Duncan

I have a little dog named Duncan. He is the little baby of the family. My daughter, 16, is absolutely in love with him. She has even at times told me that she would marry him if she could. Yes, the girl loves that dog!

When I first bought him almost 4 years ago (February '04) I was told that he was a Llasa Apso. As he grew up - I quickly discovered that Duncan was not a Llasa.... but a Bichon. For a long time I was in denial that I had a Bichon. I'd cringe every time someone would ask "What kind of dog is that?" And cringe even more when they say "Poodle?" NOOO!!!

How can this............................... Be this.....

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I honestly think Duncan practices ways (while he's at home alone) on how to look the cutest. Especially when he's in trouble. (see below)

This was incredibly boring - I apologize - but it's Friday and I'm tired!

Yummy Wine Sauce!!!!

I made this last night and it was wonderfully creamy and tasty. I only used the wine sauce portion of the recipe with chicken breasts (not with Swiss cheese or ham) and served with rice. It was very tasty!


Cordon Bleu

INGREDIENTS
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
6 slices Swiss cheese
6 slices ham
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS
Pound chicken breasts if they are too thick. Place a cheese and ham slice on each breast within 1/2 inch of the edges. Fold the edges of the chicken over the filling, and secure with toothpicks. Mix the flour and paprika in a small bowl, and coat the chicken pieces.
Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook the chicken until browned on all sides. Add the wine and bouillon. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
Remove the toothpicks, and transfer the breasts to a warm platter. Blend the cornstarch with the cream in a small bowl, and whisk slowly into the skillet. Cook, stirring until thickened, and pour over the chicken. Serve warm.

**'Cordon Bleu' is a French term, literally translated as 'blue ribbon', that originally referred to an award for culinary excellence given to women cooks**

Weddingbee's - Bio of the Week

I just found out that my wedding bio was featured on Weddingbee as one of the Bios of the Week. How exciting!! I made this bio to show everyone how wonderful our day was. We truly were blessed with a gorgeous day. The wedding was just what I had hoped it would be. All of the hard work definitely paid off and was worth every bit.

Are You Ready for Some Football???

I guess a better question is Am I Ready for Some Football???

This weekend was the kick-off to Football Season. J is among the millions of happy men. He could not wait for it to start. "Why do they call it kick off weekend - when they only play on Thursday and Sunday and Monday? They should play all weekend long...." The NFL theme song sends shivers down his spine.

Not only does he love the sport, he's recently added another element - Fantasy Football. This is his second year and he's taken on the role as commissioner for one of his teams, yes he has two.

Wikipedia describes Fantasy Football - Fantasy Football is a fantasy sports game in which participants (called "owners"), arranged into a league, each draft or acquire via auction a team of real-life American football players and then score points based on those players' statistical performance on the field. A typical fantasy league will employ players from a single football league, such as the NFL or an NCAA division.

His number one draft choice is L.T. from the Chargers.

His other big play is Drew Brees from the Saints (which unfortunately did absolutely nothing for him this weekend). But this was just the beginning. J has high hopes for this guy.

I love sports and love to watch - but dang.... that was a lot of football this weekend.

I guess this is where the announcer should break in and say "We interrupt this marriage for Football Season"......

Stay tuned....

Want vs.Have

Want

* Anthropologie has this yummy candle - Capri Blue "Aloha Orchid". Gorgeous!!!! I love candles, reed diffusers, plug-ins, anything that smells good. This candle is the absolute best. The scent is wonderful and very fragrant - is described as freshly picked orchids, jasmine and gardenia, entwined with white blossoms. I'm going to have to make the trip to the mall to get this.

* I love Angels baseball caps. I am proud to say that I have a hat to match about every outfit. While browsing the MLB shop I ran across this one.... I already sent a note to Santa.....

Have

* Dial-a-Drink - I'm not a big drinker - especially not mixed drinks - but I saw this and thought it was something I had to have. Plus we still have gift cards from Bed, Bath and Beyond that I HAD to use. While I don't have any of the described alcohol to make any of these drinks - I still thought it was cool!! I picked this up over the weekend. It is described as The dial-a-drink shaker comes complete with 15 cocktail recipes including classics like the Dry Martini and Tom Collins, and also trendy drinks like Cosmo and Sex on the Beach and has built-in strainer in the top so you don't get ice or fruit in your drinks when you make those martinis! Just twist the base to the desired drink on the top and the ingredients will all be displayed down the side of the shaker -- no more guessing! A must have for any home bartender.

* Bath and Body Works - Sandlewood Vanilla candles/fragrant diffusers. As I mentioned before I LOVE anything that smells good. Which reminds me -I need to get re-fills for my "Wallflowers". This is lovely!!! It's not flowery or fruity it's very soft. A powdery soft and sensual fragrance that blends the warm, woody essence of sandalwood with creamy vanilla.

Seriously??

Today was filled with me constantly saying "seriously???". So not what I had anticipated for a Saturday...

First stop this morning at Simone's - I was so excited to get my "free" coffee - turned out one of the stamps was really a smudge so it looks like tomorrow will have to be the free coffee... seriously???


• Buddy's (my son) soccer game was a bust.... our little guys just got trampled on. It was a complete blow out. 7 - 0.... seriously??? - poor Green Extreme.
  


• Family Fun Cuts (I know - could I go any cheaper on a hair cut for my buddy??) was under staffed and way over booked - poor son will have to have the fuzzy doo for one more day..... seriously????
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• Target has every thing under the sun - I thought for sure it would be a quick stop to pick up a movie I/son was needing for a "book report".... NOPE... Not even in the bargain section.... Had to resort to buy it at Blockbuster.... seriously????






• My beloved Angels lost 6-1???? ...SERIOUSLY???????

Although today was not exactly what I had planned - it ends on a good note.... BBQ Hamburgers and Coronas..... Seriously yummy!!!!

It's Friday!!!!!

I love Fridays!!! I know most people do but today is an especially good Friday.

Made my daily stop at my most favorite coffee house - Simone's. Picked up my "usual" non-fat, light Vanilla Creme Latte. I frequent Simone's at least 4 - 5 times a week. If I don't, I seriously get a headache. I can go to Coffee Bean or Starbucks but still get a headache. I NEED my Simone's.

• Got my 11th stamp on my Simone's card. Buy 11 coffee drinks and get on FREEEE..... This is my justification for going on such a regular basis. I'm a sucker for anything free. So that means tomorrow - my coffee will be free!!! That's a great thing - especially since I have to be at the soccer field at 7:30 am!!!!!

Got an e-mail from one of my dearest friends - Kelly. She and I have been through sooo much together. She is by far probably one of the funniest people I know. I love her!!! She's recently moved to Iowa (husband's work).... It's always a great day when I get an e-mail from Kel.

Had my review this week!!! Yay for bosses that give raises and bonunses!!!!

333 Yea right.... but still it's a little $$

Angels Won last night!!!! Oh, I love the Anaheim Angels. That puts us 8 games ahead of Seattle!!! Gotta love it!!! It was a great game for Garret Anderson - he set an Angels record with an RBI in 11 straight games!

It's a good day!!!