Category — Random

I have SO much going on right now, that I don’t have time to waste. But wasting time is exactly what I did for nearly two full days earlier this week. You see, I have a major flaw in my personality. I’ve been aware of the issue since I was very young, and I’ve come to accept it. The thing with this characteristic is that you never know when it will strike. It comes on suddenly and unexpectedly.  The problem is that I am easily obsessed. Any random thing can catch my attention and that is all I will focus on for…. well, I never know for how long. Until it ends, goes away, or I just can’t take it anymore. The story, along with a slight few of the 180+ pictures I took of the event… the event being my most recent obsession, begins here…

[Read more →]

Today is Eugene Robert Otter’s 80^th birthday. Who is Gene Otter?  My dad; that handsome 20-something-year-old in the picture above, that’s who.  Happy birthday, Dad!  If you follow this blog then you already know that I am in the middle of planning his big 80^th birthday party, which will be held on Saturday, April 30^th.  The reason we’re waiting nearly two weeks to hold the party is that today it is still Lent and my dad gives up all alcohol for Lent and he wants to party at his party, so the weekend after Easter works best.

Today is also this year’s Tax Day.  Three days later than usual due to a holiday in Washington, D.C. that occurred on Friday, April 15^th.  Tax Day is a big deal at our house because Dave is a CPA and has worked non-stop for several months now and the end is finally here!

With all the celebrating happening around here, I’m going to post some crafty Easter stuff today instead of a recipe.  I’ll appear on Channel 12 Valley Dish twice this week.  First in a taped segment with Marissa on Wednesday, April 20^th, where we demonstrate how to make these gorgeous silk tie Easter eggs. Then again on Good Friday, April 22^nd, when I will show you how to set up a beautiful and natural Easter buffet. Here’s a little sneak peek at a couple of the elements involved.  Be sure and watch both the egg and buffet segments at 3:30 on Channel 12.

[Read more →]

There will not be a recipe posted today, I am far too busy to cook! I’ve been scouring every store I can think of for items for this year’s Easter buffet. I’ve been to Cost Plus World Market, Pier One, Holland Boone, and a couple of consignment stores, and I just returned home from Crown Imports. Maybe tomorrow I’ll hit Micheal’s and JoAnn’s … but I’ve done all I can do today.

[Read more →]

Unfortunately, no time to post a recipe today. I’ll be on Valley Dish today at 3:30… not cooking this time, but instead showing how to set up a Mardi Gras tablescape. Tune in if you get a chance.

[Read more →]

OK, I found the most wonderful thing while surfing through food blogs yesterday. Hey, don’t judge – I was specifically instructed, by my doctor, to stay in bed all weekend. Which, of course, I did not do, but a little surfing is kinda like staying in bed.

So why the bed rest? As you know I was up in Flagstaff two weekends ago taking care of my sick boy. A word to the wise – if you spend 60+ hours cooped up in a hotel room with a really sick person, you will probably get sick! I honestly didn’t think it would happen, I’ve taken care of my sick children for the past 23 years and never have gotten sick myself. But taking care of your sick kid while living in a big house and taking care of your sick kid in a small hotel room – completely different!

I came home with a sore throat. That developed into bronchitis (mild- thankfully) and a wicked ear infection, laryngitis, and possibly pneumonia.

When it comes to pneumonia, I’m still hoping that I don’t have it. I am still waiting for the x-ray results. One lung looked cloudy, but I really don’t believe I have pneumonia because I have had it twice before in my life, and I know that pain. I do not have that sort of pain now.

Wowser, that was a lot of excuse-making and explaining why I was wasting time surfing the web! Point is, it wasn’t a waste at all, I found something I just adore. Check this out!!!

Isn’t that the greatest thing ever? What would you think if I did something like that? I know it would be totally stealing someone’s fabulous idea, but I just love it too much to let it go. There is a downside, my least favorite part of doing this blog is the photos. Taking them, correcting them (and they always need help!) in Photoshop, and then downloading them into the posts. But maybe if it was something as creative and wonderful as that… let me know what you think! The other thing I am really loving is this…

[Read more →]

I tossed all of the eligible names into a plastic Target bag and had Connor draw two names out from all the comments/entries, and the winners of the free cooking class are ….

[Read more →]

Hello, sorry to be so late in getting some sort of post up. My son, Connor, who is in his second year at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, is sick with bronchitis. I discovered this after receiving a 2:45 AM phone call yesterday morning from a friend of his, who drove him to the hospital (gotta love getting those dream-jarring calls in the middle of the night… but I thank Rachel with all my heart for driving him there and making the call!)

The good news was that he was released around 8:00 AM with an inhaler, after receiving breathing treatments and shots, and told me that he would be fine and bunker down for the weekend.

[Read more →]

Before I forget, a quick reminder to watch Channel 12 Valley Dish today at 3:30 where Tram and I will be making Oscar Party treats!

Thank you to the 12 followers who have commented so far. They are each now in the running for a chance at 1 of 2 spots in one of my cooking classes. Here is the deal…

[Read more →]

How would you like to win a free adult cooking class in Phoenix, Arizona? Are you available on the evening of Wednesday, March 2, 2011? Are you in the Valley of the Sun? Then this is for you!!!

Here’s the deal:

[Read more →]

Hope you and your sweeties have a wonderful day. My own sweetie daughter, Marissa, posted THIS on her blog, LINGER. Who Knew?!?

[Read more →]