Just. Breathe.

Okay, just five of the things going on for the last however many months anyway! [ETA before publish: I've been writing on this post since April. Ridiculous.] It's time for the annual semi-annual semi-monthly way-too-irregularly-to-be-taken-seriously-as-a-blogger post about where I've been and what I've been doing since my last post...in February (other than the cruise, that is). It's sad. It really is.  Here's what's been happening.  1. Back in April, when I started this list (don't judge), this was the big thing: Taken March 27...when I should have been planting flowers Then, in May, the other weather-related news took over: 1. The main street by our house; 2. Six Flags river; 3. Trinity River in Dallas Photo credit: Google This has honestly been the strangest weather year I can remember. In early June, we finally were able to get in our pool, we aren't on water-rationing, and my yard looks amazing! We can't see the neighbor...

What it is, ain't exactly clear... [If you're old enough to get the song reference, congratulations!] Let's just do a list. It goes nicely with my complete lack of focus. A. Is fall really going to show up? I am so excited! The windows are open, it's supposed to rain occasionally, and we might not get out of the seventies all week. Given that it's October, bring it on! 2. This family is on Weight Watchers. If you've read this blog for any length of time, you know it's been a couple of years. Sadly, the weight came back on when I lost focus and allowed a stressful job to stop me from doing what I knew to do. It's been a week, and I'm probably down a couple of pounds. We're also going to boot camp three times a week -- so I can safely say there's a little competitive spirit in the house. Everyone is tracking for themselves and so far no one is admitting to really falling off the points wagon. Just tonight, the comment was heard that...

In lieu of a recipe posting today, I've got some random kitchen stuff to share. Let's see where this goes. Mesquite Country Seasoning - I discovered this seasoning mix at a home show last year. I had been looking for flavor with no sugar or MSG or any of that stuff that's bad for you. I use this almost every time I roast vegetables - it's spicy but not over-the-top - and I've tried it on everything from chicken to pork. I'm running low so I either need to go to another home show or get online . Iced coffee - Pioneer Woman has this recipe that I thought was ridiculous and too much trouble. I didn't try it until a few weeks ago, and now I don't ever want to run out. I use her process, with 4 ounces of coffee and 2 quarts of water (less than she makes at a time). I tried a recipe out of the newspaper last week and it was a disaster. So I'm sticking with her recipe. Thanks, PW! Mrs. Meyers cleaning products -- BASIL scent! This one is still ha...

I've not had the slightest idea what to write for the last several days. I've read so many postings on the tragedy of last Friday, and am not sure I can add anything at this point to the words eloquently written by others. I know that losing a child is so devastating that words seem to be completely inadequate. Knowing people care and hurt with you is precious. Honor the memories of the lost, respect the feelings of the survivors, and above all, pray for the strength for all touched by this tragedy. Maybe I'll have something to say in a few days, but for now, I'm just going to pick up with the Christmas blogging. [I just found out that peanutbutterjenny, who started this challenge, is from Newtown and lives minutes from the elementary school. She's studying to be a teacher.]  www.peanutbutterjenny.com 15. The best gift you've given . I don't know if it would be the best , but it's one I was soooo excited about it. Remember back when everything...

www.peanutbutterjenny.com/blog/ And now for our second installment of the Christmas Challenge! 10. Favorite holiday scent I am apparently a very indecisive person. Or schizophrenic. Whatever. Vanilla/sugar cookies, pumpkin, pine. It used to be cinnamon, but now I sort of get itchy if there's too much cinnamon in the air -- does that happen to anyone else? My current favorite candle is spiced apple toddy -- seriously awesome. 11. Favorite Christmas tradition I already mentioned that I love waking up on Christmas morning in my own bed. But I think my favorite tradition is Christmas Eve -- we put on It's a Wonderful Life , make apple cider, and just hang out together. One present gets opened by the kid just like it did when I was young. Often I'm cooking/baking that evening, so the house smells Christmassy. 12. Wrapping paper or gift bags It's always a combination. If I've saved wrapping (or shopping for) presents to the last minute, definitely bags. I sta...

 http://www.peanutbutterjenny.com/blog/  I just came across this and thought it might be fun. I'll have to play catch up, but it'll make me blog regularly for a little while! Here we go. 1. Your favorite Christmas movie Great, I get stuck on the first one. I think I have to go with  Holiday Inn . I have so many memories of watching this with my mom every single year. Runners up: A Christmas Story , It's a Wonderful Life , White Christmas , and Miracle on 34th Street . 2. Your 2012 Christmas wish list A new tablet and clothes for the cruise in February. 3. When/how did you learn that Santa wasn't real? I don't understand this question. Santa is real. I first learned that he gets a lot of help from parents when I was 7 and I woke up before my mom was in bed on Christmas Eve. Santa had already been there and she was still in the kitchen. That was the year I got the fabulous Barbie Dream House. 4. Favorite Christmas song Again with the "favori...

That's a misleading title...It should be "A short list of stuff I've learned about having a group of people over to your house for something" but that didn't fit in the space I had. 10. Always have extra toilet paper in every bathroom of the house. Doesn't matter if the party is one hour or all day -- you're gonna need it. 9. There is no such thing as "too many potatoes" -- especially if they're mashed. It doesn't seem to matter if it's 5 pounds or 10 pounds...they're ALWAYS gone. 8. Having teenaged girls around for cleanup is an excellent idea. If you can pay them in dinner rolls and dessert, that's an extra score! 7. Speaking of dinner rolls, they will not rise on command. Apparently yeast has rules, and begging has no effect. 6. Ice. Remember the ice. Preferably BEFORE you're out. Just a suggestion. 5. Watching people who don't know each other get to know each other is one of the best parts of having peo...