Up-to-date flood recovery coverage...

This just in:

We're almost back to normal! The drywall repaired the large holes in the wall, the paint is dry, the shelves and doors have been put back, the carpet has been re-laid, the clothes put back, and now we just have lots of mopping and vacuuming to do!
Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers and encouraging words!! We survived! ;)

Happy Birthday, sweet Miriam!!

Twelve years ago, this is what I remember Miriam looking like:

(hint: she's in the middle!)

*Sigh*

But alas, this is the beautiful young lady she has become...

...and now, I can't believe she's almost a teenager!! :)

Happy Birthday, Mir!!

We love you!!

Whew, whatta week! Flood re-cap...

It started rather innocently...just lots and lots of water soaking up through our carpet from an unknown source...

Then maintenance arrives...they didn't believe me that the water was coming from the wall. "Lady, there's no water in the wall..."

"Yes, there is."

So what's a guy to do?

He rips the wall apart, of course.

And finds the leak there, of course.Well, at least he found the pipe that was gushing washing machine deposit.

Doesn't Steve look thrilled? It was so fun. Not.
Isn't that lovely?!
And the end result? Drumroll please...
YUK.

The McMurray's Wal-mart...right here in our very own home!

Our living room contains the Home & Garden department:

Personal Hygiene department:

Housewares:

Our Office/Dining Room = Men's and Women's clothing department:
And any hard to find item should be in and all around our bedroom:
Suitcases, pillows? Check...we've got it.
We hope you've enjoyed your shopping experience!

(What a BIG mess.)

Gone swimming...be back later...

Swimming, in the snow?? Yes.

Our apartment flooded on Sunday afternoon - Yay! Such fun;)

A pipe that flushes out our neighbors (all 8 stories of them!) washing machines disconnected behind our bedroom closet wall. So, while we're busy wading through everything, cleaning and ducking the various work-people in our midst as they suck water, replace carpet, repair drywall, repaint, etc. please say a prayer for us and our sanity!!

We'll give you the full lowdown when we come up for air!!

Some Valentine's sweetness...

Okay, so if you know me at all, you know I LOVE holidays!! I got our Valentine's wreath out for the month of February...isn't it cute!?

Steve hangs it on the door for us:
Then we got busy making sweets and treats for our friends!!
Thanks to my friend Allison for this great idea - white chocolate M&M pretzel treats...soooo delicious and addictive!! Perfect for Valentine's day with pink & red M&M's!!
And of course, what Valentine's day would be complete without chocolate covered strawberries?! YUM!!
Happy Valentine's Day!!

A lovely Saturday morning brunch!

We headed out for brunch on Saturday morning to hang out with Mike and my cousin Julie, her hubby Rob, and the STAR of the show, their sweet baby Sydney...

Isn't she cute all bundled up?!!

Steve is getting practice...;)
Our hostess with the mostess, Uncle Mike!
R to L: Rob, Sydney, Julie, Mike, & Steve
Sydney is super flexible - she was showing off her yoga moves!
We ate lots of yummy food, then hung out around the fire - what fun! Thanks, Mike!!

Snow, snow...everywhere!!

Brrrr!! It is C-H-I-L-L-Y here!!
Lots of snow in the Nations Capitol!! :)

Super Superbowl snack ideas

Headed to watch the Superbowl at a party this weekend?

We're not (I'm at a conference for school), but I do have some super snack ideas that I made for a Superbowl party two years ago that would be great!

The secret to a great veggie tray?...Small, bite size veggies! Have you ever bought those pre-made trays or bags at the grocery store with the massive cauliflower & broccoli which are superconvenient, but end up serving like five people 1 awkward-to-eat large vegetable instead of giving the 12 people at your party each a decent serving? Well, grab one of those and start cutting! By adding about 10 minutes of chopping and arranging to what you already have, you still have the quick convenience with the added benefit of ENOUGH for everyone (and arrange it on a personal platter, which is always a nicer touch than the grocery store plastic - and it looks like "homemade") !

Unfortunately, I neglected the personal platter part because it needed to be disposable, but you get the idea!

Ok, here's the fun part!!

Brownies + cookie cutters = A winning football combination!

Make brownies in a regular 9 X 13 pan, let them cool, then use cookie cutters to cut out helmets and footballs. Cut out the helmets, then flip one over so they are facing...Use a tube of white icing to make the "football" decorations and the Superbowl letters/numbers.

(These are so two years ago, I know! But, you get the idea! ;)One stripe of icing down the center, five stripes going across and little curved stripes at the ends:
Arrange on a platter and you'll have a yummy hit!

(Crumble the remaining brownie pieces and serve as a topping for ice cream sundaes at halftime!)

Happy Super-bowling!