Quick Hello...

Busy day today again. Viewing yesterday, funeral today. I wanted to share some photos that Molly took with my camera a few days ago. I like them. Thought you might too...

Have a nice day.

I WON!...I guess.

First, the dogwood tree in our front yard is my favorite tree...
Anyhoo...Kellie's school is having a fund raiser right now - 30 days of baskets. They pick one name a day for 30 days and each winner gets a Longaberger basket as a prize. Well, I don't let my kids sell items for school (because I don't like to guilt my neighbors into buying things) so I buy everything. It's not as bad now that only Kellie is in Elementary school - there for awhile when Jason, Molly, and Ryan were in school together I was buying things like 75 big candy bars at a time! So anyway, on Friday I got a call that they had picked my name for one of the baskets!I can't believe it - I never win things.I must say this is a cute little basket and it only cost me...$30! :O) It's for a good cause right? The school needs things, right? :O)

The weekend...

Molly's party was starting off on the wrong foot!First, Friday night we were in bed asleep. We hear pounding on the door at 1AM. Police, neighbors, everyone was at the door. Apparently some kid hit Mark's company car! It was parked on the street that night. So with all the commotion Howard was upset and had to go out every hour all night long. Around 5:30AM Mark yelled at Howard because he kept laying his head on Mark's chest to wake him up. The next thing we knew was this HUGE liquid sound like someone had pour a huge pitcher of water on the floor. and as we are jumping up we are hit with the smell. OMG! all over the door and the rug. Fast forward to 8:15AM. Mark brings Howard into the living room and sits on the floor begging forgiveness from Howard for not listening. Howard's making this really strange face (like a smile) - I say "why is Howard making that face?" and then the hurling starts! Absolutely no warning - he just opened his mouth and blah! all over the living room floor. LOL I know it's not funny, but Molly's party is going to be in a few hours and we have not only a sick dog, but a sick GREAT DANE! That's a lot of sick dog! Could it be worse?! OMG. Poor dog. Poor Molly. I was worried that the house was going to smell like either a sewer or a chemical plant or maybe a sick combination of both with an abundance of fake flower scent thrown in! And poor Howard was shaking and looking at us like what the...?! All morning Mark was on continuous cleanup duty and I had taken Howard to the vet (yet another "emergency visit" - they love me! I probably pay their mortgages with my emergency visits) for some shots (anti diarrhea and anti vomiting meds) so by 5pm the crisis seemed to be over and he was just sleeping it off.

Molly's friend came over in the afternoon and they worked on the decorations...

Jason helped with the lights...

Molly wanted some pretty funny decorations. This palm tree was a 6 foot tall blowup palm tree that you fill the base with ice and drinks as a cooler....And she put table skirts around the hot tub to make it more festive.The weather was perfect - more like July than April. They had fun at the restaurant and then back here for more. It was a very happy birthday for Miss Molly!

Beading and Birthdays...

FINALLY finished all of the background stitching and now FINALLY I can get to the beading.Today will be sunny and in the 70's so I'm going to take all the beads, sequins, and thread and sit out under a tree and bead bead bead. It's going to be a beautiful weekend and I'm looking forward to enjoying it! I'm excited to finally be at the beading for this project. Soon you wont have to see or hear about this project any more! I'll be so so so happy to move on to a new project - this one was so time consuming! I'm going to do a bunch of tiny things to recover from it.

And, my baby is growing up...

Tomorrow is Molly's 16th birthday! She and 6 of her friends, along with Jason, are going out to eat at a Japanese grill and then they are coming back here for the hot tub, wii, and a movie.

When Molly was born she would turn blue every time I tried to feed her. We didn't know what was wrong. She was moved into the NICU. This is my mom holding her in the NICU...

The hospital couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. Then they called in a heart specialist from Johns Hopkins who came with some equipment to scan her heart. We thought she was going to need heart surgery. I will never forget sitting in that waiting room while they were doing the tests. We were so scared. No heart surgery though. She had double pneumonia. She had to stay in the NICU for 10 days while they treated her. So 10 days after birth she came home. The next day. Phone rings "ah, you need to get Molly to this specialist TODAY because her blood work came back with very serious results. This is the doctors name and phone number. Have a nice day." AAAAAAAHHHH! So I called the doctor's office got the appointment and we went. Molly's numbers for her Thyroid were off the chart. Say it should have been 10 - her results would be like 2,350. It was crazy numbers. The doctor told us that she was born without a Thyroid and that if it hadn't been caught when it was she would probably have brain damage. And because it was left untreated for 11 days we wouldn't know for sure if there was damage until she was a little older. We had to start medication immediately and from then on it has been constant blood tests and medication increases. Now that she's basically finished growing her tests are only once a year and we rarely have to change her dosage but I wonder how this will affect her later. The Thyroid is involved in everything!

So other than the double pneumonia, the Thyroid condition, the Raynaud's Syndrome, the crossed eyes as a baby, and now the hip thing - she's great! LOL. Poor Molly. We laugh about it all the time. She says "It's because I'm your favorite, right? That's why you've given me all these extras!" You betcha sweetie! :O)

Have a great weekend friends.

Is It Really Wednesday?

This week is flying by! Howard is not cooperating with the exercise plan! I had to have Molly at school this morning by 6:30 AM because she gets to go to New York with the drama class to see a Broadway show today! Are you suuuuuuure they don't need a parent chaperon? :O) So anyway, I got back home at 6:45 and thought hey hey hey - I have time before I have to get Kellie up for school. Ryan is in the shower starting his day - I could get my walk in now! Howard WOULD NOT get out of bed! I'm pulling (yeah, I think he may have moved a 1/4 of an inch - maybe) I begged. I got out some treats. He just looked at me like have you lost your mind?! yawned and then rolled away from me snuggling down farther onto his body sized pillow - the pillow he stole from me - useless dog! So now it's 9:24 and I think I might be able to wake him up from his new location (his chair) and convince him that a walk would be fun. Happy Wednesday!

New Determination...

Okay so unless I'm about to have a baby at any moment - there is absolutely no excuse for my current weight! Lordy! So, I've started my new weight loss adventure. The only problem is it takes up most of my morning.

Kellie on bus 8:35 am
Eat Breakfast
Take Howard for a walk - this is by far the best part of it. He has a really long stride and his walk is more of a trot. He tries to walk right next to me but I have a short stride so it really doesn't work. I have to speed up to keep up with him and then he walks/trots right next to me. It's a great 30 minute cardio workout!
Come home and do 30 minutes of Pilates
30 minutes of Yoga
25 minutes in the hot tub
quick shower and now it's 12:32 and I can try to squeeze some of my other typical day stuff in before the kids walk through the door at 2:15. Sheesh. I think I might have to rework this schedule or I wont get anything else finished around here.

We had such perfect weather Friday. It was around 70 degrees and sunny. Perfect.

I think the funniest thing was as we were entering DC one of the teachers was saying 'kids, look there is the Capital building.' No response. 'kids, there is the Washington Monument.' No response. 'kids, there is the two story McDonald's.' WOW! LOOK AT THAT! CAN WE EAT LUNCH THERE??!! It was pretty funny. We really did have a good day. All the kids in my group were great. Our first stop was the Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial,It always makes me sad to see all those names from the very beginning of the wall to the very end - just name after name after name of soldiers who died. Very sad to see.

The Korean War MemorialThis wall was so cool.You couldn't really see the images on the wall when you looked at it straight on, but when you looked at it from an angle all these faces just jump out at you. Very impressive to see. There was also a reflecting pool at the Korean War Memorial. It had a sign that said "PLEASE DO NOT THROW COINS IN THE POOL - THEY STAIN THE STONE" so of course it was full of coins. rrrr. Why do people have to be so disrespectful? We also saw the WWII Memorial. Then we were taken to the area that has all of the museums. They dropped us off at 10:30 and we had until 3:00 to go anywhere we wanted. We were able to visit 3 of the museums so that was good. We were back on the bus at 3PM and heading home. Should take about 1 1/2 hours but because the traffic around DC is horrendous it takes more like 2 hours but Friday it took 3 1/2 hours to get home. OMG! I thought I would go bonkers! There is always one kid who's mission in life is to see just how obnoxious he can be and there was a boy sitting near us who definitely won the prize. I don't know how many times the teacher sitting with us yelled at him, but it got so bad that even the other kids were yelling at him. What got me though was after about 2 hours of nonstop punk behavior he stood up and said 'I'll be right back, I want to get something from my Dad.' WAIT A SECOND! HIS FATHER IS ON THIS BUS??!! yep. He was sitting up front and totally ignoring his obnoxious kid.

So anyway we didn't get home until 6:40pm and Molly's play started at 7:30pm so we had to hurry up and find something to eat and run out the door so we wouldn't be late. Of course by now I was so tired and cranky I didn't even want to go - but of course I did because you know - you can't not go to these things. So we are at the end of the play and they are doing curtain call -- I'm thinking 'who is that girl in the black dress? She wasn't even in the play. And that other guy wasn't either.' Then I realized hmmmm, perhaps I wasn't just resting my eyes for a minute. Just maybe I was asleep during some of the play because honest to God the play I saw didn't have either one of those two kids in it! LOL Let's just keep that between us. Molly doesn't need to know that her devoted mother was apparently asleep in the audience! Luckily I did see both scenes that Molly was in. She did a great job.

All That Stress For Nothing...

This morning I received this email from Ryan's teacher...

Thank you for your email. I appreciate you letting me know what Zach said to Ryan. We had planned on putting two chaperone groups together so that everyone would be with someone that they chose to be with. After finding this information out, however, we are changing some groups around so that there is no discomfort and everyone has an enjoyable day.

Thanks again and we'll see you tomorrow.

So my faith in middle school teachers has been restored.

I have been stuck in my house every day this week and I'm starting to go a little BONKERS! Monday I waited most of the day for the hot tub guys and they brought the WRONG TUB! Four giant men brought the giant hot tub all the way down the driveway and around back and got it all set up and then asked me to come out and check it over.

Ahhhh, this isn't the right tub.
WHAAAT?
This isn't the right tub. We bought the Sahara MT.
Wait a second I'll be right back. (he pulls out his cell phone and walks to his truck)
Ah, Ma'am, this isn't the right tub.
Brilliant.
So four giant men take tub back to the truck and leave.
Tuesday in the pouring rain and through the muck in my backyard from all of the rain - four giant men return with the right tub and hook it up.
Wednesday I was stuck all day because of the electrician who is wiring the tub.
Thursday again with the electrician. He tells me that they should be finished by 1pm. I hope so. I want to buy snacks and stuff for tomorrow and I want to get a pretty Vera Bradley tote bag for the DC trip. I need something big to hold the Tylenol and the bat to beat the bad 12 year old boys with! :O) WHACK! Look at the painting! :O)

Wait A Second...What?

So Friday is the dreaded trip to Washington DC with Ryan's class. He just came home and said...
Well, I found out who is in our group.
Oh yeah? who?
This kid who HATES me!
What do you mean he hates you? Why do you say that?
Because when he found out he was in my group he said "I DON"T WANT TO BE IN A GROUP WITH YOU RYAN! I HATE YOU!"
Well, that's pretty clear isn't it? Did you tell the teacher so she could switch him?
Yes and she said too bad.

TOO BAD?!!! Oh no no no pumpkin - not too bad. So I immediately sent Ms. I wont be in the group so I don't care if this kid is a pain in the ass all day an email telling her that I do not appreciate her leaving him in MY group to supervise all day! Oh I-don't-think-so Deary. I will give her until 2pm tomorrow to respond before I am on the phone. What kind of idiot sends a parent chaperon on a trip with a boy who hates their child?! Oh yeah, that will be good times.

Honey Dijon Chicken

Still stitching stitching stitching. Still have the background to do, but it's coming along.

And this is one of our favorite dinners so I thought I would share the recipe with you. This is yet another old Betty Crocker recipe from 1996 that is no longer on their site. I make this with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. Yum.

Honey Dijon Chicken

3 to 3 1/2 pound cut up broiler fryer chicken

(I use about 2 pounds of boneless/skinless chicken)

1/3 Cup Country Style Dijon Mustard

1 Tbsp Mustard Seed

3 Tbsp Honey

1/2 tsp Fresh Ground Pepper

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place chicken, skin side down if using the cut up fryer, in ungreased rectangular pan (13 x 9 x 2). Mix remaining ingredients; brush over chicken. Cover and bake 30 minutes; turn chicken. Brush with mustard mixture. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. If chicken begins to brown too quickly, cover with aluminum foil). Makes 6 servings.

**I cook the boneless chicken about 20 minutes and then turn and bake about 15 minutes more. It depends on how big the breasts are.

Cream Puffs Make Every Day Better!

I'm starting to come out of my funk. I've been indulging in cream puffs. I have to say...I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOVE these cream puffs!It's a Pampered Chef recipe. Oh so yummy. Crazy easy to make too.


Puffs

3/4 Cup Water

1/4 Cup Butter

1/4 tsp Salt

3/4 Cup Flour

3 Eggs



Filling and Topping

1 Container (8 ounces) Frozen Whipped Topping, Thawed

1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar

1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

About 1/4 Cup Chocolate Candy disks, Melted


1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt; bring to boil over high heat. Add flour all at once. Stir mixture vigorously about 1 minute or until mixture leaves sides of pan and forms into a ball. Remove from heat ; place dough in a bowl. Add the eggs and whisk until smooth and very thick.

2. Spray mini-muffin pan with cooking spray. Using slightly rounded small scoop (about the same amount as a generous teaspoon), scoop batter into cups. Bake 22-25 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove from oven and make a small cut into the side of each puff to release excess steam. Remove puffs from pan to a cooling rack. Cool completely.

3. For filling, combine whipped topping, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Mix gently until well blended. Fill a cake decorating bag with a large hole pipping tip. Insert tip into puff and fill center with cream. For topping, melt the chocolate in a microwave or on top of the stove in a double boiler and drizzle over each puff. Serve immediately. Makes 24 puffs.


Monday was also a total goof off day for me and the kids. Kellie put on lots of finger puppet plays.I didn't understand them - never did figure out what the giant bunny was all about, but I didn't let on. :O)


I've been too busy to stitch a darn thing but now that the kids are back in school I'm planning to spend today stitching - that's one of the benefits of having a party...the house is clean and all the laundry is finished so I can stitch all day without guilt. Happy Tuesday.

It's very strange how I feel -- I didn't know the boy. I have seen him at the pool, but I didn't know the family personally. But I feel so, I don't know, strange about it. We tried to talk to Ryan and he looked so confused. He paled and said "what do you mean? he used a rope around his neck?" the confusion in his eyes and fear. It was a very odd look on his face. He looked like he was going to be sick. Very difficult conversation. And very very scary. Ryan is the kind of kid who doesn't think things through. He's a curious boy. Wants to know how things work...what would happen if... that kind of boy. It scares me. When I was little my brother was playing with his friends and almost hung himself. They were pretending that he was a prisoner and things didn't go the way they had planned and he could have died. This could easily happen to anyone. Boys are boys and at 12 they are clueless and adventurous and terrible things can happen. Easter was nice - we had fun and there was a lot of laughing and fun - but I felt guilty about having my family around. I didn't want to say Happy Easter and be all smiles because I felt like it was disrespectful in some way. Very hard weekend. Tomorrow is the viewing and Wednesday is the funeral. I think it's hard for children to accept that a child can die. I remember when a boy Jason had been in boy scouts with died suddenly the day after Thanksgiving 2007. The boys father had been Jason's boy scout leader. Jason and I went to the viewing and I honestly thought Jason was going to pass out when he saw the boy. I was kneeling at the coffin saying a prayer and Jason leaned over and whispered in my ear..."Mom! You need to get me out of here!" I felt so badly for him. This had been his friend and now he was seeing him dead. They live in our neighborhood, belong to the same swim club we do, and shop at the same grocery store that we do. I see the mom all the time and she can't look at me. We will make eye contact and she will immediately turn away. I understand. I have my son. She can't look at me without thinking about that. But, it's sad to know that I am the person who is causing such pain for a mother. It makes me feel terrible. I saw her a few days ago and it was as it always is, but this time when she turned away I said hi. I will never do that again. She turned back and smiled and said hi but there was a look in her eyes that just ripped my heart out. I will never make that mistake again. I didn't mean to cause more pain and that is exactly what I did. I felt heartless and selfish and a million other emotions.

I'm not taking Ryan to the viewing or the funeral. Jason was 15 and it upset him - I don't want to do that to Ryan. He's still very innocent in so many ways. I really don't think he fully understands even after our talk. I think it's just too big for him to take in. I think tomorrow is going to be a very long hard day for Ryan and the other kids in his class. And the poor teachers. Molly is in school with the boys brother (it's just the two boys). She and her friends have been talking about it all weekend. It's just so sad, and the brothers facebook rips your heart out. The photos of his little brother all smiles and goofing off with him ... such a sad sad thing. That poor boy and his mother. I really don't know how you can find the strength to get out of bed after something so devastating.

Please Say A Little Prayer Tonight...

for the family of a little boy in Ryan's class (11 or 12 years old) who hung himself Wednesday night. He was punished by him mom and they think he meant to scare her and things went wrong. They think it was an accident. But either way it is a tragedy. I'm sitting here trying to decide how to explain this to Ryan. Molly (not thinking) asked him if he knew the boy. Ryan said "Yeah, he's in my class. He's really nice." and Molly told him!!! So now Mark and I are preparing a talk with him because he just doesn't understand what is happening. Sorry for the bad news, but it's so upsetting and I want as many prayers to go out to that poor family as possible. Thanks friends.

All Of A Sudden...

My week went crazy! Anniversary and out with Cornelia to the candy store on Tuesday...

for the most amazing chocolates ever! I waited too long this year so I couldn't get the honey candy they sell or the tea chocolates or the Italian cherries. Very sad about that.

I still purchased a lot of yummy candy, but I'll have to make sure I go early for Mother's Day!

Then on Wednesday I had to take Ryan to the doctor because he woke up with poison ivy on his face. He's feeling better and he only has to take the steroid for three days.

Mark and I bought the Sahara MT spa. They were having a special last weekend and they were including every extra option available in the price! It was an amazing deal and we've been wanting one for a long time so we decided to get it. With Mark's bad back and my bad knee, neck, arms, etc (because I'm falling apart) we are hoping this will help. It's being delivered on Monday. Yesterday the electrician was here telling me how they would have to run the electric out to it. Basically, they are going to be all over my sewing area - including drilling an access hole above my desk! lovely. I'll have to move everything out of their way before they get here on Tuesday. Molly is all excited because her birthday is the 25th and she wants to have some friends over for a hot tub party!

We were going to my sisters for Easter this weekend, but yesterday I was talking to her and we've decided to switch the party to my house. So, now I'm running around trying to get ready for the party. I went to the store this morning at 7:30 and they were out of hams!!! I was like...ahhhh, but luckily they had a bunch in the back so I am all set grocery wise, but I need to clean and get organized. I have some baking to do and there is an antique show this weekend on Saturday that I want to go to. I hope I can still fit that in. I missed the last one.

Well, I'm off to get my hair done and do all the laundry that should have been done on Monday - have a great Thursday.

19 Years!

Today is 19 years of wedded bliss for Mark and I. Here we are running down the steps of the church as our friends and family pummel us with birdseed... I was 24 and Mark was 26.
Our cake was a chocolate mousse cake. Oh, I wish I had a piece of that right now. It was so amazing!

My veil was really long and I wanted to make sure that it was put on properly so that morning I had a hair appointment and after they did my hair they fixed the veil for me. It was so funny driving all alone in my car the 20 minutes back home on the highway in casual clothes with this long veil on my head! People were beeping and laughing! It was so funny.

We had typical Maryland weather that day too. That day we had rain, then snow, then crazy wind, then beautiful sunshine.



The year before we were married Mark had moved back in with his parents to save money. (I was still living at home with my parents) We bought a house and the settlement was one week before the wedding. Very stressful, we weren't sure the house would be finished in time. Our settlement was March 30th and we spent the week before the wedding moving things in, lining cabinets, unpacking wedding gifts we had already received, etc so that when we got back from our honeymoon it would be ready for us. It was the tiniest house! It was only 15 feet wide! LOL From the kitchen table you could answer the front door, get something out of the refrigerator, and check the oven! Our Lab/Dane mix dog Fred broke his tail wagging it in the hall! Crazy small house. We thought, oh, lets get all the upgrades because we are only going to live here for a few years and then we will buy a bigger house and start a family...1 year and 9 months later Jason was born and 16 months after that Molly was born. It was a two bedroom house so in the kids room there was a crib on each wall. It was a toy house and we were living in it with two babies and a giant dog!We lived there for 6 years! LOL Crazy small house. We have such great memories there though. I still love that house.


So now it's 19 years later and Mark is still my best friend. He's a great husband. And he puts up with me!I'm thinking we are going to go out to eat with the kids tonight. We haven't done that in a long time.

I'm off to the candy guy in Pennsylvania today with my friend Cornelia. I need to get the special chocolate for the baskets....and some for me of course! Have a great day.

And The Finger Puppets...

are impossible to make!!!! I gave up, gave in, and ordered just a few from Amazon. Finger puppets...check. Moving on to greener less intimidating activities! To tell the truth, the basic shape is easy enough - it's the making them amazing that was just too dang difficult! I went through a lot of fleece, felt, and fabric before I accepted defeat and clicked the buy now button on my computer. Immediate relief. Some things are just not worth the effort involved in making them! Finger Puppet Makers of America - I salute you. You are underpaid and overworked and any price you want to set is fine by me.

and this is what I was talking about with Howard. This is how he sleeps...

I was going to go out with a friend of mine today but Mark decided to take the day off. It's going to be a busy day. I hope you had a relaxing weekend.

It's A Puppet Making Frenzy...

Okay, I'm on a total manic finger puppet making mission! Starting today I need to create some extremely fabulous finger puppets PDQ! Kellie asked for finger puppets for Easter. My kids each get a basket from the big bunny but they also each get a small gift from Mark and I. Ryan handed me his bunny list...ah, bud, this isn't Christmas!...and Kellie just wants some finger puppets. So, I go to Target because they sold them a few years ago. No luck. Okay, I went online to Amazon. WELL! They have them and a little stage. Super cute! I'm adding to the cart, adding to the cart....check the cart total $79.00 - ah, no. So now I'm going to try to whip up some felt critters --- and here is the shocker -- out of supplies I already have! Yes dear friends I'm determined to use what I already have on this project. I know - the mind boggles over the concept of me not going to Joann's for some special finger puppet making supply purchases. Mark said he'll believe it when he sees it. Such a lack of faith! It's going to be hard to compete with puppets like these and these. And I'm going to resist the temptation to go to Lowe's and buy a scroll saw to make the stage! :O) I think she'll survive with a modified old shoe box for a stage, right?


Hopefully by Monday I will have something fabulous to show you - OR - I'll be singing the blues. We'll see.

I was talking a little about cakes here a few days ago...so I thought I would share the icing recipe that I use. This recipe is great because it's not too sweet - it's amazing what a pinch of salt can do - and it's perfect for decorating a cake.

1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
4 Cups (1 box) Confectioners Sugar
2 Tbsp Milk
1 or 2 Pinches of Salt

Cream shortening and butter, add vanilla. Gradually add in sugar 1 cup at a time, beat on medium speed - scraping sides - add milk and food coloring - till light and fluffy. Can be stored in refrigerator in an air tight container for 2 weeks. Makes 3 cups of frosting.

So, it's raining AGAIN. I have to go to the grocery store and I want to stop in Barnes and Noble to see if they have the new somerset magazines in yet. Have a happy weekend! See you Monday (with hopefully some finger puppets to show you).

We had this for dinner last night. It's really good and kind of fast to make. It's an old Betty Crocker recipe from summer of 1999 but it's not on their site anymore. It's Lemon Basil Pasta With Shrimp...

8 oz uncooked Vermicelli (my store was out of Vermicelli so I used Linguine this time)

1/4 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice

1/2 tsp Salt

2 Tbsp extra-virgin Olive Oil

1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Fresh Basil (about 1 cup loosely packed leaves)

3/4 pound Shelled, Deveined, Uncooked Shrimp

2 Garlic Cloves, Minced

1 Zucchini, Halved lengthwise, cut into 1/2 inch slices (3/4 cup)

1 Yellow Summer Squash, Halved lengthwise, cut into 1/2 inch slices (3/4 cup)

1. Cook Vermicelli as directed on package. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine lemon juice, salt and 1 Tbsp olive oil; beat with wire whisk until well blended. Gently stir in basil. Set aside.

3. In 12 inch nonstick skillet, heat remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil over high heat until hot. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Add garlic, zucchini, and summer squash; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender and shrimp turns pink. Add cooked vermicelli and basil mixture; toss gently.

makes 4 (2 cup) servings.

If you would like to see more pasta recipes, Randi is having a swap of recipes with pasta today on her blog.

April Is My Favorite Month!

I love April! It is my favorite month. All the spring birds are back and they are chirping in the trees, the buds are on the trees, the cherry blossoms are blooming, all the spring flowers in my garden are coming up, and the air smells so good! Love this month! April is a busy month for me. My wedding anniversary is in April, Easter is in April this year, and Molly's 16th birthday is this month.

I was running around like a nut yesterday - I hope you had a nice Tuesday. I did finish the black stitching on Monday but I took yesterday off and didn't work on the cover at all. My wrists and hands are very grateful for that!My favorite thread for my mini quilts (and everything else) is the overdyed floss by Needle Necessities. It has always been my go to thread.Unfortunately, they went out of business. Now I can't bring myself to use the thread that I have left because I wont be able to replace it! It will only be used for something very special now. Very sad about that thread not being available anymore.

I pulled some of my other hand dyed floss to use on this project. I may use some Wildflowers by Caron, Weeks Dye Works, and The Gentle Art. They are expensive though and since this is a book cover I may stick with the cheaper DMC's for this project.I'm going to use a lot of DMC. This is the silky threads - I've never worked with them before, I hope I like them. They have a soft sheen to them that I like.and the metallic threads (never worked with them before either). They seem stiff, but I'm planning to mix threads so maybe they will be fine. I like how they have some sparkle to them.I'm going to use these DMC variegated threads the most. They work well for background stitching.and I'm planning to use a little of these threads mixed in for interest (not sure about the fuzzy stuff because it may not hold up to use - they may be put aside for a wall hanging instead, but I thought I would show them to you because they look like they would be fun to use on a quilt and I'm anxious to use them. I've used that orange fuzzy sparkly thread before to out line the inner section of the petals on Kellie's Flower mini quilt.It's hard to see in this photo, but I like the way it looks on the quilt. It's fun to use. I used matching thread to couch it to the quilt.

And as you know, I love cupcakes. When I was at the mall Friday with my friend I saw this pan at Williams Sonoma and had to have it. I'm going to make them for Easter, and for Molly's birthday. I think they are so pretty! Very fun.

I love decorating cakes! Not as easy now that I have carpal tunnel, but when Jason and Molly were little (2 and 3) I took a cake decorating class with my sister. Very fun. I made all kinds of fancy cakes for the kids birthdays. These are a few of my favorites...They are fun to make, but boy those pans take up so much room! They are hard to store. I keep thinking I should sell them. But the kids might want the pans for their own kids one day. Yeah, that's why I have an attic full of crap that my kids will probably never want!

So, now that my hands had a rest yesterday I'm going to get to work on some colorful stitching. See you tomorrow - Happy Wednesday and Happy April!