I Heart Weddings

Right now I am in New Hampshire getting ready for the second leg of our trip to fly to California to see ...


I know aren't they cute? I don't normally post pictures of people without consent but I figured since I am Corinne's favorite older sister I pretty much own her and Dan, well that's what he gets for marrying in. These two cool cats are getting married Saturday and I couldn't be more excited. These things are always fun when you know that your relly has hooked up with a really genuine person such as Dan here. I am still trying to decide what to call him so I don't get mixed up with my brother Dan. I am also trying to decide what sort of Sara element I should throw into their reception unbeknown to them-it is just what I do.

Cars Get Cold Too

Okay, they don’t really but I thought it was cute when I turned the corner to find that Ed had tenderly tucked in his toys to watch TV with him.

Why?!

Desires of the Heart

I am always so jazzed when I am able to get a good seat on Southwest, munch on my free snack and sip on my plastic cup filled with watered ice while reading Skymall. It is always especially fantastic to peruse my Skymall Maggy with Mark sitting next to me. Here's why. The truth is I have super great ideas ALL THE TIME. More often than he would like, I share these ideas of true awesomeness with my one true love. I think he tires of thinking of nice ways to tell me that my ideas just wouldn't sell. Skymall gives me the opportunity to show him-SEE SEE I thought of that first and now here it is in print reaching scads of Southwest patrons.

Skymall also gives me a chance to see all of the ideas that are truly fantastic and make myself wonder why I didn't think of it. I admit there are things that I truly want from Skymall and then there are those that I am curious about in a weird sort of a way-so much so that if I were a trillionaire I would purchase it just to satisfy this curiosity. I decided to reward my faithful readers with the items that I would never admit that I kinda want from Skymall.

Okay, here is one that I really do want the two foot tall Garden Yeti. I admit I wish that he were taller but all the reviews say he is fabulous all the same. Mark and I would move him around the yard and dress him for the seasons and the holidays.
The Adjustable Purse Organizer would this help me to eliminate the strange crumbs and mess in my purse? I also feel like I need to support his because it reminds me of the Best Bag Eva.

Wouldn't the shopkeepers be in absolute awe of my hi-tech do-hickie gizmo gadget?

Shelves, bins, labels, need I say more?
Don't have a cat but WOW! Go ahead and youtube the Litter Kwitter to see real live cats in action. Litter is gross but then a little cat bum on my toilet? I just don't know-there is just something wrong about this on so many levels yet....curious....
Maybe I could go to theme parks if I had one of these. I am so afraid of not being able to find my car. I admit sometimes after an especially long trip to Shoprite I emerge disoriented and have had a slight panic attack sensation. The panic button would come in handy so someone else could come and help navigate me to my car.

It just feels so good to squeeze my head when I have a headache so why wouldn't this work? It come with hot and cold packs.

This one is a step up from the headache relieving wrap because it has pressure AND massage. Being able to look like a Cylon apparently is a just an added bonus.
I just think Mark's two dollars would be safer in his front pocket than in his back pocket and now with this wallet it should be an option.


Mark and I have long wanted one of these bad boys to use while we watch tv and eat cookies that way we can burn as we go and still get our shows in.


The Ultrasonic Barking Dog Deterrent-disguised as a birdhouse. This patented device is supposed to stop the barking of any dog that is near it-neighbors included. What I loved about this is how cleverly it is disguised because my dog will definitely NOT know where the deterrent is coming from now.
Can you tell I get headaches a lot?


I think this would be super comfy and I like all of the pockets for storage.

Who doesn't want an R2-D2? Always been curious about this one I guess it can play hide and seek with the kids. I am a little concerned how it is able to mimic the real thing, "right down to his occasional 'bad mood'." What does this mean exactly? What does he do when he is in a bad mood is he as bad as me? Oh but then it reads, "A simple command of, 'R2, behave yourself!' snaps him out of it". Now I am won over again because the control I would feel being able to actually have one of the underlings of the house listen and respond to me with one voice command would be phenomenal!
Me thinks this is an awesome welcome mat idea if only they could make it look a little more durable.


You know just for those morning walks in Jersey. Shame I don't have a flip phone. Have a hard time reaching me? Get me one of these and then I will NEVER EVER lose my phone again. "easily flipped open to answer with a flick fo the wrist. This innovative accessory uses sturdy velcro...extensively tested by active joggers, cyclists, skate boarders, fishermen, hunters and business people."


I think my neighbor would have nothing but congrats to give to me if I covered up our mutually unsightly utility thingy majiggy with one of these huge boulders.

Monkey on the Back

Mark said it was a little hard to work with electricity this way. Better Mark than me-right?

I just loved Ed's squishy double chin in this one.

Cheers

Here’s to the end of snow days this year-I hope.

Sorry for the blur but I hate to post pictures of other kids when I don’t have parental permission. I could call but I hate calling people too so you will just have to put up with the blur. :)

Gingerbread (Cake)

Maya and I had some yogurt to use up so we decided to bake a Gingerbread Cake because well I like gingerbread. I wish that I had had some lemon curd to fold into fresh whipped cream to use as a topping but it was just as well since I didn't have any cream either. I decided to take some pictures to add to my recipe section but we accidentally ate the cake before I remembered to take a picture of the completed thing. So for now all you get is a recipe and some action shots.

Gingerbread from Tate's Bake Shop by Kathleen King

1 cup butter
1 cup dark unsulfured molasses
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 teaspoon salt
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves (can be omitted if you find it too strong)
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
23/ cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon grated orange zest from one orange (optional)
3/4 cup boiling water

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan.

Put hot water into a measuring cup to warm it; pour it out before measuring the molasses. It keeps the molasses from sticking. Melt the butter and molasses together.


In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and egg together until they are thick. Add the butter mixture and beat till it's combined. Add the flour mixture and beat till it's combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the yogurt and orange zest and mix them in. Add the boiling water and beat it in for 2 minutes.


Pour the batter into the prepared pan.


Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove the gingerbread from the oven and cool completely in the pan.

This cake freezes well and keeps for a few days at room temperature. It keeps even longer in the refrigerator if it is wrapped tight in clear plastic film or aluminum foil.