Oh Eugene!!!

I've talked about my cousin, Little J before. She's my 2 year old cousin. Not long ago, we had a "Date" to the mall. You know, to do all the things she enjoys. Riding the rides, shopping, and getting a yummy snack.

Before this little adventure, we were not too close. We just hadn't spent much time together. But I'm super close to her grandma. My 1st cousin. Little J's mom, is my 2nd cousin. Prior to this day, we'd seen each other. Played together. But we weren't super close.

But on the this day, we got to spend a few hours together. Being girls. Little J is all girl! She LOVES princesses, jewelry, and shoes!!! Little J, well she takes a little while to warm up to people. But in just a few minutes, I had the girl chatting away.

We talked about it all. Coloring, train rides, and Eugene. Oh, Eugene!!! Have you ever watched Tangled? If you have, then you know Eugene. Who just happens to be Little J's favorite guy! :)



Since our "Date," Little J and I have met a few more times to play and hangout. We've made trips to the mall, to ride the rides. And may have just had to have lunch, at her favorite place. Um, 4 times. :) But the topic that always comes up, is Eugene.

I got a call from Little J today. To let me know that she was watching Tangled. And playing with the dolls I bought her. And all of a sudden, she puts down the phone. And I hear, "Go Eugene, Go! Go Eugene, Go! You're doing it!" Little J was so excited!

Later, I find out that Eugene was climbing Rapunzel's hair. She was cheering for her "boyfriend." Wow! It was too cute. Do you remember having any "crushes" when you were that young? I just think it's too cute! Little J ALWAYS gives me an update on Eugene. ALWAYS!!! ♥

Fun Finds!!!

We've been spending a lot of time in the SW. Which I'm honestly LOVING!!! It makes for a heck of a lot of traveling. But it's well worth it. :)

I'm doing a lot of the "finishing touches," on our home in my hometown. We've had friends over. And a few of my family members. It's really turning into our "Dream Home." But there are still things we are putting up. Little things we need to buy.

That lead me, to K-Mart. I'm not a regular shopper there. When I was really little, my parents shopped there. But then when I was 5 o 6, we stopped shopping there. I don't know why. It just happened. And over the last 11 years, I've gone for very specific things.

Mostly things in their "Garden Center." Years ago, I like to shop for Martha Stewart home goods. When I can't find a movie, I head there. Once in a while, I find some cute clothes, shoes, or accessories. But it's not a store that I gravitate towards.

We need some sheers, for a very sunny room. I searched everywhere! Online, in stores, anywhere I could think of. Then while talking to my cousin, she told me they had some at K-Mart. Nice ones. For cheap! So I headed over.

My Guy and I spent hours there. Not lying! We bought 6 outdoor chandeliers, some flower baskets, various kitchen goods, our sheers, and I literally stumbled on the "Clearance Toys."

With all my Goddaughters, nieces, and my friends' little girls...I'm ALWAYS on the hunt for some cute toys. I buy stuff, and save it for birthdays and Christmas. Well, I dug around. And I found something.



Fisher Price's Minnie Mouse's House! I know a little girl, who would LOVE it! 2 actually. So we dug around some more. Found 2 more. The sticker said $20. Marked down from $40. I thought it was a decent deal. Nothing to be calling people about. But when we went to pay, it was $10!!! Yes, we got 3, for less than the regular price of 1!

When we got home, I looked up the toy. Found out they are back ordered until February 2013. What? I wrapped one up for a birthday present. Another for a Christmas present. And the 3rd, I took out of the package. My little cousin J, was coming over for a visit. And we don't have many toys around here.

Well, she adored it! Played for almost 2 hours with it. And only stopped when we went outside to the pool. I think it was a great hit. And a lesson learned by me. ALWAYS go check out random stores. For their "Clearance" section. Not just your favorite Target. :)

I headed back to another K-Mart. The next morning. Since I let Little J have the house. And I picked up 2 more. Along with some princess dolls, Bratz dolls, and a few tea sets. I felt like I was robbing the place. Literally 25 toys, for under $100. I'm well on my way to completing my "Christmas List" early! ♥

Beautiful!!!

We've been working really hard, on our home. In my hometown. Trying to make it "complete." There are a few things, that I've really got my heart set on. Things that I've ALWAYS wanted!

One of those is a "Rose of Sharon." In my hometown, they are everywhere. In beautiful shades of pink, white, purple, red, and blue. I've ALWAYS wanted one. Wished and wished for one. And now, we're going out to the nursery. To pick up 9!!!



We have the perfect little garden area. Outside our library. That I'm turning into a flower garden. A little oasis to sit, and soak up "Nature's Beauty." I can't wait to see what happens, when everything is in. And growing well. Oh, I just love beautiful flowers!!! ♥

Texas Green Sauce

I think by now, you know that I'm from the Southwest. Born and raised. Until I met this guy, it was the only place I'd ever called home. I've lived in a few cities, in the southwest. For a short time, I lived in another state...still in the southwest.

So you should know, I was raised on all things chili. It's the one thing that I miss most, about living in the South. Especially the Southeast. Where in the heck do you find chili? Well, this guy, is a doll! And he even goes out of his way, to buy a couple of sacks. Every August, and has them shipped to us. Gotta LOVE My Guy!!!

I don't just like chili, I LOVE it! I NEED it! And well, I just enjoy every single bite!!! With that being said, not all chili is created equally. What My Guy and his buddy consider a "good bowl" of chili, isn't what I'm thinking. They're thinking of a "stew" like thing. Me? I'm thinking of fresh chili, blended up, nice and thick. And oh so hot!

So when I took a peak at this week's Gooseberry Patch Free Recipe of the Week, I was questioning myself. Do I try this? Who eats chili out of a can? With avocados? I LOVE me some avocados. But with chili, it sounds a little odd...



Texas Green Sauce

4 avocados, pitted, peeled and chopped
16-oz. container sour cream
10-oz. can tomatoes with chiles
1 T. garlic powder
4-oz. can green chiles
2 t. salt
1 t. lemon juice
3-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

Combine all ingredients in an electric blender; process until smooth. Makes 5 cups.



It's good stuff! Promise you. :) Coming from me, that means a lot. I actually made some fresh tortilla chips last night. And made a batch of this. I figured what's the worst that can happen? I hate it, and give it to this guy. But even I surprised myself. It's really yummy!

So much so, we ate almost the entire thing. :) I know! But it was tasty. And we were deep into our movie. I will say this. I drained the chili and the tomatoes first. Then I blended the cream cheese and sour cream well. Smashed half the avocados. Left the other half chunky. Then rough chopped the tomatoes and chili. It made for more of a dip, then a sauce.

I did this mostly, because I didn't know what the sauce would taste like. Or what I'd pair it with. I'm sure it would be nice over grilled chicken. But I was much more into the "chips and dip" thing last night. Either way, the taste is good. And definitely worth a try. ♥