Life...

 ...interrupted

This says it all. The phone call, the decision, the risk, the loss. I flew to Fla. to take care of my mom. Except for an intermission to fly home for Jamie's wedding, this is my home until at least the end of April. I've left my comforts behind-my patient and loving husband, Austin, my job, my life, to fix two broken lives-my mom and dad. My brother and his wife are patiently dealing with a father who's brain is riddled with dementia and me-dealing with a shell of a woman otherwise known as my mom who is succumbing faster and faster to depression. I followed my head and my heart-they both told me that this is where I need to be-at this moment in time. It makes my heart sad-all of it, losing my parents of yesterday, the time away from my love, Austin who is getting "grow-up" lesson 101 in the crudest of manners. All I see at the moment is papers and numbers and appointments to make-I need a sign-a sign that will soothe my broken heart. 

xo

Kelly

Crazy hair...

...day

It was crazy hair day at school today...

...why should the kids have ALL the fun!?

Happy (hair) snapping!

xo

Kelly
btw...i've been getting a ridiculous amount of spam and I inadvertently deleted several post comments. I apologize...know it's nothing personal...just my quick fingers...

Fridays...

...letters

Dear Spring,

Thank you for showing up in So. Cal on time. So many friends still have snow and although beautiful to look at, I think I'd rather smell the sweetness of your blooms.

Dear Depression AND Dementia,

I hate you both. You are stealing my mom AND dad right out from under my nose and robbing them of their lives. Really? At the same time? Do you know how painful it is to call my mom and dad night after night and deal with the shit you are dealing me? They are NOT who they were just a year ago. You just take and take and take some more. I'm left with these shells of people that I don't even recognize. The really crappy thing is, I know you're not even done with them yet. I think I can speak for all my family members and tell you...

You both suck.

Dear Wine,

Thank you...that's all

Dear Jamie,

One more sleep till your bridal shower! I love getting on a bird to fly knowing you'll be at the other end to greet me. (giddy-ness)

Dear antibiotics,

Thank you. You done good!

Linking up with Ashley over at:

Happy (spring) snapping!

xo

Kelly

An Irish...

...Blessing

May you alway walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.

I love how people embrace the luck o' the Irish today even though there might not be a lick of Irish in them. Not that I know much about my Irish roots...but they're there-It started with 

2nd Lt. Robert Crooks of the Irish Army.

 (my maiden name is Crooks) 

Pretty cool huh?

I had honest intentions of attempting the scavenger hunt today...but this sinus & upper respiratory infection has knocked me for a loop. Today is the 1st day that I feel the Semi truck that keeps running me over has moved on to greener pastures! At any rate, 

 May Irish eyes smile sweetly on you today.

Happy (shamrock) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Dear...

...Friday

I read over at Deanna's, this cool idea about summing up the week in a unique way called "Friday's Letters." She found it on another blog as a way young mothers connect and share advice about...well...being young mothers. Super cool idea but I'm by no means a young mom, and like Deanna, I have my own interpretation of this rather fun way of summing up the week.

Dear Sinus & Upper Respiratory Infections,

2 words...GO AWAY. I've suffered for 3 weeks and I'm really tired of being sick.

Dear Antibiotics, Inhaler & Cough Medicine,

 You have a big job and I need it done before next weekend. You see my sweet baby girl's bridal shower is Sat. and I CAN NOT be sick for that.

Dear Mother Nature, 

You have blessed me with another round of critters and I will  take such good care of them. You know how much I adore these babies!

Dear Naval Academy,

You are making us all crazy. We're waiting on pins and needles for an answer from you. Austin has worked SO hard for this and he's ready to commit a lifetime to the Navy. You are getting a really good deal with this one.

Dear Yahuda,

You make THE BEST gluten free matzo! Enough said!

Dear Matilda,

I hope you are enjoying your stay at the repair spa. Hurry home all fixed and ready to shoot ok?

Happy Snapping!

xo

Kelly

Only I...

...could turn making sugar cookies into a 3 day event!

I decided to make make sugar cookies...

...& thought butterflies and fish...complete with eyes would be fun. (I'm quirky that way)

That was 3 days ago!

I don't EVER remember making these things all in one day. Some IGer's got me!

The dough one day, baking the next... 

...& finally decorating...on day 3!

Those of you that follow Bakerella...

...I'm NOT her! (snicker)

But I DO make good sugar cookies...

...even if they are kinda creepy!

After all...these are for Austin's lunch...and he could care less. As long as they aren't "girly"!

They make pretty snowflake cookies in the winter.

I'm pretty sure this is the last sugar cookie recipe you'll ever use. I do let the dough come to room temp. before rolling out. If you try this at home...let me know! I'd love to hear from you. Send me a link to your blog or IG.

Enjoy and have fun!

Happy (sugar cookie) snapping!

xo

Kelly

*SUGAR COOKIES*

CREAM TOGETHER:

1 C Unsalted Butter

2/3 C. Sugar

BEAT IN:

1 Egg

COMBINE & ADD:

1 tsp Vanilla

2 1/2 C. Sifted Flour

Mix until ingredients are well-blended. Chill dough 3-4 hrs. before rolling. 

Pre-heat oven to 350*

Roll out on lightly floured surface & cut. Bake for about 8~10 min.

or until barely colored.

FROSTING

3/4 C Powdered Sugar

1TBSP Unsalted Butter

1 TBSP Milk, 1/2 tsp Vanilla, 1/4 tsp fresh Lemon Jce

a tad of Lemon Zest

Melt butter, stir all ingredients to combine until smooth.

(I stir ingredients in a mixing cup & place cup in a bowl of HOT water to keep frosting spreadable)

10 things...

...I'm proud of

I'm playing over at Stasha's today

1. My marriage-It will be 20 years for Frankie & I this August. I love my man so much my heart hurts.

2. Our kids-wow are we ever lucky to have 3 amazing, thriving, happy, children. *Justin in the USAF serving in Korea, Jamie getting married 4-19 & Austin passed his driving test today!

3. Me-Yup...I've had some pretty crappy things happen-but I have survived & still smiling!

4. My photography-I can finally say it out loud and not under my breath-I am a photographer!

5. My job-I LOVE what I do...helping 1st and 2nd graders understand Math and English. I wish there was a "me" around when I was in school.

6. My cooking...seriously!

7. My love of Nature & raising Monarchs

8. I don't spend money...I save and save and save...

9. I marvel at the small things

10. finishing this list...seriously!

Happy Snapping!

xo

Kelly

It's in...

...the bag

Happy Sunday friends. 

You might find this the weirdest blog entry...ever...from anyone! I wasn't even going to write about it but it kept gnawing at me- and then I realized this is a BIG deal {to me anyway!}

I went grocery shopping yesterday and among the items on my list was lunch bags-I had to choose between 100 pack or a 50 pack. That got me to thinking...Holy cow...

THIS IS THE LAST PACK OF PAPER LUNCH BAGS I WLL EVER HAVE TO BUY

Austin has barely over 50 days of school left-I got my calculator out and figured I have packed 2,160 lunches~give or take some for sick days. Austin pretty much ate PB&honey sandwiches for about 1,620 of those lunches. When he joined the swim team, he ate manly man meat and cheese sandwiches. It's strange that paper bags would lead to such a "Mom" moment for me. That's how I roll! My time for packing lunches is just about up...wow...so is driving Austin to & and from school-that's also 2,160 times...give or take sick days. 

I'm such a nerd!

I told you this was a weird entry!

Happy (lunch packing) snapping!

xo

Kelly