Amazing.

I can't wait to hear all about it.:)

I made Baked French Toast for breakfast. You can make it, too! Just click on the link!

Birthday!

Thank you so much for all the wonderful birthday wishes! I had a very special day and enjoyed being with my family. My husband took the day off- thanks, Sweetie!

Part of the celebration was attending LIttle House on the Prairie- the musical, which was a lot of fun. Melissa Gilbert did an amazing job playing "Ma" and the rest of the cast was exceptional, too! Most had been on Broadway and it showed. This was a big deal for our small(ish) town...

We also went to go see The Princess and the Frog- one of my new favorite movies. Funny, exciting, great music. I was skeptical, but let me tell you it is fantastic! Even Jeff said, "We need to buy this movie." I adore Ray, the firefly.:)

As for the chipmunks (below), I have one word. Yuck.

Then we had the surprise of the day at a gas station. Gourmet food! I had heard, but did not believe. Had to break out the camera...

Paula Deen...

Barefoot Contessa! be still my heart...

Orangina??! The last time I had this was when I was in Europe. So light, so fruity, so mmmmm..... I now have some in the fridge.:) Lindsey, do you like it?

The colors took my breath away. Watermelon Strawberry, Apricot Peach.... Makes me wish for summer and picnics...

Salsa in every temperature. The only way I can get my husband to eat tomatoes.

Gelato! Caribbean Coconut, Caramel Cookie Crunch, Double Dark Chocolate! We have decided to try two new items a week and critique them. All for you.;)

Then it was off to Carrabba's for an early dinner. Ensalada Johnny Rocco, Baby. It's my birthday and I can't even get a kiss from Mandy. It's not "cool" anymore.:(

I'm going to get one, one way or another!:)

I love birthday cake. Love. It. Not the frosting so much, just the cake. So, to save me from myself I requested a "Dirt Cake" that would be delicious, but less likely to sprout wings and fly into my mouth.

My family is the best. (Gotta keep it real from time to time.) This is what happens when sugar is the center of attention.:)

It was GOOD.

Old Books, a new swap, fun winnings and MY WINNER!

Awesome APRIL is my big winner! Now she gets to have fun picking out fabrics and pom pom trim! April, you are awesome! I loved reading all the fun facts about you, Cutie!

I am having so much fun making my scarves! If you would like to try making some, check out Julie's blog!

If you would like a scarf, but don't have the time to make one, just let me know....

I would be happy to make one for you!

They will be $16 and that includes postage...

Just e-mail me! Lori toosillysisters@cox.net

Savoring... old books. Don't be afraid to re-read books from your younger days. Nancy Drew and I spent the last two evenings together by the fire. I wasn't sure if we still "clicked" as we are older now. I have to tell you that I loved our time together.:)

Just joined my first swap of the year! Won't you join me? $7 involving your favorite things!:)

I wanted to share two fabulous items that I won! This wonderful book from BeachBrights! Thanks again, Christy! This book has tons of great craft ideas with lovely pictures! Highly recommend it!

Just yesterday this incredible note card set arrived from Doodle Bugs! I won her giveaway!! Aren't they fun?! She has some for sale in her shop, too! Thanks, Sweets!

Good Morning!

Well, I have not heard from Just Ducky, so I am going to pick a new winner for this month's followers giveaway. You must follow my blog AND there is going to be a little twist! The person that leaves the MOST comments on my blog by midnight (ET) tonight (January 6th) will be the winner! The comments must be on this post... Tell me about your favorite book, movie, song, store, food, etc. Tell me a secret, a crazy story, a dream, a wish! Surprise me!

The prize will be a custom made scarf! I have had such fun with Julie's Scarf Along. Thanks again, Julie! You get to you choose the color(s) and if you would like flannel or not. You may want a snuggly scarf or one that you can wear year-round. It's up to you! Let the fun begin!

Savor this...

**UPDATE!! The winner of my January follower's giveaway

is Just Ducky! Please contact me as soon as possible,

Sweetie! Congratulations!

(Lori at toosillysisters@cox.net)

Here is something delicious to savor on these cold winter nights...

My parents gave me this book for Christmas last year. It sat on my bookshelf for a whole year. I was so intimidated... Well, a year later, we had the pleasure of creating something divine and (oh so easy!) from darling Ina on Christmas Eve. It's our new favorite dinner.

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail that will make your mouth water and your lips tingle. No lie. The pepper makes it. Yes, pepper! I never use pepper. What??! Use the pepper.

(picture from The Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics book)

She also makes an amazing cocktail sauce to accompany this but the store was out of horseradish.:( I KNOW it is amazing because Ina said so. I am a believer.

*Shrimp (buy the prepared ones at Sam's with the tail on- in the frozen foods), salt, pepper and olive oil. 10 minutes to oh my goodness....* If you don't have the book (you truly should!) the recipe is here.

Feeling Fabulous!

I am going to read up a storm this year! Yes Ma'am! I am starting with this book....

Really good, so far! Has anyone else read it! Do you plan to read more this year?

Want to start "Feeling Fabulous"? I know I do! Go here and join me! This is the BEST idea! Write more handwritten notes, try more new recipes, purge (you know we all need to!), get more sleep, eat healthier etc. I love a good check list and great incentives!:)

It is snowy here today- all pristine and white. Kind of like a new slate.:) I woke up this morning and thanked God that I am "me". I am not perfect (far from it) but I am loved and the world is my oyster. I hope that you all feel the same. Are you savoring your moments?

Savor!

My Word for 2010...

SAVOR

Enjoy; derive or receive pleasure from; take pleasure in...

I plan on savoring each and every (well, almost every) moment of 2010. The events that make my girls smile this big...

and even the moments that aren't always so perfect...

The silly times...

and the "go for it!" times!:)

Because, after all...

I will look for things that make me smile. Sometimes they are quite obvious... Can you guess who this is supposed to be?

I will even try and savor days that I feel like staying in bed all day...

Family times are special. Time is fleeting. Less TV and more board games!
Act silly! Your kids will love it! They will savor the moments with you...

My girls LOVED the ice storm we had last year. Loved it! We spent time as a family, Daddy did not have to go to work and we camped out in front of the fireplace to stay warm. (I hated not having a shower and electricity!) but this year if we have a similar event you know I will do my best to savor the time.

Of course, you know I will savor the food, too! I am going to try and savor more fruits and veggies, though.:)

Oh yes, Happy New Year!

Be sure to savor your quiet moments, too.:)