Miracle Heel Stick

Love this product. It's new to me but not sure it's "new".




It does amazing things for dry skin and is perfect between pedicures. I picked it up at Wal-Mart in the foot section. :)

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First pot of chili for the year

This last week of fall like temperatures has gotten me into the mood for some chili.

So here goes with the first batch of the year. First I cooked the turkey and lean ground beef.




Added in the spices.



The chili hot beans.




And the diced tomatoes.




Mmmmm.




Now we wait.




Finally time to enjoy.




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Loving this early Fall weather

The pets and I have spent another perfect Saturday afternoon in the back yard. These pets are the worst subjects but I was able to snap a couple of quick pictures using my new Camera+ app.




Merlot enjoying the screened in porch. She is the worst at sitting still for a picture. I must have caught her in a weak moment or I was super fast. :)




On the other hand, once Cabernet calms down, she is a pretty good subject. This picture was after countless laps around the back yard.





Trying to get them photographed together, impossible. Neither one was looking at the camera.





Even Max was enjoying a quiet nap outside. By far the easiest subject but that may have more to do with his laziness.


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Windows open

Cabby is enjoying the first hint of fall. We finally have the windows open.




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Midwest Chicken Wing Fest 5k

I did the chicken fest 5k on Saturday morning. It was an interesting run around the St. Clair Mall two and a half times. :)

This was the pace car.




Here I am afterwards enjoying a beer. Seems like all of these 5k races end with free beer.



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Neiman Marcus cookies

I was in the mood for a chocolate chip cookie, so I decided to whip up a fresh batch of the infamous Neiman Marcus cookies.



They are all scooped up and ready for the oven.



Lucky oven. The smell is intoxicating. It might be the expresso powder.


And the finished product.



The hardest part, waiting for them to cool. I'm off to get a glass of milk ready.


Here's the recipe straight from their site.

www.neimanmarcus.com


Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
1-1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips


Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds)

2. Beat in the egg and the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.

3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds. Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.

4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle. Bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges. Bake a little longer for a crispier cookie.

Yield: 2 dozen cookies

Baked French Toast

I was looking for a nice fall scent for the house. I know it's a bit early but I can't help myself. Fall is my favorite time of year. In my search for the perfect fall scent I stumbled on to this one.



It smells like caramel goodness.

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Christmas Celebration with Olivia and Rex

Just as I am taking down my Christmas trees and tucking everything away, it is time to give away the last of the gifts. Olivia, Rex and Tara stopped by today on their way to visit the family. I cannot believe how much the two of them have changed since Thanksgiving.

Olivia still does not like to have her picture taken and quickly looks away but she is still cute as a bug. One might wonder why she is wearing a spring shirt in the middle of January. She dressed herself.

The baby food all over his face and the fact that he ate twice in the short time that he was at our house, might explain the growth of this one. :)

I couldn't hold the suprise off any longer. Olivia had already been in to the front room to check these out several times.

Olivia, of course gets to go first.

She made quick work of that tissue paper. She must have gotten some tips from baby dog.

It's a baby!

And her eyes open and close.

I'm pretty sure the three of them are going to be best friends.

Next up, Rex. Olivia helped with the unwrapping.

Rex got his very own baby book. He doesn't look too excited about it but Tara sure does.

There was even a little something for the birthday girl.

Olivia was quick to offer her unwrapping services.

Popcorn and all the fixings, Tara's favorite.



Now that looks like it was fun!