Easter-Life Will Find a Way

We are traditionalists in my family. Well, at least my Dad and I are. We enjoy doing the same things year to year for the Holidays. Easter for us is early Church (especially now with a kiddo) and then back to our house to prep for the Myer Family to come. There are 8 Myers, just 3.5 Boylans this trip (M and D had to head back to Florida). Long story short they are our family that we spend every holiday with and I love our weekends together so much. Easter is always Rosemary Leg of Lamb, Tommy's cheesy potatoes, asparagus and coconut cake by Dot. We typically drink all day and then if its nice lay in the grass staring at the clouds with a nice French Rose.


Our extended family! (Andy in red is actually my cousin!)

Church was PACKED Sunday morning. Mom and I shared a chair off to the side and Dad had to stand. The entire Myer family was off in one of the transepts...it was nuts. I always try to listen to the sermons but usually I start thinking of to-do lists, if F is okay in the childcare...etc. But our Dean Todd's sermon this Sunday was absolutely incredible.

Todd first asked what does it mean to believe? (I will try to paraphrase)

When Mary recognized Jesus, was she a believer then? Was she a believer that morning? Possibly believing has nothing to do with knowing, it isn't thinking we might be believers, believing is about what we do. The choices we make. Showing up. Then he asked, what does it take to "see" new life?

He spoke about "Life finding a way". He used Jurassic Park (which I love) as his analogy. He said this movie proclaims "Life will". The park said they had everything under control. Controlled the DNA, controlled the dinosaurs and what Jeff Goldblum said was that life will not be contained. It breaks free. Life finds a way.

And Easter proclaims life finds a way. And life will always have to go through the violence of the cross. But life will reappear. Life shows up because of those who show up.

He went on to say believing is people facing life threatening diseases, and continuing to fight. Believing is a new pope who goes to a prison to wash feet and washes the feet of a Muslim woman. **Believing is parents bringing their kids to school the Monday morning after Newtown**

Now please bear with my anaology but for me my Mother is life finding a way. She has worked all of her life and now is home alone as my father is still working his booty off. Instead of laying around and watching Soap Operas my Mom has found a way. That way is the wonderful women at Jazzercise. When you work your entire life you really aren't sure what to do Monday - Friday. Most of her lady friends did not work full time jobs and already have their routines about them. Her other friends in town are still working. So what is my mom to do? She is limited in the things she can go out and do on her own due to her early onset Alzheimer's.

What my Mom found was Jazzercise. She goes twice a day every day M-F and Sunday afternoons. I went with her this Saturday (that class is no joke!) and the LOVE her. I had 10 different women come up to me saying how much they love my mother. The teacher, Susan, is one of my mother's best friends right now. She takes her out to lunch, they go run errands and do things that girlfriends do. This woman has come into our lives as a blessing and an angel. Jazzercise is how Life finds a way for my mother and I cannot express how wonderful it is for her physically and emotionally. I fought back tears as she was showered with hugs and stories and cheers. 

For me this Easter, life finds a way, and I am so happy that my Mom has found hers. 

Love,

me

Somebody put on a beach music CD...dancing occurred. No shame.

Black Bean Pasta & a Few Randoms

This is for my friend Margaret! We tried to have supper club but the T's and F's were the only couples that could go so we met at a restaurant and had a BLAST! I think I drank a little too much wine...

I told her about this recipe (1 of 4 I make) and it is seriously delicious. My sister-in-law Jackie gave it to me and while it is pretty healthy it isn't if you EAT THE WHOLE BATCH. (like I usually do).

The recipe is Katharine proof. You saute the onion in olive oil with minced garlic and when translucent dump in the cans of diced tomatoes and black beans. Add some cumin to taste and let that simmer until thicker and pour over pasta! VOILA! M puts sour cream all over it but I prefer it without.

Also, don't cook too much pasta....the sauce is so good and you don't want it to get lost in the whole grain pasta (bleh).

So easy a Katharine could do it.

 Oh, and you should pair it with this fabulous fancy box wine that I LOVE to drink. No, its not a Chateauneuf-du-Pape but it works Monday-Friday and doesn't dip into Max's "fancy" stash.

 In other news....I'm ready for Spring FLOWERS! If this cold weather kills my buds I'll be MAD. The year we got married it snowed the weekend before Easter and pretty much killed all the new growth. Our May wedding looked more like March from a vegetation perspective.

Saving Hydrangeas from a hail storm.....

Ready for the Yorkmont Farmer's Market!

My parents have been in the Keys and have had an absolutely amazing time! Such a much deserved trip for two wonderful people!!!

Plotting the spot for the new Swingset! Just walking on the boards and running around in the yard after school makes F so happy so I can't wait to get the set installed! We picked this one from Sam's. Even though the installation sounds like a bitch it has a cute picnic area underneath and I think its a great bang for the buck. 

Does anyone drink these??? I'm obsessed! It is helping me cut back on diet sodas...

Sneak peak of party prep! Sponsored by the Dollar Tree!

xoxo

Busy Bee!

ALZ Blondes vs Brunettes Powder Puff Game May 4th at 6:00pm!

I'm sorry for not blogging! I told you March was a crazy month! We are both finally feeling back to normal and now F has pink eye...SWEET!

Here is what I have been up to...

Party Prep! How much do you love the Dollar Tree? F's birthday party might as well be sponsored by them. AND....I have been on the hunt for this "silver look" plastic cutlery and found it! No I won't throw it away....I'm going to wash & reuse! So trashy classy!

My first football practice is this Sunday for the Blondes vs Brunettes game to END ALZ! I'm so excited to be team Brunette (Faux Redheads are Free Agents) and can't wait to meet all the girls! If you would like to donate the link to my page is here. I mostly focus on the Walk to END ALZ in the fall but this event looks like so much fun!

I think I need to recruit a few Carolina Panthers to come cheer us on! Or any New Orleans Saints want to come???!!!!!!

I joined Team Brunette but who knows what color my hair will be by then!

BB & I at the walk in September

The Gym. I have been going at least 4 x a week and can finally see results. I am 4 pounds from my goal weight and I'm kind of proud of myself! (Not to toot my own horn or anything). Losing weight is hard, eating healthy is hard but the benefits in the long run are worth it. And even though it isn't Lulu, my outfits aren't awful! And guess what....Its all WAL-MART.

I hate self photos. No face shot b/c I am broken out like a 13 year old. (Thinking it is the new Bobbi Brown foundation) Top $5.33, Sports Bra $5.76, and Pants $11.28. Seriously, I think those are the wackjob prices. But honestly, I'm in this gear for the morning, go to the gym at lunch and its done. Why spend so much! Speaking of Wal-Mart.......

Interesting Fact: Filmed at the Tchoupitoulas St. Wally World, but inside at the Harahan location.

A HUGE thank you to Melissa and Amy for nominating me for the Liebster Award! I promise to post those details tomorrow!

I took a spin around Sleepy Poet this past weekend. I was in a hurry but saw a few pretty things...

Too fun! But not for $255

Erin this is so you!

Erin this is so you too!

Erin this is so you three!

Love this light fixture...damn short ceilings.

Love these brass fireplace screens. I HATE the big empty hole that sits there all summer.....ferns didn't do the trick, any ideas?

Pretty glass pitcher with Sailboat. Perfect for Bloody Mix, Milk Punches, Screwdrivers, Margaritas....etc.

What have you been up to?

xo

Not a single person liked this on facebook. WTF! I'm shaking mine!

Its Freaking March!

Where oh where does the time go? March is a busy month for us. D comes up for his spring break and we have three birthdays......My niece, F, and myself! I already got my big gift early......the hubs and my parents gave us tickets to go see Wicked!!! I'm so excited! I took my birthday off and we are going to go to lunch, have a few glasses of wine and then off to the show! What should I wear? Who dares me to dress like Glenda the good witch? If I can raise $500 I'll do it.

Spring and summer clothes are already all over the stores. I don't do the official haul-the-rubbermaid-out-and-do-the-season-switch until the weekend before Easter but how cute is this dress....

Way to go Ann Taylor! I know I'm short but Maxis are so comfortable. I only have one but I love this one from AT. Online only though..hmmm..

I also really really really want this one but I just can't justify spending that much on a dress. Oh who am I kidding, I can but would rather spend it throwing F a birthday party.

Can't wait until they are old enough for seated parties! (stop laughing, they sit at some point right?)

And speaking of his bday party...here's the shirt I just ordered him for his Dinosaur themed party from Ladybugs and Beans on Etsy!

Have a wonderful weekend and here's to March!

xoxoxo