Live Simply, Simply Live

Brown Sugar Cake

OK. Asked and answered, complete with a picture. (How is that for service, hmmm?)

1 box yellow cake mix (or white, if you are out of yellow. Like I was)

3.4 oz Jello vanilla pudding (the little box)

4 eggs

3/4 C. sour cream (any brand, but not the fat free stuff. ewwww)

1/2 C. veggie oil

2/3 C. water

1 C. packed brown sugar

1 C. chopped pecans

2 T. powdered sugar in shaker

Cinnamon and sugar in shaker (like for cinnamon toast)

Mix first 6 ingredients really well, about 3 minutes. Add brown sugar until blended then toss in the nuts (if you don't like nuts you can skip this step, but it really is better with them). Spray bundt cake pan with cooking spray (WAY easier than doing the butter/crisco/flour thing) then sprinkle a bunch of cinnamon and sugar in the bottom and on the sides of the pan. You can skip this step too, but it is stinking good with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 for one hour or so, til the toothpick thing comes out clear. Cool in pan, then on a wire rack then when completely cool sprinkle it with powdered sugar. Very tasty and even better on the 2nd day (if it lasts that long).

Fun Cricut Contest...

Tag I'm it!

This is contest entry for those crazy folks at TodaysMama and Cricut.  Be sure to check out Cricut's cool new cartridges and the chance at $30,000 in travel for you and your friends at The Great Gypsy Escape!

Great Escape Meme
1. If you could escape to anywhere in the world where would it be? Right now? Maine. Or maybe Montana. SUre was pretty a few weeks ago in MT.

2. What song do you play when you are by yourself in the car?  Testify to Love by Avalon.

3. If you had a night to yourself, and money was no object, what would you do? Really depends on the mood of the night... Maybe a Christian concert and dessert or B & N with Starbucks tossed in for good measure.

4. What is your guilty pleasure? Taking a bike ride when I should be doing chores.

5. What is the farthest place you have traveled away from your home? East Coast. Now that I'm no longer teaching I don't travel much.

6. Last book that you couldn't put down? Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. I've read many other good books since then, but that one has really stuck with me.

7. When you want to escape into another time, what movie do you watch? You've Got Maill is a long time favorite... also like Indiana Jones when I need a bit of action.

8. What is your favorite local escape? Hood River, OR. So beautiful!

9. How do you escape on a budget? Riding my bike is free :)

10. Best food you've ever had while on vacation. A lobster bake after a class I taught in New England. OMH it was to die for good.

Bless you all and I hope you play along!

Disclaimer and a new favorite find

Not all Goodwill Outlets are created equal. More on that in a moment.

 

But first!These babies are MINE!!! ALL MINE! In order to get there ^ I have to back track.

Bri and I, happy with our most recent DD success, went to a different Goodwill outlet store. One in Portland. A larger store, a roomier store, a store with a whole lot more bins. But it was nasty. I mean seriously, disgustingly, ickily gross. We lasted less than 3 minutes. Tops. It was packed with too many smelly bodies, it was dirty and the stuff in the bins, well, it was ready for plastics recycling and the local landfill. Majorly disappointing. So, we drove to the westside (we used to live there, when I did dispatch for Washington County) and checked out Brian's favorite Goodwill. He's partial to the books and they always have agreat selection there. Plus, the store is always CLEAN. Total and complete score. Many great finds.... favorite brands, good quality, decent prices. In fact, I had to stop myself. I found 4 Longaberger baskets that I NEEDED for ridiculously cheap prices and I found THEM! My boots.

I'm a total country girl at heart and would live in the country in a heartbeat if I could. In fact, I fell completely and absolutely in love with Kalispell, but that's a story for another day. I love almost all things associated with the country.... John Deere tractors, cool hats and boots. Love me some good cowgirl boots. But I've got 4 kids and I'm cheap so $125 on boots is pretty much never gonna happen.

BUT, some wonderful, kind soul donated those boots to the Goodwill, they are in fantastic shape and they fit like they were made for me!!!! No way I was leaving the store without those babies.

I've already worn them twice and it was meant to be. We are MFEO (Sleepless in Seattle, anyone?). I'm in complete love and they are officially my new favorite find.

Dumpster Diving

Finally! I'm posting about my latest hobby. I've long been a Goodwill fan (no secret there) but I've recently discovered something even better... dumpster diving! Matt's version of diving involves back of businesses, real dumpters, and, well, gross dirty dumpsters. He swears he's never been, but has friends that love it. My version involves Goodwill outlet stores. The stuff that either doesn't sell at regular Goodwills or is donated at the outlets. Row after row after row of bins with all kinds of stuff. Dirt cheap stuff. Price is usually by pound. And if you go over 25 pounds it's even dirtier cheap. I've got some killer deals on totes, clothes,  truck cables, backpacks, etc. Best yet, I've got Brian hooked on it... though he mostly goes for the book bins. Here is todays haul:

 

2 Hollister shorts (jones),1 AE jeans (Jones), 4 sweaters (me), 3 sweat jackets/tops (j & a and J friends), 1 blouse (me), 4 t sirts (j and friends), 5 camies (various females), 1 reebok jacket (Tim).

AND...

 

2 folding bleacher seats, 1 Totes tote, 1 Pierre Cardin mens over night type bag, 1 easton baseball bat bag (for as friend at work), 1 huge Lancome tote, 1 cambridge day planner, Liz Claiborne black purse, Columbia Sportswear lunch bag and a Creative Memories tool tote.... all but the bleacher seats are brand new, never been used. The CM tool tote still has the "how to load" paperwork inside.

My grand total for the loot? $24.49

Not exactly the steal Sharyn got yard saling the other day, but still, I'm pretty darn pleased.

My best deals to date? The brand new tire cables for our 1 ton truck and Amy's North Face rain coat.

ETA: they don't use REAL dumpsters at the Goodwill Outlets, they use large bins. The bins just remind me of dumpsters because, well, sometimes there is some pretty icky stuff tossed in the bins. And some of the stuff they include isn't fit for human viewing (IE, the moldy pasta sauce jar I saw in one bin today). So, "dumpster diving" at the Goodwill Outlets is simply my term.... what I call my new hobby. Don't know that the good folks from Goodwill would like it so much :)

Quick share

Came to upload a quick card and this is what I find in my browser box.... Jones and friends. Think someone has been on my computer?! And hmmmmm, her pics are way better than my scans. Maybe I should look into that.

List update

Sorry, ran out the door to work and forgot this part.

1. No yummy food. Yeah. Right. I was in Seattle yesterday... how could I say no to Ivars? And we found this awesome burger place, Hamburger Harry's, on Market in Ballard, Still, I've been sorta good and I've lost 2 pounds. 3 more to go and then maybe another 5, just to have some wiggle room.

2. Hair cut and color. Check and check. Plus an eyebrow wax thrown in for good measure.

3. Well, some of the clothes got washed and I'm not going commando (eek. Just grossed myself out with that one) so good enough for now. Besides, the wash thing is an endless, insidious cycle.

4. I did go grocery shopping. Really. But all the kids were home yesterday and they all had friends over at various times so Mother Hubbard is once again in good company.

5. Gas. Got that. Helped on the drive to Seattle. More on that later.

Bless you!

Had my hiney handed to me...

and then some! Little miss cocky, that WAS me. Thought I was in pretty decent shape because I can, fairly easily, ride 50 miles or so. In the colder months I used the gym at work, doing 3 or so miles on the elliptical and then 100 sit ups on the exercise ball, added with some push ups and various other exercises. But when it's nice, I ride. And really, I ride a lot. Or at least as much as work and time allow. So, when I hit the gym the other night I figured I could get a decent work out in, just like a few months ago. Yikes! Iwas out of breath for 20 minutes and had to MAKE myself finish the last 10. Note to self: keep using the gym a few times a week.

Not sure I should do this after the last stellar example, but I'll try again. Maybe I'll get lucky and the scan will come out OK.

My List

Geez, bet you all can't wait for another stunning card share, eh? Size, cropping, color, print... all just horrifically poor. Sorry about that. I promise, the card is truly not that hideous IRL. I do believe I need to polish some computer skills. Anyway, onward.

Before I get into it, how the h-e-double hockey sticks did I gain 5 pounds?! FIVE?!!!! My eating hasn't changed and if anything I've put in more miles lately. Must be these stupendous muscular thighs of mine. All that muscle-weighs-more-than-fat thing. Right. No treats for me for a while. List item one: no more yummy food.

Hair... how did mine get so shaggy and grey? The ends are just yikes and the grey, well, you can't even tell that it was ever blondish brown. List item two: hair cut in the a.m. then a box of color before work.

I just overwhelmed myself. I realized how many things I need to/should do before Brian and I head up to Seattle on Saturday to ride the newly connected Burke-Gilman/Lake Sammamish trail. Gulp. Maybe I'll just go with the top five (no eating, deal with hair, wash clothes, buy tasteless food and feed car) before Saturday. Oh yeah, and I work 32 hours between now and then.

Bless you all!

Three in a row?

What's the world coming to? I had a bit of time this morning and scanned a few of the cards from my stash.l My hope is to share them here, as a reminder to post. Then again, this darn thing is so slow that frustration may get the best of me. And I really should learn to utilize my scanner. Poor thing does it's best, I just don't provide proper direction. Ah well, it is what it is. Super simple card, all from scraps and stash. Have a blessed day!

iN AN ATTEMPT TO DO A BIT BETTER....

Sorry 'bout that. Caps lock= off.

Thanks for all the emails about my latest post. I appreciate the comments and concerns about my mental health :) Once again I'm at work so I can't share the pictures that go along with the many, many posts I want to make so I'll go with plan B and copy Becky. And yes, we did ride today. We picked up my sis and her bike Penelope (penny for short) and we rode the Springwater corridor from Gresham to Portland.... just over 25 miles (from our start to our finish) round trip. Sissy likes that ride because it is flat. And I do mean flat. Absolutely no hills. She really, really likes no-hills-riding. And we stopped at YO Cream on the way back. She liked that part too.

Can you fill this out without lying?
Ummm, I sure hope so :)

What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
Iced non-fat white choc mocha. Yum.

Have you ever kissed anyone named Matthew?
Oh yes. Many, many times. (He was exceptionally cute when he was little)

Where was your profile picture taken?
Gulp. Still working on a profile picture.

Can you play guitar hero?
Nope, but man can Jones and Tim go at it.

Name someone that made you laugh today?
Auntie Sissy.

How late did you stay up last night and why?
0200. I got home from work just before then.

If you could move somewhere else, would you?
Maybe. I "think" I need to tour the entire country to test that theory.

Ever been kissed under fireworks?
Yes!

Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Probably Melissa. She lives straight east.... about 175 blocks.

Do you believe ex’s can be friends?
Absolutely.

How do you feel about Dr Pepper?
It's just great. In someone elses cup.

When was the last time you cried really hard?
When we put Cali to sleep.

Where are you right now?
EDE (work)

What bed did you sleep in last night?
Same one I always sleep in. Mine (I'm a kind wife and I allow Brian to share it with me)

What was the last thing someone bought for you?
Sissy brought me a mocha last week. Good sister.

Who took your profile picture?
Still working on that.

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
Tim. I think.

Was yesterday better than today?
Both have been very good.

Can you live a day without TV?
Bahahahaha! I never, ever watch tv. So yes, absolutely.

Are you mad about anything?
Not really. But if you bring up a few key issues I've no doubt I could work up a good head of steam.

Are you upset about anything?
Nope.

Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
Undoubtedly. Just have to carefully choose the ones you put the most effort into.

Are you a bad influence?
I try really, really hard to be.

Night out or night in?
Night not at work is more like it.

What items could you not go without during the day?
Coffee, toothbrush, shower, book, clothes... that's about it.

Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
Sheila, goodbye female issues!

What does the last text message in your inbox say?
Don't know. Haven't checked it in a bit.

How do you feel about your life right now?
It is what it is. Busy, going too many different directions. But good. Strong. Solid.

Do you hate anyone?
No.

If we were to look in your facebook inbox, what would we find?
Request from Kelli Noto to be a my friend. OF COURSE!!!! Just haven't had an at-home chance to log in and say YES.

Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
Yes. And tomorrow and the next day and the next...

Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
Yes, but I'm thinking they meant it tongue-in-cheek.

What song is stuck in your head?
"aye, aye, aye... I'm stuck on a feeling and I'm high on believing that you're in love with me" (Thanks to Peter's ipod).

Someone knocks on your window at 2am, who do you want it to be?
Nothing good happens at 0200. Nothing. 

Wanna have grand kids before you’re 50?
NO!!!!!! That's only 6 years from now and my kids aren't ready for kids. Nor am I ready to be a grama. So again, NO WAY!

Name something you have to do tomorrow?
Work. Ride. Breathe. Deal with DMV :(

Do you think too much or too little?
Depends on the topic.

Do you smile a lot?
I probably don’t smile enough.

Who was your last missed call on your Mobile phone?
Brian.

Is there something you always wear?
Underwear. Unless I'm in the shower or in my swimsuit. But yep, unders.

What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Working.

Did you have an exciting last weekend?
It  was good. We hiked and rode and worked. Can't ask for more than that!

Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes.

Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yes. And I so need to do it again.

Are you wearing a necklace / Chain?
Nope. But I do have on an absolutely adorable pandora bead bracelt (I'll snap a shot and share it sometime)

Are you an emotional person?
I'm a girl. 'Nough said.

What’s something that can always make you feel better?
Jamoca ice cream from Baskin Robbins.

Will this weekend be a good one?
It's been great. Lots of riding. No cleaning.

What do you want right now?
New windshield for the car. Jones' school clothes shopping to be over and done. A day off work.

Have you ever worn the opposite sex’s clothing?
Heck yes. I wear Brian's shirts all the time to sleep in.

Have you ever worked in a food place?
McDonalds was my first job. I also worked for a great catering company in Larkspur, Red Robin, throughout college.

Whats on your schedule for tomorrow?
Work. Ride. Dmv (blech)

Does anyone know your facebook password?
Brian. Prob'ly the kids too. It's not tough.