same as it ever was...

Always on the fringe. Rarely an active participant, even when I (do) try. Not because I made it that way (or did I?), but because it's how you prefer it (IMO).  Too many years of status quo to think a change can happen...the longer it goes on, the more it becomes set in stone- this is how it will always be (the haves & the haves not). Kind of sad, but kind of twisted too. It doesn't (shouldn't) have to be like that. But before it can change, you'd have to WANT to change it, you'd have to acknowledge there's even an issue, you'd have to call yourself out.  Won't happen. Won't change. You like the status quo. Everyone in their assigned roles. Same as it ever was.


Is it me? Maybe. I didn't exactly start out this journey working on ensuring my position in this tree.  If I would have... would I be part of 'the haves'? Or would I still be part of 'the haves not'?  The latter. My role was decided for me long before I even knew we were all up for parts.  Had I or the people looking out for me known there was a role to prep for, well, let's be honest...we probably would've asked for crib notes. fml.

bloggy love...

Finding a new blog to read for me is the same as what I imagine some people feel when they get the latest issue of InStyle or Elle in their hands.  It literally is like finding a long lost source to feed my creativity, which is corked up for the time being (coming to an end soon? we shall see).  I‘ve written about my love for blogs before, and lately have found myself more and more drawn to DIY home improvement/decorating blogs.  Which- when I think about it, kinda doesn’t really make all that much sense because 1. I don’t own a home 2. I’m currently living in somewhat of a short term rental house (story still developing) that I really don’t want to invest a lot of time and sweat on and 3. most importantly because my ‘discretionary fund’ budget is well…non-existent at the moment *insert sad trombone sound here please*.  Thank you.  So a lot of times reading these blogs just leaves me bummed that I can’t do one/all of these things in my home (I’m still dying to tackle something from KOW).  One of my regular/daily reads is Young House Love.  I found them maybe about four months ago and once I did I quickly added them to my Google reader and devoured their archives for two days straight! I swear their archives could be a stand alone encyclopedia set of new homeowner how to’s.  If you don’t know them or haven’t ever visited them, hurry up! Go! Go!  What this young couple has done with their ranch style home is nothing short of Amazingness.  Through their Reader Redesign post the other day I found a new blog to love, Shopping Candy.  The blogger (Jolie) is chronicling the “journey from beginning to everything in between” of owning her first home in much the same way as Sherry & John of YHL.  I think the reason I’m so drawn to blogs like these is because I’m much more a fan of older homes than new ones.  I’m particularly drawn to homes built in the post-war era to just about the 60’s, and don’t even get me started on the mid century modern iconic homes of Eichler and Rummer- um…Die! Anything after that and it becomes more of a case by case basis for me.  I just find older homes to have more charm & character than newer ones.  Which is especially true in the area I live in, the land of the McMansions and cookie cutter subdivisions- hello Agrestic!  Not that there’s anything wrong with that…there’s actually one home, that is newer, that if I’m honest…I do very much covet and if someone said‘here you go, it’s yours’ I would move in before they could move out! Aside from that one house, new is just not my type.

Ok so back to what this post was about, Jolie and her lovely blog.  I really love all of the little and major things she’s done with her home since she moved in.  She’s made it feel modern, yet cozy and homey.  I love the light and airy feel and all the wall colors she’s chosen so far, check out her room before and after transformations here.  I’ve just added her to my Google reader and I’m looking forward to having one more house-envy blog to squee over when it updates.  When you get a chance, make sure to show her some love and visit her blog, you never know, you just may find your new blog-session.

From this

To this

 image source

some of the house deco blogs in my reader right now:

tart house

young house love

knock of wood

recession friendly (adult) beverages...

Well hello Ms. Golden!

Kirkland Signature Golden Margarita

 I've never really been a fan of pre-mixed, just add ice anything. I don't know, something about not being able to add the perfect dash of this, the one shot or maybe two of creating your own after dinner drink has never seemed right to me. Until now.  When you think of what goes into creating the perfect margarita, the triple sec, tequila, grand marnier you could be out a good $40 dollars if you're using quality product.  Which is why I call this the recessionista margarita! This bottle is $10 worth of just add ice refreshment. I highly recommend picking one up next time you find your self at your local Costco. No that wasn't a typo, yes, this bottle is $10 whole dollars and since it's Costco, hurry! There's no telling how much longer this will be in stores.





        

the (girl) in the (pink) pajamas...

actually...more like the pink hello kitty velour track suit!
Today marks the official start of Kaitlyn's summer vacation.  I'm trying like crazy to plan a variety of things to make August 9th feel like it took only a couple of weeks to get here- more on that later.  In the meantime, I expect a lot of this....

going on.  Yup, that's Kaitlyn and our neighbor H planning out their day.  They can spend hours sitting in front of each other like this, fence between them, each with their own pile of toys, books, etc just playing.





  

my yearly high 5...

It is apropo that since we now live in the High Desert I should get a cactus garden rather than a basket of wave petunias.  This I love! My 8yo got it so right, this is the most perfect gift.  You see I do not posses a green thumb so I am fairly confident that these cuties actually have a shot of being around this time next year. Yey me!!

You know who else got it right? That's right, my husband. He knocked it out of the park with what I will go out on a limb and say was THE best 'special occasion' meal ever made.  He's pretty awesome right?  

And this amazing girl right here is the reason for my yearly high 5...

Oh and even though I debated posting this one because well for some reason I forgot to brush my hair and put some makeup on, I wouldn't get to have my yearly high 5 if it weren't for my most awesome mom!

an education...

I left home when I was 19, it was 1995, and although a couple of years old- Singles was still fresh in my head. 

  
hell yeah ima GenX'er!!

Aw man how I wanted to be in the thick of the Seattle grunge scene. How could I not!  I had spent my high school years completely in love with Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and of course the ultimate...Nirvana.  To me, it didn't get any better than the thought of hanging out at a coffee house with friends all day, go home for a quick bite and then head on out to catch a live show.
I grew up in LA, San Diego, and finally Fontana.  Yup, born and raised in SoCal. When someone says 'born & raised' you figure they're going to say somewhere like Tyler, TX or whatever. So when you say to someone that your b&r is somewhere like LA, to most that's the same as saying you're pretty worldly. You've seen/gone/experienced some shit. Right? The answer to that is No. It is quite possible to grow up in the whole of SoCal and still be in a bubble.  So a city like Seattle- well pretty much anywhere north of Los Angeles- in my world, at that time, might as well have been across the ocean on the other side of the world, like say Tewkesbury, UK. A long ways away and nowhere I would ever see.  Like...ever.  So right about now you're saying 'what does this have to do w/that picture of Modesto, CA down there?' , lots!, and I'll get to that. But you can't get to Modesto without a little history lesson.  That would be like the opening scene of a 'based on a true story' movie starting right dab in the middle of the book with no clever voice over explaining to you what the hell happened in the prelude.  You'd be lost wouldn't you? So history first, got it.  It kinda of dawned on me recently that because I left 'home' at 19, unmarried sans children then returned at the age of 33, married, with an 8 year old, that my family- my extended family- doesn't really know all I did all those 14 years I was away.  So I'm starting this little trip down memory lane, for them? Sure, but I don't think anyone but me reads this here blog. But mostly for me. Because you know what? I've done stuff, seen shit, been places and have had some fucking amazing experiences. And because where I am now, well, some might say/think that this is all I've ever been. No I'm not looking to validate myself by telling my stories I just think it's important for you, her, him, them, me to know that...even though right now my life doesn't depict it...I am pretty awesome!




The first stop down memory lane is Modesto, CA!  I moved to Modesto in 1995 and did what I always dreamed of...lived in a hotel for three months.  Not just any old hotel, but theeee fanciest hotel in the area.  At 19, yeah that was like a dream.  Who doesn't want to call down for room service, have your bed turned down every night, housekeeping a phone call away and a night club and bar an elevator ride away. Bliss right.  And it was.

and the Sears Outlet Brand Ambassador is...

...not me (womp womp)



A couple of weeks ago I filled out an application to become a Sears Outlet brand ambassador.  I was pretty psyched about this because companies usually just pick bloggers they want to partner with. So this was a rare opportunity to send in an application and actually maybe have a shot. Nope, I didn't get chosen but hey, it was the first time I dipped my toe into the 'blogger product review' world. There will be other opportunities in the future, of this I am sure.

Here's a link to MommyPR's announcement of the 11 bloggers that were selected as Sears Outlet brand ambassadors and also a list of all the bloggers that sent in their applications.  Take a minute and look thru the list, you never know, you may just find your next blog-session ;)


image source:
sheposts.com

oh yeah!!

Hahaha, I love this shirt!



And this shirt totally reminds me of Melissa Summers over at Suburban Bliss.



Both of these shirts can be found over at Midnight Snackz.

and my heart just melted...

I was going thru some old pictures in photobucket & found this little gem.  This is Kaitlyn telling me a story for bedtime.

are you ready...

Not gonna lie, I totally can't wait til this is out in June. Whatever! You know you'll be there to, ha!

Source

kirtsy / Popular

kirtsy / Popular

Posted using ShareThis

Healthy comfort food?

Just when we thought sunny days were back for good, we woke up yesterday morning to clouds & drizzle. You know days like that just scream COMFORT FOOD. So I was happy when I found an update on google reader for Irish twice baked potatoes by Ivy Manning over at www.cookingupastory.com via Good Stuff NW...comfort food that's delicious and good for you? Yes please!
If you make 'em, comment below and let me know how/if you or your family liked them.

Recipe, 'How To...' video, and source links below.





Fresh Ingredients:

· 4 large russet potatoes, scrubbed (8 to 10 ounces each)

· 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided

· 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced onions (about 1 large)

· 1 cup Irish-style stout

· 1 bunch lacinato kale or Russian kale(about 3 ounces)

· 1 cup buttermilk

· 2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

· 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

· Salt and freshly ground black pepper

· 1 cup grated cheddar cheese



Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Rub the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of the oil and place directly on the oven rack. Bake until they squish easily when gently squeezed, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently until they begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add a splash of the stout and scrape up any browned bits. Continue to cook, occasionally deglazing the pan with the stout until the onions are deep brown and nearly all of the stout is used, about 30 minutes total. Tear the tough ribs and stems away from the kale and discard or use for stock. Roughly chop the leaves and add half the kale to the onions, tossing with tongs to wilt the leaves. Add the remaining kale, toss, cover, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. With a serrated knife slice off the top quarter of each potato. Use a soup spoon to scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell on the bottom and sides. Mash the flesh with the buttermilk, butter, and mustard powder. Gently fold in the onion-kale mixture and season with the salt and pepper. Mound the mixture into the potato shells, sprinkle the tops with the cheese, and place on a baking sheet. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes, and serve warm as a side dish or a vegetarian main course.


Source info:

Cooking Up A Story
Ivy Manning
Good Stuff NW

Jamie Oliver 2010 TED Prize Winner

Jamie Oliver's wish

"I wish for your help to create a strong, sustainable movement to educate every child about food, inspire families to cook again and empower people everywhere to fight obesity."

If you have school age kids & have at times been concerned about the food your kids are being given (nachos should not be a lunch item choice!), then you need to watch this. Thank you Activistas for posting this! You can see the Activistas entire post here and the TED post here. As for me, this has inpsired me to try something I've never done before. How green does your garden grow? I'm about to find out.

I'm a big fan of blogs. If I had to tell someone exactly how many blogs currently reside on my Reader, I don't know if I'd be embaressed or surprised. That being said, I think I added three more to the list about 15 minutes ago. Whatev...have you heard of Knock off Wood? No? Well then please, click on the link & be prepared to be blown away. When this blog updates it's all I can do not to stop what I'm doing and devour the entire post. This blog has so inspired me that I'm 85% convinced that I'm going to tackle building this West Elm Modern inspired Farm Table . I've been thinking about it for awhile now and after reading about the success of the first timers over at pemberwick.blogspot.com, I went from 'meh' to 'I can SOOoooo do that too'. Paul & I have always wanted a big table like this but were convinced that it would be awhile before we could actually afford the one that would fit us perfectly. So...can you build a $600 Farm Table for $20-$30 (about how much it has cost some readers)? Stay tuned folks.