Why Blog!

This has been what I have been asking myself............for months obviously!!

I ran into a friend/fellow blogger and she said "Janice, you need to blog", so I asked the obvious question........."WHY"?  She simply explained that my kids will love to read this stuff some day, and that it's the only way that some friends can feel like they are up to date on my life.

Still not convinced.......I've held off...............until now......................

I'm thinking I will try to be a faithful blogger to the end of the year............and if it fulfills all my wildest dreams seems to be a good thing..............I will continue.

All that said, I'm not sure if there needs to be a consistent theme for my blogging.  You really don't need to see me and my friends eating and playing all the time, you really don't need to hear me whine and you really don't need any political advice...............so I will work on my blogging posts content.

I don't like posts without pics - so I will post a pic of hubby and I as he celebrated the big 5-0! I know - he is a foxy 5-0 and he looks like a silver fox who robbed the cradle right? :)

Any suggestions (if anyone ever happens to check this blog again), please let me know. 

A Weekend away...................

Friday afternoon the Captain and I packed up the boat - left the children (and the dog) and headed out on the high seas!

First stop, Anacortes. I've never spent any time here  - only driving through to head to the Ferry.  It is an adorable town with lots of "junkin" stores, fun retail shops, great restaurants, and the best part of all...........THEY HAVE A SCRAPBOOKING STORE!!  A "for real" scrapbooking store. Not a big chain store..........a cute, privately owned classy scrapbooking store!! The owners are Teresa and Linda and the store is "Forget Me Not". Click HERE to go to their Facebook page.  And if you're craving a genuine scrapbooking store - go visit them!!

My Captain patiently waited on benches whilst I whittled away time in this fabulous store.  When I got back - this is how I found him - I couldn't resist!

We ate at the Rockfish Grill  Friday night- which was wonderful, and rode our bikes around town on Saturday.

 Saturday about one we packed up and headed to Friday Harbor.  We went to our favorite restaurant for dinner there - "Downriggers".  I was craving my ALL TIME FAVORITE salad there.  I was so bummed I forgot my camera.  I actually got the recipe for this salad from a friend who use to live there.  So I will be trying this recipe soon and will let you know - "Chicken Gorgonzola Salad w/Barbeque-Balsamic Dressing".

Sunday the sun was out and it was hard to head home...............but having the friends over for an Appie evening made it OK. :)

I need one of these......................

My kitchen is pretty fabulous.......but it is missing one of these!! :)

We went to Whistler with the kids last weekend and we always have one meal here...............

We all love it and it is such a treat.  I'm thinkin' dieting would be easier if I could just throw some vegies down with a little sauce in the middle of my kitchen every night :)

Great weekend.......the only thing missing was the sunshine :(

A day away

Yesterday I went with my friend Val to Port Ludlow. She needed to go out there so I tagged along for the day.  We checked out the Port Ludlow Resort and Marina - might have to make this trip on the boat.

  She drove her White Mustang convertible and once we got off the ferry we tried taking the top down - but the clouds had covered up the sunshine and it was just too cold - but still fun!

For Dinner we ate in Port Townsend.  Don't worry - I didn't fall off the "dieting wagon".  I had a Latte' in the morning and a granola bar for lunch so by the time we got to dinner I splurged a little.  We shared a delicious chicken, avocado sandwich on a ciabatta bun........................and YES .....................we had dessert.

Val had never had bread pudding - so we ordered it - and she liked it! :)

It was a bread pudding with whiskey sauce.............I'll let the pic speak for itself............

That was my little splurge - gotta have one once in a while. Now - back to our regularly scheduled diet!

Back on the wagon!

Yup - Caprese Salad

That was my dinner

Watched Extreme Body Makeover last night

If that amazing lady can lose 207 lbs......

I can surely muster the discipline for 15 lbs!

That's all I have to say about that.

P.S. Link to  Pioneer Woman's Caprese Salad
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/06/caprese-salad/
 

Happy 24th Nathan!

Yesterday was Nathan's 24th birthday, so we celebrated with a nice dinner here at home with friends.  We started on the patio (the sun finally showed up about 5pm) while Randy barbequed the flank steak.  It was a beautiful evening and the company was relaxing.

When I asked Nathan what he wanted for dessert - I pretty much had guessed what he wanted - but he confirmed it with..."the usual" :)  I don't know if I've ever posted our family birthday dessert but I don't feel like going back and looking through the last 3 1/2 years of blogging.  So if you've seen this before - I apologize!

Oreo Dessert

16 oz Pkg Oreos

8 oz. Pkg Cream Cheese

Lg. Instant Choc. Pudding

1/4 c. butter/melted

1 c. powdered sugar

1 16 oz. Cool Whip

Crush oreos well (I use a food processor) and reserve 1/2 the crumbs for the topping.  Add remaining 1/2 of crumbs with butter and press into 9x13.  (At this point I put it in the freezer to firm it up good).  

Blend softened cream cheese and powd. sugar, add a little milk to make it spread easily, and spread it over the crust.

Spread 1/2 the Cool Whip over the cream cheese layer.

Mix choc. pudding according to pkg directions and pour it over the Cool whip.  Top with remaining cool whip.  Sprinkle with reserved oreo crumbs.  

Refrigerate for several hours before serving.

(PS I don't use the whole pkg of oreos because it just seems like too much on top for me.  I use 1/2 the pkg for the bottom and then use about 1/2 of what's left to put on the top.)

Busy....................

Yes - again - no blogging!  At least I am consistently inconsistent :)

Lots of shrimping and boating trips.................

 One Saturday Nathan and Miranda came out to Eliza Island with us.  Is this an adorable shot or what?!?! I am again amazed at the miracles God gave us 2 years ago (and continues to give us)  when Nathan was in a motorcycle accident. As I see my son strong and healthy once again - I am in awe of God - the ultimate healder!

Going back out on the boat tomorrow and Saturday.  Heading to Boise next week for Spencer's Grad.

Love that boy!!