Making It Last.

So here is a little handy tip for those of us (OK, me) who do not embrace a green thumb on either hand. I try and try and haven't given up...yet. I was buying some hydrangeas to replace a few that literally died overnight. Did our elderly cat get to them? Apparently not as hydrangeas are a bit wimpy once cut and tend to take a dive head first after a day. So, a florist said you need to put the head of the flowers in really cold water for an hour. Then cut them under warm water and place them in a vase with fairly warm water. I did and it worked. Those flowers are still good to go in the kitchen and it's been a week. See for yourself. Hurrah!

Ready to Celebrate and Then....

I went a little overboard. Hum, that sounds familiar;)
Anyway, I had created a tiki buffet on our bar outisde, had tables I decorated with netting and hurricanes filled with sand and shells. I burned music for the luau including the version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," by Israel Kamak-something from Hawaii, had an inflatable and we were set. That is, until the rain came blowing through. It's why I love our family and friends, they just deal and have fun regardless of a few dark clouds.

The moonwalk thing became quite the fast water slide. The dryer was at full capacity as we would dry wet clothes and towels for reuse. Then the clouds broke. So we began the cupcake decorating. It was how this who thing began-I wanted to do soemthing with cupcakes. It was a belated 2nd birthday party for Ali gone wild. And let's face it, the girl will never remember that day. The cupcakes were the biggest hit for the kids. Make some cupcakes (which are sounding all too good right now) throw down some colored icing and all sort of sprinkles and mini M&M's ect and you are set. And now...I shall sleep.ZZzzzZZzzz


1) Pre-party. Ali's ready to dance.
2) Pom crazy. I couldn't stop making them!
3) Cupcakes anyone?
4) Ali with Kelly
5) Johnny got his cupcake on also.

Stan's the Man

Or is he? Where does the Stanpley Cup originate from anyway? Hold on a sec.

Originally inscribed the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup, the trophy was donated in 1892 by then Governor General of Canada the Lord Stanley of Preston, as an award for Canada's top-ranking amateur ice hockey club. Since then, many others have won it and I discovered there are several permanent misspellings on it. The same with this blog. Normally you would hear what I write instead of reading it in print. So I apologize now and forever more! Anyway, there is stand-in Cup used at the Hall of Fame. It is just over 35 inches tall and weighs a whopping 34.5 pounds.

The Cup or the Holy Grail as it is also called...is almost in arms reach for Chicago. We were lucky enough to once again to watch the Hawks win over the Flyers 7-4. Now-Game 6 in Philly Wednesday night.


1) Now is this a hat or what? The higher the hat, the closer to God? Bless this man for braving the wearing of it.
2) Bill is our man who always finds us great seats. This was taken at the last playoff game. For as much as he loves the Hawks and helped us all see them during the playoffs, he fell ill just before this game and was unable to be there in person. Get well Bill!

Thorn in the Lion's Paw

It is amazing how much something so little can cause so much pain. A hang nail, a paper cut and the dreaded splinter. My husband got one and you would have thought he was losing a limb...slowly. After many poor attempts and a couple of days in misery, Oh! and his worry of possible infection, I took it upon myself to find a better way to dislodge the beast from within. Our last ditch effort and seemingly crazy internet tip? A paste of baking soda and water on the affected area with a band aid wrapped over it. John thought it was a nutty plan, but ten minutes later he was thanking me profusely. The remedy was like magic! So there you go. It is only a matter of time before this tip will come in "handy," for you as well.

A Tip O' the Hat to Stan

We somehow managed to score even better seats to cheer on the Blackhawks. This time we watched them win while playing game #2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I decided this time to add some bling to my Hawks' Shirt. Needless to say, Ali loves the sparkle, but she also likes to wear her brother's jersey. She somehow pulls it off with a bit of flare.