~ Dear Anonymous ~

I really get a kick out of people who leave comments on my blog Anonymously. Especially those that leave negative comments. Here's the most recent in response to my Vacation Friends post.

Anonymous said...
WOW! I always knew you were a snob but this just proves it. Having a checklist of who and who's not considered a friend - it really is true what people say about you.

I have to laugh. First of all, anyone that REALLY know me, knows that the post was a joke and done so 'tongue in cheek' that I just about put my tongue clear through my cheek.

And Second, may I again say...as has been said before when such Anonymous people post on my blog, if you don't like....stop coming around to read, I didn't invite you.

I guess Anonymous won't be applying for the position.

~ Now taking Applications ~

I am now taking applications for Vacation Friends. We have an opening. Our current friends have not made themselve available to take vacations with us. They all seem to be thinking about a baby, growing a baby (or babies as the case may be) or recently had a baby and therefore not travelling, or just have a husband that doesn't want to go. (BM, you party pooper)

We discovered on the last couple trips we've taken that it's fun to take a trip together, but after a few days you sort of run out of stuff to talk about. It sure would be a lot more fun to have friends with us.

Now, I'm not looking for everyday friends. I have all I need of those. You may be wondering if you are considered one of my everyday friends. So I found a way that you will know.

If the following statements means anything to you, you are one of my everyday friends.

1. There's a sprinkler under my tent.

2. Million Candle Flashlight

3. Did you know there's Purrell in the outhouse?

If these don't mean anything to you, sorry you lose.

Next, we are not looking for long distance friends. I also feel we are set. These are the friends that are dear to you, but don't live close by. Therefore when you get together it is a great time that means a lot. JL, BS, TH.....love ya babes.

Vacation Friends. Here are the details of the position.

Want to travel to the places that we want to go, or suggest places that we decide would be fun. Have children of an age that we can take off within in a couple days notice if need be, this is a rare occassion so it is not essential. Not be irritating. It may be necassary to spend a little time together previous to actually taking our first vacation together, as I don't want to find out you are irritating at 30,000 feet and we still have a week to spend together. It may be necassary to have reference letters sent from people that don't like you so I can be sure that your qualities are ones I can put up with. Yes that is correct, that people that don't like you. They will be the most honest about how irritating you are. Financial stability is not necassary, if you want to go into debt to spend time with us, that's your business. But we will not be supporting you financially in any way to come on trips with us. However if you are rich and want to support us financially, that is fine. We prefer warm destinations. At no time will the terms, layer up or frigid temperatures be used in a conversation regarding a vacation. On our vacations we tour, sleep, eat, shop and tan. If you want to do other things, that's fine but do it on your own time.

The position is open to all ethnic and religious backgrounds. It would be nice if you were good looking so it is not a chore to look at you the whole time. Better send a picture with your application. And if you send a picture of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and claim that it is you, we will know the difference when we meet you at the airport. We may say nothing and pretend that we believe you, but it may become an issue in the air and I may push you out of the plane.

While all applications will be considered, only those that we feel will suit our purposes will be contacted.

Thank you for your time and attention.

~ What's for Dinner? ~

September is a whole new year for our family. "New Years" resolutions usually come in September rather than January. The kids are back to school and life gets busy and scheduled.

So I'm starting a new segement - like as if I get ratings or something - called What's for Dinner. I enjoy cooking, and think I'm pretty good at it. I try to cook from scratch every night and make nutrition and delicious meals. The kids don't always like everything, but you can't win every time. So the goal this month is to not cook the same thing twice...except Friday Pizza Night.

It's a lofty one, even for me.

Half the difficulty with menu planning is not having any new ideas to try. You get in a rut of the same 5-6 meals over and over. I love to try new recipes, my family doesn't always like it, but tough luck for them.

So to start out, I thought I would list what we've had for dinner this week and hope that it inspires all to try something new. It's not always fancy, but it's food.

Monday - BBQ Hamburgers

Tuesday - Ward Party - no cooking

Wednesday - BBQ Chicken, steamed Carrots and Beans (from my garden!!) potatoes dipped in Ranch Dressing.

Thursday - Meat Loaf & Stuffed Mushrooms

Friday - Pizza

Meat Loaf

One pound of raw ground beef

1 egg

1 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup milk

3 tbsp Worchestershire Sauce

Salt & Pepper

Mix together and put into loaf pan.

1 Hours @ 350

Stuffed Mushrooms

As many fresh mushrooms as you want

Pull out the stems and dice

Saute the stems in some butter

Pour in bowl and mix with 1/2 - 1 cup of bread crumbs and shredded cheese.

Stuff the mushrooms with mixture. Mound up as much as you can and then top off with some more shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and mushrooms start to turn brown.

This isn't a low fat recipe, but way yum.

I was out of breadcrumbs today and didn't want to make any from scratch. So I ground up some ritz crackers in the food processor. Um....can you say YUM!

Why are there no pictures of all these creations?! Don't press your luck sista.

~ Outakes from a Marriage ~

Outakes from a Marriage by Ann Leary

This was interesting mix of trials of a marriage mixed in with the stresses of being a celebrity. Quick easy read, but a lot of language, particularily the big bomb.

~ Losing Gemma ~

Losing Gemma by Katy Gardner

Just okay, I didn't love it. Had a great twist at the end, but most of the time I felt like I was reading just to see what happened not because I was enjoying the story.

The Woods by Harlan Coben

This book I enjoyed as much as the rest of Coben's books. I especially enjoyed the fact that it was longer so there was more goodness to read. This one took on a more serious tone and wasn't quite as witty as some of the others. But still enjoyed.