#95

This is my 95th post in a little over a year, I guess I must be a slow blogger, LOL!

Over the past year I've tried to decide which direction that I wanted my blog to go, I read several blogs daily and love how these talented ladies find so many interesting things to share with their readers, I often struggle with each post that I write but enjoy the process. What type of blogs keep you coming back day after day to peak into their worlds? I tend to read blogs that are about life, plain & simple, they share the struggles of motherhood, cooking and homemaking. I also love blogs about decorating, I'm challenged in this area and have learned so much over the past year about placement of furniture & accessories and paint colors. I often feel inadequate when reading blogs, they seem to have perfect lives, homes, husbands, children, finances and the list goes on, the reality of it is that they are sharing what makes them happy. So my dear readers I have decided to just do that, share what makes me happy! My life may not be perfect (whose is?) but it's my life and I love it!

This week I hope to blog my 100th post! In honor of this occasion I will be having a give away for anyone who leaves a comment on this post through the 100th post, you will be entered for each comment that you leave and the winner will be announced on the 101th post. Each day I will share a hobby that I enjoy, the gift basket will contain an item regarding each day's post! Be sure to tell a friend to enter, it's going to be a great giveaway!

Have a great week!!!

Magazines Galore

Photo from Southern Living Magazine Online

Photo from Midwest Living Magazine Online

Hello, my name is Michelle and I'm a magazine addict, there I admit it, no intervention needed. Lately I've been buying every magazine on the shelf they are inspiring & expensive! I have subscriptions to most of my favorites, I guess I'll have to add a few to the list. Just take a look at all the beautiful things you can do to decorate pumpkins, I'm going to do the house numbers, the templates for the first photo are available online at Southern Living. I hope you enjoy these as much as I have.

Photo from Better Homes & Garden Magazine Online

Photo from Country Living Magazine Online

Labor Day 2009

Tom's family came to visit this weekend, at first I was upset because I didn't feel up to having company but it turned out for the best, my mother-in-law cleaned and did laundry all day yesterday. I took a few photos of the kids together for my photography class, I'm really enjoying the class and can't wait to learn more. I hope that each of you had a great weekend.

Great Doctor's Report!!!!

I saw my endocrinologist today she said that everything looked good and that I was healing well. I'm so thankful for an excellent pathology report from my thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, and lymph nodes, everything came back clear, YEAH!!! That means no cancer anywhere in sight and no radioactive iodine treatments. My blood work is a little off, my calcium, potassium & sodium are too low and my phosphorus is too high, we are working on adjusting this things and I should feel better than ever in about a month, YEAH!!! I can't wait to feel like doing things around the house and just in time for the holidays. Lookout world I will be a crafting fool in a few weeks!

Cola Chicken

Photo courtesy of Taste of Home Magazine Online

I made this fabulous chicken recipe last night for dinner, it was so quick and easy to make, Tom loved it, he said that the sauce would be good with tortilla chips, then he proceeded to eat several chips dipped in the leftover sauce, that's a hungry man for you, LOL. Here is the recipe, I hope that you all enjoy it as much as we did.

Cola Chicken

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 T. oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 (12 ounces) cola -- I used a regular coke

1 cup ketchup

1/8 t. garlic powder

1/8 t. salt

1/8 t. pepper

4-1/2 t. cornstarch

3 T. cold water

In a skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add chicken; brown on all sides. Carefully add cola, ketchup, garlic powder, salt & pepper. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Remove the chicken and keep warm.

Combine the cornstarch and cold water until smooth; add to skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Return chicken to pan; heat through.

Family Dinners

My lovely mother gave a year's worth of Taste of Home Magazines to read while I am recuperating from my surgery, needless to say, all it has done is make me hungry! There is something about this time of year that makes me want to cook, I guess its the cool crisp morning air or the fact the children are back in school and I feel as if they need a hot meal at the end of their day. Last night I made a chicken, broccoli & rice dish that was really good, I think that I would make it again. Tonight I'm making Cola-Chicken, it really has a can of Coke in it, will see what it tastes like and if its good I'll post the recipe, I'm fixing rolls, roasted new potatoes, slaw and sweet corn to go with it, I can't wait til dinnertime!

For some wonderful fall nesting ideas checkout The Inspired Room!

~~Favorite Things~~

Girly Stuff is hosting a Favorite Things link party today so I thought that I would share a few of my favorite things with you.

My favorite flowers in the whole world are hydrangeas, they make think of my Grandmother Bethel, she was a lovely lady.

My favorite thing to drink that I can't go a day without is Diet Pepsi, YUM-O!

My favorite romance author is Danielle Steel, I love to read her books, I always feel swept away by her characters.