Gift for me

I won the Lilly bangle giveaway hosted by the lovely Lauren Nicole.

Can't wait to wear this over Christmas.

Be sure to check out all the lovely personalized goodies Lauren Nicole has available.

Thanks Denise and Merry Christmas.

Special Ornament

Our Christmas tree is decorated with an "anything goes theme". Each year I try to add one special ornament to our collection. This year it was a MacKenzie Childs ceramic bell, love the storage box too!

Great Read

Love Mitch Albom, he's a beloved Detroit sports writer and then some.

Remember Tuesdays with Morrie?, he wrote that too.

have a little faith is a quick read, but packed full of inspiration.

A great stocking stuffer for anyone of any faith or doubting faith.

on 12/14/99

W was born at 10:21 a.m. - I remember watching Martha Stewart on TV while those contractions were fast & furious.

Didn't know the baby's gender - Knew baby would be named after my grandfather if it was a boy. It was all so emotionally overwhelming, you never forget your first.

Celebrating 10 years today !!

Meaning of the Carol

This week, I found out from a friend's e-mail.....

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today.

twist & shout

While walking the dog, I twisted my ankle on uneven sidewalk. Oh, yes, it was a twist & quiet shout. Couldn't walk, so I called my husband who was working at home, to pick me & coco up.

It's been an elevated leg w/lots of ice...I'm feeling trapped at home and rather useless.

Justice Harvard Style

I love to debate (my husband says argue) and have been reliving my college days vicariously through this:

Justice - What's the Right Thing to Do - with Michael Sandel

"Justice is one of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history. Now it’s your turn to take the same journey in moral reflection that has captivated more than 14,000 students, as Harvard opens its classroom to the world."

You can watch this Harvard course & participate in online discussion, etc @ http://justiceharvard.org/

Costume Time

What to be for Halloween.....

Making this for M:

Making this for W:

There most likely will be a color change.

Starting early, because I am "Murphy's Law".

Appliance

Appliance - devices used to prepare your child for braces with the intention that the braces won't have to stay on as long....

We heard about this today at W's dentist appt and an ortho consult is upcoming. He's really excited about this (NOT!)

What ever happened to getting your braces in 7th or 8th grade ?? Wear for 2 yrs and you're done? That's what I did. Have our teeth/mouths changed that much ?? Oh, the agony of regular ortho visits, one more thing to get to.

P.S. Show me the money.

Overdue Thanks

Dear Up North Preppy,

Thank you so much for the Kreativ Blogger award and please accept my apologies for not acknowledging this award sooner. I firmly believe in responding in a timely fashion and this slipped through the cracks.

Thanks,

Torch Lake Prep

The Rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.

1. Fluent in Spanish.
2. Played the clarinet in middle school.
3. Don't like to be a passenger in a vehicle. I think it's a control thing :)
4. Degree in Chemistry
5. Do not like bananas.
6. Addicted to Bejeweled - at least that's what my kids tell me.
7. Read all the Harry Potter books.

5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated.

I'm honoring each person who follows or comes upon my blog to take this award and run with it. Because by finding time to read and post on blogs you must be Kreativ!

secret career

My secret careers have varied:

High School:

Forensic coroner

Thank you Quincy aka Jack Klugman

College:

Anything on Wall Street, preferably Drexel Burnham Lambert

Thank you Gordon Gecko aka Michael Douglas

Thank you "Let's Make Lot of Money" by the Pet Shop Boys

Mom:

Librarian

Play on the LPGA tour

Don't know who to credit for these secret careers. I do get to play Librarian at my kid's school each Tuesday afternoon which I love. Play golf as often as I can, but definitely not LPGA material, unless I was a caddie...HMMM ??

Future:

Own a vineyard, there's a beautiful one for sale in Northern Michigan....

What's your secret career?

It was good!

FRIDAY

Hubby and I celebrated our 16 year anniversary by dining at Roast which is owned by Iron Chef Michael Symon. The service was top notch without being stuffy and the food was delicious. I definitely ate too much, but it was the anniversary afterall.

Hubby and I usually only exchange cards, except for the majors (5, 10, 15 etc.) but I love to give gifts and I created a wordle for him and put it in a lovely matted frame. He hung it in his office!

If you don't know what a wordle is, check it out - I think they make such thoughtful gifts.

SATURDAY

My beloved Michigan State Spartans beat Michigan in OT. It was a nailbiter as MSU v. UM games usually are. It doesn't matter who has the better record, this game always takes on a life of its own. This year State did it again, back to back wins against a tough U-M. SPARTY ON!

SUNDAY

The family went to Church to celebrate World Communion Sunday. Later in the afternoon, we were supposed to participate in the Crop Walk, which raises money to help fight hunger around the world, but the weather was so rainy that we opted not to walk, but we still contributed our financial support. Watched Amazing Race, (do not like Lance - he's mean, thinking he may not have been able to bring his steroids on the trip) and of course Mad Men too. Does Betty hate her life ??

What Next?

Summer is definitely over....

I am overcommitted & understaffed !!

Land's End Discount

Yesterday while in Hobby Lobby shopping for Halloween costume supplies, I rec'd a phone call from Land's End offering me a special shopping discount until 9/28:

25% off and free shipping

enter code: friends 1110

It's fun sharing!

Taryn Rose

Oh yes, I want these shoes....

Beautiful grey suede with fur pom-pom...

The Barika can be yours for $495.

Spare change anyone ??

Words

While on the treadmill, the song You Found Me by The Fray came on and the following words haven't left my mind:

"Who I am,

who I'm not,

and who I want to be"

For me, fall is the time of beginnings and as I volunteer, work, meet new people, etc. these words may serve as my litmus test for how I'm doing and if what I'm doing is for the good.

Celebrate

Happy b-day to hubby,

You're the best!

LMWN

Next Lilly Car?

Spotted in the mall parking lot.

Yes, it's spray paint swirls of green, pink, orange and yellow,

no extra charge for the rust.

Perhaps it's someone's attempt to apply for a Lilly art position!

Nancy Drew

I LOVED reading Nancy Drew books when I was in elementary school. I think I even belonged to a Nancy Drew book club, where I received a new book each month. It was so exciting!! I'm sure Nancy was the root of my love for a good mystery.

How about resurrecting a little vintage Nancy Drew in the form of a notebook?

Check out Domestikated Life for more great back so school ideas: today's wish list is from the creative, Annechovie!

Winner Up

Jason Chiou

The State News

W had a soccer tournament this weekend, so we traveled home, 1st time since school was out in June. After 3 games, the boys qualified for the Championship Game -- against one of their biggest rivals in the state.

Game breakdown:

The boys were down 4-1 at half time. Looking defeated, tired...

2nd half starts, they scored a quick goal and there's a spark. They worked so hard in the 2nd half and at the end of the game it was tied 4-4. It was a nailbiter, there were so many chances for each team to break the tie.

5 minute overtime -- still tied.

On to PK's (penalty kicks).

These are 10 yr old boys and this was so much pressure, although they were all fired up!

End result: W's team lost by 1 goal.

They were so bummed, but more than anything they appeared to handle the loss gracefully, which is a huge step for this team b/c they are sooo competitive and tough losers. Maybe it was because they were physically and emotionally spent and had no energy left. They each received a nice medal and now they want to know when they meet the "Crew" again for a match up.

Post game:

Drive 3.5 hrs back to the cottage.

KEP DESIGNS SALE

You don't want to miss this.....

KEP Designs

20% OFF SUMMER SALE

ONLINE ONLY

SUNDAY - TUESDAY

ENTER CODE: SUMMER

How about this one to go with all the new fall Lilly ??

Coming back as...

I used to want to come back as Christie Brinkley,

But now I've decided: Heidi Klum

She's naturally beautiful and seems to have it all together.

Although I wouldn't want to be pregnant again....

Who's your come back girl ?

Dessert Destiny

Well, I decided it was time to give Jillian's (Biggest Loser trainer) DVD another go this morning, haven't used it since before spring break. Well, it's still tough, but I made it through the whole thing, except I stopped using my weights 1/2 way through - there's only so much punishment a girl can take on the 1st day back at it.

Then I blew all my toil this morning when M & I went to dinner to the local bistro and I caved for this feature dessert:

homemade lemon poppyseed pound cake

fresh raspberries

homemade rhubarb mousse

It was sooo good. I did have butternut squash soup with ginger and a spinach salad so maybe it all works out...oh yeah, I did have a martini too.

Guess I'll be doing Jillian again tomorrow.....

Travel Help

My friend Anne from Junior League is traveling to Bar Harbor and wanted some tips on what to do, where to eat, etc....

I know you all can help her out, so please click over to her blog, Moments of Delight and leave her your best advice!

Awesome Potatoes

Have now made these potatoes 2x. Once for the fam and then for our cookout party on Saturday, everyone loved them - even our guests visiting from England. I'm thinking these could even work on a grill for football tailgates.

Recipe is from Melissa D'Arabian, the newly crowned Next Food Network Star.

Enjoy!

5-Minute Individual Potato Gratins

• Vegetable spray
• 2 large russet potatoes, roughly peeled and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
• 2 green onions, finely chopped ( I omitted the onion)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup heavy cream

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Spray 8 muffin tins with vegetable spray. Layer potato slices, cheese, and onions into each muffin cup. Season with salt and pepper and top each gratin with 1 or 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Cover with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, removing the foil halfway through cooking time. Scoop out potatoes and serve.

skiing

Went water skiing yesterday....arms are a little sore today....no heavy lifting for me :)

Monday Mind Games

Hazy, humid & a little rainy this morning.

Perfect for a game to challenge the mind:

SUDOKU

Found this board version at the Senior Citizen's sale in town last wk.

I love doing crosswords and playing trivia games too -- Cash Cab, Jeopardy...

More mind games this afternoon with a round of golf!

Who Did it?

This is not my usual thing, but W (9 1/2 yrs) old finds this soooo funny and is still trying to figure out who did it? So I post this to humor him :)

Renew or Cancel?

The complimentary Sirius Satellite Radio that came with my new vehicle expires on 8/28.

From the get go, I thought, "Oh this is nice but not really necessary, I've got my NPR & my iphone what more could I need?"

Well, those sneaky Mad (wo)Men sure know how to play me, because now I don't know if I can give it up!!! I like to choose a genre of entertainment/music- "80's on 8", "Fox News", "CNBC", "Coffee House", "Martha" (love the program "Whatever with Alexis & Jennifer)

It's $142.25 for 13 months, which is reasonable....but.....need your input bloggy friends.....Will I be holding a funeral for my satellite radio?

What's up?

Hubby and W came back to the cottage on Thursday night (YEAH!) and with a gift: my mom.

She was bearing gifts:

• A trunk full of food, because "the grocery up here isn't like the market at home." She has always been a "just in case" kinda lady. She brought her homemade pasta sauce which we all love!

• The Lilly fish night light:

• Lilly mouse take note pad:

We did some swimming & boating - W&M on the new tube....They couldn't coax Granny into a ride.

Hubby needed a break -- he's sun sensitive or is he hiding from his mother in law? :)

This wk the kids are at day camp on the lake, today is warm but rainy....what to do with Mom? Thinking out for lunch and maybe watch Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Hot Water or Cold Water?

Hubby went home for a few days and has informed me the hot water heater is leaking and we need to get a new one. Well, I'm all for hot showers, but since we are at the cottage for the summer, I thought perhaps it could wait. Could you shower at the neighbors? It's summer, a cold shower will do you good. Hubby explained it could blow at any time and leak all the water onto the finished lower level. HMMM...to buy it or to risk it....

Hot water heater installed this afternoon, all is well. I'll try it out after Labor Day. I guess no new school clothes for the kids (just joking)!

Don't Play it Again

For the past few summers my kids have chosen a "summer song" which they play over and over anywhere and everywhere.

I enjoyed the song the first 100 times....

2009

"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga

"Right Round" -Flo Rida

2008

"Shake it" - Metro Music Station

"Mercy" - Duffy

2007

"Makes Me Wonder" - Maroon 5

2006

"Sk8er Boi" - Avril Lavigne

Is there a song you're tired of hearing?

Final Three

M & I will be watching Next Food Network Star tonight at 9:00 eastern to cheer Melissa on to the final 2!

Tonight's episode has something to do with the upcoming movie

Julie & Julia.

Must see TV!

Rainy Days

Yesterday was a rainy day in northern Michigan.

What to do?

I couldn't talk the kids into playing Euchre and drinking beer all day :)

So we got creative and went to Handz on Art to paint pottery.

It was a fun afternoon. W painted a dog dish for coco, M painted a bowl and I painted a round tile in my fav colors complete with monogram! I'm hoping they'll look this good when fired.

We enjoyed a pizza dinner @ home with another up north Mom & Son which included tasty wine for the moms, fresh just picked cherries and local dairy chocolate milk & oreos for the kids!

Hope you had a fun day too.