Sour Cream Cherry Streusel Pie

(Tastes & Looks Better than the picture!)

Adapted from Sugar Plum's Chocolate Chip Struesel Topped Cherry Sour Cream Pie

I changed a few things for convenience... and with it being a day before Thanksgiving some ingredients had already been taken from the shelves. However, it turned out beautifully and tasted wonderfully.  I made this for the office, but I will make it again soon, and this time I will use white chocolate chips as my family are not big chocolate fans.

Ingredients:

Pie:

1 Can of Cherry Pie Filling

1/2 Cup of Sour Cream

1 Pie Crust - you can make your own or buy it.

Streusel:

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into tiny pieces

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the cherry filling and sour cream. Should look neon pink. I really wish I had a picture of it.

Place pie crust into baking dish (if you actually made yours, well there are instructions for that).

Then pour the filling into the uncooked crust.

I baked mine for 15 minutes without the streusel because my oven is wacky and would have burned the streusel before even getting to the pie. (So in real oven terms you're looking at 20-25 minutes).

While the filling is baking put all of the streusel ingredients together. I ended up just cutting my butter with a knife into the topping and then with my hands combining it all together.

When the filling had baked I took it out and covered it in the streusel.  Then I put it all back into the oven and baked it for another 15 minutes (again, if you're oven is normal 20-25 minutes).

It really was delicious. I can't wait to make it again.

As for the song... I just couldn't resist:

Cherry Pie

by Warrant

Much Love,

Kelli

Fun Friday Finds

Well when blogger went down it screwed up my posts, so I'm trying to catch up.  Not to mention it has been a little weird this week trying to get everything together since I've started a new job, but I'll get a rhythm down eventually.  In the mean time this is what I've found:

New Recipe to Try: Summertime Strawberry Lemonade Scones by Sugar Plum (Emily)

Favorite Twitter User: American Hypocrite

Favorite Day of the Week: Thursday & Friday.  I finally got some confidence in what I was doing.  Obviously I'm still learning, but I felt much better about the new job.  Even though I miss doing my own thing all day, I'll be back to being a full time self employer soon enough.

Favorite Video or Song:



Ride My See Saw
by the Moody Blues

Such a great song. :D

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Much Love,
Kelli

Patience for Tuesday

Today when I woke up it promised to be a great day.  Yesterday was incredible.  I actually watched Law & Order: Criminal Intent with Goren and Eames while I got ready.  Then for lunch I got to eat Don Pablo's.  For dinner I swung by Schlotskyz for a brown bag and Sprite, and then zipped over to a dear friends house to watch some TV and just hang out.  It was truly a great Monday.

Then I woke up today after some bizarre dreams, but still feeling good.  All was going well, watching White Collar, and then I went downstairs.  From that point on it has been a twist of fate and a patience builder.  The first issue at hand was the living room.  The electricity was out.

Went to the panel, no switches were flipped... suffice it to say we are calling an electrician.

Went to work.  Our email issues got worse.  With no help from the third party we are in recovery mode. And not ten minutes ago one of the battery power packs went out and brought down several others...

Say a little prayer for me as these hiccups happen.

Much Love,
Kelli

A Huh? Moment.

I am a picky eater. 

I have been since birth.  Ask my mom, and anyone who has tried to feed me since birth.  They'll tell you I'm not exaggerating.

It isn't because they didn't try, bless their hearts, it is just the texture and taste of certain foods make me wig out.  For example, I love the taste of sweet potatoes, but I HATE the texture.  I sometimes have a shiver go down my spine if I find that the potato mushy.  (I detest regular potatoes no matter how you cook them.  Even french fries are questionable.)

Because of this food pickiness I sometimes suffer from food boredom, when I get sick of eating a particular food.  To help remedy this I choose my food at work the Sunday before it starts so I won't get food I won't eat. This allows for variety, cravings, fun, and practical money spending.

However, because I have allowed myself this freedom I have noticed that yes I do pick different foods, but they are all variations of the same thing:

Pizza Lunchables
French Bread Pizza
Hot Pockets w/ Pizza
Pizza slices

I've been doing this for weeks. 

I didn't notice until today.

It makes me go huh?

So while I ponder my predicament here is a great song:



New Soul
by Yael Naim

Much Love,
Kelli

Parents and Humor

My sense of humor seems to be gone for the day, but I will try to forge ahead and focus on the positive.  For one, I had a great Valentine's Day.  I certainly hope you did.  I got exactly what I wanted:

Dilled Cauliflower and V8 Juice.

I came home to that, and let me tell you it brightened up my day!

So, I posted on Facebook: I have the best parents ever.

Because, well, I do.  It wasn't a statement about anyone else's parents.  It was a statement about my parents and how they are the best.  As in, I know your parents are the best for you and do great things, but these are my parents, and as my parents they are the best.  I don't know if your parents would be the best for me, so on and so forth.

It really irritated me the response I got.  Which is why, although I think those that responded might have meant it in a funny way, it was not received well.
This is also why I have to stop posting on Facebook, but that is another issue to tackle another day.

Meanwhile, tonight I'm going to volunteer at the church for their Upwards Celebration.  I did it last year and had a lot of fun, so I'm looking forward to it this year.

Much Love,
Kelli

Day 3: Shoes & Apples

If I could come up with any other reason for buying these shoes beyond, "I want them, I really, really, want them." I would buy these shoes. So absolutely adorable.
 
Beyond that I don't have many outfits it would go with. Not that I wouldn't be thinking up a ton of them, but I don't have enough to justify buying these shoes.
 
C'est la vie.
 
Now onto those apples.  I have two of them and I need to figure out what to do.  I can buy a few more and make an apple pie.  Or I can make some mini-apple bundt cakes.  Or I can make apple dumplings, or even apple brown betty.  So many choices and yet I have no idea what to do....
 
Any suggestions?
 
Meanwhile, I found no new every day hat.  I know I feel sorry for me.  If you're new to the blog or my twitter feed I do post some political things.  I usually don't like too, but if it bugs me or I think it is important I will post.  I'll warn you from now on (except on Twitter).
 
Much Love,
Kelli

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

I was reading over my blog and realized I said I would have this recipe up today.  I have to quit doing that.  As I'm sure is the case with many of you my week is filling up quickly with last minute details.  For example I have to get everyone's Christmas gifts.  Except for Shas's and her mother's.  In which case I made those and now have to deliver them. 

My mom also said I could take over the desserts for Christmas.  That means pecan pie, applie pie, and grape salad.  There will also be an assortment of other treats that I plan on making, but those are the big three and specific to Christmas.

These cookies I will probably be making again because they were so good and I have left over ingredients and would like to use them.

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
adapted from Guy's Craisy Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients


2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar  * I used light brown cause that was all I had
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/2 cup sweetened coconut flakes
3/4 cup dried cranberries
2 cups quick oats

Directions


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, soda, powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with a mixer. Mix in honey and vanilla until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, until fully incorporated. Mix in coconut, dried cranberries, and oats. Fold dry ingredients into butter mixture. Form into balls, approximately 2 tablespoons. Place 2 inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake until cookies turn golden, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven to cooling rack. Let sit 5 minutes in the pan before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
 
These were really good.  In my next round I will probably use a tad more cranberry and an extra pinch of salt.  Other than that they were really good.  This recipe also calls for rosemary, but I didn't have that on hand, but will probably try it at some point.
 
So now I have to go to the post office with the others who need to be there on the busiest shipping day of the year.  I promise to refrain from singing Christmas carols unless you annoy me, then you're in for a treat.  You've been warned.
 
Much Love,
Kelli

Sunday Treats

I think I'm finally going to be able to do my sum up of the week. These categories might change because I have the propensity to change my mind a lot, but I think most of them will stay.

Song That Tickled My Ears:



Grace Kelly
by Mika

----
Tweet of the Week:

@fredthompson: Man claiming to be doc for 20 yrs exposed as fraud. Huh. Obamacare's so bad, even FAKE doctors are getting out of the business. #ftrs #tcot

 - I laughed so hard after I read that.

---

Favorite Show of the Week:

Comedy: The Big Bang Theory - Everyone needs to see this.  I almost shot liquid through my nose when they were talking to Penny's new boyfriend.

Zack: You know, I saw this great thing on the Discovery Channel. Turns out if you kill a starfish it'll just come back to life.

Sheldon: Was the starfish wearing boxer shorts? Because you might have been watching Nickelodeon.

Drama: Burn Notice - Bruce Campbell as Sam gets me every time and this past week he saved the day.  He was awesome.  Awesome I say!

---

Picture of the Week:

I saw this picture when I went to fotolia to find some stock photos for a client and I just loved it.

---
Recipe I'd Like to Try:

Iced Oatmeal Cookies
from Smitten Kitchen

So I made no-bakes, white chocolate pretzels and pies yesterday and today.  So at least two people will be getting their gifts from me.

Tomorrow I will have my oatmeal cranberry cookies up.

Much Love,
Kelli

New Banner

So I have a new banner.  I actually have quite a few planned for the upcoming year, but this is the first. 

Now onto the fun stuff.  I love stocking stuffers.  Usually more than the gifts I receive.  I don't know why, but in my house they are always fun, personal, and very surprising.  So, I thought I would give some ideas on last minute stocking stuffers or small gifts you can get if you need to:

For the Baker/Cook:

The Pioneer Woman Cooks - if they don't already have it.  I don't know anyone who doesn't like this delightful and funny woman from Oklahoma.

Best part?  Retail is $16.99
(obviously this is for someone special)

Other Ideas:
 - Measuring Cups
 - Measuring Spoons
 - Whisk
 - Good Peeler
 - Apple Corer
 - Ice Cream / Melon Scoop
 - Baking Pans
 - Baking Bowls



For the Music Lover:

Bill Graham Presents:
If you have a music lover in your life this book is great.  Bill Graham was one of the most famous concert promoters and this autobiography with a finish by those who knew him best and comments from the acts he booked your music lover is in for a delightful and insightful treat.  I can not express how amazing this book is.

Retail price is only $16.99

Other Ideas:

 - iTunes Gift Cards
 - Amazon Gift Card
 - Life by Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
 - Motley Crue: The Dirt by Motley Crue



for the Fashionista:

The Fashion File: Advice, Tips, and Inspiration from Mad Men

I have a great friend that I would give this too who is both fashionable and into Mad Men.  I have a sister who would also like this.  I personally want to read it and get it myself.  You can pick this up in many stores.

Retail $18.00

Other Ideas:

 - Gift Card to Sam Moon or other beloved place
 - Make up kit from Ulta (they have several to choose from)
 - Really cute socks


These are just a few, but hopefully they will give you some ideas about the people in your life.

Much Love,
Kelli

Clothing & Cookies

I've been a little busy these past few days.  I gave a huge presentation on Friday and nailed it.  I can't tell you what a feeling of accomplishment that was.

Then to celebrate I baked.  I made white chocolate covered pretzels and brown - edged cookies which I will share the recipe down below.

Meanwhile I played this song the other day and it so does bring a smile to my face:



Your Wildest Dreams
by the Moody Blues

So for the clothing part:

My dearest second-mother, Shas's mom, bought me this cute head scarf at a craft fair a couple of Saturday's ago and I had to share it with you.  I think it is adorable.

Then I got to borrow L's cute hat and wore it on Saturday.  I want it now of course, but I'll go buy my own so we can exchange on different days.

Since it has been such a limited year financially I'm making Christmas gifts this year.  This includes pies, cookies, fudge (well mom is making that), and anything else that I make that others would want.

So these are my white chocolate covered pretzels.  The only other ingredient you might want to add is cinnamon.  It really makes these easy, if sort of tedious treats, taste even better.

White Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Bakers White Chocolate (or Vanilla Candy Coating)
Pretzel Rods
Cinnamon * optional


And these are my mom's favorite so I made them just for her:

Brown Edge Cookies

adapted from my mother and grandmother

Ingredients

* 1 cup sifted cake flour

* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1/4 cup shortening

* 3/4 cup white sugar

* 1 egg

* 1 1/4 teaspoons lemon extract

* 1/2 cup cottage cheese, creamed

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).

2. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Mix until creamy shortening, sugar and egg. Add lemon extract. Mix in cottage cheese until smooth

3. Add flour mixture and mix just until blended.

Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet. Bake ten to fifteen minutes, or until brown around the edges.

So, that was my weekend.  I'm feeling back to my old self so I will start to work out again and hopefully have other postings for you. 

Much Love,
Kelli

Day Six: Confessions of an Inexperienced Baker

I'm still learning to bake.  Most of the things I make come out well in-spite of some of the things I do.  Last night was no exception.  I know that this is the process in learning how to bake I'm not worried about it, but I feel the need to tell you that there will be no original recipes here until I'm on more solid footing with my baking skills.

For example the red velvet cupcakes I made.  I used Duncan Heinz.  There were a ton of cupcakes and although these were good I think if I do it myself it will probably be much better.  And next time I can make my own color.

The no-bakes I made "from scratch" but these cookies are so easy.  Unless of course you are me...

Confession time: So my top-stove takes a long time to heat up.  A LONG TIME.  So, last night I heated up my pot to medium heat as directed.  I finished measuring out all of my ingredients and then I went to the stove.  The first thing I put in there was butter... suddenly there was an explosion of smoke and a smell that wasn't that pleasant.  Wow.  Yeah.  So apparently the rule where it takes forever did not apply to me last night.

Needless to say  I'm glad I only put one ingredient in there first.  My no-bakes taste great, but because of a mis-read they weren't as goopy as I normally like.  Still taste great though.

So, this morning I took a picture of my creations and after tasting them this morning felt much better about the whole thing.

Of course today is Friday Night Dinner with the friends, so these delicious treats are on their way to celebrate Shas's birthday with her.

However, I wanted to leave you with this Christmas gem because I really do like Christmas music.  Even if you don't...



No word yet on the work out because Friday's are crazy, but I'm not giving up.

Peanut Butter White Chocolate Blondies

I had a poll yesterday between the Peanut Butter White Chocolate Blondies (PBWC) or no-bakes.  The PBWC won until some stragglers came in and voted for the no-bakes, but I had already made up my mind.

Breaking News: Sons of Anarchy last night was BRILLIANT.  Seriously best episode I've seen.  So I have this song for you:



John the Revelator
by Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers

- Great song by the way.  Really great song.

Meanwhile I made Blondies last night.  I've never had a Blondie before which is odd since I am, in fact, blonde.  However, they were delicious.  Taste like a more moist peanut butter cookie.

I did the recipe straight from Rachel Allen who is from England so the recipe is in ounces.  Thankfully I had a way to measure that.

Peanut Butter White Chocolate Blondies

Recipe from Rachel Allen

Ingredients

7 tablespoons butter, softened, plus more for greasing

4 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
5 ounces crunchy peanut butter
6 ounces soft light brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter the sides of an 8 by 8-inch square cake pan and line the base with parchment or greaseproof paper.

Sift the flour and baking powder into a small bowl, and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the 7 tablespoons butter and peanut butter together until very soft. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract, and beat until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and the chopped chocolate, and mix to form a dough.

Spread the dough in the prepared pan, and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and almost firm in the center.
Allow the brownies to cool in the pan, before removing and cutting into squares.

So there you go.  They were delicious!

And this song was featured in the beginning of the episode and it was so nice I had to share this too:



This Charming Life
Joan Armatrading

Much Love,
Kelli

Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies

As I said last night I made the first cookie for the 12 Days Of Cookies! Instead of Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies I used strawberry.

A couple of things to note:

1. If you don't like cookies that are over-sweet these are perfect if you forget to roll them in powder sugar before you bake them.  They taste good, but not sweet.  Now, I have a sweet tooth that borders on obsessive so they weren't my favorites, but my mom loved them.
2. If you do like yours sweet, please roll them in powdered sugar like I did on the second and third batch.  They were absolutely perfect.
3. It is a very thick dough.  My mixer told me I could forget it.  So I ended up mixing the remaining part by hand with a spoon who would've also liked to tell me to go away.

Here is the Recipe for

Strawberry Gooey Butter Cookies:

Taken from Paula Deen's Recipe

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) box moist strawberry cake mix
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

* remember to roll the little guys in the sugar, unless your like my mother who doesn't have much of a sweet tooth.

I haven't decided if I'm going to do another cookie tonight or not.  I probably should though...

Much Love,
Kelli

Pears & Crackers

It's a good thing this blog isn't about food otherwise you would be horrified.  Today I'm going to give you an example of why because I have this bizarre need to confess if for nothing else than to horrify others and or find out I'm not alone.

Today for lunch I had pears (from a can - light syrup) and club crackers.  I haven't had my pickle yet but rest assured I will not be forgetting that.  Today has actually turned out to be a good despite the fact it started off with a rocky attitude.  It hasn't been the easiest time lately.

However, as much as I wanted to play sad songs on my countdown today I couldn't.  I just couldn't.  So I decided to pick myself up and play happy songs.  Well songs that make me happy.  Songs that had a good theme to them anyway.

You see this song did appear in the Disney movie, Oliver & Company, but you see this song, this one below, it features the voice of Billy Joel.  And I'm a sucker for Billy Joel. 

Sometimes It Is Worth It

Yesterday was a tough day.  I went to a funeral of a man who was a deacon in our church.  A good man.  I teach two of his grandchildren in my Sunday school class.  And then, as life is so famous for doing, my brakes started making an awful sound.  I don't have the money for repairs.  I literally do not have the money for repairs.  Never the less I'm leaning on the good Lord to help me because that is the only way this is all going to work out.

So, what is worth it?  A blue cheese burger from OC Burgers.  I don't like onions or lettuce and I hate tomatoes actually in or on my food.  They can be beside it or near it, but they can't be on it or in it (raw tomatoes that is).  So, when I order the blue cheese burger all I get is meat and cheese, and let me tell you, best burger ever.  And I live in Texas and have had some delicious burgers.  Now since my taste buds seem to change at least once a month I don't know that I will be saying this in the month of December, but for the month of November, best burger ever.

Sometimes forgetting for two minutes all the pressure you have on you is a good thing.  I had a great lunch, I didn't obsess over what I was eating, and I will eat light for dinner, not a big deal, and my craving satisfied.  I hope you find something that is is worth it to you this weekend.

Much love,
Kelli.

Slash & Okra Pickles

Two great things.  You can even eat the okra while you listen to Slash, unless of course you try to sing along to the song in which case eating okra probably isn't a good idea.

For those not familiar with it Okra Pickles are pickled okra.  And they are fabulous.  Many people have told me that sounds disgusting and I have converted them to lovers of it.  Now you might have the power to resist, but you are one of the few.

So a dear friend of mine, MetroMommy, invited me to a Halloween dance on Saturday night.  There are only two things stopping me:

1. I don't have a costume (you don't need one, but it is a costume party)
2. I'm single.

The second one probably bothers me the most.  Mainly because I don't want to feel like a third, fifth, seventh wheel.  Whatever the number turns out being I'll still be the odd man out. 

On the other hand this is something I've never done before and something that sounds like a lot of fun.  So this is where I'm stuck.

Don't worry I didn't forget about Slash.

Here's his song with Fergie:  Such greatness.

Hotter Than a $2 Pistol

They say that tomorrow it is suppose to be around the 102 degree mark.  Now, I know that it is June, but it usually takes us until the very end of June/beginning of July to reach that kind of heat.  Good thing my birthday party is a pool party.

And you'll be happy to know that my Passport photo still remains as the worst photo ever taken of me. EVER.  I just wish my DL photo was better.  Oh well, I just have to look at it for the next ten years...

Meanwhile I've read some extremely interesting things today that I think you might enjoy.

• 7 Simple Ways to Get Organized - You can do this electronically as well at Communication Station.
• Family Sitcom Casts - Then and Now - Because I love stuff like this. * The highlight? California Dreams.  I loved that show.
• Coconut Tres Leche - Because this is something my mother and I would like.  We're really the only coconut fans in the house.
• OurForever22's Daley Video: Lead Me On - This girl is fantastic and I'm such a Daley Shipper (Dean from Supernatural and Haley from One Tree Hill). 
• I'll have more later because I seem to have forgotten some of it...

So the video I'm leaving with you today is for the song. I've been deep into this folk/rock scene and Mumford and Sons sum that up beautifully.  I love their song 'Liar', but this song, "Awake My Soul" has captivated me.



Really listen because I think you will enjoy it.  To get a sense of great new music check out: Top 5 Shower Re-Cap.

Proverbs are Haunting Me

I have a very bizarre urge/desire to watch The Mummy.  I'm going to blame it on THIS article about the Top 5 Ghost Tours in the World.  I want to go on a good ghost tour.  I don't believe in them, but I love history.

I think tonight (if I can clean out the fridge) I'm going to attempt to make my own lemonade, no powder, the real stuff. I'm so happy that Memorial Day Weekend is finally here. I don't know about you, but I could use some fun and relaxation.

Last night this is what was building up outside our back door.

 Apparently I still don't know how to work this Google photo placement either.  I'm really starting to resent programs that think they know that I'm going to do.  I like being unpredictable for a reason.

As I was writing Mashable tweeted an article called: The Future of Web Fonts, since I've been dubbed The Font Queen, due to a some what (okay borderline obsession with fonts) this was a great read.  You can read it HERE.

Now, you might be wondering what does any of this have to do with Proverbs and it its ability to haunt me.  Well, I've been learning self control in my Bible study and one of the verses it gives is:  "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." Proverbs 17:28.

Well the issue comes in that I have a problem and I want to say it in a passive aggressive way, but every time I go to speak it or type it that verse comes rushing to my head and I stop typing or I shut my mouth.

Now before you start telling me that if there is an offense I need to confront the person, I know, but this isn't one of those situations.  Well, maybe, but part of it is my own deep seated issues.  Such as the fact I have this deep fear of being left out, and when I know I have been left out it hurts horribly. 

Now, having said that, thanks to the study, that is something that I'm allowing God to work through and heal.  Hence the reason that I can not open my big mouth and say what I want to say.  Plus, when the hurt is over that statement will still be out there.  So for now I'm keeping silent.

Now, the music in which I'm about to embed is phenomenal, but the part I love is that the second one is a sequel.  Ah, my love of all things Daley (Dean/Haley  - Supernatural/One Tree Hill).  Give it a shot, plus the music is awesome!



Here is the Sequel:



With Love, Kelli

What is Said

I've typed, deleted, and re-typed this post so many times.  The right words aren't coming, but I have this desire to express myself.

First I want to praise the Communication Station software (http://www.commxstation.com/), which has kept me organized for the past couple of months and the more I use it the more I love it.  My favorite is the 'Things to Do' feature or Tasks, in which you enter what you need to do, set the notification date and time, and then Communication Station sends an email at that time and reminds you of the task. 

The other feature I really love is the Messages feature, which you can enter in all the phone messages for everyone, but after you've added it, the person can enter in what happened after they called them back or a follow up of some sort.  It really is a great organization software.

I also have a thing for this photo they have on their site that embodies what I want my working path to look like:

Second, I want to say that I'm a huge follower of Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, and her post today on Tastey Kitchen about Fried Mozzarella Sticks sounds divine and if I had the money I would make them this weekend with a cucumber and tomato salad, and chicken.  Not sure what kind of chicken yet... of course I can't buy any of it so it doesn't matter, but I like to work out the details.

Third, my website for my company, Restored Sunshine, should be done by the end of this week. That is what I'm praying for.  It is a letter business and it is designed to help.  Great emails are nice, but they're not tangible, you can't hold them in your hand, unless you print them out.  I don't like that, so I've created Restored Sunshine letters that help you write a letter and then we send it out.  Which is great for you because then you don't have to worry about postage or getting it to the post office.  We do that!  And it will only cost you a dollar ($1).

Fourth, I'm praying for answers, I know that they will come, and they will be what is best for me, however, part of my pride is in this and the other part is fearful of the disappointment.  I've had to practice and say this verse over and over today, "I sought the Lord and He answered me and delievered me of all my fears." - Psalm 34:4.

So, I leave you with this, which is what I'm feeling at the moment:

My 13 Year Old Self Giggled

I discussed this on my other blog, Hold the Lettuce, but I did create my cake balls last night.  The next time I make this I will use blue candy melts and make blue cake balls.  And such my thirteen year old self starts giggling.

I believe I'm going to serve them at my birthday party.  I really don't have anything other than that.  Unless someone would like to donate $200.00 to me so I can make a payment.

No?  No takers?  Eh, it was worth a shot.  I do need the money and I'm praying God is giving me the money.  Seriously I need it.

Until then this video was posted by one of my favorite vidders.  Enjoy!