For Linda :)

Marty Bars

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. soda
1 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 beaten eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
*Mix flour, sugar and soda. Put aside. In saucepan, mix butter, water and cocoa. Bring to a boil. Pour over flour mixture and mix well. Add buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Pour into greased and floured 10X15 jelly roll pan or two 9X13 pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cool completely.
Filling:
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 cup room temperature butter
1 Tbsp. coconut flavoring
*Mix well and spread on completely cooled bars. Chill.
Glaze:
1 cup butter
12 oz. milk chocolate chips
2 tsp. vanilla extract
*Melt butter and chipc. Add vanilla and spread evenly over bars. Return to frig to chill completely before cutting into squares. (These freeze beautifully.)

Bedroom Update

I've been looking at my comforter lately and thinking it's getting kind of tired looking. Darla and I went shopping in Bismarck Tuesday (fun, fun day!) and I happened upon a set I really liked. The walls in my bedroom are painted turquoise and there are a million shades of turquoise so I was worried it wasn't going to match the walls and I'd have to have them painted.

Much to my delight, the set goes beautifully with the paint color!! AND the best part is that it was originally $449 and on sale for half off. And then I got another 15% off for using my Kohl's charge :)

This is the one :) If you run your mouse over the picture, you can see the sewing details in it.

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/bedandbath/comfortersbedspreads/sets/traditional/PRD~c16308/Ferrara+20pc+Geometric+Bed+Set.jsp#

Queen of the Mountain

I'm so sick of snow!

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

Today I had one of the most relaxing, chatty, yummy lunches I've had in a long time :) My friend Darla took me out for lunch for my birthday and I had the best time. I talked so much I only had time to eat half my lunch. Not only that but she gave me a cool wine bottle holder from Costa Rica and a bottle of moscato :) I love spending time with her!

Last week I got to spend a lot of time with Jane, Marty and Darley who are about as nice as people can be. I love being with them :)

I had a fun, chatty lunch with Joe, Paul, Ellen and my Mom yesterday. It's always so much fun to get together with my siblings :)

And I have to give my buddy Marilyn a big thank you for hauling three shirts home from Minot, altering them and delivering them to my hotel in Minneapolis. Also she and Jon picked us up at our hotel on the return trip and entertained us all day before hauling us and all our stuff to the train station. That's going above and beyond the call of duty! Thank you both, so much!! I loved being able to spend time with you :)

I am such a lucky woman to have so many wonderful friends!! Thank you all for being my friends :)

Buffalo Soldier,

Dreadlock Rasta.

This is Gladstone. Darley and I met him at a bar while we were shopping in Ocho Rios. He was playing guitar and singing Bob Marley tunes for tips. We struck up a conversation and he told us about his family, especially his grandmother. Told me I reminded him of her. I took it as a compliment because he was remembering his grandmother from when he was much younger. Nice guy. I talked him into drinking Patron shots with me but he whimped out after one. Didn't stop me.

I also met the owner of the bar who was probably in his mid thirties. He was from India and had been living in Jamaica for 6 years. He repeated his name several times but I had had one too many Patron shots so I couldn't pronounce it. I asked if I could call him Sam. Nice guy.

When we left, I got a hug from Gladstone and Sam's business card where after his name and address, he had written Sam followed by his cell number. I don't know if he thought I was so drunk I might get in a jam and need help or if he just thought I would come back and buy Patron shots in his bar again. Whatever, I enjoyed visting with them both.

Jamaica 2011

On My Way!!!

I start the first part of my journey to Jamaica later tonight. I'm taking the train to Minneapolis and will arrive bright and early tomorrow morning.

After spending a day there (and having dinner with Mar!!), we'll be flying out to Jamaica early Friday morning. Reggae and rum, can't wait!!!