My First Time - In SEVEN Years...

Hosting Poker Night - that is!!! It's one of those little things I've always looked forward to being a wife - hosting superbowl.. hosting game night - anything - something.. and this was the first time since we've been married that we hosted! And I have to say - it could not have been better... 7 good lookin men in my house - all showing up right after work with hungry bellies... and LOVED my goodies I made. I really spent just a little bit of time prepping everything - but it was oh so fun! I made:

• Tortilla Roll Up bites - 2 diff variations - one with ham, lettuce, chive cream cheese, the other with Cajun Turkey, Chipolte Cheese Spread - then rolled up, cut into bite size pieces.. easy - simple - and oh so yummy!
• BLT Dip - another easy one - sour cream - mix in some onion powder and garlic, top with Peppercorn bacon, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes! service with Ritz Chips.. YUM-O!
• Ro-Tel Dip - Velveeta melted - dump in a can of Ro-Tel... DELISH!
• Cheese Cake Brownies

The entire night - I kept hearing - "Dude! Your wife ROCKS!" or "Man - i don't think my wife would EVER do this for me" and " Man - you've got to host poker ALL the time now!" and then twice (and i don't think they knew i heard this) "Dude - his wife ROCKS! too bad she's taken!" hehehe was AWESOME! Especially Kennedy's every 15-20 minute trips out to the garage to say "Hi boooooys... how's the poker going???" THEY LOVED HER!!!

I hope the guys know I did all that because I honestly enjoy it and really hope they all come back for a visit again soon!!! (I took 2 pics - will post tomorrow!)

On another note - it's been raining in CNY for I dunno - three days now? ICK! It's just enough to make everything a lil teeny tiny humid - but not much.. and a lil cooler at night - which is awesome. I spent the day with my mom today.. took her to her hair appointment, tooled around some thrift shops... then lunch at my now most favorite place... Olives... the BEST Panini EVER...Turkey, Cranberry, Brie, and a thin slice of Granny Smith apple.. oh sweet heaven. I wish I had my camera with me to take a pic and share - it's REALLY that friggin good!!!

Practically stole a 4 foot by 3 foot frame from Hobby Lobby this week and this weekend I went to Lowes and got peg board to fill it with. I will be hanging this in the studio for tool storage.. will certainly post a pic when complete.... I can't wait! Now I just have to determine... do I want to go with a black/pink/white decor theme in the studio - or simply shabby chic? Shabby is really my fav and a dream - and i don't think i will ever get away with it in any other room of the house... so... still pondering...

that's about all for now. enjoying some ice cream now, a move - The Pursuit of Happyness.. and then sweet, sweet slumber. happy weekend all - AND - Happy Father's Day!!!

peace.

dusting the ole blog off...

and hopefully garnering some inspiration. been working on it. been savoring it. just ready to get it out of my system! i like donna downey's idea of reaching out creatively on wednesdays. so here's my frist attempt. blogging. i've missed it. i think i've needed it. much like i've needed my ipod. i finally popped that bad boy back in to get through the work days - and woah! what an improvement! i am working on my studio this weekend. getting everything in it's place and a place for everything. i think that will really awaken the creativity that has squandered. i leave you for now with an awesome quote i found on ali e's blog... love this:

Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinion drowned out your own inner voice. Most imporant, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. ~Steve Jobs

and i leave you with eye candy.. enjoy. and i'll be back real soon. promise.