Friday Fill In #17

This week has been so full of fun and laughter! I'm just so honored to be living my life. It's funny how I can't really even concentrate on this week's Friday Fill-Ins. :)

1. I love to read.

2. Everyone needs laughter and a smile.

3. It's how you live life, that's important.

4. Please don't tell me!

5. Well, would you like to dance.

6. Happy spring peepers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching all the amazing students perform, tomorrow my plans include performing in the big Anniversary Show, and Sunday, I want to have fun with my friends! ♫

My Little Monkey

Something that you might not know is, Mi Princesa, she is IN LOVE with monkeys! All and any monkeys. I'm not lying.

So recently, I shouldn't have been too shocked. I was looking fro a new sewing project. And Mi Princesa saw this picture. Needless to say, she requested that I make her a monkey. Just like this one! Because "Nana, you can make anything!" :)




I love this little girl. And if it's a monkey that she wants, it's a monkey that she'll get! I've got tons of scrap fabric. I just need to find some time to sew. You know, before finals take over my life! ♫

Crafty Ideas

I've seen wreaths like this, all over "Blogland!" All over. With so many different color pallets. And I want to make one. First things first, you should know, I change my door wreaths every 2 weeks! Yes, I'm one of "those people!" :)

But there is something fun, vintage inspired, and unique about these wreaths. And let's be honest here, I don't need to buy much to make one. I have the yarn. Believe me. I have plenty of yarn! And tons of felt! All I need is the wreath form.

I'm thinking one in a more pleasing and neutral pallet. Maybe various shades of white. No bead. Just yarn and felt flowers. That sounds so nice. I better pack my felt. I can make tons of these flowers while I'm in Tucson! ♫

Oriental Lilies

I don't know about you, but Oriental Lilies are some of my favorite flowers. I'm not lying here! There's something about this flower. Beyond the exotic color. And the beautiful bloom. Which, smells amazing! They're just so exotic! Almost like a "forbidden" garden gem.

And because of the size of my yard, and the way it lays, I've been able to create separate almost "Garden Rooms." I've concentrated heavily on the side yard. As it's the largest. And thanks to all that good USDA certification, I've been able to add lots to my yard. Lots of fruit, pretty flowers, and even a couple of small trees.

But the "gem" of my property, is the back yard. Ya, the part with the palm tree. The one that was almost 100% responsible for me buying my house. I'm not even joking here! The same tree that died 5 years ago. And started to come back to life last November. Yes, the one that sat in the middle of 18 inches of snow in February. Yes, that palm tree, it gave me an idea.

Because of the area I live in, tropical plants, trees, and flowers thrive out here. Thanks to all those 100+ degree days! I've started out slowly. As tropical plants cost significantly more than your average rose bush, or packet of flower seeds.

So far, I have a nice little mix of plants. And a palm tree that is fighting to live. I'm almost positive, that baby is not going to make it. And I've already started saving for a "King Palm." I'm super excited!

I want my backyard to feel exotic. Like a hideaway. I have all sorts of plans. And little by little, I've been adding to it. I'm on the search for the perfect outdoor furniture. And I'm really loving all the tropical flower vines growing on the fences. It's really starting to look amazing. Thanks goodness!



But one of my favorite flowers, I still haven't added in the mix. The bulbs are so expensive! $6 a bulb! Last year, I managed to find a semi good deal, and bout 12 bulbs for $8...on clearance. But with the deep freezes that we had, they pretty much died. So I'm on a hunt. For some reasonably priced bulbs to add to my little piece of paradise. Oh, I can't wait to see these lilies taking over my flower beds! ♫

Vintage Dresses

I'm not talking about dresses I'd wear today. Oh no! I'm talking about all those dresses I wore as a little girl. They seem to be making a comeback. Have you noticed? Lots of bloggers are hunting for them. I read about "Vintage Lovers" searching high and low. And you see so many little girls wearing these cute dresses.



Just take a look at this picture. I swear, I wore almost all of those dresses! And this is not a picture I took. Rather, one that I found online. But look at these fun dresses. From times past. When life was easier. And do we dare say, full of a lot more fun!

I know, I know. Most little girls didn't have the number of clothes, dolls, and books that I did. But those little dresses, were definitely my favorite! A number of which, my Mom mad for me. And although, some have been lost through the years. Thanks to relatives that never returned them. :( I still have a number of these precious gems. Who knows, one day, my own daughter might be running around in my favorite dresses! ♫

Happy Easter!

Today is a glorious day! He is risen! I honestly can't think of a better day. Or a better reason to celebrate. Our Lord gave his life for us, and today, he is risen.

My plans are very simple. We're going to church. Sunrise mass. My favorite way to celebrate Easter. Then, my parents and I are going out to breakfast. Most likely, Cracker Barrel. One of my favorite places to go on a holiday.

Our afternoon will be filled with "Family Time." My cousin is hosting a BBQ at her house. And I'm honestly, really excited about it. I miss spending time with my family. And this, well it's going to be a nice day. Lots of family time. And lots of rejoicing! Happy Easter! ♫

Pluot

Have you ever had one of these? They're Pluots. A mix of a plum and an apricot. So yummy! I first tried them in one of my college classes. Soon, they became a favorite of mine. At first, they were little hard to find. But oh they were so yummy! Very juicy, and so sweet!

Now pluots are everywhere. I see them at Wal-Mart, Albertson's, and even the Farmer's Market! And they're not expensive at all. Most of the time, they're less expensive than plums.

Honestly, if you haven't tried them, you should. You should try any of the hybrid fruits out there. Some are really interesting. While others are really delish! Give them a try. And let me know what you think. ♫

28

Woo hoo! We made it. I've been blogging for a year! I can't believe it. Thanks to all the people who actually read my posts. It means so much. And I really do appreciate all the e-mails I get.

So I was trying to figure out what to blog about today. Not only is it this blog's 1st Anniversary, but it's also my 28th birthday. :) Yay! I decided I'd post a list of 28 things, for 28 years, that you probably don't know about me. Here goes nothing...

♥ Key Lime Pie is my favorite pie ever!
♥ I don't know how to swim.
♥ Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Because I go to church, have "Pancake Sundays," and watch NASCAR races. Best day ever! :)
♥ I secretly dream of being a "Housewife" and "Stay-at-Home Mommy."
♥ I can easily turn a watermelon into an "Agua de Sandia." And drink the whole thing. All in the same day!
♥ Anything with polka dots, makes me smile.
♥ When I need to relax and think things through, I go for a run. A long run. At least 5 miles, cross country.
♥ I paint the entire interior of my house. At least once a year. Usually in the same colors. :)
♥ I could live in pj bottoms, knee high socks, and Hanes tank tops. So comfy! Too bad I have to leave the house.
♥ I HATE feet! I just can't stand to look at them. Including my own.
♥ One day I found these candy bars. And I fell in love. So much so, I bought 2 cases from the Dollar Tree. And froze them. Good thing too! They stopped making them. And that makes me sad.
♥ I secretly count down the days, until the next episode of Teen Mom.
♥ I cheer for the bulls, not the bull riders, in the PBR.
♥ I can't sleep, without hugging something. Like a pillow. I'm not joking!
♥ In every room in my house, I have a calendar.
♥ I get excited to buy seeds, bulbs, and plants.
♥ Until I was 18, I had no clue how to do laundry. I had absolutely no clue, how to work a washing machine. I'm not lying!
♥ At Easter time, I buy boxes of Dove Truffle Eggs. They're a little piece of heaven. And I anxiously wait for them to come out, every single year!
♥ I've worn the same toe ring, since I was a sophomore in high school. I've never taken it off. Is that odd?
♥ I secretly LOVE Lonesome Dove!
♥ Sweet Potato Fries are AMAZING!
♥ I've always wanted my own library. In my house. Because I love books, and reading that much!
♥ Little Dorrit is one of my favorite PBS shows. Yes, I LOVE PBS. And so many of their shows.
♥ I LOVE going to the Dentist! I don't know why. But I get so excited when I go. :)
♥ My sister bought me this set of books when I was 7 years old. I've read them so many times. And eventually got hooked on the PBS series too!
♥ I once worked here. For nearly a year. It was interesting...
♥ One of my favorite treats is COSTCO pizza and the berry smoothies.
♥ I like to eat lunch at the graveyard. Yes, I take my lunch, to my families' graves. And just hangout with them. :)

There you go. Did you learn anything new? I know, I'm a little weird. But I'm me. And I'm 100% OK with that. Now I'm off to enjoy mi cumpleanos! ♫

No. 22

This is my favorite perfume. Chanel No. 22. I got it as a gift. Years ago. From one of my bosses/friends. It's a good thing too! Because it's so far out of my price range. But it's so beautiful. The scent is feminine and light. And completely unmistakable.



Whenever I wear this fragrance, I feel like I'm wrapped in silk. It's that lush and gorgeous. The perfume is designed around white flowers. I'm pretty sure that's why I love it so much. Most of my favorite blooms, are white flowers.

This scent is definitely floral. But not over the top. The scent of white rose, jasmine, lily, Orange Blossom, and Lily of the Valley are clear. But there is also a slightly spicy scent. Most likely from the nutmeg. And the unmistakable cleanliness of vanilla.

Yes, this is definitely my favorite fragrance. Perhaps, my "Signature Scent." It's the one I just adore. I find myself reaching for it more times, than not. Let's just say, I'm grateful that my friend has taken the hint. I can count on getting a bottle, for all the major events during the year. Like my birthday, Christmas, and that big week of shows.

I was never a woman that pined over fragrances. Or the various "notes," that make up a good perfume. But No. 22, well it has changed my life. And the way I view perfume. Let's just say, I finally understand the whole, "making a memory with scents." ♫

Breastfeeding Baby Doll

I'm sure that you all know, I study nutrition and medicine. Along with that comes lots of teaching. In subjects that I never really thought of, prior to college. Like fertility, breastfeeding, and L&D. But times change.

So with the teaching that I do, I learn about all sorts of new things. I can sit here and rattle on for days, about breast pumps. I can give you suggestions on how to increase your supply. And give you some tips for weaning.

But this, well I'm not going to lie, stopped me in my tracks!



A breastfeeding doll. For little girls. Huh? I was a little bit "taken aback" when I first heard about it. But then, I stopped to think...

The best part about being the "youngest" out of my friends is, I learn from them. And their kiddos. Like when my Commadre G was breastfeeding her twins. Her young girls would mimic her. Trying to breastfeed their baby dolls. They didn't think it was wrong. No. Because they watched their mommy feed their younger siblings.

Even though she covered up, the girls knew, that was the way the babies were eating. So they would pretend play in the same way. It's not a bad thing. So I understand the reasons for this doll. As do my friends.

That could be why, we just ordered a few. What do you think? I know it's going to wrinkle some feathers. Especially since they're not stateside yet. But they're coming this summer.

Did I mention? One of the clinics I work at, they just ordered 20. Since we promote breastfeeding real babies, they figured why not. We can start making females more comfortable with their bodies. Breastfeeding is not a sexual act. It's a mothering act. ♫