14

"The first time ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes

And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

To the dark and the empty skies, my love" - Celine Dion 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'

Today 'Cole turned 14. She has been my daughter since she was 4 years old. I cannot imagine my life without her. She has brought me so much joy. I look at the young woman she is becoming and I stand amazed. She has overcame so much, she has a fighter's spirit and a dreamer's heart. A beautiful person, with a little teenage goofiness thrown in for good measure.

Even when she's being a teenage pain in my butt, I can look at her and see a future filled with wonderful things.

My love...I hope you have a wonderful year.

"When I see you smile

I can face the world, oh oh,

You know I can do anything

When I see you smile I see a ray of light, Oh oh, I see it shining right through the rain

When I see you smile

Oh yeah, baby when I see you smile at me" - Bad English 'When I See You Smile"

Note To Self

Next time you have Baby Doll Bath Day please remember NOT to give a full 32 oz. bottle of shampoo to the small children. They WILL use it all. The bathtub WILL be completely full of bubbles. The small children will be covered in bubbles, as will the bathroom floor. It will not be a pretty picture.

And remember...
You cannot be mad/upset with the children because you were the idiot who gave them a full 32 oz. bottle of shampoo.

That is all.

Top 10 Favorite Cooking Websites

I love to cook. My biggest problem is figuring out what to cook. So when I'm standing in the kitchen, looking around lost and confused, I head to my computer to browse around these sites.
Happy Cooking !

Menus4Moms- What could possibly be better than to have the menu, recipes and grocery list right there in front of you ?? Nothing. This site is great lots of family-friendly recipes.

1. AllRecipes- One of the first recipe sites I found many moons ago. Still one of my favorites.

2. Williams-Sonoma- While dreaming about expensive cookware, I stumbled upon this company's recipe section and I've been hooked ever since. So lovely.

3. Joy of Baking- OMGoodness...so many sweets, so little time.

4. Food Network- Granny's tv is usually on this channel most of the time.

5. The Pioneer Woman Cooks- This is a new favorite. Step by step instructions, pictures and humor...who could ask for anything more ?

6. MyRecipes- This site is ran by those lovely people who publish Southern Living and Cooking Light. Nice sized recipe collection.

7. Just Slow Cooking- No frills, No pictures. Just tons of recipes for the slow cooker.

8. Bed and Breakfast Inns Online- Nothing like a good breakfast to get ya going. Also has some lunch and dinner recipes.

9. Meals.com - 15,000 recipes. Dinner time heaven.

10. CopyKat Recipes- Recipes from your favorite restaurants (and more).

HONORABLE MENTION

KraftFoods.com

Taste of Home

Family Circle/Parents.com- Too many advertisements, but still an OK site.

RecipeZaar

Whole Food Market - Recently found this site and started looking through the recipes.

Betty Crocker - I couldn't forget Betty. My first cook book was a Betty Crocker cookbook. Sigh.....such memories.