Plus Size is still Sexy!

This last year has been a wonderful journey for me. I've matured both emotionally and mentally and have grown spiritually wise. I have also had a few personal struggles, biggest one being my weight. During the course of this last year, I started a secret affair, with FOOD! I'm ready to come out of the pantry and admit, "I am a midnight bingeaholic!" I'm not a big snacker or junk food eater but late at night, when the house is quietly sleeping, I creep into the kitchen like a teenager trying to sneak out of the house, and I binge on anything I can find that's of interest. My tongue develops this sensational high and I need to have a full balance of savory, fruity, salty and sweet. Before I know it, I'm on a foodgasm high and loving every minute of it. The next morning, I wake with signs of the previous night's rampage and run to the restroom to destroy all evidence. It's like a killer covered in scratches and blood only I'm covered in crumbs and food stains! Soon, the guilt sets in and I head over to the scale. Yup, damage! For months, this mental food frack has controlled everything from my self esteem to my lack of caring if my nails were polished or if I put on jewelry. 
I was growing into this beautiful human being, I was growing closer to God, I was growing, period.

As many of our friends and family know, I am life and love committed to the most handsome and incredible person I've ever met, my Andi. It is she that smiles and looks into my eyes each morning and says "Good morning beautiful" during the day she asks, "Have I told you how pretty you look today?". Her tiger like hunger for intimacy makes me question, "Why? How can she still be attracted to me?" It is through her consistency and unwavering attraction in her eyes that I recently started to see in the mirror what she was looking at all along. 

I may be 40 lbs heavier then I was last year but I am still just as beautiful and sexy as a woman. My confidence and self esteem slowly started to make it's way back and little by little I started to take that extra care again. I guess after awhile, you get tired of taking 20 selfies before you find just the right one that portrays who you really AREN'T. Got tired of trying to suck in my stomach or hold the phone up to the ceiling and angle down on my face to get the "Perfect face pic". No more sucking in my cheeks to look thinner (well maybe I'll still do that one from time to time), but in letting go, I found myself just overall liking who I am again. 

Magazines, TV and Society in general glamorize and sensationalize being thin and even underweight. You realize the camera adds 10 pounds right? Can you imagine how much thinner these super models and actors are OFF camera? I am not saying there is anything wrong with being thin as long as you are healthy but wheres the Kudos for the Big Sexy Women? We too, can bring on the sexy. Tonight, I feel a lil flirty and that's alllllright. Please feel free to share your confidence as well.

Pictures posted below are approved by my love and slightly cropped only because we have some rescue dogs and didn't feel like having them in the photo shoot lol

Happy Sexy Saturday!!

Got Turkey?

We, like thousands of other Thanksgiving Over-cookers, were left with tons of food the day after. We sit around all day making turkey sandwiches, turkey taquitos, turkey soup, turkey a la king, turkey salad and before you know it we're walking around gobbling like a turkey and sounding like Bubba from Forrest Gump

This year we decided to try something different that we are considering adding to the menu for our catering and event planning company, Tophat's & Tutu's Events. We haven't found a name for them yet but its a croquette of sorts loaded with Thanksgiving dinner leftovers. We hope you will enjoy!

First, we added a 12 oz bag of fresh cranberries, 2 cups of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water to a pan and cooked on low for 30 to 40 minutes.

While cooking, we smashed up the cranberries until they become pureed and the mixture had thickened. Next, we remove from heat and place in the fridge to chill (freezer will work too if needed in a hurry)

Then we started the croquet mixture. We took our leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn, then hand mixed it all together

After that, we formed the mixture into balls and coated in egg wash and panko bread crumbs

Lastly, we lightly fried the croquettes in vegetable oil until golden brown (3-4 minutes per side on medium heat). Less or more frying time required depending on the size you make them. Grab the cranberry sauce from the fridge and plate! Bon Appetit!!!

Please feel free to email us and share what you did with your Thanksgiving leftovers this year. We'd love to see pictures too!! Make sure to mention if it's ok for us to share your story here on Bloggie & Dagwood. 

Thanks,

Sandy and Andi

Speak your words with love

It was in my early 20 ' s when I learned how powerful my words were and that they could cut like a knife. Unfortunately I didn't have the kind of role models at a young age who would teach me to be kind, respectful and thoughtful of others feelings. I also hadn't reached an age where I could develop the wisdom to teach myself the better ways of life. I crossed many paths and left deep scars along the the way. Some forgave, some never will.

To be honest,  it wasn't until this last year really that I began to grow spiritually and cleanse myself enough to see clearly what I had become.

Life isn't just about our small bubble and what's happening in our world at the moment.  It's comprised of many many people and goes beyond our small selves, WAY beyond just us.

God is love, God is life, God is air and He is busy working around the world non stop with his angels. They are preventing accidents in China and making miracles happen in Africa. He is bringing laughter to families as they sit at dinner together and He is comforting people who are losing their loved ones and He is doing this all at the same day, the same hour, the same second.

All those years I chose to use my words to cause damage,  HE was allowing me to live and breath and be healthy. Now, I shake my head when I look back at the things I've done and how much time I wasted simply existing without any real purpose.

Today I choose to be on Team God and work for His purpose! We raise our son Jacob to be kind hearted as well. I believe the gift of being a good mom to him is all due to knowing what NOT to teach him.

I am so thankful to have been saved and to be a little angel elf on earth helping to make good things happen. So the next time you feel like using your words to hurt others, I hope THESE words will help you think twice about what your purpose is and who you really wish to be in your heart.

Sandy

Shoes speak a language of their own

Happy,  Peppy, Flirty, Spiritual....

Me <3

Life....

Life is a beautiful adventure. Capture every moment. I have recently learned that we should embrace all parts of life that come our way. Not only should we feel blessed and content with happy moments but also with those not as joyous. If we are in a bad mood or angry, even hurt, learn to embrace the emotion.  It doesn't mean hurting others when we feel mad or scared, it just means understanding the balance within us. I'm learning to allow myself to welcome and embrace all feelings that come my way and ride the waves. Happiness won't last forever so hug it tight when it's here. Pain won't last either so open your door and let it in. It's simply a sign that goodness is next to come <3

Namaste,

Sandy

Happy Thanksgiving to the little lady I call Grandma

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our friends, family and followers! As you all know, we've been through quite a week with Grandma's accident. Feisty little woman couldn't have found a better way to get us all gathered for Turkey day I guess.

Last night, I relieved my parents from their visiting shift and as we always do, grandma and I thought of ways we could get ourselves in trouble. She, of course, had the grand idea of calling her favorite boyfriend on my cellphone. So here we are in ICU, with this little 88 year old woman speaking in Spanish to her main squeeze, TWO days after she went flying through the windshield of her car in a horrific accident!

As I sat there in awe just staring at this woman, this pillar of strength, I became overwhelmed with such a deep love, respect and adoration for this woman I'm blessed to call "Grandma". Over the years we have fought and bumped heads so many times I thought "Why won't this woman slow down and just be a little old grandma?"

I began to think of our daily routing in the house (we all live together) and how frustrating it is for me to hear her up and making her own breakfast when my own fibromyalgia striken body can't even get out of bed. By the time I have a good long pep talk with my muscles and have rolled out of bed, this turkey (grandma) is sitting fully dressed and is applying her makeup at vanity, Vicente Fernandez serenades her while she laughs away with her friends who shes chatting with on speaker phone. "Ugh, why won't she slow down?" I think as I just shake my head and walk away.

I along with many of you, am intrigued by the drama filled crime shows like Criminal Minds, Law & Order and The First 48. It's always so heartbreaking when you see the cops knock on the door to deliver life changing news. We say to each other "ohhh that's so heartbreaking" or "Can you imagine?" yet we never quite let our thoughts wander much past those words. We simply keep on watching, and NOT truly imagining.

I believe we as a family knew grandma, at 88 probably should not be driving anymore but there was simply no way any of us could tell her what to do. She would never allow a soul in the world to "control her" or try to direct any part of her life. She is fiercely independent and proud, The DMV continued to renew her license and she had passed her driving test just fine. There was nothing we could do to stop her.

This past Monday morning, I had just sat down at my desk to start blogging when I heard the dogs alert, "Someone's here! Someone's here!" It's usually just someone walking by or maybe some advertisements being slid under the door, but THIS time, that instinct that tells us something is different this time, kicked in and I unraveled my tucked legs to walk over and see what the big "To Do" was all about. As I slowly approached the door, there she was, a city deputy, looking back at me through the front screen door. When I met her eyes, she put her head down and that's when the gut punch came in. Still, I quickly tried to recall any illegal activities I may have engaged in. Nope, I was clear, so I confidently approached knowing she had nothing on me!

"Ma'am, can you step outside so I can speak to you please?" I step out.

"Ma'am, do you know a Lillian Haloski?"

"Yes I do, she's my grandmother"

"Are you aware she's been in a very bad car accident?"

After that, all I remember was yelling for Andi and a few words as she stood in front of me speaking a foreign language.

Crash

Car Smashed

Through Windshield

Scalped

Hurt Badly

Emergency Room

88 years old

It kind of hits you like the Law and Order "Bum Bum" sound.

This story becomes an entire blog of its own after that and not one I choose to share today but I will, however, share what I have learned from this eye-opening experience.

As cliché as this may sound, I have often wondered what the meaning of life is. I suppose no one really has the full answer but God. I think we all kind of adopt our own ideas and spiritual meaning behind the question but is there a 100% textbook answer? Only the man above knows.

So I come back to the beginning of this story where I sat in her hospital ICU room last night watching her chat on the phone and realized that after this horrific accident she had just been in and despite her broken body, MY grandma's spirit was untarnished and fully intact! Here she sat with the same (attempted) smile chatting away as she does every morning at her vanity while she glamorizes herself.

SHE is the meaning of LIFE. At 88, she continues to live and breathe and do what she does on a daily basis. She smiles and jokes and laughs and even flirts with a few select doctors (good taste too if I may say so myself). What more could the meaning of life be, but to live it! No matter what is dished out to us, isn't it our job to make the best of it? To show God that we treasure this life and gift He has given us NO MATTER WHAT? Whether you believe in God or even a higher power, someone, aside from our parents gave us this life right? How do we ever repay them and show our appreciation for being alive? We LIVE IT! We smile, we laugh, we choose to be happy, kind, funny, loving, compassionate, giving and appreciative and contributing people of society, We raise our children with love and teach them to respect others,


Most of all, I believe the meaning to be really very simple.

All we really need to do aside from being good people as I mentioned above, is to wake up each morning and decide to make it a good day because we ARE ALIVE. Take a shower, choose to dress neat and clean. Gals, Put on your make-up and do a little something extra to your hair, just because.

Walk out of your home feeling like a million bucks even if you're just going to the Post office (joke between grandma and I).


Today I am Thankful for my grandma and for the gift she's given me of seeing what life should be.
Live Simple family and friends and Simply Live <3

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Love Sandy

Wet your appetite for fun!!

As most of our friends know, Andi, Jacob, the pups and I have been taking mini vacations to Big Bear Lake, CA for a few years now. Located about 90 minutes Northeast of Los Angeles, CA, Big Bear Lake is a small and quaint area nestled within the San Bernardino Forest. Lodging options include renting a cozy cabin for 2, to a large lakeside estate for 20. There are campgrounds and RV parks for the more adventurous or hotels and Bed & Breakfasts for those looking to sleep, eat and get on the go. Adventures and things to do include dining, hiking, parasailing, ziplining, boating, jetskiing and don't even get me started on winter activities! There are tons of dining options and a quaint village where you can walk the white light lit streets or gaze the stores and candy shops by horse carriage. In the next few months, we will travel to and share in more detail, some of our most favorite lodging, nightlife and grubbing spots. Please check in soon for a great story of our upcoming adventures to Apples Bed & Breakfast Inn and Ohh La La Bistro.

Here are a few pictures of a Pontoon Boating trip with Jacob and 3 of our rescue dogs Shelby, Johnathan and Little

Wet your appetite for fun. Big Bear Lake has it all...paddle boarding, pontoon boating, sailing or power boating... windsurfing, sailboarding, wakeboarding waterskiing or jet skiing... canoeing or kayaking. Boats and equipment can be rented at any one of the marinas that dot the lake's 23 miles of shoreline. Marinas are open spring, summer and autumn. Private boat permits are required and can be purchased at any marina.

The lake is indeed top billing at the mountain resort. It is located right in the center of the action, which makes it the number one attraction in the summer months. Big Bear Lake attracts boaters of all walks of life. On any given weekend from May to October expect to see a variety of water vessels that are great for boating and leisure. Anglers enjoy taking a boat out to catch a selection of freshwater species, namely rainbow trout and largemouth bass. Some of the more popular types of boats for cruising around or trolling include pontoons and tripoons as well as aluminum fishing boats and bass boats. Many of these style boats will have white flags hanging near the boat’s stern. This doesn’t mean they are surrendering. Instead the white flag represents a fair warning to other boaters that they are trolling for rainbow trout and their line is nearby.

Another great way to get a feel for the lake is to experience a boat with a little more flash and a little more pep. Some people prefer to speed it up a bit with high-powered motor boats. One of the top ways to have fun is to go waterskiing or wakeboarding behind a boat that is specialized for these favored aquatic sports. Also, water skis and wakeboards are not the only things to ride the wakes in Big Bear Lake. In fact, inner tubes are something that just about anyone can have a good time on. Just hold on to the tow rope and let it rip! With these types of boats it’s common to see a person on board holding an orange flag. This simply means a wakeboarder, skier or other type of swimmer is near the boat, better known as “skier down.” There are many ways to enjoy the lake from behind a boat, and there is no better place to get a feel for the excitement than in Big Bear Lake.

Big Bear has even taken wakeboarding and wakeskating to another level where a boat is not required. Big Bear now offers a cable wake park designed to help get beginners get their feet wet and learn the popular water sport.

Another way to get a rush on the water’s surface is with jet skis. Here riders hit full throttle on these jet-propelled watercraft to dart across the lake! This is the epitome of fun in the sun. Hit the rolling wakes and zip around the lake with fast-paced action! Jet skis come in different styles including Sea Doos, Yamaha Waverunners, and the classic Kawasaki Jetskis.

For a more relaxed pace, skippers of wind-powered vessels enjoy some of the best freshwater sailing in Southern California. Consistent mountain breezes provide just enough gust for Hobie Cats, windsurfers and sailboards.

Then of course there are many opportunities to poke around the lake paddling around. There are various personal watercrafts to explore Big Bear such as kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards. These smaller vessels are ideal for individuals that want to experience Big Bear Lake where larger boats cannot go. There are coves, bays and inlets perfect for paddling around.

Other fun things to consider for a good time are to fly a parasail high into the sky above the water. Also, Big Bear Lake offers a new thrilling way to get above the lake’s surface with the latest water craze called flyboarding.

What is all comes down to is Big Bear Lake has plenty of ways to either get into the action and get a little wet or take in the relaxed atmosphere and cruise around the lake in a boat. In spring, summer and fall it’s all about the lake, and the choices for aquatic fun are boundless.

Story Courtesy of Big Bear.com/things to do

                                       Additional Resources when planing your Big Bear Trip:

http://www.bigbear.com/visitor-guide/

http://www.bigbear.com/where-to-eat/

http://www.bigbearlakevillage.com/

http://www.bigbearvacations.com/

http://www.bigbearvacations.com/events-calendar

Big Bear Lake, CA

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