The weekend is almost here! So hopefully I'll get out and yardsale a bit.. see what treasures I can find... I would love to find stuff to add to my little side "garden"....
I'm not planting anything there this year that isn't going to come back....
Just for giggles I walked around yesterday and took some pictures of MORE blooming flowers...
This is my teeny tiny rhododendron ( I'm going to kill that word by spelling it I think.. or my version of spelling... Ü) There are about three flowers on it... compared to my neighbor across the street who has at LEAST 150 on hers... but I think hers has been there for at least 20 years!!
I was shocked to see this day lily yesterday.. It seems like the flowers have JUMPED up this year and are blooming what seems to me.. to early!!! YIKES!!
Here's one of my little garden areas.. nothing special.. but through the years I have lived here this bed has GROWN.. I've had to split Hosta's, move the lilies, and next year the bleeding heart will have to be split...
Her's a picture of my Garden "angel".. I made her about 5 years ago.. and for awhile she sat in my kitchen... but I think she really deserves a place outside!! I also made the Uncle Sam sign that sits on the bottom of the bird bath.. he however has seen better days.. but I still pop him outside!! I love my Americana stuff!
So as I told you many months ago.. I am cleaning out my basement.. and believe it or not.. it's getting there!! WOO HOO!! but I found this vanity chair that belonged to my daughter.. when she was younger she has a purple room and vanity... well since she's 17 she decided she didn't want that anymore... so I took the seat off the vanity chair and put the bucket in it.. with flowers to match.. so now it sits on my back deck My little Trash to Treasure!!

I'm almost done with my book.. I have to tell you... for the past two nights my dreams have been out of wack.... Hopefully I'll finish it up today.. and not before bed time.. There are parts in this book that break your heart... but the sad thing is... this stuff happened.. :( Even though the book is FICTION it's based on many facts... I think the most disturbing part for me is when the Germans didn't know if it was snowing.. or if the white flakes were ashes from the victims.... It still amazes me how people today think what happened didn't happen.. or didn't happen to the extent that it did happen.... Very sad...

On the norm my blog is pretty laid back, fun, and quirky... however today I would like to share a PSA with you.

My little background.. I have been friends with a certain someone for close to 11 years, or at least I thought I was.
This weekend I get an e-mail something like this...

"We had a GREAT time at *A*'s bridal shower ( this is her daughter). All her loving friends and family were there" The e-mail goes on listing every one's name and how wonderful the shower was and how they have so much food left over that she is going to picnic with her wonderful family and friends.

To me... if someone was NOT invited to something like this.. you don't send an e-mail out to them. I can understand if you are sending to family who couldn't make it.. but I found this quite rude and felt that I wasn't "good enough" to go even though I have watched this girl grow up for the past 11 or so years. Today I got pictures of the shower. I'll be honest.. I didn't even open them but deleted them.

You can't change people.. right? I won't even try.

My weekend was a GOOD one.. I got a bit accomplished.. Garden in... yard spiffied up... and I went to two yardsales... and I found some treasures!! I love OLD"er" dishes. I'll be honest. I don't really have a place for many more.. or even for the ones I bought.. but there is something about dishes that SCREAM comfort to me! So I had to get these little REALLY inexpensive dishes!!

At the same yardsale I found these ADORABLE old records in PRISTINE condition. I couldn't pass these up. What I'll do with them? I'm not sure but they are in MINT condition!
On a brighter note... LILACS are out and in full bloom.. I have a HUGE bouquet on my table and you can SMELL IT THROUGH MY WHOLE HOUSE!! It's quite heavenly!!

What I have read...
These two books were good.. however... The Solitary Envoy seemed to move "to fast" in the story with not enough description. It seemed like things happened and I didn't GRASP what was happening... it was almost like hearing a punch line before the joke. All in all I will read the sequel to it.

Here is what I'm reading now... this is NOT like the other books I normally read. This is quite a heart wrenching story of a German Woman who Fell in Love with a Jewish man in the height of Hitler's reign. I have not completed it yet but it has sucked me in. I thought I wouldn't like it and would have ended up returning it, but I'm glad I am giving it a chance!

I need to blog...
I have no idea what to blog about...
My feet are cold and it's MAY.. MAY...
My kids have 4 days off in a row.. and I LOVE it..
I want school to let out.. am I the only mother in the world that feels that way...
I'm sick of gas prices... but slowly learning WHY they are increasing.. doesn't mean I agree with it


I get to finish planting my garden this weekend.. it's tradition here in New England
I get to clean out the chicken coop.. hurray!!
Hot Dogs have gone up considerably.. I think that's crazy.. but the buns have gone up even more...
Yes.. I know they are migraine targets.. and actually pieces of pieces... but I'm in love...
I don't even want to talk about hamburgers... and I've quit soda... so nix that expense for me...

I have Photoshop.. I have downloaded it.. and now I stare at it.. with the manual sitting next to me..
The manual is to thick.. and I don't want to read it.. I want to automatically KNOW that.. come one.. parenthood didn't come with a manual.. so far.. O.K. Ü
I have pictures that I want to print but still deciding what on line company to use.. to try... any ideas? Tell me!
And how come the stupid disk from Wal*Mart won't work on my computer... ? I'm frustrated with that...

I have 75 bajillion DVR'D shows to watch and don't feel like watching one of them..except CSI Miami finale... WOAH.. I didn't see that coming...
Paula Deen
Martha Stewart
Judge Judy
Have all been put on hold...

Maybe I'll just go mulch the flowerbeds...
Wait.. I'm hungry.. stupid weather.. did I mention that it's cold..
My body goes back into winter mode and wants comfort food...
What's for dinner?? No clue.. guess I'll freezer dive in a minute..
But wait.. I have no sock on that I'm NOT going to put on.. cause I'm refusing to.. because it's SUPPOSE TO BE WARM!

My name isn't flipflopmom for nothing!

Sorry for the delay in sharing the prom pics..... I decided to put them in a slideshow because I wanted you to see all the GREAT ones... actually there are so many.... that I tried picking the best ones....

There is a surprise inside... Let's see if you can guess it!!! I was so surprised.. and so PROUD of her!!!!

Free MySpace slideshows, photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

TODAY I DECIDED TO "STEAL" Jayedee's Blog idea!! *Ü*
Sometimes I don't think I sit and reflect enough!!


FOR TODAY : Saturday May 17,2008

Outside my Window: I see the tips of Lilac bushes that are blooming and are asking to be picked

I am thinking: How today is prom.. and baseball pictures and home run derby and a birthday party... can I do it all??

I am thankful for: Having the chance to do all the things I mentioned above... as I know there are many women who are WANTING to have Children or who have LOST children.. and it breaks my heart for them...

From the kitchen: My kitchen is quiet... but with both kids gone tonight.. I plan on a feast for hubby and I...

I am going: To a friends to borrow her camera.. and then to the park.. and then to my daughters friends for pictures...

I am wearing: A robe

I am reading: Waiting for Summer's Return

I am hoping: That someday I will have my own really FANCY Nikon Camera.. Life seems to get in the way of that opportunity.. and I refuse to put anything on Charge... so When God see's FIT.. I'll get it..

I am hearing: NOTHING!!

Around the house: Is quiet.. hubby and son are sleeping.. it's chilly.. it's clean in here.. yet I still have 100 things to do!

One of my favorite things: Kisses from my son.. those unexpected one..

Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Well.. what I plan and what God plans are usually two different things.. but I would like to paint my dingy icky cabinets!! they have been "cream" colored since we bought the house 7 plus years ago.. and I haven't done anything with them since.. and since we ALL know that cream doesn't stay cream... it's time to update!

Happy Anniversary... to me!! Today is our 14th Wedding anniversary!!
We got a pleasant gift from one of the kids on my hubby's baseball team.. a FREE night out to eat and drink what we want....





14th Wedding Anniversary

Traditional Gifts: Ivory
Modern Gifts: Gold Jewelry

As much as I love my hubby.. Ivory would not be a gift that I needed... and jewelry.. well.. since I don't wear it.... I don't need it!! Kisses are best!! *Ü*

I hope your mother's day was a blessed one! Thank you for the warm mom's day greetings!!
I haven't been blogging much.. sorry. I slowed down a bit when the kids were on school vacation and last week I have spent so many hours outdoors preparing for the garden and summer coming!! Ü
I thought I would share some pics around my yard.. When everything is NEW and blossoming it seems to be so pretty!! I have not pictured my lilacs that are BOOMING awake!! My goal is to clean my home spotless and bring them inside to put in mason jars! I love a clean home with flowers everywhere!! So that's my goal today!This is my plum tree flowering to prepare the yummy plums we will get in late September!! They just melt in your mouth!! This is my Azalea bush.. It bloomed for about two days and then BAM.. it turned brown and dismal.. this really saddened me this year!! My simple violets that grow huge and spread each year..My Bleeding heart. I got this bush from one of those kids fundraisers... WOW this thing has taken off through the years and is now super HUGE!!Some flowers I bought for a friends birthday... and two eggs that my chickens layed!! We are soon getting 6 more..and I really can't wait.. I have truly enjoyed them!
And between all the list of stuff to do.. I'm reading this book.. it's GOOD!! First one I think I have ever read by this Author! It's the story of three Irish Immigrant children who are left as orphans and split up to different families... Now the oldest sister is on a journey to find her beloved siblings and bring them all back together....

PSSSSTTTTTT

I wasn't going to blog tonight.. but I am now.. head on over to my friend OVERSTUFFED( go to the left of my blog and click her name for some reason the "clickable" links don't show up on this blog.. hmm but they are there!!) and VOTE for her picture.. you won't be sorry.. she has the MOST adorable photo in a contest.. and in all honesty I think hers is the BEST!! so please.. please.. go over and help her out!! You won't be sorry!!

I have to tell you... I am truly blessed!! I got this AMAZING award from an AWESOME blogger... and I had to share it!! I got this from DEEP FRIED APPLE PIES.. You have to go over and check out her blog if you love to decorate.. she is totally amazing.. and I am truly blessed to have found her!!!

It didn't give me any rules if I had to share this award... but I think I should... it's only fair... so
Chris from Enjoying the view.. she has been an awesome blogger friend to me since the beginning.. THANK YOU!!

Jayedee from The Lost World.. She has been an amazing friend who I have learned a lot from in the past year or so... I secretly want to be a part of her family!! LOL LOL...

Tanya from Sunday Baker... she is adorable and a newer blogger friend.. I love reading her posts.. and her recipes... She's a deep thinker.. and has made me cry!! I don't read to many blogs that make me cry!! Ü

I decided one day last week that I was going to make Pizza Hut Bread sticks... I found the recipe on line and it gave me 5 stars.. for the bread sticks AND the sauce.. Well.. the breadsticks came out FANTASTIC!! My son says BETTER than Pizza hut.. however.. the sauce was BOGUS to me... BLUCK BLUCK!!! Here's a view of what they came out like...
( sorry batteries are dying in my camera and I have no more right now.. :(

Here is the Recipe... if you like the sauce.. let me know.. maybe you used something different???


Ingredients
1 1/3 cups warm water
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons oregano
3 tablespoons powdered milk
2 teaspoons yeast
Topping
2 tablespoons dry Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1/4 cup olive oil
Directions
1
Add the dough ingredients to the bread machine in the order given, and set to first rise.
2
When this has finished, roll the dough out into a rectangle which is 1/2-3/4 inch thick.
3
With a pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1x4 inch strips.
4
Place on greased cookie sheets and allow the bread sticks to rise until doubled.
5
Meanwhile, stir the topping seasonings together with the Parmesan cheese.
6
Brush the breadsticks heavily with olive oil.
7
Sprinkle with the topping. I use an empty spice bottle to shake it on evenly.
8
Bake the bread sticks at 350 for 12 to 15 min's until golden.
9
Serve warm with Dipping Sauce - Pizza Hut Style posted on this site.

The Sauce

Ingredients
10 ounces tomato sauce
1 tablespoon italian seasoning
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions
1
Simmer the tomato sauce with the seasonings for about 20 minutes.
2
You may alter the amounts of the seasonings to suit your tastes.
3
Use with Bread Sticks - Pizza Hut Style posted on this site.

And..here's what I'm reading now... It's pretty good.. and gave me a few surprises in it... Definitely the works of a Landon!! LOL LOL

"Friend Like That" by Hawk Nelson
..



I had to share this video with you all!! A NEW one by Hawk Nelson.. I just love this group!!