Hey Homeslice

You have heard me talk about our remodeling/redecorating our house. We don't live in a huge house. We went from 3,000 square feet to 1,200 square feet when the economy tanked. I miss having a big house, but I also love cozy spaces. I love the look of coastal homes. I don't necessarily mean the beach, I mean the rustic homes up north - Cape Code cottages, Kennebunkport, Maine cabins, and old farmhouses. I dream of one day having a lake house but until then, my little home here on a street filled with speeding cars and asphalt will have to do. We have accomplished one element and that is our hallway. With little fingers, the walls in our house are always getting washed down. So a fresh coat of paint was in order. Once the decor is up, I will post a picture. Right now I am looking for an old row boat oar for a DIY project. Here are a few ideas I am toying with for different elements of each room and a fantastic find.

I am obsessed with having a farmhouse sink. It will happen in my lifetime. Our kitchen is a cream color with a whitewash stain. I would love this little addition. I just have to figure out how it would work.

Source: HDTV.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

Next on my list is a bench. I have a rustic table similar to this one and 4 chairs. We love company and when we have people over for dinner, I have to drag out two chairs from the spare rooms. This is on my antiquing list for this summer. 

Source: potterybarn.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

I have a thing with paisley. I think its the boho girl in me. We have a rustic coach, love seat and chair with ottoman with these wonderful vintage iron nail heads in a scroll on the arms, but after having these for 6 years, flying boys, and animals, they are in need of a redo. I have decided to keep the base of these pieces the same and recover and restuff the cushions. I found this fabric pattern and hopefully with those sewing lessons I am taking from my mom, by Fall hopefully we will be fluffed up.

Source: fabric.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

I love this LOVE photograph. I found it on another blog, researched where it was sold and then about crapped my pants when I found out how much it was. I wanted to write the site and say, "honey bunnies, I am sure this is a top selling item, in rich land, but this girl is a design on a dime kind of girl." So, I have an idea on how to make this myself and it doesn't cost $150 smackers.

Source: theletteredcottage.net via Girls Love on Pinterest

Finally, my fantastic find. My splurge vs. steal. I pinned this duvet from the Pottery Barn sight back at Christmas and it has been repinned like Eeyore the donkey's tail. While in Kmart (you know the place I got my fantab clogs), I came across this marked down to $14.99 and swiped it up.

Here is the one from Pottery Barn no longer available but I am sure probably in the $200 range for the set.

Source: potterybarn.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

And here is my steal from Kmart. Although not exact, it still is a great find. And it looks so yummy on my bed. Our bedroom is a deep chocolate brown. I am going to mix it with the teal blue and some throw pillows maybe in burlap.

Source: kmart.com via Girls Love on Pinterest

So that's my ideas so far for my little cottage redo. Have you been thinking about your own home? Maybe its spring fever, maybe its just needing a new look, but I am so loving the home ideas.


Happy Wednesday friends!

Love,

Dusty


linked up rolled up pretty

Chicken Enchiladas & a New Look

So first things first. Did you notice anything different? Huh? Did ya? Did ya? Yes, I have a new look. Of course its not a major overhaul, but a new header with some photos I love and I added new clicky buttons to my other sites to follow. Now, that took brain power. Two days of trying to figure that out. I was exhausted. I have wrote about how I am not very computer literate and that was a test, but I did it, cleaned up my blog and walla! Cool beans. Two of my favorite colors are pink and brown and I just love it, it's purty. Now on to food because we all know that's more important than my new look which I am sure once I truly figure out what I want then I can hire a smart person to do it for me. 

This recipe has been bouncing around Pinterest and I have been in a food rut. I cook dinner every Sunday (well, I cook almost everyday except Saturday's) but Sunday is our family staple, sit down at the table day..no excuses. I did a little pinning this weekend, came across it and the rest is history. This recipe is totally amazing. It's so yummy, we devoured half the pan. It seriously is all the hype and a bag of chips. I altered this recipe a bit, but only in quantities. Without further adieu ....

Chicken enchiladas with green chili sour cream sauce

8-10 soft taco shells

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken

4 cups shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup sour cream

1 (4 oz) can diced green chillies

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 pan

2. Spread chicken on tortillas, sprinkle with cheese.  Roll up in tortillas and place in pan.

3. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute.  Add broth and whisk until smooth.  Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.  Reduce heat.

4. Stir in sour cream and chilies.  Do not bring to boil, you don't want curdled sour cream.

5. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.

6. Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese.

My pan only held 8 tortillas and the recipe calls for 2 cups cheese but I used all 4 cups because I covered the the chicken with cheese and then rolled. I also used canned chicken breast. Don't forget the green chillies. That really adds flavor. I served with corn and I was craving pinto beans, so I opened a can (not very southern I know), but they were yummy too. This recipe is easy, quick and you will love it. 

There you have it. Fat food at its finest. I am sure this recipe could be just as good with low fat ingredients. I hope you enjoy. I also want to say thank you to all my new followers this weekend. I have come across some great blogs and have enjoyed reading them. 

Happy Monday friends.

Dusty

I'm a Versatile Blogger..Award

I love opening the blogs I follow and see that they passed on an award to me. Insomniac Mom bestowed this sweet little mention and I send her sweet hugs for it. She is funny stuff.  Her Wacky Wednesday post cracked me up. So I thank the Academy, oh I mean Insomniac Mom and can't wait to read more funny days on her blog. 

So, here are rules for this award:

1. Thank the person that nominated you, and give them a shout out on your blog with a link to theirs.
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Send on the award to 15 other bloggers whose blog you love and appreciate and then let them know they won the award.

My 7 random facts which I am so sure you will find so interesting. I mean compared to Hollywood Starlets, I am front back page news.

1. My middle name is de. Yes, little "d" one "e". Apparently, back in the 70's they gave you a sweet cocktail when you had a baby and mom obviously wasn't lucid when she named me, Dusty de.

2. I have perfected the eye roll. Yes, I have and Chad hates it. But, if I do the eye roll that means your full of shitz.

3. I love college football. I am an avid University of Tennessee fan (please all Florida peeps do not unfollow me). I break things, cuss people out and wish the opponents some type of vinerial disease. 

4. I have a lipgloss fetish. Its gotten better, but I am always in search of the perfect peachy pink.

5. I am not from Hoboken, but I love saying it. Hoboken, Hoboken, Hoboken.

6. I had braces at 25. I went in to fix one little tooth, ended up wearing them for 18 months. As soon as they came off, the tooth went right back to where it was. But it was fun eating lots of mashed potatoes during that time.

7. And finally, I snort when I laugh. Yes, it's true. I am a proud snorter, full fledged, need no reform. 

So there you have it 7 random facts. Isn't it refreshing to just let it go. All your hidden secrets now out in the open to repeat. 

Now onto the other portion- my 15. I don't like choosing because I love all my blogs read, but I don't want a voodoo hex on my head. I will follow the rules. I don't like rules much. We aren't friends, but if I must. 

• The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart
• My Life Comes with Fine Print
• Anna Land
• Easily Dunn
• Life with Linz
• Erika Inez
• The Fontenot Four
• Where Nothing Good Comes Easy
• Lauren Rebecca
• Making Memories of Us
• More Than Fine
• My Beautiful Crazy Life
• Hippie Lace
• Vanessa Wolfram Photography
• Just A Girl In the World

So there you have it. I hate choosing. I have so many I love love love. But remember..the voodoo doll thing. Ok. So I wish you all a happy Friday. Don't forget you can follow me on Pinterest, Twitter, BlogLovin, and Facebook. 

Love,

Dusty

linking up 

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).

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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