I'M ALIVE!!!

yes, we are still alive and breathing here but I have to say:


I'M SICK AND TIRED OF WINTER - BRING FORTH SPRING NOW!!!

Life has been crazy busy as it is with all of you but I'm hoping that soon, very soon I'll be able to blog more. The office is almost complete but for some shelving and a few finishing touches. It's nice to have everything in here with room to move! Some scrapbooking has already started taking place in this wonderful space!!

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring!
xo Penny

Meal plan coming up

Hal bought me the "Biggest Loser" cookbook for Christmas and I love it! Now before some of you get offended you have to realize that Hal and I faithfully watch the show and I've often commented on recipes for healthier meals and loved some of the ones they've come up with.

Hal knows I struggle with food, specifically Carb cravings from PCOS. The cookbook gives you lots of great recipes for all meals, snacks and YES even desserts!

I will be meal planning for this week using a lot of recipes from the cookbook. I'm not vouching for how good or bad they will be as this is the first time using them but will post any recipes that any of you would like to try.

Take care and Bon apetit!

I love my Christmas Present!

So this year I actually asked for a Kitchen Appliance - a new programmable slow cooker and it's already been used twice since Christmas Day!

The first meal made in it was Bacon Wrapped Chicken breast

and then a recipe that brings back memories from a wonderful trip to Nashville, TN.

BBQ Pulled Pork

I saw this HUBBY survey on Janelle's blog and decided to do it!

1. He's sitting in front of the television, what is on the screen?
Big surprise here for some of you - SPORTS! And I don't just mean hockey, baseball, football either, the guy would even watch paint dry if it was a sport!!

2. You're out to eat what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Thousand Island most of the time.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
Avocado

4. You go out to a bar, what does he order?
Beer for a beverage and buffalo hot wings for a food

5. Where did he go to high school?
Port Coquitlam, BC

6. What shoe size does he wear?
10.5 for most shoes, depends on the style

7. If he was to collect anything what would it be?
Sports memorabilia

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Grilled cheese with onion

9. What would he eat every day if he could?
homemade chocolate chip cookies

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Capt'n Crunch

11. What would he never wear?
Pink of anything or a thong

12. What is his favorite sports team? Oh boy…I could list a whole PAGE here! But here's just a few… HOCKEY = Vancouver Canucks, FOOTBALL = BC Lions, BASEBALL = Toronto Blue Jays, his favorite GOLFER = Tiger Woods

13. Who did he vote for?
Won't discuss politics

14. Who is his best friend?
For guy friend I think what's important is that both of them know who the other is.
For girl friend moi of course

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Procrastinate

16. How many provinces has he lived in?
Three (BC, Alberta & Saskatchewan)

17. What is his heritage? Canadian (of course), French, Scandanavian

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday what would it be?
He loved Auntie Gloria's Black Forest Cake so I would attempt that.

19. Did he play sports in high school?
Sure did. My husband could be in the dictionary for JOCK when it comes to how many sports he can play and totally excels at. (ditto to what Janelle says!)

20. What could he spend hours doing?
F I S H I N G!


21. What's something cool about him?
That he really is kind hearted and can be a sentimental fool.

22. What's something not cool about him?
He sometimes doesn't know when to quit tormenting or when to cork it!

Meal Plan Monday

Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Chicken , grilled vegetables and rice

Greek Salad, Beef Souvlaki, Rice Pilaf and Pita

Chili and whole wheat buns

Chicken Ceasar salad, garlic toast

Homemade Pepperoni with Feta Pizza and Garden Salad

Pork Kabobs, fire roasted peppers, grilled seasoned red potatos

What to do and how to get there?

I'm struggling with this and am sure there are many of us who do. I want to lose weight, more importantly I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT! However, I've been extremely lazy and though I want to get more physically active there is just no motivation.

Our eating has not been nearly as good as it was either. We've both fallen back into an unhealthier eating pattern and I think it's one of those "What we know, comfort zone" things. I'm pulling out the cook books and getting some fresh, new meal ideas and perhaps that will help again get the motivation going for healthier meals.
Along with that is going to be meal preparation on Sundays because by the time I get home from work the process of preparing a healthy meal is daunting.

I have been walking Cleo at least 4 times a week but know that is not nearly enough, yes it is a start but not enough to fire up the metabolism. Must make a date with some exercise equipment and Laura's place. This is one that has to be added to the "Going to do it" not the "I have to".

Off to vacuum and paint the rest of the trim for the door and window. Repairman will be here this week to update some wiring in the office and it's good to go. I will post pictures of the process. It has been awhile but the office was put on the backburner while we enjoyed summer.

ta ta for now
xo Pen

Meal Plan Monday

Monday - Turkey Soup, homemade buns

Tuesday - Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and veggies

Wednesday - Grilled pork kabobs, rice and vegetable medley

Thursday - Turkey pot pie

Friday - Chili, rice and buns

Saturday - eating out

Sunday - Roast beef w/ horseradish, mashed potatoes and carrots