Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Garden Girls

My mother and two of my sisters have beautiful lawns and gorgeous plant beds.  It is a passion and talent they learned from my father.  He used to grow palms trees, oak trees and vegetable gardens.  During the summer he expected us to work outside in the family nursery business. It was the last thing I wanted to do during my summers off from school.  I hated being outside watering plants and clearing weeds, so instead I would go inside to prepare drinks and lunch.  Obviously that means I don't have a green-thumb. Now I wish I did.  My sisters are naturally gifted.  They put a lot of time and effort in designing and maintaining their garden. They have a lot of knowledge about what works best in their climate and during different seasons.  My mother does a lot of container gardening at her cottage.  That woman can bring back to life a dead branch...LOL.  God seems to smile down on them and blesses them with beautiful flowers year round. 


 
Wednesday Blog Hops
 

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Happy Birthday Vera Wang


Vera Wang creations reflects her lifelong love of fashion, celebrates the romance, sensuality and spirit of modern young women.  Known for her nonchalant approach to style and luxury, Vera Wang collections resonate with her signature layering, intricate draping and exquisite attention to detail.  She was born in 1949 and raised in New York City.  Wang was a senior fashion editor for Vogue Magazine for sixteen years.  In 1990, she opened her own design salon in the New York that features her trademark bridal gowns.  Wang has expanded her brand name through her fragrance, jewelry, eyewear, shoe, houseware collections.  She launched The Vera Wang China and Crystal Collection and released her diffusion  line called Simply Vera. Her designs are to beautiful and timeless.  My daughter and I love looking at her wedding gowns, and imagining the perfect princess wedding.

MONDAY BLOG HOPS


Questions and Answers at Never Growing Old
 
1. What is your favorite food? - Love burgers
2. What color scheme is your bedroom? - Love  Natural Tones
3. Do you carry a donor card? - No, but should.
4. In your opinion, is the glass half empty or half full? - Always Half-Full
5. Vanilla or Chocolate? - Chocolate!!
 
It's Monday Hop Along with Me - Single Parent Retreat
Follow Us Monday Morning - Frugality is Free
Meet and Greet Monday - Southern Reflextions
Mingle Monday - KdBuggie Boutique
Network Monday - Ashley Petite
Meet Me on Monday Blog Hop at Inspiring You to Save
I Love my Online Friends at The Things We Find Inside



Saturday, June 25, 2011

Breakfast Is the Most Important Meal of the Day

 

Kids Need Their Morning Meal


While adults need to eat breakfast each day to perform their best, kids need it even more. Their growing bodies and developing brains rely heavily on the regular intake of food. When kids skip breakfast, they can end up going for as long as eighteen hours without food, and this period of semistarvation can create a lot of physical, intellectual, and behavioral problems for them.

A Good Investment

If you and your kids regularly skip breakfast in the interest of saving time or getting a few more minutes of sleep, remember that eating a wholesome, nutritious morning meal will probably save you time in the long run. By recharging your brain and your body, you'll be more efficient in just about everything you do. Interestingly, studies show that kids who skip breakfast are tardy and absent from school more often than children who eat breakfast on a regular basis. Preparing a good breakfast can be as quick and easy as splashing some milk over cereal. Time invested in breakfast is much more valuable than the few extra minutes of sleep you might get by bypassing the morning meal. If you and your kids seem unable to make time for breakfast, consider enrolling your children in a school breakfast program, if possible, or pack a breakfast brown-bag the night before so that you and your kids can eat on the way to school and work.

Break the Fast to Shed the Pounds

Some people skip breakfast in an effort to lose weight, but the practice is more likely to cause weight gain than weight loss. Skipping breakfast is strongly linked to the development of obesity. Studies show that overweight and obese children, adolescents, and adults are less likely to break the fast each morning than their thinner counterparts.  According to research, skipping meals, especially breakfast, can actually make weight control more difficult. Breakfast skippers tend to eat more food than usual at the next meal or nibble on high-calorie snacks to stave off hunger. Several studies suggest that people tend to accumulate more body fat when they eat fewer, larger meals than when they eat the same number of calories in smaller, more frequent meals. To teens, especially teenage girls, skipping breakfast may seem like a perfectly logical way to cut down on calories and lose weight. It's important for moms to educate their kids about the importance of the morning meal and the role it plays in maintaining good health and preventing obesity.




Thursday, June 23, 2011

Swimwear for Women

Just in time for summer, Best Swimwear for Women Over 40.  I found the article at fncimag.com in the Style section and it has information that is helpful to women of all ages.  They have practical suggestions to help women find the perfect swimsuit.  As we get older we start to want a bit more coverage and a style that enhances our inner beauty.  We want to be able to play with the kids at the pool without having to worry about a wardrobe malfunction and we also want charm the men.  Thanks to awesome designers, the new look for 2011 is eye-catching and flattering.  Most swimsuits are made to feel comfortable and tuck-in where needed.  Fabrics stay looking nice after several uses.  Now it is time to  head out to the stores or shop online.  Try on a bold look with dazzling color and new chic design.  It is worth spending a bit extra for confidence and reliability.  Start by selecting a style that accentuates your best features and then rely on the trendy design to conceal the little imperfections.  Always remember to be confident and own the moment.  This is your life so live it with grace and elegance.  You are beautiful and amazing!



Friday Blog Hops

Friday Blog Hop at Home Grown
Blog Hop Friday at Chubby Cheek
 Friendly Friday at Thanks Mail Carrier
Following Friday at Lets Just Give it Away
Friday Blog Hop at Momma to 3 Blessings
Follow Friday 40 and Over at Never Growing Old
Social Parade Follow at Smart and Trendy Moms
 Boost My Blog Friday at Design it Chic

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Bring in the Rain

It is finally raining in central Texas and we really need some relief.  Seeing the rain is spiritually refreshing for me.  It is comforting to know that God will be with us through every season of our life.  We might go through periods of drought when we feel we aren't thriving, but soon the blessed rain will come to lift us up.   Stay strong in faith because God is always with us.  Thank you God for your love and the beautiful rain.

So what do we do on a raining day?  There are so many fun things like watching a movie or catching up on some reading.  I also like to do some online browsing.  It is fun, inexpensive, and inspiring.  Here is one of my favorite online stores.  Smith and Western  is an incredibly awesome online western store.  I'm a Texas girl and ranch-style is my favorite type of clothes to wear.  I love the rustic fabrics, vibrant colors, and cowgirl bling.  From jeans to boots, there is nothing more comfortable for me than relaxing ranch wear.  There are so many western stores in Central Texas, where I live, yet I enjoy online shopping as much.  Be sure you click here to visit Smith and Western online. They have some great sales going on.  There is something for everyone in the family.  The best part is that you can do your shopping from the comfort of your own home.  What did we ever do without the internet???  Anyway my dear friends, get out this weekend and find a western store.  Let it take you back to the early days when American settlers who were pioneering towards the West.  Our nation's history is filled with Cowboys, Indians, and beautiful Spanish senoritas.  It is a love story deeply rooted in our heritage.  This is what western wear means to me. 


 
(Pictures courtesy of Smith and Western)
 

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Healthy Tools

I went to the doctor Friday afternoon for a check-up and a plan to get in better health.  As I get older I need to be healthier physically and it is never to late to start.  Thank God everything seems well so far except for my eating habits, which needs to improve.   I was told to exercise daily and to eat healthier foods.   That means no more burgers, fries, and sodas.  My plan to eat fish, chicken, fruits, vegetable, and water.  I love the Fruits and Vegetable Tools the Williams-Sonoma has.  With easy to use tools that are also cute, there is no excuse to not to eat fresh fruits every day.  With time and discipline I will be on the good road to a happier and healthier me. 
 
 

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Me and my Migas

Migas Tacos are a typical Latin breakfast that incorporates lightly crushed tortilla chips along with a mixture of eggs scrambled with diced tomatoes, chopped jalapeƱo peppers and onion. The Spanish word "migas" translates as "crumbs" and rightfully so.  It is the Latin version of an omelet. Growing up in a Hispanic home meant that we often made "Migas" for breakfast and occasionally for dinner.   I loved having Miga tacos with refried pinto beans.  Sometimes after along day of work when I don't feel like cooking up a huge meal, we will make Miga Tacos for supper.  The way the kitchen smells with the beautiful ingredients cooking on the stove, it takes me back to growing up in deep south Texas.  I think I'm going to make some this weekend....yum, yum.


Ingredients
1/3 cup lightly crushed tortilla chips
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped jalapeƱo peppers
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Pinch of salt and pepper
2 (8-inch) soft taco-size flour tortillas, warmed
1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded
2% reduced-fat Mexican four-cheese blend

Preparation 
SautƩ the first 4 ingredients listed in hot oil in a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes or just until onion is translucent. Next, whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper. Add to skillet, and cook. Gently fold eggs, without stirring heavily to 2 minutes or until eggs begin to set together. Spoon the miga eggs into warm tortillas, and sprinkle with cheese; serve immediately.

Thursday Blog Hops


  

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

National Smile Power Day


National Smile Power Day is today, June 15th, 2011.  Smile power can't fuel a car or substitute for currency, but we think it deserves just as much national attention as any other matter. Smiles are perfect for breaking the ice, avoiding a fight, and getting free stuff. Smiles show that we're happy and, in turn, they make people around us feel happy. That's right, they're contagious, but in a good way. So turn that frown, or that flat-mouthed indifferent look, upside down. Show off your smile power today.

What Makes You Smile?

 
Wednesday Blog Hops
Welcome Wednesday at Take it From Me
Follow Me Wednesday at 3 Four and Under


 

Flag Day

I am so proud to be an America.  I believe in the strength and honor of our country.  I feel pride and privileged to live in a democracy.  Many people sacrificed their life to protect our country and preserve our freedom.  Today is Flag Day and I salute our military and civil workers who put their lives on the line every day for our safety.  My hopes are that everyone in the country to live their life to their fullest potential and honor our basic foundation.  I pray that people have the desire to serve a God, support their family, and uphold our Constitution.  May children be raised with morals and vision for a great future.  I pray for those in public service, that they may serve for the greater good and not for their personal gain.  We are a country of free people and free will.  Every single person in this country has something special to contribute to our community.  Society needs everybody's input, so work towards success with discipline and accountability.   The American Dream is not a hand-out, it is a hand-up.  Reach your hand to those in need through education and opportunties. Encourage people to be self-sufficient and to have pride in their abilities as American citizens.  We are a nation founded on God and built through the strength of Jesus Christ.  Live everyday with joy, friendship, and love.  God Bless us All.



 
Tuesday Blog Hops
 
 


 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Rustic Romance

I love the romance scenes in western movies.  They are set around a time of survival, with untamed horse and unknown lands.  They seek to discover the west and end-up finding their soul.  They awake to the morning doves nestled in the brush and they sleep in an open grand canyon at midnight.   Rustic romance movies have an everlasting effect of the American spirit.  I long to find the same type of passion and love.  Maybe my cowboy is waiting out there for me or maybe not.  As I travel through my "single-mom" life in search of new territory, I wonder what lays ahead.  My son leaves for college in a couple of months and my daughter will be in 11th grade.  Soon I will be alone to find my own adventure in God's plan.   Will my life be filled with the delight of wisdom and the thrill of new found courage?  Will it be the anticipation for what the morning might bring, or the thrill of what is already here?   I want a life that honest, simple, and reliable.  It may be a life shared with someone else or a life enjoyed on my own. Either way, I look with hope for my own rustic romance with life.

Treasure the love you receive above all.
It will survive long after your good health has vanished.
Og Mandino


Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.
Aristotle
Monday Blog  Hops
1. What is your favorite yogurt flavor?  Strawberry & Banana
2. Ankle or knee socks? and on the same theme, white socks or coloured?? White Ankle Socks
3. How is the weather right now?  It is Freakn' HOT
4. Are you a fast typer?   Yes
5. Red or White Wine?  Red Wine darling, of course!

It's Monday Hop Along with Me - Single Parent Retreat

 

Friday, June 10, 2011

Happy Birthday Sofia


Sofia is the daughter of my niece Stacie.  Sofia is turning 2 years old and is having a birthday party on Saturday.  I just know she is going to have such a fun time.  Sofia lights up a room when she walks in.  She has such a cute smile and endless energy.  God has a way of sending angels to us, and Sofia is a blessing to all of us.  Happy Birthday Sofia.