Thursday, March 31, 2011

Danger Zone & My Biggest Fan

Do Not,
under any circumstances,
make these cupcakes.

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

They're evil.

Every few weeks I make a batch of cupcakes and take them to my husband's office for everyone to share.  Everyone there is on a diet so they all hate me.
I'm okay with that.

I found the recipe on one of my favorite blogs.

Holy Smokes and shoot me dead if these aren't delicious.
I ate one.
Just one.
Really.

On another note, apparently, my father is bored with my blog.  You remember my Dad don't you?  I did an interview with him here.
He's ever so helpful.
Oh yes he is.
Here is an email that he sent me today:

Hi Kid: 
Read your bog for the last few days.  Actually, I'm impressed that your life is rather mundane.  Nothing about drugs, probation, drive bys or Toby Kieth.  To add some excitement you need to interact with your neighbors in an unexpected way.
Bake a 3 layer cake and knock on the door of the lady down the street that waters her flowers in a mu-mu.  "Just been thinking about you and admiring your front yard, enjoy the cake."   Her response would give you blog material for a week. 
Consider exchanging your trash container with the folks across the street just before the truck comes. It may take a week or two before they notice but their reaction would certainly merit an entire blog-maybe two.   In the meantime I will continue to read your blog even if it is about Melba toast. 
love ya   
dad

I do have to wonder how exciting his life is if he's sitting around coming up with ways for me to boost my blog material. 



Holly
xxx-ooo

My Latest Obsession

Trying to eat healthy has taken it's toll on me.
Oh, how I miss those days of snacking on potato chips and Skittles.
I have found something, however, that I wanted to share with you.
It's been a lifesaver at 10:00 am, when I'm hungry and it's too early for lunch.
Roasted Garlic Melba Snacks
4 pieces =
1.5 g fat
10 g carbs
60 Calories
and
Trader Joes Fresh Bruschetta Sauce
2 TBSP =
2 g fat
1 g carbs
20 Calories
Total-
3.5 g fat
11 carbs
80 Calories

Worth every bite!
Sidenote:  I ate 4 Starbursts yesterday and they were worth it too.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Spring was Great!

I really enjoyed that whole week of spring we had here in Phoenix.  Yes, one whole week.  We went from a cold, rainy winter, and one week of spring time weather straight into summer.  The temps here are going to be in the 90's.  Awww, glorious summer.


Doesn't spring make you feel like dancing?

Or flying?  Or acting like an Egyptian?
Or maybe that's just me.
I spent so much time last week enjoying the weather that I completely forgot to do any spring cleaning.

Does that mean I get to wait until next year to do it?

Holly
xxx-ooo

Monday, March 28, 2011

Watching Grass Grow!!

That’s what we are doing around here. Can it get more exciting than that? Yes, it can because I’m bringing to you a chance to star in a reality series I am calling, WATCHING THE GRASS GROW.” You’re on pins and needles aren’t you?

Here’s the deal. My Arizona winter grass is dying off and it’s time to get ready for the summer grass. I’ve taken the liberty of mowing the old stuff all the way down as far as my mower will allow. I’ve de-thatched and fertilized. Now it’s your turn to join in the excitement.

If you leave a comment on this post, you will be automatically entered into a weekly drawing where you could be chosen to come to my house! Each randomly selected participant will win a whirlwind weekend filled with mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, trimming bushes, and spraying for ants.
Wait, it gets better!
Included in this package will be all the bologna sandwiches you can eat and all the grape Kool-Aid you can drink. Just imagine yourself nestled up at night on our slightly dog-haired couch with your choice of either a firm or soft pillow and an afghan crocheted by my grandmother.

This weekend package also includes Band-Aids and Mercurochrome for those nasty blisters you will probably encounter, but hey, adventures like this come but once in a lifetime.
So hurry and comment! Don’t miss this opportunity! Be sure to read the fine print for contest rules and regulations.
Contestants have to:
• agree that the environment means subjecting oneself to risks including “severe mental stress and heat stroke.”
• agree to “be considered ‘ free labor for the Blevins household’” “for the purposes of workers’ compensation only (which will not be paid).”
• agree to “not defame, disparage or cast in an unfavorable light this blogger, her husband or any entity of this series.”
• “not advertise my winning of any prize (because there isn’t one).”
• be available at all times to do press interviews.
• agree to psychological exams and lie detector tests, the results of which can be broadcast on this blog.
• agree that they may be injured, and won’t hold this Blogger responsible for the lack of health care facilities ( I don’t like hospital waiting rooms), and may contract fleas, rabies, tetanus or other diseases from contaminated areas.
• agree to pay all expenses for travel to and from the reality series location (in Arizona) and to stop at a Sonic on their way to said location to pick up a Diet Coke for the producer.

Leave a comment at your own risk to be entered into the weekly drawing.

Holly
xxx-ooo

Saturday, March 26, 2011

It just Doesn't Get Any Better

Have you ever had the chance to meet up with any of your favorite bloggy friends in person? It’s a surreal experience. First of all, if you follow each other’s blogs, you know so much about one another. You know about their husbands and kids. About their day to day grind. You hear them rant and rave, find out what their pet peeves are, and get to share in their joys and heartaches. And then you meet them in person. And they become real.

Me, Sheryl, and Jo.
I had the most wonderful day yesterday.  I've been following these ladies blogs for quite a while and was just so excited about the opportunity to meet them.  Sheryl lives about an hour from me and Jo lives just a few miles away.  We decided to meet for lunch and for me, it was just love at first sight.  I arrived first and recognized Jo immediately as she came walking up to the restaurant.  I wish you could see how amazing her eyes are in the above picture.  They just sparkle. 
Sheryl, however, has never posted a picture of herself on her blog so we had no idea how to find her and the restaurant was quite crowded.  She recognized us though and it was a big group hug all the way around.  The only description she had given us was that she had short gray hair and was 16 lbs overweight.  (Women are funny, aren't they?)  Just for the record, Sheryl is not overweight by any stretch of the imagination.  She looked amazing. 
After we got our table, the questions flew.  There was no awkwardness at all.  Girl talk BIG TIME.  We sent the waiter away three or four times because we hadn't even looked at our menus.
Jo and I bonded over our love of Diet Coke.
Sheryl tried to convince Jo and I that if we exercised more, we would come to love it.  Jo and I got a real kick out of that.  Sheryl has run a marathon.  A Marathon!
We finally ordered and got our food and the time just passed so quickly.  We talked about our parents, our kids, the economy, and why women are the way they are.  How we feel about getting older.  We talked about our husbands (a lot) and I think we all may be married to the same man. 
It was just a wonderful day and I can't wait to see these women again.  Let's do this again soon ladies, and Jo, I promise not to lose my keys next time and make you wander the parking lot with me until I find them (tucked in the pocket of my purse).

Holly
xxx-ooo

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Help a Girl Out?

Today I am seeking advice and asking some random questions.  Feel free to answer any of the below questions or you can completely ignore these.  That’s okay with me too.  It just means a lot to me that you were here.

1)   My dog, Lil Shit (named by my husband) has farts that smell like burnt rubber.   See how fun this advice post is going to be?  So, I Googled “rubber farts” and “burnt rubber dog farts”.  I didn’t find any help but I did learn that the animal that has the highest worldwide output of flatulence is the termite.   Now you know.  You’re welcome.  Anyway, has anyone ever experienced this rubber smell emanating from their dog’s hind quarters, and if so, is there anything I can do about it?

If that's not a guilty face, I don't know what is.

2)  Does anyone else have this problem?  I’ve been using the same antiperspirant forever and it’s always worked great, no problem.  All of a sudden, it doesn’t seem to be working anymore.  I’m sitting here right now; it's cold in this room and my armpits are sweaty.  What’s up with that?   Did my pits form a tolerance to the deodorant?
This is what I am currently using

3)   I’ve seen on my site-meter that someone in Missoula, Montana reads my blog everyday but I can’t figure out who it is.  Sometimes, people don’t list their specific locations in their profiles so I’ve had a hard time trying to figure this out.  If you’re in Missoula, leave me a comment and let me know who you are.  Phew, that’s been bugging me.
**Update-it seems from the comments so far that people think I'm being stalked by a crazy Missoulaite.  Not true.  I just want to know who you are and wanted to thank you for taking the time to read my blog every day.  Don't be afraid of my friends that are leaving creepy messages about you. 
image from here
4)   I’ve been trying to make more healthy choices in my diet but I’m really missing potato chips.  I don’t like the veggie chips that are available.  Anyone have any suggestions for a healthier alternative?  I need salt, and preferably BBQ flavoring and ridges would help.
I totally get that you don't need a picture after each question but pictures are fun!
5)   If you are under 40, don’t even look at this question.  Anyone had any success getting rid of brown sun (age) spots on their face?  If so, what product did you use?  I have three spots and have tried a few different things to fade them and nothing is working.  Any advice?  You can see it just at the end of my eyebrow.  Keep in mind that we are talking about that brown area just at the tip of my eyebrow and not about my gray hair, the crow's feet, or the bags under my eyes.

It's much darker in person.

6)      Does your cat eat your soap?  Am I alone here? 
Choo-Choo Gillespie Blevins

Love, as Always,

Holly
xxx-ooo

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

For the love of the Pink Refrigerator

Without him:
Only two grocery bags would be carried in at a time.

The oil in the lawnmower would never get changed.

The trash would pile up in the kitchen.

The batteries wouldn’t get changed in the remotes.

The 35 lb. bag of dog food would still be sitting in the back of my Jeep.

I wouldn’t know how to play Texas Hold’em.

The newspapers would still be on the driveway.

I would buy more vintage aprons and not feel the need to hide them in my closet.

And my kitchen would look like this because I'm a girl:
Without me:

He wouldn’t take his blood pressure medicine.

He would run out of toilet paper.

The lamps would be replaced with neon beer signs.

He would be walking around with buttered toast crumbs in his whiskers.

He would eat bologna sandwiches and BBQ potato chips for dinner every night.

He would have a new 72 inch TV sitting in front of the living room window.

He would be able to sit in silence through a NASCAR race without interruption.

He would be in the fishing lure of the month club.

And his house would look like this because he's insane:
I'm just sayin......
 
Holly
xxx-ooo

Sunday, March 20, 2011

INSPIRATION

For several years I've been keeping photos on my computer in a file marked "Inspiration". 
When I find something
that I think is just beautiful I save it. 
I look through these every so often
and dream about what my next house will look like.
Unfortunately, I didn't keep track of where these photos came from but almost all of them are from blogs.
I'm sure you'll recognize some of them.


Sometimes it's the colors that attract me.
And sometimes it's just the cozy feelings that they bring to me.

Almost two years ago we lost our home through a financial situation and had to do a short sale.  We've been renting since then.
It's been tough.
I hadn't rented in years and was not too happy about it. 
I was embarrassed, and feeling pretty down. 
But...life goes on, we're saving our money and in another year we will be ready to buy again. 
Since we are no longer spring chickens, we're looking for a house that we want to spend the rest of our lives in.
  I never want to have to move again.
And so I keep dreaming....
of our some day home.

(If one of these photos belongs to you, please let me know and I would love to acknowledge you, and give my jealousy a place to rest.)
Holly
xxx-ooo

Testing…..

"Hoosier At Heart is conducting a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test." Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I’m trying out my Windows Live Writer and seeing how I like it.  Trying all the different features and trying to determine if it’s easier to change fonts, add pictures and format text than posting through Blogspot.
You can totally ignore this if you want to since the pictures I’m posting have nothing to do with anything and the fonts are all different.
stuff 012
I do like the fact that I can move the pics around with my mouse which I can’t really do in Blogspot and I like that I’m able to use all the fonts from my computer.
STUFF 022 (Small) STUFF 021 (Small) IMG_3548 IMG_3551 IMG_3555

 How do you blog?  Do you use Windows Live Writer and if so, do you like it?
By the way, here’s a heads up.  Giveaway this week.  Be sure to come back to check it out.
Holly
xxx-ooo

Friday, March 18, 2011

Pasta Craving

I'm linking up with Melynda over at Mom's Sunday Cafe
to join in the Hearth & Soul Blog Hop.

I've been craving pasta lately but thinking that if ignored it, it would go away.
Nope.

I washed some grape tomatoes and Cremini mushrooms (yes, I wash my mushrooms, don't tell Rachel Ray).
I threw them in a bowl with some sliced red onion grated garlic, basil, pepper and the drizzled on the olive oil.  Mixed it up a bit with my hands and put it in a baking dish. 
Roasted everything on 425 degrees for about 9 minutes or until the tomatoes were soft.  Then I crushed them slightly with a fork.
Tossed them with some bow tie pasta and topped with a bit of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
And the world is a better place because of it.

Holly
xxx-ooo

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Do the calories count if you don't remember eating it?

If you know me, you know I love avocados.  I just made a bowl of guacamole and sat down at the computer to catch up on my blog reading. 
I think it was good.  I don't really remember eating it.  How sad is that? 

holly
xxx-ooo

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Random Meanderings

*WARNING*
This post rambles.
No direction.
In no particular order.

My washing machine decided to give up the ghost on Sunday.  I knew it was coming, it hasn't been feeling quite like itself lately.  I went to Sears where they had a pretty good sale on their appliances and got a print out of the models I wanted with the prices from the associate.  Then I went to Lowes.  They matched the price, offered free next day delivery, free pickup of old machines plus a gift card worth 10% of the purchase price.  Bought these:
Whirlpool high efficiency something or other.  Too many options and blinking lights and strange noises for my taste but I'll get used to them.  I'm really looking forward to the day when we finally catch up with the Jetsons and stand under a laser beam where we are bathed, dried, makeup'ed and clothed.

I received my free Valspar paint sample in the mail that I ordered last week.  Have you heard about this?  Valspar is offering a free sample of paint in a kit that includes a mini tray, sponge rollers, and other paint chips that compliment the paint sample you've chosen. 
I chose Ginger Sugar.  It's a pale yellow.  Valspar is giving 100 of these away including free shipping every day.  I'm not sure how long this promotion is going on so be sure to stop by the website and check it out.

I've been drinking one of these smoothies every morning.  They're really filling and tasty.
Ground Flax seed
Almond milk
Ice
blueberries
strawberries
banana
Greek yogurt

I've been feeling a little out of sorts this week.  Not sure why.  Maybe I'm going through mental paws.  I'm tired and want to sleep a lot.  Not much energy.  Not liking myself.  Now you know somethings wrong if I don't like myself because, seriously, what's not to like, right?  This sign hanging in my entertainment center pretty much describes how I've been feeling lately.


I think I need horror moans. 

Holly
xxx-ooo

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

No One Cares About This

My husband is heading out this weekend for a fishing tournament so he's been organizing his crap gear.
Apparently there is a big difference between crank baits, sink baits, spinner baits, and buzz baits.  



I know, I know, who cares right??
Except for this one which is kinda cool because it has blinking lights on it.
All this belongs to a man who just last week said, "Do you really wear all those earrings?"
Whatever!

Holly
xxx-ooo