buzz...

Meet Buzz.

He's slightly obese.

His belly flops over and hides his back paws when he sits.

OK, I'm sorry Buzz... maybe obese is too harsh. Maybe I should say, "very healthy".
This is Buzz... our very healthy cat.

Buzz has only several objectives in life...

1.) To stalk you, following you from room to room, meowing and rubbing
against your legs, while you're eating your morning yogurt until you
give him the container for his fair share.

Oh, how he loves yogurt. I don't know how, but he can hear you peel
back the lid (even if you're trying to be quiet) from anywhere in the house.
If he could, he would stick his whole face down in that container.

2.) To beg for ham in the mornings while you're making lunches for the kids.
He'll beg and beg and even try to stand on his hind legs and paw at you so you'll notice him.
"Hey, I'm down here... give me MY ham!"

"Oh, how I've got to have that ham."

And this is where I imagine that he thinks he's out on the Serengeti about to enjoy his kill.

"Ahhh... the fresh meat of a gazelle."




3.) To sunbathe. He loves to find a sunny spot, stretch out and bathe himself.

He doesn't care who's watching. He's not the least bit modest.







Ahhh... the life of a house cat.

Have a relazing weekend.

xo
Ralonda

a trip to the farmers market...

The other day we made a trip downtown to the Farmers Market... I love going to the Farmers Market, especially this time of year.

Of course I had my camera in hand for this visit.

Besides picture taking, picking out a couple of pumpkins was on our agenda.

Just look at that gorgeous color!

These are our number one reason we make the trip to the Farmers Market often... Beefsteak Tomatoes. JB won't eat any other kind. We love 'em just sliced up with a little salt & pepper... mmmm.

Check out the vivid color of these peppers.

People watching is always fun.

Or, if your hungry for a little Mexican food.

I love the beautiful colors and patterns of the Spanish pottery... one day, I hope to have an entire collection of the stuff.

Happy Fall!

xo
Ralonda

nesting and wedding dresses...

Life is strange. Or at least *my* life can be anyway.
As I prepare my nest for the arrival of a little one in approximately seven weeks...

A thousand miles away, my oldest, Megan, is making preparations for her wedding day in approximately seven months.

Strange I tell ya... but oh so fun!

xo
Ralonda

saturday morning munchies...

Want something more on a lazy (or busy) Saturday morning than a bowl of cold cereal? Want something that doesn't require a lot of time and that is hot and satisfying?
Me too!

So, why not make these ol' time favorites... Pigs-in-a-Blanket. Remember these? I had forgot. Here in Dallas it's become a tradition for me to just run to the local donut shop and purchase a couple of "Kolache's". But after having my husband remind me of these this morning, I think they are much more charming. And a heck of a lot easier to just pop in your mouth on the go (if you actually had somewhere to be on a Saturday morning... like say, your kiddo's soccer game or something).

In case you forgot (like me) how to make the lil' suckers, let me remind you...

Pigs-in-a-Blanket

1 can biscuits
1 package lil' Smokies

~Preheat oven to the temperature on the can of biscuits... approx. 375 degrees
~Flatten and cut each biscuit in half.
~Roll up a lil' smokie in each of the biscuit halves.
~Bake according to biscuit directions... approx. 10 minutes

So, go ahead and make these ol' time favorites... they'll take you back to your childhood.

They also would be great to serve the morning after a sleepover/slumber party along with a box of donut holes and some fresh fruit.

Have great weekend!
xo
Ralonda

easy homemade italian meatballs...

Like I said the other day... I have a 12 year old that LOVES pasta with a red sauce. And because of this, I make some sort of pasta with a red sauce, it seems, at least twice a week.

Last night I decided to make my own meatballs and serve them a top old fashioned spaghetti and a tomato and basil sauce from a jar. Easy enough for a Wednesday night dinner... I even had extra time and energy left over to make brownies for dessert! Look at me go with my eight months pregnant self! I even took these pictures (yes, this was my plate and yes, it was cold by the time I ate it)... remember, I'm trying to get lots of practice in with my camera before the baby gets here.

Anyway, even though you probably have your own meatball recipe, I wanted to share mine with you. So, here it is...

Easy Homemade Italian Meatballs

1 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tlbs. parsley flakes
Salt & Pepper to taste
2 Tlbs. olive oil
2 Tlbs. butter

~In a large bowl combine all ingredients except the olive oil and the butter. Mix well... you may need to use your hands.

~Shape and roll into ping-pong size balls... or smaller.

~In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked thoroughly.

~Serve over plain ol' spaghetti or your favorite pasta and tomato sauce, a green salad and garlic bread. You can also make meatball subs... yum!

Enjoy!

xo
Ralonda