Boots, Bonefire and Baking

I finally found some riding boots I like and FIT! They are by Etienne Aigner. I've been looking all over and tried on many pairs and none of them worked out. I've always had thin legs and I am still working on getting some muscle mass back in my calves. I was about ready to give up.

I haven't worn them yet. Weather has been very nice again. It was in the 70's today :) but it sounds like that is about to change.

Saturday night we went to my Mother-in-laws house for a bonfire. I don't think I'd been to a bonfire since HS. It was so much fun! My Sister-in-law made chili, Mexican hot chocolate and we roasted hot dogs and the kids made Sm ores' . It was a perfect night a little cold but not windy at all. This was my view most of the night.

Our god-daughter Yvette and her cousin Mia roasting some marshmallows for their Sm ores'.

Now about the baking. I don't know why I hadn't written about this yet. But this is a little something I've been working on from home. I've been making and selling Organic dog treats for about 6 months now. (I did take a break in mid June and July for Katie's bridal shower, The family reunion and the wedding. Wow! We had a very busy Summer!) I got the idea to make these dog treats from our trip to Orlando in April. We found this little store that sold organic dog food and dog treats that were decorated with frosting and sprinkles. I bought my dogs 2 cookies in the shape of Micky's face and ears. They were so cute! I took a picture of the cookies with my phone but, my phone is not letting me download anything to FB or Blogger. I've taken it in twice. Anyway, I think it's time for a new phone! Too bad I have to wait until December Ugh!!

I've been able to sell them to family members, friends and neighbors. Some of John's co-workers both at the Army Reserve Unit and his civilian job have also placed orders for the dog treats. I even sold some at a local craft show a few weeks ago. I have 3 different recipes right now. One has peanut butter and honey, another one has fresh mint leaves perfect for dogie breath and upset tummy and the third one is all veggie and has sweet potatoes and squash. I sell more of the peanut butter and honey bites then any of the others. I just found a recipe for some pumpkin treats. My Mom comes over and helps me make them. Thanks and love you Mom! My dogs are happy to do QC Ha! I plan to try out this new recipe soon. I had wanted to go out and get the ingredients today but got to doing laundry ooh! FUN!...only not so much.

This is how I've been packaging them so far. What do you think?

My Furbabies

I was looking at my past post. I can't believe I haven't talked about my beautiful dogs! I love these dogs! I call them my furbabies. They give me unconditional love and they are always happy to see me. When I was sick last year, I swear they knew I was sick. If I was having a bad day or upset about something. They would come and jump up on the sofa with me and just lay there or sleep with me. I even remember John, who never allows them to sleep in the bed with us, putting them in bed with me. Wow! That brings tears to my eyes. We've come so far!

This is my 2 year old Sheltie. Her name is Farrah. Yes, she was named after Farrah Fawcett. She came from a breeder. We picked her up the day after Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson died. She didn't have much hair as a puppy but, as you can see she has beautiful hair now. I just love her coloring. She was the pick of the litter.

She /they love to sit by my slippers.


This is Ginger. She is 7 years old. She is the first dog I have ever had. John grew up with dogs. My parents never cared to have any pets in the house. Who could blame them with a full house. We rescued her from the Naperville Animal Shelter as a 6 week old puppy. Ginger came from a litter of 7. They told us they found the puppies in an alley in Michigan.

Do you remember the stuffed animals "Pound Puppies"? A very popular toy in the 80's. Well, Ginger is my Pound Puppy. Ha! Can you see the resemblance?

Boots and Crafts

I finished working on this frame today. A friend requested I make her a pink and purple frame for a picture of her Grand-daughter. I was going to distress it some but, once I finished it; I liked the way it turned out. I tried getting a clear picture of the fabric rosettes. I'm looking at getting a new lens for my camera. I just can't seem to zoom in and get clear close up pictures. I have a Canon Power Shot S3IS that I've had for a few years now.


I found this frame at a thrift store this Summer. I think it was $6. I had seen this idea on Pinterest. So today we went out to Menard's and I found the chicken wire. I just cut the chicken wire to size and John helped me staple it to the back. I still need to finish the back somehow so that it doesn't scratch the wall. I'll show you once I figure out how I'm going to do that :)

This close up didn't turned out too bad .

I've been looking for riding boots. Yesterday, I went to TJ Maxx and I tried on a few boots. Uh! How frustrating! I couldn't find any that fit me well around my calves. They were all too BIG! These are a few of the ones I've found online. I don't think I'll order any of these boots without trying them on in a store first. I like these boots but I don't remember who makes them. I like the color and style.

These boots are from Salvatore Ferragamo. This is the look I'm looking for but these are a bit over my price range.

These are Franco Sarto riding boots.

I think they look a little too cheap. So the hunt continues for boots that will fit me well and won't break the bank.

All Good Things

Yesterday was our 14th Wedding Anniversary. Unfortunately we spent it at the U of C with me getting a CT. (It was a scheduled appointment) Last week when the Doctor said, we'll do the CT next Tuesday, the date wasn't the first thing on our minds. We had talked about going to dinner afterwards but, it was such a long day and traffic was awful. We just wanted to get home and relax. So we had leftovers and watched one of our favorite shows. John ran out to the store for his drink of choice (Miller Lite) HA! He surprised me with this

a triple chocolate cake

Oops! Sorry, forgot to get a picture before we cut into it :D Can you tell we like our chocolate cake!

In other good news no, make that GREAT news!

My Oncologist, Dr. Klein, called me early this morning...CT showed no change! I am still Cancer FREE! Praise be God!

I haven't done much today. I still feel tired from yesterday. I wish I didn't spend so much time and energy on worring about these test, but I do. I hope and pray it gets easier as time goes by. I know I am truely blessed. We have a lot to be greatful for.

We are planning to go out to dinner sometime this weekend to celebrate our anniversary and my test results.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Link

I wanted to let you know the name of the blog where I got my idea for putting lamps and books into small boxes. The blogs name is Gracious Southern Living. Thank you Judy! Very creative idea =)

What I'm Lovin' Tuesday

I heard about this product in a book by Maria Menounos "The Every Girls Guide to Life" In her book she shares everything from different products she uses, food & health and even some family recipes (Her parents are Greek) She also talks about organization ideas she uses in her busy life. I heart a good lip balm, I found it at Sephora. I don't remember the price right now. It has a bit of a sweet scent. I used it this Summer but I think it will work nicely for my Winter chapped lips.

I drank this coconut water all Summer. I started drinking it last year. The pineapple flavor is my favorite. I found them at a local super market. But, I've also bought them at Whole Foods. I like them super cold. Just grab a straw and go!

I recently changed to this Cetaphil facial cleanser. I had been using Neutrogina products for as long as I can remember. It is very gentle but I use it after I take off my make-up with one of those pre-moistened towelettes. I've noticed a change in my skin not overly dry.

I think I've told you before how much I like my shower gels. Well, Philosophy's Grace is my all time favorite. It has a very nice, soft, clean scent. You can use it as a shower gel, bubble bath and shampoo.

And lastly, I'm lovin' Burt's Bees Body Oil. I like it for after a shower or adding a few drops into bath water.

That's my list for this week!

Pinterest Love

Have I told you how much I heart Pinterest?! If you haven't had the chance to look at this site please, let me know and I'll send you an invitation. I have found everything from gift and craft ideas to recipes. Some people out there in blog land are very clever =) Here are a couple of things I have found on Pinterest.

John loves this weather because I make his favorite comfort food like beef stew and chicken & dumplings. The other day I was busy getting ready for a craft fair and had to make more
dog treats to sell. Anyway, I remembered I had seen this recipe for chicken & dumplings in a crock pot on Pinterest. A quicker version of the original recipe I make. Here is the recipe:

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breast

2 tablespoons of butter

1 can chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup ( I used Campbell's)

1 onion (diced)

1 tablespoon dried parsley

4 Grand flaky refrigerator biscuits

* fresh carrots and frozen peas

put everything in the crock pot (except for the biscuits) cook on high for 3-4 hours. After it has cooked for that time. Then cut up the biscuits into 9 pc. add to pot and cook for another 35 min.

* I added fresh carrots and frozen peas to the one I made.

John really liked it. I thought the dumplings were a bit too doughy/raw. I think I like them better from my other recipe but, this was nice and quick for a busy weekday dinner. If you try it. Let me know what you think =)

Here is a clever idea. You know those plastic hangers you get when you buy dress slacks or a skirt. Well don't throw them out. break off the clips at the ends and use that as chip clips. How come I never thought of that?!

So there you have it. What ideas have you tried from Pinterest?