The Queen B

If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, Don't Say Anything At All

We interrupt the regular Palace blogging experience to bring you a post about subject matter that may make you uncomfortable and that you care nothing about.

I have a very important announcement to make: there are 10 days left until my fun begins.

The NASCAR season is almost here.

Woo Hoo!

Stop judging me.

I mean it.

Stop.

I am going to give you some background. I grew up in a sports lovin' family. My dad was a high school football coach for the first 14 years of my life. When most kids' parents were saying,

"Sally, what are some words that start with the letter C?"

My dad was saying,

"What is the mascot for Washington's football team?"

Or we'd play a game that went like this...

Dad: "Houston?"

B: "Oilers."

Dad: "Cincinnati?"

B: "Bengals."

So obviously watching football on Sunday afternoon after church was our routine.

After The King and I were grown-ups and had our own home, I began to see the value in Sunday napping. So, I would turn on the TV to the most boring thing I could think of and try to sleep.

I picked golf.

That turned out to be an issue for The King, because he was distracted from the sleeping by the golfing. So we reevaluated.

And chose NASCAR.

And it worked. The roar of the engines lulled us to sleep.

Around that time my insomnia issues kicked in. So, why The King would nap, I would watch the race. And I kinda dug it. I began to recognize names. Then I associated them with cars. Then I sort of remembered who won the week before. Then I caught on to the fact that points were awarded to each finishing position and whoever had the most points at the end of the season was the winner. And I'm all about a prize. And a little competition. And apparently really fast cars. And quite possibly the threat of imminent disaster. So I started to look forward to Sunday afternoons.

For a long time The King didn't really know of my obsession. He was napping. Then one day I busted out with a reference to tire pressure and camber and he about fell out of his recliner. He didn't know whether to be frightened or impressed.

He still doesn't.

I think that the best way to describe it is this:

If you are a baseball or football fan, you watch your team play whatever team they are playing that week if their game is on TV. With NASCAR, it is the same racers every week and each race is on TV. So you really get the personalities of the drivers. You learn the rivalries. You see their families each week. Even though a particular driver may not be your favorite, he is still part of the group and you know just as much about him.

And contrary to popular belief, there is a lot of strategy involved.

Now I'm just embarrassed.

I know you can't take anymore. I just needed to share.

Please come back tomorrow. I promise I'll talk about girl stuff.

But I could've gone on.

Stop the judging.

Labels: closet obsession

QBBQ (Queen B's Beauty Quest)

I really like beauty products. I used to hoard them. But then I decided to simplify.

So now I just dream about hoarding them.

From time to time, I've decided that I am going to select a particular beauty product category and see which products you prefer.

Because I am out of things to blog about.

And it will add new paraphernalia to my hoarding dreams.

And I might find something more wonderful than I can imagine.

Let's begin with facial cleansers.

I've tried many of them. I have different degrees of favorite, depending upon my current disposable income.

Which is zero since I don't actually have a job.

So, let's say that it's due to my current stipend from The King.

My all-time favorite if money and availability were no object would be Bobbi Brown's Lathering Tube Soap. What else do I need to say besides lathering? Plus, it smells divine. Did I mention it lathers? And smells divine?

I've also been a fan of this Murad cleanser. But that was before I met Mr. Lather. So it is not my favorite anymore. I just thought it deserved an honorable mention in the moderately pricey category because of our longstanding past relationship.

A product that I often use in the winter when my wrinkles are flaking from the dry air is Cetaphil. Pro: Inexpensive. Con: Teensy bit of a bad smell.

This one is just embarrassing. Neutrogena's Anti-Wrinkle Anti-Blemish Cleanser. It is so stinkin' wrong to have wrinkles and pimples. So wrong. But every stinkin' once in a while I have to break it out (pun stinkin' intended).

Seeing as how I'm loyal to one product, it may be shocking to find that I use good ole Dove once or twice a week for some reason that has no basis in fact. I just always have. For no good reason.

So what about you? Do you jump around or stick with what works?

Now don't go delving into masks or scrubs or lotions or toners.

They'll have their turn.

But now it's yours. So comment away...

Labels: beauty

What Ever Will I Wear?

Lisa at Take 90 West has kindly honored me with this...

Thank you, Lisa! I am so humbled that you would read my blog, much less think it is sometimes enjoyable.

I know the big awards ceremony will be here before we know it, and I just don't know what to wear.

I was kind of leaning this way

But I'd have to get an essential area of my body lifted first. And get a collarbone transplant.

What about this one?

Same song, second verse on the lift. And doesn't this look like an updated version of the dress worn by the Marie doll of the 70s?

Maybe I should look somewhere other than strapless...

I think this is the one.

What? There is a writers' strike and there won't be an awards ceremony? Are you kidding me? (Sidebar: This so reminds me of my senior year of high school. I was finally nominated to the Homecoming Court and wouldn't you know....due to torrential rain the game was called. It was the only game in the history of my high school to be stopped!! I was forced to grab my purple taffeta dress between my legs and run like the wind down the muddy track. My satin purple-dyed shoes were hot pink. My hair was a nasty wad of wet hairspray. It was a travesty, people. A Travesty.) Oh well. Even without an event, I am still thankful for the honor. And I will pass the torch to a few blogs that I enjoy.

I truly look forward to visiting Casa de Jules. It is a treat to see what Mrs. Jules will be posting. Her site is beautiful. Her home is beautiful. Her words are beautiful. And if you find her picture on there...you'll see that she is beautiful, too. I would totally love to hang out at her casa!!  (Mrs. Jules--feel no pressure to put this award on your site and have to try to decorate around it:)

Another site I've recently discovered is Divine Domesticity. Ali is all about lovely homekeeping. Her site is so clean and pretty. I can't wait to try her recipes. I've got a stack of them printed!!

Of course, I must mention The Princess at The Princess and Her Pets. Even though she is my favorite kid in the entire world, I am really proud of her blogging. She is learning a lot about writing and communicating. She is thrilled that she's received a couple of comments from kids her age!! Thanks to all of you who check on her from time to time. It makes a Mama proud...

Though she's on a bit of a maternity siesta, Kelly at Love Well is one of my favorites. She is really funny, yet sincere. She is the real deal! Her new baby may make you want to have another so read with caution...I'm teasing--Kelly is a must read!!

My dear friend, Amy at By His Grace is right smack dab in the middle of Toddlerville. We became friends when she was in college and was The Princess' babysitter. She is a wonderful friend.  She talked me into blogging and then tutored me on how to start. (Bless her heart.)  If you have little ones, you'll totally relate to her struggles and joys!  

I must also send a shout out to Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie. She may singlehandedly be responsible for my clean cabinets. And my meal planning. And my new favorite planner. And my junk drawer being not-so-junky. Her Meal Plan Mondays are the best. Thanks, Laura!!

Finally, I want to give props to The Faithful Chick.  She lives out her faith daily through her posts. I love that she wanted to do "more" with her blog and she began 10 Minute Tuesdays.  She's recovering from surgery, so drop by her site and say hi.

There are so many other sites that I love to read. I am amazed at how many talented and funny people there are in this bloggy world!!

Thanks again, Lisa. I guess I'll just have to celebrate in this...

Minus the coon hat and funky pose plus about 30 pounds.

Labels: blogging

Oh What Fun! It's a Giveaway!!!

Thanks so much to Shannon at Bloggy Giveaways for hosting this fun carnival!

This giveaway is for a new set of Multi-Colored Melamine Mixing Bowls from Williams-Sonoma.

They are so pretty and colorful and will make this winter seem a bit brighter!!

This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada.

Please leave a single comment (duplicates will be deleted) on this post and a random winner will be drawn.

I will close comments at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, February 1 and will announce the winner later that day.

Enjoy the carnival and good luck!!!

Comments are now closed. The winner will be announced on Friday!!

Labels: blogging

Weekend Wonderfulness

I am back with Weekend Wonderfulness: The Nannie Edition - Part Deux.

Last week, on The Nannie Edition - Part One:

Nannie sent 4 fabulous recipes for your tasting pleasure and I selfishly distributed only 2. I had a little guilt about it. But not much. Considering the fact that the entire Palace has been down with The Evil Virus of Fever & Coughing, I think I made the right decision.

So, here you go...

Mexican Lasagna

2 cups chopped cooked chicken (I use a rotisserie chicken)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I use the jarred kind...maybe a tsp?)
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can rotel
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 (16 oz) sour cream (I use fat free)
1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened (I use 1/3 less fat)
6 oven ready lasagna noodles
8 oz. shredded Mexican cheese
8 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350.

In a big pot, combine chicken and everything on the list through the salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes.

Combine the sour cream and cream cheese in a bowl.

Lightly grease a 9x13 dish. Spoon 1/3 of the chicken mixture in the dish. Place 3 uncooked noodles on top of that. Spread 1/2 of the sour cream mixture over the noodle layer. Top that with 1/3 of the chicken stuff. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheeses. Do all of that again: chicken, noodles, sour cream, chicken, cheese.

Bake for 35-40 minutes. It should be bubbling. Don't cut it for 10 minutes after you take it out of the oven.

This is really good. Like, really good.

I serve it with refried beans and a salad. Maybe some chips and salsa. And a little cheese dip. Followed by something chocolate.

But that's just me. Do whatever you want. But my idea is pretty good.

Nannie's Chili

5 pounds ground round
2 purple onions
2 green peppers
Seasoned salt, to taste
2 T. chili powder
1 T. cumin
salt & pepper (does that make y'all start singing, "Salt & Peppa's here..."?)
2 cans rotel
2 cans tomato sauce

Brown ground round, onions & peppers, drain.
Put in crock pot and then add the rest.

Let it, I don't know, cook.

Picks up more flavor if you cook and then let sit in the fridge overnight.

Full Disclosure: I've never made this. Because I've never needed to cook for chili for an entire congregation. But I have eaten it and it was tasty.

Thank you, Nannie. You might want to start gathering a few more recipes for distribution. I like this better than me doing the work.

If anyone has any particular recipe category they'd like to see, just leave it in the comments. I aim to please.

Have a great weekend!  

Labels: cooking

I'll Quit Blogging About It When Everyone Gets Over It

I am so totally aware that you are ready for my family to be well so I will QUIT ALREADY.

I sort of feel that if I must suffer through it, then you all will suffer with me. Cause that's the kind of friend I am.

The Princess' fever is hovering between 101 and 104. The King is coughing and whining about being cold ALL THE TIME. I am having stinkin' hot flashes and am burning up.

So temperature regulation at The Palace is clearly not an issue.

I am sorry that I am going to continue complaining, but I've got a couple more things...

Is it too much to ask Lysol to make a disinfectant spray that doesn't smell like sick people? Here's what my research shows:

Crisp Linen: stinks
Early Morning Breeze: stinks
Spring Waterfall: stinks
Garden Mist: stinks
Summer Breeze: stinks
Country: really stinks
Original: there are no words

I know that I need the Evil Virus of Fever & Cough to be annihilated, but my house smells and my spraying has become touch and go.

Which makes me think of the very end of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -the Johnny Depp version -when he goes into the Bucket's house and he tells the grandparents..."you smell like old people. and soap...". That was my favorite part. Except for the squirrels.

Obviously, I'm now delusional.

Back to my rant.

The Princess slept with us and finally got to sleep last night at about 12:30. She woke up again about 3. Now, the time between 12:30 and 3 was not peaceful. She and The King were apparently having The Duel of The Cough to see whose could be deeper and louder. At 3 she took another dose of Motrin and wanted ice cold rags for her sweet feverish face. At 6 she was back up with the coughing. She woke up for good at 8:30.

I am not complaining about taking care of my sweet girl. It breaks my heart that she feels so bad. I would do whatever she needs. But...

...upon rising The Princess said, "Mom, why did you keep me up all night?"

I think this is what my parents refer to as payback.

Ok. I'm done. Thanks for your patience.

I hope you all have a fun and healthy weekend. I'll be posting the other 2 recipes from Nannie tomorrow.

Or maybe I'll post the recipes for jello, saltines and Sprite.

Labels: mindless rambling

The More Things Change...

My dad celebrated his birthday this week. Last night he brought over his new Ipod Nano for us to admire. But really he brought it over so we could show him how to use it.

He studied it for a moment and then asked, “Where does the music come out? How do you hear it?”

He is not that old. He should know better.

Which reminded me…

Of the time when I was in college and was test driving cars. I took one that I liked to my Papa’s house so that he could look it over. It had a CD player in the dash. (Um, that sentence made me sound geriatric.) He was certain that the slot was made for 45 speed records. He was so sure that he sent Nannie inside to get him a 45.

By the way, the speed at which she returned in the early 1990s with a 45 speed record was astonishing.

He took the 45 and tried cramming it in my dash. More than once. He also tried more than one 45.

And then he decided that the dash must’ve been made wrong.

Which makes me wonder…

When will technology pass me so fast that I never saw it coming?

And I know you are all thinking that perhaps it already has with this whole Mac mess and you are possibly correct.

Labels: mindless rambling

Short & Not So Sweet

This will be brief.

• The Princess is sick.  We are headed to the doctor.

• The King is sick.  He's to the grumpy stage.

• The person who said that you can easily transfer things from a pc to a mac is sick. Because you cannot.

• The Angel who cleans my house on occasion is sick.  Because she doesn't want to "climb our hill with the icy conditions".

And now I feel a little woozy due to the above-mentioned sicknesses.

Labels: mindless rambling

The Necessities

There are a few mandatory items that a Princess has to have in order to survive her new braces.

In other Palace news: The new Apple computer has arrived. In view of the fact that neither The King nor I know anything about the Mac world, we are remedially switching our stuff.

And The King is under the weather. Which makes for a really fun time of learning something new. With The Princess reminding us how her teeth feel every 48 seconds or so.

So I will probably spend the majority of the day in my closet.

Because we've got another "ice storm".

Oh, and Happy Birthday, Dad. My calendar has only chirped every 10 minutes reminding me that it's your birthday. I wonder why...

Labels: the princess

We've Failed a Generation

I had really not spent much time pondering the condtitions. And I feel some shame. How could I have let my daughter...no, her entire peer group, down? Why didn't I pass the torch?

I don't think I even lit the torch.

The torch of Roller Skating.

Our family attended a birthday party for our sweet 6-year-old cousin this weekend. It was a skating party. At a Roller Rink. Wheels -N- Motion, to be exact.

Pause. I must make a few observations about the Wheels -N- Motion before I can continue.

I feel pretty confident in saying that the Wheels -N- Motion has not had any improvements since its opening in 1978. It was as if my 6th grade year was frozen in time. I think that is a little weird.

And it is not because they were spending all their money on heat. If you are planning a party at the Wheels -N- Motion in the winter, my suggestion would be that you not schedule the first party of the day. As the heat is turned off at night. And it was 17 degrees outside. So it was a little chilly upon arrival.

Also, if you are, like, a teenager wanting a job where you sit and pretty much do nothing...you might want to try the Wheels -N- Motion.

But bring your coat.

Ok. Back to the collapse of my legacy.

Kids today are evidentally uneducated in the skills of roller skating. I know we've got Roller Blades and Healeys and such, but those are just a poor substitute for the real thing.

I had not strapped on a pair in 20 years, but my mad skills came right back. Well, maybe not right back. (There may be a few people reading this that were there so I feel I must back off my big talk.) But I did have mad skills. It took a few times around before I was confident that I could lean back on my back wheels without falling on my rump. And I didn't do my super duper spin move until I was presented with the choice of tripping over a small child or rock my move. But...kids today?

Not so good.

There were a few kids that brought their own roller blades, but all in all? Not a generation of skaters. In fact, the sweet birthday girl made a total of 3 laps.

They aired up the jumpy for a while and that briefly kept the kids' attention. The jumpy was in the middle of the rink. And was later deflated by the above mentioned teenager and left in the middle of the rink. Not a course hazard at all, dude.

The real fun came when the dude brought out the plasma cars for the kids. All of the kids ditched the skates and grabbed a car. So it was really easy to dodge 15 out of control kids and dodge the deflated bouncer and still have mad moves.

The King could barely walk this morning because his legs hurt.

I'm not sure if that makes me proud or if it embarrasses me.

But then I think of my mom dropping me and my friends off at the roller rink when I was in the 6th grade. We would be left for hours unattended. Now that I think about it? I'm not sure that good things were going on at the rink.

I think I just had a flashback.

Anyway. I cannot foresee me dropping The Princess and her posse at the Wheels -N- Motion for an evening, but I do think we will be having a few exercises in the discipline of mad skills.

That girl's got some big skates to fill.

Labels: mindless rambling, parenting