Two Cents Thursdays

What's your Two Cents? Here's mine. First,I brushed my teeth with peroxide and baking soda this weekend. Have you ever done that? OMG, it was gross and it didn't work. Why I expected my teeth to look like a Crest Whitening commercial I have no clue, but note to self, never do that again.

I bought three fashion magazines this past weekend. I have been slacking on reading my "smut" as I call it. And they all sucked. Then when I do find items in the magazine to pin to my Pinterest or possibly interested in buying and they are either unavailable or no where to be found on the website. What's up with that? I think these editors in People Style Watch should realize that even though these are published a month later than when written, the items aren't available. 

Ian and Dad were playing the fart game. So, I thought well, I will play along. I let one rip and all of the sudden its , "oh, gross mom", or "honey, that's so disgusting." Really, where is it written that mom farts don't qualify? I either out did them or I guess it's a mans world when it comes to gas.

Why can't I get my coffee to taste the same way every day? It's either too sweet or I over creamed. 

Ianism- "Mom, reading really makes my brain smart, but it sure gives me a headache". Hmmm, is that what they call a real Catch 22?

ER said 9 minutes this week. Less heart attacks and chopped off fingers I assume.

We have been redecorating/remodeling our house. Chad paints the bottom half of the wall and I love it. For two days the creamy white at the top he keeps saying is too white. I say I like it, he says no I will take it and get it tinted another shade darker. I agree. I come home on Saturday and he painted the wall, the original white color! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

And finally, I have lacked motivation to pursue my resolution to get healthy and in shape. You know, tone up, and not be reminded my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. Which is why I consumed enough carbs on Monday that if you pressed my stomach I made the sound like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Lord, please grant me the strength to get my milkshake in gear before it turns into a giant loaf of bread.

Well, that's my two cents. What's yours? Happy Thursday my friends. 

Love,

Dusty

look look

Well, its not really an official fashion post, but sort of. I am still a scaredy cat, but I wanted to give you the 411 on what I am loving this week and a little surprise, well, its not all that climatic but since I vary rarely post pics of myself, to some its a yahoo. If I could gain one follower or comment out of this post I will be shocked. You see my words and pictures but don't get to see me but it's coming I promise. After I work out like a supermodel and the weather cooperates.

First, I have searched for a shirt like this forever. I saw one last year on Net-A-Porter, but Net can tell Porter to fly a kite because I wasn't paying $200 bucks for it. But I found this little diddy on H&M (and you know my obsession with them) which is funny because we don't have one in Tennessee (insert mad face here).

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Then with the weather in Tennessee being unpredictable, snow three weeks ago and now the rain every other day and up and down temperatures. We are all fashion impaired right now. But I love these boots. I want a pair of Hunter boots but the price tag is a little off my budget, but it's on my wish list this year so I will save up. I love these mid calf instead of the tall ones. A little more versatile. 

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Aren't they adorable? Some cute socks, rolled up boyfriend jeans, ooowee doggies. Love. So now, you've read my quest for clogs or you should have. If not, check my catergory, Tater Queens Fashion Inspirations for that post. I found a pair over in Spain and they will be in my closet before the year is up, but I found a steal. These beauts at K-Mart. That's right K-Mart for ..wait for it, $12.00. Ahhh, I am satisfied just like a Swedish girl in a Riccola commercial.

 I have wrote numerous times about my quest for this jacket. 

And finally, here is my beautiful jacket that my mom made. I love it. I am so proud of it. Yes, that's me, in deep conversation using my hands like I do. That's a vintage Barbie t-shirt  and hat from Old Navy. Isn't it awesome? Oh yes, sexier than boots on a duck!

So, there ya go some inspiration and sort of fashion post but thank gawd someone took a picture of my good side. Happy Wednesday everyone. Hope you have some fashion inspiration this week. Purty up!

Love,

Dusty

linked up the pleated poppy & rolled up pretty

why oh why

Everyone has been asked the age old question, “if you could trade places with anyone who would it be and why?” Then you get the same answers like, the President and God. And of course you have those that say, “I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else because my life is just as its supposed to be.” And they are right, but I also say bull kaka. We all in our lives wished we could trade places with someone or want to make wishes that you hope come true. We all wished that we had things we don’t or why didn’t I get blessed with this or that. I tell ya there have been many times that I have said that one day when I get to talk to God, I am going to ask him so many questions. Of course, by the time I get done, he’s probably going to kick me to the curb.

Like, God, honey buns, why didn’t you give me boobs?  No, I am not a sled, but something a little perky. Like when I cross over railroad tracks in my car they should bounce up and down, not side to side. You filled my butt out real good, but couldn’t you have transplanted some of that energy up top?

Or why do women have to have monthly menstrual cycles every 28 to 30 days? I know, I know, to cleanse the body and monitoring the cycle for child baring but you didn’t do this for man. Man deserves to feel the pain of cramps, push a watermelon threw a hole the size of a quarter. If not for the suffering for the bond you feel with carrying a child for nine months and feeling like a turtle on its back that can’t turn over.

Why do I have to shave my underarms and legs every few days. This I rebel on. Shave under my arms yes, but the legs, seriously, you’re lucky this girl isn’t considered green resembling a cactus. I hate to shave my legs, yet the burden upon a woman to be silky smooth is really over rated. And all the choices that we have to shave them with is despicable. Venus versus Gillette, Silky Smooth Shave Cream versus Barbosol. Have you seen the price of a Venus replacement..$14 bucks baby. That’s why you only get once a week with me. You could have just made me with no hair on my legs, it would have been fine really.

Snot…and its purpose is what? You blow and blow. Its purpose is nothing. I mean couldn’t you have least said, ok, if you make a snot quota after 10 day cold you get a prize. Our bodies produce a lot of things but why that? It’s sticky and slimy. Useless, well, except for two year old's who think its pretty yummy until they turn 12 and you tell them they used to eat it like chicklets gum. Then they are like, “no I didn’t”..oh, yes you did Bubba.

Why are dogs lives measured in years? Worthless guard dog #2 is 84 in dog years, oh wait that makes her twelve. Never mind, humans got the good end to that stick. High Five!

My point is, I do sometimes want what I don’t have or want to get rid of the things that are burdens in my life, but I don’t know that I could or would trade places with you. Your check lists have to be a mile long, your complaint box must be full and I realize that in your shoes I would probably fail miserably. Well, isn’t that just great, I come to revelation now I gotta go blow my nose, shave my body, take a Midol, find the push up bra and thank you everyday I am here for these 40 human years. Dang it, why do you have to be so Godlike to make a point. Ugh!

Have a great Tuesday!

Love,

Dusty

stupid cool

Stupid Cool. Have ever heard of it? Yeah, me neither so if you haven’t then I take full credit for making it up. If its out there and I am just now getting on the train, then obviously I am uncool. It’s kind of like when my grandmother used to say, “it’s so ugly its cute.” Did anyone ever say that to you? My grandfather had an English Bulldog named Magoo. Loved that dog. She used to say he was so ugly he was cute. Stupid cool could be along same lines as “bless your heart” but not all the way there. Here’s what I mean.

At Christmas the line to Starbucks was wrapped all the way into the women’s section in Target. I thought why would you wait in line for an hour for a Carmel salted frappe whappe minus the skinny minnie, pay $5 dollars for a cup of hyped up jo.  How stupid is that? But you receive your coffee and then you become cool because you’re carrying around a Starbucks cup, shopping throughout the store because everyone thinks your cool when you drink Starbucks coffee in “the cup.” Yeah, you become “stupid cool.”

We spent New Years in the Great Smokey Mountains. Doing a little sightseeing, we drove by these people bungee jumping. Five stories in the air, walk to the edge and jump! How stupid is that? Well, you pay $50 bucks, climb to the top platform, and let some stranger fasten clasps and ropes around your ankles and then cowabunga! There you go, head first. Then as your feet reach the ground you are suddenly cool. Cool to your friends, cool to yourself, you purchase the video, action photo and t-shirt and $250 dollars later. You’re “stupid cool.”

At Halloween, kids dress up and as parents, we think they are the cutest things since peanut butter and jelly, but as adults we dress up and you go to a party, see everyone and think, oh my gawd, we as adults actually took the time to look like Britney Spears, the President or an ugly vampire. How stupid is that? This day is all about being stupid because in the end it’s so cool because we used our imaginations and had a blast. For one day out of the year it’s okay to be “stupid cool”.

And finally, I saw a chickolette carrying a very expensive handbag. Oh, and carrying it just by the handle and the rest was dangling to the ground. I am looking at her like, really, you own a Louis and you’re lugging it around like it was old luggage. How stupid is that? First off, I can think of 10 things I can buy with $1000 bucks. Pretty stupid you shell out that much money for a handbag just for the name, but lord, oh lord, I would love one time just to be that girl with a Louis handbag. I can’t even afford to sniff the leather, but I sure would like to walk around being hot to trot and “stupid cool”.

So there you have it. Stupid cool. In some way, we all are stupid cool. It’s not a bad thing. It just means that in the choices we make in life, we all sometimes are lacking in judgement, but it sure feels good to be cool no matter the cost.

Happy Monday my friends. Be stupid cool today!

Love,

Dusty 

hot tamale...an award for GLFP

In the crazy world we live in, it is so rewarding to think that there are people that really are nice.  I live in a house full of crazy, my family are whackadoodles, I fight my own insecurities every day, I am a princess, so admittedly which is funny because I guess everyone has their version of a princess, my friends are close yet so far away, I found comfort threw the internet and not on some site called I wanna seriously date, marry you and be yo baby daddy in two months dot com and I write all about it on my blog.

It’s my outlet, my own little piece of me. It’s me voting myself most popular because for just a few moments, I think I am sorta cool and then my kid yells, “mom come wipe my butt” and reality sets back in that I am just a girl who writes a blog with a funny name.

But then someone else read it, liked it and decided to put an award on it (insert Beyonce music here, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh)!  So thank you Anna over at Anna Land (Where Everything Shines Like Glittler) for nominating me for the Liebster Blog award. You are a cutie patootie. Ya’ll check her out. Her blog is so colorful and fun.

So it is my pleasure to pass along this same nomination to five wondermous blogs. Which let me say I don’t really want to pick just five. I love all my blogs I read. But in keeping with the rules, I have to choose up and coming blogs with less than 200 followers, mention them on my site and then let them know, by sending them a message that they have been nominated, to take a bow, high five themselves and spread the love to the next deserving recipient.

Here are my five. I honest to goodness read all the blogs I have joined. I hope one day they find me lovely enough to follow back and I hope these girls have much success.

1.      I Wanna Feel That Fire – she is an Instagram queen and adorable. Just a beatuiful lady with a sweet family and I love that.

2.      Love Parish – great little fashion blog especially for youngin’s. One day I hope we see her face. But her pics are pretty.

3.      Tara Ashley – she has some of the greatest quote pins and she’s too cute. I seriously laughed at her distorted iPhone picks at work to the point of wanting to pee my self and obnoxious snorting.

4.      Distinctly M – true story..she commented on my blog the other day and I am like, where do I know that name from? Then ding dong..I remembered reading her proposal story like a month or so ago after coming across her blog. I instantly joined up to be a follower because I didn’t want to forget again. She's hot to trot and she’s funny.

5. Little Spindle - she just did a little bloggy makeover and I love her "Thanks for Sharing" series. Plus the girl is a cook. Yummy Yummy.

So there you have it my picks but there are so many more I think also deserve recongition. We are all great in our own special way. We are unique and I enjoy reading all my blog loves.

Have a great Friday and again thank you Anna. Oh, and you know you now have the Beyonce song playing over and over in your head..uh, huh, that's right, "if you like then you shoulda put a ring on it!" oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh... if not it is now.

Love ya,

Dusty

Two Cents Thursdays

Yay! What’s your “Two Cents” cause its “Thursday”. I got some pretty good stuff. Here we go.

On my way home there is a sign on the side of the interstate from a local hospital that has their name and a clock with a wait time for the emergency room.  Yesterday it said, “ER wait time 47 minutes”. Really, so what you are showing everyone in big red numbers is if you are having a heart attack, you will wait 47 minutes to be seen? Oh, wait they must have the same philosophy as “fast food”. 

My sister and I are thinking about trying the Tracy Anderson Method called Metamorphosis. Have you heard of her? She transformed Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, LeAnn Rimes, Madonna, all these celebrities’ bodies. She designs a workout based on your body type. You enter on her website and take this survey, and then she sends you an email letting you know which program best suits you to order. My sister and I were both Gluetcentric. Which is a nice way of saying, “baby got back”. Any hoot,  I read an article that she was pregnant with her second child. Let me tell you I will be monitoring her every move. If a woman can bounce back using her own methods being over 35 and having a baby then I am investing. I will be writing about our achievement with this workout regimen.

My new favorite show on ABC, “Revenge”!!! Anyone watching it? Oh, I would love to visit the Hampton's (even though that show is filmed in North Carolina I think). It’s on my places to go.

Chad wants to move to Alaska. He’s overloaded on the misconceptions from the reality shows on TV. They show these beautiful landscapes, big moose, bears, drunks.. you know things a man loves. This is what I say to him when he mentions it.. “Yes, honey, I love you, bye bye. Oh, and let me know how it is”. Moma ain’t moving to Alaska!

Finally, I don’t talk about my son too often or often as I should. He’s a good boy and very funny. I thought I would share my Ianism’s with everyone. I share them on my personal Face book page, but I thought it would be fun to share with my bloggy friends.

Ianism #1 – Sunday Ian wakes me up at 7 am. “Mom, can I tell you a question.” I grunt and he says, “If you put 3-D glasses on a dog will it hurt their eyes?” My reply, “no it will only make them look funny”. "Ooohhh", he says.

Ianism #2 – That same Sunday driving to my niece’s first birthday party, he says, “Mom, look at that cow on top of that other cow, what is he doing?” My reply, “forming a Conga line”. (Hey, that’s what popped into my head). "Ooohh", he says.

Ianism #3 – Wednesday morning, “Mom, what do you think Paw Paw is doing in heaven with God?” My reply, “I don’t know but I bet he’s happy”.  Ian then says, “I think he’s playing poker.” I silently bust a gut laughing. My step dad didn’t play poker.

So there you have it my friends. What’s your Two Cents. Share if you dare!

Love,

Dusty

things i am diggin'

I came across this picture over the weekend on where else..Pinterest. It made me reflect first and foremost on my "old" friendships and how I always thought we would pinkie swear and be BFF's forever, have kids together, be in each other's weddings, you know all the crazy ideas you have in high school? Matter of fact it bothered me enough that I woke at 3 am thinking about where were my friends. Anyway, that's for another post. So, I pin this picture and it puts me in the mood for the groove. I start thinking of the 70's. Boho, Rock n Roll, Hippies and such then I remembered oh, yeah, I am a product of the 70's no wonder I love the look.

And I do love it. I am much more of a flower child. Pretty patterns, flowers, and clothes that are rugged and worn with a story behind them. But don't kid yourself, I do have my rock n roll side. I can party with the best of them. Dance on the table tops, do shots of tequila, and boogie the night a way. And then the next morning because I am a product of the 70's which makes me you know in the 4-0 category -  I would promptly get up, take three Advil, have a cup of coffee, swear to Baby Jesus I will never do that again, apply Ben Gay to my aching muscles, brush my teeth twice to get the taste out of my mouth, pray to Baby Jesus again to please let me throw up, blame my lovey even if he wasn't apart of the shin-dig, call four new friends and tell them I had such a good time and can't wait to do it again, hang up the phone knowing I just lied my butt off and by 10 am, I will hopefully take nap. Gawd, I rock, huh!

So here's what I am grooving about. My Pinterest has been on fire lately. A ton of repinners, but only two new followers. I am still sort of new to the obsession, but if you like someones stuff, wouldn't you want to follow them to see what other cool, groovy things they pin next? Ugh, I gotta get a blogging for dummies manual and maybe a tutorial on Pinterest protocol.

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the photo that started it all. this must be mix of 70's & 80's

but look, girl power- love it

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turquoise earrings.. i am seriously in love with this known hippie tone color

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I am not a Rolling Stones fan (I think Mick Jagger is yuck)

but I love their logo and with my cool new shag coat..hot snot baby!

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I love this bracelet so much. I will have this!

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an updated hippie version and I love this whole look, Peace, Love & R&R!

So there you have it. I am stylin' n profilin' some cool wants this week. Hopefully,  I am going to grow a little braver. One of the things I want to do with my blog, is out fit posts. I got this new camera, tripod and a wireless remote shutter. But every time I think about it, I chicken out. Plus, the weather here has been terrible. One day my friends...

Hope you have a great Wednesday and you find your groove.

Oh, and I don't drink tequila. I barfed my brains out in high school drinking it and vowed to never drink it again and I haven't in 20 years.

Love ya,

Dusty

linked up thepleatedpoppy & rolleduppretty

soups on

This weekend was productive. Grocery, my niece’s 1^st birthday party and remodeling the hallway. Our first step into a home makeover. Turning my house into a little cottage has just begun. Of course, there was eating too. I made this loaded potato soup that was good enough to slap your cousin. Oh and my 7-up biscuits which are my new go-to recipe. Let me warn you, this recipe to so easy, but you will develop muscles similar to a body builder after you are finished from all the stirring. It was almost like the Old McDonald song, with a stir, stir here, and a stir, stir there, here a stir, there a stir, every where a stir, stir. Seriously, a lot of stirring. You get the picture? Here is the recipe. Hope you enjoy.

Loaded Potato Soup

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup flour

7 cups milk

5 potatoes cubed

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup onions

12 ounces of bacon ( I used 2 jars of Hormel Bacon pieces)

1 cup sour cream

2 cups cheddar cheese

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

Dice potatoes and boil until done. Set aside.

Sauté onions with 1 tablespoon butter. Set aside.

In large pot melt butter. Add flour and whisk until smooth.

Gradually add milk one cup at a time, stirring until thickened.

Add potatoes and onions. Stirring constantly. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add bacon, sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until blended. Simmer 10 more minutes.

Serve with extra cheese and bacon on top. 

And for my 7 Up biscuits, click here. Hope you have a great day!

Love, 

Dusty

no longer friends

*Warning this post may cause someone great distress because they have heard the truth I speak.

Who are you? I thought at one time we were friends. My revelation this weekend was confirmed that we are not. I have struggled and contemplated. I thought about telling you about it on Facebook, but would anyone listen? Does anyone feel my pain? Our relationship was close. I have known you for so long that, it’s so weird to know that you have changed.  What happened? Was it time? Did I neglect to accept or nurture your every need? Did I not listen to others when they told me at one time you were so wonderful and I could trust you. That this pain shouldn’t enter your life at this age.

I knew this day would come. I knew I would shed tears. I knew that you would probably be your stubborn self and tell your friends and they would jump on the bandwagon and then turn against me. We were family. So close. We had a special bond and then all of the sudden you turn into a ghost. A figment of my imagination? I think not. You’re real. You’re hurtful. You suck! This anger shouldn’t enter my life so young. I have so many things to be thankful for, so why are you significant? Why is it when I read these stories of this happening to others, they can embrace your harsh entrance. Smile and act like nothing is wrong. It’s life! I was told by a friend. You can either chose to ignore it or do something about it.

So, I have chosen in my better judgment as a human being to eliminate you from every aspect of my life. I am sure that every few weeks or so I will wonder about you. When you will appear in my life again, I will try to remember that you were really significant and that you taught me a life lesson. That it happens to the best of us. Things or people enter into our lives but that you just have to let them go with vengeance.

My hair and I have had a falling out. That’s right you gray hairs. I am making an appointment to destroy you!  How dare you invade my head and other parts of my body? You just had to go and spread the word and now there could be more out there I don’t know about. How dare you offset these beautiful highlights that I so treasure and pay good money for? My hair and I have a bond that will never be broken as long as there is a bowl, bleach and a good hairstylist that I call my friend in my life. At all cost, I will color you until the follicles cannot handle it anymore. I will have you shaved, waxed and plucked you until there is nothing left. You made your presence known now you must die bitches! In the words of Weezer from Steel Magnolias, “You are evil and must be destroyed.”

Happy Monday,

Dusty

thanks easter bunny

I wanted to say thank you again to my new followers on my blog, pinterest, twitter and bloglovin and also, to those who liked my facebook page. So for the weekend, I hope you shake it like a poloroid picture with your friends and they will come back all excited to read some new material, laugh and realize how normal they are after visiting my blog (wink wink, that was sort of a joke but some what true).

Like my FACEBOOK page (click here)

Join me on TWITTER (click here)

Follow me on PINTEREST (click here)
Supertastic BLOGLOVIN (click here)

FEEDBURNER (click here)

or go to my main page and sign up via email

Leave me a comment so I can follow you back, if I haven't already! Have a great weekend everyone!

Love,

Dusty

Two Cents Thursdays

Oh, yes after this week, I am up for Two Cents Thursdays! Let's get started shall we? If you know me personally then you have heard my gripe about how much my son's "car rider line" stresses me out. Since he was in kindergarten my hatred for this process only grows. Although I love taking him to school (we live right around the corner), I sometimes long for the days he can jump on a school bus. I don't want to wish his life in fast motion but I hate, no despise the car rider line. You drive in and you have 10 kids, mostly young girls standing on a side walk spinning their arms like they are wind mills, directing you to pull around to the end of the side walk. Most of the time these little princesses are doing cheerleader moves with the girl next to them, or having a very important conversation I am sure about little Johnny who just got off the school bus and "eek, they can't wait to see him in the cafeteria." Some how they neglect to do their duty and open the door for my kid who's already on the side walk when "oops" they discover he's out of my car, they come over tell me to have a nice day and slam the door. This causes me great stress. I find myself wanting to say, F...you, I hope Johnny thinks you have buck teeth, you didn't help my kid out of the car with a large backpack and he about face planted into the sidewalk. Oh, and if it's pouring rain and you stop at the door so your kid doesn't get soaked, they will promptly tell you to "next time pull to the end of the sidewalk". Hey, Betty Lou, suck it! I give this school enough money, I am not pulling to the end of the sidewalk for my kid to be soaking wet. 

Open toe booties - I don't get it. Boots are for keeping your feet warm in the winter. Why in the world would I want some that showed a hole in them? My toe nail polish isn't that grand that you need to see it, plus I don't like cold toes. I am not saying they are bad, I just don't understand the concept of a boot with open toes. Your going to cover your whole foot and up to your calf and leave your toes hanging like a bad high five. Hmmm...pondering.

Red lips - I think its cool. I wouldn't do it personally. I am a smokey eye neutral lips kind of girl. I always thought that red lips were for special occasions or fancy dancy places with evening attire. Now they are everywhere. I see them on ton's of blogs but that's all I see. The first thing that draws my eye to the picture is the blood red lips. Some of these women could put on burlap sacks and they would have blood red lips. Just let me process it for a while. I will get used to it, ok?

My mom gave me a cool calendar. It's from Pillsbury and each month is a different recipe, then at the back are 12 more recipes. They all look yummy, but here's the deal, no matter how much or what you stuff a crescent roll with, it still tastes like a crescent roll! You know what I am talking about and don't say you don't. S'more stuffed crescent rolls. They taste just like a s'mores. NO IT DOESN'T! It tastes like a crescent roll stuffed with chocolate and marshmallows. GAWD! The only thing you can stuff a crescent roll with is a hot dog and then yes, it tastes like a pig in a blanket. That's it.. I rest my case.

I made myself laugh yesterday. Our worthless guard dog #2 Libby Lou is having her time of the sixth month and so am I. Sad thing is we can't share girl talk about it. Then she tried to chew her diaper with the maxi pad stuck in it. I just looked at her and said, "yep sucks does it?" Pretty sad when you and the dog both have PMS and you share maxi pads. 

Well, that's it! I feel so much better. Oh, I am loving my new followers. Thanks so much. Don't forget to share your Two Cents. 

Love ya,

Dusty

Bacon and Cheese Bread Bowl

In the new year, it should be every one's resolution to share. I am usually wonderful at sharing except for Reese's Peanut Butter mini's. You put your claws on one of mine and I will slap you about the head and face. Nothing comes between this girl, chocolate and peanut butter. I ate so much peanut butter when I was pregnant, I thought Ian was going to come out with a top hat on looking like the Planter's Peanut guy dancing with a cane. The funny part is I hate nuts. To eat a peanut out of a bowl, freaks me out. But this girl loves her some Jif creamy peanut butter. Oh, gawd, did I just ramble? Hold on, I need to take a moment, I was overwhelmed with the thought of peanut butter. Any hoot, I am going to share my mostest, favoritest recipes. It's divine. A party favorite, easy and I make it a ton when I have to bring an appetizer or have a girls night at my house. You won't be sorry and your guest will love it, if they don't, well, may they eat rotten peanuts. Here goes!

Bacon & Cheese Bread Bowl

1 package of Hawaiian Bread

2 jars or packages of Bacon Pieces (or you can use the microwave bacon and chop up)

2 cups Monterrey Jack & Colby Cheese

1 cup frozen onions thawed

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (powder kind)

1 cup mayo

-Preheat oven 350 degrees

-Cut circle out of Hawaiian bread. Clean the center out, shred the bread, put into a container. Make sure you leave bread in aluminum pan it comes in.

-Mix mayo, onions, all cheeses, and bacon in a bowl and pour into the center of the bread bowl.

-Cover with aluminum foil. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover bake another 30 to 40 minutes or until its a little golden brown on top or the bread bowl looks done and creamy.

-Use the shredded bread you put aside to spread on. You can also use Ritz crackers.

Yummilicious!

I hope you enjoy. Send me an email if you try this. It's my lovey's favorite thing and now that I think about it, I will send myself an email because I think I will make it this weekend. 

Love ya,

Dusty


linked up rolled up pretty

until then

I have dreaded this day since Friday night at 9 pm. Last week, I wrote a post about my step father and his fight with cancer knowing that he wouldn't have much longer to live. I just didn't expect a week later. My mom contacted me last Friday and urged me to come soon to the hospital. When I got there, I wasn't prepared for what I saw nor was I prepared for the reaction on my son's face. He was frozen, his face turned red, the eyes started to well up with tears and then he held it in. Already at six years old thinking he can't cry. We stayed an hour or so and left; two hours later he was gone. Into the light with open arms, he is now home. 

How bizarre I was talking to my cousin on the phone and had just told her "I wish God would wrap his arms around him and take him to peace". About five minutes later my uncle called and said he had passed. How ironic. Was it coincidence? Was it that someone was listening to my voice? I do not know, but we got to say goodbye and I love yous. Maybe that's what he was waiting for. To be surrounded by his family and the acceptance to go. I don't know if he could hear us, but I know he was peaceful when he left and I know that my heart hurts. He wasn't my real father, but the only grandfather my son ever knew. He was right there with my mom at the hospital at 7 am when I delivered. He took Ian's first pictures after being born. Up until he was too weak, he came to every t-ball and baseball game. He loved to cookout and family. He yearned for a family all of his life and he got one when he married my mom. It doesn't seem fair that at only 60 years old he will not get to see the rest of the journey, but maybe he is ...from above. 

Cancer is a disease that is hateful, spiteful and unjustified. To take a person and rot their bodies to the point of being undignified. The emotional toll of the wait and then the end. Today there will be tears. But are they tears of sorrow? Tears of rejoice for his life? I am angry. Angry he is not here to be with our family. Angry that he suffered. There will be no more family vacations with him, no more of his awesome hamburgers, swimming in the pool, him taking a blue zillion pictures with his high powered camera or him calling my son "biggie boy" like he always did. 

The only thing I know is I loved him. Our family loved him. My son so loved him. We say goodbye today will full military honors, the twenty one gun salute that you so deserved for serving your country for over twenty years. So until then, on another day until we meet again, my heart is filled with love and gratitude for we are the lucky one's to have had him for the memories that will forever live in our hearts.

he was from Texas and this was on their trip 

my favorite picture

Ian was about 6 months old

Hug someone just once more today,

Dusty

on most days

I can't wait for the Super Bowl. Not so much for the food or the game, but the commercials. Some of my favorites the E Trade baby...of course. I saw this commercial and it made me think 1. Bring on the commercials of the Super Bowl and 2. I feel like this lately. On a zip line, in the middle of the jungle, squealing like a crazy person. For some reason, I have felt overwhelmed, tired and well, like a whackadoodle lately. That's what I get for making resolutions, I put too much pressure on myself. So, slowly I will do my best one day at a time!

So you ever feel like you're a crazy pig on a zip line or encounter those people that are so happy you want to bitch slap their mama's? I know that was harsh huh. Deep breaths, in and out, calm, relax and it's ok.

Happy Monday,

Dusty

join me, won't you

I thought since its a New Year I would just like to say, thank you to everyone stopping by. I would love to keep in touch more than just a daily read, so here are my links below. Lets follow each other, hand in hand, through fields of clover with the smell of sweet magnolias and honeysuckle dripping off the weeping willow trees on a hot, southern Louisiana night with fireflies illuminating the ski. I know full of crap huh? But your hooked..Kisses!

Like my FACEBOOK page (click here)

Join me on TWITTER (click here)

Follow me on PINTEREST (click here)
Supertastic BLOGLOVIN (click here)

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or go to my main page and sign up via email

Leave me a comment so I can follow you back, if I haven't already! Have a great weekend everyone!

Love,

Dusty

Two Cents Thursdays

My first Two Cents Thursdays post of 2012. Let's rock this! Hope your new year is fantastic so far. I am sure it is, we are only 5 days in. Here's my pondering moments this week and a special finale at the end. 


First, all women hang their mouths open when they put on mascara, but last night I was taking my mascara off and my mouth...Wide Open. This morning putting on my eye shadow and my mouth...Wide Open. As I type this blog post, my mouth is Wide Open. Why is that? Is there some mechanism in our bodies that say that we will not get through a daily function without our mouth's ...Wide Open. Seriously, pay attention, you will be surprised.


Blue eyeshadow - I saw tons of ladies with blue eye shadow on this weekend. I personally like the dark blue shadows but I also think that your base coat should be a lighter version accented with a darker shade. If you pick out Cyndi Lauper blue and spread it to your eyebrow, then either your lazy, not creative or color blind. And when it mixes with dark brown eyebrows then, Houston we have a problem. Blend people blend.


I am boycotting the Kardashians. Again, I watched about 10 minutes of the New York show and I just can't do it. Then I read that the younger sister received a Range Rover for her birthday. In my white trash world, we think about payments and insurance therefore, we drive Honda's. Ridiculous this show. But I admit it's like a train wreck and you can't not watch or read.


Addicted to the ID Channel and Ghost Whisperer. Weird that I put those two together. I am a scaredy cat when I watch any kind of ghost stuff because I kind of believe in spirits, but for some reason I can set on a Saturday and watch re-runs all day. I am sure Chad is ecstatic I have found new shows to love. It used to be the Lifetime Channels. Now its all about real murder and mayhem. 


I received a comment from an anonymous reader the other day on my blog. They, I assume, were making me aware of a copy cat blogger. After I thought about it and researched the two blogs side by side. I do see similarities, but here's my dealio. I joined her site because she was kind enough to join mine. Also, our blogs are reflections of ourselves. We join and read other blogs for inspiration, laughter and of course friendships. So, I would think at some point and time we are all going to copy each other. Why would there be thousands of blogs with outfit posts if we weren't meant to copy them at some point or another. I don't think that if I see a recipe on another blog I will vow to "Not ever eat a peanut butter pie because Bunt Cake Betty has posted the recipe on her blog". I call BS! I personally feel flattered if someone asks my opinion, recreates a post or tells me they made one of the faboo recipes. But I will say this, if you decide to re-create an outfit post, please photo shop my head on a girl with perky boobies and killer buns!


Droid vs. iPhone... let's debate it. I am leaning towards the iPhone. And I will be honest..only for Instagram!


Finally, there is a magazine, I think it's either Marie Claire or Glamour that posts pictures at the end of Do's and Don't of the fashion world. Well, honey bunny's let me tell you I found one. While in the mountains of rednecks, setting in traffic, I spotted this lovely. I tried to be inconspicuous with the camera, but it didn't work, but I was in a SUV, I could roll up my window and lock the doors. I snapped this girl's picture three ways from Sunday. And now I am going to share it with you.

Let me explain... she had on this beautiful coat then you moved downward. The shoes, well that's just crazy talk, then she had on the purple leg warmers, then these floral panty hose and underneath the panty hose where black knee socks. I am going to give this girl what we call in the south, The Bless Her Heart, award. Enough said.


Happy Thursday! Give me your Two Cents.

Love,

Dusty

Remember this

One of my very first posts was about this jacket. Do you remember? Probably not, I had eight followers and heck they probably don't either. If not, let me refresh your memory or click "jacket" and let the memories flow. I saw this jacket in People Style Watch with the lovely Sienna Miller wearing one similar. I went on line, and to no luck ..SOLD OUT! 

The picture below is from Urban 1972. At a bargain price, it should have been mine, but apparently, it was also the rest of the female population.

remember I am refreshing your memory

Well, my mom who is the bestest of the best knew I wanted this jacket. I probably would have sold my sexiest pair of feety pajamas for it, climbed the tallest roof at the mall, and wore a Madonna cone bra for it. Well, probably not, but after much discussion, she decided to give me this for Christmas.

I know, I know. Isn't it DE-LISH! Your hearing the song "Brickhouse" playing in your head right now aren't you? She's a Brick- House! (insert breaking down motion here). How awesome is that? But here is the kicker. SHE MADE IT! That's right my sweet friends. My momma can kick Sienna Miller's designers ass! So not only does my quest for a bath rug end  with this little beauty, it means more to me because she made it with her own hands. Peace out, chicks!

Love,

Dusty

linked up with the pleated poppy & rolled up pretty & mine for the making

Back from Holiday

Hello, my friends. I am back from holiday (imagine me saying that in my wonderful English accent. Hawl-a-daaay). How was your New Years? Ringing in the new year was great. We, coupled with a few friends, decided back in early August to book a trip for the mountains. One of the things I have vowed is to try to do some different things especially outside of my comfort zone. My love is from Maine so he's been skiing all his life and I want to learn and it would be great to expose my son to different sports. I am not sporty. Unless you call, surfing the net, shopping and watching college football sporty. I did play tennis as a teenager and loved it, and I would like to be more active. Well, I plan on being more active as one of my resolutions. Did I just wander a bit. Yes, back to the story. We booked this cabin in the Great Smokey Mountains which is only three hours away thinking we were going to get to snow ski, snow tube (high on the must list) and enjoy the winter in the woods. Little did we know that in December it would be 56 degrees. But it was cold at night. Now back in our homestead its 28 and I am freezing my baguettes off!


We did end up going up the mountain, touring Ober Gatlinburg and had a wonderful, relaxing time. It's so good to ring in the new year with friends. Here are some highlights. I can't wait to show you what my blog will become this year. 

the view from our cabin, Mountain Top Escape

our friend, Rich and Ian playing Kinect

Moonshine (I didn't drink it)

lunch downtown that we waited 2 hours for

the mustache (still waiting on our lunch)

Ian and my friend Karen switched shoes

lounging at the crib

lips and staches I made out of printables and straws 

thank you Pinterest

the girls

Ian fell asleep before the New Year, so I had to take this the next day

view from the Tram ride to Ober Gatlinburg

pulley system that operates the Tram

So you have it. A few pictures from our weekend. The highlight was New Year's Eve. We played a game called "Catch Phrase". If you haven't played this game I highly recommend it. It was our first time playing it and everyone in the room was drinking but me. It was a total riot. At one point, we got the laughs so bad, we could barely breath. It was girls against the guys and we got creamed, but I think they had a strategy going, they cheated us or it could have my been partners itzy bit of drinking.. All and all, a blast! 

Here's to 2012. And we are off and running. Well, walking, let's start out slowly, OK? 

Love,

Dusty

The Five and Five

I was going to do a top ten countdown of 2011, but I thought I would split it up and do my top five favorite moments of 2011 and top five resolutions. I do NOT usually make resolutions because I don't like to play by the rules very much. Plus, I have moments of weakness and a Hershey candy bar is a victim if in my presence. 

Top Five Moments

5. My blog, duh!

4. I joined Twitter. I know to you, this isn't a big hoo ha. But to me it is. I am not computer literate. I am still waiting on my "Blogger for Dummies" book. It's hard to sum up what I want to say in 140 characters or less 'cause I am a talker. Plus, all the symbols, @,# RT, etc.. It's overload. Then I thought if I joined, I would have to scan my pupils, give up my first born and enter into a world of cult like status of tweets and twits. I survived but I am still trying to figure out how my 15 year old nephew who joined a month ago has more followers than me? I must challenge all my followers, casual readers from boredom and any one else who dares, to follow me. I can't have a high schooler out doing his aunt.

3. My son hitting a home run. Oh, how I love Little League baseball. I cried. Then, ding dong, light came on..Hmmm, maybe we are on to something here. Baseball, college, pros?Come on baby boy, I know your the next A-Rod. Mama wants a vintage Beetle bug convertible, baby blue with a white top. 

2. Remembering 9/11 ten years later. Something we will never forget, but this year of all years there was coverage of these events and stories that I had never heard or seen. It's not that I ignored it when it happened or maybe these were new stories, but I will have to admit this and oh, sweet mama's of the world don't stone me, but I personally (key word personally), do not wish to relive it or to see the 87 angles of these planes hitting these buildings over and over. My take is this - if I were a mother it only reminds me that I can watch my child die over and over again repeatedly and I can't imagine what its like to have to watch this, uncover those feelings, the deep anguish that it cause every single time we see it. I was honestly mortified seeing this, but in awe of the stories of courage and the children that have come afterwards and their stories as well. I will never forget where I was or watching it at work, but I wish that some aspects of the media would limit some coverage for the sake of the families. 

1. The Royal Wedding - come on you knew I was going to say it. Who didn't love this? Yes, we watched it over and over. The anticipation of what her dress looked like, then the kiss (not one but two), that gawd awful ugly hat his cousin wore, remembering his mom, William telling her at the alter that she looked beautiful. Call me a sap, but I ate it up like a pig eating cornbread. (oh, I so dig her style, I hope she does this royal thing her way). 

Resolutions 2012

5. Grow my blog and be published somewhere somehow in a local magazine, newspaper, flyer at the fair, wanted poster, something. I read the Wilson Living magazine and I know most of you have no clue, but it's a local magazine for the hob knobbers and I want to at least have one lifestyle article published. I plan to bug the crap out of them until they do. (oh, and if anyone knows the editors personally, go ahead and put in a good word for me, the check will be in the mail once I see my name in print).

4. Take one weekend trip just me and my girlfriends. I want to go somewhere and reconnect, be Dusty, dance on the table tops, sing karaoke, stay at a beautiful hotel, shop on the "rich people" row (well, I will just browse and smell the merchandise. Last I checked me and Chanel don't know each other and I won't have bail money), laugh and just be a girl again.

3. Be more Patient. I have learned a lot this year, but times are trying with a full workload and family. I can't juggle everything ever day but I want to learn to let things go a little, be a little more patient with people and family. I am one of these women that it's just easier for me to do it than explain it. I need to be more patient let that person experiment and try and I for once just watch and enjoy.

2. Give back. This year I organized to adopt two Angel Tree kids from the local Salvation Army for work at Christmas. It was a success and it really put in perspective that there are people out there worse than myself. I am most of the time too broke to pay attention, but there are people and children less fortunate. I hope that I can find a way to help others. Plus, it would be a great lesson for my son to see.

1. Get healthy. I don't mean to say, I am going to give up my Mt. Dews. Not happening. But I want to change my lifestyle of the way I eat, get toned, strengthen my body. After being diagnosed with Fibro

Happy New Year my friends. Do you have resolutions or fantastic moments of the past year. I would love to hear them. Don't forget follow me on Twitter. Team GLFP beat that nephew! And ......

Welcome 2012!

Dusty