I impressed myself

Seriously, I did. And you should be too! This is quite a feat for me. It all began when I saw this recipe in the Kraft Food and Family magazine.



It's for a seriously yummy lemon cake. The recipe calls for a lemon cake mix, 2 boxes of lemon pudding and cool whip. When I went to the store, I could not find a lemon cake mix. Apparently they didn't have any in stock...? So, like a true chef, I improvised! I bought a white cake mix. Aren't you already impressed with my mad skills?

The cake was actually pretty easy to make. It's just two round cakes with lemon pudding filling and cool whip (fat-free) instead of icing. It actually turned out really tasty! I think if I'd had a lemon cake mix, it would have been better, but it was tasty nonetheless.

But nobody said tasty had to be pretty.



I guess I need to work on my icing skills. Yikes. Hubs really liked it though, so it passed the test. I love lemon. It reminds me of spring and summer. Do you have any favorite summer recipes?

Oh! And my beautiful blog friend Brandi gave me this sweet award! Hers was one of the first blogs I started following. I just love her awesome attitude! She's a doll! I have met some wonderful gals through blogging. I just wish I could meet some women half as nice as you in the "real world." Y'all are awesome. Thank you Brandi!

Rescue transport and awards

Last night I drove another rescue transport for three precious pups! There were two pittie pups and a boxer pup. They were so good on the drive. The two little ones shared a crate, and the larger pup sat shotgun. I didn't get to take any pics...it was so cold and dark outside by the time they were handed off to me, but fortunately, another driver who is overnighting the dogs sent them via email to the rest of us this evening!

Avery (white pittie pup, approx a few months old) and Rufus (boxer pup)



Rufus



Miley (pittie pup, just a few weeks old)



Miley's pic from the pound...she's a tiny little bugger!



These babies are so precious!

A few weeks back, I drove a transport for a sweet, beautiful German Shepherd named Hilde. Loved her. Wanted to sneak her back to my house.



And I'm so far behind, I am embarrassed. I was kindly given a couple of awards and want to thank these sweet girls!

Joanna and Brandi gave me the lemonade award.



This award is for showing great attitude or gratitude and making lemonade from lemons. I honestly don't know that I've done a good job with that lately, but I'm trying (in my own way!). :)

And sweet Ally gave me the Friends Award.



The Friends Award is given to blogs that are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and to be friends.
The hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated.

Thank you girls! I appreciate you thinking of me! I've met so many sweet people via blogland, and I am thankful! You all are in my hearts!

Thrifty Thursday and an award

I must show you my latest thrift store goodies!

I love dishes, especially old ones...Fiesta, Pyrex, anything pretty or eye-catching. This may seem strange to you since the kitchen is not my friend. I think maybe in my mind, neat old dishes make me think of a cozy home.

So when I saw these cuties on Shannon's blog, I knew I had to get my greedy little paws on them.

Actually, truth be told, I already had one of these. I can't remember if my mother bought it for me, or if I bought it. I never knew what its intended use was supposed to be. So for years, I had it on one of my antique vanities and used it to hold jewelry. Then when we bought this house, I put it in our bathroom on the countertop and used it to hold jewelry. I could never figure out what the little "depression" was for, but as it turns out, my ring holder fit in it perfectly.

Then quite a while back, after we redid our guest bathroom, I put it in there and used it as a tray to hold bath salts, a diffuser and a candle.



It has this really cool swirly circular pattern.





One day I saw Shannon's blog post about her dishes and a light bulb went off. So that's what this thing is!

I've never noticed them while out browsing the thrift and antique stores. Maybe I just never paid attention because I was always looking for more Fiesta.

Then yesterday I saw these.







I bought every single one they had. The price? $2.99 each. I think that's a pretty good deal. Hubs asked what I'm going to do with all of them. I told him I'd use them for the next time we have a smart dinner party. ha!!

When I was standing in line checking out, I noticed a display shelf that had TWELVE (12) boxes of four sets each of the pattern that has the grapes.



That's 48 sets y'all!! I wonder where the heck all of those came from. They were priced $12.99 each box (set of 4). I didn't buy any because grapes really aren't my thing. But if I change my mind and want a couple, I am sure they will still be there because there are TWELVE boxes! Holy moly!

Today I found another cheese dome lid. It's much deeper than my others.



Perfectly sized for one of my ceramic pumpkins.



I had the pumpkin on a bookshelf, but with the dome, it's a little too much. Maybe I'll put her on the foyer table.

And!

I received an award from Jenni! Wasn't that sweet?



The blog award rules:
1. List 6 things about yourself and
2. Pass this award on to 6 other bloggers (my favorite part of this!)

Six things about myself:

1. I'm a vegetarian. A strict one. That means no, I don't eat chicken. No, I don't eat fish. I don't eat any animals period. (I've always wondered why when I say I'm a vegetarian, people always ask if I eat chicken and fish.)

2. I'm a HUGE animal lover. Huge. I volunteer with animal rescue, bring home strays, have three rescue dogs of my own. I'd have more if I knew Hubs wouldn't divorce me. ;) Hubs says when I'm old I'll be the crazy lady on the block with all of the animals. I'm afraid to admit that I think I'm already that person.

3. I was editor of my high school yearbook. That lead me to study journalism, more specifically advertising.

4. I also minored in criminal justice. I'd *love* to work in forensic science, or be an agent for the ATF or DEA and bust down some doors so I can lock up the bad guys. Advertising seemed like the safer choice.

5. I'm a shorty! I stand only 5 ft. tall.

6. I love the beach. I think the stork dropped me off with the wrong family, because my folks are not beach people. We never went when I was a child. So now I go every chance I get.

So now I give this award to:

1. Brandi
2. Candy
3. Carrie
4. Gwen
5. Aimee
6. AJ

In each of their own ways, these ladies have inspired me, made me think more deeply or just have been a pleasure to get to know.

Have a great evening y'all!

xoxo