The Edible Arts

Cooking is my main "hobby" right now. I might not be like a french chef or have dishes you can hang in an art museum as some do, but I do enjoy cooking. 

ESPICIALLY BAKING!  LANI LOVES BAKING!

So whats a gal to do when she is trying to eat "healthy", yet so badly desires to bake up a storm? Baking healthy desserts is not only a step more difficult than normal, but also more expensive. So when times are tough, I go for normal. 

Though, I do believe this contributes to dieting issues and random gains. Even moreso when its nearing the end of the year. Season of the eating holidays. Throw two birthdays on top and you got a problem! 

And even though I know all of this, I still get a mad insane crazy kinda  desire to bake and cook up a storm. Maybe its a girl thing? Or a southern thing? Or just maybe, its just that I really enjoy doing it. 

EITHER WAY! I got a bad case of the bakings going on. I am thinking about so many things I want to do, not a one healthy! *sigh*. Wish they had a pill or powder you could use to instantly fix that. 

Until then.... I suppose I'll just suck it up and keep on keepin on. Cooking homemade chili, stews, cakes, cookies, making butter, frosting, or whatever else it is I think of. And keep on trying to diet on top of it. I'm sure eventually I'll find my way. :)

That Dog Won't Hunt....

The 3 little piggies... well, these are more the 3 little "at home" beauty myths...

MYTH ONE - SOCK CURLS..... 

Do they work? Well I have curly hair, I wanted my hair to look like they "fixed" curls in pictures though, but with no trouble. Found a pic on pinterest about "sock curls"...thought YES! THIS IS IT! 

....NO, NO IT WASN'T! Maybe it works on some. But I have banana curls type hair that WANTS to curl and is usually easy to fix. I even took advice by putting a little product in my hair and the results were just WEIRD! Odd shaped curls, if you could even call it that. it was more "humps" or "wave lumps". and YES  hubby, who does my hair since i have one arm, followed instructions.
BOMB


MYTH TWO - BAKING SODA PEROXODE TOOTHPASTE
The "at home" teeth whitening myth. NOPE! SORRY! While continued use of these could EVENTULLY whiten your teeth a few shades (long eventully), it does not do anything noticeable after a week, esp one 10 min use. BOMB!

(however, colgate optic white is great, loving it)


MYTH THREE - VINAGER PEROXIDE  VODKA OR/AND LEMON JUICE LIGHTEN YOUR HAIR
I think we all  know the answer to this one.... BOMB! No matter what mix I used, the result was more a result of them removing residue (vinager) than really lightening. Even after hours in sun for a week, It might have been 1/8th lighter than before. Not to mention bad for hair. BOMB!


........ NOW!!!!!!! TONIGHT I'M TRYING ANOTHER MYTH!

"Can tea/coffee really tint/dye your hair darker?"

LETS FIND OUT!
(I'LL GET BACK TOO YOU WITH PICS LATER....)

Ancient Aliens : Antagonistic Answers

Have you ever watched "ANCIENT ALIENS"?

I find this show both FASCINATING and also equally as FRUSTRATING! 

I'LL TRY TO MAKE THIS SHORT, CAUSE ITS EASY TO TALK HOURS ABOUT THEORIES....

Why is it ALL have to JUST  be ALIENS?!

Why can't ALL answers be partly TRUE? 

why must we pick ONLY ONE answer?

There are many many myths...how do we know there is not some truth in ALL OF THEM?

There is to much PARANORMAL mysteries shrouding the world and intermixed in our lives for there to be only one answer to everything. (ALIENS)

"Hair dude", as we jokingly call him, is really annoying and in my opinion, limited in his thoughts and insight. HE IS DIE HARD INSISTENT AND BORDERLINE INSULTING WHEN IT COMES TO HIS ONLY ANSWER TO EVERYTHING. 

Why does he seem so against religion? Why are there so many paranormal creatures with wings, even ones sighted like mothman and others, yet no angels?  Why does can't there be room for more than one freaky un-provable mythical paranormal creature? Why ONLY ALIENS? 

WHY ARE THEY THE ONLY ANSWER THAT'S EXCEPTED THAT THEY IMPLY THAT IS NOT STUPID SILLY OR CRAZY????

THAT IS ALL! jUST REALLY GET IRRITATED AT HIM!

weak minds beware of the hair guy.

I for one find my mind and spirit whispering  to me, hinting, suggesting that he is FULL OF ****!

Fresh Baked Breast

What is a woman?

There are many thoughts and opinions surrounding peoples ideal woman or idea of the perfect woman. These days, a woman can literally be anything that she wishes. A pilot, a police officer, a soldier, a professor, a doctor, a lawyer, a judge, even run for president! 

WE ARE WOMEN! HEAR US ROAR! 

Its lwoman being liberated that allowed us to make our own money, be left money from a dying relative, vote, play sports, go to college, etc. Now moms can work while dads stay at home! Now woman can even randomly decide to literally be a man.

BUT HAVE WE LOST SOMETHING WITH THIS FREEDOM?

THE CLASSIC IDEAL WOMAN

What ever happen to us ladies knowing how to cook, clean, do laundry, sew, iron, fold, dust, and all that we once knew? We no longer work to get dolled up for our husbands home comings, we no longer try to act dainty or lady like, we speak our minds too freely, we curse, smoke, and all other habits and deeds that are less becoming of the classic lady. 

There once were curves on almost every lass that were highly revered. For ages, hips, breasts, legs, rears, etc, were seen as a woman's beautiful art. Like a painting, once. Now we starve ourselves to the point we are skeletons with skin, and if curves are missing from over stimulated worked out bodies or starved off of us, we can inject or encourage them with enough money. Resulting in an unnatural appearance of underfed mixed with well developed. Starved was never meant to be attractive. No extreme should be. What happened to woman liking to be womanly? What was wrong with us embracing our femininity, sensuality, and overall womanliness that sets us apart from men? Our looks, our sounds, our smells, our touch, our thoughts, our nature, our talents and skills?

At one point woman practiced sewing, embroidery, painting, singing, music, reading, languages, dancing, cooking, and other such hobbies. We spent our days then being treated like a delicate and dainty fragile flower by all men. Yes there were alot of rules in place against our freedoms, no doubt. But these days we have all freedoms and little class. Even the rich are far less classy than they should be! Then we complain that "shivery is dead" and that men treat us different now. Of coarse they do, you wanted to be treated like his equal, act as such, so he is treating you like a fellow MAN. You asked for it, you can't complain!

WHY CAN'T THERE BE A MIDDLE GROUND?!

Shouldn't there be a place in the middle? Where we can cook, clean, sew and sing. Go to dances, dates and get dolled up. A place where we can be dainty as a daisy and treated as such...but still be free liberated STRONG women? Where you are free to earn your way, to vote, to opt out of children, to speak your mind, but not have lost all femininity and class. Not lose all that wonderful stuff that makes a good wife, a happy home, and a happy husband? 

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL...

I know that cooking, cleaning, ironing and sewing are not for all women. some of us cannot play the piano, or might be miserable sitting still long enough for embroidery. Some have not the steady hands to paint, the voice to carry a tune, or the feet for dancing. But would it hurt to do something, to try one of them? To act a little bit classic wife mixed with modern edge? Or even the other way around.

I always say... happiness is in the balance. 

Rant Ramble n' Roll

So first off, I have the cutest hubby! There was a forum post about posting pics of your sweet heart. I posted my hubs up and he was def better looking than most the pics posted. The forum topic stater herself said "your hubby is so cute". I WIN! In my eyes anyway.

Secondly, lets discuss the annual military ball. At the beginning i thought they would redeem themselves from last years mess. The first idea they spouted two weeks prior to the date, though short notice, SOUNDED FABULOUS! And affordable! Then..... YEP, theres a "then". THEN they send a letter at the about one week point saying they changed all the plans, which was going to end up costing 3 times more. NO WAY! PLUS i DID NOT AGREE WITH THE CHANGES. VERY UPSET! Only good part is that it was causing us stress to prepare for (including extreme diet) since it was such short notice.

Thirdly... my 30th bday is this year! Unsure how i feel about turning 30. But i think I look great for my age and have THE BEST HUBBY EVER and a great family. My life is good. Thats really what matters, being happy. And I am. 

hugs.

oh, quick rant......

I love how ppl assume right off the bat that all girls everywhere are by nature, default, jealous of super thin shapeless skeleton girls. I got in a bit of trouble in a forum post for saying a picture posted reminded me that i did not understand why girls do not want to look like goddesses or lingerie models or pin ups but instead look like consentration camp survivers. its not healthy. why would i be jealous? its easy to cheat and look like that. stop eating...bam ugly thin. i want to be like the beauties in origanal star trek, the comic book women, the paintings, the swimsuit and pin up models. CURVES. i want and envy real curvey woman, not sticks. I'll admit when I'm envious of someone, but with "props" to them. I don't see any shame in being honest. I'm always honest. I dont fake who I am I love it. I love me, and I DO NOT APOLOGIZE for my thoughts EVER! I'm allowed them d****t! So are you, just when someone calls me a sick jealous b***h or starts spouting off like they know me "its for this reason she said that' that i go nuts. I chewed (and my mom) out a head dr for that before. He wanted to give me pills and not talk, i paid him for both but got 5 mins of him yelling at me then throwing pills at me. So I snapped. He knew nothing about me, and got me so WRONG. 

YOU WANT TO KNOW? ASK! I'LL TELL YOU THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY, THE LOVELY...THE TRUTH. I'M GREAT AND HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE. 

anyway night all.

This Will Be Short.... Oops.. I meant HUGE

So a pal on a social site was doing differant "male appeal" questions. The most popular of the 3 questions he asked was the 3rd....


DOES SIZE MATTER LADIES???
an almost sweepingly overwelming response from both virgins and non-virgins alike came back with "YES"

MOST ladies said "average or better"
out of about 50 instant replies there might have been one poor girl just trying to be nice that said something along the lines of "not really, only if its all about .... (you know)"

(I'll leave out my personal participation in this, but I'm very well blessed in my marriage so ya, no need to get dirty.) Though I will tell you the responses tickled me to no end.

So this blog might not be the friendliest blog for certian types of folks to read. Proper, older, too young, easily offended, or wrongsiders.

To the 'wrongsiders" as I'll call you. This is modern times, there is plenty of choices of help for various price ranges.

Also, lets face it.... though thats a particullarly fantastic part of a relationship... IT REALLY IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART! Treatment of each other is far more important. Esp TO WOMEN.

Women ADORE being pampered. Being treated like a best friend, a lady, and your world. In the long run that IS the MOST important thing.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE, MOST GIRLS DID NOT WANT ANY EXTREME. THAT INCLUDES THE UPPER HANED SIDE. So I guess in the long run, THE MIDDLE ROAD GUYS...WIN


THE OTHER QUESTIONS?

SIMPLIFIED - RUFF N TUFF, OR SENSITIVE?
this one was close. NO women WANTED to say just one. but many when forced did chose SENSITIVE. Though overwelmingly the REAL answer is A MIX OF BOTH. STRONG AND SWEET.

TIGHT JEANS AND TRIMMED BROWS?
Well, being friends closed survey, this one might not have been fair to all styles all people are in to. But it was a pretty overwelming NO for the tight pants. THE BROWS? Most women did NOT like the idea of a uni and were up for trims on that aspect for a man. HOWEVER .... most did not like sagging pants either. Also a mixed bag answer.


AS 1 WOMEN RESPONDED "DON'T YOU KNOW WE ARE WOMEN...WE WANT IT ALL!"





So I guess in the long run, THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD GUYS...WIN. BALANCE IS THE KEY. LIKE GOLDY LOCKS SAID "THIS ONES JUST RIGHT".....


thats all.

LD

Bust A (New) Move

EXERCISE 

It is important for a good healthy attractive body. 

Most people have routines and specific favorite workouts or activities that blast calories away or tone muscle. It is usually against most peoples nature to vary in their routines to much. Although, it is suggested in recent studies that it might be good for your metabolism. 

Apparently your body is just designed to get use to things. If you eat a routine diet (and are trying to lose weight) your body will adjust and you may plateau. Its suggested that this can happen with most work out routines also. Which was specifically why p90x was created actually. 

I personally have restless life syndrome, I have trouble developing ANY routine ever. In fact my mind seems to reject routines so much so I won't wake up the same time, get sleepy the same time, or do ANYTHING the same way twice. 

(with of coarse the exception to a few minor anal tendencies, like making my pbj)

So, I think though I have an edge on most folks by switching my workouts up constantly, I do feel that it is heathier to have developed a basic routine or pattern in life. Life is always about balance. A healthy balance is actually the answer to most questions in life. 

So while most need to work on "switching it up", I need to reel in my ADD and spontaneity and try to carve out myself some healthy daily and weekly rituals. 

Every man has their quest. :)

ld

Shut Your Mouth

There was a crude "southern" saying that goes "Opinions are like a*holes, everybody has got one"

Now, excusing that, let me make my point. Everyone has something to say about everything, it does not mean you need to listen. Most people are under the impression that THEIR opinion is in fact the RIGHT one. That they know what they are talking about, that their "experience" in said field, or roadside knowledge, will be fitting and helpful to you and your situation.

NOT TRUE!

Take all opinions with a grain of salt. Do not ever follow advice of an average flawed human being. Take heed, listen, keep it in mind. But leave it at that. 

ALWAYS FORM YOUR OWN OPINION, YOUR OWN CONCLUSION. 

------------------------

There are in fact people who inspired this rant. My husband and I get quite interesting responses from others based on our way of handling our marriage. We love each other, and our life together, and neither is unhappy or sees any flaw. However, outsiders opinions vary. Mostly by sex, and who it is they are addressing.

WOMEN will talk to Jacob, and oppose. They do not like him having me be his right hand man/secretary. Handling all bills, paperwork, files, information, and all other icky duties that stress him out. they say he needs to be grown up and independent and handle it himself. Funny to me, I though being married meant being a team and working together for each other and a common goal of happiness, not selfish behavior and self serving independence. 

I find women talking to me, never understand why I go through so much stress and effort for him. "Why are you doing it all, he can do it, he is grown." Acting like I'm being his slave, or he is using me. I think that most women are to worried about liberation, independence, and their own happiness. and to many not worried about their partners happiness. 

MEN talking to Jacob are shocked and jealous, thinking Jacob has it made. Acting like he is spoiled and lucky to find someone who is so concerned with helping him. Complaining, often times, that their spouse or partner would not help them out like that. Even more so if they are single. To them, I am considered "the cool wife". Even with the men talking to me, its the same, "Jacob is a lucky man". 

On the reverse, often times Jacobs "rules" are misunderstood, as are his gifts to me. Outsiders either view him as an overly strict controlling husband, or as a chump for buying me things. 

These misunderstanding are from people only having a few curious pieces of our love puzzle and trying to guess from the few random scattered bits of information they believe they have gathered.  so from there bitter unhappy selfish viewpoints, they often times guess very wrong. 

IT WAS NO SURPRISE TO ME, WHEN I LEARNED SOME OF THE NAY SAYING WOMEN WERE PREVIOUS DIVORCEES. 

With there queenly nagging mouthy attitudes, its not at all strange to learn they disapprove of the way I spoil Jacob. If they approved, I'd think I might be in trouble. Where as the happy wives of strong marriages, as well the husbands, are more inclined to agree "yes, thats exactly how we do it", or "we are the same way". They will usually see our hearts and love in our actions, and see past the outside. More likely to agree with the way we do things, because of seeing why they were done. 

Its no ones business, but I put so much effort into Jacob because I've seen him struggle with stress and unhappiness when he is left to deal with the boring important bs work. Not that it doesn't stress me out as well, but as a couple you should know your strengths, and I handle life stresses as these much better than Jacob. So, since I'm only a house wife, with no children of human origin to care for, why not? I myself am not perfect, I do make mistakes, but Jacob is not quick to criticize since he loathes doing what I'm doing so much. If I was to be working, the more I worked, the more the duties would be split accordingly. 

Its about not only a fair balance, but A HAPPY BALANCE.

You take on what you know you can handle, and that they cannot. Being married works best when you both emphasize each others strengths, and make up for each others weaknesses. Not the other way around. 

IN MY MIND  - the husband is solely responsible 100% for the wife's happiness and care.

and the wife is solely responsible 100% for the husbands happiness and care. 

If you are both using all your power to look after each others happiness, then both are being properly fulfilled and taken care of. And the love and care from another is far more pure than the love of yourself. 

So, while I do not pretend to know everything, and this is merely my opinion and meant to be taken equally with a grain of salt, I still feel the need to clear up my thoughts on the matter. 

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART.

XOXO

LD

My Celebrity "Girl Crush"

well... one of them.... 

Joanna Garcia

She is the stinkin cutest faced actress I have ever seen. I watched a cheesy movie today she was in, and use to love watching her in Reba. The movie was "Revenge of the Bridesmaids". 

everyhair color, every shot of her I think is adorable. Also, you'll notice - NOT BONE THIN OR BOY LIKE!

She carries healthy weight on her. And what amazing hair!

she is short like me and has feet that remind me of mine too. though ppl pick at her for that. gosh, they are JUST feet, not crocked boobs or a saggy butt. 

she likes to switch hair colors often I noticed, and rocks them all. but also like me, she looks fab in reds and blondes.

hard to see from this, but watch enough reba or movies and you'll see she has got some junk in her trunk too. round booty.

curves style, fantastic smile. and i think what i'd guess to be a cute personality based on what i can tell comes through in her acting.

that is all. just me giving some blog space to my girl Joanne G. An under hired adorable actress! 

20 Dreams For The Future - Pictures

20 things? now its 20 dreams.

1. 

to have a cute small (under 2000 square feet) home in the city of Atlanta. Preferably one made of brick or stone, those are stronger, prettier and both our faves! Apparently rich often agree, since most rich houses are made of stucco, brick, rock, etc, in muted neutral tones (well, other tones as well, but the muted neutrals are the most breathtaking.)

2. 

perfectly manacured well cared for healthy lawn ... oh and as this lawn shows the beauty of, tall fescue. jacob says he wants to be like hank hill from king of the hill.

3.

a gazeebo. Jacob really wants one in our yard if we can, he says it will be romantic. :)

4. 

a red front door. i always loved the way it looks, so warm and welcoming. its like your being called or pulled to it. 

5.

A bright white warm (warmer than most white kitchens) inviting perfect organized chefs dream kitchen complete with a GAS RANGE, copper cookware, wall ovens, organisation options, nice pantry and maybe even the hidden fridge like the last pic. old world style, chefs dream with top of the line everything. either wolf range or the pretty ones from williams sonoma. and sub zero fridge maybe too. copper farm sink like last pic sounds fabu. def want farm sink. bright lights, hate dark kitchens. bathrooms and kitchens should be bright!

6.

to be both sexy and sophisticated, all the while maintaining the magic that is Elena. (me)

7.

to eventually have my fall beach sunset "enchanted evening" cozy little dream wedding. since we never had a wedding, but are married already, mine will be a vow renewal. the above 6 pictures best describe my plan. basically. jewel toned colors, champagne/pale gold dress for me, jewel tones for maids, neutral bouquet for them, jewel toned for me, at dusk will be wedding, not dark not light, reception follows same location. 20 ppl limit, 3 maids. sparklers instead of rice or bubbles. and fireworks at reception. will want a reception dress too. candle lit (see above) area and tables. and chocolate butter cream cake, no fondant, fresh flowers. invitations will be enchanting messages in bottles. will have acoustic guitar musician. grooms cake will be fancy cheesecake. i'm snipping the pizza and beer, that was before when we were thinking "quickie". now i am rethinking food. less likely to be sit down dinner though.

8.

atlanta police. jacob wishes to be a k-9 unit in the future. 

9.

to work at a cute lil' bakery in town part time. (most my time goes to hubby and wifey stuff)

10.

to own a full breed pembroke welsh corgi with the red coat and proper leg height/ear spacing.

11.

 to travel. everywhere.

12.

motor scooter. for town travel.

13.

won't stop till i got the body of a hottie. i got the potential, but do i got the discipline? hmm, unsure. we'll see when things aren't so tight and tense. 

14.

http://pinterest.com/chipmunk/my-style/

a fabu closet with super fantastical clothing. 

15.

fantastic painting (and sculpting) skills. hobby stuff. all the creative things. 

WHEW.... ONLY FIVE MORE TO GO. bathroom break. 

--- INTERMISSION --

Okay, I'm back. I had to eat dinner as well. Lets get back to the rest. 

16.

to have EXTRA long beautiful hair. hopefully i can dye it again eventully, but i guess hubbys dying ban is helping keep my hair healthy enough to grow out nice. :) stop at waist though, any longer would look bad on me. small head and long torso, so it would be weird. 

17.

swim with dolphins, see the whales. scuba with turtles. all that mess. yes yes.

18.

to own a beach home. for either vacation, or at least maybe eventually retire to the beach. since the likelihood of us being able to afford two homes at once is poor. lol. retiring there would be fabulous! if we are old, and jacob gets bald, he can no longer complain about the effects of salty sea air on his hair. lol. GOD I LOVE BEACHES! THEY MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR TRAPPED IN YOUR MOST PLEASANT DREAM EVER. THEY ARE MADE OF PURE CONCENTRATED HAPPY.

19.

to own an in ground pool. preferably one like either of the last two. not if we retire to beach though. separate from beach. you don't need both. jacob prefers ones like the last one. or kidney he has mentioned. def going with pacers or stones around not concrete or wood.

20.

pooks and i grow old together happily in deep love. soul mates forever. still as passionate as day one. :)

the best life ever is the one you spent in love. 

ok, well those are my twenty dream things. ENJOY!

LD