Ed's Heroine Pizza

I know I have been MIA for a while, and

I realize it may take an "encounter from above" for you to trust me again.

It's OK, because after I give you this, you will want to forgive me.

So how are you?

Where have you been?

What are you doing?

I have so much to tell you...

Not yet, right now we need to resurrect our relationship.

I actually stole this.  So this should make, my make up offering even more valuable, right?

This is my friend Ed's creation.  I am not genius like this.  You will want to be friends with him.  You will understand why and more later.  Just trust me.

And if this does not bring meaning back to our relationship.

I don't know what will.

With that I give you, the amazing bad, good and addicting... 

 "Heroine Pizza"

Here is what you will need:

1 Pre-made Pizza Crust like Bobolli

1 lb softened butter

1 cup Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

6 cloves minced garlic

1/2 large bag of Lays potato chips (not the baked, reduced anything kind - make sure these are the fully loaded normal bad for you kind of chips)

Big chunk of blue cheese - shredded

Tabasco sauce

Lot's of people to eat that are not on a diet or what to do something really bad.

Here is what you do:

Mix in a bowl butter, Parmesan, feta and garlic. Spread over pizza crust.  Crumble potato chips on top of spread. Put shredded blue cheese over that.  Bake at 450 for about 10 minutes. Top with Tabasco sauce if you like it even more sassy.

And since this is about as bad and sassy, as I get these days.

You should know, I did it and I am going to do it again.

You should also know that this is Ed and my sweet little Jillian.  Ed is our friend, a great husband, trainer, a nutrition expert, athlete, WBFF Body Building PRO and amazing cook.  I told you, you are going to want to be friends with him.  Check him out, www.theedwhiteway.com, cause if you keep eating like this you are gonna need him. 

Oh by the way, he is Greek, he always dresses like this.

Do you trust me now?

You shouldn't.

I may go missing again.

Peace, Love and Missing you!

The Legend of Cousin Camille and "Tooe-Knee"

His real name is "Tony" not "Tooe-Knee" as my adorable mother calls him in her sweet Tagalog accent.  Remember I am of Philippine descent.  Well, half.  The other half is white.  Really white. As white as the come white....like Brave Heart white.  In other words, Scottish.  I know, weird. The point is that we now call him "Toe-Knee" because we like the way my mom so fondly pronounces it when ever she refers to him or of him. "Tooe-Knee, Toooe-Knee, Tooooe-Knee...." The more "O" the more affection it is intended to have.

This weekend, my favorite "Cuz" married the "Toe-Knee."  She was in my wedding.  I love her.  There were only sixteen guests invited and in attendance.  We were honored to just be on the list.  I mean really, think about being only two in sixteen people on the entire planet to stand and witness your vow and commitment to your one and only, true love.  Heavy, right?  

The gathering was seriously one of my favorites.  As a designer and planner for over 3000 weddings and or events, I have seen my fair share of love, cake and famous people.  Frankly, I am still somewhat traumatized as a result of years of high stakes and stress.  This one was different, not like you would predict.   Every detail was sheer perfection, yet no fancy who is behind the curtain kind of pretense or chaos.  My "Cuz" is detailed in a admirable way. Not compulsive like myself; which boarders OCD and highly annoying, controlling and just dense at times.  (However, I'd appreciate it if you assured me that I hide it well.)  

Camille and "Toe-Knee" chose their wedding setting to be on the raw majestic quintessential northern California coast of Mendocino.  The land shore location was staged at an incredible bed and breakfast, The MacCallum House.  The MacCallum House was built in 1882 by town founder William Kelley as a wedding gift to his daughter Daisy on her marriage to local entrepreneur Alexander MacCallum.  I absolutely love this story and memorable detail.  

Speaking of details, these are some most would appreciate...

Beautiful flowers; notice vintage style tussle mussy holder engraved with mom's monogram.

Breath taking hand crafted cake; either organic or sustainable ingredients including  fondant, chocolate, lemon chiffon and vanilla. adorned with fresh gardenias, roses and hypericomb berries mindfully placed upon an elegant vintage rose pedestal stand.

Perfectly behaved and fashioned wedding attendant, with very nice posture.  (I think she is a professional. Notably famous and available for hire at www.wofflehouse.com/mob/) 

I often refer to these details as "the wedding stuff."   The "stuff" was perfect and believe me there is no one that appreciates a bouquets of imported Sahara roses, herbs; flawless hand picked champagne;  Fois gras; a beautiful dress more than I do!

However (you knew this was coming right?) The thing is...the real "stuff" in the wedding, is the "stuff" you can't buy, plan, rarely capture in a photograph or predict.  When it happens it is the feeling that you are standing in your under wear and everyone sees you.  I mean really sees you; your heart, your soul and some times that soft, tender, vulnerable under belly that you don't really want just anyone to know you have.  This is the stuff that will take your breathe away. Make a grown man cry. Turn an old wedding pro into a blogging believer.  This is what makes a celebration, a marking of time, a day, a moment and a wedding legendary!  I think this is what weddings intended to be initially.  I think the intention was it to be epic, magical, unlike any other, once in a life time...the one day unlike any other.  I really do believe this is how it was originally created.  One has to believe that a vow made before God and your most cherished people should be our legacy!  Basically, this is how magical stories come to be, how memories are made and the essence of what we are made of(sniff, sniff).  

So, you ask what was it about this day that took my breathe away?

When the strong strapping fire strike captain, groom is brought to tears as he read a heartfelt message from his son that was not able to attend... 

When the youngest boy of the family, stands proud, kisses and honors the matriarch of the family as he carefully escorts her to her seat, front and center... 

 When the groom wraps his arms around his bride holding and comforting her so she can catch her breath, as she struggles to articulate to love him for the rest of their lives and how thankful she is that they found each other...

When the groom adores the fact that the bride can't walk in her designer shoes and carries them for her, as they walk together...

When the bride graciously toasts us all, while publicly sharing her heart and appreciation for the day and her mom and dad...

When we except one another, honor each other and love unconditionally with purpose...

I hope and pray that we all take the time to make our days, our legacy.  I hope your story is what you are made of.  I hope that you notice when God shows up and this is "the stuff" that matters.

The beginning...

Peace, Love and tooe-sting you...A

"Supersonic Moisturization" Freebie

Age is a funny thing.  The thing about it is that we are all getting older every day.  It is inevitable.  I enjoy the part about aging that provides wisdom however, not so fond of the part that generously bestows wrinkles and hormone imbalances.


  A while ago I went to a blogging conference and as a result I was given a bunch of stuff.  Some good, some not so good...  Basically everything from yoga mats to sex toys. I know, who knew?  
Due to the fact that I am getting old, and I have children, animals, food, bills, business to conduct, people to inspire, and a high maintenance super hero to take care of I tend to forget about this stuff.  As a result it has been a while since I was supposed to review it.  I am  basically supposed to talk about it, why I like "it," why you need "it" and how to get "it."  I will; however in my own (non-compliant) way.  

Somewhere in between "toys" and yoga mats, I ended up with a little tool that I have become addicted to.  In the past, I have been a "soap and water type of girl" and I will admit I was slightly righteous about that fact.  Well, more wrinkled and less proud,  the time has come to clean up my act.  

This is how I do it.  Oh, and by the way, the high maintenance super hero, who should be called "Mr. Clean" however known as "Mr. Aqua Man" has been caught using it too.  
He is sneaky like that.

Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System

Apparently, it is time for you to clean it up too, as I have one of these lovely little devices for you also.  Since, I am lazy today (another gift of "aging"),
this is what their web-site says: 

 "Is it time to rethink your daily cleansing routine? Designed by a team of dermatologists along with Olay, the Advanced Cleansing System is as effective as a system sold by skin professionals for nearly $200.* Professionally and clinically designed to cleanse 6 times better**, the Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System also sets your skin up for supersonic anti-aging moisturization."

So there you have it.  I guess, "moisturization" is a word.  If you would like one, please let me know, and I will send the chosen one (or two) this great little gizmo (aka: Magic Wrinkle and Acne Eraser) for FREE.

Peace, Love and "Supersonic"...A

Back In Black

Ahhhh.....

Welcome back.  

I know, where did I go?  What happened to my need to connect; change the world; inspire people?  Why did I not have one tiny creative feather of hope in my entire body during the holidays?  Why could I not be brought to even post a little holiday spirit or recipe?  These are all interesting questions that have been swirling around in my head also.  Does anyone out there understand me?  Does anyone know the answers? Do other people feel this way?  Perhaps no. Perhaps yes.  Perhaps it is just me.  Be very thankful you are not trapped in my head.  This is a very positive thing. Trust me. Stay with me.

Compassion please.  You are not going to like what is next.

I have given this quite some thought.  In fact I vowed to myself that I would not write until I had something of substance to indulge in.  NEWS FLASH...this is the substance.  Brace yourself, this may offend you.  You may find yourself bored, suddenly tired and in the fog,  when something hits you square between the eyes and your only way to survive is to "fog out."  You know the feeling...  It is the feeling when you don't want to deal with something. Or someone calls you out on your "crap" and you look at them like a deer in the head lights.  The very familiar feeling of BEING OVERWHELMED and you can possibly process what is being said and every word sounds like a scientific calculus formula to vast to even tune into.   Is this sounding at all like anything you may have experienced?  If so, why am I the only one talking about this?  Where are all the people that feel this and why I don't know any of them? 

This is what the holidays felt like.  Poorly planned (our school system is to blame for this), overstuffed, overwhelming, crazy spinning out of control, mad people on the streets rushing around, panic, following all the other crazy people around, too much stuff, too many sparkly snow flocked China imported items packed in a tightly confined space... have I mentioned those "Moms" at school with the Christmas sweaters and the tightly perched smiles that look like they are going to blow any minute?

I am sorry, I had to get it out. But it is the truth.  The truth is for me the holidays have become vapid of SPIRIT, CONNECTION and LOVE.  This celebration of the birth of Jesus has become a giant garage sale for China that we have all bought into.  Oh and let's not forget all  us "Martha Stewarts" wanna be's serving up super-egos one perfect pie crust at a time.  Really? I am over it.  

I want real connection.  I want real love.  I want slow, snugly, without expectation, time and intimacy that warmly rolls in and out like the ocean on a warm sandy beach.  Or the peace of a crackling fire that enchants you and wraps it mysterious arms around you at the same time and takes you for a wild adventure.  I want dreams and words from God.  What I don't want is obligation, or guilt, or cheap meaningless clutter, or shame, or "shoulds" or "have to's."  Is this too much to ask?  

THEN BOOM!  Out of no where like a flying saucer with a irresistible alien, delivering an unanswered prayer;  this is what I get...

My entire family firmly rooted, each with their favorite non alcoholic beverage and corresponding blankets, all "nuggled" (yes "nuggle" is a word) on the sofa all watching "The Bachelor" belly laughing, flaeling their arms in passion,  while covering their eyes with one hand because they are so embarrassed (and scared) for what is going to happen next.  I mean really, this is substance, pure decadence and completely void of nutritional value.  It should be canned and sold as "cheap thrills."  It is like standing in your underwear shooting "Reddi Wip" straight out of the container in to your mouth and topping with chocolate favored syrup! 

Can anyone relate?

Peace, Love and I'm Back... A

Fear and Room Service

The time has come that I feared most.  

This is it.  

I don't have anything interesting to write about.  

This is every writers, blogger and frankly every girls worst night mare.  

I have become boring, washed up, a "has been."  

My creative juices have dried up.

  

These are my biggest fears and they have arrived, just in time for Christmas.

What shall I write about?  No one wants to hear that I am overwhelmed with the gluttonous nature of holidays and I can't stand all the stuff, people feeling obligated to buy gifts and the chaos of it all - what happened to the spirit of miracles, gratitude and those impeccably beautiful decorated sugar cookies?  I can't talk about my recent trip because what happens in Vegas, stays in ...well you know.  Really it was over the top fun and if I do say more, I would just be gloating. I don't really want you to know that  I am detoxing, yet again. Why can't you just imagine, that I ate well and was immensely kind to my liver while partying like I was invincible last week.  I can't positively write that upon returning home, my children have lost their mind, manners and privileges, and I want to say nasty terrible things.  I really do want to, but as I am attempting to teach them, I am "choosing" what behavior I have and mostly because someday they will read this and need more counseling than what is acceptable.  (Note to self: No one should be left alone with wild children after five days in Vegas.)  No one wants to hear about how excited I am that the only man on the planet who understands me named, "Aqua Man" is almost home! (Did I mention, there are only 74 minutes till he arrives?)  Everyone already knows that my horse is the only horse that can "talk" on the West Coast and that I am "the chosen one" he loves slightly more than his next feeding.  Or that my dog was groomed last week and they put two humiliating little Christmas bows on her.  After all she is an, intellectual genius trapped in an Australian Shepard's body.

This is what it has come to.  

I will tell you what happens in times like these is I inadvertently have multiple entrepreneurial seizures. I think it is my subconscious attempting to get control of my brain (and my body) to do something useful.  I don't know why I do it, I just do.  This is when I come up with, what I think in the moment, are incredible business opportunities.  I then market and produce incredible services and products that the world can't live without - all in my head over, and over, and over again.  It is not healthy, normal or sane.

I also cook.

I ride my bike.  

Then I have more "entrepreneurial seizures."

I try to read.

Then I have more "entrepreneurial seizures."

I nap.

Then I have more "entrepreneurial seizures."

You can see the pattern.

You know, I think I realize what the problem is...

I am still hung over!

I just want an Eggnog Latte with freshly ground nutmeg sprinkled on top. 

Please!!!!!!!!

Did I mention, I absolutely love "room service?"

What do you love?  Help, is there anyone out there?  My comment section is working.  I need contact, please.  (Oh and please don't forget that latte?)  

40 more minutes...

Peace, Love and A Not So Smooth Re-Entry to Reality...A

"I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane"

You know this song, by John Denver?

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go 

I'm standin' here outside your door

I hate to wake you up to say goodbye

But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn

The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn

Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me

Tell me that you'll wait for me

Hold me like you'll never let me go

Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane

Don't know when I'll be back again

Oh babe, I hate to go....

Here is how my version of the song goes....

All my bags are packed

The laundry is done  

All my emails are returned

The kids are so fun

The refrigerator is full  

The bills are paid

Work is bummed but already done  

I'm leavin' on a jet plane  don't know when I'll be back again...

Oh babe, I am outta here....

and unsupervised at the NFR 

Do Wap Wap Wap....

Yup, that is right.  National Rodeo Finals in Vegas; cowboys, bull riding, roping, 

shopping and room service with my girl, Jen.  Did I mention, we are unchaperoned?

Pray for us, it could be a rough weekend.

Also please pray for my dog because she is the only responsible one left at my house, and she is obsessed with herding the pool sweep.

Also, pray that I don't get up on any tables and sing.  (Please pray this one, twice.)  

Thank you.

Peace, Love and Viva Las Vegas...A

Dental Day

A good day.

Hey, did you bring me an apple?

A not so good day.

 Hey who turned out the lights...

 No wait, no I am fine!

Is there something stuck in my toofth?

 Whoa, what happened?

 I promise, I really do wear my retainers every night.

 Ugh, I don't know why but I can't feel my lip.

Alexis, if you blog about this, I am going to get even with you tomorrow.

Ugh, until then, I think I am going to just wait here and make sure the ground does not go anywhere.

Tomorrow will be a better day, and if he asks the story is....
"Aqua Man scheduled this appointment."

Peace, Love and Good Dental Hygiene....A