Oh how I miss you!

A slap on the hand for being absent from blogging for so long.  Too many excuses but none that quite make the cut.

Summer time has come and gone.  I don't think I have ever been to so many birthday parties - for the young and old.  Pretty sure that I could handle party-hopping every weekend.  Though I also enjoy my pool time.

This past weekend my much thought about girl's trip to Palm Springs took shape.  We piled in the truck (with more foods and clothes imaginable) and headed out Friday night.  Once we made it to Grandma's house, we turned on Fame.  Not a good movie.  Ha ha ha.  Saturday Amanda treated us to her Daddy's biscuits and gravy.  Truly amazing.  Off to the pool where we met a fantastic woman named Bernice.  Despite hearing the same stories over and over, she was a jovial woman.  After naps, it was time for dinner at Las Consuelas.  Margaritas for all!  Then time for Scattegories.  Sunday we cleaned up and headed home.  Much too short of a trip but I love girlfriend time, no matter how much or how little.  I get a bad grade for taking pictures - my camera stayed in my purse the whole trip.  Oh well.  It's the memories that count.

There are so many items on my 101 list that are in the works - no doubt I should always have something to blog about in the coming weeks and months.  I'm a little silly about sharing too early though, so no detailed progress updates.  Yet ...

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?

Ha ha ha ha.  Well, I have no clue.  But I do know it's possible to eat a tootsie pop without biting it.  Though you don't end up with much of a tootsie roll left at the end.  I think I'll stick to "biting" them.  But I do have another thing to cross off my list :)

But I don't want it to end!!!

Not sure that words can do my 30th birthday party justice.  I had such an amazing time, and I'm pretty sure everyone else did as well.  So I will let the pictures speak for themself!

Beautiful and delicious cake!

Captain of the yacht

I searched high and low for this bartender - outstanding job Anthony!

Haley (aka assistant party planner)

Cousins ~ Mom and Peggy

Tracy (my partner in crime taking care of our kiddos at church) and Zack

The Tischler's - love them SO much!!!

James and Amanda

Jennifer, Connie, Mellissa & Kyla

(note Connie is ready to give birth)

Back row ~ Haley, Amanda and Sara

Front row ~ work friends, Maria and Loretta

Friends from Church

John, Ed and Will

My BFF who is sporting a gorgeous ring on her left hand!!!!

Nichole and Glenn

Mrs. Davies

Church friends ~ Ronda and Nicki

Getting ready to taste the cake frosting

So glad that my mom was helping me celebrate the big 3-0!

I will love him forever and ever ~ such an amazing husband!

Tater Tot Casserole

This one is for you, Ann!

I knew when I read this recipe, that my husband would be in heaven. I made a few changes to take out the veggies that James wouldn't like. If I were making this just for myself I might add some sliced mushrooms or other yummy stuff.

1 pkg. frozen tater tots (36oz)
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook ground beef, drain grease and add onion. Salt and pepper meat mixture. Grease 9x13 pan. Place tater tots in the pan. Layer meat and onion mixture on top. Combine soups and sour cream then pour oven meat. Lightly toss all ingredients together. Cook uncovered for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Add cheese and bake another 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. I added some more salt and pepper before adding the cheese.

Very simple, hearty and tasty.

Father's Day

My dad's death has brought a whirlwind of emotions. I'm not quite sure I can describe those emotions. I miss him, to the absolute bottom of my soul. A few years ago, rather than buy a card at the store, I colored a card and made a list of "25 reasons I love you - for the 25 years you have been my dad". Dad kept all of his birthday and father's day cards in shoeboxes. But there was one that hung on his bedroom door :) So today I'd like to say Happy Father's Day Dad --- 30 reasons that I miss you.

1. Our skips through parking lots
2. Your making me feel like a baking goddess
3. Watching Wheel of Fortune together
4. Stopping at Olvera Street for taquitos
5. Walks around the back bay
6. Your cheesy jokes
7. Our trips to Rusty Pelican
8. Teaching me Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
9. Sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry's
10. Buying me a very special doll for Christmas
11. Walking me down the aisle
12. Dancing with me like I'm a princess
13. Making me a photo album
14. Sharing in my love of drag racing
15. Telling me the secrets of being a wife
16. Your laughter when Roxy chases the dot
17. Surprise treats from the chicken pie shop
18. Hearing your fishing stories
19. Sharing our first home with you
20. Hearing you talk about my cherry pie costume
21. Our hand squeeze
22. Kayaking in Catalina
23. Taking me to dance class
24. Making Thanksgiving dinner for two
25. Expanding on my love for sushi
26. Our cruise with Water, Inc.
27. Seeing you bust with pride when I was MCJD
28. Sharing with me your passion for water
29. Making endless cheesecakes for my HQ Installation
30. Loving me unconditionally

I miss you.

My style of cooking

I've fallen in love with a website, after falling in love with a cookbook. This woman knows how to cook! Her food reminds me of my grandma. Lots of butter and other delicious, not-so-good for you things. But it's delicious. My favorite thing, so far, is the blackberry cobbler. Amazing. Enjoy!

www.thepioneerwoman.com

I Do

Happy Anniversary Husband. You challenge me, cuddle with me, dream with me, support me, kiss me and most importantly, you love me. I will love you forever, forever and always.