Paper Cone Wreath

Here is a wreath I've been working on for a while.  I kept running out of scrapbook paper and the only place to get my pattern was at Hobby Lobby.  Unfortunately it's not very close so I don't get there often.  I took two different patters and one solid color, rolled them each in cones folded the bottom and stapled then closed.  The green was cardstock and it didn't want to stay in a cone, but after some tape, hot glue and staples I got the cone I wanted.  After making all the cones, I glued them to in alternating order in a circle. I did this in three layers of cones and then glued a hydrangea to the center.  I thought it turned out really nice.
It's rather large but it works on the wall in the corner of my dining room.  I may move it to my stairway wall. 

For Christmas I had a little work done on myself.

I guess you could call it an early Christmas present.  I had a breast reduction.  You see, I was blessed on both sides of my family with extremely large mammory glands.  Extremely Large hooters.  I mean huge people.  I was spilling out of a DDD sized bra.  Too embarassed to get a bigger one.

Well one day I decided to go to the Dr and just see what it would take or what I would need to do to have surgery to reduce my size.  I though for sure I would be turned down by my insurance company because I'm not a small woman.  I'm 5'5" and weigh about 270lbs.  As a matter of fact the Dr did say at one time that losing weight would decrease by breast size but even that wouldn't decrease them enough.  The first thing she said when she came in the exam room was, "my you are big".  She was talking about my breast.... I think?? 

Anyway, long story short, insurance approved the surgery.  No co-insurance, no co-pays, nothing out of pocket.  However, I had until Dec 31st to have the surgery.  Not a good time for some people but perfect for me I guess.  On Dec 1 I had over 8 lbs of  breast tissue removed from my chest.  I'm not sure what size I'm going to end up at because I'm still pretty swollen but I love it so far. 

I'm going to try and get back to work by Dec 11th.  It seems there's always a little drama when I go out of town or take time off from work.  It's time I get control over my office and my life.

Why is it when I think I have things under control and everyone is content I'm wrong.  Maybe I'll get it figured out next year.  2011 here I come.

A sample of my indoor fall decorations

I add to my collection of pumpkins at the end of the season.  I love Hobby Lobby's selection and their prices are great.  Several of my ceramic pumpkins and gourds I got last season of $2-$3.  Even my husband can't complain about that.  He tries, but I don't listen. 

Here are some pics of my works in progress.

My collection of Hobby Lobby pumpkins.  You'll see some amber moon and stars dishes throughout the pics.  They were my grandmothers.

My display cabinet.  Most of the old glass and dishes are from my grandmothers collection and snow globes by mother who decided my husband needed to start collecting them.

(don't ask)





 I love my  fireplace and the floating mantel.  It's a  pretty good sized fireplace but the mantel isn't all that deep so I have to be creative.  You really can't layer anything without the risk of it falling off. 

These next few pieces of furniture actually belong to my sister in law.  They were her mothers (my mother in law).  Long story short they've been in my dining room for over six years (since we built the house) and will probablly be here as long as we are. 

Notice the coffee filter wreath.  Love it. 

In case you can't tell, I really love pumpkins.  They never go out of style.

More old dishes.  It seems my family thinks I like to collect old dishes.  Don't get me wrong I do like the dishes, some of them very much so.  But finding places to put them can be tricky.  I've got so much stuff in the buffett that the bottom has fallen out.  I need to downsize but I don't want to hurt anyone feelings.

Anyway that's just the start of what I want to accomplish.  I'm off to make another wreath I saw on another site.  Hopefully this one will be big enought to hang over the bed in our guest room. 

I'll take pics when I'm done. 

Shew, I'm definitely out of practice.

I've been so busy with school these past few months I haven't had a lot of time to post anything.  I just finished submitting my analysis paper for my first 400 level college course in 24 years.  Right now I'm taking a class on Roman's and Galatians.  The two page paper I wrote was on one verse in Galatians.  My fear is I won't sound as collegiate as my fellow classmates.  So far I'm a straight A student, for the very first time EVER!!! 
I'm hoping to start a few projects this week.  It's fall break here and I'm taking a few days off to spend with my son and husband.  I have plans for at least two wreaths and setting up the dining room table.  It took me two hours to get my mantle just the way I wanted it.  I'll post pics of that later too. 
I have so much to catch up on.  There are pictures to upload and photoshop, crafts to make and the table to set.  I may need to take an extra day.  Shew, I'm already tired.

Sometime we never know why.

Yesterday I recieved a call from my mother telling me that a cousin who is only four months younger than me had committed suicide.  He left no note.  Unfortunately that leaves a lot of unanswered questions.  He had three children, two of which live with thier mother.  The third is in foster care for reasons not completely known to me.  It's not my place to judge him or ask the why's or what if's.  I'm am so very sorry that he felt life was not worth living any longer.  I'm even more sorry that we lost touch over the years. 
Part of me is angery with him for leaving his young son an orphan and letting his mother and sister find him that way.  Now they and his two other siblings are left to clean up the mess he left behind. My prayers will be for his family and children, this is going to be a long and difficult road.  
What have I learned?  Don't lose touch with the ones you love. 

Goodbye Mark.

Homework and Spaghetti Mondays!!

I have two major papers to write tonight and have posted by midnight EST.  One I'll get finished the other I probably won't make the deadline for.  Dang it!!!  It's not that I wait till the last minute, it just took me four days to finish the first paper.  I have one class that usually requires three papers a week.  So I finish two a struggle with the third.  Oh well, I'll get it done if I have to work all night.  My son has a baseball game tomorrow night and family is first. 
What else is on the agenda for the week.  Candy making.  Another food related contest at work next week and I'm hoping to make the following:  Mini candy apples, candy corn fudge, cinnamon hazelnut toffee and smores chocolate cups.  I'll take pics of the process and post them.  Wish me luck.

Sanders Sundays

 I hope we've started a new tradition in the Sanders family.  They will be called Sanders Sundays.  This is the second Sunday and our first rotation.  The  idea behind Sanders Sunday is to save money and spend a Sunday meal with family.  Not just our immediate family but with our brother and sister-in-law, nieces and great-niece.  Last Sunday we had baby back ribs and my house and today we had steak at the in laws. 
Next Sunday we're have a taco bar back here on Eminence Pike.    It good food and great company.  I hope we get to do it every week. 

Way cool for me!!

Yesterday I was featured on Texas Monkey for the cakes I made and posted earlier.  They were a real hit and so easy to make.  Thanks for the idea.

It's been a really long time since I'm posted an  update.  I been so busy.  I'm in my sixth online class trying to finish my bachelors degree.  August has been real hectic because a few of my classes overlapped and it was really hard to stay on track.  But I'm only taking one class now and though I have to write several papers, I have an entire week to complete them instead of four days. 

I haven't had much time to do any baking to cooking but I hope to get back to it soon.  My husband and I are trying to cut down the amount of times we eat out.  We were hoping to go an entire month without eating out but I had to go out of town for three days and the boys (my husband and son) couldn't stay away from Beef O'Brady's.  They love that place.  Since my meals weren't provided on my buisness trip I ate out too. 

We've manage to convince my sister and brother-in-law into joining us in our cost savings plan and because of this we intend to spend Sunday eating together.  Trading off on who's house we go to for dinner.  This way we can feel like we've eaten out and not spent as much money.  Last Sunday everyone ate at my house.  We served babyback ribs, green beans, cheesy potatoes, and fresh corn, oh and fresh cookies for dessert.  It was much better and less expensive then going out. 

I'm looking forward to this Sunday.   Maybe I'll make another barrel cake for dessert. 

The cake takes the prize

I made another barrel cake to enter into a cake and pie contest at work.  The cakes were judges on appearance by local dignataries. I was lucky enough to take second place. 

Here is the cake (cupcakes) that beat me.  They were adorable and so unique.

Kids, fleas and baseball

Olivia is finally home for the rest of the summer.  Just in time to help fight the flee situation in the basement.  Sunday we get to bath cats. 
I"ve heard from several people that it's a bad flea season, well when  you animals are indoor/outdoor you sometimes have problems with fleas.  It not only ridiculus but tiring. 
Something else that's tiring.... sitting outside in the heat watching baseball.  Don't get me wrong, I love to watch Dan play but it get so hot and will wear you down. Maybe I can melt away some of this fat.
I did notice tonight that my left foot is swelling up along with both ankles.  Just wondering if it this is from my weight too.  Guess I'll need to make an appointment with my doc.

Shew, it's been awhile!

It's been awhile since I've posted anything.  I've been so busy with life here lately I have had time to think let alone write.  I started another class, this time in photography.  It's an elective for my bachelors degree that meets once a week for five weeks.  I'm hoping I'll learn how to use my camera and take better pictures. 

Besides school I made another cake, actually two, for a luncheon at work.  I was going to try and make a stack barrel cake but chickened out at the last minute and just placed the layers on separate cake plates.
 They were a hit and I brought a small piece fo the chocolate and a little less that half of the vanilla home.

Here are some pics of my creations.  I loved the idea when I saw it on Texas Monkey's site.  Props for the idea. 

On the left is a vanilla cake and

On the right is a chocolate cake

Both were filled with strawberry cream.

I think I'm going to take a little break from the party planning for awhile.  I need to focus on school and my family for a little while.   see ya soon.

a two fold holiday - my husbands 50th and July 4th.

We've been working for weeks getting the house ready for the 4th of July.  Cleaning the house inside and out.  It was all worth it.  You see the 4th of July is also my husbands birthday.  We went on vacation two weeks before the party (july 3rd) and had so much to do that it was ridiculous.  But it was all worth it.  We had a great turn out and everyone enjoyed the fireworks.  Here are a few pics.

Love my family and friends.

I heartfaces challenge - Pets

Check out of the fabulous pets on I heart faces - Pets.  This is Simba.  He's a big ole baby who wants to sit on your chest and purr in you ear. 

Beauty after the storm.

We've had a few showers almost everyday of vacation but it's okay.  We've been able to do whatever we wanted, rain or shine.  After today's second shower the sun popped out and we had this lovely rainbow next to our hotel.  This is the view from the 23rd floor balcony.

Vacationing in Panama City

 Spending the week in Panama City Florida.  So far we haven't seen any tar balls, however they have spotted a few about a mile east.  The water is very green with algae floating in it.  My bathing suit is full of it when I come in for the day.  But, the water is so warm it's worth it.  We've had a few big storm at night, but that's okay.  Here are a few pics.

This is a great place to eat.  The service is good and food is great.

She's such a good friend

My oldest daughter, Amanda, and a few friend put together a shower for another friend who is expecting a baby.  This is MJ (Amanda nickname) putting the stroller together th

at the restaurant she and the mother to be both work for provided.  

Amanda has always loved putting things together. 

Here is one of the gifts from Aunty SuSu.  These are so fun to put together.  I hope she liked it. 

I Heart Faces - Play

I love to watch my son play baseball. Check out my entry on here on
I♥ faces!!

Love ya Big D!!!

Butterscotch/Caramel Pecan Cake

I looked in my pantry and I have what seems like a million cake mixes.  I'm a sucker for those 10/$10 sales.

So.... I pulled out a Butterpecan cake mix.  Saw a package of butterscotch chips, and partial jar of caramel ice creams sauce, vanilla frosting and a left over back of pecan pieces. 

Hmmm......I figured I could do something with all of this.

I made the mix according to package directions, then stirred in about a cup of butterscotch chips.

I poured it into a 9x13 dish.

Baked in a 350 oven for 30 minutes or until you can pull a toothpick out clean.

Poke holes in the cake and pour in the caramel sauce.

It smelled just like pecan pancakes, yummy!!

Let cool completely then ice with vanilla frost and sprinkle with the pecans.

It's amazingly airy and light, even with the caramel and butterscotch chips.  I can tell this won't be around long.

Dressing up.

I finally dressed up my coffee filter wreath.  I think it looks pretty good. 

One Potato, Two Potato

This is my families favorite potato dish.  We love potatos and onions.  Put the two together and you can't miss.

Below is a dish we've been having for dinner at least once, if not twice a week for the past month.  I know it sounds a little obsessive, but when you don't have much time it a great no fuss dish.

This may look like a lot of potatoes but ended up not using two of the larger ones. 

Use your favorite potatoes, (we used russett here), onions (I used one red and one large vadalia), lowry season salt, Mr. Dash (whatever flavor you like) and olive oil.  This time I diced the potatoes but I normally just slice them "really" thin.  Peel and slice the onions however you like.  Just remember the smaller the slices the quicker they cook. 

I place everything on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil.  Toss with the Season Salt, Mrs. Dash and olive oil.  Mix until all potatoes are covered.  cover with another sheet of foil, seal tight.  Place in a preheated 450 degree oven.  Cook for at least 30 minutes.

DIG IN!!!

I'll be back soon

 I know it's been a while since I've submitted a post but I've been crazy busy.  After Tuesday things should slow down for a little bit.  I have a week off from studying so I plan on catching up on some crafts and learning how to use my new camera.  I finally bought a book specific to my Canon EOS Rebel XSi.  Hopefully I can get some good action shots of my baseball boy.  See you sometime next week. 

I heartfaces challenge - Face and Flowers

I found this pic of my youngest daughter when she was about 5.  This is one of my favorite photos of her.
Click here to check out more awesome pic here @ Iheartfaces.