Pretty in Pink

PINK wheels, Really?

In researching PINK via google -

I came across this website

check it out

http://www.pinkmagazine.com/index.html

It is a magazine for professional women.

for the IT Chicks out there
here's one for you

http://geeksinpink.org/default.aspx

This is a local organization in Dallas that just got started this summer.

Powder Puff Pumpkin

 Decorations by Kate

(2 years old)

House Party Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix House Party

I signed up for this on Tuesday evening.  The party will be on Dec 5th.  I will find out by 11/12 if I am selected.


House Party Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix House Party

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Mojito Time

No, this isn't a "real" mojito.

My friend, Shelby gave me this chocolate mint from her garden. 

It is amazing how fast it has "rooted" - can you see it ? Again, the iPhone camera isn't the greatest.

Apparently, this is a pretty aggressive herb, so planting it in the yard is not a good idea. It has rooted so fast that I really need to get it in a pot. I cannot wait.

It smells so good, I just want to bathe in it.

Firemaker

I got to light the first fire of the Fall on Friday night.  This picture was taken with my iPhone, so please excuse the poor quality.  I had visitors over the weekend, so unfortunately, I do not have much to blog about today.

But I will tell you this..

I lit another fire on Saturday night, and you would have thought I had created it by rubbing two sticks together. My visitors had not seen the "duraflame" logs used before.  First, they were amazed that I didn't have a "gas" fireplace, that it actually is "woodburning".   When I put the log in the fireplace, and lit the paper, that was extremely fascinating to my visitors. They stood in front of the fireplace like children waiting to roast marshmallows. It was pretty funny.  They couldn't believe that you just "left" the paper on.. how quickly it became fire, how pretty it was, etc.

Who knew entertaining could be so freakin' easy!

It's not the face of Jesus...

If you look VERY VERY closely - you will see a heart shaped imprint.

I had stepped away from my desk on Tuesday afternoon, and when I came back..

this imprint was on my notepad.
 I promise, there wasn't ANYTHING under it that was heart shaped.

Is it a miracle?  nah
Is it a sign from God? I dunno

but
I do know this...

it sure came at a time when I needed to feel {hearted}!

Herbal Experiment - Day 93

Basil as of  October 7th. It's doing ok, but I've had to baby it alot.

This picture was taken on Sept 30th.

This picture was taken on October 7th. 

Sage and chives are doing FANTASTIC.   Basil is limping along. I think I am salvaging the big pot, but the small pot from seeds that was doing so well - see the last posting on August 28 - isn't doing so great.

Peel Me A Grape

So, you may be asking yourself.. where did this "Peel Me A Grape" title come from.. why did it change from "simplysandi"?

I have decided that "simplysandi" is no longer original.  When I created my very first blog, "simplysandi", I didn't know that there was another "simplysandi" blog.  My first clue should have been when I couldn't actually get just "simplysandi" but had to name it "simplysandiblog".  Duh !  But I was new to the whole world of blogging.  Then, Vera Wang stole my idea with her "Simply Vera" line at Kohl's, and I just didn't feel simply original anymore.

I discovered Diana Krall back in 1998 - switching channels on cable.. and she was playing at a festival in Rhode Island.  She is awesome.  She sings jazz... and one of the songs she sings is "Peel Me A Grape"...
(If you click on the title of this blog, it will take you to her website.)

I love this song, and grapes are made from wine, and I love wine, and I thought maybe if I did actually "peel" the grapes before I ate them, I might even lose some weight... which is a thing I'd LOVE to do... so it's simply a winning combo..

So, welcome to my head! Look forward to sharing more of my wacky thoughts with you... one grape at a time!

The Best Snack...EVER!!!

This are delicious, and addicting...

It makes me think of Valerie Bertinelli's weight loss testimony.

Her vice was jalapeno poppers.

They were her "comfort" food..

well, "poppers" move over..

these cream cheese and jalapeno "bowls"

ROCK!!!

I will never lose weight now!

Easy Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
6 ice cream sandwiches (3.5 oz each)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

>Line an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch loaf pan (I think mine was skinnier) with a piece of wax paper or parchment, allowing the paper to hang over both sides.
>In a large bowl, beat the cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
>In the bottom of the pan, arrange 3 of the sandwiches in a single layer, cutting them to fit as necessary.Spread with half the whipped cream. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the chopped chocolate chips.  Repeat with the remaining sandwiches and whipped cream. Sprinkle the top with the remainder of the chips.  Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 week.
>Holding both sides of the paper overhang, lift the cake out of the pan, and transfer to a platter.  Discard the paper, slice the cake, and serve.

Note: Try Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwiches - drizzle chocolate sauce or caramel or both between layers.

Cheeseburger Layer Dip

Cheeseburger Layer Dip

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef

2 tsp. Weber Gourmet Burger Seasoning

8 oz. grated cheddar cheese

1/2 red onion (chopped)

10-15 vlasic hamburger dill slices (chopped)

1 roma tomato (chopped)

shredded butter lettuce for garnish

1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dip Mix

1- 8oz Light Sour Cream

Directions

Brown the ground beef seasoned with the Gourmet Burger Seasoning.  Drain, and place on the bottom of a 13x9 dish. Begin layering starting with the cheddar cheese, then the onion, then the pickles, then the tomato and lettuce.   Mix the Hidden Valley Ranch Dip with the sour cream.  Spread on top of the tip.  Serve immediately.

Note: Vlasic pickles are T?HE BEST... do not substitute.  You can replace with pickled jalapenos.  

P.S. Still haven't invested in a quality digital camera, so all pictures on this blog are from my cell phone camera. Currently, using my iPhone, so apologize for the blurriness.. but you get the jist.. right?