Weekend Assignment

Well, I usually don't do these things because I don't have time the time.  But I felt sorry for...well, actually I don't know if I was feeling sorry for the poor fella or his poor wife, lol.  So here is my answer to John's weekend assignment.

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"Dear John,

Well, your located not far from me, here in Toledo.  I am thinking of this from what I would really, really love to have.  A quiet weekend alone with my honey. 

Make all the arrangements so she doesn't have to do anything.  Set up to have someone take care of your daughter for the whole weekend.  Make reservations, someplace like the French Quarter in Perrysburg.  Also pack a special bag, maybe a new one you buy for her, with a new PRETTY (nothing cheap or sleezy looking) silky nightgown, maybe some candles, and some pretty smelling massage lotion---and give her an honest to goodness great back massage.  (Don't be cheap and after 2 minutes say something crude like "wanna?" lol)

Now if you can still afford to after paying for a weekend at a place like the French Quarter...a nice little piece of jewelry would be the icing on the cake.  It doesn't have to be diamonds...just go look around and whatever "speaks" to you and feels like her...thats what you get.

That would just be the perfect weekend for me."

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I can't wait to hear what he gets for her in the end.  Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

Hugs!  Jill Marie

Mommy's Brag Book

No matter how many pictures I take of Rylie I could never capture her spirit and beauty like a professional can.  The following are pictures I had taken of Rylie for her 2nd birthday about 3 weeks ago.  I know I am her mamma, but dang this child is just so dang adorable! 

 

Don't worry Grandmothers...we have plenty of pictures for ya both! 

 

Oh, and I almost forgot the best part.  In one of the pictures, the Easter Bunny one, the photographers arm other arm showed up in the picture.  But that turned out to be a good thing, because we only ordered 4 of the poses, even though I wanted to get all, sometimes the budget just doesn't allow us to do everything we want to.  Anyway, since his arm showed up, they GAVE us a copy of all the poses.  That is a $40 value and we got it for free, plus he also took $5 off the total price.  Cool, huh?  All I have to do is cut the other arm out of the picture, no problem, you can see what it will look like in the cropped version I put on here.

 

Rylie getting an egg from the "Easter Bunny"

The cropped version

 

Isn't she just beautiful?!  I am so blessed...if she was just as sweet and well-behaved as she can appear, lol.  I'm kidding, she is just the average two year with the temper of the average 13 year old female, lol.

 

Have a great Saturday!

 

Hugs!  Jill Marie

Looking for decorating inspiration?

Okay, as spring makes its glorious arrival how many of us are starting to think of redecorating?  Need a few ideas?  Well try going to Better Homes and Gardens House and Home Index.  They have many categories and lots of suggestions for each one.  The only thing I don't like about their site is the fact that each time you click a link, before it brings up the page, they have their little "want to subscribe?" box pop up.  However if you wait a few seconds you will see the little "close" button on the box and you can go about your reading.

Of course another great place to go to is HGTV's-decorating section.  I just love that website.  Plus they usually have some sort of sweepstakes/contest going on, so be sure to sign up for their contest newsletter while you are there.  Umm, one thing...if you win a house or something really cool like that...keep a guest room ready for me, lol.

If you know of any really great websites about interior decorating or whatnot, please leave a comment with the link so we can all go check it out.  Thanks!

Hey everyone...it's finally Friday!  :D  YEA!  Have a great weekend ya'll!

Hugs!  Jill Marie

Home remedy

                         

Heartburn

Almonds- can relieve hearburn. Eat several almonds when heartburn symptoms persist
Lemons- can prevent hearburn. Cut a lemon into thin strips and dip in salt. Eat before meals to prevent heartburn.
Lemon rind can also be eaten to prevent heartburn.

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So it has only been a few months and I am reaching the end of my list of cleaning tips.  I wonder if I should just go through the list again and keep re-posting them, or if I should try to think of something new to do.  I mean I guess it wouldn't be so awful to re-post them, occassionally I come across new tips that I can add.  But would that be just terribly boring and repetitive for people who have been reading for awhile?

Well have a great Thursday everyone!

Hugs!  Jill Marie

Easter Tree

When we were kids Mom always put up an Easter tree.  She would get a branch and then get the eggs out of storage.  She had some real pretty eggs.  I think we even decorated a few when we were little.  I seem to have a vague memory of sitting there blowing the egg out of the shell.

I wonder how many people these days create these type of memories and traditions for their kids.  I think I did it a few times when the kids were little and I was still married to their dad.  But I haven't done one in years.  Maybe this year it is time to start that tradition again.

If you are interested in making an Easter tree you can read more about it at HGTV.

Have a nice evening.

Hugs!  Jill Marie

Tuesday Cleaning Tip

                        

White Heat Marks and Water Rings on Wood Furniture: If the wood has a good finish (don't try on bare wood), mix equal parts of baking soda and regular white, non-gel toothpaste. Lightly dampen corner of a clean, soft white cloth with water and dip into the paste. With circular motion gently buff the marks for a few minutes. Wipe area clean, and buff to a shine. Follow with furniture polish. (If rings remain after buffing five minutes or so, they may have penetrated the wood; you might have to refinish the piece.  Or you could do what I would do...put a pretty lace table runner or doilie over it.).

If that doesn't work, dip a cloth in vegetable oil, then in cigarette ashes, then rub it over the mark.

Another method is to rub real mayonnaise onto the stain, allow to sit overnight, then wipe with a dry towel.

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Happy Tuesday...we are one day closer to Friday :D

Hugs!  Jill Marie

Meal Idea

Okay, does anyone know what "lemon curd" is?  Is it available at most grocery stores, and what aisle would I find it in?  I saw this recipe on the Food Network and really want to try it.  It looks absolutely delicious and pretty easy to make. 

Lemony Chicken
1 quart buttermilk
1 tablespoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, tenders removed, cut in strips
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil, for frying

For Sauce:
1 (11-ounce) jar lemon curd
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

Add enough oil to cover the bottom of a large frying pan by 1/4 to 1/2-inch depth. Heat oil to 365 degrees F.
Meanwhile, whisk buttermilk and zest together in a medium bowl. Add chicken and set aside. Sift together flour and cornstarch into a shallow dish. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture and dredge in flour mixture. Fry chicken strips until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip chicken and continue cooking another 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
While chicken is frying, make the sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt lemon curd, stirring constantly. Add remaining ingredients and heat through. Drizzle sauce over chicken and serve.

Serve with Almond Rice Pilaf
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 onion, finely chopped
1/4 Golden Delicious apple, finely chopped
2 cups apple juice
2 cups enriched long-grain instant rice
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
In a medium saucepan, melt butter and saute onion and apples over medium heat until soft. Add apple juice, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Remove cover and stir in toasted almonds. Serve.

Mmm, I bet that rice cooked in apple juice is just delicious!  Oh and then for dessert what about a yummy lemon merangue pie?  Well, I have to go pull some meat out of the freezer for dinner.  Have a great Monday, and may your week be beautiful!

Hugs!  Jill Marie