The Other Side of Fifty

Cooler Corn and Giveaway Winner!

2012-06-01T10:13:00.004-05:00

If you know me personally (and some of the rest of you may have even figured this out by reading my online ramblings,) you are no doubt already aware that I'm just. not. right. I mean, I'm harmless and never, ever malicious in thought, word or deed, but I'm just. not. right. I don't think or reason in the same way that most people consider "normal." Things happen in my head that don't happen

Fifty Shades of Disgust

2012-05-25T08:42:00.002-05:00

I haven't written a weekend whine for quite awhile and felt it was about time to not only up the quantity of whines, but get something off of my chest that has nothing to do with breast cancer. 'Bout time, eh? See that? Have you read it? Have you heard about it? Relax if you haven't read it and plan to, as I have no intention of spoiling your fun by giving away the plot. I'm merely posting my (

It's A (For)Giveaway!

2012-05-10T11:02:00.008-05:00

I know.... I KNOW! I haven't posted in like FOREVER! And now I waltz in here and expect you guys to just look at me!!... look at me!!! OK, first of all, I truly have missed you all. I even dream about you because I miss you so much. Oh relax... everyone always has their clothes on and nobody's missing any teeth. Secondly, I'm having a giveaway, so you'll all forgive me for my leave of senses

Who Are You??

2012-03-28T11:27:00.008-05:00

At some point over the past month visitor number 1,000,000 crossed over the threshold of this little blog of mine. Who are you??? I want to kiss you flat on the lips and thank you for making me feel so special.Had I bothered to check my stats more frequently, I might have been able to at least pinpoint the exact date if not the time of this monumental occasion. And if I'd known you were coming,

He's TWO!!

2012-03-20T09:49:00.004-05:00

I'm a little belated in this post, but here's a great big HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY TO GAVIN!I wonder if his parents have checked how much the monthly insurance premiums are going to be for a 2-year-old male driving a red sports car. (He can't even qualify for the good student discount yet!)He's definitely all about CARS. Every toy and clothing item was from the CARS movie and of course his birthday

Double Chocolate Oatmeal Banana Muffins

2012-03-16T18:11:00.007-05:00

Today I celebrated My-day Friday. For those of you who are not savvy to this little party of mine, fear not. It is new to me as well. I have been working so very diligently at losing weight that I promised myself if today was a good doctor's scale day, I'd get to eat any and all chocolate that I wanted to eat. Just for today. It's like Thirsty Thursday, except with chocolate instead of vodka.It

Happy Pi Day! (Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Pie)

2012-03-14T11:31:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that Hallmark hasn't yet capitalized on this memorable day. I'm guessing they'd sell at least 3.14 cards. And yes, I'd probably be one of the buyers.In honor of Pi Day, I'll leave you with my favorite pie recipe. (because Hallmark didn't care enough about you to send you the very best)Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Pie (from the Nestle website)2 cups (about 22) finely crushed

Laughcrying, New Aerobic Activity!

2012-03-08T13:18:00.003-06:00

I've recently discovered a new physical and emotional outlet that I previously did not know existed. It's called the "laughcry" and it's different than what I'm thinking you're thinking that I'm thinking. (Hang with me and I'll pull it all together for you, I promise.)I think I'm normal in that I cry when I'm sad; most people do. There are also times that I cry when I'm happy: weddings, newborn

I Can't Believe It! RIP Davy

2012-02-29T13:59:00.002-06:00

Banana Cinnamon Chip Muffins

2012-02-27T11:40:00.006-06:00

Hello strangers! Does it feel like forever since we've gotten caught up with what's going on in my life? Not that I think that you have a burning need and desire to know the mundane and miniscule of my day-to-day drudgery, but every once in a while I like to think that you might enjoy hearing from me.For those still keeping tabs (myself included, obviously) I am now 15 months smoke free. (YAY!) I

Be Mine

2012-02-13T14:36:00.006-06:00

Whose hand gets to hold my heart this Valentine's Day?Well, that one looks strong, familiar and I'm recognizing a ring that's 33 years old. (Kinda even looks like the love is cutting off the circulation in that finger.)However, this little cut out hand is screaming "I love you!" and must be addressed.Thankfully, I have a big heart (not nearly the size of my melon head, but close.) I think I'll

Wasabi Sesame Drizzling Oil (I know, it's weird)

2012-02-08T08:57:00.004-06:00

Mags here, doing a quick blog fly-by in between games of "Words With Friends" on Facebook. It has become my newest hobby (read addiction) and is quickly separating friends from friends and morphing into the new Hatfields(16 points) and McCoys(17 points) of online games. Substantiated rumor even has it that people are being tossed off of airplanes for refusing to power down their mobile devices in

Chewy Tri-Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2012-01-18T09:11:00.005-06:00

Do you want the good news or the bad news first?I like to start out in the depths of despair and then end up hanging the moon. So in the interest of breaking you down before miraculously building you back up again, I shall start with the less-than-perfect nutritional information for this recipe. These are NOT low fat, low calorie or low sugar cookies. Wait! STAY!!Quickly....before the shackles

Christmas 2011... This About Sums It Up

2011-12-27T22:22:00.000-06:00

A Post From Wes

2011-12-14T10:24:00.003-06:00

It's been a LONG year folks. I apologize once again for my lack of regular and consistent communication, but my heart just hasn't been into my blog. I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers throughout this year and wish you all a very Merry Christmas!The main reason for this post was to make sure that this Facebook post of my son's didn't get lost forever in the depths of

I Hate Thanksgiving Clean-Up!! (and my go-to turkey recipe)

2011-11-22T14:19:00.005-06:00

Sheer brilliance, you say? Of course it is, unless you're one of those sticklers who sit there and count up the minutes (hours) it took me to wrap this rack and pan. But you know what? When you're scrubbing the caramelized crap off of your turkey rack and pan, I'll be three glasses of wine ahead of you.... in my lazy boy recliner. Hell yeah.(Edited post-Thanksgiving to remember how I made it

11/11/11 = 33 Years Of Marriage

2011-11-11T04:14:00.001-06:00

Happy Anniversary Dave. I love you (even more than my wine.)

For Your Consideration (Volume 1)

2011-11-08T09:28:00.009-06:00

If you occasionally need to dole out an insult, it's OK to call your dog a "son-of-a-bitch." It's not only reaffirming that he does indeed have a mother, it's a way of calming your nerves after you've tripped over his toys which he always places right in front of the stove. EVERY. DANG. DAY.What am I eating these days? Do you really want to know? Because it looks like this:I'm back on the

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2011-10-31T10:17:00.003-05:00

Pretend he's a black cat. Pretend he's scary. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!(Hubby and I sleep on a grass mat out in the garage. We're just thankful he lets us live here.)

Kale and Cannellini Bean Soup

2011-10-26T07:35:00.007-05:00

There are only two people who know how much weight I've gained since I quit smoking last December. I've kept this information reigned in from the general public for two reasons. First and foremost, because the Macy's people are really adamant about us not giving out our weight information before we fly in their annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. (Look for me floating behind Goofy, like a big turd.

I'm in mint condition. (But for a limited time only)

2011-10-14T09:42:00.008-05:00

I know I'm not the only one who hates the fact that the stores are already filled with Christmas crap when we haven't even properly celebrated Halloween. I mean, it's tough to get into the spirit of buying your annual ugly Christmas sweater when you haven't even carved your annual ugly jack-o-lantern, right?Know what though? As much as I detest early Christmas decor, I adore early holiday baking

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

2011-10-04T19:08:00.006-05:00

... when first we practice to deceive. (Walter Scott)I'll admit it. I lie like a fly in July when it comes to my weight, my natural hair color, my age, how much wine I drink, etc. I'm not proud of it, I'm just saying that if I think I can get away with it, I'll lie. Now, let's all keep in mind however, that I'm talking about little white lies, not the really, really big ones that'll put you on

Garlic S'mores Goldfish Crackers

2011-09-30T21:01:00.014-05:00

GRANDCHILD ADVISORY/ LEVEL ORANGE-YOU-GLAD-I-ONLY-HAVE-ONE: I am hooked on my Grandkid and as always, addiction tastes better when you can draw others into your vice and get them hooked right beside you. I do realize however, that like the times my Father forced us to view slide after slide of the Grand Canyon.... you just have to be there to appreciate its cuteness (I know, I know......

Physical Therapy?

2011-09-28T07:14:00.004-05:00

Nope, not the kind of physical therapy that has you stretched on a rack, with half-assed promises to heal your messed up vertebrae or cure the hitch in your get-along. Nor the type where you tug on rubber bands, sit on plastic balls, or use myriad other torture devices to heal various broken body parts.I'm talking about REAL physical therapy. One on one where the only energy spent is tucking

The New Other-Side-Of-Fifty

2011-09-20T08:53:00.001-05:00

What exactly is this blog about? I can see more than a few of you who've been with me for the last several years scratching your heads and thinking, "Well Mags, we really have been your regulars because we're avid food blog readers and we like your recipes." A couple of you will admit to enjoying my warped sense of humor and I think the rest of you just stop by to see what I'm up to. This blog