About Me

My photo
Phoenix, Arizona
Growing up my initials were OP, which was pretty cool in the 80's, right? Then I got married and my initials got updated to match our very texting obsessed era that we now live in (and shake our heads at)...OMG. For those who are texting illiterate, I'll spell it out..."Oh, My God!". I pity the girl whose initials are W.T.F. (I won't spell that one out. You can Google it or email me for an explaination on that one!)

12.20.2009

December Photo Project #9




Ruby Red Grapefruit
I am endlessly facinated by our fruit trees.
Look!
Fruit!
Growing!
In my backyard!!!
I'm such a city girl.

I played with the tint and saturation to get such vivid pics. I kinda like the look. And I figured out how to make my photos larger on the blog. Baby steps...it's only taken me a year!

December Photo Project #8


I call this picture...

Fire Hazard?



12.17.2009

December Photo Project #7

Big day for my little sister, Faith....going to Houston to meet her birth family!



Bye-bye, Sissy...


Bye-bye, Mom...




12.15.2009

Anything for a Cheerio

December Photo Project #6

What do you see?
I love to put cumin in my coffee....I mean, I love to put cinnamon in my coffee.
SEE how amazingly easy that is to mix up!
What to know something else amazing?
Cumin can sort of even smell like cinnamon when you think it is cinnamon.
But, it's not.

No, silly, I did not mix and drink cumin laced coffee. (it was my second cup so I was actually awake enough to catch myself. lucky.)

I just came so darn close to it that I immediately thought "Oh, my! I should warn others. This could really happen! I need to take a photo and blog about this!"

Consider yourself warned.
Your welcome.



footnote: no tastebuds or fresh cups of coffee were injured during the making of this blog.

12.10.2009

12.08.2009

December Photo Project #4

BEFORE


AFTER



and the aftermath







We can't complain. The storm took out this Eucalyptus tree that we've been cursing about.
(it makes a mess)
AND it gave us a start on cleaning out the side yard to put in our RV
(more about that in the future).
And there was no damage at all to the house
eventhough the tree is just feet from the house.
Whew!
What a night!

12.06.2009

December Photo Project #3

I get more and more behind on this project every day but it's a fun challenge.
Today I discovered that the citrus is ready!
Beautiful, juicy & free grapefruits a la the backyard tree.
I miss peaches and blueberries in the winter but at least we get wonderful citrus in the winter.
Don't worry mom, I'll give you some next time I see you. ;)

12.03.2009

December Photo Project #2


I bought this in Caracas, Venezuela. Sooooooo long ago. I can hardly believe I even went there. I was an adult so why can't I barely remember?

I thought it deserved a more romantic setting
(that way you can't see the dust on it!).
O, Holy Night.

12.01.2009

December Photo Project #1

These cuties were handmade by a family member. I need to ask my mom who exactly. Aren't they too cute!? I have a few decorations out. Mostly candles and cinnamon sticks in mason jars...but it's something! Come back and maybe you'll see what else I've managed to do to the house. I will try to make my photos Christmas & Holiday related...I'll try.

Come back every day in December for a new photo!

Sweet Potato & Apple Bake

>
I am not a recipe blog but I don’t mind telling you what I like to eat, right?
This is what I’m liking right now.

Sweet Potato & Apple Bake
2 sweet potatoes, peeled & cut into 1in cubes
1 ½ c. apple juice (I used pineapple juice and it was great)
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp each cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger (I used pumpkin pie spice)
4 apples peeled & cut into 1in cubes
1/3 cup raisins (I also added dried cranberries…as much as I wanted. No need to measure)

Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly grease 13x9 baking pan and add potatoes.

In a small bowl, combine juice, vanilla, and spices.
Pour mixture over potatoes, cover and bake for 50min. (until tender)

Add apples and raisins, mix, cover and bake for 30 min (until apples are tender)

Uncover and bake for 5 min to brown the top.

What I like about this recipe is
NO SUGAR!
NO BUTTER!
And it still tastes AMAZING!

Got this recipe from a health magazine. I know, you can't believe I don't have a picture of it!
(Next time I make it, I'll take some pics. I was too busy drooling while making it this time.)

ENJOY!
Here's the picture as promised. Smells so good, doesn't it?

11.30.2009

The amazing Mason Jar

It's about the simple things.
Well, either that or this post has no meaning.

Did you know the mason jar was so useful?

Candle Holder


Tea Cup

(for the biggest, warmest cup of tea you've ever had)

Storage


Smoothie Holder



It is about the simple things.
What simple things bring you joy?
:)


11.28.2009

Cuter than Cute








Tell me she's not just the cutest thing you've ever seen!
Good thing she's so cute because...well, afterall....she is still a PUPPY.
Now, I'm off to clean up poop.


Just a little drive from my house....

This and
this
and


this


is why


we LOVE



ARIZONA !!!



Oh, and this too...



























11.02.2009

Dr. Laura Speaks....



I've been listening to the radio talk show of Dr. Laura Schlessinger since this past summer.


Her clarity and advice have rocked my world.


After growing up on Oprah, I was not prepared for such realistic and logical information.


I bought her books.




I just read this and thought it was profound and worth sharing on my blog.

Dr. Laura writes
"Your thoughts and feelings are immediately accessible to you-you can know the thoughts and feelings of your spouse only if they tell you. But if they tell you and you refuse to listen, denounce their truths and perspectives, deny any culpability for their feelings, or excuse yourself from having to respond lovingly to their needs because you have hurts too-then , simply, you lose them-even if they are still under the same roof."


I guess this just hits me because it contains the very things I know we can so easily do yet that which I SO DON'T want to do.
It's something that I have experienced in life and have had done to others.


It's a warning and a motivator at the same time.

Can I just ask you a question?
Is there anything more important than a having a great marriage?


10.25.2009

The Difference a Year Makes

Last year, I thought this was evidence of my attempts at healthy eating.....

This year, things have gotten alittle more serious in the fruit & veggie department.


Last year, I was most concerned about getting a great hair cut & color....
This year, I'm more concerned about making a great grade on my final....(I still realize my bangs look horrible!)

Last year, I was saying good-bye to my sweet brother as he moved to California....


This year, I'm saying hello to my new sister-in-law!


Last year, I ate tons of cake on my 33rd B-day.
This year, I made better choices for my 34th B-day.....

Last year, we took my healthy Grandma out for steak on her 80th B-day....

This year, we are just glad to be home & able to celebrate another year with her on her 81st B-day.
Last year, I was given these wee little leaves transplanted by my mother-in-law....

This year, I am in awe...

I am in awe by it all.
What a difference a year makes.
Oh, what wonders are in store for the following year!
Oh, what wonders are in store for the following year??