Happy  Easter...

Thinking of you. 

I hope your time with friends and family is extra sweet. 

xo

366

February 29th..... Leap Year

 

In keeping with the theme of nature gone awry, a whimsical tradition dating back at least four centuries holds that leap years confer upon women the "privilege" of proposing marriage to men instead of the other way around. The convention was (in literature, if not in reality) that any man who refused such a proposal owed his spurned suitor a silk gown and a kiss — provided she was wearing a red petticoat at the moment she popped the question.

Written Source/Photos-WeHeartIt

Additional info....

 The tradition of a woman proposing on a leap year has been attributed to various historical figures. One, although much disputed, was St Bridget in the 5th Century. She is said to have complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for their suitors to propose. St Patrick then supposedly gave women a single day in a leap year to pop the question - the last day of the shortest month. Another popular story is that Queen Margaret of Scotland brought in a law setting fines for men who turned down marriage proposals put by women on a leap year. Sceptics have pointed out that Margaret was five years old at the time and living far away in Norway. The saying is not said to have become commonplace until the 19th Century.

It is believed that the right of every woman to propose on this day goes back to the times when the leap year day was not recognised by English law. It was believed that if the day had no legal status, it was acceptable to break with tradition.

The next morning.....

It's that time of year when your social calendar lights up... your husbands-cousins-in laws, the neighbor and some of your closest friends open their doors to celebrate the holidays. I can't help you with your outfits, but I can help you with a host gift.  

Put yourself in their shoes... they cleaned the house, planned the perfect menu, kept your glass full throughout the night...how about making them breakfast.  There are countless recipes for homemade bread and so many fun ways to package them. It's an affordable....thoughtful gift that any host would be happy to receive.

Are you having a party this year?  What are some additional gift ideas you have?
Feel free to share one of your recipes...
or check out this recipe from My Blog Spark and Better Crocker

Another cute idea.

$40.00....Sam's Club- Yoplait Giveaway

It's the eve of Thanksgiving. Are you heading out the door to do some last minute grocery shopping? Are you wondering if you have enough food? Do you have something for everyone? If you have overnight guest now you have to think about breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner and late night snack. By the second day you are questioning who's bright idea was it to invite everyone to stay at your house...(I know you love them, but man can those kids eat...)

Now you're wondering why you even stopped by here today when all I've done is stress you out more, but I do have a solution for you....Yogurt. To be more specific, Yoplait yogurt at Sam's Club.

Breakfast...yogurt. For some people lunch...yogurt. Snacks...definitely...yogurt.

Whether you start your day with a yogurt or enjoy it as an afternoon snack, Sam´s Club can help you stock up on your family´s favorite Yoplait® yogurts at great, everyday low prices. With their extended yogurt selections, featuring new Yoplait Light® with Granola and Trix yogurt, finding the flavors, and prices, you love just became even easier.

And, do I have a treat for you. Because of MyBlogSpark, Yoplait and Sam's Club I am going to give one person a $40.00 gift card to Sam's Club to fill up your fridge with Yoplait.(I got the same thing and you should see my refrigerator.)


This giveaway starts today, November 23 and ends in one week. On Wednesday, Nov. 30th I will pick one name. Here is how you can win:
Follow my blog- 1 entry
Check out Yoplait.com and tell me your favorite yogurt- 2 entries
Check out Sam's Club.com and tell me something you found to put on your Christmas list- 2 entries

That's not it.... if you link this giveaway or share it on your blog you get an additional 5 entries.  10 possible points.

Good luck and happy shopping... I'll be thinking about you as I drive to Detroit (in a rental car) to catch a plane heading to Lexington.  Final destination...in the arms of my husband!

Happy 4th of July....

I laid in bed this morning wondering what my American family and friends had planned for today. I envisioned bolts of red, white and blue swaying in the gentle breeze with the smell of grills tempting taste buds. I could feel the sprinkling of water on my legs as the kids chased one another just after a dip in the lake. Most importantly, I could the hear the laughter of my siblings.

Dusty Love

I don't know whether to laugh or hide my face in shame. My husband left me a sweet message on the television....in the dust. Sigh.

*Don't be jealous of our rocken' 80's television with a VHS player built in. You can be a little jealous..it's o.k. In fact, we watched a VHS movie, loaned to me from another VHS user, on Saturday. Now, if you'll excuse me I am off to tease my hair and spray it with some Aqua Net before my Valentine comes home.

Happy Valentine's Day to you.

You!

You...are on my mind today.

You...are someone I am thank for.
~~~~~~~~~
Share your laughter...your smile...your heart...it's Thanksgiving.

Gobble.Tryptophan.Gobble

Gobble...Gobble...

Did we just put the cart before the horse...?

I was busy looking at Halloween costumes while cooking
for a Thanksgiving dinner???

It's Thanksgiving Day here in Canada. Not to be confused with the typical Thanksgiving Day in the United States. To most (not all) it's one of those holidays that provides a day off not a family get together.

That being said, a group of us got together yesterday to feast on typical T-day grub. All the right fixens' with pumpkin pie to boot. With my pants unbuttoned I suffered through the night with a satisfied smile and heartburn. Now, that's what I call a good Thanksgiving.

.......my fellow Canadians.

Mary Edward Walker on Memorial Day

The last Monday in May is reserved and recognized by the United States as Memorial Day. Once called Decoration Day, it is on this day that we observe the men and women who died while in the military.

Women in history... Mary Edward Walker

Photo Credits
The only female to finish medical school in her class, she volunteered for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Working as an unpaid surgeon (because of being female) close to the front line then eventually receiving a "Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)" she became the first female U.S. Army Surgeon. Captured by the Confederates and arrested as a spy she was eventually released. Dr. Mary Edward Walker was given the Medal of Honor by President Andrew Johnson. The first and only women to ever receive this highest of military medals, which was revoked for "unusual circumstances" two years before she died, but Mary refused to give it back and wore the medal until the day she died. (In 1977 the medal was reinstated by Jimmy Carter.)

Like many women who have made history, Mary Walker was devoted to women's rights.

This is just a snippet about Mary Walker. If you would like to learn more click here, here and here.


As a wife, daughter and grand daughter of soldiers who came home after servicing in the military I can not imagine the loss felt by those who take this day to remember family members. Saying I'm sorry most likely wouldn't begin to heal the hurt, but I am humbled by their sacrifice.

Across the lines, but still a proud American....

Happy National Patriot's Day Canada!

There is nothing better than a holiday falling on a Monday. I love three day weekends. Today we are relaxing from a busy weekend going here and there. The sun draws me outside, but I'm just as happy looking out at the glorious day. My absence from blogging has me feeling behind yet o.k. with the decision.

Here is a little something I made yesterday...

A while back I saw something like this on another blog. (Check out Burlap and Blue...to see how cute it really can look.) I went to the dollar store and purchased the three canvas frames and purchased the three colors of craft paint. I went online and found silhouettes of birds. I can not draw, but with a little practicing on paper I drew the branches and birds. Less than $10.00 and now I have something on my naked wall. I'm thinking about painting the middle one by connecting the two with a branch. For now, I will keep it this way.

How was your weekend?

Love is in the air....

A giveaway is coming your way....

New Years... Oh no Jennifer and internet woes...

No internet...Sigh! I'm loitering at a different Starbucks today. Yesterday I went into one and got cited for swatting.

The problem will be resolved on Monday.

How was your New Years? Ours was very nice. Low Key. We stayed home and had another couple over. We played the game Apples to Apples, played Wii bowling, ate a lot of appetizers and drank some bubbly. The New Years celebration on t.v. was almost torturous. I'm sorry....Jenny from the Block should have been home with her twins instead of dancing in a human hair vest and a glittery bodysuit. Did anyone else see that monstrosity? I like her, I really do it was just...ummm, well, silly for lack of better words.

What did you do? Did you play any games? Did you have any yummy food? Do tell.

Thanksgiving at it's finest!

Have a wonderful day with friends and family.

Off to enjoy Thanksgiving with Jones..... (I think I threw-up in my mouth a little bit.)
If anyone is willing to try it, I'll consider buying it for you.

Holiday must haves...

This just in...straight from CNN Money.com
November 10, 2009

As merchants stock less holiday merchandise, retail experts say procrastinators will either miss the best deals or products when they are finally ready to buy.

If you expect holiday bargains to get better as Christmas Eve draws near, you may be disappointed this year. Retailers aren't as panicked about the upcoming holiday shopping season as they were last year.

That's bad news for shoppers because this could mean leaner sales, sparsely stocked stores and a run on the best deals for such sought-after items as smartphones, thigh-high boots, side-sling bags and ruffled cardigans.....

AND most importantly... the holiday sweaters!

Have a moo-velous Christmas
No, that is not my senior picture...My bangs were much higher. (They are amateurs.)
H-O-T, nothing says sexy like a man in a holiday sweater.
We W-th you a Merry Christmas, We W-th you a Merry Christmas.....
I have not idea what to say except, gorgeous!
I think his pant legs are cuffed and rolled...
Not only is it festive, it makes you feel like dancing!
"Let's get this party started!"

Doritos, the devil and a pig

I curse the person who brought Doritos to our Halloween party and didn't take
them home with you....
(and I secretly praise you for making such a wise decision)

Doritos...the cheesy triangles with 13 grams of fat within 19 tasty chips.


If I could find the battery charger for my camera I would have shared photos of me
enjoying the bold nacho cheese yumm-i-ness.

Here are some photos from our get together....

My husbands obsession of ungulates (hoofed mammals) carried into our Halloween decor with the Browning deer symbol.

Me as the red head devil.

The most creative and fab-u-lous costume.... The Swine Flu....Flew, get it.
(A play on words with a pig nose and wings.)