reasons to be happy



1. my bff got engaged last night on her birthday and it gave her a reason to celebrate - - something it was lacking after last year.

2. i'm going to a dinner party tonight with two other couples.  food, convo and perhaps some game time.
i'm in charge of dessert... what to make?

3. breaking dawn is in theatres.  i've been waiting forever.

4. i'm traveling again this weekend to go wedding dress shopping with linds.

5. H&M opened on the plaza.  two point two seconds away from my office.

and that, my friends, is why i will be having a great weekend.

reading material

i read a lot.

i've talked about it before.

it's a nightly ritual.

30 mins before bedtime.

and i love it.

recently, i haven't be IN LOVE with the books i've been reading.

i finished the road and then spoken from the heart.

i didn't really get into either of them.

i even went back and reread breaking dawn for the third time in preparation for

the movie release this weekend.  lame, i know.

i finally splurged and ordered three new books online.

anyone read these?  liked?  disliked?

while i wait, i've been reading blogs.

people's day to day life stories.

last night,

a friend of mine tweeted one of her new blog faves, so i spent the evening
getting to know her and her struggles.

and once again i'm reminded of my blessings.

a book [or blog] can change your mood.

change your mind.

change your thinking.

and that is why,

i love to read.

weekend travels

on friday i mentioned that i was headed down south.

four girls and this little guy made a 6 hour drive with lots of talking and not a lot of crying.

thank god.

i am in love with mauri's house.

in. love.

it's older with lots of charm.

i tried to take pics but got lost in conversation.

or i might have gotten lost in all the kiddo cuteness.

karis's cousin was there for the weekend too.

just call her snow white.

and here is our lovely host,

full of southern charm.

we didn't do a whole lot.

we only made it outside once.

and even then,

we needed wine to help motivate.

and all too soon, we were on our way back home.

but it was a good break and i'm glad we got to share in another girls weekend.

cough cough

i'm sick.

and last night, ronnie offered to run to the pharmacy and make dinner.

how sweet.

i was presented with this...

mac n' cheese with a hotdog and a side of halls and chloraseptic.

even though this meal is probably better suited for an 8 year old boy

i appreciate the gesture.

and the meds.

plus i ate it all.

because of course, this isn't the kind of sickness where i'm throwing up and not hungry.

no, i still have my appetite.

which is really stupid, because i think if i have to be sick i might as well lose a few pounds at the same time.

but, i'm not that lucky.

happy freaking tuesday.

the season of parties

there are lots of holiday parties headed our way...

what do you need for all of them?

a tried and true appetizer.

here is one of my faves:

2 tubes of pillsbury crescent rolls

2 packs of 8oz. cream cheese

2 packs of ranch seasoning

1 bag of frozen broccoli and cauliflour (or you can use fresh)

other assorted fresh veggies

(i normally use bell peppers and carrots)

spread the crescent roll dough out on a cookie sheet and bake as directed.

let cool.

boil the frozen veggies until done.

let cool.

soften the cream cheese and add the two ranch packets to it.

mix well.

spread the ranch cream cheese over the cooled crescent sheet.

chop up all the veggies (add salt and pepper to taste) and spread out over the cream cheese.

cut into squares.

wah lah -

veggie squares.

just the girls

4 girls (and 1 little man)

going to visit 2 girls

waiting in dexter, mo

6 hours away

so we can have 3 days together

with countless amounts of fun.

we're leaving soon and on our way.

girls weekend.

no husbands allowed.

pics from previous trips to D, MO

in case you can't tell, this is the place where the make-up comes off and the comfy clothes goes on.  it involves long talks, wine, games, lots of memories...

and i can't freakin wait.

a sneak peek

ronnie and i took family photos over the weekend.

just us and our kids.

we're using them for our xmas cards this year, so i can't share them all.

but here is an outtake with mr. louie:

what did i wear?

banana republic navy shirt-dress

brown bow belt - also from BR.

steve madden boots with argyle knee socks.