Main Dish Frito Pie

TOP OF THE MORNING | JANUARY 15

Hello awesome readers! Super chilly here -- as in 13 degrees. brrrrrrr! Supposedly it's gonna be warmer in about 3 days - that's the good news.  Especially for everyone's energy bill! Super great finds to share with you today beginning with: THINGS THAT ARE SURPRISINGLY LARGER THAN YOU MAY HAVE THOUGHT All were fascinating to me, however my 2 favorite take aways were Michelangelo's "David" statue and the the blade - just one blade - of a wind turbine.  WOW! 6 SLEEPING HABITS OF ANIMALS WE ALL KNOW BUT DIDN'T KNOW Otters and Orangutans win the cuteness award for me. 
5 For Friday January 12

5 for FRIDAY | JANUARY 12

Hey, yo Friday and Friends - Another great 5 for FRIDAY line-up today! Beginning with: STEPHANIE'S CHIC ON THE CHEAP Wow! Is what I say about this Forever Bloom product. Truth be told -- I've never worn foundation; truth be told it's probably time.  I just couldn't get comfortable with the whole slathering my face with what -- for me -- seemed like face paint. I'm totally IN on Steph's advice on this cool product.  I love the step-by-step instructions and how little it takes to cover one's face and the crazy-cool results! Her pics do a great show and tell. BONUS - Steph gives us the inside scoop on how and where to buy this high-end product for Chic on the Cheap. Once again - Stephanie gives us the inside scoop. Thanks, Steph! QUICK QUESTION My first job was as a Pizza Hut waitress in high school, wearing a red polyester uniform -- red pants with a sewn in permanent crease, zip up red top with pattered short sleeves and topped off with a "derby" style hat (also polyester - ha).
Artic Fairies Riding A Bear

WEDNESDAY READER | JANUARY 10

Hola All! How's your week going?  Good here. I have been enjoying watching the birds "hit" on the 3 bird feeders I have outside my picture window.  I affectionately call it the "bird channel" as I get a lot of joy watching and so do my cats - sitting on the window ledge and looking straight at the feeders.  Ha I've been especially noticing all the beautiful Cardinals swooping in and landing for a bite to eat.  A friend of mine once  told me that Cardinals mate for life and if I see one - look for the mate.  He/She is nearby.  Guess what?  I'm finding that to be totally true.  I have a lot of fun spotting one and then spotting its "other half" close by. Hump day is here!   Wednesday Daymaker is also here to bring some cheer:) Here's a little rundown of what's in today's episode:
Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

TOP OF THE MORNING | JANUARY 8

Monday greetings, friends -- Fantastic treasure finds to share today! NATURE TIMELAPSE FREEZING Is mesmerizing.  I especially love the snow flakes.  It's true; no 2 are the same.  Wow! GAME ON TONIGHT Washington Huskies vs Michigan Wolverines.  This short clip of 2 highschool teammates who played on opposing college teams is so full of sincere, wonderful love and heart. EVOLUTION OF SKYSCRAPERS I love rolling into a city and seeing the skyscrapers (especially at night).  AWE-MAZING. Mind bender for me wondering how do these beauties go from thought - to drawing board - and the craftsmen who actually do the "hands on" construction.  Crazy cool! RECIPES Spice Cake with Chocolate Butter Icing Totally makes sense, but I really never thought of the 2 together.  Genius! Tuna Noodle Casserole I've always been a die hard fan of tuna noodle casserole, (although I don't make it that often) - but when I do - it's a roll down childhood memory lane.  But THIS recipe!!  OMG
5 For Friday January 5

5 for FRIDAY | JANUARY 5

Friday greetings all - Super fun episode today on this first Friday of 2024.  I can't help but think first Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday of 2024. Beginning with - STEPHANIE'S CHIC ON THE CHEAP Outstanding appetizers and presentation + I got an invite! The evening will go down in my memory as one of the coolest, chill New Year's Eve parties I've ever attended. Need I say that Stephanie had prepared their beautiful home in welcome mode -- candles, music, fantastic lighting AND the presentation of her appetizers (which were fabulous) + her collection of vintage plates (as you can see in the pictures she posts in her column today)?  Stunning beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces.  I'm gonna be on the lookout for cool pieces at thrift stores and bring them home and make them mine. AND THEN hanging out in Rick's (their) "party barn"! SVVC (stands for So Very Very Cool - I just made that up - ha). Great lighting, high-five collection of vintage neon and mirror signs on the walls,  fantastic playlist of tunes that would make a seasoned DJ proud, cold drinks and seriously cool, eclectic couch and chairs for seating -- just like I'd imagine a top notch Speakeasy hang out place.
Winter Fairy By Mucha

WEDNESDAY READER | JANUARY 3

Hi Everyone! How's the New Year going so far (all of 3 days - ha)?  All's well in my world. Presenting Wednesday Reader on this first Wednesday of 2024. Lots of fun packed in this episode for reading + thought enjoyment.  Beginning with: POP QUIZ Reminded me how much I love(d) "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and, yes, the song "Moon River."  Totally gonna find + watch + re-visit that classic. QUICK QUESTION Best compliment I think I can give to someone -- you matter.  Whether spoken or implied.  I love it when I hear it or feel it from someone.  How about you? GRAVESIDE SERVICE STORY Is a funny, for sure. LIMA BEAN SOUP What?!  Yes!  Seriously good, unique, tried-and-true.  The magic (as is usually the case with anything involving beans) start with dried beans.  And have you ever had a grilled Pimento Cheese + Ham sandwich?  No?  Now's the time!  Yes?  Lima Bean Soup and Grilled Cheese Pimento Sandwiches with or without ham are soup mates for sure!
Top of the Morning January 2 | Happy New Year January 1 2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR! JANUARY 1 2024

Well - it happened!  2024 has arrived.  GREETINGS 2024! May the coming year be full of wonderful surprises for all of us. Pretty sure you might be hanging out with friends and family today (as it should be) so this episode will be short and sweet. I do, however, want to share these extraordinary fireworks shows from around the world welcoming in the New Year.
The Snow Queen Edgar Maxence

5 for FRIDAY | DECEMBER 29

Hey Hey! Presenting 5 for Friday.  The last episode of Daymaker Readable Art 2023. Another fantastic line-up today. Beginning with: STEPHANIE'S CHIC ON THE CHEAP WOW! Gotta read about this Snail Mucin product.  I feel like I've been living under a rock or in a cave as I had no idea this is the hottest trend in skincare right now! Pretty sure I wanna know though. So once again --- da-da-da-da-dun-ta-dun --- Stephanie to the rescue keeping us in the know!!
Merry Christmas

WEDNESDAY READER | DECEMBER 27

Greetings friends! How was Christmas?  Hopefully, awe-mazing and a memory or 2 saved forever as cherished. Presenting Wednesday Reader - the last Wednesday of 2023.  Can you believe it?  2023 is about to be in the rear view mirror. Super fun + interesting read today beginning with: QUICK QUESTION My 3 takeaways from this year -- hmmm, still sifting through to pick the cream of the crop.  There have been quite a few.  I'll let ya know the answer in Friday's episode.  You?
Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Hello friends.  Merry Christmas! Hope you're so busy with family and friends and gathering that you might not even check this post until tomorrow. One thing I do want to share with you today is a classic Paul Harvey story - The Man and the Birds.  It's so absolutely worthy of a listen and a think-think-think about the story so well said by the man himself.
Quick Homemade Eggnog

5 for FRIDAY | DECEMBER 22

HO HO HO !! Giant cool line up today beginning with -- STEPHANIE'S CHIC ON THE CHEAP Awesome custom gift bags! WOW!  What a great idea and the possibilities for different gift giving times -- Christmas, New Year's, Birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Baby Showers, Hostess Gifts ... And the lunch sacks with the ribbon on top to close them -- I'm thinking homemade cookies, candies, bath salts, jarred jam, dog biscuits... I can vouch for the beauty of these bags as I am a recipient of one when I met Stephanie for lunch today and we shared Christmas greetings and gifts from the heart.  Super, super pretty and special.
The Guardian Angel

WEDNESDAY READER | DECEMBER 20

Holly Jolly Wednesday greetings! Christmas countdown is ON!  Are you ready?  Ready or not ... Presenting today's episode and it's packed full of awe-someness. Beginning with -- If I had a boat I'd probably name it "IF".  In honor of Rudyard Kipling's poem which I have always loved  ** click here - IF ** The Hitchhiker by the one and only Jerry Clower is hilarious! Music for your (our) ears -- this performance of Angels From the Realms of Glory is hands down the most beautiful rendition in my opinion. Mac 'n Cheese soup recipe is outstanding.  Try it -- you'll love it.