Small Successes

Sherry, at Chocolate for Your Brain, hosts Small Successes each Thursday. Check it out to see others' successes & share your own. Recognizing the small things we accomplish each week helps us realize that even when it doesn't seem like it, we are getting things done!

1) I made a homemade version of my favorite soup from Olive Garden...Zuppa Toscana. It was yummy!

2) I rigged up a temporary solution for our washing machine until we can replace the lid switch. Usually we just have to put the tool box & another heavy item on the lid so that it continues to run, but it's getting worse. All I needed this time was a pair of scissors...just call me MacGuyver! (We've had the replacement part for a while, now we just need to find the time to do it.)

3) I went shopping & made sure that Casinodad has plenty of food & fun snacks for the munchkins while I'm away this weekend.

A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings

My dear blogging friend, Judy, over at A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings, hosts this meme every Wednesday. Simply list five things (or a prayer or any thoughts) for which you are truly thankful this week. Voicing my thanks helps put my life in perspective & realize that, no matter how bad things might be, there is still MUCH good surrounding me.

1) I'm thankful my nephew is home from college. Until Friday night, we hadn't seen him since Christmas.

2) I'm thankful Casinodad's friend survived a motorcycle accident when someone pulled out in front of him last week. He broke his leg & had some major damage to his heel, requiring a long surgery on Monday & more to come...but, the most important thing is that he is alive.

3) I'm thankful for cookbooks that include imitation recipes of famous restaurants. Last week, I made a homemade version of Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana (my favorite of their soups!) Other things I've made, or hope to make, include Shoney's Chicken Fried Steak, Japanese Steakhouse sauces, Auntie Ann's Pretzels, & so much more!

4) I'm thankful for toddlers who fall asleep on Mama's shoulder! The Saint is growing so fast, so I embrace these moments as often as I can.

5) I'm thankful for my upcoming weekend w/ some very dear friends. This will be our 7th year. The six of us rent a cabin or house for the weekend, do some shopping, go to Mass, eat, & laugh until we cry! I am the only one who is not a grandmother, but that doesn't bother us one bit. I've learned so much from them & look forward to this weekend trip each year.

Lovin' My Husband

It's Tuesday...time for Judy's new meme! As she says, "In a world where people are always griping and complaining and the 'norm' for women's get-togethers seems to be to 'down' the husbands, we have taken the reins in an effort to do the opposite: BUILD UP THE MEN WE LOVE!"

So here I am to do just that...sharing about my dear hubby, Casinodad. If you'd like to participate, share about your husband: 3 ways you've been blessed by him, what makes you love him so, pictures, stories, anything! Then, go to Judy's meme blog to link up!

1) Lovin' my husband for setting aside a bit of our income tax refund to treat the munchkins to items of their choice. The boys chose Legos (of course!) & The Princess chose several skeins of yarn, knitting needles, a Disney Princess backpack, & some books.

2) Lovin' my husband for involving me in decisions which affect our family & our future. I know many husbands just make plans & that's that. Casinodad takes my thoughts & ideas into consideration, broadening our perspectives in decision making.

3) Lovin' my husband for complimenting me. Sometimes it's just a "You look nice in the outfit." Other times "Thank you for all you do for the children & me!" No matter what it is, he's quite sincere in his comments & they're nice to hear.