MY 100TH POST GIVEAWAY

YEAH!!! It's finally here!! My 100th post, can you believe it? Sometimes it feels I've been blogging forever and then it's like I did my first post yesterday. I remember writing my first one and wondering how long it would take for someone to actually read my blog. I even offered a prize to the first comment thinking I really didn't have to plan anything right away because it would probably take awhile. I had been reading and commenting for about a year before I took the plunge so I figured everyone would know me as a non-blogger. Well lo and behold my friend Crystal came to visit and I had to scramble to come up with something. I was so pleased Crystal was my first because I have been visiting her for a long time.

I have met and made so many new friends and you all mean so much to me. If you don't post or comment for awhile I get worried. I want all of you to know how much you mean to me.

OK Shut Up Judy and get down to business....SHEEESH!!! Since this is the middle of the week I'm giving extra time to comment. I will close the giveaway on November 21. I think that is next Friday. Maybe I should look do you think? This is everything that will be included. Whoops sorry you can't have my babies. I was getting ready for work this morning and they were both watching me as usual so thought I would take a picture of them. So do you suppose Anna sits on the commode so I can't lift the lid and throw her in? This is an everyday occurrence. They are usually in whatever room I am. And remember these aren't part of the giveaway. I don't want anyone to be disappointed.

The 12 days of Christmas towel is though. Don't you think it's cute?

You all liked my fall spatulas so I thought you might like a Christmas one or two. The little one is awesome for getting into small jars. The large one has candy canes and peppermint candies and the small one has a reindeer.

And last but not least is the Holiday Baking book by Linda Collister. It's a great book and she gives advice on making ahead which is always nice this time of year. And as a bonus I'm giving you two of the beautiful tea flowers.

OK everyone, please comment and I will have Bailey draw a name on Saturday November 22 and will post the winner. And I looked, it's the right date!! He did such a fantastic job for the honey giveaway I thought it would be fun to let him do it again.

Another Orchid Update and a Play Along with Nola

Do you think the buds are getting bigger? You can actually see the pink in them now. I took the picture this morning and I think they are bigger tonight. OK it's my imagine!! Or maybe "old age" and I'm delusional? Please don't answer that. Thank You.

I was reading Nola's blog this morning and she did a Meme from Dianne so thought I'd play along since I'm at 98 now!!! NO not my age, my number of posts!!

1. Where is your cell phone.~~ ~In my purse and off as it should be.

2. Where is your significant other?~~~Don't have one, don't want one

3. Your hair color? ~~~Well I used to be a brunette and colored it for years but one day I decided to see what color it actually was and I let it grow out. I decided I liked it so I'm very silver today.

4. Your Mother? ~~~She'll be 90 next year.

5. Your Father?~~~ He died many many years ago.

6. Your favorite thing?~~~ Cooking...Shock huh?, reading, and visiting all you

7. Your dream last night? ~~~OK now you are going to call the men in the white jackets. My dream was a continuation of the nights before and it was really weird. Do you have serial dreams?

8. Your dream goal?~~~To stay healthy and always be happy

9. The room you're in? ~~~Living room

10. Your hobby?~~~cooking

11. Your fear?~~~ Not being able to take care of myself

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? ~~~Here

13. Where were you last night?~~~Home

14. What you are not?~~~ 40

15. One of your wish list items?~~~ to visit France where my ancesters were born.

16. Where you grew up?~~~Mostly Denver, I was born in MO and moved to CA. I came here when I was 12.

17. The last thing you did?~~~ Dishes

18. What are you wearing?~~~ Sweats

19. Your TV? ~~~~~Living room and bedroom

20. Your Pets?~~~ Anna and Bailey

21. Your computer? ~~~ My friend made it so who knows

22. Your Mood? ~~~Happy

23. Missing someone?~~~not right now

24. Your car?~~~ 2008 Nissan Versa

25. Something you're not wearing?~~~No shoes, no bra, no makeup

26. Favorite Store?~~ Macy's

27. Your summer?~~~ Serene

28. Love someone?~~~ My kittens and my children

29. Your favorite colors? ~~~ Purple, blue

30. When was the last time you laughed?~~~ Today when Anna and Bailey were being silly

31. When was the last time you cried?~~~ When my back was soo soo painful

Hope you enjoyed and please play along. It's fun!! Have a great week!!

A Weekend Laugh

My daughter sent me this email and I thought you would love it too!!

How to wash a toilet. This was simply too much of a time saver not to share it with you.

1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close the lid. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a 'power-wash' and rinse'.
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift the lid.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, And run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.



Sincerely,
The Dog!!

Tea

I love tea. I think I've been hanging around Mandy and Debbie too long. Have you tried the ones that open up into flowers when you put them hot water? So much fun and so pretty. I love tucking them in gifts as an extra little bonus.

I love my teacup. I bought it from Anthropologie.com several years ago.

Isn't it pretty when it opens up? Ok this is my 97th post...we are getting closer and I'm planning my 100th giveaway!!! It's going to be fun!!! Maybe I'll add one of these little flowers too! Good idea!!

My Almost 100th Post and An Award

I hope everyone voted today!!!

Did you know this is my 96th post? Isn't that awesome? I can't believe I've rambled on this long. I'm trying to think of something awesome for a 100th giveaway.....so stay tuned!!

Marie Antoinette Award- a real person, a real award! Thank you to Nola of Alamo North. Here are the Rules for the Award:
1. Please put the logo on your blog. Place a link to the person from whom you received the award. Nominate at least 7 or more blogs. Put the links of those blogs on your blog.

I am going to pass this on to all you. It is so hard to choose and you are all so deserving so please grab the picture and post it on your blog.

Orchid Update

I actually have more buds on my orchid and I think they are bigger don't you? I've had lots of advice mostly PATIENCE!! Oh good grief please send me some!! I have absolutely NONE!! You can't see in the picture but the ends are a darker color. I wish I could remember the color but we will just have to wait. Debbie thought I should have a contest as to what color it will be. She said it would be white with yellow centers. I had a dark pink, light pink, white with yellow center and a lady slipper. That is the only one I remember the name of. I think this was a pink one, well no on second thought maybe it was the white one. I hope we find out soon.

This one actually has new leaves and doesn't look too bad. I have one more that looks kind of sick so I didn't take a picture of it.

I cooked all weekend. Don't know what possessed me but I couldn't leave my kitchen. I made a pumpkin cake that is just OK. The one I usually bake is a big cake so I don't like making it unless I know someone will be around to eat it all. I'll have to post the recipe because it is the best. I got it from Molly at Orangette a few years ago.

This one came from Martha. I changed the icing a little by making a cream cheese icing with honey. Hers was a little different.

It does look good though doesn't it and yes, I took a bite.

I also made Theresa's chocolate cookies. So easy and so good. I have seen recipes using cake mixes but never tried one until now. I will definitely make these again. I told her I was going to post her cookies and to expect extra company. I did add nuts too!!

Have a great week and thank all of you for your visits and comments. They mean so much to me.

White Chili and Chocolate Cake

Doesn't this chocolate cake look delicious? It was a very easy recipe to make and very chocolaty and good. Of course what made with chocolate isn't? It is one of those forbidden recipes that I tested but since I changed a couple of things it's mine now!!!

Easy Chocolate Snack Cake

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp kosher salt or table salt

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 oz chopped fine bittersweet chocolate

1 cup hot coffee

2/3 c mayonnaise

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

Lightly spray pan 8 inch square pan with Pam.

Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt together in large bowl. In another bowl, combine cocoa powder and chocolate. Pour hot coffee over cocoa mixture and mix until melted and smooth. Let cool slightly. Whisk in mayonnaise, egg, vanilla into chocolate batter. Stir mayonnaise mixture into flour mixture until combined.

Bake 350 for 30 minutes.

Let cool and serve with sweetened whipped cream.

Delicious!!

Cheryl and I were emailing and I mentioned making white chili and she said she wanted me to post it because she had never had any. I got this recipe from my sister in law years ago. It is so easy to make and leftovers are even better so make a big batch. I usually double it!!

White Chili

12 oz ground turkey

1 med chopped onion

1 garlic clove minced

1 can Great Northern Beans rinsed and drained

1 4 oz can green chili's diced

1 can chicken broth

Water

1 tsp ground cumin

salt/pepper to taste

Cook turkey, onion and garlic. Drain fat off and add rest of ingredients and enough additional broth and/or water to cover. Let simmer for 30 minutes.

If you want it a little thicker stir 2 Tbls flour in 1/4 cup water. Stir into chili and cook until thick. I usually don't thicken mine.