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Bedding... Do's and Dont's


Im in the market for new Bedding and I can not decide if a bed skirt is "grandma grandma" or a needed accessory.

What do you think?
To Skirt or Not to Skirt???
Also,
What does Cozy mean to you?

I am a total sucker for White Bedding... mounds of it!
It's sensual and sexy but reminds me of innocence.
White bedding taps into something essential rather than just being Chic for the sake of Chic.


Cozy also mean comfortable seating. I love nicely upholstered pieces that are simple but have lots of pillows. They dont have to be "goose down" but just soft and lush enough to curl up and watch a good movie or hold a juicy conversation.

I want to know what you think. To Skirt a Bed or not AND what Cozy is to you???

I cant wait to read your responses.





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Vegetarian Shrimp???


Vegetarian Shrimp... Yep, sound just a weird as it taste.
We have had these vegetarian prawns for in the freezer for so long. Waiting for the perfect time to debut them.
We were so excited when we decided to make Seafood Scampi!!!


I worked at Olive Garden for 7 years before and during College, so I knew the general ingredient of their signature dish.

As our seafood we used the Veggie Prawns and Veggie Scallops.

What seemed like a great ingredient (prawns) turned out to not be so tasty. I dont know if it was the texture or the real "prawn like" look but it was NOT what I was expecting... It was actually a Yek!!! ( the pasta a scallops where good :))

Release the Secret weapon!!!!!!


  • 1 1/2 pound Veggie Prawns and Scallops
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • cappellini pasta (angel hair pasta)
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • panko bread crumbs
  • 4 eggs
  • 2c Flour (for dredge)
  • oil (for deep frying)
  • 1 teaspoon of flour (for sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon/lime zest
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Bring large pot to boil and add pasta.
In large saute pan add the onions and red/green peppers, saute just until they begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Add teaspoon of flour. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Add the lemon juice, white wine, and pasta water, and reduce by 2/3, about 5 minutes. Allow to simmer on low heat while preparing the "seafood". Finish with the parsley and check for seasoning. Server over cappellini pasta.

Defrost prawns, open can of veggie scallops. Cut scallops into large bit size pieces. Prepare your frying station. Eggs (season your eggs well), Flour and Panko Bread Crumbs. Season seafood with salt and pepper. Dredge the prawns and scallops in the mixture, Deep Fry until golden.

Serve seafood atop of pasta.

bon appetite!!!
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What Fun Could We Possibly Have...

With 8 Quarters????
$1 Movies of Course!
The below photo captured what happens when you bring
a debit card to buy popcorn but the system is down! Darn it we need to get that
Refillable Bucket!(im too cheap to spring for it)
The girl behind the counter must have felt sorry for us because she gave us each a 6oz styrofoam cup of the buttery stuff with the promise of free refills...SMH!
Everyone that knows us knows that we can practically have fun doing just about ANYTHING.
But what do you do when you have absolutely a few coins and a hankering for fun? Go catch a movie you may have missed in past few months at your local dollar theater (theatre if youre fancy).
We chose to watch Grown Ups since thats what we like to pretend we are :) It was light and fun. Not completely hillarious but we giggled the whole way through. So with or without popcorn we did enjoy ourselves.
So Im curious, What do you do for fun when you barely have two nickels to rub together?
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kdr'S: The Last Summer Grill

kdr'S: The Last Summer Grill: "So, we normally build a meal around an idea, a mood, or an event... so on this the last grilling day of the Summer we built our idea around..."
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The Last Summer Grill


So, we normally build a meal around an idea, a mood, or an event... so on this the last grilling day of the Summer we built our idea around a food. These beautiful Klondike Potato's. These Tri-Color potato's were beautiful.
Keesha got them at the grocery store that she blog about a few post back.
I was so excited about this grocery store when she was telling me about it. Her sister lives in Kentucky and we actually talked about taking a trip up there so that we could go to this grocery store. Well, I was almost packed for the trip when one lazy day I was walking though my favorite grocery store (Target) and saw them. Sitting quietly on the second layer of strategically placed potato aisle. I was heart broken and happy in the same breath. I wanted to go to Kentucky but why... when my favorite store had them all along. My chest was full of pride... My grocery store may not have that beautiful lush produce array but they know their potatos!

Okay, so back to reality.


We grilled everything in sight.
Menu: Grilled Hot Dogs (Smart Dogs)
Grilled Cabbage
Grilled Klondike Potatos
Grilled Double Decker Quesadilla
Fried Brussels Sprouts (taking a day off our diet)
Baked Beans

It was so delicious.

How to make our grilled Double Decker Quesadilla
  • 12 flour Tortillas,
  • 1-1/2 cups grated Cheese (which ever kind you like)
  • Morning Star Chicken Strips (vegetarian meat optional)
  • Sweet Corn (off the cob or frozen, can is rarely an option)
  • 3 green onions
  • thinly sliced
  • Canola oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Cilantro leaves for garnish
  • Optional: sour cream (its really not an option in my house)
___________________________________________
  • Preheat the grill to medium heat. Place 8 tortillas on a flat surface and divide the Cheese, some of the Chicken and green onion among the tortillas (in that order); season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • You are going to be making layers... I only did two but you can build them as grand as you like. Make sure that your last layer is a tortilla.
  • Brush the tops of the tortillas with canola oil. Carefully place on the grill and grill until lightly golden brown—about 2 minutes. (this is the hardest part of the whole recipe)
  • Flip the quesadillas over, and close the lid of the grill until the bottom of the tortillas are lightly golden brown and the cheese has melted.
  • Remove from the grill, cut into quarters and top each quarter with some of the Sour Cream...Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve.
Lastly, We had Watermelon and Fresh Mint Spritzers


TOTALLY refreshing... Just what we needed to wash down our hardy meal.

Take your watermelon (seeds and all) place into food processor, blend well.
Strain, put back into processor add mint, blend well.
Pour into pitcher, add carbonated water plain or flavored and crushed ice.
Perfection!!!

See you next year Summer!!!
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County Fair


So, for 10 YEARS I have been asking my husband to take me to the Fair. When we first started dating he didnt want to sound like a Mr. Scary Pants so every year when the fair would roll into town he would find some reason that we could not go. He always tried to act like he had something planned for us to do that very same day and after awhile I would forget about it until the next year.
Well, as our relationship grew the truth finally came out. My husband is not just afraid of Heights he is afraid of Fair/Theme Park Rides (all of them) and Water.

Here is my Husband... Does he look like he would be afraid of anything? Nope! But trust me, he is first to tell you his long list of "DON'T's"


Well Keesha... My fearless friend and I were talking one day and decided that since her husband wouldnt take her either that we would just go together. What a great plan... well so it seemed.

I was so excited about finally going after all these years that I had to go a brag to my husband that I was going to the Fair with Keesha and that we were going to get Unlimited Arm Bands and Ride all the rides.
WHY DID I SAY THAT???
Now, after 10 years... all of a sudden...he was "planning" on taking me. He "claims" he saw the commercial and thought to himself that he would take his wife.
Unbeknown to me Keesha's Husband was saying the same thing.

Bla Bla Bla Husbands... You didnt have no such a plan!!! All they could think about was the fair food... and they were on board.


To the MIDWAY we go!!!


Some Rides were pure fun while other rides were so scary they changed my life.
Sorry, I suggested sitting in the front Keesha!


All in all we had a blast. The Husbands come and they were so efficient in holding our bags and getting water. Dj actually got on a ride... I was really proud of him.
I hope its not another 10 years before we go to the fair again. Here's to Hoping!
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My Name is Keesha...

And Im a grocery store-aholic. Ok there, I said it! I admit I have a problem.

When I wake up in the morning, one of my first thoughts are, "What am I going to make for dinner." It has gotten to the point that I can have a fully stocked pantry and still think I have NOTHING to cook. I think its my way of getting the chance to sneak out for some produce "erotica" lol. I went to the above grocery store and almost had a heart attack just looking at this produce! Look at the beautiful colors!!! I realized I had a problem when I saved the above pic as my phones screen saver. Replacing my beautiful children to show off the produce section to random passers by is NOT ok.

Ok so I said all that to let you in on my decision: I am going to try my best to utilize only what I have in the cupboards this week. I have to stop this random money wasting obsession that I have with the grocery store. So, Im sorry to my friendly stockers, cashiers, greeters ect. that know myself (and Deon, yeah Im outting you too lol)BY NAME at Publix, Kroger, Earthfare and most of all Target Superstore *sigh*. I will not be there at 8am when you open to browse and purchase things I dont need. I will only buy things that are necessary i.e. Milk, eggs and other things that tie a meal together.

Do you have an obsession that eats up small (or large) amounts of money? Post a comment and share. Disclosure is good for the soul lol :)
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Labor Day Weekend

So my baby sisters birthday was this past weekend. We live 5 hours away from each other so we don't see each other very often. So....

Corrin

And Mommy filled up the tank and fired up the Prius. We headed up I-65N for a quick weekend visit...

to see this WONDERFUL human being :) Happy Birthday Stephanie!!! (Shout out to my daddy, The Grandpat in the background)

We spent Friday in Louisville hanging out and shopping 'til we dropped at thrift stores and awesome mall sales. Then my "excited for any excuse to drive" parents decided to come up and join us in the weekend long celebration. We were coaxed into driving an additional 2 hours to hit up IKEA in CINCINNATI (yes, we drove to Cincinnati) where we were in HOG HEAVEN! The lil hand in the pic couldn't wait for me to snap the picture so that she could have a sample of IKEA's tasty treats.

I *heart* you IKEA...I'll see you and your food court again when I make a trip to ATL!



All in All, it was a wonderful weekend filled with fun and exaustion. I have so many other pics that this post cant hold so I will definitely post more photos at random. I cant wait until my next fly by the seat of my pants trip!!! I Love you Steph...See ya again soon :)
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It Our Anniversary


Awww, Two Years with the Man that I Love. It honestly feel like yesterday that we were saying the I Do's.

How sweet it is to be Loved by You... its like heaven baby!!!

This morning was wonderful, we layed in bed and exchanged morning breath and kisses as we wished each other Happy Anniversary.

I went to our favorite breakfast take out and get some soft fluffy egg and cheese croissants. I tried to get this half off since it our personal holiday but the Mr Meany Pants at NY Deli was not having it. "Thats okay Mr Meany, Im still not going to like cooking in the AM so Ill be back tomorrow"

Well our day was moving along nicely until now. ALLERGIES!!! Im so sick of sneezing, sniffing, itchy, runny bla bla bla. I hate my allergies. They ruin everything. Who wants to have lunch with someone who keeps having to blow their noise and wipe tears away from their running eyes? Gross Out!!!

Well since we haven't made any memories for this our two year anniversary yet Ill share with you last years anniversary instead.

Stay tuned for this years Anni Festivities... we are going to the Beach. I cant imagine but it will be my Husbands first time at the beach... he doesn't swim but we are going to stay beach side for 4 days luxurious day. So excited!!!


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Earth Fare Goodness!!!


So, normally on Thursdays as you know we cook. Well, Obviously every great cook takes a break from the apron, pots and stove. We took are appetites to Earth Fare. One of our quick favorites. They are a fabulous grocery store but they are also an eatery. They have a great selection of Gluten Free and Vegetarian entrees. Wait, let me back up. I have a confession... I dont know what Gluten Free means. So I understand that its flour and wheat but why is it so bad. When did people become allergic to gluten. I mean they have Restaurants in this city that have skull and bones across the word like its a No Smoking or Drug Free area.

Im just making an observation as to how unpopular gluten is all of a sudden and I still dont know what it is. Someone help me! You can tell that I dont mind looking ignorant... Im sure I could google it but Im sure its going to be a long article about how bad it is... I want the short and sweet answer.


So where was I? Oh yeah... Earth Fare... it was good. Hubby and I got a mix of things and just eat out of each others plates. They have these Thai Soy Nuggets that are to die for. Note: Their food containers look like a cheap cafe but trust the contents is wonderful.


The best part of Thursdays is that Kids Eat Free! Little Corrin enjoyed her cheese pizza.


Micah shared his fruit snacks with me... they were freakin delicious. I dont have any reason to look at fruit snacks in the grocery store so I have never heard of these Annie's fruit snacks. They are wonderful. They are like actual fruit exploding in your mouth.
Thanks Micah for sharing. Just know that auntie will always have some of these when you come over... they are my new favorite... well that is if Uncle Courtney doesnt eat them all when Im not looking. We are both hooked.

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Trendy: Monochromatic

So, Dont get me wrong... I heart what I do and I am good at it. But when I see "trends" that are so popular now and I have been wearing them since 05 I have to tell you it really hurts my heart. I really start wondering if I should be call an Attorney and get my ideas patent. Because all the designers I love sneak in my closet at night, take my style concepts and presents them as seasonal trends. Uggg!

New (if you wanna call it that) trend for the fall is all about the Monochromatic.



Well, I guess its just a fashion pat on the back. Im going to hit up my local thrifty shopping locations and work it like Im on the run way.

Pics: thefashionspot
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Is Enough Ever Enough!!!

Ran across these pics from Vogue Japan.

The Styling took my breath away!









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Clean Up Clean Up

Ahhhh....No legos underfoot, no layer of random stickness on the floor, I can actually see myself in the mirror without trying to piece my face together between splatters of toothpaste. I cannot believe how terrible our house got! Ok, I admit I do have a two kids, a husband and four fish to take care of but thats no excuse for the house to get truly got out of hand. Sidebar, the above photo is NOT my house but Id live there!

I still have 9,789,561 loads of clothes to wash but its all good...its not a home unless something is out of place.
So now I have a question for you all: How do you keep your house clean? Do you schedule, spot clean, ect?