My Favourite Things: Monday

Today's topic:  Shoes!  What girl doesn't love shoes? 

Me.

Really, I don't.  I like them, but love...?  Nah.  They're just shoes. 

I've only had a couple pairs of shoes that I would consider impractical splurges.  When I was in high school, I had a pair of red & white wingtip-style heels that were awesome, but I pretty much only wore them with one outfit.  That was definitely a splurge. 

Most of the shoes I have owned have been necessities.  Well, at least necessities by my definition.  :o)  For instance, I can't just have one pair of black dress shoes.  I must have a "dress casual" pair that goes equally well with pants or jeans, and a pair I could wear with a skirt (even though I never wear skirts).  The same goes for brown shoes.  That may sound like a lot to some people (read: men), but I pretty much only wear those 4 pairs of shoes.  I have a couple pairs of tennis shoes, but typically choose my my "dress casual" shoes over those. 

A couple years ago I found a perfect pair of black dress pumps for a steal, so I was more than happy to take them home.  I can barely wear anything with a heel of any height, so I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable these pumps were on my feet.  I came very close to loving those shoes.  I literally wore them 'til they fell apart. 

Shortly after I purchased my perfect black pumps, I came across these beauties: 

They were the exact same style as my beloved black pumps!!  But...  they were not on sale, which is unfortunate, since I was helpless to resist their charm. 

The saddest part of this story is this:  I can no longer wear them.  :o(  My sister told me my feet would shrink when I lost weight, but I didn't believe her.  I've worn the same size shoe since high school, for goodness sake!  But here I am...  wearing an 8 1/2. 

Does anyone out there with a size 9 foot want my cute, leopard-print, comfy pumps?  They're barely worn!  You know, since they're impractical.  ;o)   

Such happy shoes deserve to be worn and enjoyed... don't you think?

But what do I care?  I don't love shoes.  :o)

Or do I...?

My Favourite Things: Monday

Have I mentioned how funny my friend Thelma is?  Truly hilarious.  If you don't believe me, hop on over to her blog and read her entry on silicone muffin cups.  Seriously, she's the funniest person I've never met!  Oh, and incidentally, her blog has a Facebook page now, if you'd be interested in following her there.  No, she didn't ask me to make that plug for her.  Her blog is simply that good.  :o)

The item Thelma chose today brings us back to the kitchen.  She quite wasn't sure how to categorize "silicone muffin cups," and I'm not sure I do either, so I decided to select a kitchen tool for my favourite thing.

This may sound crazy, but I really love spatulas.  Not the kind used for flipping grilled cheese sandwiches or hamburgers, but the "scraper" type that is used to get all of the batter out of the pancake mixing bowl.  I'm a bit obsessive about getting every last drop -- just ask my husband!  It's not because I'm frugal -- far from it!  It's because I can.  I don't know why, but it gives me a strange sense of satisfaction.  :o)

I grew up using the Rubbermaid brand spatulas, which work pretty good.  However, I was later introduced to the ones made by Pampered Chef (they call them "scrapers"), and I've never used anything since.  In fact, to ensure that there will always be a clean one available, I have two full sets of all 4 sizes. 

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=191&catId=123

I know I chose a Pampered Chef item the last time MFTM featured a kitchen item.  I just can't help it that I love so many of their products!  Yes, they can be a bit pricey compared to similar items you can purchase elsewhere, but the quality is unbeatable.

Wow.  I'm full of unpaid endorsements today.  :o)

I'll close with my favorite features of the Pampered Chef Scrapers:

1. The head is fused directly to the handle, so you never worry about it falling off.
2. Won't crack, burn, melt or stain.
3. Heat-resistant to 650°F
4. Dishwasher-safe.

What about you?  Do you have a favorite, don't-know-how-I-ever-lived-without-it kitchen tool/item?

My Favourite Things: Monday

Going back to the archives of Life As Two, this week's topic is jewelry.  Now, if you know me at all, you know that jewelry is one of my weaknesses.  Particularly rings.  And watches.  And earrings.  :o)  I own a lot of jewelry, and unlike some people, I wear most of it.  I pretty much never leave the house without wearing several rings, a watch, a bracelet, and two pairs of earrings.  Occasionally I will wear a necklace.  I seriously do not feel completed dressed if I'm not wearing my jewelry.

I have MANY favorite pieces, so at first I wasn't quite sure how I was going to narrow it down to just one (other than my wedding ring).  Then I realized that there is one item that I wear more than any other.  My sterling silver cuff bracelet. 

I remember where I bought it (at a street festival in my home town), but I can't remember how much I paid.  The funny thing is, I'm not really that crazy about the actual design on the bracelet (I think it kind looks like a train of scorpions!), yet it remains my go-to piece.  It is the one bracelet that I wear whenever I'm not sure what goes with my outfit.  Or simply because I don't feel like wearing anything else.  Or because I'm in a hurry and running late (which is sooooooooo very rare!  ha).  :o)

The reason I love this bracelet so much is because it's small, versatile, and most importantly...  comfortable.  It really is the one piece I wear more than anything else.  I love how it fits snugly on my wrist.  It's lightweight and doesn't ever feel heavy or clank around like some bigger pieces I own.  I wear those too, and love them!  But this bracelet is so comfortable, it's not unusual for me to forget to take it off at the end of a day.  I'd really love to have another bracelet that fits like this one -- with a prettier design -- but I've looked and not been successful in finding one yet.  Perhaps someday... 

So, what about you?  Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? 

My Favourite Things: Monday

Today's topic is spices/herbs. 

I enjoy cooking, but am far from being a gourmet.  I've been cooking since I was in jr. high, but it was only after I got married that I discovered there were spices and herbs that had the power to bring new life to boring recipes!  Some of my favorites include garlic, rosemary, and cumin (oh, how I love cumin!).  But there is one herb that stands out amongst the rest:  cilantro!

Since I fell in love with cilantro, I've discovered that's it's one of those love-it-or-hate-it flavors.  It amuses me how many people have described it to me as tasting like "dishwater," because that begs the question...  "Have you *really* tasted dishwater??"  They are, of course, wrong.  :o)  Because cilantro is simply fabulous!

At home I've pretty much only used it when making fresh salsa or quesadillas, but I've enjoyed it in a variety dishes when dining out.  It tastes amazing in salads, Chinese food, Vietnamese spring rolls, on sandwiches, and of course, in anything Mexican.

Oh, and the dried stuff simply won't do.  Fresh is the only way to go!  I would love to try growing my own sometime, but for now I just buy it in the produce section at the grocery store.  And just so you know...  if you're not going to use it right away, the best way to store fresh cilantro is in a glass of water in your refrigerator.  If your store sell it in huge bunches that you can't use in one recipe, chop it up and freeze it (I just throw mine in a ziploc bag)!  It loses a bit of its flavor from freezing, but it's still tons better than the dried stuff.

So what's your favorite spices/herbs?

My Favourite Things: Monday

For today's category I am supposed to blog about my favorite four-legged animal.  After much thought and deliberation, I have determined that it is not possible for me to select just one animal.  I have lots of favorites, several of which live in my house, and I love them all the same!  (Except for Casper.  But I do think I'm finally starting to like him a little.  Maybe.)  Although I can't select a favorite animal specifically, I can select a specific type of animal.

From the time I was a little girl, my favorite animals have always been cats.  I loved other animals too, including dogs, horses, goats, rabbits...  I grew up on a little hobby farm, so we had many pets over the years.  But as any cat-lover knows, there are few things better than a cat curled up in your lap, purring contentedly. 

My love for cats has always been so strong, I didn't expect that to ever change.  Especially since I had the privilege of owning and loving the world's most perfect cat for 16 years.  Which is why it's surprising that this post is not about cats. 

When Scott & I got married, I knew we would eventually get a dog.  Even though neither of us were "dog-people," we wanted to get one for the family we were planning to have (ah, the best laid plans...), and what better family dog than a Golden Retriever?  (This point is not up for discussion, by the way!)

There were two dogs that left a lifelong impression on my heart when I was growing up.  One was a mutt named Shadow, and the other was a Golden Retriever named Lad.  ♥  As much as I loved those two dogs, that love was nothing compared to how much I love the dogs I've owned as an adult.  It started 6 years ago when we got Quincy, and now I have to say that dogs are my favorite animal.  I never, EVER dreamed that I would be converted! 

Of course, I'm more than a little partial to my Quincy...

and to my Milo...

...but I can also say that I love most dogs (there are a few exceptions, like my neighbors' yippy Schnauzer). 

There's just something about that unconditional love.  The ever-excited, always-happy-to-see-you dance.  The incredible look of sadness when they know they've disappointed you.  The sensitivity to your mood changes.  The strong desire to do whatever it takes to make you happy.  You just don't get all of that with a cat.  (Sorry, Squeaky!)  Or any other animal, for that matter. 

Now that I'm converted, I'm amazed that it took so many years for me to discover why dogs are called Man's Best Friend.  But now I know.  And I'm changed forever.  ♥

My Favourite Things: Monday

Yes, it's time for another My Favourite Things: Monday. 

Yes, I realize I've only been blogging on Mondays and Friday lately. 

Yes, I am totally stuck in a rut. 

I'll try to work on that. 

Maybe.  :o)

Today's category comes from Thelma's April 26, 2010 post:  the bathroom.  Finding my favorite thing in our bathroom was a no-brainer.  I absolutely LOVE my showerhead.  It is truly amazing. 

Now, you have to understand something about me.  Although I like being clean, I do not particularly enjoy the process of getting clean.  I don't enjoy baths at all, and I think showers are a necessary evil.  Mostly I just hate being cold and wet afterward.  Which I know is silly, since it's temporary and I will be warm again soon, but that's just the way it is. 

About two years ago when I was traveling for work, I fell in love.  The hotel I was staying in had an amazing double showerhead, and after using it one time, I immediately began plotting how I could steal it and take it home with me.  I somehow resisted the temptation and sadly went home without it.

Later that year I received an Amazon.com giftcard as a gift, and a friend suggested I use it for purchasing one of the showerheads I'd been raving about...  So I did. 

Isn't it beautiful??

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

I'm still not overly fond of showering, as a general rule, but this beauty certainly makes the process a heckofa lot more worthwhile!

My Favourite Things: Monday

 

Today's topic is something that I love about my house right now.  The main thing that sold us on our current house is the location.  We don't have any neighbors behind us, so our view is a vast amount of undeveloped land that is owned by the county.  It's not unusual for us to see all kinds of wildlife on a daily basis, including the occasional coyote (although we hear those more often than we see them).  Of course, "location" isn't really a physical attribute of our house, so I am choosing something else as my blog topic today. 

There were two things that I absolutely hated about our house when we first saw it.  The first would be this atrocious wallpaper, which was in the dining room:

Seriously...  WHAT were they thinking?

The wallpaper was a relatively easy fix, so we got rid of that shortly after we moved in.  The other thing we hated just as much as the wallpaper was the PINK carpeting, which was in almost every room.  We couldn't afford to start that project until 2007, when we got a very nice tax refund which we used to purchase flooring from Nebraska Furniture Mart.  Incidentally, did you know you can barter with the sales people on flooring? Because of this, we were able to get a GREAT deal on exactly what we wanted. 

Since the pink carpet was throughout most of our house, we knew we wouldn't be able to afford to replace it all at once.  So, we chose to do the dining room, front room, entry way and hallway.  Of course, because we were installing it ourselves, it sat in the boxes for a few months before we were finally able to begin..  You know, since home improvement projects always take longer than one anticipates.  And since Esther found more wallpaper when taking up the baseboards, and refused to paint over it, so we had to strip all of that off and ended up with ugly patches where the drywall paper came off, which then required using a textured base before we could paint it.  But we won't talk about that.  :o)


Anyway...  The end result was well-worth all of our efforts, and this aspect of our house immediately became the thing I love the most about it, and still is to this day. 

The completed task, pre-clean-up.

As you can see, Gidget enjoyed being our model during this project.  ;o)

It was a major task to install this flooring ourselves, but we can take pride in the fact that we did it ourselves AND it looks great.  I'm not sure I'd tackle the task again, but I'm definitely proud of our work, and ultimately glad that we did it.  When we do get around to getting rid of the remaining pink carpet, we will most likely replace it with more modern carpet -- which will hopefully be installed by professionals!

My Favourite Things: Monday

I typically follow Thelma's lead when it comes to My Favourite Things: Monday, but she has dropped down to posting this series every two weeks...  So, my options are to skip it, or go back in the archives of Life as Two and find an old post that I haven't done yet.  There are quite a few, so that is my plan on the "off" weeks - at least until I catch up.

This week's topic comes from Thelma's April 19, 2010 post: kitchen things.  Due to the item Thelma selected, I'm assuming she intended for her followers to choose something that is not an appliance.  So, I selected my Pampered Chef pizza stone.

I've had my stone for a number of years, so it is very well-seasoned.  Anyone who owns (and uses!) a stone knows that the well-seasoned ones are almost black.  Like this.

The darker the finish, the better they cook.  If yours isn't dark yet, you aren't using it enough.  I'm just sayin'!

I store it in my oven, and I even leave it in there when I'm baking in another dish.  They can handle the heat better than being dropped, so the oven is the safest place for it in my house.  The stone can be used for so much more than pizza, too.  I've used it to bake french fries, reheat leftovers, and bake cookies.  The latter is probably my favorite thing to use it for, as it makes perfect cookies each and every time.  The key is to let the stone preheat, since it takes it a while to get heated through.

So there you have it.  My favorite kitchen item isn't anything glamorous, nor is it a thing of beauty.  But it is very practical.  And since Monday is almost over, this post is a bit rushed.  So hopefully it flows somewhat well.  And if not, you'll forgive me... right?  :o)

My Favourite Things: Monday

Now that Monday is almost over, I'm finally getting around to blogging about My Favourite Things: Monday.  I would have blogged sooner, but I had to give some thought to today's topic: Thanksgiving food.  In case you didn't know, today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, so Thelma (who selects the topic for this series) has turkey and all the fixin's on her brain.  Her post today is about stuffing, which is something that I dearly love.  But, really...  I love the whole ensemble of Thanksgiving dinner.  Everything is equally important in my mind.  I love turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie...  How could I choose a favorite?? 

But then I remembered back to my first 2 Thanksgivings with Scott's family.  That first year, I was introduced to one of their family traditions: gumbo.  I quickly discovered that these people are very serious about their gumbo.  So serious, some of the key ingredients are shipped from Louisiana.  So serious, they make a HUGE batch and eat nothing but gumbo for every meal, for days on end (that's only a slight exaggeration.)  To be honest, I wasn't crazy about gumbo at first (I've since acquired a taste for it!), and was a little disappointed that we didn't have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. 

After that first Thanksgiving, Scott's mom realized how fond I was of turkey with all the fixin's, so she made sure we had a traditional meal the next year.  But sadly... one crucial item was missing:  cranberry sauce.  And that's when I realized that, in my world, Thanksgiving just isn't complete without cranberry sauce.

I've always loved cranberry sauce, even as a child.  I remember sharing Thanksgiving dinner with a family from our church one year...  and my mother scolding me for mixing my turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce all together - and blending it thoroughly! - before eating it.  Which is funny now, since anyone who knows my mom knows she's a far cry from Miss Manners!

But I'm getting off topic...

I'm not picky about my cranberry sauce. I grew up eating the canned variety, so I'm perfectly content with sliding it out of the can, and cutting it into even slices that are perfect for serving. And since the in-laws aren't as crazy about it as me, I just bring my own can each Thanksgiving.  Which works just great for me.  :o)

My Favourite Things: Monday

Welcome to the second edition of "My Favourite Things: Monday."  You may have noticed that I did not post a MFTM last week.  This was due to my friend Thelma being on the other side of the pond for several days.  For some reason she did not feel the need to prioritize blogging while she was in Europe...  Like work and sightseeing is more important than blogging??  <insert eyeroll here>

At any rate, she is back, and I am extremely happy about that!  However, I had a tiny panic attack when I saw the topic for today:  HOUSE PLANTS.  Yikes.  This is not good.  I know nothing about house plants!!  Nor do I care anything about them.  Which is kinda funny, since I used an assortment of them as decorations at my wedding reception...  Some of which came from my parent's house, since they have always had a large assortment of house plants.

So, I decided to ask my dad for his assistance with today's topic.  He agreed to help me out, although I did get accused of sneakily trying to get him to start blogging. Hmmmm!  Hadn't considered that, but now that you mention it, Dad...  (tee-hee!)

Without further ado, here is my dad's very first blog post (and yes, he even provided the pictures!):

I have been asked by Esther to write a little about my favorite house plants. Since she is not a plant person, here are my favorites. As I have had some health issues the last few years, my favorites have to be hardy.

Number one on my list is the Angel Wing Begonia. There are many different varieties. This is the one that was at Esther's wedding reception. I gave away that plant as it got too big for me to handle. It was over 4 foot tall and a very beautiful plant.

Angel Wing Begonia

Closer view of leaves on the begonia.

Number 2 on my list is the Christmas Cactus. I don't have it anymore as the squirrels took a liking to it. I put all my house plants outside when it is frost-free.

Christmas Cactus

Close-up on Christmas Cactus

Number three is Swedish Ivy. This is a very easy plant to grow. It is a good plant for a hanging basket. It takes very little effort to grow. Just water with miracle  grow during the winter and you will be rewarded with flowers.

Swedish Ivy

A cactus in bloom.

If you want indestructible plants, try cactus, aloe plant, or mother-in-law tongue. Our mother-in-law tongue actually bloomed this year. I have never had one bloom for me before. The aloe plant is good to have around to treat burns with. A first aid plant that requires very little care.

Mother-in-law Tongue

I have never had a problem with cats eating these plants and getting sick. I have had to move a plant or two to discourage them sometimes. All cats are different and I can not guarantee they will not take a liking to some of your plants. Philodendrons are a plant that is poisonous to animals. It is unfortunate as it is an easy plant to grow.

With the exception of the begonia, all of these will survive in a shady portion of the house. I  keep my plants in south and west facing windows as this the only options I have.

So, there you have it!  Didn't he do a great job for his first blog entry??  Thanks, Dad!   You're the BEST!!  ♥ ♥ ♥

Don't forget if you decide to "play along" on your own blog, make sure you post a link in my comments.  Or feel free to tell me about your favorite house plants in my comments section.

My Favourite Things: Monday

Since I'm doing this new blog thing, I've decided I need to get into some kind of pattern that will ensure I stay faithful to posting.  So, in an effort to post at least once a week...  :o)  I am joining my friend Thelma in posting each Monday, "My Favourite Things: Monday" (she's Canadian, hence the spelling of "favourite!").  I am not nearly as gifted (nor as humorous!) as she, but I will do my best. 

Today's "favourite" thing is autumn.  Or as I like to call it, fall.  I LOVE fall, so it is very difficult for me to narrow it down to one thing.  I love the cooler weather, pulling out the comfy sweaters and sweatshirts, the comfort foods and their accompanying aromas, going to the American Royal, celebrating Thanksgiving with family...  However, I think my favorite thing of all is seeing the colors of the changing leaves.  

I've always loved fall foliage, even when I was a little girl.  There's something so satisfying about crunching through the leaves on a cool fall day, both then and now as an adult.  I love going for a drive with the sole purpose of finding beautiful trees to admire.  In Missouri we have a lot of trees, but I know their beauty pales in comparison to other parts of the country.  

On several occasions, I've been to Wisconsin in the fall to visit friends.  Some of my favorite memories during those visits was when I was just driving around with my friend J, enjoying God's handiwork and listening to her Petraphonics album (pretty sure it was a cassette tape -- does that date me or what?).  I can still vividly see the canopy of trees we were driving through at Devil's Lake as we sang along to "The Coloring Song," and laughing ourselves silly as we got lost while looking for a certain apple orchard.  Such sweet memories with a dear friend.  ♥  Kinda makes me want to drop everything and go for a visit now - I  know she wouldn't object!  If only it were that simple... (sorry, J!)

Unfortunately, after fall comes the inevitable frigid winter... but we won't think about that right now.  Let's just revel in the beauty of the next couple months, shall we?  

So, there you have it.  My first installment of "My Favourite Things: Monday."  What's your favorite thing about fall?  If you post it on your blog, make sure you paste your link here in my comments.  And if you don't have a blog, just leave me a comment so I can learn about your favourite thing.  :o)

-E