More Cherry Blossoms

There were a LOT of people out walking around. When we got on the Metro to go downtown, a couple with a daughter got on right after us and sat down. The girl had a K-State sweatshirt on - so I had to say hi. They were from Abilene! I love when that happens!

People were everywhere and it was hard to get around - but everyone really tried hard for the most part to keep things moving.



If you look hard, you can see two different colors of trees. The pictures don't really do the colors justice I'm afraid. I don't know how many variety of trees there are - but more than two!







The Washington Monument just is so majestic - more than just a landmark.

All in all, it was a beautiful afternoon.

It's Cherry Blossom Time again in DC

Today was the height of the blossoms for the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC. It was a very chilly day - but you just cannot pass up an opportunity like this. The trees were beautiful and we (along with 100,000 of our closest friends) enjoyed it immensely!









The Jefferson Memorial just looked beautiful sitting in the middle of all of the trees.

A sweet gift

Our friends John and Brenda are the absolute sweetest. John is in Jay's men's small group. After I got back from Kansas last time, Jay e-mailed this picture of Braylon and I to John and told him that this was the reason I went back to Kansas.

Well, last Sunday in Church (Easter) I was on Worship Team. After the service, I went to meet Jay in the pew and there was this little green sack. He said it was from John and Brenda. I opened it up and there was this coffee mug with our picture on it. I cried like a baby! How sweet of them to do this for me. I found Brenda immediately and gave her a hug as we both cried. She said she could tell by the look on my face how much I loved Braylon John. She said that the picture was so good of both of us that she had to make it so that I could see it when I had my morning coffee.

Friends are indeed a gift from God!

I have two things to say.....

#1 Spring cleaning is not under-rated. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen!

#2 To all the people behind us in the express lane (15 items or less) at Safeway yesterday - I am so sorry. We honestly did not see the sign that said express lane until it was way to late. No wonder everyone behind us was holding their items in their arms. Sorry.

The shoes I wear

I have to admit - there is a part of me that wishes that I worked in a place where I was required to be a little more "high fashion". As it is, I wear black pants and a nice top most of the time. I never wear a skirt or dress. On the flip side, I never wear jeans. Its kind of in the middle.



This shoe is a Prada shoe that sells for a little over $700. I would say that this shoe is "on the edge".... wouldn't you? I wouldn't have a thing that would go with these shoes - but as I said, there is a part of me that would love to wear shoes like these.



Then there's these shoes. Wow. Do you think that your calves would hurt at the end of a day? If you're looking for the heels, look no further. This is the new fad - no heels.

I guess I'll just stick with my black flats and/or sandels in the summer. My feet are comfortable all day long, and besides that.... who sees my feet under my desk anyway?

Everything

Animal Characteristics I'd like to have

I think it would be cool if we could have some characteristics that animals have - you know, something to add a little variety to our otherwise mundane bodies. Let me give you an example.



I love how dogs are so caring. This dog, like so many others, has a purpose and he takes it very seriously. Not a bad thing for a human to have, wouldn't you say? He has found something that he is good at, and he does it with his heart. I like finding something that I'm good at - and then pursueing it with everything that I have.




What's not to like about curling up in a ray of sunshine and taking a long, furry nap! Its what Sunday afternoons were made for. Cats pretty much do what they want - and that's a whole different story. But I'm talking about the ability to find that ray of sunshine, and going with it. Nice. Very nice.



For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to fly. I've dreamed about flying since I was a little girl. I can barely imagine what it must feel like to just put out your wings and let the wind take you where it will. What it must feel like to just glide along, without a care in the world. Its like being powerful and content at the same time.




OK - besides being King of the Ocean, the whale has something that I think we could all use at the end of the day. A blowhole. When you get home from a particularly hard day at work, wouldn't you just like to stand outside your door and BLOW A HUGE RAINBOW OF WATER OUT THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD !!! Your stress level would be down to 0, everything would be "cleared out" and you'd be ready to settle in for a nice evening. Plus - good sinuses. :)

I know - God made us how we are and I'm not saying He needs to change anything. I was just "what-iffing" and honestly? Right now... there's a ray of sunshine calling my name...........

Remembering your memoir

Apparently, Keith Richards (from the Rolling Stones) is working on his autobiography. The problem is, he can't remember much of his life. One of his friends was "helping" him remember a few things and reminded him about a time he had pulled a gun on him at a party. Keith didn't recall that episode at all. I guess when you're in a drug-induced state for most of your life, there are just things you aren't going to remember.

Does anybody else see a problem with Keith and his autobiography?

It might start out something like this:

"Well............. ahhh......Well there was this time when.....no, that wasn't it. Oh yeah - I think I remember something....... no, I guess I don't."

Should be a pretty short book. I kinda doubt it will make it to the best seller list.

A good rule of thumb

If you're drinking a chocolate protein drink, don't lick white banquet invitations.

That's all I have to say about that.

Another Martha Stewart Moment

At the risk of sounding like Martha Stewart, I want to tell you about a product that I found that really cleans my shower!

After a post about a breakfast casserole recipe, I realize I am treading on thin ice. I don't want anybody to think that I am "Susie Homemaker" or anything. There are times when I go in to get my hair cut and I tell my hairdresser that she needs to do something with my hair because it is starting to look like Martha Stewart. And now here I am - posting about a cleaning product. If you are starting to have visions about me being Mrs. Clean, just take a look at my refrigerator or my kitchen floor and all myths will be dispelled.

ANYWAY - I found this product called Comet Spray Gel - Mildew Stain Remover. We have a glass shower stall. The glass part isn't the problem. It's the corners and walls and seams. They all get mildew so easily and other things just have not cleaned it. I'm here to tell you that this new Comet takes care of it. I wonder if it's because it's a gel - I have no idea. The fact remains - my shower is clean! It made such a huge difference and it prompted me to tell you all about it.

So if you are having issues with your shower or tub - give it a try.

I get no financial rewards for saying this. Truly.

A different breakfast casserole

On the first Sunday of each month, our Sunday School class has a "pot luck breakfast". There are a lot of great dishes, and always a variety of breakfast casseroles. I decided to try something different yesterday and found this great casserole I thought I'd share!

Baked French Toast

Ingredients:
8-9 thick (1-1 1/2 inches) slices of Italian Bread
6 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 - 3/4 cup blueberries
3 cups milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, melted
maple syrup

Arrange bread slices in a lightly greased or sprayed 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle blueberries over the slices.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, vanilla and milk. Whisk to blend well. Pour the egg misture evenly over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Uncover the baking dish. Sprinkle each slice of bread with a few teaspoons of brown sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Drizzle with the melted butter. Bake, uncovered for 50-55 minutes, or until browned and set. Serve with maple syrup.

I actually cut each slice in half so that the portions were a little smaller. It rises up so beautifully and was so delicious!

Enjoy!