Shark Week

Finally It was time for my week vacation to the beach. We plan it every year about this time and it always seems to fall on shark week.

We started every day the same. We get up around 7:00 each morning and share coffee and breakfast. At 8:00 we rush to the beach to get a spot to place our umbrellas and chairs.

Here in the Carolina's, you cant put your umbrellas out until 8am and they have to be placed behind the life guard post. Everyone like us are in a fight for a good spot usually landing it in the same place each day. You get to know those beside you as you become beach neighbors all week.

Shark week seems to be a big deal lately and the trend is growing. It was really cool when I found a shark tooth while on my morning walk. We also seen a fisherman reel in a shark from the coast.
You see shirts advertising it, kid playing with rubber sharks in wave pools and shows on TV all week about sharks.

 

A couple days started off as usual. Kids playing in the sand, lovers smooching in the ocean while the others rode waves on the boogie boards. Then you hear the whistle of the life guard. Everyone stops to stare as he motions for everyone out of the water. A shark has been spotted.

Curiosity sets in and everyone rushes to get a glimpse of what usually is only like a 3 or 4 ft shark, minding its own business. After about 15 minutes, everyone fearlessly jumps back in.

Other than the shark sightings and the lifeguards jumping in and rescuing a surf board that looked like it had been swallowed and spit out of a whales stomach,  It was just that rough looking and there was nothing to it. Just a surf board. That's about all the shark week excitement we saw. The rest of the time was eating and relaxing in the sun. 

The week is now about over and we have to pack it up and go home. We'll be back again for our usual weekend trips but I still hate to leave.

I will miss having my coffee with  the morning sunrise and the cotton candy sunset in the afternoon.  

If It Fits, Wear It

I seen a status on social media the other day where someone mentioned that two piece bathing suits should not be made in big sizes, then said "just because a two piece bathing suit fits, does not mean you should be wearing it". I didn't get much of a chuckle out of that being on the heavier side myself.

A lot of people do not mean harm or mean to be ugly in what they say. I think they just don't see the other side of reason.

I'll admit, I have made fun of people. Its usually in the way they act or behave. There are so many sizes and shapes of people. Every "body" has a story and everyone is Gods creation and is beautiful. Ugliness is an attitude.

About that 200+ lb. lady walking down the beach in her bikini:

• Maybe that woman spent 3 hours crying about how she looked before getting the confidence to wear a two piece like all the other women.
• Maybe her husband spent hours to convinced her to have no shame because he likes how it looked on her.
• Maybe at one time that lady was 400lbs and struggled hard to get where she is and she feels beautiful now.
• Maybe that overweight woman has children that she spends all her time with and never has time to exercise. Gyms are expensive ya know. So is weight watchers.
• Maybe that woman can not afford to buy health foods that only she will eat and has to rely on bread and potatoes to keep her and her family satisfied.
• Maybe that woman once struggled with anorexia or was made fun of for being so skinny and took years to over come it. 

Before anyone judges what people should wear, weather it be bikinis or spandex, they all have a story. No one wakes up in the morning and says "I love being fat" or "I love being skinny". Ive been in both places and Its hard to loose weight especially after 40. A lot of young people have never and will never see skinny. They were just born that way.

(source)

I think a woman is beautiful when she feels beautiful no matter what she wears or how she wears it. It doesn't matter if she's 50 lbs. or 500 lbs. She should love herself and have confidence. If a person feels good, then its all good. If they feel bad health wise, then they should do something about it. But until then, I say, "If it fits wear it!"  That goes for the men too. You are beautiful!

 

Ive shared this at:

anything-goes at bacontimewiththehungryhypo

White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

I'm fixing to share with you some really super duper, easy peasy ,good and yummy oatmeal cookies you must make today. It will only take 6  ingredients and 15 minutes of your time. I guess you can call them healthy too, right? I mean, oatmeal is good for you isn't it? Ok, ill stick to that.

So, grab a bowl and fork and get started. Yes, I just mixed them up with a fork. Here goes.

Wait, did I say they were easy?

White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 stick of butter (softened)
• 1 egg
• 1 Cup Self rising Flour
• 2 cups uncooked oatmeal (Quick cooking but not instant)
• 1 Teaspoon honey (optional)
• *Mini white chocolate chips

  * you can omit the chocolate if you just want plain oatmeal cookies

Place by the spoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Use a spoon to flatten them out a little.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. (The bottoms will brown but the tops stay light)

Also, the cookies seem soft a gooey at first but will firm as they cool.

I just could not stop eating these things! They were not too crunchy and not too chewy. They were just right. We were eating them right off the cooling rack.

They are perfect with a glass of milk for a late night snack. Well, ok, maybe not. I'm pretty wired right now. I think I ate about five cookies without even thinking. I may not go sleep for a while now. 
Seriously, though, they are good.

I lost count on how many this recipe made but I think it was about 2 dozen. My daughter wants to take some to share at the office where she works. Im thinking they will earn her a few brownie points.

Oh! did I just say brownies? Lord have mercy on my sweet tooth.


Ive shared this at:
made-by-me at jaqsstudio
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie
full plate thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop at katherinescorner
submarine-sunday at usscrafty
snickerdoodle-sunday-40 at 2crochethooks

Baked Parmesan Egg Plant

The only time I usually eat egg plant is when I visit an Italian restaurant and order the Egg Plant Parmesan. Why? Well, mainly because my Husband does not like it. I don't want to make a big mess of a meal on these things when me and my daughter are the only ones that will eat them.

One of the employees where I work is away bringing us fresh cucumbers and tomatoes out of his garden. The other day he just so happened to bring me a fresh egg plant too. It was rather small but perfect for me to make this tasty baked egg plant. I thought, what the heck, it was free and who doesn't like free food.

First you need to cut off the ends and slice it. The thickness is up to you but may result in shorter or longer cooking time and alter the crispness.

Spread mayonnaise on just one side of each slice (not real thick, just a nice thin spread) and then add Parmesan cheese.

Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees.

This is a great quick and easy appetizer or side dish. I eat them without any dip but they would taste great with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
I mean, come on, we all know that ranch dressing taste good on anything.

Oh and how did my husband like them? eeeh, he ate a couple of them with out complaints but still not a fan.


Ive shared this at:
amaze-me-monday at dwellings
monday-handmade-linkup at judyscardmakingandpapercrafts
mix-it-up-monday at flourmewithlove
made-by-me at jaqsstudio
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie

Sugar Cookie In a Cup

Its been a while since I made anything sweet. If I make anything like a cake or batch of cookies, we will have them all eat within a day or two. I just cant help myself. I LOVE sweet things. That's why I decided to make just "one" cookie. It was a perfect cure for my sweet tooth.

 

It was simple to make and only took a minute to cook. Yep, mixed it in a cup and cooked it in the microwave. I have made several different kinds of cookies, brownies and cakes in a cup. Out of all the recipes I've tried, this one came in second. First being the 3-2-1 cakes. Those are dangerously good so I try and stay away from them. Go check that recipe out here. You can thank me later.

Back to the Sugar cookie in a cup. You probably have the ingredients already in your kitchen so grab a mug or small bowl and whip this up.

Sugar Cookie in a Cup

Melt 1 Tbsp. of butter in a mug (about 15 seconds).
Add 2 Tbsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp. vanilla, pinch of salt (mix).
Add 1 Egg Yolk (mix).
Add 3 Tbsp. all purpose flour (mix).
Garnish with sprinkles if you wish.
Microwave approx. 50 seconds (depending on your microwave).

 

That's it! Now you have you own personal little cookie to enjoy with a glass of milk.

I would love to know what your favorite cup recipe is, but until then, I have a cookie to chow down on.

Original recipe can be found here


Ive shared this at:
thursday-favorite-things at katherinescorner
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie
bacontimewiththehungryhypo

Cowabunga Dude!

I recently got a request from a friend. She asked if I could make her three year old a Mutant Ninja Turtle mask. As I have mentioned before, I love a challenge. I looked around for the four needed colors. Seeing I had at least two of the four colors on hand, I took on the task. The movie will be in theaters on August the 8th and these will be great to wear.

After digging around on the internet for ways to make these cute things, I got creative, and accomplished them. They are so darn cute. One size fits all so the whole family can wear them. I think wearing them to Wal-Mart would be a blast. Don't you?

Some of the original TMNT's cartoons started back in 1987. That's been 28 years ago. Which means most parents of little ones of today are enjoying bringing it back and can share the same enthusiasm. Personally, I never got into the fad. I just remember how they were in stores and dress up everywhere like today.

Here is the trailer for the 2014 movie.

If you can crochet, here is the pattern that inspired me. If you can not crochet and you would love to have some of these, you can get them from my Etsy shop.

What I found the most interesting about making these is "Killing" the acrylic. When I finished a mask, it would curl. I placed a wet towel on top of the finished mask and iron over it. It gave the crochet a soft silky feel that does not roll up. Its like magic to me.

These were really fun to make. I cant wait to see pictures of my friends little guy wearing these soon.
Speaking of little guy, Im sitting here now waiting on the arrival of my nephew. He will be here tonight or tomorrow.  Maybe I can share him with you all on my next post.


Ive shared this at:
inspire-me-monday at create-with-joy
amaze-me-monday at dwellings-theheartofyourhome
tuesdays-pin-spiration at oombawkadesigncrochet
made-by-me-136-linky-party at jaqsstudio
link-and-share-wednesday at oombawkadesigncrochet
worthwhile-wednesdays at thecraftiestallie
something-fabulous-wednesday at roubinek
thursday-favorite-things at katherinescorner
bacontimewiththehungryhypo
submarine-sunday at usscrafty
 

Slack Blogger

Yes I've been a slack blogger. I have so much to talk about but do not know how to put it into words. Someone once told me, to gain followers and comments, I need to blog about controversial things. Well, that's one thing I don't like to get wrapped up in. I may at sometime spill out my angers and thoughts of what I think about this world, but I'm sure your just as tire of it as me so I'd rather find fun, happy and inspiring things to blog about.

Another problem I have, is that I cant seem to find time to relax and type. Im at work 9 hours a day and I try to enjoy every moment I can with my husband and daughter and hate to be in the same room with them, typing and ignoring them. I do enough of that with my cell phone.

Most bloggers keep a calendar of things to post. I'm not that person either. I blog about what ever comes to my mind to share that day. I guess you can just call me a spontaneous blogger. I do something and think, "wow I'm gonna share this idea with the world".

Right now, I'm working on a little project I cant wait to share with you soon. Until then, thank you for your patience.