30 September, 2010

Donna Karan DKNY'S PURE #3

This fragrance came out summer of 2010.  Pure DKNY fragrance is said to be built around a “drop of vanilla in water” 
My first impression was that of a cheaper drugstore type perfume.  It smelled just okay when I first applied it.  It's very light, but I don't think the word "Pure" is a good description.  Pure makes me think of clean scents.  It lasted all of an hour on my wrist and then I wasn't able to smell it anymore.  I don't know if ingredients were skimped on but there's no staying power with this one.   I'll pass on Pure.  That is all.

29 September, 2010

Calvin Klein's BEAUTY #2

Calvin Klein's new fragrance BEAUTY is the second fragrance I'm sampling.  This is another new fragrance coming out in October 2010.  Supposedly this fragrance is geared toward women 35+.  I don't quite know how you put an age on a fragrance.  It claims to represent the mature woman's maturity and self esteem. Okay.  That kind of description seems to evoke the  negative "old lady" perfume jokes-ya know?? It's kind of like every time I smell Estee Lauder's Youth Dew I think about my grandma.  That, of course is not a bad thing, but   I could never wear Youth Dew myself because I associate that scent with my favorite octogenarian.   Anyway, that being said, I wasn't crazy about BEAUTY.  It's a light, feminine fragrance.  It's not bad, it's just not good enough to be in the running.  It kind of reminds me of Estee Lauder's Beautiful...YAWN. 

28 September, 2010

Scent search Givenchy PLAY #1

It's about the time of year I start my search for a new fragrance.  Once a year for Christmas DLP likes to buy me perfume, and being that I'm not a huge perfume wearer anyway that works out great.  
My tried and true standbys are Trish McEvoy's Blackberry Vanilla and L'Artisan Vanillia.  Are you sensing I dig Vanilla?  I do like vanilla but both of these fragrances are quite subtle and don't scream VANILLA!  L'Artisan's vanillia is rich and smokey which I love.


**New in October 2010
The first scent I'm trying is Givenchy PLAY.  Try and ignore the tacky faux  iphone or whatever that is supposed to look like (can you tell how tech-savvy I am?)  I enjoyed this scent.  It's top notes include pink peppercorn and orange blossom.  It's light and quite pleasant.  It was long lasting and after a few hours I still enjoyed the scent.  This scent has made my list of possibilities.  

23 September, 2010

CaRRs

Carrs, my soon to be 9 year old shootin' some hoops:)

22 September, 2010

Tennessee History

One thing I love about Nashville and the surrounding areas is the rich history here.  While driving around the other night my youngest son and I found the Battle of Nashville monument.  Just knowing we were standing in a spot where the battle was fought gave me chills.  I love civil war history.  I love all history really.
 Here's a little info (forgive my copy and pasting Wiki) :)
The Battle of Nashville was a two-day battle in the Franklin-Nashville Campaign that represented the end of large-scale fighting in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. It was fought at Nashville, Tennessee, on December 15–16, 1864, between the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood and Federal forces under Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas. In one of the largest victories achieved by the Union Army during the war, Thomas attacked and routed Hood's army, largely destroying it as an effective fighting force.
                        My boys (gray shirt second from left-Cayden, red shirt with curls-Carrason, navy shirt holding Carrason- Connor.  These are their cousins from Indiana.  Photo taken in 2004 I believe.

18 September, 2010

Apple Dumpling Love

Do you love apple dumplings but not the time it takes to make them?  Here is a really wonderful and simple recipe for apple dumplings using crescent rolls.  I've seen this recipe quite a few times in a few different ways but the recipe with Mountain Dew always intrigued me.  These are really easy and very delicious.  Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you've got an easy and comforting warm dessert for those chilly days ahead.  I'm using my oven and thinking of apples -- so-- fall (my favorite season) is undeniably around the corner.  



APPLE DUMPLINGS
  • 2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cored
  • 2 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 oz. Mountain Dew

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Lightly Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish

Cut each apple into 8 wedges and set aside. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles. Roll each apple wedge in crescent roll dough starting at the smallest end. Pinch to seal and place in the baking dish.

Melt butter in a small saucepan and stir in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour over the apple dumplings. Pour Mountain Dew over the dumplings.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.



09 September, 2010

Cayden David Trust


                      Cayd's middle name is Trust because we trusted the Lord for him.  Cayden is an amazing child.  I am so thankful for him and all that he is becoming.  He loves robotics and building things.  I think he may be an engineer someday.  To know him is to love him. :)