Punxsutawney Phil may be right....

Every year, for the last 125 years, Punxsutawney Phil has been forecasting whether or not we would have an early spring or longer winter.  Luckily for the most of the country, Phil didn't see his shadow so spring is on its way!  Here is a sampling of spring from our yard:

Pink Flower from a Camilla Bush

As much as I love cold weather, I'm welcoming the warmer temperatures (like today, 80+ degrees) so I can open the windows and let the fresh air inside.  Soon I'll be pulling the lawn furniture from the basement and returning it to its spot on our back patio.  In the evenings, I'll look forward to sitting outside and just taking in the moment.  I might even be able to convince Michael to take a nice stroll down around the park after dinner. 

I think I might be ready for spring and a wee bit thankful that Phil didn't see his shadow.  Here is to a great afternoon and to enjoying the rest of it.  Happy Sunday in the South!!

What Would You Do?

If you won the lottery, what would you do with all the money?  Every now and then, my co-workers and I will put in a couple of bucks to buy some lottery tickets.  Since the jackpot is $184 million, we thought we would take our chances and play.  Each time we do, we all day dream about what we would do with the money.  A couple of people said they would quit their job, some said they would donate money, most said they would travel, some said they would take care of family, and the list goes on and on. 

All of the day-dreaming got me to thinking, if I ever won the lottery what would I do?  The answer is a little harder than it seems.  You think you know....but do you?  Would you take the full cash out or would you have it spread over 30 years?  Would you have it publicized that you won or keep it quiet?  Would you pay off everything or put it in savings and live on it?  Tough decisions.  If I had to give a quick answer, this is what I would do with it, in no particular order:

• Pay off all debt.
• Go to Europe.
• Donate money to the local Humane Society.
• Buy land & build a house.
• Give money to my family & close friends.
• Open a franchise business.
• Donate money to a local church.
• INVEST, INVEST, INVEST

Please don't judge if you don't like my list.  Its a quick, short list with not much thought.  Just day-dreaming....remember.  :)  But now its your turn. What would you do?  How would you spend it?  Its fun to day-dream so go ahead!! 

My Kinda Party!!

Michael and I went to the Jason Aldean concert last night and it was AWESOME!!  We had really great seats and sat around an energetic crowd. 

The JaneDear girls opened the show, followed by Eric Church.  Unfortunately, due to the lines getting into the civic center, we missed the JaneDear girls but could at least hear them sing "Wildflower" from the parking lot. 

Eric Church followed and rocked the house.  In my opinion, he is pretty much southern rock mixed with country.  There were a few times I thought the band was going to bust out some Metallica songs.  He has some really great musicians playing with him. 

As for Jason Aldean, he was AWESOME!!  I know I said that earlier, but he really was. He played lots of familiar songs with a couple new ones from the My Kinda Party album.  He is a great live musician and has a beautiful voice.  I always wonder whether or not an artist has a good voice or if they have just been "mixed over"in the studio. Fortunately, Jason is a true singer with great tone and richness to his voice.  (I admit, I do have a crush on him..   :)  Its okay, Michael knows!!) 

I look forward to seeing him again if he is ever around these parts again.

Jason Aldean singing "The Truth"...and yes, we were that close!!

Channeling Elvis!!

" Let's rock, everybody, let's rock.
Everybody in the whole cell block
was dancing to the Jailhouse Rock.”

~Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock~

I'm not really channeling Elvis but we do share something in common....our love for all things bananas & peanut butter.  For lunch I enjoyed a homemade (somewhat) chicken salad sandwich with a side of bananas and peanut butter.  I thought since it was soo very delicious, I would share it with you!  The recipe was pretty easy and included apples and walnuts too!  Can you say "YUMMMYYYY"?!?  This is the kind of lunch you might want to enjoy outside on a nice spring day!  (I enjoyed mine catching up on the Bachelor since it isn't something Michael generally likes to watch at night.  I just love Emily and hope that if Brad chooses not to keep her, she will become the next Bachelorette.... but I digress).

I was in the middle of cooking dinner when I decided to make this for my lunch this week so I had to improvise on the chicken.  Instead of boiling and dicing a boneless skinless breast, I opted for a can of all white meat Swanson Chicken breast (in water).  So, here is the recipe:

• 1 can of chicken breast - drained.
• 1 tsp of celery salt (I didn't have fresh celery so I used this instead.  I would have preferred the real thing though).
• 1 tsp Parley flakes
• 3 tbsp of sweet pickle relish (or more if you are like me...  I love sweet pickle relish!)
• 1/4 cup light, fat free or regular mayo (I used light since this is a healthier version).
• 1 tbsp of light, fat free, or regular sour cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 Granny Smith apple - chopped into small pieces

Mix together and store in frig.  Makes enough for probably around 5 or 6 sandwiches.  Double or triple the recipe for more sandwiches.  Enjoy!!

What are you eating for lunch today?  Inspire me!!



Look at those Granny Smith apple chunks!  Delicious!

 

The final glance before its all gone!!



Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway

Over at Sweet Tea & Pearls, there is a giveaway!  Check it out and enter!! 

My "Gotta Read Em" List

I have quite a few books that I want to read VERY soon.  Check em' out!

1.  Water for Elephants.  A co-worker of mine recommended this a while back and since it will be coming to theatres soon, I want to read it first and then see the movie. 

2.  Hunger Games.  It is part of a trilogy so I am thinking this might be a summer read, but we'll see.

3.  Safe Haven.  I have read all of Nicholas Sparks' books so I have to read this one too, right?  I enjoy his books as they are pretty easy read and sometimes make me cry too.  

4.  The Help.  Another co-worker of mine read this last year and literally couldn't put it down.  Ever since then I've been wanting to read it so its going on my list.

5.  Unbroken.  My Dad would really appreciate this book as well since its a true story about a man during WWII. 

Sometimes I think I could benefit from an Amazon Kindle or a Barnes & Noble Nook.  Then I could just download books and read, read, read!  What I should do though, is put my library card to some good use and get them for free. 

What are you reading?

Happy Birthday, Grandma

Often times I wish I could go back and spend a few extra moments with my Grandma.  She was and still is one of the most influential woman in my life.  I think about her almost everyday.  I hope that somewhere she and my Pe-pa are looking down on me and are proud of the woman I have become.  Happy Birthday Grandma....  I love and miss you dearly.