Friday, March 30, 2007

Angelica has an announcement....

Yes...we are expecting baby Hartsell most likely around the first week of December, don't have a confirmed due date yet. But, wanted to get everyone praying that the sickness I have had so far doesn't end up being as bad or as long as last time & that this new little life grows strong and healthy!! Will keep you posted!!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Been away...

Sorry, I have been absent from my blogging world for a bit...Angel is having the major runs and not wanting to eat or she throws it up....poor thing. No fever or anything else, so assuming it is a tummy bug......all you moms out there....any good aids and cures to help fight this? This is the first time she has really ever been sick, no fun! thanks!!

Monday, March 26, 2007

Menu Plan Monday


Monday: Chicken Tenders & Waffle Fries
Tuesday: Flank Steak (marinated in a little ketchup, oil, garlic and onion powder, honey, ginger, soy sauce), Asparagus & Red Potatoes (in olive oil and Italian seasonings and baked)
Wednesday: Soup Supper at Church
Thursday: Grilled Bratwursts & Broccoli & Tater Tots
Friday: Homemade Mac n' Cheese & Tuna Fish (I add a little mayo, apple, celery, onion, pepper, salt, mustard)
Saturday: Grilled Italian Chicken Salad
Sunday: Dinner with Family

This is a cool pic....

...can you see the baby??

Sporting the Adidas wear...

...click here to check out pics taken last night at my folks house. Angelica did not like the grass much at all (was confused by how it felt I think), and Aunt Caitlin was trying to teach her how to play soccer!! And yes, it is another outfit from Aunty Megs. :)

Saint of the Day







(d. 1801)

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Cross stitches I made for wedding gifts...(click on pic to see detail...)

Ellen's bridal shower

Yesterday we had a Pampered Chef Bridal Shower for my dear friend, Ellen Campbell. She gets married in WI in April. We had so much fun and I even got to give her her wedding gift....for those who have wanted to see pics, I will post pics of my cross stitch soon, but here are pics from yesterday....love you Ellen!! If anyone needs a GREAT Pampered Chef Consultant, click here!! If you want to see the games I did, click here. Here is my first attempt at making an invite...not too bad if I do say so myself!






Basketball party pics...

We had the Champion Basketball player STARS party Thursday. Jason gave the girls trophies, medals, goody bags and presented them awards. I made the awards for him and really am starting to enjoy the stamping, scrap booking stuff!! Thanks mom for letting us have the party at your place!! (click on pics to see)


The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity celebrated tomorrow)

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word."
(click here for a good site on how to celebrate tomorrow (scroll to bottom)...even can lift your Lenten penance obligations...hmmm do I taste ice cream?)

Tupperware Time....

The other night while I was cooking for my friend's bridal shower...Angelica decided she would help me reorganize my tupperware cabinet...



Saturday, March 24, 2007

Saint of the Day

(1447-1510)

Shortly before Catherine’s death she told her goddaughter: "Tomasina! Jesus in your heart! Eternity in your mind! The will of God in all your actions! But above all, love, God’s love, entire love!"

Friday, March 23, 2007

Sidebar Addition...

I have put a link to a photo and video album archive....you can click on the link that I have posted on our sidebar...good way to keep pictures through the years and videos together in one spot!! Enjoy.

Saint of the Day






(1538-1606)

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Interesting Ideas...

Thanks Donna for this intersting post...some good ideas if they work!!

New Sidebar Addition

I have decided to put links to my favorite posts of the sites I visit...so you notice on the sidebar there is a new section called "Posts I Want to Share", just click on them and it will take you to the posts on my favorite sites.

I love these things...

I just cleaned my microwave...toaster...tool turn about...spice rack...and I used my favorite cleaning item...this!! These work great for those small spaces and vent grids and getting all the dirt and grime out of tracks. I just wet with water and go to town!!

Maybe I should have been a fighter pilot...

This game is really addictive. The goal is to move the red block around without hitting the blue blocks of the walls. If you get to 18 seconds, you are supposedly phenomenal!! I made it! The USAF uses this with their fighter pilots. Click here to play!

Saint of the Day





(1209-1289)

Monday, March 19, 2007

Pics of the Champion STARS...

You can click on pics to see larger...







Saint of the Day


Prayer to St. Joseph


"To thee, O Blessed Joseph, we have recourse in our tribulations, and while imploring the aid of thy most holy Spouse, we confidently invoke thy patronage also. By that love which united thee to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by the fatherly affection with which thou didst embrace the Infant Jesus, we humbly beseech thee graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ purchased with His Blood and to help us in our necessities, by thy powerful intercession. Protect, O most provident Guardian of the Holy Family, the chosen children of Jesus Christ; ward off from us, O most loving Father, all taint of error and corruption; graciously assist us from Heaven, O most power protector, in our struggle with the powers of darkness; and as thou didst once rescue the Child Jesus from imminent peril to His life, so now defend the Holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity. Shield each one of us with thy unceasing patronage that, imitating thy example and sported by thy aid, we may be enabled to live a good life, die a holy death, and secure everlasting happiness in Heaven. Amen."

Menu Plan Monday


Wednesday: Soup Supper at Church
Thursday: Pizza Basketball Party
Friday: Leftover Pizza from Basketball Party
Saturday: Leftover Bridal Shower Food
Sunday: Dinner with Family

Saturday, March 17, 2007

We miss you Megs...

My sister Meg was in town briefly Tuesday night and Wednesday. She flew from NYC during her spring break to Portland to help a girlfriend with wedding planning. At least we got to see her for a brief visit!! Angelica loves all her clothes!!




Way to go STARS!!!

The girl's basketball team that Jason has been coaching and my sister Alli plays on, WON the final game today!!! The team they played was their only loss during the season...at half time the score was tied 6-6 and we won 18-17!! It was so much fun to watch the girls and Jason enjoy it so much....pics soon to follow!! Does anyone have ideas for something sweet to do for the girls?? Jason would like to present them with something at their party, but we just aren't sure what!! Let me know...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I always love this day, especially because I am part Irish! My grandparents took me to Ireland and Scotland when I graduated from high school, back in 1998. It was a memorable trip and I always bring out the pics on this day. I thought I would post some here...I loved being able to meet all my Irish relatives. (I can't believe how YOUNG I look!!)Remember if you are not wearing green today...you deserve to get pinched!! (you can scroll over pics for description or double click to see full size pic...)


Saint of the Day

St. Patrick
(415?-493?)

Prayer for the Faithful by Saint Patrick
May the Strength of God guide us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Angels of God guard us.- Against the snares of the evil one.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,Christ be over all!
May Thy Grace, Lord,Always be ours,This day, O Lord, and forevermore. Amen.

Monday, March 12, 2007

Menu Plan Monday


Monday: Tri-Tips (just with a little garlic powder, onion powder & Montreal Steak Seasoning, then grilled), Portabello mushrooms (Sauteed in garlic and olive oil), whole wheat noodles (didn't have this Saturday, we ended up with Costco pizza)
Tuesday: Dinner with family (sister from NYC is in town)
Wednesday: Soup Supper at Church
Thursday: Steak-Um Sandwiches and Waffle Fries
Friday: Garlic Jim's Pizza
Saturday: St. Patrick Day Meal at Church, homemade Grasshopper Pie
Sunday: Dinner with Family

More cleaning...




Ok, so last week I continued with some cleaning...here are more tips I learned:
  • mix 2 TBs baking powder with 1 qt. hot water, to clean inside fridge and freezer. This neutralizes all the odors (dish soap's odor may sink into your food). I put it in a spray bottle and worked really well.
  • Did you know you are supposed to keep mushrooms in a brown bag with a moist paper towel to keep fresh? It works!!
  • I have a white porcelain sink...so I scrub with comet, then fill with hot water and some bleach....I even put the dish drainer and sink strainer in there with it and they came out sparkling clean!!
  • Fill a spray bottle with warm water and dish soap to clean outside surfaces of dishwasher, oven, fridge etc.
  • Put lemon slices (or juice) in bowl with water and heat in microwave 45 secons or so and everything wipes off really easily to clean and it smells good too!!

If you have tips let me know!!! Making my way around the house...slowly!