Public apology and plea for help!!

Did you see Dancing with the Stars this week? They danced to songs that were considered "guilty pleasures" which I thought was pretty funny. And got me to thinking about my newest guilty pleasure-only mine came in book form... and thought that I should probably start off this post with a public apology first.... lol

So, to all my friends who told me these books were amazing, and not really about vampires but more of a love story.... I am sorry that I thought you were crazy!  And to my friends who stood waiting in line for the midnight showing of the corresponding movie, I'm sorry that I seriously thought you had lost your mind!!! And to my friends who pretty much threw a celebration when those movies came out on video... I am soooo sorry I didn't join in on your fun!!!

I watched my first Twilight movie a month or two ago strictly under the pretense of seeing what it was about because I found out my step son liked the movie. We are hoping he gets to come visit and I since we aren't too far from the town of Forks, WA, I thought I really should give the movie a shot... and then I couldn't help but get the second book at the library... you know, just to see if the book really was better than the movie (as they usually are!). To make a long story short, I just finished the last page of the last book in the saga and I feel as if I could cry!! I don't want it to be over and I don't know what to do now!! lol How do you come down from the high of such a great book?!!?

So, we get to the plea part of this post.... for those of you who read the books, or even just watched the movies (although the movies don't even touch the awesomeness of the books!) what did you do when you finished the books and had to face a day without reading something that good? Did you start back at book one and read them all again? Did you start in on another series? DO tell please!! lol

I almost didn't even want to admit to this new love of mine. I faught it for so long, not wanting anything to do with Twilight, as I am so NOT into vampires and that sort of thing. But now I find that my friends were right, it wasn't your typical vampire book and really was just an amazing love story (with out the blushing parts). I can't remember the last time I was so hooked on a book and now I just feel sad that it's over. My guilty pleasure of getting to read a few pages of somethign other than a kids book, or if I was lucky a whole chapter is over and now I'm looking for something to takes it's place....

And of course I am already counting down to the movie coming out in November and already have ideas of how I can make it work to have a sitter! lol I understand the obsession with these books and hope my friends can forgive the eye rolls I made behind their backs! :) I will be sending out a number post cards from our trip to Forks this summer!: )

I am curious though... what team are you on? :) I'm still undecided....

MIA Crafter!

I don't know if anyone even reads this little blog of mine so maybe no one has even noticed my lack of blogging lately! I have so many ideas of things to share and a TON of pics to load but there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to get it all done! So for now, I wanted to share just a few of the things I've been working on... between two little birthday girls to craft for, a craft show coming up in just two days (gasp!), a birthday party coming up in a week and then Easter? Holy cow.... I think I need more coffee! :)

Coca Cola memories....

For as far back as I can remember, it was always a special treat to go with my mom to the local drugstore for penny candy and  a special Coke drink. Those were the days when old time pharmacies were still few and far between and so held onto a piece of history and simplicity. Now a days tho, I couldn't even tell you where to find a place like that! I loved the simplicity of sitting on that bar stool (complete with shiny medal sides and vinyl seat) eating penny candy, a flavored Coke and Indian sunflower seeds and getting to chat with my mom... sigh... that was heaven! It wasn't flashy but it was special. Everyone that walked in the door had the potential for being some long lost friend of the family and even tho there were years in between our visits to that pharmacy (we went there on vacation), the gal behind the counter always remembered us and seemed happy to see us!

As with everything else, time changes things and unfortunately that little pharmacy was one of them. They later closed their doors and moved to a new location. They still had a counter there but it was never the same and that place eventually closed too. It's so sad to me that I won't be able to share that experience with my girls.. but I will be able to share the special flavored Coke drinks! Most people have probably tried the regular Coke, Diet or Coke Zero and some have even had the vanilla Coke but have you ever had a lemon Coke? I still get strange looks at restaurants when I ask for lemons in my Coke! But the be all end all BEST flavored Coke will always be the chocolate Coke... yes you read that right... Chocolate Coke!! It took us awhile but we finally mastered the flavor by add some Hershey's syrup (just enough to cover the bottom of your empty drinking glass) and then pour in the Coke and stir. Be careful as it will create chocolate bubbles (go ahead and slurp them up- you know you want to!) that may try to overflow the glass depending on it's size! If you want the true experience, find the little red packets of Indian pumpkin seeds, the ones that by themselves are way too salty but with the chocolate sugar buzz in the Coke .... PERFECT!

 I think I ever drink one of those without closing my eyes for a brief second and remember the pure joy of sitting in that pharmacy with my mom...I hope this drink brings you the same kind of joy. Share it with your kids and create your own memories!! It really is the little things that matter!

About Coca-Cola®


Created in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water. Coca-Cola was introduced in 1886, patented in 1887, registered as a trademark in 1893 and by 1895 it was being sold in every state and territory in the United States. In 1899, The Coca-Cola Company began franchised bottling operations in the United States.

More info: www.cookingwithcoke.com




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I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Coca-Cola® blogging program. If I am one of the first 100 blogs received by SocialsMoms, I will receive a $25 gift card. For more information on the program, click here.

And the winner is...

Brianna!!!

If you can send me your mailing address I will get your Nutella goodies out to you this week!!

Sorry this post is a day late!! I've been working like mad for a craft show coming up and two birthdays this weekend!! Yikes! Pictures to follow soo... as soon as I get it all done! :)

Captions anyone?

 While sitting on the back porch today, we heard the swooping of wings and looked up to see these guys having words in the tree.... I so love getting to see nature at it's finest! So I'm looking for some good caption ideas? I'd love to hear what you come up with! :)

Washington Rainy Season

Jan 1st - Dec 31st! lol

I saw that on a shirt and it made me laugh! The rain, or rather the grey and gloom, are no laughing matter in our house! :)

I am really having to reach down deep lately, not letting the grey and gloom just consume me... I knew it was going to rain alot but I never expected it to be so dark and grey!!! I've lived in Alaska and it wasn't this dark! lol

We try to make jokes about it... "the weather says it's gonna rain today, tomorrow is scattered showers and the next day it's supposed to rain! ha!" If we didn't laugh, we'd cry! lol So today, on our walk down the road to check the mail (which there was none! boo!) I think it surprised even the girls when I told them to go ahead... just jump!! When nature gives you lemons you make lemonade right? Well, when Washington gives you rain... make mud puddles!

And sometimes.... mamas have to jump in too!

Today I was really trying to see the hidden beauties on a dark and dreary day...and as always, God gave me just what I needed....

Lots of little reminders of the amazing things nature is doing all around us... despite the gloom and rain! We are SOO ready for the sun to return but until then, we are just going to have to keep digging deeper and looking for the little treasures happening in the world around us....

Old Crow

I'm sure you've heard it said that some friends come into our lives for just a season.. and so on and so on... well living the life of an Air Force brat, I have had lots of friends that only lasted a season or two. Each one has touched my life in one way or another and I am greatful for each and every one of them along the way.

There have also been a very few who have entered into my life and stayed not just one season or even two but have hung in there for the long haul and made it a life long commitment of being my friend...

It was for one of these such friends that I got creative for today.... perhaps she should even be considered my very first friend, since she was also my mom's best friend from childhood and a huge supporter when my mom was expecting me!

Her birthday is coming up and it's a monumental one... the big 5-0!

I am hoping that the sun, moon and stars will align for her to have the best possible day that she can being an "old crow"!! lol  Just for that, I included the sun, the moon and 50 stars around the old crow! :) I'm hoping this will be a welcome additon to her egg collection!

How have you been inspired lately? What crafts have you be working on and what got you started?