BLOG MOVING!!!

I have lost the domain name for this blog.  my new one is Mya's Merlot Mom...  Just click on the link and it will take you right there!!!!

This blog is about my beautiful Siberian Husky Mia and her journey to "hopefully" become a therapy dog and just life in general....

I hope you will continue on with us at my new site!!!!

Mya Merlot Mom

Thanks!!!!!

TGIF!!!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day full of love!!!

This is my Valentine's dream.....

Mya's Training...

Mya had her second training class this past Monday.  She did very well.  Our first task was called "Sit on the  dog"---it's where she is on leash and has to sit beside Mac or myself for thirty minutes with no attention given to her at all.  We've done this several times and she is getting better at it.  Really wants to chew on the leash. I'm spraying them constantly with bitter apple mixed in with a little pepper juice to try and get her to stop chewing on it.  Other than that, she is fine to sit.
Our other task was to sit and wait after her food has been put down and I have "freed" her to eat.  She is doing really good with this one.  Her little ears perk up when she hears those treats dropped into her bowl!!   I've learned that I need ALOT more treats!!   We really are having a great time with Leah and just can't say enough good things about FlintHill K9....

It truly is making all this overtime worth it!!!

This is a picture of My from earlier this week (before the rain came)---she has now noticed or "found" out about birds.  It is so funny to watch her chase them all out of the only tree we have!!

Motivational Monday.....

This is so true.....

Sunday's Faith....

For a Friend....

Barnegat Inlet Lighthouse N.J.

TGIF!!!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

Here come the Apple Rumors...

Iphone 6 rumors are here...  Thanks to Pinterest, I just found one of them that post a real cool design.  I can't imagine it getting any slimmer.  But you never know.  I would like to see a wider screen.  That is on my "want" list from Apple....  Check out the site and see what you think....It's called In Rumor...
I have to say, I love the design...  Very slick design and modern.

I'm sure there will be plenty more "rumors" in the upcoming months....

It's Official!!!

Mya is now a registered Siberian Husky with the American Kennel Club!!  Whoop!!!

Registered name is Sweet Girl Mya!!!

SO CUTE!!!

I came across this on Pinterest and thought it was so cute.  What a great idea!!  I wish I had my dad's old tie's..  Now in my opinion, it doesn't look that hard.  But I have been wrong  on that in the past before!!  Before I tackle any new project, I'm going to finish my rag quilt.  But this will be put on the back burner.  It would be very cute as wall art....  Like I said, I  got it from Pinterest via Deb Rowden's Thrift Shop Quilts blog.  Check it out....

Motivational Monday...

This is so true!!!

Sunday's Faith...

Drifted For a Few....

I thought I would confess or update, which ever we want to call it---how things are going with my diet and Weight Watchers.  I haven't been working out as consistently as I was.  I've been eating like I should and lost 2.1 pounds this past week.  For a loss so far of 12.5 pounds.   Changing my eating habits has been alot easier than I thought it would be.  I still miss my pretzels though!!  However, the bigger (or smaller) picture is much more important to me.
So my goal for the reminder of the week is to get back on track with my exercising.  I was really doing good getting up before work, but not so good on my off days.  Weird--you would think it would be the other way around.  I've got my motivation back---hopefully next week's update will be better!!!

Show Support---Red is the color...

February is national Heart month so show your support by wearing RED....  Please check out this article from the CDC on what you can do this month to show your support.  It is the month of love for so many reasons....

Take the Million Hearts Challenge today.....  Keep the beat going....

TGIF!!!  Friends...  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!

Mya in Training....

I am so happy that Mya will soon be starting her obedience training!!  I know she is still a puppy, but she is really struggling with her manners.  I want a dog that strangers can walk up to and be able to pet and enjoy her without worry of her jumping on them.  She is such a beautiful dog, I just want to share her with everyone...
Thanks to my friend Brandi from work, I'm using FlintHill K-9 dog Training.   They are also going to evaluate Mya to see if her temperament will allow her to become a therapy dog.  I think that would be a wonderful way to share her with the world.  She deserves to be more than just a house pet.  She is so loving and beautiful,  I just want the best for her...  So wish us luck!!!  We start February 6th!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

I want to wish my dad a HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I love you and appreciate ALL that you do for myself and Mac...

We love you and mom so very much!!!

Have a GREAT day!!!!!

Egg Whites Rule....

I have to say, I'm loving egg whites!!  I haven't used real eggs in a very long time.  I've always used Egg Beaters.  It was simple and Mac can't tell the difference anyway.  However, now that I'm on Weight Watchers, I've switched over to egg whites AND Mac still can't tell the difference.  Actually, neither can I.

This is my latest twist on an old favorite---Breakfast Sandwich Recipe..   It is so good!!!

Ingredients:

1 100 calorie sandwich round
1/3 cup liquid egg whites
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 pepper
1 slice fat-free American cheese
1/4 cup chopped spinach leaves
1 slice lean deli ham
2 slices fresh tomato
1 slice red onion

Spray your cooking pan with non-stick spray and set to medium heat.  Go ahead and toast your bread if you would like.  While bread is toasting, heat the ham in the skillet first.  Place the ham on half of the toasted bread.  Next, add the spinach to the frying pan and cover with a lid until the leaves start to wilt (about a minute).  Add in egg whites , salt and pepper.  Scramble egg whites with spinach until it is solid.  Pile up the eggs on one section of the pan, top with the slice of cheese.  Cover pan with lid, and turn of the heat.  After about 30 seconds, remove the lid and cheese should be melted.  Place eggs with the cheese on top of the ham on your sandwich.  Top with your favorite toppings---mine are onions and peppers!!  Now enjoy!!!

This is 4 points on the Weight Watchers Plus plan!!!

Motivational Monday....

Sunday's Faith....

New Favorite Product...

As all of you know, I'm ALWAYS on a search for the next best hair product...  When I went to see my most awesome hair stylist last week, she introduced me to White Sands Liquid Texture Thermal Spray.  Can I tell you, the extra body this gives my hair is AWESOME!!  I spray it on after I have towel dried my hair.  It "activates" when you are blow drying your hair for the BEST volume I have seen in a long time...

   Now I still you my Nioxin for hair growth.  My stylist is amazed at how great my hair has done with this product.  Like I'm growing new hair!!

So if your are struggling with your locks, I strongly recommend these two products...

TGIF!!!!

Motivational Boost...

I'm working alot this week so I figured I would schedule myself a little extra motivation...

Breaking It Down....

Move more than you eat...  Simple as that....

I'm Crafting..

I completed two projects this past Friday and thought I would share them with you.  The first one I did was a wreath.  It still needs some loving but I went ahead and hung it anyway.  Debbie, a friend of mine at work told me about how she makes her's like this and how simple it is.  I think her's are cuter---but it was time to take down the Alabama football wreath..

My other project I did was a knotted throw.  I absolutely love making these throws.  So simple.  I think I'm going to start doing matching pillows to go with them.  I even have a pattern to do doggie beds!!  I was think about just making a ton of them and selling them next year at a craft show.  That's where I bought my first one...

I've also signed up for a sewing class.  I need a refresher from the class I took last year.  I'm determined to make my rag quilts.  Just gotta get familiar with threading that damn machine!!  That's my hardest hurdle with sewing... 

Motivational Monday...

Sunday's Faith

Dieting Update....

I'm going on three weeks with Weight Watchers and have lost 10.1 pounds.  I have to say, it was an adjustment at first.  I think I went through pretzel withdrawals.  Especially, my Snyder Jalapeno Pretzels---they are so good.  I thought the wine would be just as hard, but I really haven't missed it as much.  I did buy a celebratory bottle yesterday and also took Mac out for Mexican.   But I didn't do to horribly bad.  Plus, I ate very little throughout the day.  I figure we can do that for every ten pounds I lose... BUT, I was back on the treadmill this morning...

I was determined to get on board fully with the exercising.  I get up at 4:40am on the days I work and get on my treadmill for thirty minutes.  I've build up to running about ten of those minutes.  Then I do some weights and crunches.  I actually do better on the days I have to work than when I'm off.  Crazy, but I do...  I do think I need to start adding some different cardio into to my workout.  Changing up your routine helps keep your metabolism firing, plus I like variety..  I watched a Zumba informational this morning while I was on my treadmill.  I'm just not that "routine" coordinated though.  But we will see...  I have enough equipment that I should never get bored!!

So this is where we are at so far...  Forty more to go!!  New year, new me....

  

TGIF!!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Going To Try Again....

I was looking back on some of my older post from this time last year and I'm so dishearted that I didn't get around to making my rag quilt.  I bought this wonderful sewing machine and dabbled with it, but just never completed it.   I think I let it "scare" me off...  Plus, I just had so much personal stuff going on last year, the creative juices just weren't flowing regularly.  Well now that all that is settled, divorce finalized---it's time for me to start doing things I know I will enjoy once I put my fear behind me.  I just have to jump in and do it.  The worst that can happen is it's butt ugly--right??  And it is the perfect thing to keep my mind busy and my body out of the kitchen!!  The Weight Watchers diet is going great, so I'm willing to do anything that keeps that moving forward!!

That being said, I'm revisiting Pinterest and YouTube for my beginner rag quilt ideas and tutorials.  I found this one at The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking..  She explains thing wonderfully, so hopefully I can pick it up quick.  Or make some really cute "mistake" projects!  Now I know I'm not going to meet the man of my dreams sitting behind a sewing machine---but atleast when I do find him, I will be able to keep him warm!!

I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing...

Motivational Monday...

Sunday's Faith....

TGIF!!!!

Have a great weekend friends!!!

Make Your Own!!!

In searching for variety with Weight Watchers on Pinterest, I came across this WONDERFUL blog post on how to make your own baked tortilla chips!!  I use the low carb tortilla's.  I know they bake well from using them for my Taco Salad shells (check out January 3rd's post). Pop over to Cindy Riddle:  Homemaker to see full details.  Check out the comments section for some great answers and ideas to questions...

This is great because I can truly control my Points and make just what I can eat!!

Many Benefits...

So for the last couple of days, in magazines and on Dr. Oz, the new favorite thing is Coconut Oil.  It is said to have many many positive health benefits.  It can replace your butter---in most ingredients.  You can use it as a skin care moisturizer---just scoop it on your fingers and gently massage it in.  When you first look at it, it will look similar to lard or Criso.   Body heat liquefies it--- so allow yourself some time to "dry"...  My favorite benefit from Coconut Oil is it's said to be a GREAT conditioner for your hair!!  As well as help it grow.  Ya'll know I'm all about what ever helps the hair grow!

If you are thinking about trying it---Groupon has a great deal going on right now.  You can receive two jars for $19.00.  shipping is free!!!     

Motivational Monday..

Sunday's Faith

What I'm Reading....

I've had several friends ask me what I'm reading this week..  Here it is...  Well this is actually the first one called  Bared to You:  A Crossfire Novel.  It's really good.  It's on the lines of Fifty Shades of Gray, but not with all that "submissive" stuff in it.

I'm on the second one now called Reflected in You:  A Crossfire Novel.  I can't complain about this one either.  It has actually kept my interest more so than the second book of Fifty Shades..

The only drawback is the third book in the series has yet to be released.  It's called Entwined with You:  A Crossfire Novel.  If i could have a "do over" I wouldn't have started reading this series until all the books were out.  Oh well, just got to remember to come back and finish it up!!!

TGIF!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.....

As Seen On TV....

Yep---I buy some of those crazy items...  So when I buy one and it is awesome--I have to share it with ya'll.  I bought the Perfect Tortilla Pan Set at Walmart in their "As Seen On TV" section and just have to say it is AWESOME!!!  Now this link is to Bed, Bath and Beyond, they also sell them.  I wanted you to be able to see what the box looks like.

Now I cooked my first one last night and I have to say---so easy!  I sprayed the pan with a little Pam and put my tortilla shell in, baked it for about 10 or so minutes.  And this is how it turned out!!

Cooked perfectly!!
Then I put in the fixings---all of which were only 7 points on Weight Watchers...   So good!!!

Could Be A Game Day Dip.......

In my now search for everything Weight Watchers, I came across this recipe via Pinterest.  It looks very good and it's only 1 point per serving!!!  It's called Hot Fiesta Dip...  My only downfall would be the chips that would go with this dip!!  Chips are my weakness!!!

Ingredients:
10oz. frozen corn kernals
1 1/2 cups salsa, fresh or refrigerated
3/4 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican style blend cheese
2 Tbsp scallions, chopped


Microwave frozen corn according to package directions: drain
combine corn and salsa in a microwave safe, 9-inch pie plate; cover and microwave
on high power until bubbly, about 2 minutes.
sprinkle cheese over corn mixture; cover and let stand until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

Sprinkle with scallions and serve.

1/4 cup per serving is 1 point!!!