Happy Birthday to My Guy

To the man in my life who shares in this roller coaster ride of marriage with me, the one who can drive me crazy in more ways then one, is crazy for me and who I am also crazy about.  You're my brat-n-half, my third child sometimes, my babe and my ol' man too.  My partner, best buddy and my biggest fan, even my pain in the...neck, or a headache sometimes.  My knight in shining armor and my hero too.  My honey, my heart throb, my handsome guy.  The one who can often be in the dog house, yet more often be oh so very charming, loving and good.  That guy who started a pitter-patter in me a long time ago, who has my love and holds my heart.  My not so secret admirer, my lover, my best friend.  The first smile I see in the morning and my last kiss goodnight.   

As you are a another year older today may you, grow ever more wiser as you sail through all of life's obstacles and challenges to come, have many more great years ahead of you, enjoy a day that's all yours, and celebrate all the gifts you have in your life and those around you that love you.

Don't worry so much about the number of candles on your cake, remember no matter how old you get, just know that I don't think you'll ever grow up, there's still a lot of little boy in the man you are today. It's been said that age is just a number, and today you're number one! So on your birthday I wish for you all that you hope for, all that you dream of, and all that makes you happy. May your birthday bring big smiles to your face and much happiness to your heart.

Many years ago on your birthday you gave me a proposal, a promise to spend the rest of your life and love with me. Because you are a gift in my life, I give you my gift of love. 

 Happy Birthday Marty 

 I Love You 

~Tammy~

balloons image courtesy of birthday-clip-art.com

My Hubby's Birthday Celebration

Hubby's Birthday Cake!

A delicious German Chocolate cake purchased from The Village Corner German Restaurant and Bakery in Stone Mountain, GA.  They have great food and some of the best bakery goods around!  If you ever get a chance to dine there I do recommend it!  This was a delicious German Chocolate cake!   He picked this as his birthday cake choice (his favorite cake), and where he wanted to get it from.  Great choice, and I'm so glad I got to enjoy it too!  Yum!

What a beautiful cake!

He says "Why mess it up with candles"

...fingers work too = 53

Having our cake and eating it too...

~Tammy~

What the ...Friday?

an unusual event or item, something of question? or

...things that make you go hmmm?

What the...Friday 

  is that?: 

The Longhorn Cowfish

The Longhorn Cowfish is a saltwater fish and is a variety of Boxfish.

While at the pet shop recently we watched this little fish in action and I thought it was quite interesting, it seemed to have personality and to be playful, also as if playing peek-a-boo with us.  A most unusual looking sea creature.
This would be a great visual and conversational addition to a saltwater tank if you have one!

Here is one in action.

and another.

Wikipedia - Longhorn Cowfish

Hmmm maybe a fish named Moomo...
(I just couldn't resist)
~Tammy~

~ Tammy's Tip Today ~ Cord Control

Doesn't it just drive you mad trying to keep all the cords for phone chargers, and other items with cords, tied up and out of the way when not in use?  Or especially if you need to pack them for travel too.  I found an easy fix that helps me with that!  I use elastic/hair bands!  I add them to everything now, phone charger cords (of course) and also hair dryer cords, curling iron cords and more!  They are always on the ready for controlling those cords!  These elastic/hair bands are inexpensive and available everywhere, and you can often find them in different colors.

This is cord control!

Attach the elastic bands to the cords:

Loop an elastic band around the cord and

pull it through other side loop.  Pull tight to

firmly attach it to the cord!

The elastic band stays attached

to the cord!

Coil up the cord.

Pull band over and twist around then pull over again until firmly 

securing the cord.  (Just like you would to secure a ponytail 

or bundle) 

Controlled cords!

This is cord control, all neatly out of the way! 

                                   

This is Not!

- These were $2.25

for a pack of 15 -

It's the simple things in life that often make one smile!

(Cord)ially yours...

~Tammy~

Labels: Tammy's Tip Today , Gadgets and Gizmos

Visitors for the Labor Day weekend

It's always nice to have a long three day weekend to enjoy, and to get to enjoy it with family makes it all the better.  Time for good backyard BBQ foods, and fun with family!  

September Beginnings

Hello September

September's beginning brings a long holiday weekend for all to enjoy 

and celebrate through to Labor Day, and September marks Summer's last hurrah.  I'll be holding on, 

'til the last flower fades and the Autumn wind brings leaves of color.

Basking in Sunshine and Rainbows...

~Tammy~  

image source

Jewelry by Tammy - Captured in Hearts

These heart earrings are sweet.  I love hearts so anytime I find heart shaped beads I want them!  These were a little tricky to make, since I added the small seed beads to the center of the hearts.  I like the look and have plans to do a few more in different colors!  These were made using various glass beads, pearls, gold components and hearts.  My "Captured in Hearts" designs are a few of my favorites.

Patsy's Sauce

One of our favorite home-cooked meals is pasta, topped with sauce.  I usually serve it along with grilled chicken breast and a salad, and that wouldn't be complete without a nice bottle of wine to enjoy with it.  A while back we discovered a delicious sauce for our pasta that has become a staple in our cupboard ever since we tried it for the first time.

~ Patsy's Sauce ~

Patsy's sauce is delicious!  There are several different flavors of their sauce to choose from, our favorite is Patsy's Fra Diavolo sauce, with ingredients of tomatoes, fresh garlic, parsley, onions, crushed red pepper and fresh basil, it has a bit of heat to it, which we really like.  The Tomato Basil is a second favorite and is rich in flavor without the heat of the Fra Diavolo.  

These sauces are from the famous Patsy's of Patsy's Italian Restaurant in New York, a family owned and operated business, founded in 1944 by Pasquale "Patsy" Scognamillo.  True you get what you pay for, and although Patsy's sauce costs a little more than the other popular brands on the self, I find it better than any other sauces out there!  We often get two nights worth of dinners, for the two of us, from one jar, so in the long run it doesn't seem to be over priced.  Plus with all natural ingredients, I don't mind paying a little extra, especially because it is so delicious!  

We found Patsy's for the first time at our local grocery store, and it has been, like I said, "a staple in our cupboard ever since!"  We love Patsy's, and usually have it at least once a week!  It's a quick and easy meal to prepare, can be a simple dinner or special evening for two, or it's even worthy of a 'wow' from your guests! 

My recipe for a perfect meal using Patsy's Sauce

Pasta with Patsy's Sauce

Ingredients: - Serving for Two

1/2 jar of Patsy's Sauce (of choice)

4 to 6 oz. Pasta (of choice), cooked (will be divided for two)

Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese - grated, for garnish

Directions:

Fill a large pan 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil, add pasta and cook until 'al dente' according to package directions.  Heat Patsy's Sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat, until thoroughly heated.  Drain cooked pasta and place in serving dishes, pour heated pasta sauce over pasta.  Garnish with parmigiano reggiano cheese and serve.
*Serve with Grilled Chicken Breast or top with cooked Shrimp. And a Salad.

It's what's for dinner at our place!

More about Patsy's

Patsy's website - Patsys.com has much to see and learn about Patsy's, and also offers products sales of their Sauces, Pasta, Oils and Vinegars, Patsy's Cookbook and there are many Recipes there too.  Many photos of famous people and celebrities who have dined at Patsy's are shared there also, and Patsy's is known as Frank Sinatra's favorite restaurant, and his family members dine there often.  An interesting fact from the 'Our Story' link: "In over 65 years of existence, Patsy's Restaurant has had only three chefs- the late Patsy himself, his son Joe Scognamillo, who has been at the establishment since the tender age of seven, and Joe's son Sal Scognamillo, who has been manning the kitchen for the past twenty five years."  Maybe one day I'll get to dine at Patsy's Restaurant and also meet Joe and Sal Scognamillo, oh and get a photo too!  Until then I shall continue to enjoy some delicious Patsy's right here in my own home!

Guess what's for dinner tonight?...

~Tammy~

~ Tammy's Tip Today ~ Selecting Paint Colors Tools

I have had the thought of re-painting some of the rooms in my home 'on the back burner' for a while.  I prefer a professional take on the task for me, just because, for one: I have had great results from the pro's we've hired before, and two: I don't have to hassle with all of the prep and clean-up, and three: I have other things to do, or shall I say "other things I would rather do."  I have painted before, and I know I can take on the challenge, especially when it is a smaller room like a Bathroom or small Bedroom.  Actually our Guest Bathroom is one of the rooms on my list, and my Kitchen would be at the top of the list!

While searching for paint and painting supplies, etc, I came across some interesting and very helpful info.  

Sherwin Williams offers free tools to aide in your decision making of what color pallet you would like to use when painting your home's interior of exterior.  If you are planning any future painting of your home these tools would be a big help in deciding what colors.  

Unlock a whole world of color with:

Sherwin-Williams Color Selection Tools

image source

Take a little tour of: 
Chip It - Create paint color chip cards (like the one above) from any image anywhere online into a perfect pallet of over 1500 Sherwin Williams paint colors, and then save it for later on your own profile page.
{I tried this one on a couple of different photos of mine, it's easy to use!...and as I said before, it's free!}


Color Snap - Use your iPhone, Blackberry, or Android smart phone to capture a color and match it to one of Sherwin Williams paint colors.


Color Visualizer -  Use the online color visualizer to upload your image and virtually paint your own interior or exterior, and then print out your perfect color pallet information.
{This is very interesting, virtually painting your own room...pretty cool!}

Color-ing my world...

~Tammy~ 

Labels: Tammy's Tip Today