I had a record number of moonflowers bloom last night. What a sight and intoxicating fragrance! There are two more feet of flowers to the right, which couldn't fit in the picture. As it as, I had to take three photos to get most of them. 
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Too Damn Hot To Cook Dinner!
For those of you noticing my Accuweather widget on the side bar, yes - we've had almost a month now of 100+ degree days in Houston. (whimper!) Today we hit 104! Our normal high temperature of 92 would seem like a cool front to me now.
The thought of heating up the house either by burner or oven is unbearable. But we are tired of salads, sandwiches, eating out; and there's not much energy to cook either, so I thought I would try HEB's Central Market's Dinner For Two tonight.
For $13.99 we got - Almond crusted tilapia ("delicate tilapia fillets encrusted in crunchy almonds") , Golden rice pilaf ("aromatic rice seasoned with tumeric, tossed with golden raisins, almonds and cilantro"), Creamed spinach ("fresh sautee'd spinach in a light cream sauce") and two mini baguettes. They give you directions to reheat by oven or microwave. (or sticking outside!). I decided to use the microwave. Each day there is a different meal. A lot healthier and cheaper than a restaurant. And it was delicious! Dinner for Two was more like Dinner for Three...or even Four! The portions were very generous.
And with the savings and anticipation, I bought Martha Stewart's Halloween issue at Costco today - ($4.79). "Motha" Stewart - haha! Seriously, check out her cover and the magazine. It's great.
Fall will be here soon!
The thought of heating up the house either by burner or oven is unbearable. But we are tired of salads, sandwiches, eating out; and there's not much energy to cook either, so I thought I would try HEB's Central Market's Dinner For Two tonight.
For $13.99 we got - Almond crusted tilapia ("delicate tilapia fillets encrusted in crunchy almonds") , Golden rice pilaf ("aromatic rice seasoned with tumeric, tossed with golden raisins, almonds and cilantro"), Creamed spinach ("fresh sautee'd spinach in a light cream sauce") and two mini baguettes. They give you directions to reheat by oven or microwave. (or sticking outside!). I decided to use the microwave. Each day there is a different meal. A lot healthier and cheaper than a restaurant. And it was delicious! Dinner for Two was more like Dinner for Three...or even Four! The portions were very generous.
And with the savings and anticipation, I bought Martha Stewart's Halloween issue at Costco today - ($4.79). "Motha" Stewart - haha! Seriously, check out her cover and the magazine. It's great.
Fall will be here soon!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales
Labor Day Sale - September 2/5
99 cent McCall's
$3.99 Vogue
50% off notions wall
"Sew & Save" - September 4/10
50% off all thread
3-Day Pattern Sale - September 8/10
$1.99 Simplicity
$2.49 Burda - Oh WOW! These never go on sale, and what a great price, too!
99 cent McCall's
$3.99 Vogue
50% off notions wall
"Sew & Save" - September 4/10
50% off all thread
3-Day Pattern Sale - September 8/10
$1.99 Simplicity
$2.49 Burda - Oh WOW! These never go on sale, and what a great price, too!
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday Flowers
This is called "Citrus Bouquet" - I LOVE the green roses! Bonus they are Fair Trade ones, too.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Thursday Tea Time
Cost: $9.99 at Central Market
Number of teabags: 36
Number of teabags: 36
Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Red/Rooibos
Steeping time: 6 minutes
Add ins: A little bit of fat free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Vanilla chocolate
Ingredients: rooibos, beet root bits, sweet blackberry leaves, chocolate & vanilla flavoring
Ingredients: rooibos, beet root bits, sweet blackberry leaves, chocolate & vanilla flavoring
Opinion: It DOES taste like a red velvet cake! Save the calories and fat and drink a cupcake instead. And it brews such a pretty deep pink color - look! Such a pretty container, too. This is another winner!
Rating: 5+!
Rating: 5+!
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Keeping you and Texas clean and beautiful!
I found these soaps from Austin Natural Soap at Central Market in Austin, Texas. $4.99 each. I think the springing armadillos on the label of "Barton Springs Eternal" are fun! Pretty green color and smells great, too -- of sage, rosemary and rosewood. 10% of the purchase price goes to the Save Our Springs Allliance to help preserve Barton Springs. The Texas Bluebonnet is scented beautifully - lavender and sweet almond oil...and its sale benefits Keep Texas Beautiful.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Netflix Stars - The Lincoln Lawyer
5 stars! Finally, after quite a few duds not even worth mentioning here. This drama-suspense with lots of plot twists and turns was a home run! Great performances from an all-star cast of Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, Frances Fisher and Bryan Cranston. I could definitely see and suggest this could become a movie series. Unfortunately my DVD copy did not have the usual special features tab of interviews and making of featurettes, even though the Netflix description said it did. (I love those!)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thursday Tea Time
Cost: $9.99 at Central Market
Number of teabags: 36
Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Red/Rooibos
Steeping time: 6 minutes
Add ins: A little bit of fat free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Like Breyer's mint chocolate chip ice cream!
Caffeine: No
Type of tea: Red/Rooibos
Steeping time: 6 minutes
Add ins: A little bit of fat free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Like Breyer's mint chocolate chip ice cream!
Ingredients: Rooibos, carob, cocoa kernels, peppermint leaves, sweet blackberry leaves, mint, chocolate and vanilla flavoring.
Opinion: A favorite holiday combination you can enjoy year-round. Not overly pepperminty with chocolate as an afterthought. This is a perfect balance of both.
Opinion: A favorite holiday combination you can enjoy year-round. Not overly pepperminty with chocolate as an afterthought. This is a perfect balance of both.
Rating: 5+!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song
John Denver - "Calypso" - 3:36
My daughter found the John Denver VH1 Behind the Music Collection in the "treasure bin" at Best Buy for only $4.99. I always liked this song (and Shanghai Breezes), it has a very nautical cadence, perfect and fun for swimming.
My daughter found the John Denver VH1 Behind the Music Collection in the "treasure bin" at Best Buy for only $4.99. I always liked this song (and Shanghai Breezes), it has a very nautical cadence, perfect and fun for swimming.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Upcoming Jo-Ann's Sales
Super Weekend Sale - August 19/21
5 for $5 Simplicity patterns
50% off all thread - ooh, includes multipacks!
5 for $5 Simplicity patterns
50% off all thread - ooh, includes multipacks!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thursday Tea Time
This week -- The Republic of Tea "Sip for the Cure" Pink Lady Apple Green Tea
Cost: $9.99 at Central Market
Caffeine: Very little
Type of tea: Green
Caffeine: Very little
Type of tea: Green
Number of tea bags: 50
Steeping time: 5 minutes (2 minutes longer than suggested)
Add ins: Plain, and also tried a little bit of fat free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Faintly fruity
Ingredients: China green tea, apple bits, and natural Pink Lady apple flavoring
Steeping time: 5 minutes (2 minutes longer than suggested)
Add ins: Plain, and also tried a little bit of fat free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Faintly fruity
Ingredients: China green tea, apple bits, and natural Pink Lady apple flavoring
Opinion: Disappointing. Not much flavor at all. Hot or iced. Plain or sweetened. While I'm glad $1 is going towards the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, I thought it would taste and have more apple oomph. Pretty tin design, though.
Rating: 1 (for the Komen support)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 08, 2011
Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song
Zac Brown Band - "Knee Deep" (featuring Jimmy Buffett) - 3:23
Fun, bouncy song!
Fun, bouncy song!
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Upcoming Simplicity Pattern Sale
This week at Hobby-Lobby, starting tomorrow - 99 cent Simplicity patterns
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Thursday Tea Time
This week - Allegro Ready, Set, Go Wellness Tea
Cost: $5.99 at Whole Foods
Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: Black, Green, Rooibos and Yerba Mate
Steeping time: 5 minutes
Add ins: A little bit of fat free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Cinnamon, lightly fruity
Ingredients: Organic black tea, organic green tea, organic yerba mate (green), organic ginger, organic rooibos, organic eleuthero, organic cinnamon, natural chai spice flavor, organic ashwagandha, organic licorice, organic American ginseng
Opinion: This reminded me of cinnamon toast with a bit of a chai afterkick. I liked it. (And despite the name, it is NOT a laxative tea! haha!) The label says, "Assertive, with a hint of cinnamon...A little extra punch to feel and perform our best...a delicious oomph" Whether due to the power of suggestion or the actual ingredients, I think this is an absolutely yummy perfect daytime, pick-me-up tea.
Rating: 4
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song
Once you are warmed up, start splashing to this!
Alexandra Stan - "Mr. Saxobeat (Radio Edit)" - 3:15
Alexandra Stan - "Mr. Saxobeat (Radio Edit)" - 3:15
Monday, August 01, 2011
Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song
John Mellencamp - Save Some Time To Dream - 4:30
Great for the back half beginning cool down.
Great for the back half beginning cool down.
Upcoming Jo-Ann's Sales
Founders' Super Weekend Sale - August 5/7
$1.99 McCall's
$3.99 Vogue
50% off buttons
And if you spend $50, pre-tax, you'll get a $10 off Super Saver Card to use August 8/13!
August 11/13 - $1.99 Butterick patterns
$1.99 McCall's
$3.99 Vogue
50% off buttons
And if you spend $50, pre-tax, you'll get a $10 off Super Saver Card to use August 8/13!
August 11/13 - $1.99 Butterick patterns