cooking something new.

I have never made egg rolls before . . . so thought I would give it a try.

(When did my hands get so old?) Along with some won ton soup.

They both turned out pretty good.

I thought this bok choy was so pretty.

I thought the soup was great. In addition to the pork won tons - I added shrimp. I will definitely make this again. The egg rolls could have been better. The family thought they were great - but I'm feeding all guys - they'll eat anything and everything. They turned out a little dry and needed a little more flavor. I also think they would have been better if I had a small fryer to fry them in. . . they would have cooked faster.

ready for a sleepover

Lily arrived at our house the other night ready for a sleepover. Purple fleece hat, polka dot robe, Tinkerbell pajamas, and Hello Kitty slippers . . . that's a fun combination for any little girl. We stayed up late and watched cartoons and camped out in the living room. My house was a disaster the next morning - I should have taken a picture of that. Nearly every blanket and pillow I own was in the living room - most of them she spread out and arranged for herself on the floor. It is funny to watch this 3 year old girl with Richard, Luke, and Jake. She can convince them to do about anything she wants.
Jennifer and I folded cranes a good part of the night. I am still working toward my 1001 cranes. I started this awhile back - and then life got in the way and I stuck them away. I am determined to reach 1001 soon. I think I am somewhere around 800. Richard gave me some beautiful origami paper for Christmas.

just a little more pink christmas

I took my Christmas tree down yesterday. I am one of those people who like to get it up early and get it down before New Year's Eve. I guess I just need to start the new year with everything in order and put away. But before it all gets packed away . . . a look at some new ornaments on my tree this year. I found this pink robot at Urban Outfitters.

This actually was a gift from Luke and Abbie last Christmas - but it was her first full year on the tree. PINK FISH LIPS!!!!!

This one is from last year also. I bought this ornament in Washington D.C. I don't think I took a picture of it - so it gets a place in the new ornament post too. Richard gave me this cupcake ornament in my stocking.

And my favorite find this year - from World Market.

PEACE!

glitter and polka dots . . .

This window display in the Tower District caught my eye the other night . . .
Lily trying on her new robe. I was done shopping for her when I noticed the robes. I saw a pink one and a purple one and didn't really think much - but when I saw these polka dots I had to get this one for her. She makes the polka dots even more fun!

Merry Christmas!

Lily and I at "Zoo Lights" the other night. The holidays are so wonderful through the eyes of a child. I guess this morning when Lily woke up and noticed that Santa had not eaten the cookies and milk that she had put out for him, she told Jennifer that they had to go back to bed because Santa hadn't come yet. That was around 6:00 - she then slept until 10.

heart tea

I fixed Abbie a cup of tea the other night . . . dropped in a tea bag and gave her the cup . . . and it did this. I love finding hearts is unexpected places. : )

A fish, a cat, and some snowmen.

After watching the animated movie Ponyo the other night with Lily - Luke had to make a origami goldfish. I stick to cranes and stars . . . he can figure out and fold about anything he decides to make. This goldfish was pretty easy. This cat (which has found a home on a kitchen shelf) - was more difficult.

We went to "Zoo Lights" last night. We made a family night out of it . . . Luke, Abbie, Jake, Kasey, Jennifer, Lily, Brent, and Ashley. The Christmas lights were great . . . although we weren't able to see many animals. But the few animals that we did see were enough for Lily. It is pretty easy to entertain a three year old at a zoo - even at night. Of course we had to pose in the snowman photo station. We picked up pizza on the way home, made some coffee and tea, and stayed up late. Great Night!

Say goodbye to yesterday!

Long day yesterday . . . not sure why. I guess I had planned for the day to go one way - and it went another. I did get a walk in and nearly all of my Christmas shopping done.

I think being out shopping just got to me - I didn't think it had. I tried going to one mall and didn't get any further than the parking lot - I wasn't impatient - just moved onto another mall. The lines didn't bother me, the people didn't bother me . . . I found the gifts that I wanted - all on sale . . . but something got to me. I think by the end of yesterday I was just taking the world way to serious. I do that sometimes - not sure why. I hate it when I get in that sort of mood - so I am putting yesterday behind me and pulling myself out of that mood one way or another.

Origami Therapy

I tend to get a little obsessed whenever I start playing around with origami. It started out learning how to make the little stars like the one on top of this tree. I can't tell you how many stars I have folded over the last week. I think it works like therapy for me. Here's a little tree topped with one of the stars. Then I decided my little tree at work needed some cranes.So now, not only am I obsessed with folding the stars . . . I'm back to making paper cranes. There is something about folding these simple things - that relaxes me.

Oh Christmas Tree -

I work with a wonderful young woman who is our plant managers. She not only is great at her job and brings an attitude to work that gives everyone a lift - she also is simply fun to be around. She made us all these cupcakes yesterday. I thought they were so cute!

Glitter nail polish is the best!

I have never put much effort into my nails. I have tried fake ones a couple of times - just not me I guess. Lately I've just been painting them even though they are short - way too much fun! Maybe it is the glitter polish - but whatever the reason . . . love them!

T-shirt Quilt

I made this t-shirt quilt out of t-shirts from the school I work at - and gave it to our principal for his birthday. I forgot to take a better picture before giving it to him. I have two more of these sewn together for Luke and Jacob - I just need to get the backs on them. Fleece is so easy to use for the backs - and it is all 50% off right now!

Peace!

We spotted this sign while we were out shopping on Sunday . . . We really had a fun day!

My appointment with the oncologist went fine. He did some routine blood work, he reminded me once again - not that I need reminding - how lucky I am to have caught the melanoma so early. I have to see my dermatologist every 3 months - and he will have me come back to see him in a year and he hopes to never see me more often than that. GOOD NEWS!

lucky star

I learned how to fold these lucky stars yesterday . . . they are made with a strip of paper so you can even write messages inside. I can't wait to get home an make some with some cute paper. Thank Your Lucky Stars!!!!!

new hair color

Good news! - my other two biopsies came back just fine. I have an appointment with the oncologist today - Next week an appointment to get on other mole cut out - and appointment with the cardiologist to find out the results of my stress test - and a follow up appointment with the surgeon . . . then hopefully I can take a break from doctors for awhile. Every so often I get it in my head that I need to do something different with my hair. I tried red one other time - but didn't keep it very long. This time with my hair short I like it better. It isn't the exact color red that I want - but my hairdresser had to be careful that my blonde did not turn pink. This picture isn't very good - I will have to try to get one better. So for now I am a red head! Who knows - I may get sick of it and go back to blonde highlights next month - or I may get daring and try for a even more fun shade of red. I am liking it much better today than I did the first two days.

"Gentlemen may prefer blondes, but it takes a real man to handle a redhead."

This so made me laugh!