Contest Answers

My SIL Mandi is having a contest on her blog. So here is my go at her questions.

1. What is the last thing you purchased for yourself?

A Bright yellow t-shirt from Downeast Outfitters. I have been really liking their shirts lately, because they are long, and much cuter than your average t-shirt. I found a shirt yesterday for $5.00 and I figured for that price, I would give it a try. It is a little brighter and different than normal, but that is what I need- something that is NOT normal.

2. What's a recipe you have been dying to try, but haven't got around to it yet?

When I went to Pauline and Kirt's house a few months ago, they had the BEST grilled chicken. It was made with THE MOST delicious rub on it, then just bar-b-qued. It is a recipe that their meals for a month group uses. It was beyond good- and I am not kidding. This recipe makes a lot of the rub, you just save it in a bottle.

Dan's Essence

2 cups salt

1/2 cup granulated garlic (not powder ‑ it clumps up)

1/2 cup granulated onion (not powder ‑ it clumps)

1/4 cup white pepper

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon celery seed well ground (if you don't have a mortar and pastil, you can grind it with the back of a spoon on a plate)

Also, if you have it ‑ you can add a bit of 5 peppercorn blend (ground). Mix spices together and put in spice shaker. Using Pam spray or olive oil, spray or moisten chicken. Shake spices generously over chicken. Grill on both sides and slice.

This is enough for approx.24 pounds of chicken.

3. Share something that is inspiring to you at the moment.

Lately I have been really wanting to re-purpose. Mostly furniture and home decorating things. I love to look at blogs where people have purchased something at a thrift shop or garage sale and turned it from trash to treasure. I am always amazed at the vision people have to make something ugly beautiful. I haven't really done any of this, because we don't want to get anything until we have a place of our own, and we know what we need. We don't need any junk that doesn't have a place. But we both really look forward to being able to decorate a house again how we want it to be.

Here are a couple of blogs that are inspiring to look at:

Thrifty Decor Chick
320 Sycamore

4. What's something you have been enjoying as of late?

My family. We have been trying to go places and do things together when we are all home at the same time. Our kids are at a fun age where we can actually do more things because we don't have a baby. I love watching our kids play together and be happy. It is such a great feeling when they are getting along and enjoying each other. On the flip side, when they are getting on each others nerves and fighting, it drives me CRAZY.

5. What's something you would like to try?

Sewing a skirt. I have sewed different things for years, and I really like it. But I never have sewn any clothes yet. I am determined to make a skirt this summer. I will post a picture when I do it. :)

6. What's something you're looking forward to?

Not working on Saturdays any more. I don't mind working if I have to. But having to work when your family is all home, isn't much fun at all.

7. Post a few of your own favorite photos from the last few days.

I don't have any photos from the last few days, and I am at work so I can only choose from what is on here.. Usually I put my favorite pictures on here anyway. None of these are great photos, but they make me smile.

I love cousins. They make life fun.

Happy kids after a fun night out.

Sisters- everyone should have one

I like this picture. We have a hard time taking a good picture of the two of us. This one isn't too bad.

8. What's something you've been thinking a lot about lately?

Wanting to get a good summer schedule, and doing fun things with the kids. I really want to make the most of the time that they are home. I seem to feel like this every summer and have BIG BIG plans. Then by the end I realize that I didn't accomplish everything that I wanted to. I just want them to enjoy it and not watch TV all day. That is the goal.

I have been working on making this Cool Summer Days Calendar to make it more fun. Hopefully it will get done soon so that we can get started.

9. What is the last thing you wrote?

A list. I am a list maker. It is a trait I inherited from my Mom. I like seeing what needs to be done, and I love to cross things off as I accomplish them.


10. What is something you wish you could be doing right now?

Be home playing the game Settlers with Kent and the kids. That is what they were doing as I left.