Fab Friday / Happy 4th of July!

Today's Fab Friday is all things 4th of July. If you want to join in the fun, go to Well, That's Just Fabulous and leave a comment and grab the fun little header and share what makes your 4th of July fab.

I love everything about the 4th of July. Everything!

We sleep late, swim, bbq, and swim again until it gets dark out. Everyone grabs a chair and makes their way to the front lawn for fireworks.

As a kid we used to have big parties, all the family over and tons of friends. I would sit on the bed of my dads truck and watch the fireworks... lots of fireworks... hours of fireworks.

We make a special 4th of July dessert every year, like this yummy but sloppy looking cake. Ugly but so good!

Every single year we wait until the last minute to buy fireworks. Why? I don't know, it's just something that's been done for the past few years. We don't buy as many fireworks as we used to since the thrill isn't the same as when we were kids, but we do still get up and run around when the flashers are going off. If you don't know what the effect is, look at the below picture. Flashers have a way of stopping time and making you seem like you're in slow motion like an action movie. My sister and I usually are the only ones that will get up and run around in the street like crazy people!

This is what makes me love the 4th and all it's fab traditions. I love America!

Happy 4th of July bloggy world!

Blessings today to you and America!

Fab Friday

If you don't know what Fab Friday is, click on the button and join Danielle at Well, That's Just Fabulous!

This weeks Fab Friday is...
I too, like Danielle, love old photos. I wish I was home or even had time to dig through the ones that I love, but was so lucky to have some of my favorites already scanned online!

This photo is framed and on my desk at work. I.love.it. This was taken in the early years of my mom and dad's relationship, almost 40 years ago. The sailor and Kelly girl.

This weekend will mark two years since my Grandma passed away; of course the grief of her leaving has lessened over the years and been replaced by memories with a once in a while moment of sadness. But in honor of her, I wanted to post my two favorite photos.

My Grandma with me and my siblings. I'm the one crying because I probably didn't get my way.
The day I was born. My Grandma is looking on in the background. I love this photo.

I love my camera and I take it pretty much everywhere important. I've been so bad at updating my photo blog. so bad. This photo is California all the way. A day at the beach, soaking up the sun with my sisters, Heaven on earth.

Have a FABULOUS Friday and weekend!

Fabulous Friday is Here!

I missed last weeks Fabulous Friday but caught this Friday's.

Danielle at Well, That's Just Fabulous started this fun Friday routine. If you want to join, click the above button and add your name to the list.

I have so many that I can list but here are the top 4 fab treats that I enjoy during the summer.

Mocha Smoothies- When at California Adventure, I love stopping over at Schmoozie's in "Hollywood". The best mocha smoothies can be found here. I couldn't get a picture of the actual smoothie, but here is the little stand that is usually packed.

Nut n' Honey smoothie- Oh.So.Good. I've made this several times and still can't get enough of it. Last Summer, the Rachel Ray mag had a section for shakes/smoothies and this was one that was listed. All the other Fab Summer Treats I mention can only be tried if you live locally, but this one you can do at home. And you really must because it's that good.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons honey (I usually add a little more)
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
Directions:
Using a blender, mix the almonds, milk, peanut butter and honey on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the ice cubes and blend until slushy, about 15 seconds.

Pistachio Gelato - Everyone knows that I eat Gelato year round. There's this little place in Orange County that makes the BEST Gelato. Fresh daily. Look at this picture and tell me if you can resist?

Italian Ice - I am not a big fan of Italian Ice. This little stand close to Disneyland has been open for a couple of summers and I went for the first time last weekend. I now found a bad addiction. The ice cream and ice is scrumptious!

Did I mention that I love summer? Beaches, sunshine, picnics, vacations... Summer couldn't come fast enough this year.

ALSO - If you're interested in a really awesome giveaway. Click on the below button and ENTER to win a Standard blog makeover OR stationary designed by the...

I hope I win. Okaaaay, I hope you win too. Let's just all WIN together! :)

Fabulous Friday and Then Some...

Fabulous Summer TV Shows!

If you want to join, click the above button and leave a comment.

I haven't been following very many TV shows recently, just don't have the time. But I did start watching...

Little People*, Just Married* on TLC*

I love the interaction between the two and the fact that she's a doctor! Just blows my mind.

Wipeout* on ABC*
This show aired on Tuesday nights last summer, our Weight* Watcher* meeting night. All of us that did Weight Watchers would gather around and watch this and just die laughing. It was a good distraction from snacking and what not.

The Baby Borrowers* on NBC*

I thought this was going to be a corny show, teens trying to be parents... It turned out to be very interesting. Some teens made it, some didn't. Goes to show you that teens now days aren't always fit to be parents.

Jon* & Kate Plus* 8 on TLC*

I will always love this show. No matter the mess that is surrounding it. I even own it on DVD! Yes, I do. I told someone that last night and they laughed and said, "Are you serious?". I would DVR it every Monday at 6PM. Come home from work, get some dinner together and watch it. This show was my Monday evening relaxer. I hope they work things out...

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My sister's bridal shower was May 15th, the theme was Costa Rican since this is where she is going on her honeymoon. The bridesmaids and our church ladies joined in the efforts and let me just say it got wild. But so much fun!

I got her this... of course the full picture wouldn't be on here... ;)



The following night we had a girls night. Just the Bride and Bridesmaids. We went to the Spaghetti Factory in Newport since we are all on a budget with having to pay for the party the night before AND our tickets to the wedding. The food was delish and I didn't take pictures with my good camera, so nothing to show for it if you don't count the extra pound hanging around my behind.

We went back home and had another spread. Another spread. My cousin made virgin margaritas since most of us don't drink. So yummy!
All in all it was a crazyfun night with some wild stunts and extra crazy gifts for the bride-to-be.

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Memorial weekend was a busy one. Emotional and tiring, but Memorial Day turned out to be oh so nice! We went to our local fair for some good food, BBQ'd shish kabobs and corn and swam. The day had to be the most perfect weather of the year.

I did take one little thing to bed with me that night...

This is me and my sunburn. Darn thing.

Fabulous Friday - Sunglasses

It's Fabulous Friday again!

This Friday is about Fabulous Sunglasses. I love sunglasses and used to buy them when I didn't need a new pair, I'd break em' or lose em' and re-buy em'. Complete waste of money. I found out my vision was not 20/20 a few years back and I was in fact looking at a blurry world, I wasn't aware of this until I put on a pair of glasses and realized that the lights and trees and everything around me wasn't supposed to be blurry. So that ended my sunglasses shopping. I bought one pair of prescription sunglasses at the same time of my regular glasses. They were practical and plain ol' ugly. They fell apart a couple of days ago... guess what that means? New glasses! Cute ones. I've been looking around and I. Love. these!


Dolce* & *Gabbana prescription sunglasses. They would go perfect with my face shape and I prefer brown over black or any other color.


This Bur*berry style was my first choice when I went into the store, but I'm not too sure now...

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Fabulous Friday - Candy

Danielle at That's Just Fabulous is starting a new Friday themed post...

I signed up to join and let you all in on my choice for FABULOUS CANDY. Okay so truth be told, I am not a big candy person. I prefer chocolate. BUT there is one candy that I just can't help but eat.

As a little girl, I used to eat these like crazy while my lips and tounge turned red and I begged for water. As a young teenager, I would rub the candy on my lips to make them turn red; the things you resort to when you have pale lips and can't wear lipstick! Beyond all that, they tasted so good.

If you want to join in this Fabulous Candy Friday, click on the button above.