Computer Issues

sidelined my blogging....so I'm back!

Strawberry Pie....YUMMO

EAGLE BRAND STRAWBERRY PIE

1 can Eagle Brand condensed milk1/3 c. lemon juice2 c. strawberries, chopped or mashed1 lg. Cool Whip (9 1/2 oz.)2 graham cracker pie crusts1 c. chopped nuts
Combine condensed milk and lemon juice. Fold in nuts and strawberries. Pour into pie shells and chill. Freezes well.

What does cellulite and an old-fashioned rolling pin have in common?

Girls, I'm running a little poll....what does cellulite and an old-fashioned rolling pin have in common???? Just to keep you in suspense...I won't tell you until I have TEN COMMENTS..I like to keep you all guessing.

Hint: It's something you will wish you *thought of*.....

Mr. Bunny

Many years ago...about 25, I was into ceramics. I used to go once or twice each week to a studio. Mr. Bunny was something I made for my son when he was a wee little boy. I've held onto him, putting him out at Easter, but keeping him in my curio cabinet the rest of the year.

It's strange that we become so attached to certain items, isn't it?

Thrift Store Tuesday!!!

I purchased this beautiful hand-made quilt today at Goodwill for FIFTEEN DOLLARS!
It is beautifully appliqued and quilted, about 10 threads per inch...no rips or fading. I washed it in the gentle cycle and will let it dry outdoors....

While this is a fabulous find for me, I do NOT understand WHY such a lovely item would have a pricetag of $15...when an old hardback is $6.00!!!!!! Well, whatever.....I was smiled upon today....KARMA???? I must have been a good girl lately!

Brownie Monday!

Who doesn't love a delicous brownie? We all have our preference though; some like theirs fudgy, some prefer cakey, while others prefer gooey. I like all three!

I'd like to share this delicous brownie recipe with you. If you have King Arthur Flour in your neck of the woods, grab a bag and let's get to baking some brownies!

2 sticks unsalted butter
2 1/4 cups sugar
4 lg. eggs
1 1/4 cup double-dutch dark cocoa
1t salt
1t baking powder
1t espresso powder
1T vanilla
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat Oven to 350
Lightly Grease 9x13 pan

In a medium sized micro-safe bowl, melt butter, add sugar & stir to combine. Return the mixture to microwave briefly, just until it's hot 110-120F. It will become shiny. Doing this extra step will dissolve more of the sugar, which will give your brownies a shiny crust.

Crack 4 eggs, beat w/cocoa, salt, baking powder, espresso powder & vanilla until smooth.

Add the hot mixture, stir until smooth

Add flour, chips, again stir until smooth.

Spoon batter into the pan.

Bake for about 30 min., until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, or with just a few crumbs clinging to it.

Remove from oven & set out to cool before cutting.

From Trash to Treasure

I found these two wire baskets at a local garage sale...FIVE bucks for the pair. They were in *prim* condition, but I wanted them more cottagy...so I grabbed a can of off-white spray paint and gave them a fresh coat.

When I purchased them. I had no idea where I would use them...I just knew that I WOULD find a way to make them pretty and functional.

What do you think?????

I'mmmmm backkkkk

I didn't go anywhere, just busy. The house is on the market and it's a lot of work! I'm looking for my perfect cottage...I may have found it.

Counting Your Blessings...

Let's all remember to count our blessings, as there are many. Sometimes when things look bleak, there's a blessing to be found.

My cat, Oliver (age 8), has so many UTI infections, that he is afraid of the litter box. He has been using our formal living carpet as his box...ugh. A friend sent me some information on a new study and I took it to my vet. We decided to try the therapy suggested.

I've also prayed about this. He's my LOVE, the cat who most enjoys snuggling, who loves me unconditionally, who is always by my side. I want us to be together in a normal and sanitary environment, lol!!!

For the past two days, he's been using the litter box!!!!! My prayers have been answered! Once again, I've been blessed.

My Little Volkswagen Beetle's *eyes* are sick!!!

LOL. it's my bugs headlights. This car is two years and two months old.....today I am having the THIRD HEADLIGHT replaced on the right side. The headlight on the drivers side is also beginning to fade...so that will need to be replaced soon as well, headlight #3 coming up!!!!!!!!

REALLY VW????? I think there is an issue here!!!!!!!! I love my little gecko green beetle, I wanted a beetle since I was a little girl. Six of us went on a road trip (yep in a beetle), before seatbelts were mandatory, of course. What fun that was!!!!

If I could get the eye issue worked out for my little guy, I'd be soooo happy!

Adoption Stories....a Beginning

I LOVE Adoption Stories, it's such a warm show...I end up feeling to warm and fuzzy! This mornings episode was about a Gay Man and his Partner.......adopting a little boy. I'm so happy that this little boy has a loving family AND happy that Gay Partnership has been recognized as a FAMILY UNIT. Every child deserves the love and support of a family, that doesn't necessarily mean Traditional.....as long as the child is loved and cared for....it's a Good Thing!

It's a beautiful day....

In the Neighborhood! Yes it's true......we have SUNSHINE!! Someone should bottle this stuff as a happy drug.....wait they do., it's called Zoloft, lol!

When you live in Cleveland, you learn to *Suck it Up*....I'm through Sucking It Up! I WANT Spring!!!!! Maybe if I scream loud enough....someone will hear me??????

~~~~On a happy/sad note~~~~~If anyone has been following the trial of our local doctor, YAZEED ESSA, he has been accused to poisoning his beautiful wife, Rosie, with cyanide. He skipped to Cyprus, and was extradited back to the US. He has been found GUILTY by a Jury of his Peers. Sadly, this will not bring Rosie back, nor will it give his two beautiful children a set of parents. Court TV has been filming the trial, so stay tuned. ~~~~

Sigh....My Dad is Ill...

Dear Old Dad has bladder cancer....the news didn't take me totally by surprise...I knew he had an issue, but I was hoping it was an infection...it was...sort of...is cancer sort of an infection? All I know is that the word CANCER is scary. It's an ugly word and an uglier disease. He's shook up, of course. I have confidence that he will be fine. There will be a bit of a fight though and I hope he can hang tough. He's a bit of a *baby*, not tough like my Mom. By *baby* I mean, he absolutely cannot handle pain or distress. Mom, however, wears her pain like a suit of armor. Is this a man thing, lol??? Dad will be 75, he's been in fairly good health, double by-pass many years ago and other issues that come with being almost 75.

Sigh....I will know more on March 16th...wish him luck!!!

It's Official

only 20.5 days until St. Patrick's Day!

To honor one our our favorite *holiday's, visit my blog throughout the 17th of March to view how we celebrate our *big day*. Since Brad's Grandparents came from Ireland, he's a true Leprechaun...and that he is!

We visited Ireland a few years ago and are planning to return in the late Spring of 2011! We left Ireland with a true love of this beautiful Emerald Isle. The people are warm, friendly and enjoy a good *craic*....as do we.....so stay tuned.

It's been a weekkkkkkk.....

I've been sick for 10 days...and I'm never sick. Coughing like crazy, taking cough syrup with codeine...that sure knocked me out! I am feeling a bit better today....so Dan, email me @ RachelRotech@yahoo.com with your address. I am going to make a few apples this weekend.

We Have a WINNER!!!!!!

And the winner of the apple is..........DAN! ~~ Give me a couple of days Dan, I'm very *under the weather* at the moment. We're going to work on the apples over the weekend. I'll get your address and get it to you!

Pre-Valentine's Day Celebration!

I awoke in the middle of the night to find that I've been graced with a headcold......oh lovely!

I watched tv, slept in....then Brad and I got up to *hit the road*....we stopped for lunch at a lovely little diner called the Hungry Bear...the people are so friendly! I had a juicy burger and began to feel a bit better.

We went to the little historic town of Wooster....there is a shop there called the CALLA LILY, a wonderful shop chocked full of yarn, patterns and goodies! There is a sock going around the USA...a HUGE sock...being knit by whoever happens to pick up knitting needles. It's going to be in the Guinness Book of World Records when it's finished.

Because I felt so yukky.....I didn't add to it today, but I will return to put my *stamp* on the sock. It also comes with a sign-in book. Stay tuned for a photo of this beautiful and huge sock!

If you're a knitter, check your local shop....it may end up there! I stopped at a little antique shop and purchased two pieces of gorgeous vintage wool for my rugs! I love those wonderful little bargains...and I always wonder where that wool was....after the sheep, of course!

Brad and I celebrated Valentine's Day in a wonderful way.....we had a snack at a Hungarian Bakery that makes the most wonderful open sandwiches of hungarian salami, cheese, red peppers and egg....yumm....I topped it off with a piece of their homemade torte. Then onto the bread bistro for a glass of wine and some wonderful conversation with the locals at the bar.

I finally realized that I should head home and rest...exhausted, but full and happy to have spent the full day with the one I love.

My Give-A-Way is Around the Corner!

Here's the surprise, a HUGE apple that I will make and ship to you! My apple will be big enough for four people to each have a wonderful hunk....it's tasty and delicious!!!!

Dance Like There's No Tomorrow.

So, the family (Brad's side) got together at a pub in the old *hood*, just a small family place which serves amazing pizza from next door. It also sports a vintage shuffle board machine, so fun! My brother-in-law has had a 2nd chance at life, and he's blowing it. He's back to his old alcoholic habits and he's not looking good at all. He wanted to dance, so we danced. He's not a great dancer, but he does love to *fake it*. We danced for a few hours actually....why not. That may have been my last chance to dance with him. It was wonderful actually. Then he told me he loved me. Like I didn't know? I did know, now he knows. Maybe next month if he's feeling ok, we'll go out again...and dance like there's no tomorrow.

It's The MONTH OF LOVE!!!

It's funny how February is known as *The Month of Love*...don't we love our friends and family EVERY day of the year?  Maybe February should be known as *The Month of Extra LOVE*...don't forget to tell each and every one of your loved ones (and friends) that they are loved and cherished at every opportunity.  This can be as simple as a card, a phone call or a cupcake!! 

This monday marks the 2nd anniversary of the death of my sister-in-law...I'm sure glad I told her I loved her before she passed away, she told me that she loved me too...now I have those memories and those words in my heart forever.

To celebrate our Love for our family and friends, I've gone out and about...taking photographs of hearts....they will change, so keep checking back.  I am going to do a LOVE Give-a-Way, drawing on February 14th...so stay tuned!!