The day I got my one second of fame on national TV

Don't blink or you will miss me.

While we were in NY sitting in a park near Wall Street, a news reporter picked us out of the crowd and asked us if he could interview us about what we thought of Romney's comment about the 47%.
Of course we said he could.

We are the first people he interviewed in the video. That would be the husband speaking. Apparently my ughhh, ughhh, ughhh response when he asked me the question was not good enough for him. Yes I made the cutting room floor.  I was nervous at first. At least you can see me sitting there.  I will take it.

The 47 Percent: Are You Part of the Club? | Video - ABC News


While I was in NY I also got a manicure and a pedicure. I finally did a dark color. It felt like a very NY thing to do.

So I am going to link up with Tara and Vicki for the Nail Files.

Essie "Stylenomics"

I have been dying to try this color. It looks black but it is a very deep green (my favorite color).
I went on the hunt for the color after I had my manicure and I found it at a drug store. I needed to get it anyway because I smudged a finger. I am very particular about that. I had to fix the smudge. I also bought Essie's "Good to Go" quick drying topcoat and I really like it.

I had them cut down my nails so that I wouldn't look like a witch. Its wasn't the best manicure. She didn't go over the free edge which helps prevent chipping. I have gone over them since I have been home and I still have the same color on. I have a feeling I will be wearing this color a lot through fall and winter.

Have a great weekend!


 



Its "OK" Thursday 9/27

 

I am linking up again with with Neely: A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber: Brunch With

Amber Click the button above to visit and link up too!

"Its OK"

 

- That I was drinking wine last night that may or may not have been manufactured at the playboy mansion. I did not notice the label until about half way in. I definitely did not buy this wine so I am wondering which guest that has been to my house brought it for me. I need to pay more attention.
 

 

-That I ate meatballs for breakfast yesterday because I was making a pot of spaghetti sauce. I fry the meatballs and before I put them in the sauce, the whole family usually wants some. My husband actually had to go to the office yesterday so naturally I snapped a picture and told him he was missing breakfast. He sent me back an emoticon of a crying face.

 

 

 

-That I made cookies all day on Tuesday. The people in my daughters office asked her to bring in some baked goods so of course, I obliged. She shared one of the chocolate chip muffins I had made for her one day with a man in her office. He asked her what I was making next. She ended up giving some of the cookies to the homeless woman that says good morning to her every day. She said she probably hasn't had anything home made in a long time. I was proud of her.  

 

 



-That yes, I got duped in NY once again. I told myself it wasn't going to happen on this trip. I ended up with a CD that was placed in my hand. They ask for a donation once its in your hand. They tried to get me every day after that and I just ignored them. I am such a rube.

 

-That at one point on Sunday during the football games, I was in second place in the pool. After the second half I was 1,000,000th. Another bad week.

 

-That I am still at it. No weight loss but it just feels good.

 



 

-That I feel like I am my mothers mother. It gets worse every day.

 

-That I finally got to break out the cashmere. It was that cold in the morning at the beginning of the week.

 

-That my brother in law is texting me every day to see if any of his packages have arrived. He ordered some things. The new IPhone is one of them. I told him he better hurry home the day it comes because I just might set it up for myself. Yes he is still here. It will be four months. I think that's the least he can do for me.

 

-That my daughter moved to a bigger house on base. It happened so fast that I couldn't make it there to help her. Maybe now I will get my own room when I visit her? That reminds me....I have to book my tickets.

 

-That I am dreading going shopping today. I haven't been in two weeks and the cupboard is looking emptier than it has in a long time. I have a feeling it will be a two cart day.

 

-That hopefully my husband will take a day off next week so that we can go to the Topsfield Fair.  The weekends are just too crowded.

 

-That I cannot stop talking long enough to have my picture taken. For every 50 pictures my husband takes of me, I have to delete at least 49. I cant help it if I am a chatterbox.

 

 

 

 -That the burning bush in my yard is progressing slowly but surely.



 

 Have a great Thursday!

 



Touchdown Chicken

Today I am going to share my recipe for fried chicken tenders.  During the football game last week, I made these tenders. The son I never had, asked me if I was sure I wasn't Southern. I am considering that a nice compliment considering that southerners are known to be great at making fried chicken. The Colonel has nothing on me. The chicken comes out very crispy without skin. It is one of the family's favorite snack food for games.

You will need:

2-3 packages of chicken tenders
1 1/2 cups of buttermilk (make sure it is whole buttermilk. Do not use fat free or low fat).
3 cups of flour
4 tsp paprika
4 tsp pepper
4 tsp salt
2 tsp cayenne pepper (you can use more or less or none at all)
4 tsp Paul Prudhomme's poultry magic
Canola oil



Preheat your frying pan. For those with an electric frying pan, set the temperature to 425. For those cooking with a regular frying pan, use medium/high heat.

Pour buttermilk in a mixing bowl
Mix all of the dry ingredients together well in another mixing bowl

 

 



Pour canola oil into your pan. Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to cover the sides of your chicken tenders.  It is always better to have more oil than not enough.

Trim the chicken (Did you know you can use scissors and it is faster? Just make sure you soak them in a little bleach mixture before and after. Put them through the dishwasher too)

Dip chicken pieces first into the dry ingredients, then the buttermilk, then back into the dry ingredients. Make sure you coat it well.



 

You can also use this batter recipe for onion rings. They will cook much faster than the chicken.

 Don't forget to double dip in the flour mixture (the only time double dipping is acceptable). I forgot this time and lost most of the batter.

 



Place the chicken in the frying pan. When you see the edges start to brown. flip them.

 



I generally cook mine for about 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness

 

 

 

They freeze beautifully too if you want to make extra. You will probably have left over mixture so you could make more if you wanted. I have also made these as a meal with mashed potatos and gravy. 

Bon Appetit!



 

I am back

I got in last night from my NYC trip. When I tell you that I walked over 40 miles, I am not exaggerating. I used my pedometer. Even my fingers are tired today. I fell asleep last night in the middle of changing the channel. That is how utterly exhausted I am.

Sensory overload is an understatement. My ears are still ringing from the noise. It is nice to be back in my quiet neighborhood but I miss NY already. The energy in the city is amazing. You forget how tired you are and just want to be out and about. I did not go to NY after all to catch up on sleep. I dont think I got much while I was there.
I have a feeling it is going to take me all week to recuperate.

I broke the zipper on my suitcase so I call that a successful trip. I also had some room to pack things away in my husbands suitcase and he was none the wiser.

It is good to be home. I did not have to wait for my coffee this morning. That is a downfall of travel for me. I need coffee the minute I wake up. I do not like having to go get it or wait for room service.
I did not eat horribly but I just feel like I need to eat some vegetables. Do you feel like that when you travel?

I will share some pictures of Times Square on Friday night. I do not have the patience to download all of my pictures right now. I need to rest up for the Patriots playing tonight or I will never make it up. I need to get everything back in order. My daughter left the house pretty clean. She was not home when we got here. She had an Alumni weekend (didn't she just graduate in May?).


Times Square did not disappoint. It is not my favorite area but it is fun to see the freak show.

 

 

Have a great Sunday! 



 



Getting my craft on

When my kids were little, I used to make things all of the time. I was at the craft store every other week. I had a whole big box just filled with craft supplies. I made everything and I loved to decorate my house with the things that I had made. I found crafting was very calming and a great way to fill my time when my kids were in school.

When I read blogs and saw all of the wonderful thing people were making, it made me want to get creative again .I don't know why I ever stopped crafting. I had not made a thing in years. I actually have more time on my hands now than I did before. I figured it would be a great thing to get back into.

I had so much fun making this wreath. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed making things. There is nothing like the satisfaction of completing a project and saying "Hey, I made that!"

My supplies. I dug my glue gun out of the attic.

 

 

See the initial there? I painted it thinking I would put it on the wreath somewhere and I ended up not liking the way it looked. Maybe I will use it for something else.

I always line up my items before I glue them in to see if that's where I actually want them

I use the thinnest wire possible when making bows. It is more flexible and easy to work with.

The finished product. As soon as I finished, my daughter and my mother asked me to make them one too. I guess I will be busy.

I had some leaves left over and wanted to do something with them. I glued three together then weighted them down over night so they would lie flat and I am using them under my votive holders.

Even though I have not done any crafting, I usually always make a fresh flower arrangement every week or two. I always enjoy that.

I cant wait to try some new projects now. When I went to get supplies for my wreath, I ended up going to two different stores. I was thinking of more than one project at a time and I got overwhelmed. I walked out of the first store with nothing. I wasn't even going to bother. I forced myself to go to the other store craft store and just concentrate on materials for the wreath. That did the trick. I just put it together in my mind and it was easy.I will stick to just one thing at a time from now on. 

 

In other news, I leave for NYC today. I am still debating which of the 26 shirts, 7 sweaters, 8 pairs of shoes ( I am still debating on adding a 9th, my boots) are staying. I have been debating since last night and still have not come up with a solution, only that I want to add another shirt. I am ridiculous.

After my last trip, believe me, there are flat shoes in the mix. 

 

 I also have all of my workout clothes and sneakers packed too. I plan on hitting the gym every day. I still have not added my beauty products. I cant zipper my suitcase. Maybe I should just bring nothing and buy a whole new wardrobe there?  That would be a great concept. Honey are you reading this?

Have a great day!

Fall has arrived in New England

It doesn't really seem like fall (and I know it is still technically summer) except for the cold nights and cold mornings. I know fall is serious about being here when my tree called the burning bush starts to change colors. It is always one of my first trees to change color. The whole tree will turn a gorgeous bright red eventually, hence the name. It has started to change color this week. Now if only Moses would show up and slow down the process so that we could keep the warmer temperatures for awhile longer. As much as I want to break out the boots and sweaters, I am not ready for the cold weather!

 

I will be cooking up a storm today. It is Sunday during football season after all.  I will be making my Portobellos because the son I never had liked them so much. He is coming to watch the game with us. He is in for a treat. I will also make something different for all of you mushroom haters and I will post the recipe hopefully this week or next.  Obviously it will be something fried. It is football food after all.

 

I just hope I don't tank in the football pool this week. It will bring down my standings for the grand prize.  Maybe I can do better in the Survivor pool that will be starting up this week. We don't get to pick the players. For some reason,  I always end up with the mouthiest player that everyone wants to get rid of. I usually have to rely on my husband to win. Boston Rob came through for us big time the last time he played. That was my husbands player. I had the girl that got kicked off on the second episode. Go figure.

 

Have a great, relaxing Sunday!





The Nail Files 9/14

Today I am linking up with Tara and Vicki for the Nail Files.

OPI, Dim Sum Plum

 

This week I have on Dim Sum Plum. I love this color. I think it actually looks darker on than it does in the pictures. I would consider this a year round color. When I need some brightening up this winter, I am going to use this color. The weather is still warm and I cant justify using my really dark colors yet. Essie has some great new colors that I cant wait to try. I just hope they are not watery.

 

 

I am hoping this manicure will last until Tuesday when I leave for NY. I would love to get my nails done somewhere in NY. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could go?

 

Have a great weekend!

Its "OK" Thursday 9/13

 

I am linking up again with with Neely: A Complete Waste of Makeup and Amber: Brunch With

Amber Click the button above to visit and link up too!

"Its OK"

 

- That my dishwasher decided to call it quits the day my 4 new boxes of dishes arrived. After looking at the boxes for a few days, I couldn't take it any more and decided to wash them all by hand. Dishwashers hate me. I have only had this dishwasher for 9 months. The repair man cannot come out until Monday. I have dish pan hands.



-That after not exercising or eating very good for a week, I am back on track. I walked 6 miles yesterday. I walked the lake with a friend, came home, cooled off, then did my neighborhood walk. Could there be a correlation with my miserable attitude and lack of exercise lately? I think so.

 



-That my kids and immediate family are giving me a major meltdown lately. How much more can I give/do? Mom guilt is never ending.

 



-That I think the son that I never had was appalled at the things my daughter and I talked about when he came over for dinner on Monday.
We just try to make each other laugh during the day to pass the time. We are sickos.

 



-That I completed my first craft project in years. I made a wreath. I am happy with the outcome. Now my daughter and my mother both asked me to make them one. It gives me something to do.

-That at this time next week, I will be in NYC. I need the break. I have a list a mile long of things I want to do. I will be on my own during the day for two days.

 

 



-That I always teased my daughter that I wanted to take my favorite grand baby. She told me I could have her the other day. She is starting the terrible two's. I gave my daughter the heads up that 3 is worse. I told her I would take her when she is 5.

 



-That whoever invented face time is a genius. I love being able to see my little princess on a day to day basis.

-That it has been gorgeous out and I am trying to be outside as much as possible. I am dreading the winter.

-That I am trying to hold it together this week but I feel like a boiling pot. I am just waiting for the boil over. I just hope I don't explode.

 



-That I did horribly in the football pool this past week. I will be doing some research this week so that I can do better.

-That in the daylight I think I am seeing the beginning of a turkey gizzard. I will be slathering my neck with anything I can find. I wonder if I wrap it in saran wrap if it will work better? That will be quite the treat for my family to see.

 



-That after 47 years, I have finally figured out men. While I am thinking of all the cute outfits I will put together with my new boots, my husband is thinking of what I will look like in JUST the boots.
When it comes down to it, men are simple creatures. I guess they are easier to please than we think.

 



-That my mother was making fun of me for still doing my daughters laundry. She thinks I spoil her. Meanwhile she gets up at 5:30 in the morning to make coffee, pack a lunch (sometimes she even packs pudding with a spoon) to send my brother, who is 43, off to work. He still lives at home. Pot meet kettle.

 



-That I need to stop procrastinating right now and get out and walk. Maybe it will help my bad attitude.

 







Have a great Thursday!