How does one tame the computer

OK, I have my new fancy computer.. fancy meaning, it is EXTREMELY quiet...
no fans or any sound..
it has Word 2010, NOT '97
and strange icons and pictures and tool bars

Yep, it comes with a steep learning curve.
that equates to TIME
TIME I don't have.
TIME that is already spoken for.
and then there is how my eyes feel after being on the computer all day at work... then to get on it again at night to watch tutorial on how to work all these new programs...
ummm, I may be a little too old for this!!!

I'll just try to be as organized as I can! (love the colors of these files)

...and while I'm doing that let me tell you about Pandora

It's really called Pandora radio,

It's free, and you can 'create' any type of 'radio station' that suits you

James Taylor

Norah Jones

Michelle Branch

Gloriana You can go here: www.Pandora.com

and just sign up with your email address.. and *your* music will be at streaming in no time.

For free.

Thanks to Kieri, I've been listening to Pandora for a couple of years

nothing like a little music to sooth those crazy eyeballs!!!

...unless you like crazy eyeballs!

Wednesday Wisdom

It is here.. I am a spoiled woman.. I love it

I am so excited.... I HAVE A NEW COMPUTER, A REAL DESKTOP PC...
thankyou thankyouthankyou Mr. Produce, you know what my heart craves!
AND as if that weren't enough... I have ALL my lovely history restored!!!!
I mean I have all my old photos (this is one from our courting days)my craft idea folders (thanks lollychops for this one...)
all my yummy craft pictures
and my pics of what I would want my dream house to look like:
AND ALL MY FAVORITES.. well most of them anyway, because it seems that I get more and more each day!
and all of the pictures I've loved along the way:

again more things to make--(at last I have them back so I can look at them and dream)

and the furniture I dream about:

and old family pictures I've scanned, (ok this is not one of them! but a fine looking family it is) and frankly I kept it because I love the closeness they seem to share.

mmmm my heart is going pitter-pat. ALTHOUGH it is taking 'time' to get used to this new computer and all the new programs on it.. and time taking away from making my crafts etc.
I can't WAIT for tonight and I get to go organizing more of my file, and pictures and stuff. Although there is Work, and VT and Dinner to make and DON'T FORGET Super Saturday this Saturday that I am in charge of..
ahhhh I will get back to my new best friend tonight.... wait for me... I'll be there when I can to explore and play and dream!!!
I love to organize my files more than I care to organize my kitchen... WHAT?? does that say about me?

Seattle Seahawks- my first football game

For Mr. Produce's Birthday (last May) I got him tickets to a Seahawk game!
and it just so happened that they were playing MY hometown team: The 49ers
So of course I gladly went along to see the 49ers trounce the Seahawks,
cough cough, THAT didn't happen.
Lots of pregame pandemonium:

people people people, and we got there early so we could see it all...

All were dressed in their best blue and green: well except me.. Now WHERE did I put my green wig, I'll need it for the next game I go to.
We braved the wind for this picture.. Safeco field in the background

here they are warming up, and yes our seats WERE this far up.

all in all it was a VERY good game

(but not for the 49ers...seahawks won 31 to 3)

it was everything a football game should be and more... except for the more part included a whole row of drunk swearing profusely idiots behind us .. swearing and picking fights with anyone wearing a 49er jersey (thank heaven I don't have one to wear) and spilling beer on everyone in the row in front of them (meaning ME....I hear beer is good for your hair!!)

GOOD TIMES... and the best part????

the costumes!!!

Today's my Mom's Birthday

(sorry for only one picture, STILL don't have a computer so can't scan any photos)
here she is with Uncle Roger ( her little brother) and Aunt Kathryn (the best Aunt in THE world)

Mary Louise Grooms, named after her grandmother.
She is 83 today, yep 9/11
and she tells everyone that her birthday is now ruined!

Things have changed for her. She no longer dyes her hair, she has embraced her age. She will even tell people how old she is, now THAT is a big one.

She is know far and wide as the CARD LADY. She mails out at least 3 cards a day. Usually Birthday cards.. to almost anyone she has ever known... and their kids... and now grand kids.

My mom is enjoying her life and all her family! What more could there be?
There has been sadness, the love of her life (all of ours, my dad) died in 1988 and my sister Louisa died 12 years ago from breast cancer.
And that is something you just don't get over, but it has helped define her life.

Now she is up here...with me.... (which she will tell you that I made her move from her home of 50 years ) (and... I will add kicking and screaming)
My mom was the best mom, that was her job she never did work outside the home and she never drove. She taught me all about cleaning, and being organized and ALL ABOUT MAKING THINGS, sewing and creating!

Happy Birthday Mother!

Food Fun Friday- crumble top Carrot Muffins

**Adapted from DuncanHines.com

INGREDIENTS

Muffin Batter:

1 box of Duncan Hines Classic Carrot Decadent Cake Mix
2 Tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup hot water (add the carrot/raisin pouch and allow to stand for 5 mins)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple

Cream Cheese Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumble Top:

1/2 c flour
1/4 c brown sugar
3 T butter (softened)

Preheat Oven to 350 º F (180ºc)


Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners.

Add carrot/ raisin pouch to the 1 cup of hot water and allow to stand for minimum of 5 minutes. In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, flour, baking powder, eggs, oil, drained pineapple and the carrot/raisin/water mixture. Mix by hand until completely blended, approximately 50 strokes. Pour batter into paper lined muffin tins 2/3rds full.

Make cream cheese filling according to the directions below. Make an indentation in the top of each batter-filled cup with the back of a spoon and fill with a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture.

Make crumble topping following directions below and sprinkle on top of each muffin.

Bake muffins for 20-22 minutes or until tops springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 15 minutes in pans on wire rack, then remove from pan and cool completely on rack.


For crumble top:
In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly.

For cream cheese filling:
Blend the cream cheese in a medium sized bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (30 seconds or so). Add your beaten egg, along with the sugar and vanilla and beat until blended and creamy.

I got this recipe from: http://confessionsofacookbookqueen.blogspot.com/2010/09/crumble-top-carrot-muffins-with-cream.html
and if you like contests... that have to do with food.. go here and enter, and then look at all her yummmy recipes.
and her definition of a Grandma is not bad either...

Blogville-saving money & loving life

It is time for another coupon-freebie-money saving- etc site.

Saving Money & Living Life

I love this one, it is REALLY well rounded....
so here's just a few of the latest posts:
recipe for Chicken tarts:
and coupons etc for:

and

and

so follow and get all the latest Money Saving coupons and advice... well worth the effort!