Note from Marilyn...

Ginger Snap Pup!

Ginger.... Taz.... Brat.... Whatever

Adopted January 18, 2010
Going on six months now, and she's getting so big!

This Memorial Day Weekend when we go up to Big Bear will be her first camping trip!

The Family and I are so excited to see how many sticks, leaves, pine needles, bugs, etc she'll chase, collect, and have stuck in her hair!

She'll be a trip that's for sure!

And she'll have Kricket there too!

Doesn't This Just Look Awesome....

What I'd give to be sleeping right now....

Need To Go Green....

Maybe I should reserve my Nissan Leaf now... before it comes out...

Prayer Box

My friend and coworker Maria "La Una" just told me about this prayer box that she saw on Fox News this morning. The box is located Runyon Canyon, a hillside hike in Hollywood, California. Created by Jeannie Mai and her belief in good people all around Los Angeles.
Prayer Box

I should make this #102 on the Zero Project List...

The Gift of Life

Make a Wish

One Day... Tiffany

So many meanings with this store. So many ideas floating in my head for the name and the color. Thank you Audrey Hepburn.

Memorial Day Weekend Tradition

Camping at Big Bear! This reminds me of it :)

Reusable Fruit!

Must Have for the Eco Friendly!

Are you gift shopping for someone special, possibly picking up a little something for yourself, and hitting up the grocery store all in one trip? Then, make sure to have this fresh, fashionable bag with you to tote home all of your goodies! This style savory tote can replace 2-3 plastic bags and easily squeezes back into its own attached fresh fruit-shaped pouch! With this eco-saving strawberry/watermelon reuseable bag on you at all times, 'concentrating' on saving the environment is easy!

Hi There Kitty!

"If you have a Hello Kitty wallet that is looking for a home, then highly consider adopting this cute carryall for the purpose! Say goodbye to boring accessories by toting around this adorable, animal-friendly, quilted, faux leather bag, with embroidery-stitched features and extended handles that make the idea of carrying any other purse a thing of the past! Take a gander inside the top snap closure to find a brightly colored bow print lining the inside compartment, two open top side pouches, and one zippered pouch for your important belongings. Carry this feline friend with you at all times, and say hello to your new favorite fashion statement!"

Summer Sun & The Wakes!

Now it's that time of year again where sunscreen applies, bikinis come out, and for me... boards start riding!

My wake-weapon of choice is the Liquid Force 2008 Angel 134, and that's what she is, my liquid angel. She's such a beauty.

Now people base their opinion of boards by weight, brand, rocker-type, fin and edge type... but for me... the looks. I know right!

She's probably a bit more than I can chew because she is the next level up from beginners, but she's well worth it. We shall do great things together.

I'm one happy boarder!

Alex's Graduation Cake!

Graduating from California State University, Fullerton! Class of 2010!

With a Bachelors in English! Hhheeerrreeesss Alex!!

My first Grad-Cake!
Now the bobblehead on the top is NOT cake related,

but I thought it was a fun "touch" to the cake.

From this I have learned that A: the motarboard was difficult, B: tinting fondant is not all that it's cracked up to be, & C: cake decorating with my Mom is and will always be amazingly fun!

Congratulations again to my bestie Alex Jeanette!!

(A little blurry, but another proud-moment-pic)

Dress Me Up In Gold!

I've been very fortunate to have a grandmother who LOVES jewelry. She never wears the pieces she buys, but she loves buying them... and I'm not complaining, because she'll go through her jewelry box load (more like container freight load) and start giving away necklaces, bracelets, etc. to my mother and I.

Recently she gave me two necklaces that belonged to my Auntie Debbie. My aunt past away on June 16, 2003, and I of course miss her everyday. So my grandmother gave me the oriental fan pendant, which my aunt bought several of them to pass out to her closest friends before she departed us. And she also gave me the pendant from my "Japanese-side" (if you will), my grandmother's last name, Nako. Both has tremendous meaning to me and especially to my heart. I love and miss my auntie, and I love my grandmother for thinking of me with those necklaces.

I also had some medical "issues" happen to me lately, and so my bestie Alex Jeanette had given me a gold Juicy Couture four-leaf clover, for good luck on my health recovery... and it she gave it to me on the day of her birthday party/bash no less. I love her very much too! :)

So now I have gone from nothing-but-silver, to all-about-da-gold! I recently bought a gold ring from the 70's, and I'm loving my gold wings earrings from Forever XXI!

Ohio's Candy Buckeyes

First time visiting Columbus, I quickly became aware of these candy buckeyes. Made of chocolate and peanut butter and crafted to look like the fruit of Ohio's state tree, the Buckeye, these bite-size treats are a regional favorite.

WARNING! This may get messy! :)

Ingredients:
•1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
•1 stick softened butter
•1/2 tsp. vanilla
•3 cups powdered sugar (about 1/2 lb.)
•4 cups good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
•2 tsps. vegetable shortening

Preparation:
Make the Peanut Butter Balls
In a large bowl (or the bowl or an electric mixer), combine the peanut butter, butter, and vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mix until it is well mixed.

Roll the mixture into 3/4" balls, using your hands, and place on a plate lined with waxed paper. Stick a toothpick in each of the balls (to be used as a handle for dipping in the chocolate). Chill in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

Melt the Chocolate
When the peanut butter balls have set, gently melt the chocolate and shortening in the top of a double boiler, stirring frequently, under smooth.

Form the Buckeyes
Dip the frozen peanut butter balls in the chocolate, holding them by the toothpick. Leave a small portion on the peanut butter showing at top so the candy resembles the fruit of the "buckeye" tree. Return the buckeyes to the plate. Gently remove the toothpick and smooth over the hole. Refrigerate at least two hours before serving.

Storing Buckeyes
Store buckeyes in a tightly sealed tin or (preferably) in the refrigerator. Buckeyes also freeze well

Makes about 5 dozen.

Caffeine.... Yes Please!

With a Starbucks down the street (and practically every other street corner), and the coffee machine always running at the office, it's no wonder that coffee has made it's way into my blood stream. Sometimes I believe that I should just stick a needle up my vain and hook me up to a IV-drip of Starbucks...

Oh Louis!!!

For my next twenty-something birthday, I'm treating myself to one of these bad boys! I have ALWAYS been a die hard fan of the LV, and I never would be caught buying a fake! Now I can choose to save my hard earned money.... or buy the dream purse I've always wanted!! (I'm gonna go with option #2)

Irasshaimase!!!

Meaning: an honoriffic expression welcoming someone somewhere... like my blog!

More to Come!