IT'S TIME FOR A RE-COMMITMENT!

For several months I've been doing pretty good on Weight Watchers. I lost almost 50 lbs and eating healthy was becoming 2ND nature to me.

But then something happened. A few weeks ago I lost the excitement. My desire to lose was gone. I got lax and didn't really follow the plan the way I should be. I got stuck in a weight loss plateau.


I still went to weigh in every week and I stayed for the meetings. I didn't give up totally. I knew if I stopped going to the weigh ins I would be in trouble. I would not have gone back and most likely ended up gaining all my lost weight back.

Today, our meeting brought us all a challenge. To do a 5K by June.

We were given ways to start training now and if followed we would be ready for a 5K by June.

I was happy about this as I seem to well with a challenge. It gets me motivated again. Gives me a goal to shoot for.

I knew this week I was going to be back on track and I also knew I was going to exercise more.

In fact, I was talking to one of the guys in my meeting and he said he walks at least a 5K four to five times a week. I asked him where he walked and he told me. In fact, he said he was going to go walk after the meeting.

Then something scary happened. He asked if I wanted to join him. YIKES! I wasn't ready to start my re-commitment so soon. I paused for about 10 seconds and then said "Yes, I would love to go with you."

So, after the meeting we went to one of the parks in the area and walked to an area he had mapped out before. He said it was a loop of 3.2 miles which is a tad over a 5K but was a close as he could get it.

Off we went. We talked, saw lots of animals, enjoyed the smells of the blooming plants and before I knew it our walk was over.

It didn't seem like we walked that far. The time flew by.

We walked to the parking lot and got into our cars. I wasn't ready to stop walking yet and so I went out to a few thrift stores to get a few extra steps in.

OK, I wanted to see if anything good was out there too but I really did want to get more steps in.

I was happy that I had a good start to my new week. Then my phone rang. It was my nephew. He wanted to know if I wanted to go for a hike with him tomorrow. I quickly said yes.

I don't know why I hit this plateau. I just know I want to break out of it and I'm going to do everything I can this week to do so. I think I'm off to a good start.

I'm not going to give up. I'm going to reach my goal this time. I don't know when. I haven't really set a deadline. I just know that this time, I'm going to make it!

Have any of you had a weight loss plateau before? If so, what did you do to dig your way out of it?

WE HAVE A WINNER!

I was going to do the Random number drawing but some of you left only one post for a few ways to be entered. So, I went with the good old fashioned way and wrote every one's name down for each entry that qualified you.

So, if you did more then one thing you got more then one entry.

OK, I know no one really cares how the winner was picked. You just want to know who won! Ready?

It was MONA at WSPRSWEETLY OF COTTAGES! Congrats Mona! I'll need for you to email me your address so I can forward it on to Jen at Cupcakes Social and she will get your package mailed out to you.

I'm sorry everyone couldn't win.

EASTER BRUNCH

It used to be our family tradition to have Easter Dinner with the whole family. Then our family started to grow and we switched to Easter Brunch so everyone could to other family members in the afternoon/evening.

We weren't really sure how many people we were going to have for Easter Brunch this year. So, I didn't purchase any special dishes. I made due with what I had.

For the centerpiece I used a clear glass candle holder and added some pastel jelly beans around the candle and a pale pink polka dot ribbon. Very easy and cheap!

We also used our every day dishes. There are three different patterns that come with this set so it's easy to mix and match the dishes to give different looks. Everyone had a different setting as I didn't want it to look all matching.

I did purchase these cute little bunny salt and pepper shakers from World Market this year. They were only a few dollars and I'll use them with other Tablescapes through out the year.

Pastel Easter eggs were scattered around to add a little bit of Easter colors and tie in the colors of the jelly beans.

The table cloth matches the dishes and has blue and green and white. There are birds, flowers and leaves on it. I thought it was Spring looking so it worked for Easter too.

On top of each place setting I put a cute egg shaped box with a vintage Easter picture on it. I got these at Michael's and filled them with a bit of Easter grass topped with a See's chocolate Easter egg and small foiled eggs. These were the party favors.

I showed these cute little faux chocolate bunnies that I got at Big Lots. I used them as place card holders. They each had pastel colored ribbons that matched the colors used on the table.

A bigger white rabbit sits proudly protecting the eggs. She the same pastel pink polka dot ribbon around her neck that was used on the candle holder.

I love the colors of the jelly beans. The flavors are good too. Not the normal jelly beans we had when I was a kid.

Here is a better look at the favor boxes. The pink ones had a lovely picture of white bunnies and roses.

Little chicks and eggs adorned the blue boxes.

Easter Greetings with baby chicks and violets topped the yellow ones.

I did keep one of each color for myself so I can use them to decorate with next year. The pictures remind me of old Vintage Easter Postcards.

At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like the way the table all came together. But, once I got it all put together I think it came out OK. Not my favorite but, it still gave a fun Easter feel to it.

I used a flower butter mold and once they were all put together it almost looked like a basket of flowers. They were really cute.

Every one pitched in with the food. My sister, Maureen, brought tons of bacon. Both regular and turkey bacon.

Patty made home made waffles. They are the best! We had real maple syrup and also Wild Berry syrup I had brought back with me from Alaska. It was a big hit. Everyone liked it a lot.

We also had blueberries and whipped cream for those (me) who wanted.

I made this great egg dish. I had it at a friends house and knew it would go over well for brunch.

Everyone enjoyed it so much they all said I have to make this every time we have brunch.

We also had a fresh fruit salad, coffee and juice. Everyone was stuffed by the time we were finished.

After cleaning up, we all got to visit, play a few games and then it was time for people to leave.

I had a wonderful Easter and I hope you all did too.

We had a bit of excitement after most everyone left. Mexico had an Earthquake that was 7.2 and we felt it pretty good where I live. Even the after shocks could be felt.

The water in our pool came splashing out and the hanging plants were really rocking back and forth.

I'm hoping there won't be any deaths or major injuries from this.

Don't forget, tomorrow I'll be picking the winner of my giveaway. If you have not yet entered, be sure to do so.

M3 TACO COMPANY ~ YUM!

It's here! That's right, you heard me. If you are going to a party in the Orange County or the surrounding areas and see this little white trailer when you pull up, you are in a for a big treat!

It means the party has been catered by M3 Taco Company! They just happen to be the catering company that comes to you and cooks up the worlds best Tacos!

A grill will be set up and fresh chicken, beef and pork will be cooked to perfection. The tortillas heat up, and when ready, your tastes buds will explode with excitement!

Here are the owners of this wonderful company, Christy and Tony Monfort. Aren't they are a great looking couple?

They are just as nice as they look too.

They both work hard, cooking away so your guest will have plenty to eat.

How nice that you can host a party and they do all the set up, cooking and clean up of the food. That way, you too get to enjoy the party and your guest.

They make their own salsa and let me tell you, the salsa is full of flavor and comes in a variety of hotness. I could eat this all day.

They make great rice too. It's a cilantro/lime rice. The beans also cooked to perfection!

I was lucky enough to be invited to the Grand Opening they held at their own house. The smell of the fresh cooked tacos was heaven and tempted your taste buds before you even got outside.

Everyone was eating two and three plates full.

Oh, they even make their own homemade guacamole. Look, the avocados are even growing in their back yard. How fresh is that!

What ever you do, don't pass up the bacon wrapped jalapenos. Well, that is, unless you are a vegetarian like me. Then you may have to. I hear they are to die for though.

Speaking of being a vegetarian, 3M Taco Company also offers a vegetarian mean option too! How great is that!

So everywhere I looked, this is what I saw, smiling faces and people eating, eating and eating some more.

Yes, 3M Taco Company is a treat in every sense of the way. I recommend them to anyone looking for a way to spice up your parties.

No, I did not get paid to say this. I really mean every word of this.

SEA SHORE TABLESCAPE

I love Thursdays because that means it is time to get the dishes out and start playing around.

Normally I know what I'm going to do several days before I do it. But not today. I had no idea.


At first I thought about doing my Easter Tablescape but I decided against that as I didn't want to put everything out so early.

I have been excited about the weather being so nice lately and thinking about going for walks at the beach so I went with a Tablescape that gave a beach feeling to it.

Blue and white and lots of shells, s say beach to me. I didn't have any blue tablecloths (can you believe that) so I used some material I got a few years ago at the flea market and never made anything.

It was perfect for the tablecloth.

White square plates were used as chargers. I liked the edge on these plates and they sort of have a shell feeling to them.

I got them at TJ Maxx.

I then put a blue rimmed plate on top. I got those at a thrift store. Topped the plates with a white linen napkin and used a shell napkin ring.

I purchased the napkins at Target awhile ago and the napkin rings came from EBay.

I found the blue glasses at Good Will. I got them thinking I would use them for 4Th of July but they were perfect for this Tablescape too.

For the centerpiece I used a tray that has a weathered look to it. I found this at Joann's. They have a whole beach section there with lots of cute things.

I added a jar full of shells. The jar came from TJ Maxx years ago and the shells I got from a shell store that is near me. They sell every kind of shell you can think of there and they are so cheep!

A blue candle wrapped with a strand of pearls and a mini star fish leaning up against it was also on the tray as well as a cute little couple dressed in vintage beach attire that I found at Ross finished off the centerpiece.

All the shells are real except the big sand dollar. It's actually meant to hang on a wall but I just leaned it up against the tray. It looks pretty real.

This cute milk glass shell dish came from a thrift store. I found it last year. I love it and use it whenever I can.

I was lazy today and didn't want to iron the napkins so they are not that crisp look you can get when you take your time. However, the beach reminds me a lazy day and so the un-ironed napkins were fine with me today.

Here is a better look at that sweet couple. I just love the smiles on their face.

You can see the candle better in this picture. The pearls are just an old faux pearl necklace that I have had for years.

Don't you think the white plate boarder has a shell feel to it? Or, maybe rippling waves?

I really like this tablescape and hope you too.

I'm linking up to Tablescape Thursdays over at Between Naps on the Porch. If you have not yet gone over there, please go. There are so many wonderful ideas you can get from all the tablescapes.