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1. Do you ever wonder if the way you see things visually aren't how other people see them? All the time. 2. What kind of sounds are the most annoying? Honking horns, they startle me almost every time and then I get annoyed because I jumped. LOL! 3. When walking through a store, do you shop with your hands by touching/feeling the texture of things? Oh yes, I am Italian..we talk, eat, shop and do almost everything with our hands. ;) 4. If you could only smell three scents for the rest of your life, what would they be? The ocean, vanilla, and the smell of fried chicken...oh my it sends me swooning. LOL! 5. What sorts of things do you savor when eating them? Chocolate, spider rolls, mango, nectarines and a nice big bowl of hot delicious fettucini alfredo. YUM-O!!!

button tree for all to see...

some of my challenges... Blue... Bold Colors.... Scallopped border.... Not quite birds but butterflies... Now all I have left to do is bling. :)

You must pick up the latest book by 3 Guys from Miami. I got mine from Costco for about $18.00...a bargain. It is filled with fabulous recipes, gorgeous color photos and the best little stories about the food. They even have a website www.icuban.com. You don't have to be Latin to love them. :D

I have never been so excited about a cookbook since the first 30 minute meals almost 5 years ago. I have been on a latin food kick lately and Ingrid Hoffmann is my latest obsession. I just love her. She's so cute and her recipes are extremely do-able. Before her, I was intimidated by latin cooking. But, not anymore. She has made it accessible to anyone who wants to give it a try. It is 30% off at Borders right now. Go get yourself a copy.

I am hosting this month's challenges over at DML, so here goes... Challenge #1 - Birds - Spring is in the air and so are the birds. They can be found everywhere today, on clothes, papers, embellishments and even in your backyard. For this challenge, you can take a photo of a bird or bird related item and do a layout about it or you can simply use one of the many bird themed products on your layout. Challenge #2 - Bold - I love the look of bold colors on my layouts whether it be patterned papers or just plain cardstock. I challenge you to create a really bold layout. Challenge #3 - Buttons - Buttons are probably my favorite product to use on a layout or card. But, this wouldn't be a challenge if you used them just any old way. So, I challenge you to use buttons in a new and creative way. Have fun with them. Challenge #4 - Blue - This challenge is simple and straightforward...just use blue as your predominant color on your layout or card. Challenge #5 - Borders - Borders come in ...

A long time ago, I was introduced to the Pampered Chef at a friend's house. I was so impressed that I immediately bought a pizza stone. Well, several years later, I own quite the collection of stoneware. I have to say that I really love it and use it all the time. The only thing I have a problem with is the way they look after years of use. I know...I know...it only means that they are seasoned and the food tastes better. BUT, I cannot serve pizza I made on a stone that looks, well, ugly. LOL! So, I threw mine out and anxiously awaited my neighbor to host her annual Pampered Chef party so I could get a new one. Now, I am happy to report that I am the proud owner of a beautiful new pizza stone with handles!!!! So, to christen this baby, I will be making pizza bianca courtesy of Giada DeLaurentiis and my good friend Denise. ;) Here's the recipe: 1 pound purchased pizza dough Flour, for surface 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves 3...

1. Do you consider yourself to be a good housekeeper? Why or why not? Sure. I mean you probably shouldn't eat off my floors but in general it is clean and tidy. 2. Are there any household chores that you enjoy doing? If so, what and why? I don't mind washing and drying clothes, it's putting them away that kills me. 3. Which household chore frustrates/angers you the most? Dusting because the dust seems to reappear the very next day. 4. When doing household chores, what do you do to make them seem less of a "chore"? Play music. 5. Which chore do you find yourself doing most often, and why? Ironing beacuse I can watch mindless tv and still get the work done. :)

My name is Ramona and I am a shoe addict. Since when did Carlos Santana start making shoes!? Aren't these FABULOUS!? They are so mine. $89.99 and free shipping. What a bargain! :D

Tagged by the sweetest little Britt... You must post the rules before you give your answers. You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name. After you've been tagged, you need to up-date your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details). T Trusting E Early Morning Person R Real World Junkie E Easygoing S Sun Worshiper A Atlanta Braves fan K. Now I tag... Jilly Suzie Reenie Susan Sharon Jennifer Fun!

This Valentine's Day, offer loved ones homemade treats wrapped in paper that echoes your heartfelt sentiments. All you need to transform plain waxed paper into lovely gift wrap is some tissue paper, a heart-shaped craft punch, and an iron. Use the paper to wrap cakes, stacks of cookies, and other goodies. Then finish each package with some waxed twine and a colorful gift tag. Fold a piece of tissue paper in half three times, forming eight layers. Using a heart-shaped craft punch, cut out hearts. Cover the surface of an ironing board with paper towels; place a sheet of waxed paper on top. Arrange hearts on waxed paper, and cover with another sheet of waxed paper. Cover with more paper towels. Run an iron, set to medium heat, lightly over the layers to set. Organizing Tip of the Week: A corkboard is handy for posting reminders, but it's often difficult to find a suitable spot for one on the wall. Instead, cut one to fit inside a door or a cabinet panel. Measure the dimensions of...

I've been organizing and de-cluttering and whatnot for the past few months. After about the first month, I have come to realize that I just have too much stuff! You know...oh, it is on sale, I cannot pass it up things, or sure I can use that things, or oh, thank you, I love it things. Well, I've had it enough is enough. I have a big house and we cannot even use the dining room. Thank goodness we have an eat-in kitchen. My dining room has become the catch-all room. The room where I store all the presents, all the cool finds and cheap buys. I'm just tired of it. I've been purging slowly as I work part-time and cannot devote hours on end to this project. So, what ends up happening is that I have to stop and I lose momentum and don't get back to it for days even weeks. But, no more. Today at the library I came across this great book called Simplify Your Space by Marcia Ramsland. She has the neat approach called C.A.L.M. Create a plan Approach it by sections L...

1. What is your favorite hot beverage? Coffee, java, joe. 2. Describe your favorite hot food? Macaroni with fresh hot gravy...YUM-O! 3. What piece of clothing makes you feel warm and snuggly the moment you put it on? My Daddy's ski sweater...I'm wearing it now. 4. Do you warm up your car on cold days? Do you run the heat all the time or just enough to defrost the windows? I warm up my car on mild days. LOL! And, the seat warmer is my friend. :D 5. What is your ideal warm-weather vacation spot? Miami Beach, baby! I've love to read your responses. :)

So, my boss gave us $100.00 gift certificates in a pretty little wallet for Christmas. The catch? The GC was to Talbots. I'm sorry. I know people keep telling me it's not a granny store anymore. But, it is just not me. I'm more of an Old Navy, INC, Ann Taylor even Target kinda girl. So, I kept putting off using it. That is until someone told me to just look online...I'm sure you'll find something. (Thanks, Suzie Bee) Well, lo and behold I found these CAHUTE little platform slides. I bought them in ink blue patent leather and they arrived today. I will be sporting them along with a french pedi ;)come April when we go to Florida. I *love* shoes! :D

I took out steak for dinner tonight but I am putting them back in and making this instead..... Fast Chicken and Rice Start to Finish: 10 min. Ingredients 1 8.8-ounce package cooked brown or white rice 1/2 cup frozen peas 1 pound chicken breast tenders, halved crosswise 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1/4 cup bottled stir-fry sauce Packaged oven-roasted sliced almonds Directions 1. Stir peas into rice pouch. Heat in microwave according to package directions. 2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and stir chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until no longer pink. Stir rice mixture into skillet. Stir in stir-fry sauce; heat through. Sprinkle each serving with almonds. Makes 4 servings. Nutrition facts per serving: Calories 311 Total Fat (g) 9 Saturated Fat (g) 1 Monounsaturated Fat (g) 2 Polyunsaturated Fat (g) 3 Cholesterol (mg) 66 Sodium (mg) 453 Carbohydrate (g) 25 Total Sugar (g) 1 Fiber (g) 2 Protein (g) 31 Vitamin C (DV%) 5 Calcium (DV%) 3 Iron (DV%) 8

I know that Christmas was just last month but I am already thinking about gifts for next year. I think these would make fun and cozy gifts for Christmas. I plan on getting a head start on Christmas 2008 with these babies. Courtesy of Martha. ;) Padding around the house in warm wool socks is a cozy comfort that can sometimes be slippery -- and socks' feet can get damp and dirty. For more solid footing, add soles. Tools and Materials Thick socks Scrap of cardboard Pencil Scissors Sewing pencil Sueded fabric Fusible webbing Iron No-Sew Slipper Socks How-To 1. Pull the socks onto your feet. Stand on a piece of cardboard, and trace both feet with a pencil; cut cardboard along lines. Remove socks. Use a sewing pencil to trace the templates on sueded fabric and fusible webbing, a material that bonds fabrics together; cut them out. 2. Slide a cardboard template into each sock, positioning it where you want to iron on new soles. Place fusible webbing between sueded fabric and sock's...

These will be featured on the Martha Stewart Show all next week... Pasta with Garlic Sauce Ingredients Serves 4 1 head plus 8 cloves garlic Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1 pound farro spaghetti 2 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 cup dry white wine 1 cup loosely packed chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes Parmesan, for grating Directions Heat oven to 425 degrees. Wrap garlic head in parchment paper-lined foil; roast until soft and golden, about 1 hour. Let cool, trim tip of head; squeeze out cloves, using back of knife. Transfer to small bowl; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta; cook according to package directions until al dente; drain. Thinly slice 5 cloves of unroasted garlic; finely chop remaining 3 cloves. Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add sliced garlic; toast until golden and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove garlic; set aside. Add chopped garlic; saute until translucent, about 1 1/2 minutes. Add roasted ga...

First off, I had been soooooooo sick for like 2 weeks. It was awful...couldn't eat, couldn't breathe, had no energy. So, to say I am behind on things is an understatement. But, I am finally caught up on the laundry. Yay! Thank God for small favors. LOL! I did manage to stay on top of scrapbooking assignments, so that's nice. I'll be able to share in a few.... Work has been stressful. My co-teacher is out alot and me and 9 kiddos is too much especially when we have one with issues. :( But, I better get rewarded come review time is all I'm sayin' ;) I think this will be dinner tomorrow. Since I only eat white meat, I'll be putting in a whole chicken cut up not just legs and thighs. Ingredients 2 medium unpeeled potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 large green sweet pepper, cut into strips 1 medium onion, sliced 1 tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca 2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks, skinned and fat removed 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce 2 tabl...

Did you make anything for Christmas? I made a few things... -a bookmark -an altered datebook -ornaments FUN!

Perhaps tomorrow... Lemon and Olive Chicken Serves 8. 8 bone-in chicken breast halves Salt and pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 lemons 2 onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup green olives, pitted and halved 2 cups chicken stock or reduced-sodium broth 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper Directions Sprinkle the chicken with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. In two batches, sear the chicken, skin side first, until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Cut the lemons in half lengthwise and then into thin slices crosswise. If the skillet is dry, add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onions and garlic, and cook over medium heat until soft but not brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in lemon slices, olives, stock, and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Put the chicken on top of the vegetables, pour in any accumulat...