THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Monday, August 24, 2009

One Brown Shoe, One Black Shoe

Years ago, before children, well, not before children as a whole, but before I had my own children, I was a hair stylist. I told you I was a Jill of All Trades (read my profile). I went to "beauty school" while attending college, yes, I did both at the same time...multi-tasking at its best. As a young child I always loved brushing my daddy's hair...what he had of it...and setting my mother's hair in rollers and backcombing to my hearts content...you don't get in trouble for pulling your mother's hair and what a stress reliever. So, for me to attend "beauty school" was not unusual at all.

The start of it all was a beauty shop doll. As I remember it, there were lots of rollers, clippies, combs, brushes, scissors, perm rods,....no wait, maybe that was my beauty school kit that still sits in my attic, but anyway, that doll was the beginning of my hair styling love.

You may wonder what all this has to do with one brown shoe and one black shoe, but it does. When working as a hairstylist, you are in personal contact with lots of people. Patrons feel so comfortable that they share their deepest, darkest secrets. What is said in a hair stylist's chair stays in that chair! Have you ever thought about what you share with your hairstylist? I shed tears, shared laughter, and shampooed my way into the lives of so many during those years.

It is only one time of laughter that I will share with you because he laughed at himself. A very prim and proper man came to me about once a month for a trim. He didn't have a lot of hair so to cut it rather than trim it was quite a concern, but he trusted me. Don't you trust your hair stylist?

As he sat down in the shampoo chair and I raised his feet, I thought it funny and so did he, when he noticed that he had on one brown shoe and one black shoe...just the same in every way, except. He let out a little chuckle, this prim and proper man, to think that he had been wearing different colored shoes all day...during important business meetings...not even to notice until now. How many had laughed behind his back? How many had been made to feel at ease that he was not so prim and proper?

I think of him when I do something embarrassing or out of the ordinary or when your laughter could be at my expense...

I am spending this week in a very south Texas town and that means hot, hot, hot! My hard-working, steel toe shoe wearing, world traveling husband is here on business, so I packed my bags and came along. A big concern for me when I travel is always the water...not the drinking kind, although in some places that could be a concern...but the showering kind of water. Will my hair be soft or will it be dry? Remember, I am a hair stylist at heart and my hair matters! My hair depends on the water. Will there be lots of water pressure or just a trickle of water coming from the shower head?

I came prepared with all of my hair products neatly packaged in different colored travel-sized bottles. I placed them in the shower ready to work magic with whatever the water type or amount of water pressure. With my hair wet and ready for shampoo, I reached for the brown shoe turquoise bottle and squirted the proper amount of purple liquid into the palm of my hand, applying it to my hair. There were no bubbles! Really hard water! or would that be soft water? It had to be the water!

Wait a minute! My shampoo is a turquoise liquid that must be in the black shoe purple bottle that is sitting on the counter...not in the shower...my very expensive hair styling product is a purple liquid that must be in the brown shoe turquoise bottle. I should have color coordinated better!

My body wash and conditioner are the same color in clear bottles. Did I wash with my conditioner and condition with my body wash? I think I need to get this all straight before I step in the shower tomorrow!

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Rocks in My Pockets Shoe

By the end of the day yesterday, my heel felt as though I had a rock in my pocket shoe all day....a large, rugged, rough, ugly rock!



I'm not sure what caused it because I had worn flip flops all day, but a "rock stone bruise" just the same. With every step I was reminded of the pain!

Yesterday evening, my hardworking, steel toe boot wearing, world traveling husband returned home from a business trip to New Orleans...sometimes his travels take him a short distance rather than around the world...to find me complaining. I was so absorbed in my pain as I prepared a simple dinner for him that I was negligent in showing how much I appreciated the gift that he brought to me. When I saw the bag, I knew what it was, didn't even open it completely...just peeped into the top of the small velveteen pouch and sat it on the kitchen table.



I continued on with my stirring, seasoning, and steaming of an array of fresh vegetables...my favorites. We were having a vegetable plate for dinner...not what a man, especially a hardworking one, calls the best of meals...where's the beef? Did he demand that I do it his way? Not at all. Did I choose to do it his way? I really don't want to answer that!

I turned away from my busy-ness to see my sweet husband gently pouring the contents of the small velveteen pouch on the kitchen table.



I understood his thoughts as he separated and admired each stone...



and how pretty they would be in the birdbath...



He knew just what I would do with them. He saw the beauty and waited patiently for me to acknowledge and thank him for his gift.

For some reason I was reminded of the rock cross in my pocket shoe wallet that my daddy gave to me years ago as a daily reminder of God's gift.



God saw the beauty in His gift...His Son, Jesus.

God waited patiently for me to acknowledge and accept His gift.

God deserves my heart-felt thankfulness.

How often does He wait patiently for me to thank Him for His beautiful gift? Am I so busy doing work for Him my way that I neglect His will? Am I so absorbed in myself that I forget to acknowledge His presence in my life?

A rock...

A stone...

A cross...

Maybe the next time I feel as though there has been a rock in my pocket shoe, I will call it a "stone cross bruise" and thank God for His Son.

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

There's Nothing Like a New Pair of Shoes...

...unless it is a new home.



My adorable, happy-go-lucky niece moved into a perfect bungalow this summer. She is so proud of her new home and rightly so. So adorable...so perfect...so her!

She had a "Come On Over" party this afternoon. These shoes are made for walking pictures are made for talking....they say it all!












Sunday afternoon is my time for cooking my Meals On Wheels, but I decided to go a different route so I could "Come On Over". We all have days, weeks, or months that are busy and cooking takes a seat on the back burner. There is nothing wrong with resorting to pre-prepared foods...at least for the main part of the meal. Sunday Dinner recipes are not recipes at all....but main dishes that bring a meal to the front burner as easy as stop, drop, and roll shop, heat, and serve.

"The Only One They Got" BBQ Sloppy Joe

1 tub (5 lb) Sam's Club Hickory Smoked Beef (the only one they got)
1 pkg. hamburger Buns
1 pkg. of your favorite chips
1 jar of pickles (opt.)
1 cantaloupe, cut into bite-sized pieces or your favorite fresh fruit


"The Biggest Rotisserie Chicken to Be Found"

1 Kirkland Brand rotisserie chicken from Costco

Serve with a favorite vegetable, salad and/or fruit.


These are two of my favorite substitutes when life gets in the way of cooking. It is not necessary that you tell Sam's Club or Costco that I sent you their way...they don't know who I am...I have to show my picture ID every time I walk through the door.

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Black Velvet Mary Jane's

When my daughter was a baby...almost 29 years ago, I bought her a pair of black velvet Mary Jane's. They looked so sweet on her feet that had not yet touched the floor. These shoes would not have been practical after starting to scoot across the floor or crawl, not wanting the velvet to be scuffed off on the toes! Some shoes are just for looking cute, don't you think?

Saturday was the annual Peach Festival in Weatherford, TX. What a fun...and hot...way to spend a Saturday...playing putt-putt with a peach...



...listening to live music...



...and scouring the antiques shops and the many craft booths for interesting objects d'art for the garden.



Around the town square, homemade peach ice cream, hot pans of crusty peach cobbler with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, and a cold frosty peach julep could be bought to cool the tongue....didn't do much for the rest of your body.

Most of us think of Georgia when our mouths water for the taste of a peach, but let me tell you that Parker County peaches...



...have a sweetness of their own. This year...the sweetness came with a price! We bought a half peck of large, juicy, velvety peaches and a small bag of small, tart, also velvety ones...my husband's favorite...easy to pick up and eat before the juice runs down your arm.

Early this morning, I received an email with a recipe for Skillet Peaches which gave me an idea...here is my rendition...

Skillet Peaches

1 Rolled refrigerated pie crust
1 T. butter, melted
1 to 2 T. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Let pie crust stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Unroll crust on lightly floured surface. Brush with 1 T. melted butter and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Cut pie crust in half and then into strips. Place strips on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned at 375.

6 to 8 peaches, pitted and halved or quartered
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup mango nectar
2 T. brown sugar

In skillet, melt 1/3 cup butter on medium heat. Add peaches, skin side up. Cook 4-5 minutes, turning once. Remove peaches. Add nectar and brown sugar to skillet. Cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and a syrup forms. Spoon syrup over peaches. Serve with Ice Cream and Pastry strips.


...so as you probably guessed...some of our peaches made their way into a skillet and the soft velvety skin came out looking like it had made a few scoots across the floor. Soon those peaches will make their way into a bowl covered in the sweet syrup, a dollop of vanilla Blue Bell, and strips of sugared pie crust.

Scuffs on a velvet shoe...not so pretty, but Skillet Peaches....perfect!

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Buying Shoes for a Sister?

Is that possible? You might know a shoe size. You might know a favorite color. You might know....what else is there? What else would you need to know?
Shoes are so personal! Do you want someone, even your best friend or sister picking out your shoes?

This weekend the pressure was on! I received a phone call asking me what I was cooking for the week. As you know, my sister and I trade meals every Sunday. We don't usually share what we are cooking ahead of time...it is always a surprise....not at all like picking out a pair of shoes for someone...food can be disposed, hidden in a purse (remember Sophia from Golden Girls), eaten while holding your nose, or given to the neighbors that won't let you know that it wasn't good just to be nice or maybe they will pass it on to the next neighbor who will pass it on to the next neighbor. Maybe just maybe, it will end up back on your doorstep. Wouldn't that be funny? Just try to do that with a pair of shoes!

Over the last almost two years (time sure does fly) that we have been cooking for each other, there have been a few flops, but not usually on the same week. She had already cooked, tasted, and critiqued her dish for this week. According to her, it was not good and I was challenged told to cook "something good" or we just wouldn't eat...hmmmm...new weight loss program? What to do? What if my taste was different than hers?

In my family, we play a little game when trying to decide where to go eat. It goes a little like this....What do you want to eat?....Food...What kind of food?....Good food...What kind of good food?...Real good food....What kind of real good food? This goes on until someone just makes a decision and that is that!

What happened to the time when there were few choices? You ate what was put on the table and everyone was happy to satisfy their hunger. Mom made the decision and that was that. Shoe stores were limited, too....black, brown, white, and dye to match for a special occasion...play shoes, school shoes, work shoes, Sunday shoes... Was life easier or just boring?

I made a decision... Sunday Dinner recipe...the pressure was off when I settled for boring, easy, and comfort...old faithful, tried ant true.... Company Chicken . My partner in Sunday Dinner recipes could have prepared Chicken Tetrazini or Spaghetti D'Amore. Either would have been alright with me. (Her dish was good...recipe to be shared after she gives it to me.) To make up for what she thought was so bad, she made a family (and neighbor) favorite dessert...so much for the new weight loss program!

Easy Apricot or Peach Strudel

2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup sour cream
1 cup butter
1 jar of apricot or peach preserves
coconut
pecans (optional)

Mix well first three ingredients together. Let stand in refrigerator at least one hour. Then divide into fourths and roll dough about 13 inches long and 8 inches wide. Spread preserves along the long side of dough. Sprinkle with coconut and pecans (optional). Roll up in jelly roll fashion and seal ends. Arrange on a cookie sheet and bake at 450 for 18 to 20 minutes. Wen done sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Slice at an angle. Makes 48 slices.




With that sitting on the kitchen counter for the next few days hours, I hope I won't be out shoe shopping because I need a new size!

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Barefoot in the Park Crack Garden

Not so barefoot...you know me, and not so naive, either.

Last night after working on a small project in the backyard, I proclaimed to my youngest son that he should go take a look at my "crack garden". Of course, we had to discuss what I had just said. He tried to explain to me that "crack" doesn't grow....it is manufactured. How naive could I be?

Don't children always think that their parents are naive to the things of the world? Wouldn't it be great if we could be? Maybe they want us to be "innocent" just like we want them to stay "innocent".

There was a time when I was so naive that I thought Watergate had something to do with the Trinity River in Dallas. That was a time when wedding dresses, shag haircuts, and the latest in cork soled shoes were of more concern to me than what was being discussed on the news.

When children became a part of my everyday life, it was very important for me to be well informed. I would say, it became a matter of protection. If I didn't know what was in the world, how could I know how to protect these precious lives that God had entrusted to me. I had to know. I was to live not of the world, but rather in the world...no longer naive....a shock to my children because I don't always share everything I know until the time is right.

So when I wanted my son to visit my "crack garden", I was just having a little fun although it really was a "crack garden".



I had been spray painting some metal flowers and while they dried I stuck them in the "cracks" in the ground. In a hot, Texas summer, cracks in the ground can happen overnight no matter how much it is watered.

You may wonder why I was spray painting metal flowers. I stole an idea from a friend...thank you, Marcy!



which led me to some other ideas to add color to my garden.



My little red wagon gets too hot for real flowers to flourish. I won...now I have flowers where flowers won't grow!

I love my backyard...it still needs a little work...a garden always requires work, but what a great place for a little whimsy, reading a book in the swing, listening to running water in the birdbath,



and enjoying the "fruits" of our labor....



...yes, we have grapevines that really produce grapes!



I will be not of this world, but in this world...not so barefoot and not so naive!

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Agony and Defeat of Stilettos

Stilettos have very high, thin heels. Your posture is changed when your feet are styling with stilettos and a balancing act is required not to twist an ankle...it might take some practice. While wearing these body slimming wonders, a quiet entrance into a room just won't happen. The tap, tap, tap will be noticed even in the noisiest room.

I could not let today go by without a word. Wishing "Happy Father's Day", has a new meaning for me. There is no one here on earth for me to express my deep appreciation and daughterly love. Just a short six months have passed since my daddy left this earth to live with his heavenly Father.

I am not grieving that loss today and definitely don't feel the agony and defeat of stilettos because I know where he is. My posture is different. My heart is not heavy with grief, but light with rejoicing...he would not want it any other way. I don't think of his passing without thinking of where he is. A few weeks ago, several people that Daddy knew well, joined him in Heaven. I imagined him greeting them with his left hand on their shoulder and his right hand reaching out to welcome them to worship...that is what Heaven is about. As Father's Day approached, I thought of visiting the cemetery...



but....he is not there. I honor him today and every day by the way I live...the way he taught me to follow Jesus.

Grief knocks you out of balance like walking on a thin, high heel. So many times in the last few months, I would have loved to laugh with him over a corny joke, ask for his wise and godly advice, or, yes, brush his dentures, trim his fingernails, or cut his hair one more time just as I did so often during the last years of his life. I have caught myself, unaware, heading in the direction of his nursing facility. (Haven't you felt like the car, having it's own mind, directed itself to a particular destination?) I would not ask him to come back if I could, but I do miss him.

For the last two days, we had our annual family garage sale. As we were packing up the last few many items that did not sell, I folded and boxed what was left of my daddy's clothes. I pulled the blue plaid flannel shirt that he wore to my nose to see if his scent was still there. The shirt had been laundered and sat in the Texas heat for two days. His scent was not there. Grief wanted to sneak in, but like the ping of a stiletto on a wood floor...it was loud and clear...my daddy is not here.

Grief is like putting on a pair of stilettos...a change in balance, posture, and awareness.

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

One Pair of Cowboy Boots in My Closet

My husband and I have separate closets, but if we didn't, that number would change from one to three...steel toe boots don't count as cowboy boots. I've had my cowboy boots for a long time. The only reason I have them is that a Texas gal from Big D needs to have a pair. I can't seem to part with them. Every year about this time, we have a family garage sale, but those boots always seem to end up back in the top of my closet.

This gal from Big D is definitely a city girl. I like having a shopping mall close by even though I'm not seen there often...it's there if I need it. I like a grocery store just around the corner...I might be out of something...never been good at making substitutions. Schools within walking distance is a must...I hated walking to school or standing at the bus stop. Maybe, there really isn't any part of me that screams country, except for my cowboy boots that sit on a shelf at the top of my closet.

Now, I do like old things and some of them come straight from the country like my grandmother's butter churn...



an old metal nesting box...



and a milk can turned birdbath...



So maybe, "I'm a little bit country and a little bit whole lot rock and roll city...".

Last weekend, we spent a couple of days with my in-laws. They live on the outskirts of a small Texas town, population 77, in Blue Bell country. It is a quaint little town with several family owned dining establishments, gift and antique shops, as well as bed and breakfast lodging surrounding a town square with a mercantile (an all-you-really-need store) a short distance down the road.

I may be a city girl, but occasionally, the country is comfortable just like a well worn pair of cowboy boots. Life is a little slower and a walk through the trees to a secluded area where watermelon grow...



....does a body good.

My husband's parents have a garden that provides fresh vegetables for their dinner table. They enjoy the "fruits" of their labor and share them so graciously to anyone that pulls up a chair. Nothing fancy, but everything good! My mouth waters with the thoughts of her home cooking and freshly picked vegetables.

Out back my mother-in-law has chickens...



...and she gathers eggs every day.



I have never known anyone that has their own chickens much less gathers their own eggs. Remember, I am a city girl. Agnes fries fresh eggs in the morning and many times there are fresh boiled eggs on the table at other meals. They are wonderful! I eat more eggs in just a short visit than I probably eat in a month at home.

During our visit, my husband noticed that a blue bird had been coming in and out of a birdhouse along the fence row. My curiosity got the best of me so I took a walk up the road just to take a look inside finding several very blue eggs.



Early the next morning, my curiosity took me right back up that road only to jump in surprise as a blue bird came flying out just as I approached. I had been an intrusion and mama blue bird was protecting her home and new family. Only a few days after we returned home, our 11 year old niece and my new found texting pal, who had also been visiting my in-laws, sent me a picture of the baby blue birds, but I can't figure out how to post it.

Eggs...fried, scrambled, boiled, baked in a cake, or the beginning of new life.

Sunday Dinner recipes are full of the incredible, edible egg...

Egg and Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Crumble 8-10 slices of bread and place in bottom of a 9x13 pan/dish.
Cook and drain 2 lbs. of sausage.
Spread sausage over bread and cover with 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.
Mix together 1 ½ cups of milk with 4 eggs.
Spread over bread, sausage, and cheese.
Cover and let stand over night in refrigerator.

In the morning, mix 1 can of cream of mushroom soup with ½ cup of milk.
Pour evenly over dish.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.
Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese to finish.

Egg and Spinach Casserole

3 pkg. frozen chopped, thawed, well drained spinach
4 1/2 cup cottage cheese
3 cup grated cheddar cheese
9 egg
6 T. canola oil
1 tsp garlic salt
pinch of nutmeg
1/2 tsp pepper

Stir together all ingredients. Pour into 9x13 greased pan. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes until brown/bubbly.


Age old question....which came first the chicken or the egg?...which came first, the city girl or the cowboy boots?


If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Momma Needs Gets a New Pair of Shoes?

Years ago, I started claiming every non-clothing item that came out of the washing machine/dryer. All of this was in an attempt to get everyone to check their pockets before letting them land on the floor in the laundry basket.

I have found many things...some of which my children don't know about...some that gave me great insight to their lives. Chapstick, rocks, cell phones..OOPS!, small amounts of change, keys, and notes of the love kind....just to name a few.

Not only did my children learn to empty their pockets, they learned at a fairly young age how to do their own laundry and it didn't hurt them one bit. I like to say that it was an important step to independence.

There were and still are times when I will help out when entertainment calls louder than laundry or when laundry becomes overwhelming...welcome to the life of a mother.

But today, after a long weekend away...just wait until you hear about that, I found the mother load lode. Not a load of laundry...well, come to think of it....there were several loads, but a load lode for mother. Look what I found...



Mother load lode, indeed! Don't you agree?

I'm not sure if it was left in the dryer after the "only bird left in the nest" did some laundry while I was away or did my hardworking, world traveling, steel toe boot wearing, tree frog catching husband leave the mother load in his shirt pocket...his favorite place to carry bills.. one that spend, not the dreaded mail invader type.

Both, husband and son, will probably claim it, but there will be only one truth!

Maybe, I don't have to tell either one at all. If I keep the laundry done, my husband will have no need to go to the laundry room to claim the mother load lode and it will be a couple of weeks before my son's floor basket will be overflowing.

So...does Momma need get a new pair of shoes?

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Do They Ever Make Shoes From Frog Skin?

I know that boots and purses are made from alligator, crocodile, snake, and even cows....leather....but, frogs? If anyone is ready to explore the possibility, I have the source.

We have a pond on the side yard of our house, right under one of our bedroom windows. (I have suggested that we move it to the backyard very soon.) Ponds with running water should be a source of tranquility and peace...a place of solitude.



Not this one! Every spring, during mating season, our pond is overrun with small, slimy, bumpy, wiggly, loudly croaking adorable creatures...and I have to remind myself...created by God.

The noise is obnoxious and anxiety-producing each and every evening just about sunset. Its sound has about the same affect as a snoring husband. Does anyone understand?

We have often thought that they sprout wings. Yes, wings! Every evening, my hardworking, world traveling, steel toe boot wearing husband becomes a tree frog catcher. He can catch two frogs in one hand and deliver them to the greenbelt that is adjacent to our neighborhood to release them into a creek that should make a happy home for those pesky, noise making adorable creatures...created by God (yep, I have to remind myself often). Several times when he returned home, the croaking had already begun again. See what I mean? It is as though they had sprouted wings and returned before he could get back home....or.....are there so many that we might be a source for some shoe manufacturing company?

One day this week we were grateful for the presence of the frogs. I can't believe that I just said that....but...this is how the story leaped forward.

My husband was searching all around the house for his favorite pair of glasses. No, they weren't on top of his head. He even went so far as to give the pond a good cleaning to see if they might have fallen out of his pocket into the pond while catching frogs.

I know that you are thinking right now that a frog was wearing them or had dove to the bottom of the pond to retrieve his glasses as a peace offering or as a down payment for a permanent home for his family. Now, that would be silly!

What really happened....with my help...I only hold the flashlight....my husband caught one last frog and ever so carefully toted it to the creek. As he was about to place the frog at the edge of the creek, he spotted them.....his favorite pair of glasses...nestled among the grasses.

His glasses must have fallen out of his pocket several days prior...that's how long they had been missing. No one had found them...maybe no one else has to return frogs to the creek.

That means...we have control of the market for tree frogs. I think we may have just found our way to the Big House. We'll be rich...I can see it now...everyone will be wearing frog shoes!

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

One list...front and back...




One finished decorating project...before and after....




One guest room freshened....



One transformed office for another guest....from this to this...




One change for a worn out chair....old, now new...




One musical...an important message with a funny twist...




One favorite shopping stop with two people that I love...my daughter and yes, my wonderful husband that totes it all....and there was more, lots more....




One Saturday afternoon drive that crossed the stateline twice and happened upon the Magnolia Festival in Durant, OK...for more shopping. Not sure what this is but it is red and I love it so I bought it! I'll let you know how I use it....my mind is reeling with possibilities.....



Two full weeks....

Two Sunday Dinner recipes...

One ingredient...

Bone-in Ham




Cooks Brand Bone-In Ham (half, whole, or 2 halves held together with skewers)

Place ham in deep roasting pan or electric roaster (this is my preference...a $30 purchase that I have used over and over). Add water to cover the bottom of the pan. Cook 25 minutes per pound. Tender and oh, so tasty!


Two ingredients....

Chicken Shishkabob




Boneless Skinless Chicken breasts
Red, Orange and Yellow Bell Pepper

Cut chicken into 2" strips. Cut bell peppers into 1" pieces. Thread 3 pieces of chicken and 3 pieces of pepper onto skewers, alternating. Drizzle with olive oil and season to taste. Place on a hot grill. Turning once. Easy and delicious.


One, two buckle my shoe! That's what I said!

If the shoe fits, wear it well!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Grasshoppers Have Two Eyes

When I was a young child and Keds with rubber toes were on my feet, my mother wore Grasshoppers. Her Grasshoppers were slip-on canvas shoes with a slightly pointed toe, short tongue and two eyes for the laces. It was hard for me to understand why they were called grasshoppers because they didn't look at all like the grasshoppers that were hopping around in the grass. They were lightweight and flexible....so maybe that is why.

I must have had on an invisible pair the last few days. At least I've been hopping from one thing to the next. It is difficult to get anything finished when you are hopping back and forth.

Everything that I have tried to accomplish has had several steps that required some patience and waiting so I would hop right on over to another task. At the end of the day, I was pretty tired of hopping and didn't feel as though I had gotten anything done.

A few weeks month ago (time really hops flies), I bought this vanity stool at a flea market.



I have been trying to duplicate antiqued bronze on this stool before upholstering the seat. After many attempts and hopping back and forth, I think I have it. It is going in the bathroom that I am redecorating (also one of those hopping projects). What do you think?



I now have a greater appreciation for contractors that come in and do the work for you, especially after I fell in the tub while priming the walls that were almost out of my reach. After the fall, I bounced hopped right back up. It seems that this redo has had many falls associated with it.

The painting is done.



I've bought the fabric for the shower curtain and vanity stool.



This is one project that I am ready to see it all come together! No more hopping! This time next week? Well, not totally! We found some old ceiling tiles at that same flea market yesterday that I want to use on the cabinets, but that will require some more hopping as I duplicate the antique bronze on them, too.

When you have been hopping around like a grasshopper from one thing to the next, something quick and easy is in order. Sunday Dinner recipes are just that....

Quick Chicken-N-Rice

1 box Chicken Rice-a-Roni, prepared
4 chicken breasts, cooked
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup cheddar cheese

Layer Rice-a-roni, chicken, soup. Top with cheese. Bake 350 for 10-15 minutes.

Easy Chicken Cacciatore Bake

1 Can Italian style diced tomatoes
2 cups zucchini slices
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup Shake-n-Bake seasoning mix
1 1/2 cups penne pasta, cooked

Toss tomatoes and zucchini in a 9X13 baking dish. Place coating mix and chicken in a plastic bag. Shake to coat chicken. Place coated chicken over tomato and zucchini mixture. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. Serve over penne pasta.


If the shoe fits, wear it well!