Grand-Dogger

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

"Deisel"

the cutest, sweetest puppy ever!

This is it....the most Perfect Tree in the Forest!

We searched and searched...sawed it down and drug it thru the woods.

We tied it to the top of the car, brought it home and decorated it.

Here it is...this year's Masterpiece!!

It's That Time Again.

Yesterday, the radio station I was listening to flipped the switch for all Christmas music. As
"It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas" filled my ears, I instantly felt my spirit lift.

It seems like the "pomp and circumstance" of the holidays creep in earlier and earlier every year. Halloween costumes share the isle at Walmart with Christmas decor and the trees at the malls are up and decorated long before our Thanksgiving menu is even planned. I know it makes some people crazy, but I think WE NEED THIS !!! ..... now more than ever.
Those songs, the beautiful decorations and even the smells of the season have an amazing way of warming hearts. It even softens how we react to the cold weather. Who can help smiling at the beauty of the first snow fall.
We are reminded of how much we love and appreciate our friends and family and how grateful we are for our many blessings. Our focus is brought once again to the foundations of our faith...what we believe and what makes us who we are. It seems that people are more likely this time of year, to think of others before themselves and goodwill is more the rule than the exception. What could be better for us right now?

So I say,

"Welcome Christmas! Welcome Hope, Peace and Joy!!"

Happy Holidays to You and Yours.

Happy Birthday My Friend!

Today we celebrate YOU!

You are such an inspiration. Your ability to conquer whatever life

brings with grace and determination is awesome to see.

You are my HERO!

I wish you a year of happiness, love, contentment,

friendship and only cleansing tears.

You deserve it!

Stuffed Pepper Lovers...Enjoy!!

I had this soup at a restaurant the other day. It was so great, I just had to figure out how to make it. This recipe is pretty close and super easy to make. Tastes Just like stuffed peppers!

Stuffed Pepper Soup

1 pound ground sirloin, 2 green bell pepper, chopped 1 cup finely diced onion ,1 clove garlic, crushed, 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce, 1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth, 1 (14 ounce can) beef broth, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne,salt and pepper to taste, 1 1/2 cup white rice, 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.


In a large stock pot brown ground meat. Drain fat and add pepper and onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent, not letting them brown. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, rice, seasonings and salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, until peppers are tender. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!!

This is my new toy.... A 2006 Suzuki Boulevard 650.

"I Am Woman"

I remember when one of my kids would proudly announce that they had done this or that,
“all by myself.” There was always a big smile and such a look of accomplishment on their little face. They had worked at something until it was mastered and they didn’t need help with it anymore.
Being married almost 30 years and having a grown son in the house make it easy many times to ask one of the guys to do this task or that for me because it’s simple for them. I will be the first to say that sometimes I do need help with the heavy lifting or the occasional technical/mechanical task, but I am learning that I CAN do whatever I need to do, usually all on my own. For example, today I was trying to install my Flickr page into this blog…(which you should check out BTW). I worked at it for hours, tried this or that, asked Nick for help, then after he gave up, I tried something else and it worked. Also this past month, I did some internet research and installed a windshield and saddlebags on my motorcycle. It felt so good to figure it out “all by myself.” If you could only see the big smile and look of accomplishment on MY face.

Try something new….. challenge yourself….YOU CAN DO IT!!

Life is Good!!!

Well, Hello there.
A few months ago, I turned 47 and that day I joined FaceBook. Maybe that doesn't seem too impressive, but when you add that to a year which included the wedding of our oldest daughter, including two receptions, my first overnite Harley trip, leading to a 9 day trip a couple of months later, taking a motorcycle safety class and getting my own license to ride, actually buying a motorcycle, teaching myself PhotoShop, taking some scrapbooking classes that I had always thought sounded fun and you have a BIG year. This has been a year of discovering and re-inventing myself.
So much of the last 47 years have been about raising a family, making a home, builing my faith and forming relationship. These are all the stuff of life and ALL GOOD!! But it is amazing to me that there is so much more of life to discover...so many interests left for later. Well, it's later, so here I go.
This blog will be a work in progress...JUST LIKE ME! I hope it will be about things that inspire me, my family news and maybe even a few recipes.....we'll see.
Enjoy! Life is Good.