I like it, I love it, I want some more of it......

I think I'm the # 40,965th person sucked into Pinterest.   Another time waster.  It actually is a great site where you can save the things you love!  I have already pinned so many ideas for decorating, recipes, etc.  There are so many thing that I have found that I love on the internet and then I try to remember where I found it....and can't seem to find it......well now the problem is solved.

Why Pinerest is more valuable than Facebook:

1. You can still stalk people but all you are stalking is their ideas, not their family portraits, past boyfriends, latest gossip, etc.
2. It's keeps your mind active.....gives you new ideas of things to do......Facebook makes your mind stale.  If you don't agree, your mind is probably already stale.  
3. Keeps you organized for party planning.  
4. I can already start planning out the inn.....thanks to Pinterest I can save linens, house styles, decorating tips, recipes, etc for my future Inn at the Sea.....what was the name again!?
5. You don't have to reinvent the wheel.....find someone elses idea you like and steal it.
6.  I'm just a sucker for anything like this.  I'm pretty sure Martha is, too.

Are you sold?

It takes some time.....

So we've been in our house for oh let's say over a year.  Most people probably would have put all their pictures on the wall, bought lamps, you know...the things that make it feel homey.

Well I was saving a few of those things for no apparent reason.  This weekend I decided that I wanted to stay in and get em' done.  I borrowed our neighbors drill and got to it.   Here is Home Depot Girl above--in her special outfit.  Please ignore it. I had just gone to Zumba and was feeling extra energetic and wanted to finish the projects before the work week started.

I fixed up the office a bit (which also doubles as a spare bedroom and storage) and bought lamps.  It's amazing what lamps will do to create a good atmosphere. I'm sad that I haven't had them over the last year....but you know, I got over it quickly.

Rain down on me.....

IT RAINED YESTERDAY!

Trey came home and said "It's about to rain."  I didn't really believe him because usually it rains about 1 second and stops. 

Then I heard it. I took a look.  Then I kept hearing it.  I took another look.  It was legitimately pouring.  I ran outside for a photo to prove it to you!

It smelled like rain.  It looked like it in the sky.  The air felt like it.  It was just how it should be.   Then my husband told me to step outside into the rain for a better picture...and I almost took a digger as you can see from my face above.

It was a great day at 4:00pm on Saturday!

New Hospital Update.....

The new hospital is really coming along!  It's going to open up next spring and we are all excited to see the doors open.  I want to show you some photos so that you can see the progress along with us. 

I went to visit another hospital here in town last night.  Oh man, I think our current hospital and new hospital feel so cozy and warm compared to that place.  It felt so institutional and like a hospital from WWII or something.  I hope I never need to go there.  Ship me back to America.

Our new hospital should be fabulous. State of the art equipment.  State of the art medical and administration staff:)  A coffee shop.  All the things a hospital should have.  The start of the "ski jump" looking design piece at the entrance has been started.  Can't wait to see this finished.

The clincs are in the lower building to the left.

I am working on volunteer teams who will help us move from our current hospital into the new hospital.  Also, I get to work on the interior decorating stuff which I love. It's been so fun.

We'll keep you updated.

Grease Lightning....

I've never really had a desire for oil in my hair....UNTIL NOW!  My hair is falling out in clumps here.  It's sort of gross and I talked about it to my sister-in-law the other day.  She said hers does the same and that other American women were saying the same.  What in the world?!  Is this normal in a very dry climate or do you think it is something bad in the water?

It's normal for some hair to fall out each day and especially when you wash it.  I understand.  Yup. Normal.  I'm thankful for a full head of thick hair which helps make me not so nervous about this situation, but if we live here for even 2 more years, I might start having"thin" hair.

So the Indians may have some good tips here. They do weekly hot oil treatments.  Any suggestions what might help me out here?  Has anyone ever had this problem back home or know a hair dresser with some good suggestions?

If this post grosses you out, sorry.  It's reality here and I need help.

Happy Labor Day.....

HAPPY LABOR DAY

to all those back home.

Hope you have a great day being outside and eat at least 1 hamburger. 

We labored at work today.  I even forgot it was Labor Day weekend at home. 

I think I'll go make burgers on the grill. 

Chowda'

Yesterday I was dreaming about having clam chowda' while sitting outside by the water in New England on a warm summers night.....

But then I came back to reality and realized that I was stuck in the desert where the weather is one bajillion degrees still....and I'm afraid to eat clams from here (what do they know about clams!?).....and it's nothing like New England.

So I made Chicken Corn Chowda'.  And I did say it like that.  How can you really get into the moment if you don't say chowda' properly.  The recipe is from a New England friend and she got it out of an old New England cookbook so it felt pretty close.

So here's the recipe for you. 

1 to 1 1/4 pounds bone-in chicken breast
2 cups water

1 rib celery, cut up
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
-milk (see directions)
1/4 c butter
1/2 c diced onion
1 c diced celery
2 tbsp flour
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 (17 ounce) can cream-style corn
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Combine chicken, water, celery, bay leaf and salt in 3-quart saucepan.  Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chicken is tender, about 25 minutes.  Remove chicken from brother' cool, discard bones.  Dice chicken; set aside.  Strain broth; add enough milk to make 3 cups; set aside.  Melt butter in 3-quart saucepan; saute onion and celery until soft but not brown.  Blend in flour, gradually stir in milk mixture.  Add potatoes;  simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.  Stir in chicken, corn, salt, and pepper; heat through.  Garnish with chives.